Authentic Cambodia and Vietnam In 14 Days

Despite the initial fears of the Covid-19 pandemic, most Asian countries have managed to mitigate its effects. As such, many popular destinations throughout the continent are currently open for travelers with precautionary measures like mandatory vaccinations. A few countries, however, require newly arrived travelers to spend a couple of days in quarantine.

As of February 2022, countries like Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia are officially open for vaccinated tourists without the need for quarantine. Meanwhile, India and Indonesia are two of the countries that may require you to quarantine for up to a week on arrival. However, Japan, Vietnam, and Myanmar are yet to open their doors to visitors.

The best time to visit Vietnam is from December through March, since temperatures are not overbearing during this time of year, hovering between 20°C to 26°C, and the rainfall light. Vietnam’s weather during March and even early April allows for tours right across the country, although it can be a little colder in the north. Mid-April through June and September to November are considered low seasons because they see two periods of monsoon rain. Temperatures rise alongside humidity during these months, and you will need to be prepared for downpours, which can flood roads and cut off access to destinations. July and August are very hot, with nighttime temperatures hovering at around 26°C. You can find more information here.

In Vietnam’s major tourist hubs, including the Ha Long Bay and Sa Pa, you will find plenty of people who speak English. Those working and operating hotels and tours will have decent English-language skills. English is primarily spoken by younger generations, with grandparents tending to speak French because of France’s colonial history in the country. In more far-flung destinations, such as the hill villages of the north, you may find locals speak nothing but Vietnamese, which is where a guide really comes in handy!

Visitors to Vietnam need to be careful with gestures and physical contact. For instance, Vietnamese women do not usually shake hands. Hugging should also be avoided, along with patting people on the back – a sign of disrespect in the country. Also avoid the temptation to ruffle the hair of kids, since the head is sacred to the Vietnamese. When it comes to gesturing, pointing at objects or people should not be done with the index finger – use your thumb or pinky instead.  Have your palm facing down when you are calling someone since an open, upward-facing palm is meant for dogs only. 

The best time to visit Vietnam is from December through March, since temperatures are not overbearing during this time of year, hovering between 20°C to 26°C, and the rainfall light. Vietnam’s weather during March and even early April allows for tours right across the country, although it can be a little colder in the north. Mid-April through June and September to November are considered low seasons because they see two periods of monsoon rain. Temperatures rise alongside humidity during these months, and you will need to be prepared for downpours, which can flood roads and cut off access to destinations. July and August are very hot, with nighttime temperatures hovering at around 26°C.