Before you go to Vietnam

Download the Grab app before you arrive and use it for taxis instead of hailing local cabs.

To ride legally in Vietnam you need a motorcycle license plus a 1968-convention IDP, otherwise you risk fines and voided insurance, and US-issued IDPs are not accepted.

Avoid the overnight sleeper bus in Vietnam because accidents are common, and take the train or fly instead.

Apply for your Vietnam e-visa early on the official evisa.gov.vn website, since processing takes several business days and there is no visa on arrival.

To extend your stay, do a visa run by exiting to a land border like Cambodia or Laos and re-entering Vietnam for another visa-free stay.

Buy and install an eSIM before you land in Vietnam so you have working data for maps and Grab as soon as you arrive.

Buy a local eSIM or SIM card for mobile data when you arrive in Vietnam, and pick Viettel for the best coverage in rural areas.

Use the Grab app for taxis instead of hailing one on the street so you don't get ripped off.

Vietnam is very safe for solo female travelers, so use common sense and stay aware of your surroundings, with crossing the road being the main danger.

Make sure your travel insurance covers riding a motorbike, since most policies exclude it unless you hold a valid motorcycle license.

Eat at busy street food stalls where lots of locals are eating and the food is freshly cooked, since high turnover keeps it fresh and safe.

Search for "chay" restaurants on Google Maps or HappyCow to find vegetarian and vegan food, since normal Vietnamese dishes usually contain fish sauce.

Try Vietnamese coffee such as egg coffee, coconut coffee and ca phe sua da, but go easy because it is very strong.

Tipping is generally not expected in Vietnam except for tour guides and drivers, so tip only for good service and do not feel obliged elsewhere.

Withdraw cash in Vietnamese dong from fee-free bank ATMs such as VP Bank or BIDV, or use a card that reimburses ATM fees, and decline the currency conversion.

Carry some cash since not every vendor in Vietnam takes credit card, and you'll need to withdraw from an ATM for street vendors and local places.

Download Google Translate and its offline Vietnamese language pack before you go, since many locals do not speak English outside tourist areas.

During the rainy season the rain often falls for only a couple of hours (usually at night) and isn't constant, so it need not ruin your trip; pack quick-dry clothes and a compact travel umbrella and stay flexible to adjust your plans.

Avoid traveling in Vietnam during Tet, because most shops, transport, and tourist services shut down as people go to their hometowns.

Check Vietnam's typhoon season and keep a flexible schedule, as typhoons can hit the central coast and cancel tours.

To avoid food poisoning, eat where the locals eat at busy places, avoid empty stalls, and drink only bottled water, never tap water.

Bring a mask, ideally an N95 during the burning season, to protect against poor air quality and haze, especially in big cities.

Stick to bottled water and avoid the tap water in Vietnam, since it isn't drinkable and can make you sick.

Consult a travel clinic on which vaccines you need before leaving, and consider getting the rabies course, since post-exposure rabies vaccination may otherwise be needed in Vietnam.

Compare prices across Klook, GetYourGuide and Viator, and consider booking directly with the local operator, since Viator is often more expensive.

Vietnam is family-friendly for a trip with kids, and picking excursions that include transportation from your hotel makes it easier to get around with them.

When traveling with elderly parents who tire easily, plan a relaxed pace with breaks and request wheelchair assistance at the airport.

Use Vietnam's cheap and fast laundry services, which are available almost everywhere and can pick up and drop off at your hotel.