[2026 Latest] Must-read before your Vietnam trip! 10 things to be aware of, according to Meg, a 7-year resident with 30,000 followers

Xin chào! This is Meg from ít ít Việt Nam.

I'm grateful to have 30,000 followers on my social media. As I answer the many questions I receive daily about traveling to Vietnam, I often think, "If only they had known this, their trip would have been so much more comfortable!"

You're making the effort to travel to Vietnam. I want you to avoid any trouble and bring back only wonderful memories! With that in mind, based on my 7 years of experience living here and messages from all of you, I've put together "10 Things to Be Careful About When Traveling to Vietnam."

1. Ignore the "Grab?" touts at the airport! Pre-booked "Airport Transfer" is the safest option.

At Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, the Grab pick-up point is incredibly hard to find! You have to carry heavy luggage and walk to the parking garage building, and it's nearly impossible to navigate an unfamiliar place while avoiding persistent touts.

That's why I recommend pre-booking an "airport transfer" through services like Klook or Booking.com. The price isn't significantly higher than Grab, and if you provide your flight number when booking, the driver will be aware and wait for you even if there's a delay.

To avoid getting tired at the start of your trip, I really want you to prioritize using this service.

2. Be more careful with "smoothies" and "sugarcane juice" than "ice."

I often get asked, "Will I get sick from the water or ice?" But the ice in cafes (the cylindrical type with a hole) is made by professional suppliers, so it's surprisingly safe.

What you should be more careful about are smoothies (sinh tố) and sugarcane juice.
I often see people getting stomach problems because blenders are casually rinsed with tap water, or the fruit left out isn't fresh.

When ordering at local shops, the trick is to quickly check the cleanliness of the place, or thoroughly check Google Maps reviews before ordering!

3. Adjust your "raw coffee" caution level by city.

Vietnam's unique egg coffee (raw egg) and salt coffee (raw cream).

In big cities like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, turnover is high, so there's not much to worry about, but those traveling to Da Nang, Hoi An, or other provincial cities should be a little careful.
Raw ingredients spoil easily in hot climates. It's safer to try them at popular, bustling shops with high turnover rather than overly local places.

If you do get an upset stomach, go to a local pharmacy (like Pharmacity) immediately!

If you explain your symptoms, they will prescribe effective medicine. Also, if you're feeling unwell, you can easily buy congee (Cháo) at the instant food section or ready-meal aisle of supermarkets, or order it via Grab delivery, so it's reassuring to remember this as a backup.

4. Try to "localize" your clothing a bit.

When I advise people who have experienced snatching or overcharging, the most important thing I notice is the significance of "clothing."

"Very Japanese" clothing, with pastel colors and lots of frills, immediately identifies you as a tourist and makes you an easier target.

Simply being mindful of wearing something a bit more casual that blends in with the local atmosphere can significantly boost your personal safety!

5. Hold your phone on the "side away from the road" with a "strap."

The most common petty crime in Vietnam is snatching by motorcycles in motion.
For phone snatching prevention, a case with a strap is your best friend!

When looking at your phone outside, always hold it in the hand farthest from the road and quickly check your surroundings.
This small habit alone can significantly reduce your chances of being targeted.

6.  Just "look" at animals! If bitten, go to the hospital immediately without hesitation.

Rabies is a terrible disease that can be fatal if it develops, but it can be prevented with proper treatment immediately after being bitten.

If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or cat on the street, go to an emergency hospital immediately.
Local doctors are experienced in dealing with such cases and will provide vaccinations and other necessary treatments right away. In an emergency, remember to go to the hospital "immediately."

Kindly tell your children to "just look" at the animals.

7. Hair salons are best left as a "reward after returning home!"

"I got my hair beautifully colored for photos!"... That might actually be a waste.

The tap water in Vietnam has a high concentration of residual chlorine, and your hair color will fade surprisingly quickly within a few days. Hair also tends to become dry, so wearing it up or bringing your own hair treatment is a good idea.

Save your hair maintenance for a treat after you return home! ❤️

8. Cross the road at a "consistent speed."

When crossing a wave of motorbikes, the most dangerous thing is to run out of fear.

This is because motorbike riders calculate "your consistent walking speed" and will avoid you accordingly.
If you get startled and run or go back, motorbikes won't be able to avoid you. Trust your pace and keep walking slowly and at a consistent speed.

This is the only trick to crossing safely.

9. Don't flush toilet paper – that's the Vietnamese way.

If you flush toilet paper like in Japan, it will clog instantly and cause a huge mess!
The etiquette is to dispose of it in the provided trash can.

This might be the biggest culture shock, something first-time visitors absolutely need to remember.

10. Carefully check the "denomination" and "color" of banknotes.

Finally, this. Vietnamese Dong has so many digits that it can be confusing, but if you remove the "000" from the end and add "k" (pronounced "kay") instead, it becomes much easier to understand.

• 20,000 dong ➡ 20k
• 500,000 dong ➡ 500k

This way of speaking is common locally. What you need to be careful of is that 20k and 500k are both blue-ish in color and look similar! When paying, replace the digits with "k" and calmly double-check.

Be especially careful when paying in dimly lit places or when you're in a hurry!

Finally

I've written a lot, but these are all tips to help you enjoy your trip even more. Prepare well, and then just fully enjoy Vietnam's vibrancy, delicious food, and warm people!

If you get tired from walking around or are unsure about souvenir shopping, please come cool off at ít ít Việt Nam, right next to Ben Thanh Market & Hoi An Ancient Town. Solo travelers and families alike can enjoy Vietnamese goods at their leisure.

May your trip to Vietnam be wonderful!

Click here for access to ít ít Việt Nam 📍

You can find detailed shop locations and the latest lineup via the links below.

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  • Ho Chi Minh City Store
    📍3rd floor, 14 Đ. Nguyễn An Ninh, Bến Thành, Quận 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
    ⏰10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    🚶2-minute walk from Ben Thanh Market
    💳Cash and credit cards accepted
    
  • Hoi An Store
    📍567 Đ. Hai Bà Trưng, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam
    ⏰10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    🚶Approx. 10-minute walk from Hoi An Japanese Bridge
    💳Cash and credit cards accepted
    
    
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Our staff looks forward to seeing you in Vietnam!