Vietnam: 5 travel tips, hacks when visiting the Land of the Blue Dragon

In recent years, Vietnam has become an increasingly popular tourist destination for the plethora of things one can enjoy in this Southeast Asian country.

In 2023 alone, Vietnam recorded 12.6 million visitors in their country, which saw a 3.5 times increase in tourists compared to 2022.

One of the driving factors why tourists are drawn to the Land of the Blue Dragon is its affordability compared to its neighboring countries.

For this writer's experience, you could travel to Hanoi with P10,000 ($170) pocket money for four to five days, and that would already allow you to do a daily food crawl and a little bit of thrift shopping.

Earlier this year, Filipino celebrities such as Gabbi Garcia, Khalil Ramos, Liza Soberano, and Kiray Celis were among those who were enchanted by the beauty of Vietnam.

If you're visiting Vietnam for the first time, here are five travel tips and smart hacks to help you enjoy your trip smoothly.

Don't miss out on Pho, Banh mi, and Banh xeo

You don't have to worry about overspending when it comes to food, as most food establishments in Vietnam are cheap.

In Hanoi, don't miss out on trying a bowl of authentic pho at Pho 10, which is listed in the Michelin guide for 2023 and 2024. A bowl of hot dish at Pho 10 ranges from 45,000 VND to 80,000 VND (P102 – P183).

As for Banh Mi, any food cart in the streets of Hanoi offers various delicious versions of the iconic Vietnamese bread with meat filling, but if you want a certain spot, Banh Mi 25 is the place to be. Price ranges from 30,000 VND to 40,000 VND (P68 – P91).

Another popular dish not to miss when in Vietnam is Banh xeo, also known as the Vietnamese crepe. For first-timers, experience the meticulous way of eating Banh xeo at Mr. Bay Mien Tay, a restaurant in Hanoi listed in the Michelin guide, where the servers will guide you on how to eat Banh xeo the Vietnamese way. Price ranges from 65,000 VND to P85,000 VND (P149 – P195).

Easily split group bills through an app

Suppose you're traveling within a group and would stick to KKB (Kaniya-kaniyang bayad) method throughout your spending. In that case, it's easier to rely on an online app to organize your expenses and automatically split the bill depending on the number of people in your group.

One of the free apps available on smartphones is Splitwise. This app lets you plan your trip, add people to the group on the app, and track your spending as you go along with your vacation. Through this approach, you won't have to stress about paying the person who covered the bill right away before you forget, as it will reflect on the app once you encode your expenses.

Egg coffee is a must-try, but don't drink it after 4 p.m.

Vietnamese coffee is known worldwide for its strong and robust flavor, and when in Hanoi, having a glass of egg coffee is a must.

Egg coffee was invented in the 1940s by Nguyen Van Giang due to the shortage of milk. This unique and intriguing beverage is still available to this day, and if you want to try its original recipe, head on to Café Giang for a glass of egg coffee for 25,000VND (P57). You can have it hot or over ice.

Since the coffee is strong, you might want to skip it after 4 p.m. to ensure a good night's sleep.

Opt for a physical card from your digital bank

Compared to traditional credit cards, where your spending power depends on your credit limit, opting for a physical card from a digital bank gives you the freedom to set your budget by topping up the exact amount you're willing to spend for a trip.

This writer used her Maya Mastercard on her latest trip to Hanoi and experienced no issues when using the card to withdraw money from an ATM and tapping the card in POS-enabled (Point of sale) establishments.

Another factor you can take advantage of by using a physical card from a digital bank is you can also track your spending in real time through the app. With traditional credit cards, you have to wait at least a day before it reflects on your bank's app.

Stick to bottled water throughout your trip

Our gut reacts differently to all sorts of food and beverages we consume daily.

To be on the safe side healthwise when traveling to Vietnam or other countries, it's best to stick to bottled water every time you dine out to ensure the water's cleanliness.

It's also advisable to bring your preferred over-the-counter medicines for gut health just to be prepared when your stomach acts up.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News