After the COVID lockdown, traveling will never be the same again, considering that many tourism-related industries were shut down either because they were bankrupt or simply because they did not want to risk their employees’ health. But, if you have plans to travel abroad after the pandemic, Vietnam should be on your list of top destinations.
There is so much more to Vietnam than their local dishes. Prepare yourself to be surprised by the magical atmosphere of Hoi An, the scenic lakes of Hanoi, and the cheap shopping experiences in Ho Chi Minh. Of course, these are not the only destinations in Vietnam that will take your breath away. The country boasts of natural beauty, healthy local dishes, friendly locals, and everything in between. If you are looking to travel to Vietnam after the COVID pandemic days, the following resources will help you better prepare for your travel.
Blogs
Many people would love to visit blog websites first when they are planning to go to this land of lush rice terraces, picturesque valleys, and forested mountains for the first time. The best thing about checking out travel blog sites when planning for a trip is the fact that these websites usually provide information that is very specific to your target destination. In most cases, a travel blog site is where you can read unbiased and honest opinions about a specific place. According to the expert Travel Center, many blog sites provide plenty of useful information about Vietnam. A travel blog is a helpful resource for information such as budget travel tips, travel inspirations, and even travel photography tips. It gives access to your other travel needs, including hotel booking, flight reservations, digital security, and travel insurance.
Documentaries
Film documentaries are also another helpful resource when visiting Vietnam for the first time. A film documentary such as Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations, which is all about Vietnam, is a must-watch if you want to learn more about this country. This documentary explores the different delicious cuisines of Vietnam, with candid footage about this country’s modern-day living. It also tells you about the rich history of Vietnam from a traveler’s perspective. There is also another documentary titled Anthony Bourdain’s “Parts Unknown”: Hanoi, which features one of the former presidents of America named Barack Obama. This episode of Anthony Bourdain’s documentary showcases more of Hanoi, its local traditions, and cuisine.
Most travel documentaries praise the exquisite Vietnamese cuisine
There is also another wonderful film documentary about Vietnam from a Vietnamese-Australian chef named Luke Nguyen. Each episode of Luke’s Food Network series features different local specialties from various places in Vietnam. In this documentary, you will be presented with mouth-watering dishes from Vietnam and enjoy the show as you get the chance to see beautiful places in the country.
Books
After watching film documentaries and reading travel blogs about Vietnam you can also opt to read some books about Vietnam. One of the best examples is the book titled- Vietnam – Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture, authored by Geoffrey Murray. In this book, you will learn more about Vietnam’s customs, culture, and history. Today, you can see Vietnam as one of the favorite travel destinations of many tourists. But, long ago, this country used to be under a lot of suffering from the Vietnam War. The book also offers practical advice regarding specific or unfamiliar situations that a first-time visitor to Vietnam encounters.
Another book that contains independent reviews about Vietnam is also a must-read. The Rough Guide to Vietnam will help you gain more knowledge about the country’s best shops, restaurants, and tourist spots. You will also learn about offbeat destinations that are worth visiting. You can also find colorful travel images and maps of Vietnam that will make it easier for you to plan your itinerary even when you do not have the country’s digital map. The author of this book has also written other essential information for tourists, such as local transport guides, accommodation, and personal safety.
The National Geographic Traveler: Vietnam book by James Sullivan is also a great resource book for everything you want to know about this country as a tourist. This travel guide talks about the country’s major tourist sights, from the wonderful parks of Hanoi to the beauty of Ha Long Bay. It also features lesser-known tourist spots such as the Nguyen tombs in Hue, Nam Cat Tien National Park, Mekong Delta, etc.
Mekong Delta is the peaceful countryside of Vietnam
Books may not be as visualized and interactive as some would prefer, but the in-depth stories can trigger your imagination about this Asian country and will urge you to book a flight immediately.
Smartphone Apps
If you are in Vietnam for the first time and without any companion who can speak your language, the chances are that you will come across some challenges finding your way in this beautiful country. This is why it is highly recommended that you install first on your phone a Vietnamese Phrasebook app that will serve as your translator and will prove to be super helpful. All iOS and Android users can install this app for free, but they may also choose to upgrade the app which may cost them almost $14.
See more Useful Apps on Your Vietnam Travel
There is also an app called English to Vietnamese Dictionary that serves as a dictionary translator. It also provides a list of useful phrases that a tourist can use to explore the city’s accommodations, dining restaurants, and local transportation.
A translation app can help you communicate with the locals better when dining at a local restaurant.
Official Website
If the books and blog sites do not give you the specific information that you are looking for about Vietnam, maybe you can find it on their official tourism website. In addition to information about e-visa applications and visa requirements, governmental websites also have a lot to offer for tourists. You don’t have to cross-check with various resources as official information on these websites, whether it is about immigration or tourism activities. All contents are the latest updates from the government’s announcements, which is especially helpful in this uneasy time due to the virus outbreak. In addition, there are pages dedicated to each major city in the Northern, Central, and Southern parts of Vietnam. It also lists those things that tourists can do during their stay in a particular city. The official tourism website of Vietnam also gives you access to great travel offers and promotions that will make your stay budget-friendly.
