Photo: MiStay

A trip to a foreign country definitely requires you to bring along some certain documents such as your passport, identity card, drivers’ license, visa or visa exemption certificate, etc. In most countries like Vietnam, you even have to present to local police any form of identification regularly while walking around. 

Therefore, no one ever wants to lose these lifeline papers and figure out unfamiliar consular procedures by themselves. Here are a few tips on keeping your travel documents safe and secure when traveling to Vietnam.

Tip 1: Make hard copies and soft copies of your travel documents

With the prevalence of the Internet and technology, it is easier and easier for us to make some extra copies of our important documents, maybe they cannot replace the original versions entirely but in case of losing, then the process of re-issuance at authorities will be more simple and quicker.

You only need to scan those papers and make sure to store them on secure online document storage servers such as Google Drive or even Facebook Messenger! Besides, some establishments in Vietnam can allow you to use digital documents to register, which is pretty convenient and accessible.

As for physical copies, it is best to keep one in your suitcase and leave one back in your home country. When transiting to Vietnam, close or lock your suitcase tightly to avoid losing or getting robbed.

Source: Collected

Tip 2: Separate documents in different storages

Here’s an old saying “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket”, which means you want to have another back-up when one document is lost. 

It is advised that you distribute interchangeable papers into separate luggage. For example, you can keep the passport in your backpack and the ID card in your wallet since passports and ID cards can partially replace each other in Vietnam.

Tip 3: Store documents in plastic bags/file folders/clear sheets

Believe it or not, sometimes you think one document goes missing simply because it is under piles and piles of messy papers, or you accidentally drop it when going through your exploded packback. Then, keeping them organized with plastic bags/file folders/clear sheets is a perfect solution for you. 

Walking in an unexpected rain or being careless to spill coffee onto your documents will no longer bother you since your travel vitality is well preserved by plastic bags. 

Source: Collected

Tip 4: Use tracking devices to secure your documents 

A little tracker can bring peace of mind to you by tracking and giving the exact location where your belongings are present 24/7. All you need to do is attach the device to your luggage and install an application to ensure its safety during the trip. 

Certain GPS trackers offer an additional feature of displaying travel history, allowing users to view the routes and past locations the tracker has visited. 

Source: Collected

Tip 5: Be mindful in crowded places

It is known that petty crimes such as pickpocketing or snatching do happen in Vietnam, especially at crowded tourist attractions, markets and public transportation, therefore visitors should be aware of this hazard and keep their bags close to them at any moment. 

Foreigners can also invest in a pouch to wear under their clothing. It can securely hold their passport, extra cash, and cards, reducing the risk of theft.

Tip 6: Keep emergency contacts available

What would you do if your travel documents were lost or stolen in Vietnam? Don’t panic! It is important to report the problem to the person in charge, and in this case, you should have the addresses and numbers of your home country’s embassy or consulate ready. They will guide you step by step how to handle and proceed your trip in Vietnam without travel papers. 

You can also share your travel itinerary to your Vietnamese trusted friends and store their contacts. Since they are locals, they can provide assistance in case of an emergency.

That’s it! We hope you can take away something useful from this article. Next time, make sure to apply these practical tips when you travel to Vietnam or any foreign country for a hassle-free trip. 

Photo: Du Lich Viet

For the past decades, Vietnamese cuisine has always made it to the top worldwide for its variety of delectable dishes coming from the North to the South. But do you know that a bowl of Pho or spring rolls that you are eating right now is also beneficial for your health?

Let’s find out about the secret of Vietnamese kitchens and their home cook to make these balanced meals in this article!

Overview

If you have ever tried Phở - one of the most famous Vietnamese cuisines globally, you probably can tell the key of this Southeast Asia nation’s specialties is “balance” and “refreshing”. The balance comes from five distinct flavors, i.e sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami, which requires a cook to fully understand the dish and apply correct culinary techniques. On the other hand, a lot of Vietnamese food feature fresh vegetables and herbs, as well as such local protein sources as freshwater fish or dragon chicken, therefore eaters can easily taste the natural flavor and distinguish them with frozen food or processed cans.

