Trans Travel Vietnam: A Trans Man’s Guide to Safety, Culture, and Transit

I recently spent two months abroad traveling in Asia. Previously, I wrote about my experiences in Indonesia and China. Here are my takeaways as a transgender man visiting Vietnam.

Why I Chose to Travel to Vietnam as a Trans Man

I mentioned previously that China was the focal point of my trip. Vietnam was still a highlight and something I actively looked forward to when planning my trip.

Admittedly, the largest motivator in my decision to stop in Vietnam was food. I’m a huge fan of pho; for years, my best friend and I would eat at a local family’s pho restaurant until they closed shop. While planning, I thought Vietnam was cool, but I assumed its highlight would be meals since Indonesia and Thailand are filled with beaches, and China has a rich history.

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Vietnam Travel Guide: What to Know Before You Go

I arrived in the capital city of Hanoi and traveled south by train until I reached Ho Chi Minh City. Although Vietnam isn’t massive, its variable geography produces complex laid-back and constantly busy lifestyles.

Here are the key things to know about Vietnam.

Country Overview: Demographics, Terrain, & Weather

Over 100 million people live in Vietnam. It’s the third-most populated country in Southeast Asia, sitting just below the Philippines. Vietnam is also a rapidly developing country – despite the devastating legacy of US warfare, it has one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies.

Although Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are Vietnam’s largest cities, they only account for 20 million people. 65% of the Vietnamese population lives in rural villages along the Red River and Mekong River.

Vietnam sits close enough to the equator that it’s always humid, warm, and pretty damp. The north is extremely mountainous, but Hanoi and Sapa are able to enjoy four distinct seasons. Comparably, Ho Chi Minh City and southern Vietnam are hot tropical destinations. Upon arrival in Hanoi in early March, temperatures were hitting 70°F; I was dealing with heat over 90°F by the time I reached HCMC.

It’s not hard to guess, but rain and heat are the two most common (and destructive) natural disasters in Vietnam. The country experiences 7 typhoons per year, leading to devastating floods and landslides. 

Southern Vietnam deals with prolonged droughts and heatwaves. Although I found 90°F manageable, Ho Chi Minh City’s heat is worsened by all the concrete, and the humidity prevents sweat from evaporating.

Vietnam Travel Safety & Health Risks

The US Department of State classified Vietnam as a Level 1 travel advisory. From a diplomatic standpoint, this is the lowest possible rating and advises American travelers to use common sense. There is always a risk associated with traveling, but Vietnam is considered safe.

Some Vietnamese laws are significantly different from those in the US. While visiting Vietnam, you’re required to comply with all local laws. If you are arrested, ask officials to notify the US Embassy or Consulate General immediately – these entities help you navigate foreign legal systems, but Vietnam’s government has a poor history of notifying them without being reminded.

Although common in the United States, the following are illegal in Vietnam:

• E-Cigarettes
• Cannabis
• Gambling
• Pornography
• Political Media/Literature

Despite these being banned by the Vietnamese government, they still exist. Vaping and gambling are especially common in major cities among street vendors since they’re able to circumvent local police more easily than mortar stores.

Always visit your primary healthcare provider before traveling abroad. Your provider will administer and prescribe necessary vaccinations and medications for your travel.

The CDC recommends vaccinations and medications for the following:

• Chickenpox/Varicella
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Influenza
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella
• Polio
• Shingles
• COVID-19
• Chikunguyna
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Japanese Encephalitis
• Malaria
• Rabies
• Typhoid
• Leptospirosis
• Meliodosis
• Schistosomiasi
• Zika
• Hantavirus
• Tuberculosis

Although municipal water treatment is improving, tap water is not safe to drink in Vietnam. Water must be boiled or commercially filtered to be considered safe, including ice.

It is best practice to keep a physical list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination. Carry a paper card or use the emergency function on your mobile device to log blood type, serious allergies, and chronic conditions.

Some medications that are widely accessible in the United States are prohibited in Vietnam. Commonly restricted medications include psychiatric medications (ex. Adderall, Xanax, Valium), cannabis, painkillers, and pseudoephedrine. Double-check all over-the-counter and prescription medications you plan to bring.

Language Barriers: Is English Widely Spoken in Vietnam?

The official language of Vietnam is Vietnamese, although over 110 different languages are spoken across the country. Unlike other Asian countries, Vietnam’s French colonization transitioned the Vietnamese to use the Latin alphabet during the 1600s.

