Vietnam was one of the most eye-opening, wild, and beautiful countries I’ve ever been to. It’s the kind of place that will teach you that sometimes the best stories come from the things you didn’t see coming.

But I’ll be real — even though I thought I was planned and prepared there were a few things I wish someone had gently told me before I set off down the length of the country with a backpack.

Whether you’re planning a month-long trip or just passing through, here are six things I genuinely wish I’d known before travelling Vietnam…

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1. The weather changes drastically from north to south

I massively underestimated how different the weather would be depending on where I was in the country. Vietnam is long (like, over 1,000 miles long), and the climate shifts with it — which means packing gets tricky if you’re going top to bottom (or vice versa).

Here’s the general seasonal breakdown:

North (Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Giang)
    •    Spring: March to April (mild and pleasant)
    •    Summer: May to August (hot, humid, frequent downpours)
    •    Autumn: September to November (cooler and drier – best time to go)
    •    Winter: December to February (can get surprisingly cold, especially in the mountains – think coats and fog)

Central (Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang)
    •    Dry Season: February to August (hot and sunny)
    •    Rainy Season: September to January (heavy rain and occasional flooding, especially in Hoi An)

South (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta)
    •    Dry Season: December to April (hot and dry)
    •    Wet Season: May to November (humid with daily tropical showers)

Moral of the story? Check the seasons before you go. I went in November to early December so we got lucky in Ha Giang with beautiful sunny Autumn weather but then travelled south to a literally flooded Hoi An. A rain coat went a long way.

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2. You’ll see dogs in cages in the north — and it’s complicated

This was one of the hardest things to see — and it’s something I think travellers should be emotionally prepared for. In Northern Vietnam, especially around Hanoi, Ha Giang and local markets in the countryside, you might see dogs in cages. In some areas, there’s a tradition of eating dog meat — specifically a certain breed, which locals distinguish from pets.

It’s confronting. Heartbreaking to some people, even. And I’ll be honest: I struggled with it whilst at the same time I understood it. I’m vegan so I come from a place of not eating any animals or animal product. Personally, I see it more from a perspective of whilst I don’t agree with it, I also choose not to eat any animals so it’s really no different to people eating any other type of animal meat. This perspective makes more sense to me when I learnt that it is only a certain type of dog some Vietnamese eat and therefore only breed that type of dog to eat. To me that is really no different to breeding pigs or cows for example. But I also learnt that within Vietnam, the views on this are hugely divided. Many younger generations are actively pushing against the tradition. Some Vietnamese people love their dogs the same way we do in the West — as pets, companions, even family.

I recently had a conversation with a family friend who said they would love to go to Vietnam but wouldn’t go because the people eat dogs there. I would say don’t ever let it put you off travelling to the country.

It’s a culture clash, yes. But it’s also an opportunity to listen, learn, and reflect — without reducing an entire country to one practice. Go in with empathy and awareness.

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3. The Night Buses Are an Experience — Emphasis on Experience

I still have a love-hate relationship with the Vietnamese overnight buses. They’re basically horizontal sleeper buses with little bunk-style seats stacked two or three high. Sometimes comfy, sometimes absolutely feral — but always the cheapest way to get around.

You can travel almost the entire length of the country by bus, and save money on both transport and accommodation in the process. Just book through local agencies, bus apps like 12Go*, or hostels (they’ll take a small commission, but it’s easy). I preferred using the local travel agencies because you have a few more guarantees as to where you will be picked up, the exact type of bus you will get and the timings of everything.

Top tips:

• Bring socks, snacks, and patience.
• Take toilet paper and don’t expect toilets onboard on every bus (you’ll stop at roadside stops which are pretty grim).
• Download films or series before you go.
• For a smoother ride, try to book the bottom bunk in the middle of the bus.
• Bring layers (the A/C is FREEZING)
• Embrace the chaos — it’s all part of the story

I ended up loving them in a weird “I can’t believe this is my life” kind of way.

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4. Street Crossings Are a Leap of Faith

Forget everything you know about traffic rules. Crossing the road, especially in Hanoi is like playing a game of chicken… with a thousand scooters. The trick? Don’t run, don’t stop suddenly — just walk slowly and confidently. They’ll swerve around you. Probably. (You’ll get used to it. Sort of.)

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5. The Currency Will Confuse You. A Lot.

Vietnamese Dong makes you feel rich — until you realise 1,000,000 VND is about £30. The zeros will do your head in and some of the notes look very similar. Get a currency converter app and triple-check before you hand over cash.

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6. The Pace Can Be… A Lot

Vietnam moves fast — and not just the traffic. The tours, the cities, the everything. It’s easy to get swept up in the “see it all” mindset. There was definitely a point in Vietnam where I felt like I was rushing through place to place and cramming in different cities. I started to wonder whether I was actually enjoying each place or whether it was becoming a tick box exercise. I learnt (the hard way) that slower travel is better travel. Giving yourself space to sit in a place — to wander aimlessly, to have lazy coffee mornings, to get slightly bored — is where the magic happens. Vietnam has so many layers, and you’ll miss the good stuff if you’re sprinting through it. Let yourself slow down.

Vietnam wasn’t always easy, but it cracked me open in the best way. It’s the kind of place that forces you to let go of your expectations and lean into the unpredictability.

And honestly? I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.

Enjoy your Travels

Em x

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