Vietnam. A country that deserves to be high up on your travel bucket list. It’s also however a destination that deserves respect and some prior planning. After visiting the trending destination twice, I’ve compiled my top tips and advice to guarantee a hassle-free trip and ensure you experience the holiday you’ve dreamt of.

Visas: Unlike other South East Asian places, Vietnam is one of the more difficult and expensive countries to enter. You’ll need to arrange and purchase a visa prior to travel. Make sure you have at least 6 months left before your passport expires otherwise you’ll be denied access at the departure gate as it is a requirement upon entering Vietnam.

Information surrounding how to purchase a visa can be confusing so I’ll break it down. There are 4 different types of visas available but if you’re simply holidaying in Vietnam it’s likely that only two are relevant:

1. Visa for 30 days with single entry and exit.
2. Visa for 30 days with multiple entry and exits into Vietnam.

Now that you’ve worked out which visa you’ll need, you’ll next need to decide how you’ll purchase it. There are two ways:

1. Pay a visit to your local Vietnamese embassy in your town and either apply in person at their office, electronically through email or submit your passport via post. Cost is $99 aud. http://vietnam-consulate.org.au

2. Apply online and receive an approval letter which you then use alongside two passport photos to obtain your official visa once at the Vietnamese airport.

This option involves paying two fees on separate occasions. $19 US for your approved letter and a second fee of $25 US per person which is required at the immigration gates (many tourists aren’t made aware of this second fee). Total cost is $66 AUD ($44 US). Note that the second fee requires payment in either Vietnamese Dong or US dollars. https://www.vietnamvisacorp.com

I’ve entered Vietnam using both visa options and definitely recommend the first. Yes, it equates to around $30 aud more but I promise the investment will be well worth it after you waltz past herds of passengers in line who stare with jealousy after not realising that they applied for only a visa approval letter and not an actual visa.

Be aware of website scams and false visa letters.. They may still look fake but the attached links above are genuine and are the companies I used for both different visa options. If you do choose the approval letter route, the time to process at the airport depends on the number of other tourists on incoming flights. I was forced to wait over 90 minutes which was the last thing I wanted on top of an already lengthy 10-hour journey.

Traffic: No matter how many ways I phrase this, there is no way to prepare yourself for the shock upon stepping foot into Vietnam’s traffic chaos.

Yes, there are road rules. And no they aren’t followed.

Remove all expectations of getting drivers to stop and let you pass, regardless if you’re patiently waiting at a pedestrian crossing or not. They will be kind enough to dodge and drive around you though. Carefully look both ways and move slowly without hesitation. On most occasions I opted to extend my hand out towards oncoming drivers because lets be honest, if a vehicle is going to ram straight into you at least you tried to use your hand as a shield….

Unlike Australia where horn tooting commends those for their f***wit moments, the Vietnamese use their horns as a way of telling others they are passing by to avoid collisions. In major cities including Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi and Da Nang, you’ll be lucky to get a moment’s silence.

My first taxi driver in Vietnam told me to think of it as a friendly hello. If that’s the case I must have looked very friendly. Your bedtime won’t always mean their bedtime so I suggest choosing hotels located away from main traffic strips as well as packing a few pairs of high quality earplugs.

Transport: The best mode of transport in and around major cities is by scooter. Although easily available to rent, it is illegal to drive a scooter without a valid Vietnamese license. Ensure you also purchase motorcycle insurance as traffic accidents are common.

Before you travel, download the ride-share apps Grab and Go-Viet. The Uber equivalent in Vietnam. Both are cheaper than the reputable cab companies.

Sign up for free and connect to airport wifi upon arrival to save you money before you can get to your hotel. Both apps allow you to find out trip fees prior to riding and let you pay drivers in cash once at your destination. Look for either the bright green or red moped helmets and jackets dotted all over the city. Unfortunately you can’t have a threesome on a bike so if there is only two of you, I suggest both downloading the app on your phone to avoid having to pay more and order a car for only two persons.

Hygiene: Although not a major cause for concern in Vietnam, it’s still good to be diligent with hygiene practices.. The more rural you travel, the more squat toilets you’ll encounter. Pack a spare toilet roll for any homestays or overnight train journeys.

Keeping portable hand disinfectant in your pocket or purse will also be a saviour when dining at street food stalls where you’ll likely come into contact with some of the best food of your life. It’s also best to avoid drinking tap water. It’s fine to brush your teeth with it but I would avoid ingesting it.

This means the cost of buying bottled water can accumulate quickly over the length of your trip so I recommend bringing a durable bottle from home and then purchasing a bulk 5-10 litre bottle, storing it in your room and making refills when necessary. It not only works out cheaper but also better for the environment.

Take caution when purchasing drinks containing ice as I encountered an upset tummy episode after chewing contaminated ice/letting it melt in my freshly squeezed pineapple juice.

A first-timers guide of things to know before visiting Vietnam.