Vietnamese cuisine has always made it to the top worldwide for its variety of delectable dishes coming from the North to the South (Source: Collected)

With these two components, Vietnamese culinary offerings are recognized for their health advantages, encompassing dishes that are low in fat, gluten-free, immune-enhancing, and rich in vitamins and minerals. Even though Vietnamese people are not the most active physically, this country still has the lowest rate of adult obesity in the world according to the Stanford University study.

Cooking techniques

Influenced by Chinese culture, the way Vietnameses prepare and cook their food rely mainly on the cosmological principles of Âm and Dương (Yin and Yang) and ngũ hành (the five elements). 

In terms of food, Yin and Yang has it that some ingredients cannot be combined randomly as they can be fatal or detrimental, you have to make sure that heating (dương-yang energy) is accompanied by cooling (âm-yin energy) ingredients. For example, seafood such as squid has a cooling influence so locals often pair it with lá lốt (piper lolot leaves) to avoid stomach upset.

The cosmological principles of Âm and Dương (Yin and Yang) and ngũ hành (the five elements) (Source: Collected)

The five elements include wood, fire, earth, metal, and water - interact harmoniously to create a holistic and well-rounded culinary experience. In one traditional Vietnamese meal, you want to pay attention to all the dishes, fresh, green ingredients such as herbs and vegetables representing wood; fire is associated with high-heat cooking methods like grilling; earth elements are present in rice; seafood representing metal, and soups and broths have high water elements. 

Therefore, to Vietnamese cuisine, everything has to be in harmony to create healthy, balanced, and delicious meals.

Ingredients

As a country located in the humid tropical monsoon region, Vietnam is blessed by nature with a rich climate, water source, soil, etc creating a home to many green vegetables and animal protein. Here are a few examples.

1. Seasonings and condiments

Vietnamese people use fragrance ingredients such as shallots, garlics, gingers, lemons, or lemongrass a lot in their dishes. Ginger and garlic can help with anti-inflammatory properties, lemon is a good source of antioxidants and vitamin C, lemongrass can prevent acne and skin aging, etc. 

Nước mắm (fish sauce) is another condiment produced by artisans that is iconic in Vietnamese cuisine, it is believed to be better than common salt as nước mắm is low in calories and fermented, which is good for digestion.

2. Rice noodles

As other Asian countries, rice is a staple dish of every Vietnamese household, mostly at lunch and dinner when family members are all present. However, even for breakfast, Vietnameses can find a way to incorporate rice in their portions by a bowl of Phở or Bún bò Huế (Vietnamese spicy beef noodles), which is gluten-free and high in fiber. 

3. Green vegetables and fruits

Herbs such as mints, basils, cilantros; crunchy vegetables such as cucumbers, carrots, daikons; leafy vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage, bok choy; etc can be seen everywhere in Vietnam. Especially, the consistent inclusion of leafy greens underscores their vital role and the emphasis on health benefits within Vietnamese culinary practices. 

Do you know that you can buy vegetables and fruits fresher and at a cheaper price in Vietnam compared to grocery stores in Western countries? Take advantage of it if you have a chance to visit this country!

Leafy vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage, bok choy can be seen everywhere in Vietnam (Source: Verywell)

4. Coffee

Surprisingly, a cup of espresso, or black coffee every day can lower sugar levels in blood, avoid heart diseases and certain types of cancers. Dak Lak, Lam Dong, Kon Tum, Dak Nong, Gia Lai are hidden gems in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, home to Vietnamese coffee. To coffee lovers, visiting The World Coffee Museum or simply coffee houses located everywhere is such a dreamlike experience, learning about the history and how to make rich coffee beans, and the best part: tasting the original flavor.

Photo: Freepik

Traveling to a foreign country can be very intimidating and confusing, mostly because you are surrounded by tons of signs, banners, and conversations in your non-native language. While other Asian languages require you to know a whole new alphabet system such as Thai language or Chinese, Vietnamese utilizes the same Latin script as English with a few changes, which is easier for foreigners to pick up some common phrases.

