Vietnam e-visa & arrival guide

Pho: Vietnam's most famous noodle soup. Phở bò (beef) or phở gà (chicken). ¥25,000–40,000 VND ($1–1.60) per bowl. Best at local street stalls, not tourist restaurants. Look for vendors with lots of locals eating.

Banh mi: French-Vietnamese baguette sandwich with pate, pickled vegetables, cilantro, chili sauce. ¥15,000–30,000 VND ($0.60–1.20). The best are street vendors on bicycles, not sit-down shops.

Bun cha: Grilled pork with vermicelli noodles, herbs, and dipping sauce. ¥60,000–100,000 VND ($2.50–4). Hanoi's original bun cha restaurants are near Hoan Kiem Lake.

Goi cuon: Fresh spring rolls with pork, shrimp, herbs, vermicelli in rice paper. ¥40,000–80,000 VND ($1.60–3.20) per plate. Perfect light meal.

Ca kho to: Caramelised fish cooked in a clay pot with rice. Hearty and home-style. ¥80,000–150,000 VND ($3.20–6).

Egg coffee (Cà phê trứng): Whipped egg yolks with coffee, like a sweet mousse on hot coffee. ¥50,000–70,000 VND ($2–2.80). Originated in Hanoi — try it at Giang Cafe near Hoan Kiem Lake.

Street fruit: Fresh mango, dragon fruit, jackfruit, mangosteen. Sliced and sold by the cup for ¥10,000–20,000 VND ($0.40–0.80). Carry hand wipes.

Banh xeo: Crispy rice pancake with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts. ¥100,000–150,000 VND ($4–6). Fold it up with lettuce and dip in fish sauce.

Fake e-visa agencies. Only use xevisa.immigration.gov.vn. Agencies charging $50–100 for a "faster" visa are scams — the official e-visa costs about $27 and takes 3 days. Report them if you encounter them.

Scooter scam: Some rental shops will claim you're responsible for scratches that were already there. Document the scooter with photos (close-ups of existing dents and scratches) before accepting it.

"Free" tour scams: Drivers offering a free "city tour" will stop at souvenir shops where they earn commission. Politely decline or agree to only visit places you choose.

Counterfeit money: Check ¥500,000 VND notes carefully — there are convincing fakes. Tear gently on the edge if you're uncertain; genuine polymer notes stretch slightly.

Overcharging: Cyclo (pedi-cab) drivers and taxi drivers without meters sometimes overcharge. Agree on a price before getting in, or just use Grab.

Crossing the street: Vietnamese traffic doesn't stop for pedestrians. Walk slowly and steadily — drivers will weave around you. Don't run, don't hesitate. Look both ways but don't be paralysed by the chaos.