From how to communicate better to food recommendations — these easy tips will help you prepare for your trip like a pro

One of the most attractive holiday destinations in Southeast Asia, travelling to Vietnam can be fun if you know what you’re getting yourself into beforehand. Learning all about the local customs, culture and transportation in advance will not only help avoid problems during your trip, but also make it a memorable one.

1. When to visit

Being a Southeast Asian country, the first thing about Vietnam you should take into consideration are its seasons. It has a tropical monsoon climate. The weather is hot, humid and sultry with an adequate dose of Vitamin D during the day with an average temperature of 26-28°C. However, during winters, Vietnam gets quite chilly with a strong breeze and the temperature ranging between 18°C and 23°C. The best time to visit the country is between November and April, ensuring you soak in the warmth of the sun while also enjoying the cool weather.

2. Local Transport

Book your flights in advance to save a few bucks on the flight fares. While most metro cities in India have flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, try to get a direct flight to avoid long flying times. Make sure you have a car to pick you up at the airport because many flights out of Kolkata can reach the cities late at night when transportation could be a challenge.

Remember, it is best to rent a car via your travel agent or hotel along with a guide because taxis can be very expensive for short rides. Though it’s legal for foreigners to hire motorbikes that are 50cc or less, it is best to avoid that because of the lack of familiarity with Vietnam’s road rules. You can also walk around the streets to experience the local culture.

3. Communicate better with a translation app

While Vietnam is ready for all the tourism it is getting, language can be quite a barrier. You may come across local people who could speak phrases of English, but it is better not to count on it. Most of the locals depend on Google Translate to communicate with foreigners in English. The best thing to do would be to buy a local sim card at the airport — the service providers have many data plans for you to choose from and are quite pocket friendly (Rs 2,000-4,000) depending on the kind of plan you opt for. The best part? Accessibility to the internet when you’re out exploring via Google Maps. It will make for a much more pleasant experience than getting lost in a city that does not speak your language.

4. Food restrictions

If you’re a vegetarian, Vietnam is probably not a country where you can binge to your heart’s content. The food culture here is heavy on seafood and meat. They only seem to consume vegetables as an accessory to their mains — afterall, this country does put eggs in their coffee too! However, the country has convenience stores at every corner. Much like Thailand’s 7-Eleven, Vietnam has Circle K stores. The convenience stores have a lot of snacks like chips, ready-to-eat sausages, fresh bakery breads, a wide variety of instant ramens and dairy products like flavoured milks and yoghurts for you to feast on. You could also visit European-style restaurants and cafes for vegetarian meals and snacks like crepes. Try a variety of tofu stir-fried dishes along with salads to get a taste of the local cuisine.

5. How much to tip

Like in every other tourist destination, tipping is always appreciated in a developing country like Vietnam. Though it is not mandatory, your local tour guide, driver and hotel staff may sometimes try to coerce you into paying tips. However, we recommend you hold your ground and tip only if you want to. Also, the amount should be entirely a personal preference.

The reality of traveling is that there are risks involved, and it’s important to be aware of these so you can protect yourself. Your unfamiliarity with a culture or language could potentially lead to unpleasant experiences with others who may not have your best interests at heart. It’s important to educate yourself on the common travel scams in order to recognize them if they are attempted against you. So guard yourself against potential pitfalls by doing plenty of research, being informed, and being alert, but don’t deprive yourself of all the incredible things traveling has to offer.

What are 10 tips to stay safe while traveling abroad?

How can you stay safe in another country? You need to be extra careful and know the typical tricks of scammers. The following tips will help you.

#1 Taxi and Tuk Tuk

Traveling can be one of the most rewarding experiences when it is done right, but there are unscrupulous drivers who take advantage of unsuspecting travelers every day, overcharging for fares and taking them to places where they get a commission for bringing business. To protect yourself from taxi and tuk-tuk scams, it’s important to first use only official licensed services from trustworthy sources. Try calling for a licensed taxi or hailing one from an official rank, ensuring you know how much the fare should be in advance. If traveling by tuk-tuk, ask your accommodation if they can recommend someone reliable. Be firm but polite about where you want to go and if the driver doesn’t want to take you there, politely decline their offer and find another one.

#2 Money Changing

Money-changing scams can be frustrating and costly, so how can you avoid them? When exchanging money, check that you have been given the correct amount of change before leaving the exchange booth. Pay close attention to the denominations accepted as many currencies have bills that look similar in color and design. It is important not to accept torn, worn, or damaged notes as it can be difficult to get rid of them later. Financial institutions offer services for travelers where your purchase will be accurate and reliable another way to protect yourself against money-changing scams.

#3 Fake cops

Fake cops appear to be quite prevalent, so how do you protect yourself from becoming a victim? Most of the time, these scammers will ask for your personal ID and then issue you a phony fine. Never give them your ID or pay any fines on the spot. If they are uninformed and appear to be legitimate authorities, it’s wise to ask them for their ID in return. Instead of handing money over, insist that you’ll go to the police station to deal with the matter appropriately.

