Staying at Home in Vietnam - Healthy Tips and Fun Ideas

As COVID-19 progresses all over the world, self-quarantine has become common. We are so used to being able to get out and enjoy all entertainment and conveniences that modern life has to offer. Yet, now we’re bound to confine ourselves in our homestead. This can undoubtedly be boring after some time. So here we have compiled a list of fun tips and ideas for staying at home in Vietnam!

Fun Ideas for Staying at Home in Vietnam

Support Domestic Tourism

You’re probably wondering why tourism is included in this list. Tourism in Vietnam is reopening, starting with domestic travel. The COVID-19 situation in Vietnam has been managed well by the government to stop the spread of the virus. After the first wave of infections back in March and shortly after the second wave in July, traveling has resumed in attractions throughout Vietnam with strict precautions and regulations taken seriously both by travelers and local authorities. Therefore, what better way to support Vietnam tourism than giving yourself a well-deserved getaway?

1. In-city Traveling

Book a private tour to get ultimate safety while traveling

If you’re wary, a great start is traveling inside the city where you’re at. First, stay updated on the regulations within that city. See if traveling is recommended and if non-essential services (bars, clubs, restaurants…) and tourist attractions are open to better plan your trip. Or better yet, book a tour that has a clear, well-researched agenda and practice safe cautions. A guided half-day or full-day tour will be adequate for this type of traveling. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to find out how many hidden gems the city has to offer.

Don’t miss these resources:

• Places to See in Saigon Half-Day Tour
• Places to Visit on Your Hanoi Half-Day Tour

2. Traveling to Other Areas

Start with short trips! For Ho Chi Minh City, that’d be Vung Tau

For those who have more time to spend, traveling to other provinces in Vietnam is safer than they think. Trans-provincial transportation has resumed in all areas, including cities that were most affected during the latest wave of infections. Though you shouldn’t visit those places yet as travelers coming in and out of them have to go through mandatory health check-up.

Check out safe places to travel during COVID-19 in Vietnam, which are mostly off-the-beaten-path alternatives that’ll sure give you exclusive memories.

Using the “Stay at home with Viet Nam” Kit

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) and Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) has released a “Stay at home with Viet Nam” kit to allow international travel lovers to keep admiring Vietnam’s beautiful scenery and culture amidst the pandemic. Here we’ve picked out our favorite recommendations for you to try.

1. Admire UNESCO Heritage Sites

The grand view of Hue Citadel

Vietnam lacks no UNESCO Heritage Sites that are both historically educational and breath-taking. Therefore, VNAT and TAB have made a 360-degree virtual tour for some of those sites so that everyone can admire the view of these treasures. The places are Hue, Hoi An, Phong Nha, My Son, Ha Long Bay, and Ninh Binh. Along with this, you can read our comprehensive local guides on these sites for more background information.

2. DIY Vietnamese Cuisine

Learning how to make Vietnamese cuisine provides interesting insights into the local’s life

Apart from going on food tours, making your favorite Vietnamese dishes can give you quite an enjoyable time. Besides, home-cooking can ensure that you save some coins and stay healthy during the quarantine. The recipes are readily available online so you only need to grab some easy ingredients at the local market or supermarket (Co.opmart, Vinmart, Bach Hoa Xanh…). Try making Pho, Bun Bo Hue, or Banh Canh, to surprise your family!

3. Stack Up Your Knowledge on Vietnamese Culture

While staying at home in Vietnam, don’t forget to read up on Vietnamese culture. Your friends and family will be in awe seeing how much you understand about the country. VNAT and TAB have made a list of the best books, music, and art of Vietnam, but reading articles about Vietnamese culture wouldn’t be a less fun choice.

Get the world-leading travel insurance for your adventures in Vietnam:

Staying at Home in Vietnam - Tips to Know

• As tourism is recovering, regulations relating to flights can change fast so equip yourself with the latest updates on international and domestic flights.
• Follow safety practices to travel such as wearing masks, sanitize your hands, and installing Bluezone - the government’s contact tracing app.

People wearing masks at a mall in Saigon

• Keep yourself healthy by opting for home-cooking more and working out regularly. If cooking isn’t your thing, there are many convenient food delivery apps in Vietnam that you can use like Grab, Now.vn, or Baemin.
• Tidying up your workplace and residence to minimize the risk of getting sick and also to give you a mood boost each day.

Canh Bun is another easy-peasy Vietnamese dish to try cooking

• To soothe your travel bug, reading travel guides, and watching movies or videos about the attractions is recommended.
• Stack up some medicines for common illnesses such as the common cold, headaches, stomaches… so you won’t have to go the hospitals much.
• In case of health emergencies in Vietnam, remember necessary hotlines, don’t panic, and follow instructions from health workers.

Our Thoughts on Staying at Home in Vietnam

Though self-quarantine isn’t the most enjoyable thing to do, it is an effective and proactive way to protect yourself and your loved ones. We hope that this guide on staying at home in Vietnam has helped to make your quarantine more interesting and filled with exciting cultural and physical experiences. For more updates on the COVID-19 situation and travel-related regulations in Vietnam, keep an eye on our website.