Vietnamese is a tonal language, consisting of six distinct tones. Tones can be confusing for native English speakers, especially since common languages we encounter, like Spanish and French, are similarly non-tonal. 

English’s closest tonal relatives are Norwegian and Swedish, with two tones each. A tone’s pitch changes the entire meaning of a word, so it’s important to get right and difficult to master.

Approximately 45% of the people in Vietnam speak basic English. Although only 5% to 10% speak English fluently, you should be able to navigate most of Vietnam with only English through simple phrases and translation apps. The EF English Proficiency Index ranks Vietnam at 64 out of 123.

Coming to Vietnam from China, the language barrier is super visible. In my previous post, I discussed how genuinely little English Chinese individuals know. Even in Beijing, only 15% of people speak basic English. Unless you’re staying in British-colonized Hong Kong, a guide or solid grasp of Mandarin is a hard requirement for Chinese tourism.

That isn’t the case in Vietnam. You’re not going to have many deep or meaningful conversations with locals, but you can get around. Locals commonly use Google Translate, which dominates Vietnam’s translation apps. One of my guides mentioned that menus and basic printed English items are all run through Google Translate – and although it’s not perfect, it gets the message across.

Cultural Etiquette: Irreligion, Temple Dress Codes, & Social Norms in Vietnam

Religion is a bit convoluted in Vietnam. When asking about dominant beliefs, most people gave me lukewarm answers that committed as little as possible.

Like China, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is officially atheist. Unlike China, Vietnam is more lenient about how religion is organized and explicitly protects religious freedom. However, Vietnam still monitors religious organizations to align with federal censorship mandates.

76% of Vietnam identifies as irreligious or aligns with folk religion. Worship is defined by local traditions that revere spirits, guardians, and ancestral gods.

The government of Vietnam officially recognizes 16 different religions. The most common organized religions include:

• Buddhism [13.3%]
• Catholicism [6.6%]
• Hoahaoism Buddhism [1.4%]
• Caodaism [1.0%]
• Protestantism [1.0%]

Hinduism, Islam, Baháʼí, and all other religions combined account for less than 0.2% of the population.

Due to high irreligion, etiquette is much more relaxed in Vietnam. Modesty is expected at religious sites and rural villages, where you should cover the shoulders and knees (regardless of gender) with a sarong or pants.

Vietnam has a traumatic history with religion. French missionaries tried to convert the Vietnamese to Catholicism. By the end of the Vietnam War, the Communist Party of Vietnam had placed intense restrictions on organized religion to squash political opposition. 

The Vietnam War forever changed Vietnamese culture. Bombs and chemical warfare employed by the United States killed an entire generation, leaving visible scars that persist today.

Although the Vietnam War sought to unify North Vietnam and South Vietnam, the fall of Saigon caused over one million refugees to leave for places like the United States, France, Canada, and Australia. Those who remained were part of a strict campaign to instill ideological uniformity – like the People’s Republic of China, the Communist Party of Vietnam instituted censorship and other policies to create a collectivist national identity.

The Vietnam of today is shaped by centuries of folk religion, French colonization, and survival. Despite deep suffering, the people of Vietnam remain relentlessly optimistic and continue working towards a better future with the United States.

Internet Censorship in Vietnam: The Bamboo Firewall

Vietnam has been governed as a single-party state by the Communist Party of Vietnam since 1976. Like China, the CPV enforces strict censorship to maintain a national identity.

However, Vietnamese censorship is less absolute. There is no Great Firewall, and the government doesn’t apply blanket bans on Western companies. Foreign platforms like Facebook and Google are permitted to operate in Vietnam as long as they remove subversive content upon request. They also must verify all users, eliminating the possibility of being anonymous.

Major Western apps are allowed in Vietnam, but the Bamboo Firewall blocks specific websites like BBC, Human Rights Watch, and Steam. To use these sites, you’ll need a VPN – but Vietnam’s Firewall is simple enough that free ones like Proton are enough.

The CPV authorizes all domestic print, television, and radio broadcasts. Foreign media companies, such as Netflix, must comply with censorship demands to continue business operations.

Journalists are allowed to expose “low-level” corruption, and Vietnamese citizens can criticize government policies – to an extent. The CPV understands the public’s need to vent, but strictly forbids direct criticism of itself as the ruling party.

Technically, the Constitution of Vietnam entitles citizens to fundamental rights regarding opinion, expression, the press, access to information, and protest under Article 25. 

