Most countries in South East Asia are extremely safe to travel in. Travelling alone is also quite normal, safe and although you are likely to be targeted more by touts, it doesn’t put you in any actual danger.

Women travelling alone in Vietnam are not any more susceptible to any crime or nuisance than any other person. As long as common sense is exercised in all situations, most travellers don’t experience any problems.

A single woman without a wedding ring may be questioned by locals about her marital status, often leading to pitying looks. This can get boring, but it is innocent and just intrinsic to Vietnamese culture.

Violent crime is low in Vietnam, but caution should always be taken. You should lock your bedroom door and not open it to any other than staff. Walking along dark streets at night or hitchhiking is not recommended, similar to any country.

All visitors should carry their bag on the side facing away from the road, as there have been incidences of bags being snatched by passing motorbike drivers.

Men may whistle at woman in the street, but it rarely followed up by anything. If you go to a bar or a club, make sure you keep an eye on your drink. Generally, using your common sense alone should keep you safe in Vietnam.

Wherever you travel in the world there are things that simply must be ticked off the experience list while there. Whether it’s braving a tuk tuk ride in Bangkok, or sinking a pint of velvety Guinness in Dublin, there are experiences we simply must try while we have the opportunity.

Here is your check list for essential experiences in Vietnam:

Try some street food: it doesn’t have to be anything as adventurous as fried bugs or blood soup, stick to noodles, rice or sweet snacks. Some of the best food is found at street side stalls and small markets. Always check of the vendor looks presentable, as it is usually a good indication of how hygienic his set-up is.

Allow yourself to get lost in markets: Ben Thanh Market in Saigon is the best place to hunt for bargains. The atmosphere at markets is usually electric, so even if you don’t plant to buy anything you can still enjoy the experience.

See the Water Puppets in Hanoi: the city’s top attraction definitely isn’t overrated. The show is simply magical, and even though you aren’t likely to understand the dialogue it doesn’t seem to matter.

Take a white knuckle ride: you don’t need a fairground, to get a buzz in Vietnam. Whether it’s in the narrow lanes, or broad highway, taking a trip in any form of vehicle in Vietnam is often a heart stopping experience. All part of the adventure!

Visitors arriving in Vietnam have so many sights to see, and ground to cover. The entire country is steeped in history and culture, which is often illustrated by its eclectic architectural styles.

Here is a short guide to some of the best architectural landmarks:

The Cao Dai Holy See: this is the spiritual seat of the Cao Dai religion, which is a unique contemporary faith. Here you can experience a vibrant display of coloured mosaics and eye-catching painting. Followers don white turbans and dress for the daily procession.

Tomb of Kai Dinh: The pompous emperor left behind a tomb that features a mix of baroque, Gothic, and classical Chinese architecture. It is a unique sight, well worth experiencing.

The Tunnels of Cu Chi and Vinh Moc: Both sites feature an extensive network of tunnels used during the war. Despite their narrow size and dire conditions, the tunnels served many purposes, and had medical facilities and meeting rooms on site.

Hoa Lo Prison: This compound was home to many US pilots during the War, including Senator John McCain. Although a chunk of the site was cleared to make way for an office block, parts of the prison are still intact and visitors can gain insight into the gruesome brutality of the war.

Reunification Palace: The Prime Minister’s Palace made international news in 1975 when tanks crashed through the gates, signifying the end of the Vietnam War.

Vietnam is emerging as an exotic holiday destination thanks to a number of stunning beaches and lively resorts. The powdery sand and crystal clear water is a major draw card attracting both sun seekers and water sports enthusiasts.

There are a number of areas along the country’s coastline which are growing in popularity as beach resorts. The location you choose will ultimately depend on your individual preferences, as throughout Vietnam it is possible to find accommodation to suit every budget.

Nha Trang is a popular choice, although it can seem a little overrun at times, especially during the busy peak season. The city itself, has a few sights worth a visit, although is mainly a market town. The beach area is peppered with stylish resorts, but Nha Trang’s best offering has got to be its incredibly delicious seafood.

