Vietnam is one of the safest holiday destinations in south-east Asia. Families can travel in comfort and with peace of mind knowing that the population is friendly, the incidence of crime is relatively low and even walking round at night is quite safe.

However, it is always a wise travelling practice to have adequate travel insurance in place so you can enjoy a hassle free journey. Even if you are a student, travel insurance is still necessary and you should have the best policy you can afford. In other words, don’t compromise the safety of your vacation for the sake of a few dollars.

Remember that there are always incidences of petty thieft that can damage your holiday if you don’t take adequate preventive measures. Here are a few tips you can follow.

In some larger cities, especially Ho Chi Minh City, some cases of pick pocketing, and drive-by bag snatchings have been reported. For this reason, it is important not to wear expensive jewellery, or carry too much cash when walking in the streets. Any outward sign of wealth should be avoided at all costs. Store all your valuables and luggage at your hotel or in a railway locker.

Watch out for the traffic! Although this is not an issue exclusive to Vietnam, crossing a major street in Ho Chi Minh City can be an adventure in itself. The streams of traffic including motor vehicles, cyclists, motorbikes and scooters move through the streets like a solid mass and it appears to be an impenetrable organism! One of the best tips is to simply follow one of the locals or at least watch what they do and then imitate them. You will have to be bold and move with certainty in the trust that the motorists will slow down sufficiently for you to skip your way through. Never under any circumstances stop in the middle of the street, once you start to make your move, continue moving so drivers can see what you’re trying to do; they will simply move around you.

Be careful what you eat and drink. Vietnam is a gourmet heaven but that doesn’t mean you can eat and drink whatever you like. It is a matter of common sense when it comes to drinking the local water and it is probably the safest bet to limit yourself to bottled water. Don’t take unnecessary risks because, even though you may have taken out adequate holiday insurance, you don’t want to spoil your holiday with an unwanted food poisoning which could have been avoided.

All in all, travelling to Vietnam is an exciting and safe experience. There is no need to worry unnecessarily and by taking these simple precautions you are sure to have a memorable holiday.

When visiting the country of Vietnam, you are sure to find activities to suit nearly any whim that you might have. If you have a large number of days to spend your Vietnam Holidays here, then you can do a little bit of everything. History and culture abound here, from ancient roots to modern arts. The rustic countryside provides a perfect escape from city life, and there are natural wonders galore which you can explore and enjoy. Given it’s ocean side location, there are also lush white-sand beaches on which to relax and enjoy the best of Southeast Asia’s tropical vacations.

One of the locations to enjoy a tropical beach vacation is Phu Quoc Island. This island actually has a little bit of everything and is an extremely popular spot for Vietnam Holidays. There are mountains; there are forests; there are beaches; and there are rustic, quaint fishing villages. The island has a wonderful mix of five-star resorts and family-run bungalow-style vacations. Tourism has increased significantly in recent years but has not yet overrun the island, so it still has an authentic feel that so many visitors to Vietnam crave.

Phu Quoc Island isn’t the only beach holiday to be had in Vietnam. There are many others to consider. Another major beach destination for Vietnam Holidays is Mui Ne Beach. This beach has a great reputation among surfers. Although it’s been heavily commercially developed, it still has a laid-back surfer vibe that attracts many people; not to mention, it boasts great surfing during the months of August through December. One of the biggest natural draws in Vietnam, and a wonderful place to spend time exploring during your Vietnam Holidays, is Halong Bay. Located in the northern part of the country, the bay is home to several tiny islands full of beaches and grottoes. These are amazing sites to explore by kayak; others prefer spelunking through some of the caves to see the treasures that nature has hidden below the surface. While visiting, you can also hike through the Cat Ba National Park for even more of a taste of Vietnam’s outdoor adventures.