Hints and Tips
Crossing the road through a sea of mopeds is not as daunting as it first appears – walk steadily forward and let the traffic flow round you.
Although Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city are safe for lone women travellers, in certain areas the streets are dark at night, and taxis are recommended as the best way to get back to the hotel.
US dollars are accepted in street markets and restaurants, but traders round prices up to the nearest dollar as they do not hold cents for change – paying in Vietnamese currency is therefore cheaper.
The average national wage is $1 a day, the Vietnamese are a nation of entrepreneurs – be prepared to encounter street hawkers selling postcards, maps, books and cans of drinks.
In country areas, children may ask you for sweets or pens – it is a good idea to take a stash with you when you leave the cities.