SOUTH AMERICA 2025
Taking care
Well being and security matters are clearly excessive on the agenda for safe holidays. Neither is a significant concern on a Vietnam vacation, but some primary commonsense strategies can prevent problems.
Etiquete in Indochina
Though this section relies upon Vietnam, etiquette in Laos and Cambodia is similar.
Our experience over a number of years has taught us that the majorities of visitors who come to Vietnam want to respect the way of life, traditions and customs, and want to know what constitutes politeness in Vietnam. Though Vietnamese are quite simple-going, there are some things that are regarded as rude. Eating etiquette.
The locals lay out their meals in small communal bowls moderately than ‘programs’. It’s polite to wait till everyone has crammed their glasses, and ‘clicked’ them together, before eating. Usually, somebody will provide you with chopsticks and fill your bowl with rice.
The correct means of eating is take a chunk of meals along with your chopsticks, dip it within the sauce if vital, put it in your bowl after which place it in your mouth. On occasion, someone will distribute morsels of meals around the group – in the event you don’t want any, briefly cover your bowl with your hand and smile.
It’s normal follow to lift your bowl to your lips and scoop the food into your mouth with your chopsticks.
Nevertheless, older people are probably affronted if you happen to put your fingers in your mouth when consuming, or use a toothpick with out shielding your mouth from view together with your different hand. Blowing your nostril is frowned upon – turn your head away if necessary. However, the younger generation is rather more relaxed about such matters.
Talking during the meal is predicted, however we don’t indulge in after-dinner dialog – as soon as everyone appears to have completed, somebody will stand up and head for the door, and everybody else follows.
On the street, etc.
Consuming meals walking along the street is Considecrimson impolite – unfortunately, men spitting isn’t.
Watch what you do along with your hands
Gestures need particular attention. Within the West, it’s commonplace for folks to cross their fingers to invoke good luck. In Vietnam, this gesture represents the female genitalia and is the ultimate obscene gesture. Its inadvertent use, nonetheless nicely intentioned, will provoke considerable offence.
In Vietnam, public body contact is only OK between people of the same gender – a person can maintain arms with one other man, but to take action with a woman would be embarrassing. We recognize that foreigners behave differently and make allowances, but passionate kissing and related behavior make us very uncomfortable!
Beckoning should be achieved with the palm dealing with downwards utilizing the whole hand. Beckoning Western-style with the palm upwards is used only for younger children and animals in Vietnam – beckoning upwards with a single finger can also be an obscene gesture. It’s extremely insulting to beckon old folks however you do it.
It’s also unwise to the touch a child on the pinnacle, and particularly on the again of the head. Try to suppress your intuition to ruffle a child’s hair as an expression of friendliness – you’ll get the opposite reaction.
Handshaking by males, typically with both hands, is regular, however not for women.
Indoors
In some pagodas and most houses, it’s regular to remove shoes. If you happen to’re visiting somebody’s home, you’ll be treated as a guest. This usually involves sitting at a table and drinking inexperienced tea.
Sometimes, you’ll be provided sweets and biscuits, and perhaps even a category of whisky or brandy. This isn’t really meant to be refreshments – it’s more of a practice of hospitality, so it’s well mannered to accept a bit of what’s offered as a token of gratitude and respect.
Gifts and Gratuities
Gifts
Concerns about gifts fall into two classes – bringing gifts to distribute in Vietnam, and giving presents to folks you meet in lieu of money.
Some guests, aware that this can be a poor nation, feel they need to carry small gifts, particularly for children. While appreciating that such gestures are made with the best of intentions, we’d somewhat you didn’t. There are two causes for our view. Firstly, it’s inevitable that you will shortly draw a crowd, and can find yourself with crying infants when the supply runs out and, secondly, it’s dangerously near condescension.
