@banocnochannah: Planning a trip to Vietnam soon? Don't book your flights until you read these 10 essential tips from an HCM expat. 1. Cash is king! If you want to enjoy the street food, you’ll most likely have to pay by cash. Some establishments allow cards but with a 3% premium 2. Find a VP Bank! There are no withdrawal fees so you’ll only have to worry about MINIMAL forex losses 3. Download apps like Grab, Be, and Green SM for better prices! Just a tip, these apps usually have partnerships with hotels so some have discounts when pinned in certain hotels (e.g. Novotel) 4. Plan your shopping trip (I suggest D1 since the shops are near each other) It’s a shopping haven … only if you’re a size small. I’m a small in the Philippines but here I’m a medium or large! 5. When shopping, wear slip-ons because you’ll usually get asked to leave your footwear outside the store. 6. Bring/Buy a light hoodie. This will serve as your protection when riding the bike under the heat of the sun. 7. Bring a cap! It’s very convenient and hygienic especially when you ride a motorbike and have to wear a helmet. 8. Bep Me In and Bep Cuon lives up to the hype!!! People should try Banh Xeo, besides banh mi and pho. 9. Buy your pasalubongs in from the grocery! Lotte Mart has good assortment but locals recommend Emart! 10. If you want to get a sim, go to a legit Viettel store for safety and affordability! My mobile data plan of 10gb everyday for 90 days just cost me 1200 pesos (400k+ VND)

Hannah Banocnoc | Life in 🇻🇳

Open In TikTok:

Region: VN

Wednesday 24 June 2026 01:22:11 GMT