Phu Quoc Island offers a delectable blend of pristine beaches and verdant forests. The interior of the island is heavily wooded, with some breathtaking displays of nature; while the perimeter features long stretches of sand and surf. The island has avoided development up until now, so should be top of your must-see list before the bulldozers set sail.

Mui Ne Beach, Phan Thiet, is just a few hours drive from the city of Saigon, and offers a welcome escape from the chaos of the city. Attractions in the area include a golf course designed by Nick Faldo, remote sand dunes, fishing villages and some of the best seafood restaurants around.

Bargaining is a little daunting for first time visitors to Vietnam; back home everything has a price tag and the numbers aren’t there for negotiation. In Vietnam, even on the odd occasion when an item has a price tag, the numbers are not the final figure.

Westerners are naturally hesitant when negotiating their first few purchases, but once the code of conduct has been cracked, the fun begins! It’s acceptable to bargain almost everywhere in Vietnam, with the exception of restaurants or large commercial stores.

Rooms, buses, cyclos, market goods, guides can all be bargained; however, you must ask when arranging the service, otherwise you will be responsible for the full payment. Always smile and keep your cool, even if you know the price offered is ridiculous, anger and frustration will spoil the fun and will get you nowhere.

If the first price offered by the vendor is very high, laugh in astonishment, this shows the vendor you know the fair price of the goods. After this, offer a price well below what you would expect to pay, to give you some room for manoeuvre. Don’t take this to the extreme though, as the vendor will think you don’t know the item’s actual worth.

If you feel you aren’t making progress, bid the vendor farewell and slowly walk away, this usually ensures another two reductions. If the price still seems too high and you are with a partner, you can explain that they control the purse strings and they won’t pay the price.

You will get the best results if you remain courteous, friendly but firm. Try to educate yourself beforehand, so you have an idea of the fair price. Sometimes a handicrafts feature intricacies that took time and effort to create, or the item is made from high quality materials. Most importantly, never make the vendor ‘loose face’, this is their livelihood and they don’t consider it ‘ripping you off’.

Remember the goal is to find the best price for both of you, so keep it lighthearted. If the vendor likes you, you will get a better deal.

Shopping on holiday is not only fun, but a great way to take away a little piece of treasure from your destination. Vietnam is one huge shopping arena, with bargains galore on every other street. Some areas of Vietnam specialize in a particular type of product, so it is worth taking time to compare prices and see the whole range.

The best bets in Vietnam are handicrafts, war souvenirs, clothing, jewellery and art. Shoppers should avoid imported brand name clothing, electronics and perfume, as these items are more expensive in Vietnam than neighboring countries.

Buying art and antiques is a risky business, aside from the strict regulations regarding their export, most pieces are fakes or reproductions. Shoppers should ask to see a certificate if a dealer claims an item is an authentic piece.

Many female visitors get measured up for the traditional costume of Vietnam called ‘ao dai’. This makes a fantastic souvenir, and the skilled tailors will create a gown that fits you like a dream. Gemstones are also a great buy, and are found at large retailers as well as independent outlets.

Unfortunately most of the war paraphernalia are fake reproductions. You can still find some quality items but be wary of vendors selling ‘authentic’ goods at steep prices, as their authenticity is usually highly questionable.

A wide variety of handicrafts can be found in shops, markets and stores throughout Vietnam. The range usually includes laquerware, wooden goods, bamboo products and leatherworks. If you are looking for ethnic minority handicrafts, Hanoi is the best place to shop as it is close to the villages where the goods are crafted.

Teaching English in any foreign country is a fascinating and exciting experience, and also one of the best ways to gain insight into the local culture. Foreigners who live and work in this captivating country, not only enjoy the reward of helping others learn a language, but gain from the experience of living in a country steeped in history and culture.

If you have a university degree (in any subject) and a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate, you can usually find a job quite easily. The TEFL certificate is not absolutely necessary, but it may increase your chances of finding a better job.