The CPV maintains censorship because the Constitution caveats those rights to never be used to “sabotage national interests.” The CPV alone defines the threshold of what exactly sabotages national interests.

Although voting is not compulsory in Vietnam, the Communist Party monitors voter turnout so aggressively that the country almost always has 99% voter turnout. Locals express that voting is a duty that they feel obligated to fulfill, even if there are no opposition candidates on the ballot.

Vietnam Travel Costs: Managing the Vietnamese Dong & Fee-Free ATMs

The official currency of Vietnam is the Đồng (VND). The dong is famously weak as a result of the Vietnam War, with a single dong equating to $0.000038 USD.

In June 2026, exchange rates were as follows:

• 1 USD = 26,330 VND
• 1 GBP = 35,228 VND
• 1 EUR = 30,452 VND
• 1 AUD = 18,512 VND
• 1 CNY = 3,887 VND
• 1 INR = 275 VND

Vietnam is a predominantly cash-based economy, although digital wallets and debit cards are easy to use in cities. 

The best ATM to withdraw from is VPBank, which charges no fees for tourists using international cards. Other ATMs will charge 20,000 to 50,000 VPN per transaction, which is why VPBank is so popular. They’re so popular that they run out of cash and can have long queues – so it’s best to go early when they’re freshly filled.

Like Indonesia, the Vietnamese currency uses a lot of zeroes. Merchants shorthand prices, writing “100” instead of “100,000” dong.

Vietnam is cheap. Even in tourist hubs, you’ll pay minimally for food and accommodation – which was why I spent extra time in HCMC while waiting for my next tour in Thailand. Expect to spend between $20 to $40 per day, depending on your budget.

Regional Climates: The Best Time to Visit Vietnam

Vietnam’s irregular shape creates varied weather. Although the S-shape keeps you near the South China Sea, Vietnam’s proximity to the equator makes it warm and humid.

The northern highlands and coast get all four seasons. It’s subtropical, so tourists find Hanoi’s weather much more manageable if they’re unaccustomed to the tropics. Winters in northern Vietnam dip to 40°F, while summers hover between 80°F and 90°F.

Vietnam is covered in tropical mangrove swamps in the south. Its humidity reminded me of Indonesia – just existing outside in HCMC for five minutes, you’ll be drenched in sweat. It can’t evaporate, and HCMC is far enough from the sea that it lacks any breeze to break the heat. Winters only hit 70°F while summers frequently break 100°F in HCMC.

It is ideal to visit northern Vietnam during the spring and autumn, although winter isn’t bad either. July and August are the wettest and hottest months along the Halong Bay and Hanoi. Southern Vietnam has a distinct wet and dry season, so it’s best for tourists from December to February at the beginning of the dry season.

Unlike its neighbors, Vietnam doesn’t experience much seismic activity. It’s far enough away from the Indian, Australian, and Philippine plates that earthquakes aren’t a major threat.

However, Vietnam does get a lot of rain. Typhoons and flash floods pose significant hazards, which result in landslides. When Vietnam is dry, it can be unbearably hot – causing droughts, forest fires, and saltwater intrusion.

Vietnam Peak Festival Dates to Plan Your Trip Around

Festivals and public holidays can impact travel. These are the most notable annual events to consider when traveling to Vietnam.

• New Year’s Day (January 1)
• Tết (January or February)
• Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day (March or April)
• Reunification Day (April 30)
• Labor Day (May 1)
• Independence Day (September 2)
• Culture Day (November 24)

The largest holiday is the Lunar New Year, giving residents seven to nine days off every spring. Most public holidays in Vietnam give workers multiple days off; the only holiday that just gives one day off work is Culture Day.

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Is Vietnam Safe for Transgender Travelers?

Vietnam is considered very safe for transgender travelers, although legal protection of LGBTQIA+ people in Vietnam is limited. Violence against tourists, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, is exceedingly rare.

Equaldex rates Vietnam 51 out of 100, similar to countries like Venezuela, Bhutan, Mauritius, and Poland.

Is Same-Sex Activity Legal in Vietnam?

Yes. Same-sex sexual activity between consenting adults was never criminalized in Vietnam, and Vietnam has no history of sodomy laws. 

Vietnam does enforce some strict rules regarding sex to combat prostitution, although these do not target any specific sexuality or gender. Hotels and other accommodations forbid foreigners to share rooms with Vietnamese women without proof of a marriage license – but this rule does not apply to Vietnamese men or foreign couples.