In case you travel with Gia Linh Travel, we’re very keen to assist in other ways. There is a robust sense of group in Vietnam, so we advocate gifts from which everyone can benefit. For example, most rural schools are always determined for equipment. We can contact the pinnacle teacher, find out what’s top of the want listing, and provide it on your behalf. As results of prices are low here, a small quantity of dollars goes a good distance – a year’s supply of exercise books and pencils doesn’t cost a lot, however makes a big difference.
We’ll supply you with ideas, and manage it for you – no charge, in fact – and report back to you later if time prevents you from handing over the gift yourself.
Alternatively, we work with several organizations and charities involved with conservation, social care and so on – we’ll be completely satisfied to place you in touch.
Tipping:
While recognition of particularly good service is universally welcomed, there is not a general culture of tipping in Vietnam.
There are just a few exceptions. Tourist guides traditionally rely upon tips to build up their wages. As a rough indication, $5.00 per day per client would be about right for a good job, maybe extra for one thing particular, with less than a day at a pro-rata rate.
Porters at railway stations rely on small tips for an earnings, however taxi drivers will normally assist you to with luggage as part of their service, unless you’ve got one thing notably heavy or tough to carry. In the event you’re in a hotel for just a few days or more, a tip for your chambermaid or anybody else who has been useful could be appreciated.
You may find a definite distinction between the North and South of Vietnam. Saigon’s exposure to the American lifestyle through the war has created an expectation of an automatic reward, so expect to pay extra, and more usually!
It’s also polite to make a small donation while you visit pagodas. Even a small quantity might be appreciated – place some small notes in the donations box or on the altar, and a monk will sound the gong to recognize your generosity.
Health:
Health Matters!
Providing you take fundamental commonsense measures, you’re unlikely to have health issues in Vietnam.Malaria is now an issue in just a few distant areas, and mass immunizations programmes have minimized the incidence of infectious diseases. In all cases, clever travelers will check with their native medical specialist, even when only to substantiate that really useful vaccinations are up to date.
Drinking Water
It is best to assume that tap water is dangerous throughout Vietnam. Bottled water, soft drinks and beer are freely available and cheap. Ice is generally comprised of boiled water, and should be OK; however it might be sensible to avoid it when you have a sensitive stomach. It isn’t a significant inconvenience – large refrigerators are commonplace, so chilled drinks are simply obtained.
Food
Vietnamese food is usually cooked from fresh components, so getting an upset stomach is probably less possible in a street side café than in an international restaurant that re-heats pre-ready food.
Sunburn, sunstroke and dehydration
The main health dangers are the effect of the solar and tropical heat. European skin will begin to burn in a short time on a hot day even if the sky is overcast: reputable high UV protection barrier lotions and cream are essential. Sun stroke can also be a high threat: a wide brimmed hat that will shade the again of the neck as well as the eyes is better than a baseball cap. Heavy sweating attributable to high humidity drains the body’s water provide rapidly. Drink loads of water to replenish it and thus avoid disagreeable dehydration – several litres per day are generally recommended.
Sexually transmitted diseases
Like most countries in Asia, Vietnam has a drug problem. This, and a culture where discussing sexual matters is taboo, has led to dangerous sexual behavior and a rising incidence of HIV/AIDS and different sexually transmitted diseases.
Poverty encourages the sexual exploitation of girls – many younger women from poor rural areas flood into the massive cities to complement their family’s income. Prostitution is commonplace and sometimes related to drugs and crime. It’s clearly smart to keep away from casual sexual encounters in Vietnam, not only for health causes, but in addition as a result of many prostitutes and their pimps are adept pickpockets.
Epidemics
All nations, developed and undeveloped, suffer from epidemics from time to time. Unfortunately, governments in developed nations often issue travel warnings about health and different threats when the chance to travelers is miniscule. Vietnam has suffered from travel warnings associated to SARS in 2003 and avian influenza in 2004 and 2005. In each case, the precise risk of anyone, Vietnamese or visitor, turning into contaminated was many times less than being struck by lightning.
If one other epidemic or related health danger occurs if you find yourself considering a visit to Vietnam, we suggest that you check the Vietnam section of the World Health Organization’s web page, and, if essential contact the native representative in the Hanoi office direct on add telephone quantity to get a dependable danger assessment.
