Vietnam is known for its ancient history, diverse culture, and stunning natural landscapes – making it a prime vacation destination spot for millions of people each year. From going on a breathtaking adventure snaking through limestone pillars and forest-topped islets atop a deep blue-green sea in Halong Bay, to exploring an eclectic mix of restaurants, shops and cafes in Ho Chi Minh City – there’s sure to be an activity that will fit your travel needs.
Vietnam is a unique experience for each individual traveler. For people traveling to Vietnam from Asia, the cultural differences are slim, whereas people coming from most other parts of the world may experience a culture shock and have a hard time adapting.
No matter where you’re from, there’s one thing every traveler needs to do before coming to Vietnam – plan out an itinerary, and pack the essential items needed. After all, preparation is critical, especially when traveling overseas.
With that said, here are the travel essentials you should never forget to bring when visiting Vietnam.
When it comes to your luggage, it’s best that you have a carry-on instead of checking in multiple suitcases.
Your carry-on luggage dimensions will depend on your preferred airline. However, when it comes to general travel rules, your carry-on shouldn’t put any strain on your body, and should be spacious enough should you want to bring some souvenirs back with you.
Overall, it’s better to have a backpack than a suitcase considering that it’s easier to carry around and stow while traveling, and you won’t have to worry about the possibility of your luggage becoming damaged or lost during your trip.
Though healthcare in Vietnam is of good quality, you’ll still want to be extra safe and get yourself some travel insurance.
Travel insurance is usually associated with covering any unprecedented medical costs, and helps you in case your flight gets canceled or you encounter other issues during your trip..
Another benefit of having travel insurance is that it gives you peace of mind in case anything happens to your health while away.
Remember to read through and analyze your insurance policies properly so you know what your coverage entails. Check reviews from other travelers online to figure out which travel insurance provider is the best choice for you.
Portable chargers are definitely a travel essential no matter where you are. They are especially important if you are traveling with multiple gadgets such as a camera and your phone.
While you’re on the go, there might not always be a place for you to recharge your gadgets, so a portable charger is sure to come in handy.
Aside from bringing a portable charger, you should also make sure that you have a universal adapter so that you can plug in your electronics no matter what type of outlet is available.
If you really want to be safe, you should have a combination lock on your luggage that ensures any person snooping around won’t be able to access your valuables.
This is especially important if you are staying somewhere that has a lot of people coming and going.
Having a travel guide is something that you’ll find useful while in Vietnam. You can purchase a physical or digital copy so that you can have a travel guide everywhere you go.
Of course, you shouldn’t use the travel guide as your sole basis. Try to do your own research and strike a balance between using your guide and your own research. After all, it’s only a guide and not an instruction manual.
Vietnam has a lot to offer and staying there even for a week might not be enough time for you to see the sights. You may have to do a lot of traveling throughout the country to be able to reach the most notable places.
Considering you’ll be spending a lot of time commuting from place to place, you should definitely have a travel pillow to add a bit of comfort while you’re in transit.
US Dollars
Don’t go to Vietnam with Vietnamese Dong already in hand. A lot of people observed that it’s a lot better to come into Vietnam with US Dollars in cash and then have it converted into Vietnamese Dong.
Make sure you have your money converted back into US Dollars before leaving Vietnam, unless you want to keep some Vietnamese Dong for memorabilia.
The Best Time to Visit Vietnam
There are different times when it is best to go to Vietnam depending on which part of the country you want to go to.
In relation to this, you should consider Vietnam’s holiday and festival seasons. However, you can’t go wrong with going to Vietnam during the holiday seasons of December until February.
Packing and availing of the travel essentials mentioned above before you go to Vietnam will ensure that you have the best time while you are there. With these travel essentials, all you have to think about is how to have a great time while you are there!