Despite state censorship, Grindr is fully accessible in Vietnam. Unlike China, a VPN is not required to use LGBTQIA+ dating apps.

Is LGBTQ+ Content Censored in Vietnam?

Yes. The government of Vietnam enforces heternormative family values through state-controlled media. The CPV mandates censorship to create a unified national identity.

LGBTQIA+ organizations and pride festivals are permitted to operate, unlike in the People’s Republic of China. All non-governmental organizations are monitored by the CPV to limit controversial discussions. While this feels intense to Americans, it is significantly better than China’s complete ban on LGBTQIA+ advocacy.

Although the Constitution enshrines a right to assembly, the government frequently shuts down unauthorized public gatherings to maintain order. Assembly and information are fundamental human rights under the United Nations, but Vietnam’s restrictions are still less brutal than Indonesia’s.

Vietnamese citizens can create visibly queer content and post online – but user verification restrictions prevent anonymity without VPNs. Vietnamese content creators are still subject to broad censorship limitations, barring serious discussions.

Due to nudity and pornography bans already enforced by the government, LGBTQIA+ adult content is not accessible in Vietnam.

Does Vietnam Recognize Same-Sex Couples?

No. Vietnam does not recognize same-sex marriages or unions, although it technically lifted its constitutional ban on queer marriage in 2015.

In 2015, Vietnam amended its Constitution to define marriage as only applicable between a man and a woman. The government does not recognize same-sex marriages, including those performed outside Vietnam.

Back in 2012, Vietnam was considering legalizing marriage equality by revising a previous ban and establishing basic legal rights to cohabiting same-sex couples. These revisions died in committee, although the revision to lift the existing constitutional ban on queer marriage passed.

Since 2015, Vietnam has stated it views same-sex marriages as symbolic and does not extend any legal protections to same-sex couples. Same-sex couples do not have rights to property, medical decisions, or taxes as afforded to heterosexual married couples.

This will likely change in the future. Vietnam is one of the most progressive countries in Asia. In 2023, the Pew Research Center found that 65% of the Vietnamese public supports same-sex marriage despite government bans.

Can LGBTQ+ People Serve in Vietnam’s Military?

Yes. LGBTQIA+ people may openly serve in the People’s Army of Vietnam. Anyone at least 18 years old is permitted to serve in the Armed Forces, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Can Same-Sex Couples Adopt Children in Vietnam?

Vietnam does not recognize unions between same-sex couples. By extension, same-sex couples are not permitted to adopt children in Vietnam.

Vietnam does allow single individuals to adopt children, regardless of sexuality or gender identity. LGBTQIA+ individuals may adopt children as singles, but cannot share parenting rights as couples. Additionally, LGBTQIA+ singles struggle to adopt due to internal discrimination by adoption agencies.

Are LGBTQ+ People Protected from Discrimination in Vietnam?

No. Vietnam lacks national laws that prohibit anti-LGBTQIA+ discrimination.

Vietnam has discrimination laws related to race, religion, sex, and social background through its Constitution. However, the Constitution does not explicitly mention sexual orientation or gender identity, therefore allowing anti-LGBTQIA+ discrimination in housing, employment, health, education, bullying, and other aspects of life.

What Are the Legal Rights for Transgender People in Vietnam?

Transgender citizens have been able to change their legal gender on official documents since 2017. Gender-affirming care is protected under the Gender Redetermination Decree No. 88/2008/ND-CP.

Transgender individuals are allowed to change their legal gender, but must undergo gender confirmation surgery. Until 2015, gender-affirming surgery was illegal in Vietnam – forcing citizens to travel to Thailand for procedures.

Vietnam announced plans to expand the law in 2023 via the Gender Affirmation Law. The law planned to revise legal document requirements and prohibit anti-transgender discrimination, but the bill has been delayed indefinitely.

Current law provides access to hormone replacement therapy for anyone at least 16 years old. Individuals must be at least 18 to be eligible for gender-affirming surgeries. For any transgender medication invention, individuals must obtain an official gender dysphoria diagnosis from an established medical facility.

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Arriving in Hanoi: First Impressions at Noi Bai International Airport

I landed in Hanoi immediately after finishing up my tour in China, getting ready to meet with my next group that evening. I was in a slight rush, so I was taken aback by all the queues for the less-than-streamlined immigration process at Noi Bai International Airport.