Travel warnings
For many years, developed nations have been issuing travel warnings after they consider their nationals are in danger abroad. Although these present necessary information for travelers, lately their numbers have drastically increased accompanied by a marked change of tone from recommendation to direction.
Many developing countries rely heavily upon tourism to bolster weak economies. A blanket travel warning the place the perceived risk is minimal can have a devastating effect on poor communities.
Apparently, the terrorist bombing in Bali in Indonesia in 2002 Trigg purple quick travel warnings from the governments of almost all the world’s developed nations, decimating the local economy. Nonetheless, when an atrocity on an almost identical scale occurred in Madrid in March 2004, the world’s developed international locations Considecrimson travel warnings point less!
Local Pharmacies:
Pharmacies are simple to find in the major cities in Vietnam and the remainder of Indochina. Purchasing medicines and drugs over the counter with no prescription is straightforward.
Nonetheless, you should be conscious that many of the items sold in pharmacies are likely to be counterfeit or expired. Lots of the antibiotics available listed below are out of date and their over-use has led to drug-resistance. If you are more likely to need treatment in Vietnam, it’s advisable to take it with you, or go to a pharmacy in one of the international hospitals or clinics
Hospitals and clinics
Health services are good within the big cities, limited in other city areas and virtually nonexistent elsewhere. For that reason, we require our customers to have complete medical insurance cover that features immediate transfer to a reputable health facility and evacuation overseas if necessary.
Safety
Vietnam is likely one of the safest nations in Asia, and doubtless in the world. It has a stable government, the extent of civil unrest is insignificant, crime levels are very low in comparison with most international locations, and pure disasters affecting visitors are rare.
Within the streets
Vietnamese traffic drives on the right (mostly!) and has a considerably cavalier regard for highway safety. Pedestrian crossings, the place they exist, are almost invariably ignored, so visitors need to exercise care. The best technique is to attend for a lull within the visitors, then stroll steadily and purposefully across the road – oncoming bicycles and vehicles will move to 1 side to avoid a pedestrian. Hopping about making an attempt to avoid the traffic makes an accident more likely.
Pavements are problematic, too. Most are used for bike parking, or trading, and they’re usually in a poor state of repair, so it’s simpler to walk within the road. It is not as dangerous as is sounds as a result of the Vietnamese are used to avoiding pedestrians, however you need to keep an eye fixed on the traffic.
Crime
Within the cities, and particularly in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, petty crime can sometimes be a problem. To avoid disagreeable experiences, don’t:
· depart personal belongings unattended – put them someplace safe or keep them with you
· Carry a shoulder strap purse or camera bag – a bag with a handgrip will deter bike bag snatchers
· carry large amounts of money or very important documents – practically all hotels have safe storage
· rely cash while standing at an ATM – put it in a safe place instantly and check it elsewhere
Most crime in Vietnam is low-level and opportunistic, and is unusual in comparison with main cities elsewhere.
Traveling safely
There is no restriction on movement other than more distant areas the place permits are required. However, the police monitor all hotel registrations: both Vietnamese and guests from overseas must hand in their passports or ID cards at hotels. That is standard process – they may always be returned safely upon checkout on the subsequent morning or after a day or two throughout a longer stay.
Most large hotels have safe deposit boxes, and smaller ones will look after valuables for you. Even budget hotels are guarded at evening, so hotel thefts are rare.
In case you travel with Gia Linh Travel, you will be driven in an excessive-quality car by an experienced driver with an unblemished safety record. The locations you go to will probably be safe and managed properly. For example, we only use formally licensed boats on Ha Long Bay, and always moor in a safe area for overnight stays.
In fact, accidents can happen at any time. Our partner's guides are experienced and chosen not just for their native knowledge, but in addition for their sense of responsibility and ability to act decisively. They can be relied upon to take prompt, efficient motion when a scenario merits it. The safety of guests is always top priority.