Useful tips

As usual, we are pleased to share useful tips, from A to Z, to make your travel to and stay in Da Nang uneventful and enjoyable.

Arrival in a Da Nang Airport: the airport is located just 2 km from the city’s center and is a modern hub directly connecting it with a number of major international hubs in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore, as well as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Taxis parked at the exit gates offer safe, smooth and inexpensive rides to the city in just 15 min.

Bargaining: in casual shopping hubs and markets, bargaining is a common practice. If you’re shopping in an area that receives many tourists, you can usually get a price reduction through some gentle negotiation. Browse and inquire with a few shops or vendors to get a general idea of the price before you settle.

Currency exchange: The official currency in Vietnam is the Vietnam đồng, symbolised by ₫ or VND. Vietnamese notes are a mix of small paper bills (no coins are used), and larger polymer bills, in values from 10,000 VND to 500,000 VND. If you’re confused by all the zeros, mentally remove three zeros to get a simpler number. To quickly convert from VND to USD, just remove three zeros and divide by 23.

TIP: The 20,000 VND bill and the 500,000 VND bill come in similar shades of blue -- double check before you pay. Also, note that all the transactions, even with private persons, are performed in VND only.

ATMs and money changers: upon arriving in Da Nang, you’ll want to have some cash in the local currency. You can find ATMs accepting international cards just outside the arrival gates. ATMs are a common sight in Vietnamese cities, and you should have no trouble locating one in most destinations. International cards such as Visa are accepted at more than 20,000 ATMs nationwide. If you need help finding the nearest ATM, just ask your hotel. Withdrawal limits per transaction range between 2 million VND (just under 100 dollars) and 3 million VND with local bank ATMs; and between 5 million VND to 10 million VND with international bank ATMs.

You can also find currency exchange vendors inside the airport just before the exit gates. Once you’re in your destination, you can usually exchange currency at your hotel, in tourist hotspots and at local banks but be prepared for a quest as not all the hotels are licensed to perform currency exchange transactions.

Otherwise, visa and master card are accepted in malls and some restaurants.

TIP: It’s a good idea to withdraw some extra cash before travelling to remote destinations in Vietnam, especially if you want to buy crafts or textiles directly from local artisans. Also, note that USD is the most popular foreign currency in Vietnam.

Price levels: counting in thousands and even millions may leave you wonder how much money to prepare for your trip in Vietnam? The country’s mid-range hotels and local restaurants offer wonderful value and heartfelt service. And if you’re here to indulge, five-star properties and private tours offer superb quality and unforgettable moments. See the list below for some average prices:

• Sidewalk coffee - 25,000 VND (1 USD)
• Street food meal with ice tea - 45,000 VND (2 USD)
• Cappuccino in a cafe - 55,000 VND (2.50 USD)
• Three-course restaurant meal - 450,000 (20 USD)/person
• Inner city taxi - 35,000 to 100,000 VND (1.50 to 4 USD)
• 60-minute foot massage at local spa - 350,000 VND (15 USD)
• Mid-range hotel - 700,000 VND (30 USD)/night
• Luxury hotel - 3.5 million VND (150 USD)/night

Cuisine: Da Nang boasts a great variety of restaurants and eateries – from street stalls at night to most luxurious spots serving international meals. Regardless, the quality of food is guaranteed and its staples are rice, noodles, fresh seafood, plentiful vegetables and fruits. Here are some signature local food that you could have a taste while staying in Da Nang: Nem lụi (Grilled ground pork on stick), Bánh canh (Vietnamese thick noodle soup), Mỳ Quảng (Quang Nam’s noodle), Hoi An chicken rice. The food does not come overly spicy but it is advisable to double check for it or ask for a mildly- or no-spicy option before placing an order.

English: generally, English is increasingly in use in Da Nang and many locals speak quite passable English; meanwhile in the countryside, you will find fewer of them, so be prepared to use your best communication skills and gestures (refer to the Local social culture and etiquette section below).

Electricity: the electricity supply in Vietnam is 220 Volts at 50 Hz. Plugs type A (two flat vertical pins), type C and type F (two round pins) fit most Vietnam electrical outlets. If your power plug has 3 pins, you might need an adapter as most electrical outlets here do not include a grounding hole.

Entry visa: Vietnam now grants e-visas for citizens of all countries and territories with 90-day stay duration and valid for multiple entry. Citizens of the following countries enjoying unilateral visa exemption can stay in Vietnam up to 45 days: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Belarus.

Citizens of the following countries are exempted from visa requirement: Brunei, Myanmar, Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, The UK, The Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Chile, Panama.

All other nationalities can apply for their visa online at: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/en_USkhai-thi-thuc-dien-tu/cap-thi-thuc-dien-tu

Healthcare: Da Nang has a number of good-quality private hospitals and healthcare centers to cater everyone’s needs 24/7- still it is strongly recommended to ensure you have an international medical insurance policy on you.

Health precautions: Small wonder we come with very basic yet effective ones:

• Always carry a bag of medicines for common ailments such as common cold and an upset stomach.
• Before setting out on a sightseeing tour make it a point to carry bottled mineral water with you and a local wide-brim hat which is a perfect protection from sun.
• For a day out, whether on a tour or on the beach, use sunglasses and sunscreen lotions.
• Maintain individual hygiene and regularly wash hands with soap and water.
• Buy over the counter medicines only from authorized pharmacies.

Internet and mobile communications: There are stalls, stores, booths, carts and even bicycles that will sell SIM cards at more than affordable prices the minute that you land in Vietnam. If you can wait a bit, ask the staff at your hotel to point you towards the nearest telecommunications store. The associates at the store will provide a SIM card for you, cut the card according to your phone and install it for you. For the best coverage, ensure that the SIM card you get is either on the Viettel, Mobifone or Vinafone networks. These three companies control 90% of the mobile market in Vietnam and offer great coverage throughout the country. Before you walk out of the store, make sure you check that it works.