Most of my tours this trip were through Intrepid, an Australian travel company that uses local guides for group-based solo travel. I’m partial to Intrepid as a group tour because it centers on local impact. Even on their budget options, the guides are always local, the restaurants and businesses they take you to are family-owned, and there’s visible emphasis on making travel as ethical as possible.

After I managed to clear immigration, the first thing I did was purchase a SIM card while at the airport. It’s cheaper to buy SIMs elsewhere, but I didn’t have data for the past two weeks. Because “contractless” phones in the US lock SIMs from using other providers for contracted periods, I was using an old backup that didn’t use eSIMs – and my SIM provider couldn’t figure out how to reload purchased data on my account while I was in China, where foreigners can’t purchase local SIMs.

At the time, Hanoi was cooler than Hong Kong, although I knew to prepare for the heat within the next couple of weeks. To get to my accommodation, I got into a private vehicle that I had booked via Viator – although in retrospect, I probably should have just gotten a Grab. By that evening, I was meeting with my next group and preparing to head to Cát Bà.

Out of all the places I visited during this trip, traffic was the worst in Vietnam. Traffic was congested in Bali, but somehow even more hectic in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Coming out of China, Vietnam reminded me a lot of Indonesia; the people were surface-level pleasant and open to conversation.

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Best Experiences I Had in Vietnam as a Transgender Traveler

Vietnam may not be the most visibly queer stop in Southeast Asia, but it’s a deeply rewarding place to visit. These are highlights from navigating Vietnam as a transgender masculine person.

Hanoi Nightlife: Navigating Beer Street & Local Gay Bars

Hanoi is a busy place. It’s the capital of Vietnam and home of one of the country’s largest party streets. Due to combined politics and history, Hanoi focuses on national identity.

I didn’t get much time in Hanoi (or Hong Kong). Both Hanoi and HCMC have tons of nightlife, but I’ve never been much of a partygoer. Hanoi is home to the Temple of Literature and ancient history.

Nightlife fans should visit Ta Hien, also known as Beer Street, although it’s a sensory nightmare. Although it’s physically smaller than HCMC’s party street, it’s more congested due to how Hanoi is built.

The most popular gay bars in Hanoi are Polite & Co, Peach, GC Bar, and R7. Savage and BirdCage were previously hotspots, but have been closed since late 2025. Hanoi Pride has been observed since 2012, but it’s usually organized in late summer or early autumn. 

Local Culture and Cuisine: Egg Coffee & Scenic Kayaking on Cát Bà

Between Hanoi and HCMC, Vietnam was peaceful. I got to go kayaking on Cát Bà and tried bicycling for the second time ever – the first time I tried riding a bike was in Indonesia while stuck on the Gilis.

Vietnam really likes coffee. Producing 1.8 million metric tons annually, Vietnam is the second-largest coffee producer in the world after Brazil. Vietnam specializes in Robusta beans, which are less acidic than Arabica varieties. I don’t like coffee, but I still tried local specialties – like egg coffee (cà phê trứng) and salt coffee (cà phê muối).

Hoi An is the best city in Vietnam for custom handcrafts. I purchased a genuine custom leather jacket for $100 USD that was ready for pickup the next evening. Central Vietnam is known for quality handicrafts, as well as custom silks, linen, and leather.

Shopping in Hoi An: Custom Tailoring & Quality Handicrafts

One of my favorite aspects of travel is scenery, followed by cuisine. Getting away from home forces us to appreciate common scenes we’re too preoccupied to see. Whether it’s human-made city architecture or vast natural landscapes, it gives me a reason to slow down.

Hue and Hanoi are known for old-school architecture and the narrowest streets. Ho Chi Minh City is future-forward, emphasizing skyscrapers and modern styles. If you prefer the outdoors, go for central Vietnam or plan day-trips out of HCMC and Hanoi.

Exploring Ho Chi Minh City: History & the War Remnants Museum

My trip ended in Ho Chi Minh City. After getting off my second overnight train in Vietnam, I stayed in HCMC for a full week before flying to Bangkok.

Northern and central Vietnam are definitely worth visiting, but I can see why so many tourists hover in HCMC. The former city of Saigon was westernized by the US. Local education teaches that the United States wrongfully occupied South Vietnam and commanded pro-capitalist forces against North Vietnam through a shadow puppet government.

This makes HCMC an economic hub. It has louder nightlife and more commerce that’s immediately accessible. Although central Vietnam is superior regarding cost and quality, most people aren’t willing to deal with inferior city development.

