Are you worried about making common mistakes when travelling in Vietnam for the first time? Vietnam is an incredible country to explore, but it works very differently from most Western nations, and that’s where many travellers go wrong.
After living in Vietnam for over 5 years, I’ve made and seen many of the same Vietnam travel mistakes myself. From rushing itineraries and panicking in traffic to misjudging money, cultural rules, transport choices, and everyday local realities, these errors are easy to make if you’re unprepared.
This guide breaks down the most common mistakes when travelling in Vietnam, based on real experience, so you can avoid costly problems and enjoy a smoother, safer trip.
1. Trying To See Everything Too Quickly
While Vietnam is dwarfed by its neighbour, China to the north, it is by no means a small country. At 331,690 km², its larger than the entire UK at 243,610 km². So, trying to see it all at a breakneck pace of 10 days is never going to happen.
I’ve often run into tourists and asked them how long they’ll be travelling here, and they say a week to two weeks, only to immediately follow up with, “It isn’t enough time.” And they’re right.
When I first landed in Vietnam, I ignorantly thought it was about the same size as Ireland, with 84,421 km², so when I set off on my bike, I expected to reach my next destination in under an hour. 3 hours later, exhausted, sunburned and dehydrated, I quickly realised I made a mistake.
If you’re coming for a brief time, try to stick to one location (north, middle, or south) and experience all there is to offer in that location and come back another time to try and experience more the country has to offer, rather than spending most of your vacation sitting at airport terminals or cramped onto a sleeping bus.
2. Panicking When Crossing The Street
Aside from the war, if Vietnam is famous for one thing, it’s its insane motorbike culture. And make no mistake: even for locals, crossing the street is scary. You aren’t just trusting yourself, you’re trusting that the endless stream of people heading towards you is focused on the road.
I was hit once in Ha Long city by a young boy texting while driving, so while a lot of people say how it “just works,” having lived here for long enough, I can tell you plenty of accidents happen every day.
When crossing, wait for a small opening, put your hand up high so people behind the bike in front can still see you, and NEVER run!
The traffic approaching you expects you to move slowly and steadily, so any change in pace will cause panic and have bikes swerving into each other, leading to an even bigger accident.
3. Underestimating Your Cash
“It’s easy to be a millionaire in Vietnam,” You might hear it a lot, and it’s true. 1 million dong is equivalent to 38 U.S. dollars. But it’s easy to fall into a trap, spending your cash recklessly, thinking it’s worth even less than you expect.
Just remember: while 100,000 dong is close to $3.80, tell yourself that every 100,000 is about $5, and you should have a good idea of what you’re spending.
And one huge detail. 500,000 and 20,000 dong are both blue. There have been many stories of vendors taking advantage of people’s ignorance and either swiping the 500,000 pretending it’s the 20k, or people handing over the 500k thinking it’s the 20k, and the vendor knowingly taking it.
4. Clothing For Temple Visits
Thailand is famous for its cheap elephant-patterned trousers that they sell to blissfully ignorant tourists who have no idea you can’t wear shorts into their religious sites, and while Vietnam has the same rules, they don’t offer motorcycle-themed pants at the door.
Always remember that if you want to visit any religious site, you need to wear long trousers. Too many foreigners travel all the way just to be turned away with no close option to buy, so always carry a small light pair in your bag. Oh, and you need to cover your shoulders and cleavage too, but you can get away with a shawl over you.
5. Buying Instead Of Renting
This mistake is aimed at motorcycle adventurers looking to travel the length of the country that you can also find in our Best Vietnam Tips Article. While it’s tempting to buy your own bike and not have to worry about damages etc. It’s more often than not a huge mistake.
The first time I ever travelled to Vietnam for my motorcycle journey, I bought what was known as a Honda Win for $300, and let me tell you, there was nothing Honda about it.
These Honda Win bikes you see (lately less and less) are actually Chinese-made motorcycles with a fake Honda sticker slapped on to look more authentic.
Ignorant tourists such as myself fall for the trap, and by the time you’re barely 50kmh into your journey, something has already gone awry.
