Ho Chi Minh and Nha Trang Travel Tips: Avoiding Common Tourist Traps 🥲

I recently embarked on a five-day adventure to Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang ✈️, and I must say, Vietnam is a true test for budget travelers. The tourism market here feels quite undeveloped, with a chaotic vibe that reminded me of the rampant overcharging in Hainan a decade ago. It’s an experience that keeps you on your toes every moment.

For anyone contemplating a trip to Vietnam, I urge you to think twice‼️. Avoiding these pitfalls is no easy feat, and it takes a lot of effort to share these tips 😅.

1⃣️ Steer clear of the touts from roadside motorbike taxis.
In Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll encounter many motorbike taxi drivers who start with friendly small talk like “Hello, where are you from?” or “Come chat for a minute.” After a few sentences, they’ll likely invite you to take their tour around the city 😰. If you decline, they might even try to prevent you from leaving.

2⃣️ Be prepared for frequent flight delays?
Even with good weather, my flight from Ho Chi Minh City ✈️ to Nha Trang was delayed. I received a 30-minute delay notice before heading to the airport, and then another 30-minute delay at the gate. A quick glance at the flight status board revealed that almost all flights were running late 😨.

3⃣️ Limited English proficiency in the service industry.
Grab drivers often struggle with English, and the hotel front desk staff’s language skills are also somewhat limited, making communication a bit of a challenge.

4⃣️ Beware of food poisoning.
While I avoided street food in Thailand, I didn’t in Nha Trang, and I suspect it might have been a café that caused my discomfort 😅.

5⃣️ Some unexpected incidents I encountered
🌟 In Ho Chi Minh City, the hotel elevator lost power just as I stepped in 😅. Although I managed to open the door by pressing the emergency call button, the experience left me a bit shaken.

🌟 A Grab driver tried to solicit customers. In Nha Trang, I booked a 5-minute ride, but halfway through, he stopped at a tourist shop. I thought he needed to pick something up, but he started promoting tours????

Overall, while there were no major issues, the trip felt like a constant roller coaster of emotions 💢. Despite the challenges, I still can’t figure out why this place remains a favorite among Korean travelers.