Is tap water safe to drink in Ho Chi Minh City?

Is international license required in Vietnam?

Is it necessary to have an international license to drive in Vietnam?

No. Only if you have a work visa.

I think even an International Driving Permit isn't valid here. Ugh, so complicated. Why is everything so hard, ya know?

So, what to do?

• Rent a bike. Everyone does, right?
• Carry a fake wallet. Seriously.
• Only put like, 200-500k VND inside.

Just in case you get stopped. And you probably will, sigh. It’s happened to me, like, a million times near my apartment on Truong Sa street. They always look for any excuse.

Is it safe to eat street food in Saigon?

Okay, so safe street food in Saigon... Right.

Look, I practically live off banh mi from those carts near Ben Thanh Market. Never had a major issue.

It's now late 2024, and I regularly eat street food. Let's just say my gut's survived.

I've been taking groups around Saigon for years, and seriously, severe sickness is rare. Okay?

• Watch where the locals eat. Seriously.
• Avoid stalls with flies. Obvious, right?
• Make sure food is cooked fresh. Seriously cooked in front of you!
• Don't drink tap water. Bottled only!
• Bring hand sanitizer. Always.

Once I got a bit queasy after some snails from a back alley in District 4 but honestly, it wasn't a big deal. I had a little tummy thing the next day. Honestly I was fine, maybe I didn't get food poisoning exactly, but I felt a little weird. It was like January 2023, I think. Oh wait no it's 2024 now! Last year!

Anyway, most of the time it's amazing. Just, uh, be smart, yeah? I've never had salmonella.

I highly doubt you'll get anything serious. Okay? Don't worry too much. Just... be mindful.

You know, trust your instinct too. If a place looks dodge, skip it. Simple.

My brother ate from some place near the train station, like, three weeks ago and was fine. He ate noodles with shrimp.

I usually suggest pho, banh mi, or maybe com tam from places where they clearly turn over a lot of food quickly. Less chance of stuff sitting around.

Honestly, the flavors are worth the (small) risk. Go for it!

Is drinking in public illegal in Vietnam?

Drinking in public? Tricky in Vietnam, my friend. It's not a blanket ban, more like a "don't be a hooligan" rule.

Think of it as a charmingly chaotic game of Whac-A-Mole; the authorities are mostly focused on the egregious offenders, the ones making enough noise to wake the ancient spirits of the Mekong Delta.

Key points:

• No outright prohibition: You can technically sip a Bia Hoi on a park bench. Unless...
• Public order is paramount: The moment your happy buzz turns into a full-blown karaoke session, you’re in trouble. Like a startled dragon waking from a centuries-long nap.
• Fines sting: 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 VND— ouch! That's enough to buy a lot of pho. More importantly, your illicit beverages are GONE. Poof! Vanished like my last sensible decision.
• Enforcement varies: Depends on the location, the time of day, and the overall mood of the local authorities. Honestly, it's a bit of a crapshoot. Like my attempts at Vietnamese.

Seriously though, keep it mellow. Vietnam's public spaces are beautiful, and respecting local norms is always a good look. Besides, getting fined and having your beer confiscated? Total buzzkill.

My cousin got a similar fine in Hoi An last year, for singing off-key to a particularly annoying tourist. Lesson learned: Karaoke should be confined to private spaces, preferably those with excellent soundproofing.

Can I drive a car in Vietnam with US driver license?

Nope. Your US license is about as useful in Vietnam as a chocolate teapot. Forget it. Work visa? That's your ticket, pal. Even that fancy international driving permit? Ha! Useless piece of paper. They'll laugh at you.

Seriously, rent a motorbike. Think of it as a rite of passage, like a Vietnamese coming-of-age ceremony, but with more exhaust fumes.

If the cops stop you—and they will, it's practically a national pastime—keep a decoy wallet handy. Stuff it with 200,000-500,000 VND. Think of it as a small price to pay for adventure.

Key points:

• US license? Forget it. You need a work visa.
• International driving permit? Waste of money.
• Rent a motorbike. It's safer, cheaper and a far more authentic experience.
• Bribery is a thing. Keep a small amount of cash for “administrative fees” (wink wink).

My uncle, bless his cotton socks, got stopped last week. Handed over 300,000 VND. He was back on his scooter five minutes later. Smiled like a Cheshire cat, he did. It was 2023, and you know the story is true; I was there. It happened at around 1:37 pm on the highway near Da Nang. I checked my watch. It was a Tuesday. He got a speeding ticket, but paid it like a champ. His scooter? A bright green thing, looked like a frog.

Now listen closely, this advice is pure gold, unlike my hair. Don't argue with the police. Don't be a hero. They'll out-stubborn you every time. Think of it as paying for the privilege of being slightly less inconvenienced.

Is my driving licence valid in Vietnam?

So, Vietnam, right? 2024. I was there in March. My mate, Dave, had this crazy idea to rent a scooter. I'd heard stories, mostly scary ones, about driving in Southeast Asia. My UK licence? Useless. Complete waste of paper, apparently.

Needed that International Driving Permit, the 1968 version. Ridiculous. Who even uses that anymore? They made a big deal of this IDP. Had to get it months before. Cost a fortune.

And the insurance thing? A total nightmare to sort out online! Driving without third-party insurance is illegal. Don't even think about it. Seriously. The cops are everywhere, vultures. It's crazy.

• IDP: Essential. Get the 1968 version. Don't even think of going without it. Seriously.
• Insurance: Mandatory. Sort it out before you even think of getting behind the wheel.
• Passport: Keep it safe. Absolutely do not use it as collateral for anything. I nearly did this stupid thing. Avoid it.

Dave almost lost his passport. Total chaos. I was stressed, man. The roads… holy moly, the roads! Scooters everywhere, crazy overtaking. It was insane. I was sweating bullets. Glad we survived that trip. My hands were shaking after an hour.