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Visiting Vietnam: What You Need to Know

Are you planning to visit Vietnam? If so, you should prepare yourself for what will certainly be a holiday of a lifetime. There is so much to see and do, and some of the leading cities within the country are brimming with character and excitement. If you have ever been lucky enough to visit a Vietnamese-inspired restaurant where you live, it's likely that you would have been amazed by the imagination and the innovation that goes into their food. As you would hope, Vietnam holidays intensify the experience of enjoying their cuisine, not least because you know that the local produce includes some of the most mouth-watering and authentic ingredients that British imitations can't buy.

Unsurprisingly, there can be a little bit of a culture divide between the east and the west. Don't let this deter you though, as most globetrotters would perceive this as a reason to be excited to hop on board the cheap flight deals you snatched for a bargain. By reading up on the beliefs and values of the Vietnamese in this article, you'll be able to fall in love with the country and the locals who will do all they can to make you feel welcome. Once many tourists have visited sleepy fishing villages and cycled through the electrifying city centre, an indescribable desire to return again in the future sets in.

There are some things that you need to know about Vietnam to enjoy it fully. For example, as you hurry down to the bureau de change for local currency, it's worthwhile remembering that the Vietnamese Dong isn't the only commodity that's widely accepted by retailers throughout the country. If you prefer, you should find that conducting transactions in US dollars isn't a problem either. If you're in the country for a while, you might wish to ensure that you have enough money to last you through the trip. There aren't any limits on the cash that you travel into Vietnam with, but you should know that if you've got more than $7,000 on your person when arriving in their airports, customs need to be notified.

You shouldn't worry about finding an ATM when you're there. If you wish to take your credit or debit card and withdraw money throughout your break, leading financial companies such as Vietcombank have plenty of cash machines that accept leading international brands of credit card. Even though ATMs are available throughout the country, make sure that you don't rely on them too heavily as cash can run out in a hole in the wall from time to time.

The next thing that you need to know is some basic Vietnamese language to get you by during your once-in-a-lifetime trip. Who knows, if you're lucky, you might build on your linguistic foundations and get a grasp of speaking to the locals with confidence! Not only will polite manners such as saying ‘please' (som) and ‘thank you' (cam uhn) allow you to receive the service you expect from vendors, but the locals will be delighted that you have made the effort to speak their language while on holiday there. It doesn't take back-breaking amounts of effort to learn a handful of day-to-day phrases, and it's all part of the experience!

Another issue that tourists don't always consider is the climate, and you need to plan your wardrobe and the timing of your visit around the Vietnamese seasons. The best time to go depends on the month in which you are visiting. For example, choosing to visit the country in April, May or October usually ensures that your plans won't be too affected by the monsoon season. However, if you're curious about visiting the south of Vietnam and want to avoid the humid weather, it's far better for you to book your flights between November and February.

Speaking of timing your trip, many tourists may consider a winter break of sorts in January or February to coincide with the Vietnamese New Year festivities. It certainly is an experience, but a hectic one at that, almost like trying to go on the M6 on a bank holiday in the rush hour. For tourists who want tranquillity and the opportunity to relax in peace and quiet, the jubilation and traditional events at this time of year might affect your chances to settle down somewhat.

These are just some of the top tips for success when visiting Vietnam. No matter whether you take heed of all of the advice in the article or not, it'll certainly a holiday you'll never forget.