Souvenirs to look out for in Vietnam include lacquerware, silk, conical hats, woodcarvings, hill tribe fabrics and handicrafts, embroidery, marble, ceramics, silver jewellery, antique watches and paintings. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are well-known for the best choices for shopping, but Hoi An in the centre of Vietnam is also a very good place to hunt for bargains.

Light, comfortable, easy to launder clothing is recommended. The temperature during winter months in Hanoi and the rainy season in the central region can be cool; a sweater or light jacket can be handy. Good walking shoes and sandals that can be easily removed are recommended, especially when entering temples and local people’s houses.

The majority of the population is comprised of the Viet or Kinh (85%) people who speak the tonal Vietnamese. The minority population is made up of over 50 ethnic hill tribe people who mainly live in the central and northern mountainous areas of the country. The best-known hill tribes are the Tay, Hmong, Zao, White and Black Thai (both mainly from the north), and the Hoa. Each hill tribe has its own unique customs and dialect and some are able to speak Vietnamese.