The Vietnam War is another focal point around HCMC. The city itself was renamed after President Hồ Chí Minh after North Vietnam took Saigon. The War Remnants Museum is somber but gives intense context about the US genocide of Vietnam, Agent Orange, and its legacy. HCMC is also the place to tour the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, the underground passages used during the war against the US soldiers. In addition to the tunnels, the site also has a gun range where you can fire an AK-47 or an M16 under supervision.

LGBTQ+ Scene in HCMC: Queer Events & District 1 Nightlife

Because of its size, Ho Chi Minh City has a more visible queer scene than elsewhere in Vietnam. It’s Vietnam’s biggest city; most LGBTQIA+ nightlife is centralized in District 1.

The most popular bars are Frolic, Full Disclosure Entertainment, Thi Bar, ChinChin, and GenderFunk. Poc Poc Beer Garden was another popular recommendation, but it’s temporarily closed. HCMC celebrates VietPride in late summer/early Autumn. Like Hanoi, HCMC has observed Pride since 2012, although it has a bigger festival and parade.

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Gender Roles, Masculinity, and Passing in Vietnam

The Vietnam War forced Vietnam to reevaluate traditional gender norms, on par with WWII’s impact on gender roles in the US. The war forced women into the workforce to provide for their families, and Vietnam has one of the highest rates of female labor participation and senior management in the world.

However, Vietnam can still be conservative at times because there is a great deal of emphasis on domestic life. Locals are expected to conform to traditional cisheterosexual family values, which include settling down and marrying.

In part due to its relationship with religion, Vietnam feels less conservative than Indonesia – but a lot of it is pretty skin-deep. Same-sex marriage isn’t banned, but queer relationships aren’t formally recognized; transgender people can legally transition, but have to undergo surgeries that were only recently legalized.

Most transgender foreigners should be able to navigate Vietnam with minimal issues. Even if we do not pass at home, transgender tourists are privy to a special type of privilege because locals hyperfixate on our nationality and race. For better and worse, we’re outsiders – so Vietnamese people are more curious about our nationalities than gender expression.

It’s still advised to be cautious, especially with public displays of affection. PDA is heavily frowned upon in Vietnam, regardless of sexuality.

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Entering Vietnam: Visa, Customs, and Immigration Process

Vietnam’s immigration process looks more daunting than it actually is. In practice, it isn’t more painful than other immigration processes – but it can be confusing. Here are the basics on the immigration and arrival process into Vietnam.

How to Get a Vietnamese Travel Visa

United States citizens must present a visa to enter Vietnam, as it is not one of our visa-free buddies. Unlike Indonesia, there is generally no visa-on-arrival process, so you will have to get your documents approved beforehand. All flights heading to Vietnam will verify your visa during check-in.

Despite lacking a visa-on-arrival option, the visa process is straightforward. Unlike China, you can apply for your visa entirely online to obtain an E-visa. This circumvents requirements to submit physical paperwork, which works for most travel.

Vietnam’s E-visa process was actually the first time I had applied for a visa entirely on my own. Previously, I had used Sherpa as a middleman to handle my visa into India, but they charged a lot of additional fees. One E-visa costs around $25 USD and takes three to seven days to be approved. The only issue is that the official website isn’t properly equipped to handle high traffic, so users can struggle with the payment portion.

What to Expect at Vietnamese Immigration

After landing in Vietnam, you’ll be directed towards immigration. Vietnamese immigration is entirely manual, like the United States, which causes long lines if they’re short-staffed. 

When you reach the immigration counter, you’ll need to present a valid passport, visa (or approval letter), and arrival card. You may have to answer questions related to onward travel.

The number one issue I witnessed at immigration was getting the Digital Pre-Arrival Card completed, which you need to have ready by the time you’re at the front of the line. 

The queues at Hanoi weren’t straightforward, separating people early on with vague instructions. Immigration staff required the card’s completion BEFORE you entered the queue. Every few minutes, staff would force disgruntled travelers to the back of the line because their card wasn’t ready. Staff won’t let you wait or stand to the side. 

I didn’t actually have my card completed upon entering the line, but I was able to secretly complete it while queuing before reaching the end.

Vietnam Customs Rules & Restricted Items

After clearing immigration, your next task is customs. Vietnam’s customs officers are relaxed and are given authority to check luggage upon request, so most travelers can pass through.

Make sure you do not bring anything into Vietnam that could get you into major trouble. These are the most common things to keep in mind.

