Xin chào! Vietnam Local Tips is written by a Vietnamese local who grew up here and still lives here — not by a tourist passing through.
We live in the Central Highlands, drink the coffee, ride the buses and pay local prices every day. This site shares what we would tell a friend before their first trip.
Why this site exists
Most Vietnam guides are written after a two-week trip. They miss the things locals take for granted: what a bowl of phở should really cost, which bus is worth it, when a “special price” is not so special. This site is the guide we would give a friend visiting Vietnam for the first time.
What you will find here
Practical planning
Visas, SIM cards, money and transport — the boring stuff, explained simply.
Honest local prices
Real prices for food, rides and tickets, so you know when you are being overcharged.
Food, places & routes
Where we actually eat, sleep and travel — not a copy of the top-10 lists.
The Central Highlands
Coffee country, waterfalls and villages most travelers skip.
How we write
- Real experience. Every guide is based on what we have done ourselves in Vietnam.
- Kept up to date. Prices and rules change, so we update guides when we learn something new.
- Clear disclosure. When we recommend a paid service, we say so on the page.
Planning a trip to Vietnam?
Start with the basics, or tell us if something on this site is out of date.