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I know this is long so please be kind. I’m new here just trying to get some information on my upcoming trip. It probably doesn’t matter but I’m from the United States, Kansas to be specific. I will be flying to Ho Chi Minh City the first week in June for approximately a week stay. I’m going to be flying out of Las Vegas because I’m going there first for a week or so. I originally had planned on flying with a friend who’s been to VN many times but his scheduled just does not work for me. We were/are going to meet a third friend there. I have decided I’m going to go by myself to meet that friend. I checked the State Department website and I know Vietnam is a safe place for US citizens to visit so I’m not worried about that. What I am worried about is I do not speak the language I have no idea how to navigate or get things that I will need when I’m there. I’ve got several questions I’m hoping to get answered in this group.1st I know I need to take some cash with me and exchange it I just don’t know how much I should take or where the best places to exchange it or the easiest. I’ve been told not to exchange at the airport because the rates not very good. For things I’m not paying cash with can I pay with a credit card how does that work. I have been told PayPal operates in Vietnam and have a PayPal account with a PayPal debit card2nd I’ve also been told that getting through customs/screening can be a little bit tricky and I should have a few five or $10 bills to slip them which will make getting through easier, not sure if that info is correct or not. Other than the standard things you can’t get on a plane is there anything I shouldn’t take with me or I should take with me how do they view medication that you take mostly just vitamins, over-the-counter pain medication like Tylenol or ibuprofen and one or two prescription drugs. 3rd I’m sure at airport there are many people who speak English or can translate and help me navigate the language barrier and of course I’ll have a translation app on my phone with me. But once I get out of the airport it may get a little more difficult. Although it’s a safe place I’ve been told that the biggest threats are pickpockets and places that take advantage of tourists, so I want to get ahead of that from the start4th My friend I’m meeting may not be able to meet me at the airport I’m not sure on that yet so I will need to be sure I know how to get transportation to whatever hotel I pick. It will be late when I get in so I really don’t want to spend hours trying to figure out how to get to my hotel, I’m sure whatever motor transportation I pick will be plenty long enough as it is so don’t need to complicate it by not knowing what to do.5th I also don’t know much about how their power grid works over there I know things are different in Europe than the are the United States so the real question is will I be able to take my cell phone charger and will I be able to take my corded 120 volt razor with me. 6th. I know my phone won’t work over there and I need to do something to make the Internet work or make my phone work when I’m there so any help on what I need to do with that would be great to. I read someplace about purchasing a Sim card or something but need to make sure it’s going to be compatible with my phone before I get over there 7th I know there are services that help navigate the airport both for arrival and departure Fast Track is the one that was recommended to me I just want everyone’s opinion on it and the other ones like it. They sound like a good services and are worth the money but I would just like everyone’s opinion on them. I know this was a long post, but I really would appreciate any help and info I can get.
I know this is long so please be kind.
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Everyone speaks English in Vietnam you will be fine
Geeezzz mate, do you need help getting dressed the morning ? 😜🤪
#2 is never required for you and rarely anyone does that. HOWEVER, my brother in-law who goes to VN probably 3+ times a year, does that for this reason: with the number of arrivals continuing to increase with Vietnam’s popularity as a travel destination, lines could be very long at HCMC airport. To combat this, some people pay for “Fast Track” but depending on the numbet of FastTrackers there, the process could still be time-consuming. My brother in-law would put a $10 in his passport and join the line reserved for flight crews and or diplomats. He said that he gets through so fast and gets a cheerful, friendly reaction from the officer there. He considers that a “tip” to the officer! I have never done that myself but I have no doubt it would work. The worse thing is to be told to go to the regular line but I doubt that would happen!
If you bring cash, make sure it is in $100 denominations and crisp (new). ATMs give a low exchange rate. We were able to change money at the hotel.
The English in Saigon is actually better than that in where I live, Sydney’s Little Saigon. 😊. Some taxi drivers don’t seem to speak English though.
Overthinking too much. Pack your suitcase, $300-500 cash in pocket , credit cards, an iPhone, valid passport and visa then GO! There are hundreds of thousands foreigners live and work in Vietnam. Enjoy your trip.
First, good you are still going, second, once you get there you will wonder why you worried so much. I just returned from Vietnam. It is by far one of the safest places I have ever travelled. Everything I thought was going to make it more challenging is just not a problem. This country has millions of tourists every year and knows how to help them and make sure they enjoy the country. It is not even remotely a ‘backward’ place. The cities are big and busy and modern and everything in between is your basic farming landscape with fields and smaller towns. Everything works as it would in any other country except that cash is definitely still king. ATMs work even in small towns, taxis and hotels are as they are anywhere else and there are lots of modern normal conveniences like booking tours online, using a taxi app called Grab, restaurants etc.
1. ATMs are everywhere. Take no cash. When you get there Google, which ATMs have the lowest fees. Don’t overthink this. It’s just like being in the United States… Trust me… I’ve been there seven times now.
I think you are stressing a but too much. Download the grab app, never take a metered taxi. Down load Google Translate and practice with anyone who can speak a different language. Crisp new $100’s get the best exchange rate at gold shops. Buy an eSim from a national carrier unless your cell phone plan has international data. Overpaying at the airport isn’t a crime to gain peace of mind. Ask any foreign face for help