It seems like everyone has caught the travel bug. Backpacking and seeing the world is a trend the researchers don’t see stopping anytime soon, and one of the recent additions to the must-see countries on a traveler’s list is Vietnam. It’s a country in South East Asia with an amazing history, beautiful scenery, affordable souvenirs and hospitable people.

To help you enjoy your Vietnam travel and better navigate the streets of Vietnam, here are some things you need to know. 

You need a visa.

Although Vietnam visa can be easy to get, that doesn’t mean that you get away with traveling to Vietnam without accomplishing yours. If you’re visiting from another South East Asian nation, then it’s no problem. You will most likely just be asked to fill out a form on the plane, and that already serves as your visa. However, this is a privilege that’s exclusively given to a citizen of another ASEAN country.

If you are visiting from outside South East Asia, then you need to apply to the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in your country. The application is very straightforward. All you’ll need is your passport, your passport photo and a completed visa application form. After paying the fee and submitting all the documents, you only need to wait for 4 to 5 days for your application to be processed. 

Fees are fluid.

If you’re from any Western country, you must be used to the fixed fees that you have to pay for any product or service. That doesn’t apply in Vietnam unless you’re in a mall, an upscale boutique or a huge grocery store. Instead, you can negotiate the amount of money you pay for a service or a product. It’s also smart to buy ticket – like for trains and buses – directly at the station, instead of through your hotel receptionist. For within the city travel, Vietnam offers a few transport options, like a bus or a cab. Research which will get you to your destination faster and cheaper and, if you can, negotiate with your driver. It’s way cheaper that way. 

Brave the streets for food.

This may be a foreign concept for a lot of Westerners because street food is an Asian tradition, but the best and most authentic Vietnamese food is sold on the streets. You can get anything from the Pho to rice meals for a far more affordable price than you would in hotels and fine dining restaurants. They are often as good, if not better. The best way to tell if you’re in a great place to eat is if the kiosk has a long line or if the restaurant is busy even outside of peak hours. Traveling to Vietnam is all about immersing in the culture, part of that is trying authentic Vietnamese food, so try it. 

The country remains Vietnam.

Contrary to its neighbors – like Bali in Indonesia, Siem Reap in Cambodia or Bangkok in Thailand, Vietnam remains mostly locals. This may be in due to the fact that Vietnam has only recently opened its doors to visitors in the last 2 decades, so backpackers are yet to discover the many places they can enjoy. Some of the more popular areas are tourists though is Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh. If you’re looking to immerse in a culture that’s not diluted by local’s reception of foreigners, Vietnam is the place to be. 

The best hotels are found on foot.

If you’re willing to be more spontaneous, don’t book your hotel in advance because the most affordable places to stay are not online and are best found on foot. When you get to a city that you’re staying at, spend a few minutes walking around and asking where it’s best to stay. The locals will be more than happy to help. This is also a great way to bargain for the price of the room, especially if you’re staying for a longer period of time.