We’d recommend looking up xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn (Vietnam Immigration Department) and vietnamtourism.gov.vn (Vietnam National Administration of Tourism) for the latest news about Vietnam travel, or you can do some research on your country’s embassy page on traveling to Vietnam.
Travel Magazine
Oi is a travel magazine that features a lot about Vietnam’s best travel destinations, the latest news, and significant events. Whether you’re visiting Vietnam either for leisure or business, this magazine will provide you with helpful information. If you’re visiting the country for the first time, this magazine also features some restaurant reviews. Read the magazine for some ideas regarding where to find the best Middle Eastern food or the Western food you crave.
Got a sudden craze for authentic American BBQ in Vietnam? Look it up on travel magazines
Vietnam Travel is another magazine worth reading if you’re looking to spend some days in Vietnam as a tourist. Read this magazine if you want to know more about Vietnamese cuisine, culture, and travel experiences. This magazine also has a dedicated page for travel guides. Vietnam Travel provides a good read if you are looking for information regarding where to go in Vietnam for your honeymoon, backpacking adventure, or family trip.
Read more on Must Visit Places in Vietnam
Vietnam Airlines Website
Vietnam Airlines’ website will serve as your best resource for flight schedule bookings and hotel reservations, making managing your flights much easier. If you are looking to redeem or earn miles from Vietnam Airlines or other airline partners, you may also check this website for helpful information. You may also visit the websites of other airline companies based in Vietnam. Other Vietnam airlines include Vietjet Air, Vietnam Air Services Company, and Jetstar Pacific.
Vietnam Travel Forum
Websites such as Travelblog.org and fodors.com contain pages that provide people access to forums. These forums are helpful as they usually contain honest opinions about Vietnam. In these forums, you can also read some useful tips about anything from exchanging foreign currency to Vietnamese Dong, to planning a trip for Coronavirus update. The Travel blog site also provides a summary of Vietnam’s history, and this is big bonus information for travelers visiting Vietnam for the first time. Fodors.com also has other website pages dedicated to providing knowledge about cruising, the best hotels, news, and trip ideas. However, as a reminder, when you read the information in the forums, always double-check with multiple resources and opinions. There could be some facts or statements told in the forum that are no longer true or biased. For example, one person commented about poor service at a particular hotel in Vietnam. As a responsible traveler, you should be wise enough to check from other resources on the internet if the same is still accurate or whether other people share more positive experiences.
Britannica
Britannica is a website that gives you information about almost everything that you want to know about Vietnam. This is the best resource if you’re looking to know about Vietnam’s culture, history, language, people, transportation, etc. You may even print out the specific page that contains your needed information. So, if you want to visit Vietnam and spare yourself from the embarrassment of being too ignorant about their religion, culture, people, and language might as well visit this website. If you spend more time reading Britannica for more knowledge about Vietnam, chances are high that you will be able to learn a lot of facts about the country that some of the Vietnamese locals do not even have a clue about!
Social Media
Although Pinterest is an image-based social networking site, you can also find lots of useful information for travelers wanting to visit Vietnam. Do you want to know the best places to visit in Hanoi? Do you want to learn about the best way to get a Vietnam Visa? Do you want to know the best things to do in Dalat? All this information and more can be accessed when you check out Pinterest.
There are Facebook accounts of travel agencies in Vietnam that you can also check out if you want to book specific trips, with guided tours, shore excursions, tour packages, and tailor-made vacations. Do not forget to always check for the reliability of the information and reviews of the services.
Shore excursions from Phu My Port to Ho Chi Minh City
Additionally, Vietnam travel groups on Facebook are collections of personal experiences, offering insightful stories and hands-on tips to discovering the best sides of Vietnam.
Instagram also has several accounts that may serve as useful resources for those looking to visit Vietnam. One best example is Tran Tuan Viet @vietsui, whose images have been widely praised by National Geographic. His account features not just stunning landscapes but also the beauty of everyday life in Vietnam. The second best Instagram account for Vietnam travelers is Nhan Le @nhanlephotography, which publishes drone photos of beautiful Vietnam. Nhan Le is an expert in aerial photography, which is why his images on Instagram will have you scrolling endlessly for more. Another account that’s worth checking out if you want to see more of Vietnam is Miles of Smiles @milesofsmiles. Her home base is in Hanoi. Most of the images she uploaded on Instagram showcase the cheerful and colorful side of Vietnam. Seeing her among these pictures would also make you want to join and never leave.
Now that you have this list of resources, note that there is one more thing to keep in mind and that is to stay in shape. Remember that this pandemic-stricken world we are living in now does not like people who are sick. Make sure that once you travel, you do not have the colds, cough, fever, and other symptoms of a viral infection. Otherwise, your exciting trip will be replaced with days spent under quarantine cells.