Things Not To Do in Vietnam (Mistakes Tourists Keep Making)

If you're searching for things not to do in Vietnam, you're probably not looking for some dramatic never go there warning. You're trying to avoid the dumb stuff. The airport taxi that suddenly feels too expensive. The temple visit where you realize a bit late, that your outfit made sense for the beach and nowhere else. The first road crossing where your legs briefly forget their purpose. You are getting the idea I am getting to…right?

Vietnam can feel loud, fast and slightly chaotic at first, then it starts to make sense, usually quicker than people expect.

So this is the useful version: actual things to avoid in Vietnam, the Vietnam rules for tourists that matter, and the mistakes people keep making because the country looks easy from a phone screen and much less tidy once you're actually standing in it. 

1. Don't treat Vietnam like one giant copy-paste destination

Saigon is not Hue. Hanoi is not Da Nang. And a quiet town or village is definitely not the same social setting as a rooftop bar in District 1.

Sounds obvious but this is where people get themselves into mild, unnecessary embarrassment. They get used to one city, one tone, one pace and then carry that same energy everywhere else. Big cities are usually more relaxed in some ways and more transactional in others. Smaller towns, temple areas, and rural communities can feel noticeably more conservative. I personally like small towns like Phong Nha which are a mix of both!

So watch first and then follow the tone of the place. What reads as normal in a noisy cocktail bar can feel weirdly off at breakfast in a local neighborhood the next day. Manage your expectations now so you won't get disappointed later is what I am trying to get at.

2. Don't wear beach clothes into temples and pagodas. Duh!

A temple is where holiday autopilot stops working.

One of the most common things to avoid in Vietnam is treating pagodas and temples like scenic backdrops. They are not as people pray there and lots of families also visit. It is an active space and not a photo prop with incense.

Shoulders and knees covered, voice down, hat off if the setting calls for it. Shoes off when the signs say so. A light shirt stuffed into your day bag solves most of this and saves you from standing at the entrance looking underprepared.

You do not need special temple clothing. You just need to look like you noticed where you are. You don’t have to worry too much as it's not super strict like I am making it sound.. As long as you follow basic common sense, you will be fine and actually enjoy it!

3. Don't freeze in traffic

This deserves its own section because it scrambles first time visitors.

At first, people think the trick must be speed but it isn't. Then they try hesitation, half-steps, sudden stops... also bad. In many busy Vietnamese streets, especially in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the move is to cross steadily and predictably so drivers can read you and slide around you.

Not recklessly. Not heroically. Just steadily.

Use crossings when you can. Follow locals when it makes sense. And don't assume a green light means the road will empty itself on your behalf.

Raise your hand parallel to your shoulders with open palm towards the incoming traffic. People will automatically stop or go around you. Might sound strange to western tourists but it works, try it!

4. Don't jump into random taxis or transport scams

Airport arrivals are where common sense goes for a little nap.

You're tired and most likely have been sitting for hours, somebody sounds helpful, and suddenly you're in the wrong car. One of the classic Vietnam travel mistakes is trusting the first person who waves you over with enough confidence. In bigger cities, ride-hailing apps are usually easier because the price is visible before you move. Less arguing, less guessing, less nonsense. In Vietnam its called Grab taxi app which is the Uber of South East Asia.

Download the Grab app before you land, order inside the app, then match the plate and driver details properly. Airport exits can get messy, with people calling out Grab or offering a ride before you've even opened your phone. Some airport surcharges also show up in the app, which is still better than improvising.

If you do take a taxi, use an official one with proper markings and a working meter, not something that feels vaguely improvised. The same goes for station pickups and the old my friend has a car line, which can be fine... until it really isn't.

5. Don't rent a motorbike just because everyone else seems to

Every traveler has the same dangerous thought at some point: everyone else is riding scooters, so how hard can it be?

Hard enough.

Vietnam is not the place to learn from scratch in live traffic lol. Road rules feel loose by Western standards, weather changes quickly, buses appear out of nowhere, and one bad decision gets expensive fast. The scooter fantasy sounds fun right up until you're tense, lost, and realizing too late that confidence and actual skill are not the same thing.