• You must be at least 18 years old to bring alcohol or cigarettes into Vietnam. Individuals are allowed to import 200 cigarettes, 20 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco without declaration. You are permitted to bring up to 1.5 to 3.0 liters of alcohol, depending on the type. Vapes and e-cigarettes are forbidden.
• Personal items and electronics are allowed without declaration as long as they are not for commercial use or valued above 10,000,000 VND. Items intended to be sold in Vietnam must be declared.
• Foreign cash valued at $5,000 USD or more must be declared. Cash valued at 15,000,000 VND or more must also be declared.
• Medication must have a doctor’s prescription to be permitted. Medication type determines whether you are allowed a 30-day, 10-day, or 7-day supply.
• Individuals are strictly forbidden from importing firearms, weapons, explosives, and firecrackers.
• Drones are permitted through customs only if you have obtained a permit from the Ministry of Defense.
• Publications, postage stamps, and radio equipment banned by the Communist Party of Vietnam are not allowed to be brought through customs.
• All film, audio-visual products, photographs, artworks, and video game machines must be approved via a license with the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. Anti-government topics, pornographic material, and “reactionary” media are prohibited.

Traveling to Vietnam with Prescription Medication

Upon arrival, I had prescription sertraline, topical testosterone, and doxycycline hyclate – as well as a small bundle of over-the-counter medications that I checked beforehand.

Due to the length of my trip, I expected to deal with a lot of questions. A two-month supply of testosterone is enough to set off alarms, and having it confiscated would cause serious issues during my trip. Although my medication flagged at Hong Kong International Airport, the security agent passed it through after questioning; none of my medication flagged at Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.

Throughout my trip, all of my medication was stored in my carry-on luggage in its original packaging. Testosterone is a controlled substance, so the name on the original prescription must match your passport name.

Since Vietnam was my third destination, my original boxes were becoming damaged. However, the damage didn’t cause any issues with customs. You should generally always pack medication in carry-on luggage, but it is important to store testosterone this way to prevent temperature-fluctuating crystallization. 

If you are unsure whether customs will give you grief over important medications, it is best practice to have signed letters from your medical providers to present to officers with your prescriptions.

Getting from the Airport to Your Accommodation

The most popular ways to get from the airport to the city are Grab, private transfers, and public transit.

• Both Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat International have designated zones for Grab. These are ideal because the app gives prices upfront without the negotiation associated with taxis.
• Many hotels will arrange a private transfer upon request, eliminating the stress of booking a ride-share because you know the car will be waiting for you. I had actually booked a private transfer from Noi Bai International via Viator.
• Express Bus 86, Bus 109, and Bus 152 are the cheapest options. The public bus can take you into the city for about $2 USD every thirty minutes.
• Official airport taxis queue outside the arrival hall, waiting for visitors like you to take you to the city. Never ride with unofficial drivers and agree to a fixed price or operating meter before using a taxi.

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Best Apps & Tools for Traveling in Vietnam

Having the right tech can alleviate stress associated with traveling. These are my top recommendations.

WhatsApp & Zalo

Americans don’t like WhatsApp, but it’s an important app to have while traveling abroad. Technically, the dominant local app is Zalo, but most guides and tours will have WhatsApp for business.

You will need WhatsApp to communicate with guides and bookings. Make sure to download and register WhatsApp before leaving the US to verify your normal phone number. From my airport transfer to my day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels, WhatsApp allowed me to call and message my guides without a local SIM.

Zalo is common outside of tourism because it’s THE app the Vietnamese use to message. If you befriend any locals, Zalo is the best way to message them unless they have Facebook.

Google Translate

Google Translate is the most reliable translation service in Vietnam, frequently used by locals, expats, and tourists.

Although Google Translate works from any web browser, the app allows free offline translation by downloading the entire Vietnamese language module. The Google Translate app processes real-time conversations and translates photos similar to Google Lens.

Apple provides the same features as Google Translate through its base software. However, Apple Translate is only available for 19 languages compared to Google’s 249. The good news is that Vietnamese is one of Apple Translate’s 19 languages.

Google Translate, Apple Translate, and other translation services struggle with Vietnamese tones. Since Vietnamese uses six distinct tones, apps don’t always reliably capture the correct tone.

Google Maps

Google Maps dominates navigation services in Vietnam. The app allows users to download maps for offline use for free, lasting between 15 and 30 days.

Offline maps will save you in a pinch since mobile service can be spotty in Vietnam, especially in rural regions. After offline maps expire, you can redownload them through the app.