From my electric start breaking because of the rain, my kickstart snapping off on top of a mountain climb, and my front tyre exploding at 70kmh and nearly sending me underneath a bus’s wheel, why not instead rent from a registered dealer who has warranties and a network or mechanics country wide ready to fix your bike, and even come pick you up when accidents happen.
6. Petting The Street Dogs
Vietnam has a lot of dogs, and yes, there are vendors who still sell dog meat to this day. In fact, my dog is one of those “dog meat” types, so every time I bring him for a walk, I need to keep him in a cage tightly secured to the back of my bike.
But each time I do, I get a lot of the locals murmuring to themselves, or even just directly ask my wife if we are about to “sell” him (for meat), while they laugh about it after being told he’s just going for his walkies, it still shows you that the dog meat trade is still well and truly alive here.
But tourists need to keep in mind that while some Vietnamese keep dogs as pets, many people here see them as tools.
Most dogs you’ll find in Vietnam are either strays or used for the sole purpose of being alarm bells, barking to warn homeowners of strangers approaching.
These dogs are not used to human contact; they don’t seek it out, nor do they understand that you’re trying to be nice. My dog was my wife’s parents’ dog, and it took a year of training to get him used to being touched and to being walked on a leash.
Approaching these dogs and trying to pet them can lead to a very serious bite, and because a lot of these dogs are stray, or have never been taken to a vet, and quite possibly have many diseases that you don’t want to get.
So while many dogs may look sad, sick, or in need of help, even if they are, it’s best not to approach them.
Are These Mistakes Common for First-Time Visitors to Vietnam?
Yes, these mistakes are extremely common for first-time visitors to Vietnam, and not because travellers are careless, but because Vietnam operates very differently from most Western countries.
Many systems that feel intuitive at home, traffic flow, money handling, transport standards, personal space, and customer service, work on informal rules in Vietnam. Without local experience, even well-prepared travellers can misread situations, rush decisions, or apply the wrong expectations.
This is why Vietnam can feel overwhelming at first, even though it is generally safe and welcoming. Once travellers understand how things really work on the ground, the country becomes far easier to navigate.
Most problems don’t disappear by luck, but by the right local knowledge, which is exactly what this guide is designed to provide.
Final Advice for Travelling in Vietnam Confidently
Vietnam is not a difficult country to travel in; it is simply different. Most problems tourists face don’t come from danger, but from misunderstanding how daily life works here. Once you slow down, learn the local systems, and travel with flexibility, Vietnam quickly becomes one of the most rewarding places in Asia to explore.
By understanding these common mistakes when travelling in Vietnam, you put yourself ahead of the average visitor. With the right expectations, Vietnam is not chaotic; it is vibrant, welcoming, and deeply memorable.
FAQs About Mistakes When Travelling in Vietnam
What is the biggest mistake tourists make in Vietnam?
The biggest mistake tourists make in Vietnam is trying to see too much in too little time. Vietnam is a long country with slow transport routes, and rushing between cities leads to exhaustion, missed experiences, and constant travel stress.
Is Vietnam difficult for first-time travellers?
Vietnam is not difficult for first-time travellers, but it can feel overwhelming at first. The traffic, informal systems, and cultural differences require adjustment. Once travellers understand how things work locally, Vietnam becomes easy and enjoyable to navigate.
What should tourists avoid doing in Vietnam?
Tourists should avoid rushing their itinerary, panicking in traffic, mishandling money, ignoring cultural dress codes, and trusting unverified transport or tour sellers. These are some of the most common mistakes when travelling in Vietnam and can be easily avoided with basic preparation.
Is Vietnam safe for inexperienced travellers?
Yes, Vietnam is generally very safe for inexperienced travellers. Violent crime is rare, and most issues involve minor scams or misunderstandings. With basic awareness and local knowledge, Vietnam is one of the safer countries in Southeast Asia to visit.
How can I avoid common Vietnam travel mistakes?
You can avoid common Vietnam travel mistakes by planning a realistic itinerary, learning basic local customs, understanding the currency, using reputable transport apps, and staying flexible. Most problems disappear once you understand how Vietnam operates day to day.