Unlicensed taxis / fake Grab cars
Avoid getting into unmarked taxis that approach you at the arrivals area of the airport. If you book a Grab, always check that the license plate matches what's shown in the app before you open the door and get in.
Travel Basics Guide
Trip preparation guide for returning to Vietnam
A foundational guide to help overseas Vietnamese families prepare for the most confusing parts of a trip back to Vietnam: phones, cash, cards, scams, getting around, pharmacies, and staying in touch as a family.
Back to the Travel Guide →Practical basics
Planning support
Built for families
Quick topic lookup
Click any topic below to jump straight to detailed notes and preparation checklists:
SIM / eSIM / Phone
How to set up your phone and mobile service so you stay connected with family the moment you land.
Cash / ATMs / Cards
Tips on preparing cash, using local ATMs, spending safely, and avoiding mix-ups.
Scam awareness
How to spot and avoid common pushy sales tactics, seafood overpricing, and cash mix-ups.
Getting around basics
Guidance on using Grab, hiring a private driver, and getting around safely for older travelers.
Health / Pharmacies
How to prepare personal medications, pharmacy references, and notes on weather and food.
Family communication
The simplest way to set up check-ins between travelers and family back in the U.S. so no one loses touch.
Seamless connection
SIM, eSIM, and phones when you return to Vietnam
Staying connected from the moment you land at the airport is the single most important thing for keeping the family worry-free.
For older travelers, figuring out how to set up an eSIM or swap a physical SIM card right at the airport after a long flight can be overwhelming and exhausting. We recommend setting up every important communication app before you even leave the U.S.
If possible, keep your U.S. number active alongside a Vietnamese local number — the U.S. number for OTP verification with American banks, and the local number for contacting drivers, booking Grab rides, and calling restaurants. An eSIM is a convenient digital option, but if your parents are traveling alone, a standard physical SIM card is often easier to get set up with help from an in-person technician.
Phone connection checklist:
- Confirm the phone is unlocked with the U.S. carrier before you travel so it can take a Vietnamese SIM/eSIM.
- Pre-install common messaging apps like Zalo, WhatsApp, or FaceTime and test them before the flight.
- Agree on a clear family communication plan (who calls whom, which app to use) before the flight.
- Pack a fully charged power bank in your carry-on so your phone doesn't die right after landing.
- Take screenshots of the hotel address and pickup driver details so you can look them up offline before you have internet.
Note on telecom services: Information about SIM cards, eSIMs, and mobile apps is provided to help with trip logistics. Z Travel does not own, operate, or take direct responsibility for mobile carrier services, network reliability, or third-party telecom plans. Please confirm details directly with your own carrier.
Spending safely
Cash, ATMs, and cards in Vietnam
Planning a sensible mix of payment methods makes it easier for the family to pay for things and protect their personal information.
Even though cashless payments and bank transfers are very common in Vietnam now, **cash is still extremely practical and necessary** for everyday small purchases like short taxi rides, casual meals, shopping at traditional markets, or tipping.
When exchanging for Vietnamese Dong (VND), get a mix of small bills so it's easier to pay for things. Be careful with ATMs: only withdraw cash from machines run by large, reputable banks in safe, well-lit locations (a bank lobby, shopping mall, or hotel). Always let your U.S. bank know your travel dates ahead of time so your card doesn't get frozen over suspected fraud.
Watch out for mixed-up bill denominations
The 500,000 VND note and the 20,000 VND note are both a similar shade of blue, which makes them easy to confuse during a rushed transaction after dark. Older travelers should count cash slowly, keep different denominations in separate parts of their wallet, and carefully check the bill before paying.
Money-safety checklist:
- Only bring clean, undamaged U.S. dollar bills with no marks so they're easy to exchange at a bank.
- Only exchange currency at official airport counters, banks, or licensed gold/exchange shops.
- Count the cash carefully right at the counter before walking away.
- Say the bill amount out loud when paying in person so the seller can confirm it's correct.
- Split up your cash: keep a small amount for the day in an outer pocket, and store larger bills and a backup card somewhere more secure and out of sight.
- Never accept unsolicited "help" from a stranger while withdrawing cash at an ATM.
Note on finance and banking: Z Travel provides trip-preparation guidance. We do not provide financial advice, investment advice, banking services, currency exchange services, credit card support, or payment processing. You are responsible for your own financial transactions during the trip.
A little awareness goes a long way
Common scams families should know about
Knowing about some common overpricing and pushy-sales situations ahead of time helps the trip stay relaxed and enjoyable.
Swapped bills when getting change
Some dishonest vendors or drivers may take advantage of overseas Vietnamese travelers not being used to the local currency and shortchange them with the wrong bills (for example, swapping a 500k note for a 20k one). Always count your change carefully.
Phone calls and text-message scams
Never give out a passport number, bank account number, OTP code, or other personal security information over a call or message claiming to be from a government office, delivery company, or local bank.
"Free" tours that lead to a sales pitch
Politely decline invitations to visit "amazing deal" shops or "free" fruit orchard tours offered by motorbike drivers or strangers on the street. These almost always end with pressure to buy overpriced local goods.
Vague pricing at seafood restaurants
Avoid ordering a dish without first asking the price, or agreeing to "seasonal" or unlisted pricing. Always confirm the price per kilogram or per portion, plus any preparation fee, before you order.
