I spent almost three weeks traveling through Vietnam and was in awe of the country’s surreal landscapes, incredible food, and kind people.
From kayaking in Hạ Long Bay to exploring lantern-lit streets in Hội An, every moment was amazing. As much as I loved my trip, though, I had my fair share of missteps along the way.
Here are four mistakes I made that, looking back, could have been easily avoided with proper preparation.
Not learning enough about local customs before my trip
Vietnam’s beautiful and welcoming culture is one of the highlights of visiting. Still, I’ll admit I didn’t do enough research on local customs before my trip.
For instance, I didn’t realize that pointing with your fingers is considered impolite in Vietnam and that locals often use their entire hand to gesture instead.
And though Google Translate came in handy, learning some basic Vietnamese words and phrases would have been helpful before entering the country. This would’ve made me feel like a more respectful traveler, too.
Even though many locals I encountered spoke some English, they seemed to appreciate when visitors were able to ask simple questions and share greetings in their native language.
Trying to fit too many stops into one trip
Before I arrived, I thought almost three weeks would be plenty of time to see everything on my list: Hanoi, Hạ Long Bay, Hội An, Ho Chi Minh City, and a few other spots in between.
What I didn’t realize is that Vietnam is deceptively big, and even though it looks like a slim strip of land on a map, it can take hours — or even days — to get from one place to the next.
I spent more time in transit than I wanted to, from a 16-hour overnight train ride to full-day bus trips, eating up a huge chunk of my time.
If I could do it over again, I would focus on a few regions and spend more time in each instead of trying to see every place on my list.
Because of unforeseen time restraints, there were many things on my wish list that I didn’t get the chance to do, like riding a motorbike through the Ha Giang Loop in the north.
Not packing for the varying climates in Vietnam
Vietnam’s climate can vary depending on where you are, which I learned the hard way.
Unfortunately, I didn’t look closely enough at the weather forecast for each city before leaving home, so I didn’t pack my suitcase accordingly.
For example, I started my trip in Ho Chi Minh City in early October, which felt like a sauna because of the high heat and humidity. Two weeks later, however, I was in Hanoi, where the weather during my stay was cooler and rainy.
After trekking through jungles, exploring caves, and walking city streets, I also wished I’d packed more breathable fabrics.
Plus, I underestimated just how much I’d sweat and how often I’d want fresh clothes. Though most hotels I stayed at offered laundry services, I didn’t pack enough options to keep up with my desire for an outfit change.
If you plan to visit Vietnam, I suggest packing cool, lightweight clothes, layers for changing weather, and extra outfits for when you sweat through them quicker than expected.
Overpaying for local goods and services
One of my favorite things about Vietnam was wandering through the bustling street markets. I picked up tailored silk dresses in Hội An, bought handmade leather goods in Hanoi, and tasted some of the best food I’ve ever had at stands on the street.
I loved visiting the markets, but later realized I had overpaid for items a few times, especially early on in my trip.
Though bargaining is a common part of the market culture in Vietnam, it’s not something I’m used to doing back home.
At first, I also wasn’t sure how much certain things typically cost in the area, so I found it easiest to avoid negotiating and just pay whatever the vendor asked.
As my trip went on and I became more confident, I began asking for lower prices or bundled deals and realized that bargaining wasn’t such a big deal at all. The vendors were used to it, and I was able to work with them to make smarter purchases.
I probably could’ve saved myself some money if I’d leaned into the culture sooner.
This story was originally published on February 26, 2025, and most recently updated on February 10, 2026.
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