Teaching jobs are available in a range of institutions, from universities to language schools, and the job usually entails teaching the staff as well as pupils. The school or college will help you organise a work permit, but finding lodgings is usually left up to the teacher.

There is a demand for native-speaking teachers throughout the country, so if you prefer to live in a particular area, it is likely you will be able to find a job there. Although living costs are higher, there is a wider range of jobs available in the city. The internet can be used as a tool to search for jobs, before or after you set off for Vietnam.

Teaching in Vietnam is undoubtedly an experience of a lifetime, however it will not make you rich. To get the most out of your time and travels in Vietnam, it is best to have some savings before you begin your placement. Most teachers find Vietnamese students are a true pleasure to teach, as the Vietnamese are renowned for being warm, friendly and team-spirited as a nation.

Vietnam’s roads are notoriously dangerous, and around 30 lives are claimed on them each day. Cities in Vietnam are crowded, and the roads are chaotic with all forms of traffic moving without discipline and often at great speed.

As a pedestrian negotiating the city, you are probably more at risk than as a driver, as the congestion slows things down. However, the highways are death traps, and many Vietnamese don’t venture on them if they are not travelling in a large vehicle. If you drive a bicycle or motorbike on Vietnam’s highways you are putting your life at risk.

Crossing the road in Vietnam’s cities is also a hair-raising task. Intersections may have red lights, but they are usually ignored by drivers, or else defunct. A gap in the traffic is a rarity in cities such as Hanoi and Saigon, so what is the best way to get from A to B without ending up as an X on the road?

The simplest method is by shadowing a local! Wait for their movements and follow them at the same speed and in the same direction. Locals are faced with this challenge every day, so they know what they are doing. The important thing is to keep moving, don’t stop or change direction, and you will find that somehow the traffic will avoid you!

What you pack for travelling in Vietnam will ultimately depend on your agenda. Some visitors need little more than flip flops, a bathing suit and a few light outfits, while others are laden with reels of photographic equipment or diving gear.

Whatever your plans, weather, customs and activities should all be accounted for, so we have compiled a list of items well worth the extra pounds on the weighbridge.

It is definitely worth taking a few different modes of payment such as traveller’s checks and credit cards, as well as cash. Travel insurance is recommended, and a copy of your passport along with some spare passport size pictures may come in handy.

Clothing will depend on the season and the area you are visiting. Light, conservative and easy to layer garments, are the best bet. A sarong will be invaluable, away from the beach it can be used to cover shoulders in temples, or to shade sensitive sun burnt shoulders while shopping.

Insect repellent will be an essential scent for nocturnal outings, and high-factor sunscreen should be applied throughout the day, although the midday sun is best avoided completely.

A small daypack and a sun hat will be useful for daytrips to places such as Halong Bay or out of town attractions.

Ear plugs, an eye mask and a water bottle are also recommended for train journeys, especially travellers making the 36 hour journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh!

Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate, but because of its geography, weather conditions vary from north to south. However, throughout the country, south to southeasterly winds blow from May until September, and northerly to northeasterly winds are dominant between October and April.

Vietnam’s single rainy season falls between May and September, at the time of the southern monsoon. The rest of the year is relatively dry. In the north of the country, cloudy days with light showers are more frequent at the time of the northeast monsoon, while the south enjoys a sunny dry spell.

Temperatures remain high throughout the year, however the north experiences a considerably cooler season due to the north monsoon bringing colder air from China. Frost and snow can occur, but only in the extreme highlands and for a very short period of a few days. The sheltered lowlands of the south are protected from any outbreaks of colder weather, and the dry season is hot and sunny.

During the rain season, the air is humid and oppressive. Coastal and higher regions are particularly sultry due to the frequent cloud, high humidity and lack of sunshine.

The best time to visit the north of the country is between September and December, when humidity is lower and before the heavy rains. The south and central region are best visited during the period of December until April while it is dry.