Unofficial photo props that demand payment
Avoid casually posing with flowers, conical hats, or animals set up by locals at scenic spots before asking the price — you may be suddenly asked to pay a "service fee" right after the photo is taken.
Getting around safely
Transportation basics in Vietnam
Choosing safe ways to get around helps protect older travelers' energy and stamina throughout the trip.
The Grab ride-hailing app works really well in Vietnam's major cities, showing the fare upfront and letting you track the route in real time. That said, for older travelers carrying a lot of luggage or traveling as a larger family group, a **private car with a driver** is usually the better choice for airport pickups and longer day trips.
Sidewalks in Vietnamese cities are often uneven, with curbs and steps of varying heights, or motorbikes parked in the way. During the rainy season, the tiled paving can get very slippery. For older travelers with weaker knees, it's best to limit long walks on the street; instead, use a car to get as close as possible to each destination.
Safe-transportation checklist:
- Save the Vietnamese-language address and phone number of where you're staying to show drivers when needed.
- Check the license plate and driver photo in the Grab app before getting into the car.
- Share your trip details from the app with family so they know where you are.
- Take your time collecting luggage and double-check your belongings instead of rushing to the car and leaving something behind at the airport.
- Plan fewer stops per day — one or two short stops at most — so older travelers get to rest comfortably.
Health care
Health and pharmacy basics
Careful preparation for health needs keeps the trip safe and comfortable for older parents and relatives.
Going from a temperate climate straight into the tropics can easily lead to heat exhaustion, dehydration, or mild stomach upset from local food, especially for older travelers. Plan plenty of rest time in air-conditioned rooms during the hottest part of midday.
While large pharmacy chains (like Pharmacity) are now common and widespread, imported medications may be sold under different brand names than in the U.S. Bringing a complete medication list, the generic name of each drug, and any specialty medications in their original packaging should be a top priority.
Health and medical checklist:
- Write out a full list of regular medications, including dosage and generic name, in both English and Vietnamese.
- Save the contact details for your parents' doctor and regular pharmacy back in the U.S.
- Make a list of known allergies (medications, food) so they're easy to avoid at meals.
- Review the benefits of your international travel insurance, if you bought a policy before the trip.
- Always carry sealed bottled water and remind your parents to drink regularly when out in the heat.
- Save the addresses of nearby major pharmacies and trusted clinics/hospitals close to where you're staying.
Note on health and medical care: Health and medical facility information is provided as logistical reference for trip planning. Z Travel does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, treatment plans, health insurance, medical transport, or emergency response services.
Staying connected
Staying in touch as a family
A clear communication plan keeps the kids back in the U.S. at ease and parents on the trip free of worry.
When older parents fly to Vietnam on their own, jet lag and exhaustion from the long flight can easily make them forget to check in with family in the U.S. Setting up the simplest possible check-in plan beforehand is the key to giving the whole family peace of mind.
Agree on a single communication app (such as Zalo or FaceTime) for everyone in the family to use. Set up a family group chat ahead of time, and save a simplified itinerary summary (hotel name, airport pickup driver's name) as an easy-to-open photo or a printed sheet for your parents to carry, in case their phone battery dies or they lose connection.
Family-communication checklist:
- Designate one main contact in the U.S. to receive flight status updates.
- Save the phone number of the person picking them up in Vietnam in both the traveler's contacts and the family's contacts in the U.S.
- Keep a backup emergency contact number in any country where there's a layover, if the flight has a transit stop.
- Agree on a fixed daily check-in window that works across the Vietnam and U.S. time zones.
- Print or write down the hotel's Vietnamese address so your parents can always keep it on them.
- Have a backup plan in mind in case the phone battery runs out (for example, which number to call from a hotel lobby phone).
- Agree on a fixed meeting point at a public spot ahead of time, in case anyone gets separated at a market or tourist site.
Where should your family start?
Depending on your family's needs and how much you've already prepared, choose the support option that fits best:
Preparation resources
Vietnam Companion Kit
Best fit: Families who want a structured checklist, a digital trip-info card, and an easy-to-use Private Resource Hub on their phone.
View the Companion KitPlanning & coordination
Guided Return options
Best fit: Trips where an older traveler is flying alone, and the family wants a personalized checklist review, arrival coordination, and communication support for the first leg.
View Guided ReturnDestination guides
City guides
Best fit: You're choosing a destination or looking for detailed transportation information in Saigon, Da Nang, Hanoi, Da Lat, or Phu Quoc.
Back to the Travel GuideNote on Z Travel's scope of service
Z Travel provides trip-preparation support, information planning, and coordination assistance within an agreed scope. Z Travel is not a travel agency and does not issue airline tickets, book hotel rooms, reserve restaurant tables, exchange currency, or provide mobile telecom, ATM, or card-payment services.
Z Travel does not provide specialized medical services, legal advice, financial advice, banking services, immigration or visa assistance, medical transport, or emergency response. Local service providers (including hotels, medical facilities, pharmacies, taxi companies, telecom carriers, banks, restaurants, attractions, and tour operators) operate independently, and you are responsible for reviewing and confirming their information directly before any transaction.
Want your trip back to Vietnam to feel clearer and lighter?
Z Travel helps overseas Vietnamese families prepare the practical details of a trip before returning to Vietnam, especially when traveling with parents, older relatives, or a multi-generational family group.