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Step 1
Say “please” and “thank you.” You don’t need to master a Vietnamese phrasebook, but learning to say a few formalities goes a long way. There’s plenty of time on the trans-Pacific plane ride to learn a few words.
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Step 2
Make sure your regular vaccines, such as tetanus, are up to date. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Yellow fever, Hepatitis B and mosquito borne diseases can become a reality in Vietnam. Cholera breakouts sometimes occur, too.
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Step 3
Pack a medicine chest. Aspirin, stomach settlers, anti-bacterial creams, band aids and other common items will help in times of discomfort. Plus, who wants to go looking for medicine in a strange land while feeling sick? Make sure any prescriptions are well filled, and don’t forget birth control items. Contact lens solution could be hard to come by, too.
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Step 4
Dress for hot and wet weather. The reason Vietnam is so lush is that it is sweltering and humid. Modest apparel is expected in public areas, particularly temples, museums, and the like. Bathing suits are a must for the tropical beaches. Cotton is comfortable, but so are some of the new high-tech fabrics, which allow for fast drying. Whatever you pack, make sure it functions well under water. Hats and plenty of sunscreen will help keep the comfort level up.
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Step 5
A little money (called "dong" in Vietnam) goes a long way in Vietnam, but even the most frugal budget traveler should plan on spending a minimum of $50 per day.
