Vietnam Packing List

Some would be perfectly comfortable with little more than a swimsuit, some sandals, and a couple of T-shirts, while others might have a forty-pound case of photographic equipment or dive gear.  We’ve put together some suggestions to help you make a start.

General 

Bear in mind to take your passport, flight tickets, credit cards/cash/travellers cheques (take several modes of payment in case the ATM swallows your card etc.), travel insurance, and a minimal amount of clothes and toiletries. And you'll probably want to take non-essential luxury items like Ipod and Camera, to while away long bus or train journeys (the 36 hour train from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City) , and make the experience more memorable.

What to Bring with you to Vietnam

Items that we suggest you bring depending on the season. 

Vietnamese Language

Origin

Though much effort has been paid to trace the origin of Vietnamese language, so-far findings remain debatable.  It is, however, unquestionable that it does emerge from the aspirations of its people to have something speak for their own cultural identity (in both oral and written ways). After a long time borrowing Chinese characters, in 14^th century, Vietnamese people created their own scripts called “chu Nom” to set down their language. In 17^th century, with huge joint effort of Western missionaries, notably Alexandre de Rhodes, it was transcribed again into Romanised scripts which later became the national language characters (chu Quoc Ngu).

Getting around Vietnam

Cyclos

Known elsewhere as rickshaws or pedicabs, the cyclo's design slightly varies according to what part of the country on is in. These are a fixture in all major and minor cities in Vietnam. Cyclos should be booked through your tour company or through the doorman or concierge of your hotel. Any trip to Vietnam without riding a cyclo is a trip deprived.

"Xe Om"

This term literally means to "hug the motorbike." Xe Om drivers (motorbike taxis) peruse the streets in the cities and in the countryside looking for fares. An excellent and ready means of transportation only for the very brave hearted. How to hail a Xe Om: extend arm and hand directly outward; flutter your wrist as if waving goodbye to someone . . . this will hail the first available Xe Om . . . or perhaps even a mob of them.