Another way to avoid scammers is to call the police station. You will be able to verify the legality of the actions of the police or confirm your fears. Only you will definitely need a call recorder app iPhone. If you use a call recorder like iCall you will have proof. We hope you won’t need this proof, but it’s better to take care of it in advance. Just download iCall Recorder before making a call and you will be more likely to protect your rights. Play the recording through the call recorder at the embassy or real police and you will be sure how lawful the actions of law enforcement agencies are. Another plus is that the application has a free trial version.

#4 Beware of obsessive people

Knowing how to avoid being scammed is an important part of traveling. Many con artists will approach tourists offering helpful advice or inviting them to a place, but the intentions behind this are always suspicious. For example, in Lee’s experience arriving in Delhi, he encountered someone who tried to give him the wrong directions in order to get him to visit a travel agency which they’re likely affiliated with. It’s crucial that you’re aware of how to protect yourself against such misleading behavior – often simply trust your gut instinct and you won’t go wrong!

#5 Rental Scam

In today’s world, rental scams are a common occurrence. Whether it’s a rental car in Jamaica or a bike in Singapore, travelers must be mindful of how to make sure they stand up for themselves and avoid being taken advantage of by shady operators. The best way to ensure that you are never faced with this kind of scam is to thoroughly inspect the vehicle before you rent it and take pictures of any existing damage that may have been present beforehand. Once the hire operator has seen these photos, it creates evidence that you’re not responsible for any damages that may occur during your rental period, protecting yourself from overpayment demands when you return the item. To further protect yourself from unscrupulous practices, have all agreements written down and always keep a copy for your records; then if something seems off, you’ll have all the proof that you need to stand firm and fight back against rental scams. The same applies to hotel rentals, here is one of the telling stories.

#6 Fakes instead of souvenirs

When seeking out authentic local handicrafts and goods on your travels, it’s important to consider things like who has crafted the item and how sustainably sourced the materials are. Unfortunately, scams exist in numerous places around the world where tourists can purchase what appear to be locally-crafted items that turn out not to be authentic at all. These mass-produced items are often created by workers in poor working conditions earning low wages. To avoid being scammed, it’s wise to research how to shop for souvenirs ethically and sustainably before hitting the town.

#7 Avoid ‘very good’ deals

It can be difficult to avoid being scammed, as many of them start by offering something that looks too good to be true. If it seems suspiciously cheap or free, then it’s probably just a ploy. Greed is an emotion that scammers often exploit, so if you start to feel tempted by what you are offered, take a step back and properly evaluate the situation before rushing into anything. A great example of how not to act can be seen in the Gem Scam in Bangkok. There they offer high-quality real gems at discounted prices and sell them off with the promise of huge profits; however, this is usually just a lie and the buyer will find themselves having wasted their money on nothing but fake stones.

Conclusion

Now you know more about how to avoid scammers when traveling. By following the advice above and being mindful of potential scams, travelers can ensure that they have a safe and enjoyable adventure. From playing the recording through call recorders to researching ethical souvenir shopping habits, these simple steps will help keep your travels stressed.

Dreaming of seeing the Eiffel tower, gliding through Venice on a gondola or making a wish in the Trevi Fountain? Who doesn’t dream of taking a trip around Europe?

However, travelling in Europe doesn’t come cheap especially when you are on a student budget. Throw in the cost tuition fees and living expenses, and even backpacking across Europe becomes a luxury many can’t afford.

Fortunately, there are many student travel agencies, discounts and cheap destinations to help you turn those dreams into reality.

Whether you’re looking to head across the pond for a big summer trip or just take a winter or spring break vacay, there are plenty of ways to see Europe for cheap. Between finding cheap flights and budget tips like using your student identity card for discounts, we have got all the tips you need while travelling in Europe on a student budget.

Here’s how you can travel in Europe on a student budget:

1. Book cheap flight or train tickets

While you may think it’s impossible to fly for less than US$50, you can find several cheap student flights in Europe on these budget airlines. If you’re travelling in Europe on a budget, you may be better off flying between two cheap destinations and getting a train ticket to the more expensive destinations. Consider buses too, which can go as low as US$10 for trips between two cities.

When travelling in Europe on a budget, one way to save money is to take red-eye flights. These flights are generally the cheapest way to travel in Europe on a budget.

Booking your tickets weeks in advance is a great way to save some cash. You can save up to 30% on tickets just by booking your tickets as early as six weeks in advance.

Downloading local transport apps keeps you up to date with discounts, and you will be able to book tickets or compare prices conveniently. However, it is best to avoid tourist hot spots during peak seasons as prices will be much more expensive.

2. Stay at hostels or couch surf

Accommodation is often the most expensive part of travelling. Don’t worry, though — there are a number of more affordable options available. One of the most common cheaper accommodation options available for students while travelling on a student budget is hostels.