Local social culture and etiquette: The concept of “saving face” has long been an important part of life in Vietnam. Most Vietnamese will avoid public displays that could compromise their reputation. As a general rule, keep your cool and avoid loud arguments, making a scene, berating others for mistakes, or pointing out anything that may cause the locals to feel shamed.

TIP: Vietnamese dislike public displays of affection, and men and women often do not touch in front of others. Try to respect the local sentiment by keeping public displays of affection to a minimum.

When visiting temples, wear modest clothing (Below The Knee Dresses or pants) and always remove your shoes and hat. You can carry shoes with you, but just don't wear them on your feet. Likewise, when you enter someone’s house, take your shoes off just outside the door. Vietnamese families keep altars in their shops and homes, including some at ground level: Don’t step over these ground altars or walk around directly in front of them.

TIP: When visiting a family home, bring a box of biscuits or cake, fruit, flowers or soft drinks as a gift -- never bring anything black or knife. Greet the older members of a family first, nod, shake hands with your right hand and offer plenty of smiles to everyone!

There are so many beautiful photo opportunities in Vietnam and most people will be fine with you taking their photo, but respect their privacy and always ask before you lift up your camera. Taking photos this way offers the same level of respect to your subjects as you would apply to yourself, and it can be a unique and fascinating opportunity to learn a bit about someone’s life.

Mealtimes in Vietnam are all about sharing. Most meals are laid out as an assortment of shared dishes, with small rice bowls and chopsticks for each diner. Pass dishes at the table with both hands . It is considered good hospitality for a host to offer you food, refill your glass and put the best bits of a dish into your bowl. If you want to stop eating, simply repeat politely that you’re very full. In most social gatherings the person who made the invitation is the one who pays the bill. Otherwise, the most senior person is the one who pays.

In Vietnam, people rarely say the words “excuse me”. Instead, they say “hey you!” but use different versions of “you” to indicate respect. Use the following variations depending on who you're talking to:

• For a male or female younger than you - Em ơi (em oi). Em means “younger sibling."
• For a woman a bit older than you - Chị ơi (chi oi). Chị means “older sister."
• For a man a bit older than you - Anh ơi (An oi). Anh means “older brother.”
• For a woman old enough to be your aunt - Cô ơi (goh oi).
• For a man old enough to be your uncle - Chú ơi (choo oi).
• For a woman old enough to be your grandmother - Bà ơi (ba oi).
• For a man who is old enough to be your grandfather - Ông ơi (om oi).
• This can all get a little complex, so if in doubt, say “bạn ơi!” (bang oi) which simply means, “hey friend!”

Use your hands wisely: Middle finger is an offensive digit in Vietnam. The typical “fingers crossed” gesture that many people from the West make to indicate that they are hoping for the best is highly impolite. If you hope for good luck, keep your fingers out of it!

It’s also a good idea to avoid pointing at people or patting people on the back or head, particularly if they are older than you. When you pass something along, use both of your hands, rather than just one hand.

Vietnamese are fun-loving people, however they are also very proud of their deep-rooted traditions and hardworking ethics. A smile and nod can go a long way in Vietnam, especially when language fails. A simple hello (xin chào) or thank you (cảm ơn) communicates your goodwill and will usually earn a smile from the Vietnamese.

TIP: When drinking, most Vietnamese will raise their glasses and “cheers” every time they drink, sipping together as a group rather than individually. Vietnamese use the word “do” (yo in the south, zo in the north) to say 'cheers'. One of the most common things you'll hear around Vietnamese nightlife is “một, hai, ba, dô!” (one, two, three, drink.)

Taxi service : there is no shortage of cabs and you can both order them at your hotel or flag out for them on the street. All rides are metered, cars- amazingly clean and drivers all are in uniform and well trained, though some may not speak English. There are some mobile apps that allow you to book cheap and safe taxi service such as Grab, Gojek, Be.

Tipping etiquette : There’s no set rule about tipping in Vietnam as it’s not a normal part of Vietnamese culture. However tipping is increasingly common in some situations, such as in beauty salons and for private tour guides. Tipping in restaurants and cafes is not expected but always appreciated. When deciding how much to tip, considering that the cost for a local meal here is about 30,000 VND to 40,000 VND can help you decide the value of your tip to its recipient.

Safety precautions : Vietnam and Da Nang in particular is generally very safe for travelers, but use common sense to keep an eye on your money and avoid drawing attention to valuables while out in public. Use the hotel safe in your room to store cash, cards and valuable items when going out. Keep wallets and purses close to your person and take extra care when in crowded places. Cards with safety technology such as Visa’s 3D security system can help protect against loss or fraud, and lessen worries around the safety of your money.

TIP: Many businesses and taxi services in Vietnam now accept Visa contactless payments, done by tapping your card directly on a terminal. These payments add peace of mind and reduce health risks, as your card never leaves your hand.

Weather in Da Nang in September: Da Nang has a tropical monsoon climate with two seasons: a typhoon and wet season from September to December and a dry season from January to August. Temperatures have an annual average of around 26 °C (79 °F). Cold waves can occasionally occur, although they are of short duration. Temperatures are highest between June and August with mean temperatures of 26 to 32 °C (78 to 89 °F). In Ba Na Hills right next to the city’s borderline, the temperatures are lower with an annual average of 20 °C (68 °F). The annual average for humidity is 81%, with highs between October and January (reaching 84–86%).

While the temperature may cool off a bit compared to August, rains may happen quite often in Da Nang in September with an average of 12.8 rainy days and 308.9mm (12.16") of precipitation, so having an umbrella or a plastic raincoat with you can be a good idea.