With that being said, an overview of Vietnamese and these expressions below can be helpful for basic communication and building connections with the locals. 

The Vietnamese Language

Nowadays, Vietnamese is a Latin-based language with 29 letters excluding the letter F, J, W, and Z, and uses accented vowels instead: ă, â, ê, ô, ư, ơ. While they are distinct from the primary vowels, these letters are entirely separate entities, each possessing its own distinct sounds. 

Like many other languages, Vietnamese is a tonal language with six different tones. Foreigners have to be careful as pronouncing the wrong tone can change the whole meaning of what they want to say. For example, the word “ba” means “Dad” or “three” but when it is pronounced as “bà” (with a grave), the meaning will become “Grandmother”. 

Another element that makes Vietnamese less accessible to foreigners is the language can be extremely varied in terms of vocabulary and pronunciations across the country, from Northern, to Central, to Southern accent. Nevertheless, being a foreigner, in most situations, locals should grasp the intended meaning based on the context of your communication.

While it is impossible to know a language in day one or day two, here are some Vietnamese phrases with a pronunciation guide to make you feel more confident and fulfilled traveling to Vietnam.

Basic Vietnamese Phrases

• Xin chào /Sin chow!/: Hello

• Tạm biệt /tam byet/: Goodbye

• Tôi tên là /Toy ten la/: My name is

• Cảm ơn /gauhm uhhn/: Thank you

• Xin lỗi /sin loy/: I’m sorry

• Làm ơn /lam uhhn/: Please

• Không sao đâu /kohng sao dwoh/: You’re welcome

• Tôi không hiểu /toy kohng hugh/: I don’t understand

• Bạn có nói tiếng Anh không? /ban byet noy tyeng ang kaumng/: Do you speak English?

• Bạn khoẻ không? /ban kweh kohng?/: How are you?

• Vâng /vuhng/: Yes

• Bạn có thể giúp tôi không? /buhn koh tê gi-uhp toy kh-uhng/: Can you help me?

• Tôi cần /toy kuhn/: I need

Phrases for transactions

• Numbers

• Một /moht/: 1

• Hai /hay/: 2

• Ba /bah/: 3

• Bốn /buhn/: 4

• Năm /nahm/: 5

• Mười /moo-ee/: 10

• Trăm /trahm/: 100

• Nghìn /ngheen/: 1000

• Haggling

• Tôi thích /toy thick/: I like

• Bao nhiêu tiền? /bahw ngew tee-uhn.../: How much is it?

• Tôi không có đủ tiền mua /toy kohng kaw doo...oo tee-uhn... moo-uh/: I cannot afford it

• Đắt quá /daht kwahh/: Too expensive

• Bạn có thể giảm giá không? /ban co the zam za kohng/: Can you reduce the price?

• Tôi lấy /toy lay/: I’ll take it

Phrases for ordering at restaurants

• Tôi có thể xem thực đơn không? /toy co the xem tuck don kohng/: Can I have the menu?

• Cho tôi /choh toy/: May I have

• Không đá /kohng dar/: No ice

• Không cay /kohng cay/: No spicy

• Cho tôi tính tiền /choh toy tdin tee-uhn/: Can I have the bill?

• Ngon lắm /nongh law/: It’s delicious! 

Phrases for directions

• Bên trái /buhn trai/: Left

• Bên phải /buhn fai/: Right

• Đi thẳng /diw tahng/: Go straight

• Tôi bị lạc đường /toy bee lahk doo-uhng/: I’ve lost

• Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu? /nhaw ve sinh ow dwoh/: Where’s the toilet?

• Sân bay /sun bay/: Airport

• Khách sạn /khack sun/: Hotel

• ATM ở đâu? /ATM ow dowh/: Where’s the ATM?

Emergency terms

• Cứu! /kew/: Help!

• Tôi cần gặp bác sĩ /toy kuhn gap bahk see/: I need to see a doctor

• Gọi cảnh sát! /goy keng saht/: Call the police!

• Tôi bị mất hộ chiếu /toy bee maht huh chee-ow/: I’ve lost my passport