Vietnam offers an intoxicating mix of ancient culture, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant city life. For European travellers, this Southeast Asian gem presents both incredible opportunities and unique challenges. These tailored Vietnam travel tips for the first timers will help you navigate the country smoothly while making the most of your adventure.

Visa Essentials for Travellers

• E-visa system: Most Europeans can now apply online through the official government portal (avoid third-party sites charging extra fees). 
• Processing time: Typically 3-5 working days (apply at least 2 weeks before travel) 
• Passport validity: Must have 6 months remaining beyond your stay 
• Critical detail: Ensure your visa application matches your passport exactly - including middle names if present (unlike in Europe, discrepancies can lead to denied entry) 

Airport & Entry

• Long immigration queues: Arrive early for flights—security can take over an hour. Pay attention to the Foreigner lines and Vietnamese lines. 
• Buy a local SIM at the airport (around 10 euros for unlimited data) or from official stores for reliability. 
• Airport transfer: There are lots of taxi at the airport offering a certain price to the city centre, take one if you find it reasonable. Otherwise, you can try public buses. 

Money & Payments 

• Currency conversion: ~1 EUR ≈ 27,000 VND (remove 4 zeros for quick mental math: 100,000VND ≈ €3.70). You can check the exchange rate here
• Cash culture: Despite Vietnam's tech advancement, cash remains essential for: 
• • Street food (20,000-50,000VND)
  • Market purchases
  • Small guesthouses

• Card tips:
• • European cards work in most ATMs (look for Vietcombank or Techcombank for lowest fees)
  • Notify your bank about travel plans to avoid blocks
  • Revolut/N26 offer excellent exchange rates 

Transportation 

Between Cities 

• Domestic flights: Vietnam Airlines or Bamboo Airways offers European-standard service (book direct to avoid scams). Others such as VietJet Air, Pacific Airlines and Viettravel airlines offer cheaper prices; however, there might be long delays. 

• Train travel: 
• • Sleeper cabins available (book "soft sleeper" for most comfort) 
  • Thong Nhat Express offers scenic coastal routes  

Within Cities

• Grab app: Southeast Asia's Uber (set up before arrival with European card) 
• Taxi alternatives: 
• • Cyclo rides (negotiate €3-5/hour) 
  • Motorbike taxis ("xe ôm") for short hops 

• Scooters: If you are familiar with a bit complicated traffic, renting a scooter is a great way to explore the city. Otherwise, it's not recommended.

• Crossing roads: Walk steadily, avoid stopping—drivers will flow around you

Food & Drink 

• Try everything: Pho, banh mi, bun cha are must-tries. Street food is safe if busy and freshly cooked. Look for busy stalls with high turnover and watch food handling practices  
• Coffee culture: Vietnamese iced coffee (cà phê sữa đá) is very popular among locals. Other variations that you should try are Edd coffee, Salt coffee, Coconut coffee. Vietnamese coffee predominantly using robusta beans, known for their stronger, bolder flavour, while European coffee often features arabica beans, which are milder and have a fruitier taste. 

With these Vietnam travel tips specifically tailored for European visitors, you'll be prepared to enjoy this magnificent country while avoiding common pitfalls. Embrace the adventure, respect local customs, and you're guaranteed an unforgettable journey. 

Chúc bạn có một chuyến đi tuyệt vời! (Have a wonderful trip!)