6 Mistakes I Made in Vietnam
As an experienced solo traveler, I only embark on adventures after I’ve done a good deal of preparation. However, as with any form of travel, unexpected and sometimes even shocking situations can still occur. And while I didn’t fall victim to any tourist scams or petty theft, my trip to Vietnam was no different, presenting me with several surprises along the way. To help you steer clear of similar travel pitfalls, here are the six mistakes I made in Vietnam!
Heading to the Wrong Section of Train Street
Train Street Schedule
Looking for tips on how to visit Train Street? Catch my blog post: Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Hanoi’s Train Street
One of the most exhilarating places to visit in Hanoi is Train Street, a narrow alleyway where a railway track runs just inches away from residential buildings and local cafes at multiple times a day. Many tourists flock here to grab a local coffee, experience the thrill and capture memorable photographs of this unique Hanoi experience.
And while Train Street runs throughout the city, simply navigating to Train Street from your a phone map may not be enough. During my visit, I visited Train Street not once, but twice, to try and enjoy this thrilling experience.
The first day I visited Train Street, despite showing up on time, I learned that some of Hanoi’s districts, including the one I was in, have strict safety rules and police patrols that prohibit tourists from entering to see the trains pass. So I was unfortunately unable to have enjoy a drink while the train passed by.
On my second visit, however, I spread out to the Dong Da district via the Le Duan section, which was much more representative of the thrill that Train Street is famous for. In addition to my close-encounter with the train, I loved the fast service and wonderful juices at Hanoi 1990s Cafe, a spot I definitely recommend checking out if you’re in Hanoi!
Address: 224 Le Duan Street, Kham Thien, Dong Da, Hanoi
Not Wearing Tennis Shoes with Great Traction
As I was visiting Vietnam in December, I prepared for my trip knowing it would be sufficiently wet. Among the things I packed were a light waterproof jacket, an umbrella and a few pairs of shoes I didn’t mind getting muddy.
What I was completely unprepared for, however, were some of the most hazardous walks I’d ever encountered. Lots of businesses and outdoor spaces throughout Vietnam consist of decorative tile floors. And while they’re extremely beautiful, when they’re wet or covered with stagnant puddles, they’re extremely slippery!
Not only did I see multiple people slip and fall during my two weeks in Vietnam, but I was was one of them myself – even while wearing tennis shoes. The slip was so bad that I even sustained a broken bone – not an ideal situation for a solo traveler.
For the rest of my adventure, I ended up swapping my sneakers for boots with a stong grip, but if you’re heading to Vietnam, I’d recommend only bringing shoes that you know can withstand slick surfaces.
To hear more about my Vietnam injury and how I handled the aftermath – while traveling solo, check out my blog post, Disaster in Vietnam: The Surprising Challenge of Getting Injured Abroad.
Arriving at the Golden Bridge Too Late
I’m not normally one for theme park travel, but when I first saw photos of Sunworld Ba Na Hills and its infamous Hand Bridge, I knew I had to visit! Due to traffic, I arrived shortly after the park opened and bought my ticket. Then, with my wonderful tour guide, David, we immediately took the two long gondola rides it normally takes to get to the Hand Bridge.
While I knew it was an extremely popular attraction, I did not anticipate just how crowded it would be – even within the first 30 minutes of the park opening. As soon as we hopped off the gondola, we saw the long line to get on the bridge, grab a few pictures and continue onwards.
Luckily, people were generally quite nice and took turns grabbing shots of this iconic photography spot, so I was able to grab a few quick pictures on the bridge. However, if you’re hoping to get a picture of the full bridge during your visit, I suggest arriving at Sunworld before the park opens so you can have the best possible chance at avoiding the crowds!
Not Pre-Purchasing Travel Insurance
When I was booking my trip to Vietnam, the last thing on my mind was purchasing travel insurance. I’m usually fairly cautious, but my itinerary didn’t include anything athletic nor any overly risky activities. And because I knew I wouldn’t be taking any scooters to get around, I assumed I’d be safe without.
Despite this, I ended up unexpectedly breaking my wrist on the second day of my trip. While I was able to continue my trip after consulting my doctor and ultimately able to afford the healthcare provided to me abroad, I was extremely lucky.
My injury easily could have been so much worse and cost me so much more in the long run. Having had the experience I did, I definitely learned my lesson and won’t be traveling abroad again without some form of travel insurance.
If you’re unsure of where to begin when it comes to travel insurance, I recommend talking with an agent at Generali Global Assistance for a custom quote and insurance plan.
To learn more about what to expect in Hue, check out my other blog post, Hue Vietnam Travel Guide: A Beautiful City Along the Perfume River.
Forgetting to Unlock My Phone for an eSIM
As someone who substitutes frequent texting and calling for occasional check-ins at home while traveling, I’ve always opted for an international phone plan over an eSIM card. And while I’ve traveled as far as Egypt and Peru with an international plan, I’ve only ever experienced a few days at a time where I was not able to access a cellular network.
Upon arrival in Vietnam, I was quick to learn I would not be so lucky. Almost immediately after stepping off the plane, my iPhone went into the dreaded S.O.S. mode. And while I was able to locate a local eSIM provider at the airport, I learned that unlocking my phone for international data use was not the same thing as unlocking it for eSIM use.
There was unfortunately nothing the local provider could do for me either. In order to get an eSIM to work, I had to contact my carrier at home – which was not something I was able to do from abroad in Vietnam without a working international phone plan. Moral of the story: call your cell carrier before your trip if you think you may need an eSIM or be prepared to go off-the-grid (except for the occasional hotel or restaurant WiFi).
Secret Tip
Thinking about getting around using Southeast Asia’s ride-sharing app, Grab? You’ll definitely want to stay connected via eSIM to ensure that you’re able to request and call drivers seamlessly, no matter your location in Vietnam.
Booking with a “New” Tour Operator
One of the first things I did after leaving the hospital in Vietnam was begin to rethink my travel plans. There was so much I originally wanted to do on my own, but that I no longer could handle solo with just one arm. I would need to book a few last minute tours.
One such tour I found with the help of a friend on Viator: a customizable private tour through Hanoi’s biggest sites with an English-speaking guide. The tour operator was new to the platform and had just a few reviews listed, but given my situation, I thought I’d give them a shot.
Unfortunately, the tour was not as great of an option as I’d hoped. My English-speaking guide was often not able to answer my questions about the sites and I was also not able to personalize the tour like it was originally advertised. The worst part though, was that I kept getting pushed to pay more for “add-on” activities, like cycling around Hoan Kiem Lake, despite repeatedly saying I was not interested.
Luckily, this was my only truly bad tour guide experience in Vietnam; one that reaffirmed the importance of planning ahead and researching – at least a little bit – ahead of an adventure.
*At time of writing.
