Travel Tips

By IFC-MPDF

Tips for a Carefree Stay in Vietnam

• The traditional greeting gestures are head nodding or Buddhist’s praying
• The handshake is becoming more common for both men and women.
• Bargaining is a must when shopping at markets or shops
• Keep your feet on the ground where they belong
• Stay calm and smile when the locals make mistakes to you
• Practice eating with chopsticks (in Vietnam and China)
• Bring light clothes, some long pants, shirts with sleeves, shorts, T-shirts, swimming suits etc except in Winter (December to March).
• Bring your own medication for normal stomach problems, headache, cold, insect bites, etc.
• Tipping is not customary in those countries, but will be highly appreciated by guides, drivers, hotel and restaurant staff.
• Don't wear shoes inside some temples, pagodas, homes, guesthouses or shops
• Don't show much money, jewelry, or expensive belongings while hanging around in big cities, which may attract pick-picketers.
• Don't touch adult people on the head or unknown women.
• Don’t leave a pair of chopsticks sticking vertically in a rice bowl because it looks very similar to the incense sticks which are burned for the dead.
• Don’t eat much raw vegetable and don’t drink ice not from a good source of water.
• Don’t drink water from the tap

Ref: Smile Tours Service Vietnam

Tips for a Carefree Stay in Lao

• The Lao word for hello “Sa Bai Dee”, usually say with a smile. Touching or showing affection in public will embarrass your hosts
• Lao people traditionally greet each other by combining their palms together to “ nose” although it is acceptable for men tend to shake the other hands.
• In Lao, your head consider as “high” your feet consider as “low” using your feet for anything other than walking or playing sport is generally considered rude.
• Touching someone’s head is very impolite
• Lao people appreciate clean and neatly pressed visitors
• Bathing nude in public is impolite
• Please remember to take your shoe off before entering a person’s home
• It is polite to gently crouch down when passing someone who is seated. Never, ever step over someone in your path
• Kissing and hugging in public is impolite, please be discrete
• Lao people speak softly and avoid confrontation, please do not shout or raise your voice
• Before you take a photo of someone you ask if it is ok
• Please do not distribute gift to children as it encourage begging but gift to an established organization or village elders for instead.
• Try eating delicious Lao food when ever you can it helps local business and Lao farmers
• Please show respect and dress neatly while in the temple and when taking a photo
• There are many other sacred items and sites in Lao, please do not touch or enter these places without permission
• Monks are reserved and respected in Lao, however women should not touch the monk or a monk’s robes.
• Please help to keep Lao clean and beautiful by not leaving litter. Picking up a rubbish sets a good example for Lao youth
• The illegal sale of wildlife and wildlife products endangers many special native to Lao. Help protect Lao wildlife by refuse to buy wildlife product.
• Please help prevent of forest fires
• Lao loses a little of its heritage every time an antiques taken out of the country please do not buy an antique Buddha or sacred items. Instead, support local craftsmen buy purchasing new, quality handicrafts
• The use of drugs is illegal in Lao. The consequences may be severe for you and Lao society.

Ref: Ecotourism Lao, LNTA-ADB,Mekong Tourism Development Project