Although Vietnam has heavy traffic, Google Maps can suggest routes with decent travel estimates. Just make sure you’ve set the route correctly to car, motorcycle, or pedestrian.

Grab

Grab is the main ride-share service in Vietnam. Uber doesn’t exist in Vietnam, so make sure to have it installed for your trip.

Grab serves Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, and the Philippines. Previously, Gojek competed with Grab until pulling out of Vietnam in 2024 to focus on its Indonesian base. However, Gojek was around recently enough that many drivers still wear its (also green) jackets and helmets.

The biggest culture shock I experienced with ride-sharing in Southeast Asia was the implementation of motorbikes. In the US, ride-share companies are not allowed to license motorcycles, although Uber Moto is rapidly growing in Latin America.

Unless you need a full car, you can ride a GrabBike for a fraction of the price and much quicker. Most of my rides around the city were 15 to 20 minutes, costing about 25,000 VND ($1 USD). Since motorbikes are smaller, drivers can weave through traffic to avoid gridlock.

Grab and its associated GrabBikes are relatively safe. Compared to my experience in Indonesia, Vietnamese drivers always required me to wear a helmet. Traffic is intense, but you get comfortable riding bikes after a couple of days.

ShopeeFood is a popular food delivery app in Vietnam, but I don’t recommend it for most travelers. Grab has food delivery built-in, similar to Uber Eats.

GetYourGuide, Viator, & Klook

There isn’t a clear winner for booking tours in Vietnam. Each app has distinct advantages that keep it in competition.

It is best to look through GetYourGuide, Viator, and Klook when booking travel. Tours are available based on individual merchants that aren’t available on all platforms. You’ll likely find something cool on GetYourGuide that isn’t on Viator and vice versa.

Grindr

Vietnam’s Bamboo Firewall permits Grindr and other LGBTQIA+ dating apps as long as users are age-verified. Grindr is the most popular app for location-based meetups in Vietnam.

After Grindr, the most common LGBTQIA+ apps are Blued, Jack’d, and Tinder. Like all gay dating apps, these work better in large cities like HCMC and Hanoi.

Proton VPN

There are hundreds of VPNs out there, but my primary recommendation is Proton VPN. Most VPN services cost money or provide extremely limited free trials; Proton VPN’s free tier is solid, working across mobile, browser extension, and computer applications without data restrictions.

Unlike China’s Great Firewall, free VPN services like Proton work fine with the Bamboo Firewall. Sophisticated systems like the Great Firewall use advanced algorithms to detect new VPN addresses, and free services are more susceptible to the Great Firewall’s algorithm. If you prefer premium services, ExpressVPN, Proton VPN, SurfShark, and NordVPN are the best.

Download at least one VPN you know works before traveling abroad. Although Vietnam allows many Western social media apps, you will need a VPN to access some content.

Offline Tools

Always have apps and tools that work in an emergency without wifi or data. Choose an app that best fits your needs, like money conversion, a compass, or first aid.

The American Red Cross offers the First Aid app for free, which contains information to help users through different health emergencies. First Aid works completely offline.

The best apps for natural disasters and emergency alerts are Disaster Alert, Smart Traveler, and the International SOS Assistance App.

Life360

Keep one GPS location-sharing app while traveling abroad. It doesn’t have to be Life360, but Life360 provides a lot of basic functions. At its core, Life360 allows users to share their real-time location for free with select individuals.

Life360’s artificial intelligence alerts your loved ones if it detects you getting into a car crash. The app also allows you to send SOS alerts at any time.

Life360 has strong security that prevents data from being leaked by hackers. However, Life360 has gotten in trouble for intentionally selling user data to third-party brokers for targeted advertising and analytics. You can turn off or pause your location at any time within the app, but it’s a good idea to have so your loved ones know you’re moving around.

Other great options include Covert Alert and Google Maps. Covert Alerts is a voice-activated app that shares your GPS coordinates in emergencies. On the other hand, Google Maps has a base feature to share your live location via a copyable link.

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Final Thoughts on Traveling in Vietnam as a Transgender Visitor

Although Vietnam wasn’t the highlight of my trip, I had an amazing time. In addition to new memories and friends, Vietnam gave me a unique perspective on the current Iran War. And it definitely wasn’t the most visibly queer spot on the trip, but transgender travelers can navigate Vietnam with minimal issues.

What to learn more about Vietnam? Here are some more great guides.

• Lonely Planet
• Nomadic Matt
• National Geographic
• Indie Traveller

Frequently Asked Questions