Not only are they cheap, it’s a place too meet other travellers too. However, hostels aren’t always the cheapest options, especially when they are located in expensive cities such as London and Paris.

If that’s the case, AirBnBs are a better alternative. For those who are more adventurous, give Couchsurfing a try. Couchsurfing is a new take on a very old “broke traveller” experience – where you sleep on someone’s couch so that you have a roof over your head while travelling somewhere.

In 2007, an app was designed where you can search the place you’re going to and find many hosts who are happy to have you come sleep on their couch, or willing to spare bed, for free.

3. Get around Europe on a budget

Many underestimate the cost of transportation as there are many you don’t think about. These costs include the bus fare from the airport, metro passes around the city or bus tickets for day trips.

If you’re staying in a city, use the local subway or bus system to get around instead of renting a car or taking taxis. Smaller cities have the option of renting a bicycle or scooter for tourists to travel around.

The other thing many European cities have going for them is their walkability. Although slower, it’s free and easy. Plus, in most cities you’ll likely be walking by some of the most famous sights in the world – maybe Rome’s Colosseum, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, or Gaudi’s famous modernist buildings in Barcelona.

4. Join the walking tours

Admission fees to museums and monuments can add up. Luckily, many European hostels have free walking tours. These tours usually take about an hour to complete, enough time for you to get your bearings and map out places you might want to visit later. Many free walking tours include a city’s history and main attractions.

While some free walking tours are completely free, they do require a tip. If you’re a museum fan, you can schedule your visit around a day that offers free entry. In London, the Louvre is free on the first Sunday of every month.

5. Indulge in street food or local markets

Eating at fancy, sit-down restaurants for every meal while you are in Europe will definitely throw your budget out the window.

Fortunately, Europe has many options for you to enjoy delicious food at an affordable price. With many local markets and street food stalls to choose from, you can enjoy the food and culture of the country without breaking the bank.

Many of the smaller restaurants and cafes with fewer tourists are known to serve cheaper food that is just as delicious. A tip when travelling is to keep an eye on where the locals eat and your stomach will definitely be satisfied.

The holidays are a great time to travel, and with Christmas and New Year’s coming up, there’s no better time to start planning your trip. If you’re looking for tips on how to make the most of your travel experience, you’re in the right place. Here are six tips to help you have a great time while traveling abroad.

Do Your Research

One of the first things you should do before traveling abroad for the upcoming holidays would be to research the place you plan on visiting. Before you go anywhere, it’s important to do some research on the area you’ll be visiting. Knowing what to expect can help make your trip more enjoyable and less stressful.

One of the most important things to research would be the available modes of transport; for example, if there are neighboring islands or cities, you can search for the best ferry routes and take a ferry to them, or would you need to fly? Another essential factor to research would be the levels of crime in the city you are planning on visiting.

Plan Ahead

Another helpful tip is to plan ahead as much as possible. Many first-time travelers aren’t aware of this, but the amount of planning you do before going on a vacation will determine how pleasant the experience is. It might sound counterintuitive since planning is boring, but it will help improve traveling experience.

This means figuring out where you want to go and what you want to see and making arrangements for transportation and accommodations well in advance. For example, if you want to visit a popular city within a country, finding accommodation three days before you plan on departing might not be good enough since it could be a very busy season and hotels might be full.

Pack Light

Another important tip for traveling abroad these holidays would be to pack as light as possible. One thing that can hamper a vacation is lugging heavy luggage everywhere you go. So, try to pack light – only take the essentials with you!

This, of course, depends on how long you will be going for. A general rule of thumb, if it is only a week, would be to use the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 rule. This means that you should only take around five pairs of socks and underwear, four tops (t-shirts or long sleeved), three pairs of pants (shorts or long), two pairs of shoes, and potentially a hat if the destination is hot.

Be Prepared For Anything

The next tip for anyone who wants to travel abroad these holidays would be to be prepared for anything. This might sound like it goes against the previous tip, which is to pack light, but this tip refers to essentials other than clothing.

When traveling abroad, it’s always a good idea to be prepared for anything that might happen – from unexpected weather changes to getting lost in a foreign city. With this in mind, pack all the necessary supplies (such as sunscreen, insect repellent, etc.)

Explore But Be Safe

Finally, the last tip on this list is one of the most important: get out of the hotel and explore. One of the best things about traveling is exploring new places and cultures. So, venture beyond your hotel or tourist spots and immerse yourself in the local environment.

This also involves visiting all of the popular tourist destinations and all of the important cultural heritage sites. Most importantly, try out the local food since it is probably one of the only chances you will get to try the authentic food of the country you will be visiting.

That said, it’s also important to remember that you must be safe whilst travelling in another country. In today’s day and age, it is particularly easy for criminals to spot tourists; unfortunately, tourists make easy targets.

As such, the most important thing you can do when visiting another country would be to be as vigilant as possible and always be aware of what is going on, regardless of your situation.