Vietnam Nha Trang: Everything You Need to Know in One Article

Currency Exchange: When exchanging RMB for VND, avoid doing it at domestic airports as the exchange rate is poor. For example, the international rate might be 1:3425, but you might only get 1:2800 at domestic airports. Upon arrival in Vietnam, the airport offers 1:3100. It's advisable to exchange just 200 RMB for temporary needs. Generally, near hotels, there are supermarkets that can exchange RMB at a rate of about 1:3400. Don't think the difference of 300 is negligible; for 1000 RMB, that's a loss of about 90 RMB. Vietnamese Airlines: On the flight, only a bottle of water was provided. If you're in a similar situation, remember to bring some fruits and snacks. Hold the fruit in your hand and consume it before landing as you cannot pass customs with it, and it shouldn't be checked in. Bribing Customs: When leaving Vietnamese customs, there's debate about whether to slip a tip into your passport. As it was my first time, I did it to avoid any unnecessary trouble. Eating After Landing: Always ask if anything served to you costs extra. We were served a plate of about seven to eight quail eggs and four wet wipes. Thinking they were complimentary, we ended up being charged 40,000 VND, about 12 RMB, for a few eggs and wipes used. So, don't assume; always ask for the cost. Food Recommendations: Try Vietnamese pho, baguettes, clay pot grilled meat 🥩 and fish. The flavors are typically Southeast Asian—sweet, sour, and spicy. There are also many stalls selling fresh fruit juices; sugarcane juice is 10,000 VND and comes with a few green lemons for a nice taste. Vietnam is rich in bird's nest, and bird's nest water is cheap, ranging from 10,000 to 15,000 VND. Coffee in Vietnam: You'll find a coffee shop every 50 meters in Nha Trang. Every shop has good coffee, so feel free to try. You can also buy some to take back. I bought mine from the Lotte Mart, as it has a wide selection and fixed prices, so you don't have to worry about being cheated. I also found a niche coffee shop with excellent beans. I think the taste is top-notch! The two bags at the bottom right are the ones I brought back; you can also ask them to grind it for you. Finally, regarding transportation in Vietnam and other precautions, I'll discuss the differences between Southeast Asian countries like Thailand and Nha Trang in my next note. If you have any questions, feel free to ask, and I'll reply when I see them. #NhaTrang #TravelGuide #IslandTrip #COTDCoffeeExploration #AirTravel #OverseasTravel #TravelBits #MyTravelDiary