| What
You Should Do
Store your cash, credit
cards, airline tickets and other valuables
in a safe place. Most 4-star hotels have
in-room safes, otherwise ask the reception
to keep your valuable things in their deposit
facility.
Take a hotel business card
from the reception desk before venturing
out from your hotel. This will make your
return to the hotel in a taxi or cyclo much
easier.
Carry a roll of toilet
paper in your daypack on long excursions
from your base hotel. You never know when
you might need it!
Dress appropriately. Not
only for the prevailing weather, but also
not to cause offence to the local people.
Vietnamese have conservative dress codes,
and it is only in larger cities that these
codes are a little more relaxed. Do not
wear revealing clothing.
If invited into a Vietnamese
home, always remove your shoes at the front
door when entering.
Ask for permission when
taking a photograph of someone. If they
indicate that they do not want you to, then
abide by their wishes.
Things Not To Do
in Vietnam
Offer money or push the
issue.
Drink plenty of bottled
water. During the summer months you should
be drinking a minimum of 2 litres per day.
If you drink tea, coffee and alcohol you
should increase you water intake accordingly
as these will help to dehydrate you.
Never carry more money
than you need when walking around the streets.
Do not wear large amounts
of jewellery. There are two reasons for
not doing this (1) It is considered impolite
to flaunt wealth in public; (2) It is more
likely that you may become a victim of a
pickpocket or drive-by bag snatcher.
Don't be paranoid about
your security, just be aware of your surroundings.
Don't wear singlets, shorts,
dresses or skirts, or tops with low-neck
lines and bare shoulders to Temples and
Pagodas. To do this is considered extremely
rude and offensive.
Avoid giving empty water
bottles, sweets and candies or pens to the
local people when trekking through ethnic
minority villages. You cannot guarantee
that the empty bottles will be disposed
of in a correct manner, and the people have
no access to dental health. If you want
to give pens, ask your guide to introduce
you to the local teacher and donate them
to the whole community.
Never sleep or sit with
the soles of your feet pointing towards
the family altar when in someone’s
house.
Never lose your temper
in public or when bargaining for a purchase.
This is considered a serious loss of face
for both parties. Always maintain a cool
and happy demeanour and you will be reciprocated
with the same.
Do not try to take photographs
of military installations or anything to
do with the military. This can be seen as
a breach of national security.
Never take video cameras
into the ethnic minority villages. They
are considered to be too intrusive by the
local people.
The above advice is meant
to help you have a perfect trip to Vietnam.
Do not be overly paranoid
though. Generally, Vietnamese people are
very appreciative if they see you trying
to abide by their customs, and very forgiving
if you get it wrong or forget. If you make
the effort, you will be rewarded. |
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