Taking into account the below tips before travelling to Vietnam

Photocopies

A photocopy of the information page of your passport along with a photocopy of your visa (or visas if you are traveling to more than one country) should be made and kept at a different place from your passport; it serves no purpose to loose your passport and the photocopies at the same time. In the event of loss these will speed the re-issuance of your passport and visas.

One rarely needs a coat in Ho Chi Minh City but one nearly always needs a coat in Sapa in the winter. Vietnam reaches nearly from the Tropic of Cancer to the Equator and its climates range from tropical to temperate. Winter gets chilly in Hanoi and even moreso in the mountainous regions in the north and especially in the northern highlands. The Central Highlands in the center, as far down as Dalat, also get cold in the winter and chilly on summer evenings. The best strategy is "layering": a T-shirt, a long sleeved shirt along with a light coat will often suffice for chilly evenings. For colder climates and times of the year appropriate gloves, hats and even scarves are desirable. Hats, umbrellas and sunscreen work well to protect the skin.

Three things to avoid: buffets where it is obvious the food has sat for a period of time; anything which has or could have a water residue on it (lettuce, tomatoes, unpeeled fruit); and mayonnaise which has a tendency to rapidly spoil in tropical climates and can cause food poisoning. Other than this Vietnamese food is a culinary delight: light, flavorful, delicate and filling but not "laden" as many Chinese dishes are. In the countryside, as well as in the cities, the many and varied soups of Vietnam are a delight with the ubiquitous "pho" being the national favorite.

In the major cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City a rainbow of culinary delights from all corners of the world awaits the traveler.

Rarely is the first price or the posted price the real price: bargaining is expected, however unrealistic offers to purchase should be avoided as they are considered insulting.

Tipping, until Vietnam opened its doors to the outside world, was never expected in Vietnam. With the advent of tourism the times have changed but still tipping is not nearly as routine as it is in some Western countries. For services, a 10% tip is gracious. For guides (for one or two people) for extraordinary service, $10 per day (or more depending on the service) tip is good; for adequate service $5; for so-so service: nothing. Driver's do not expect tips but welcome them.

All good hotels provide laundry services. Laundries in Vietnam offer the quality at bargain prices.

A good map always places time and space in a far more understandable sphere. There are numerous maps available in Vietnam at bookstores and good city maps of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City available at good hotels (sometimes for free), but the best country maps as well as the best city maps are ITMB Maps from Vancouver, Canada. For years Jack Joyce, in conjunction with geographic institutes in Vietnam, has been making the best maps available. These maps can be purchased at most good map stores and online.

Vietnam has perhaps the best taxi services in the world. Always take metered taxis which are plentiful in the major cities.

Expect service which is not as rapid as it is in North America. Though much improvement in service has occurred over the past 10-years service is still slow compared to Western standards, and in some instances, very slow. To expect or to demand prompt service is considered impolite.

Showing anger is a sure way to insure than you do not achieve the end you seek. Politeness is held in very high regard in Vietnam.

Always drink bottled water; never drink tap water or any water that has not been boiled.

Agree on the price before you depart. It is always advisable to have the doorman or concierge arrange the cyclo for you.

It is not advisable in Ho Chi Minh City to be out and about after 10:00 pm, a time which it seems the police go home for the evening. Take a taxi back to your hotel.

Wearing earrings, necklaces, snap on wristwatches and the like is not advisable. Likewise it is a bad idea to show large amounts of cash. Purses, handbags, cameras, etc., should not be left dangling, but secured over your shoulder.

Closed yet unlocked doors are considered an invitation for entry; if you do not wish to be interrupted by the maid lock your door.

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