If you already ride well and you understand the license and insurance side, fine. If you don't, skip the experiment, I really mean it and it can get quite dangerous based on the city you are driving in. Book a driver or take a car or use Grab or just take the train. Boring transport has saved a lot of holidays.

6. Don't flash your phone, cash or jewelry in busy areas

If you're asking is Vietnam safe, the answer for most tourists is yes, with a few boring footnotes around phones, bags, and crowded roads. Vietnam is one of the safest countries in the world when it comes to violent crime.

The bigger issue is not violent crime but opportunistic theft. Phone snatching is the one people remember because it happens fast and feels stupid afterward no matter the price of phone. A bag hanging loose on the street side of your body can disappear quickly too. Same for a wallet half out of a pocket, which is basically advertising.

Keep your phone tucked away near traffic OR just use a cheap burner android phone when out in the street. They can be as cheap as $70-100 which you can buy in Vietnam also and you wouldn’t feel too bad (still sucks though) when/if it gets snatched.
Wear your bag crossbody or in front of you (can look dorky but I will take dorky anyday over feeling like a chump when things get stolen!).
Sort your cash indoors if you can. And slow down when handling banknotes.
The 20,000 and 500,000 VND notes can both look blue when you're tired, rushed, or standing under bad lighting, which is not the time to discover you handed over the wrong one.
Remember that the 500k VND is the highest-denomination banknote in circulation in Vietnam and it is dark blue in color meanwhile the 20k VND is light blue. Just remembering these will save you a lot when in a rush!

Nothing dramatic here. Just avoid making yourself the easiest option on the block.

7. Don't bargain like you're trying to win a court case

In Vietnamese markets, bargaining is normal. Nobody is shocked by it and it is expected!

What gets exhausting is when tourists try to save the price of a coffee by turning a ten-second purchase into a full performance. Start lower if you're in a market or tourist-shopping area, smile, go back and forth a little, then either settle or walk away. That's it, no need to overcomplicate it. 

Ask the price first ALWAYS, especially for snacks, souvenirs, market food, coconut vendors, and anything involving someone touching your shoes, bag, or sunglasses before you've agreed to anything. A lot of hassle disappears the second a price is clear upfront which is one of the most common pain point I see tourists complaining where they feel ‘scammed’ (Sometimes its actually the Vendor taking advantage of tourist but a lot of times it can be just miscommunication)

And not every price is a starting point. Convenience stores, supermarkets, plenty of cafes, and more polished shops usually have fixed prices. Trying to haggle there will make the whole interaction awkward for you.

8. Don't drink tap water and don't get careless with food hygiene

Tap water in Vietnam? No.

Stick to sealed bottled water, filtered water from places you trust or refill stations you know are safe. Be a little careful with ice and street food in your first couple of days too, mostly because your stomach may need a moment to catch up with your optimism.
I am not saying everywhere in Vietnam the tap water is unsafe but being a foreigner it's tricky for you to find out so why take the risk?

None of this means you should avoid street food. Please don't overcorrect. Some of the best meals in Vietnam come from tiny plastic stools and a pan that sounds like it has been working nonstop since dawn. Just use your eyes and common sense - busy stall, fast turnover, hot food made in front of you. If a place is packed with locals and the cookware is in constant motion, that's usually your sign.
Eat where the locals eat is the rule I go by when travelling!

And bring basic stomach medicine. Small thing but quite a big difference. Same for tissues, actually. Some restaurants put wet wipes on the table and charge a tiny fee if you use them. Not the end of the world, just one of those little travel details that's good to know before you're confused by the bill.

9. Don't take photos of people without asking

Vietnam is wildly photogenic. Streets, markets, scooters, old buildings, fruit carts, tiny stools, the whole lot which is exactly why tourists start treating ordinary people as part of the scenery. Please Don’t!!!!

That's one of the biggest what not to do in Vietnam mistakes.

If you're close enough to get a proper face shot, you're close enough to ask. This matters even more in villages, local markets, around children, and near religious ceremonies. Some people will wave you on but some will not. And if somebody looks uncomfortable, leave it there. Not every good moment needs to become content.

