FAQs
Question
Tourist Visa to Vietnam
Answer
If you are not a Vietnamese citizen, it is likely that you need a visa to enter Vietnam. The application is online here: https://evisa.gov.vn/. It takes 3-5 business days to apply and you will need to check back in the application portal to get the visa. At your first arrival airport in Vietnam, you can show a screenshot of the visa approval directly or print it out on a piece of paper.
Question
What is the wedding attire?
Answer
We don't have a dress code, but we prefer that guests avoid wearing traditional Vietnamese wedding colors: white and red.
Question
Do you have any food safety recommendations?
Answer
When traveling to a new country, you likely want to be more careful when it comes to food and drinks. Just some general guidance: Avoid drinking tap water at all costs (Dzung learned the hard way). Bottled water is your best option. Even ice is not recommended. Avoid eating street food and food stalls on the sidewalk.
Question
Should I get a SIM card?
Answer
We highly recommend getting an e-SIM, if your phone supports it. We recommend https://gigago.vn. A 15GB plan lasted us 20 days last time we traveled to Vietnam. Most restaurants and hotels will have wifi and password posted on the wall. You can also ask the owner for the wifi and they will give it to you. It’s very common for both locals and tourists to ask for the wifi. If your phone doesn’t support e-SIM, you can purchase a physical SIM card. All major airports in Vietnam will have stalls selling SIM cards, although they might slightly up-charge. If your phone plan comes with international or travel plan, then we recommend double checking with your carrier to make sure. Sometimes, people will enable data roaming and end up getting charged a lot while traveling internationally.
Question
What is the weather like in Can Tho during January?
Answer
Can Tho’s weather is always hot, but in January, it ranges from 22-32 degrees C (70-90 degrees F). There is very low chance of rain but the humidity is quite high (73% average). We recommend packing summer clothing, hats, sunscreen, and even a hand fan. Source: https://wanderlog.com/weather/486/1/can-tho-weather-in-january
Question
I’m afraid of mosquitoes. What to do?
Answer
Ryan is too, which is why we are not short of recommendations here. Bring insect repellant (the ones with DEET works the best) and make sure to reapply often. If you are staying at a hotel, most likely they have taken care of mosquitoes, but if you’re staying in an airbnb or with a local, you will want to sleep inside a mosquito net.
Question
Why don’t you have a wedding registry?
Answer
In Vietnam, wedding registry isn’t really a thing. The custom is to bring envelop with money. But we do not expect anyone to bring anything but themselves and loved ones. Really, don’t worry about it.
Question
What languages are spoken at the wedding and in the surrounding areas?
Answer
Throughout the wedding, we will have a translator for English language speakers. Dzung’s parents and sister are fluent in English. Ryan’s family will also be there. Locals will unlikely speak English, but at most tourist places, you will find folks with some level of English proficiency. If needed, you can always use a translator app to communicate with locals.
Question
Are there any cultural customs or etiquette guidelines we should be aware of?
Answer
You will find that Vietnamese people are very open-minded and welcoming. There aren’t any strict customs and rules, but we do have some recommendations and thoughts: - Weddings in Vietnam is a family celebration. So there will be a lot of guests, lots of talking and drinking. If you are more accustomed to intimate weddings, you might find this surprising. - A slight bow or a nod is a respectful greeting, especially from a younger person to an older one. Handshakes are common in business settings, but it's good to wait for a handshake to be initiated by a Vietnamese person. Vietnamese guests at the wedding might try to introduce themselves and shake your hand enthusiastically. - Remove your shoes when entering someone’s home.
Question
What if I can’t make it?
Answer
Don’t worry, we will have a US wedding as well. You’ll receive for details about that soon. The tentative date is July 19, 2025 in Boston, MA.