A digital guide for adults 50+
Your First 7 Days in Vietnam
A calm, day-by-day plan for your first 7 days in Vietnam, so the week feels settled instead of overwhelming.
Written from my own arrivals in Da Nang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Lat and Vung Tau. What to do on each of your first seven days, in a sensible order, with the mistakes I made along the way.
Why your first 7 days in Vietnam are the hardest
You've planned for months. Then you land, tired, in a new currency and a new language, and the small things pile up all at once: getting your phone working, finding an ATM that won't charge a fortune, figuring out how to get across town, buying groceries when you can't read the labels.
None of it is hard on its own. Doing it all at once, jet-lagged, is what wears you down. This guide spreads it out over seven days so each day has one main job, and you can rest in between.
What's inside
One focus a day, in the order that works
The pre-flight checklist
E-visa printed, eSIM installed and tested, offline maps, first nights booked, a little cash for arrival.
Arrive and get to bed
Through the airport, phone connected, a Grab ride to your door. What to skip at arrivals.
Money and connectivity
Which ATMs to use, keeping fees down, Wise alongside cash, and when cards work.
Getting around
Grab car or bike, sharing a pin instead of an address, and crossing the street with confidence.
Food, groceries, pharmacies
Your first market and supermarket run, ordering with the translate camera, what pharmacies carry.
Your neighborhood
Map the essentials: clinic, pharmacy, laundry, café, a quiet spot. Is this area right for a longer stay?
Checking a longer rental
What to look at in person, questions to ask, red flags, deposits, and move-in photos.
Rest and plan month one
A check-in on energy, budget and comfort, plus a simple plan for weeks two to four.
10 first-week mistakes
The slip-ups I made or watched others make, and the simple fix for each.
This guide is for you if…
- You're 50+ and planning a month or more in Vietnam, maybe your first.
- You'd rather settle in slowly than rush through a tourist checklist.
- Phones, apps, money and rentals abroad make you a little nervous.
- You want someone who's done it to tell you what actually matters.
It's not…
A visa how-to. Visa rules change too often for a static guide, so I cover them in my free TSS Travel Alerts videos and posts instead.
A sightseeing itinerary. It's about getting set up so you can enjoy everything else.
Who wrote this
Hi, I'm Mary Johnson
I landed in Da Nang in January 2025 to start slow traveling through Southeast Asia. Since then I've lived in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Lat and now Vung Tau, plus six months in Chiang Mai.
I've done the first week enough times to know where the friction is. This guide is everything I wish I'd had on that first night in Da Nang.
Founder of Traveling Savvy Seniors and author of The Slow Path to Wellness: How Slow Travel Heals at Every Age.
Questions
What format is the guide?
A 29-page PDF that you can read on your phone, tablet or laptop, or print.
How do I get it after I pay?
Your download link appears right after checkout and is also sent to your email.
Does it cover visas?
No. Visa rules change too often for a static guide. Follow TSS Travel Alerts for current rules, and the guide’s pre-flight checklist reminds you what to have printed before you fly.
Which cities does it apply to?
It’s written for anywhere in Vietnam, drawing on my time in Da Nang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Lat and Vung Tau. Where cities differ, I say so.
I’m only visiting for two weeks. Is it still useful?
Yes. Days 1 to 5 apply to any trip. Days 6 and 7 matter most if you’re thinking about staying a month or longer.
What if I have a question it doesn’t answer?
Email me at contactus@travelingsavvyseniors.com. If you want one-on-one help, my Slow Start Strategy Session is the next step.
Land calmly. Settle in slowly.
Your first 7 days in Vietnam, one focus each. Download it today and read it on the plane.
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