Most Vietnamese are very friendly and will not tell you directly if they are uncomfortable with you taking their picture so you should not be oblivious to this fact and just stop if you see any signs of unwillingness!

10. Don't assume public affection and loud confrontation go over well

Public behavior is one of the things people overcomplicate usually.

You do not need to act like a robot just so you know! Holding hands is fine and a quick kiss in a big city like Hanoi/Saigon/Danang is usually fine. But heavy public affection, drunk shouting or snapping at staff because dinner took longer than expected can land badly, especially outside the most touristy zones.

11. Don't touch heads, point with your feet, or forget table manners

These are the little etiquette things that catch people off guard.

Heads are treated respectfully but feet are not. So, no touching somebody's head unless you really know what you're doing and don't point at people or objects with your foot. At meals, pause for a second and see how the table is moving. If an older person is hosting, let them lead. Pass things politely.

And don't stick chopsticks upright into a bowl of rice. That one jars people immediately because it resembles funeral incense. Tiny detail, yes but still worth knowing.

12. Don't joke about politics, war, or national symbols

Leave the hot takes at home as you are here for holiday and not for politics!

Vietnam has complicated history, strong national pride and topics that are better handled with respect than with curiosity mixed with overconfidence. If a local wants to talk about politics or the war, let them set the tone. If not, let the conversation stay somewhere easier.

Same goes for national symbols, leaders, military sites, and memorial spaces. You do not need to perform solemnity every second. Basic respect is enough. Lack of respect is where people get themselves into trouble.

13. Don't arrive during Tet without a plan

Tet is lovely but super chaotic especially for you as a foreign visitor!

Some foreign travelers love it because the atmosphere is special and the whole country feels different. Others land expecting a normal travel week and spend 48 hours learning why buses are full, prices are higher, and half the things they wanted to do are suddenly unavailable. 

If you're visiting during Tet, book transport early, lock in hotels, double-check restaurant and tour availability, and accept that the country is moving to a different rhythm. Spontaneous travel and Tet do not always get along.

14. Don't try to do all of Vietnam in one week

This is not a cultural mistake but a planning mistake which I myself have done in the past when I visited Vietnam the first time. I know its tempting to try to visit all of em but you will regret it, trust me!

Vietnam looks manageable on a map until you start stacking Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and maybe Phu Quoc into one brave little itinerary. Then the whole trip turns into airports, transfers, check-ins, packing, unpacking, and one increasingly haunted look at Google Maps.

If this is your first trip, do less. North only. Or central plus south. Or one city with a side trip. Vietnam gets better when you stop trying to complete it.

Vietnam is a very long country if you don’t already know and it can take quite a lot of time plus energy when you actually try to visit a lot of cities in short time because you wanna check off all the things your fav youtuber did!

Is Vietnam really safe?

Mostly, yes. Safer than many first-time visitors fear, less idiot-proof than Instagram sometimes makes it look. I would go as far as to say it is safer than many western countries including Europe and North America when it comes to violent crime (You can check wikipedia for a list of countries sorted by crime level to verify authenticity of my claim!).

The main risks are usually traffic, minor scams, transport rip-offs, and careless handling of valuables. Annoying problems, not automatic trip-ruiners. If you stay alert in busy areas, use reputable transport, and avoid doing obviously optimistic things with your wallet or phone, you're already covering most of it. 

Solo traveler, couple, family... the advice barely changes. Give yourself a day or two to adjust to the pace. Vietnam feels much easier after that first sensory overload wears off.

The short list of what to avoid in Vietnam

If you want the condensed version of these Vietnam rules for tourists, here it is.

 Don't treat the whole country like one social setting. Don't dress carelessly in temples. Don't panic in traffic. Don't trust random taxis because you're tired. Don't rent a scooter just to prove you can. Don't drink tap water in Vietnam. Don't photograph people without asking. Don't turn bargaining into a personality trait. Don't show off valuables in busy streets. And don't assume Tet works like an ordinary travel week.

Get those right and most of the rest falls into place.