1. Don't worry about the Vietnamese hating you because you're American. They're friendly, welcoming, and don't hold any grudges.
2. Do pay attention to the ladies carrying entire fruit markets on their shoulders and bikes. For some reason, only women seem to carry the heavy loads...
3. Don't expect traffic to obey lights or signs, or to show you any mercy.
4. Do enjoy the exchange rate, but bring a calculator.
5. Don't try to ask for anything other than a trip to Halong Bay at the front desk. When you say you want to see more of the "real" Vietnam and get away from the tourists, you get blank stares.
6. Do look both ways before crossing the street. Then look again. You'll have missed at least a couple zooming motorcycles, but just walk forward with confidence and have faith in their swerving abilities.
7. Don't be worried if you don't know Vietnamese. People here know more English than in China.
8. Do try Vietnamese hot pot. Other than the chewy tentacles, the unidentifiable seafood is delicious.
9. Don't leave home without an umbrella in the rainy season.
10. Do drink ginger tea (in China too). It's delicious.
11. Don't expect to walk on the sidewalk. Sidewalks are for driving and parking motorcycles, restaurant seating, street vendors, and generally everything except walking.
12. Do notice the mix of brand new fancy buildings and decaying old ones. Hanoi is changing before your eyes.
13. Don't expect one-stop shopping. There's a dedicated store, if not an entire street, to each individual item (i.e. shoes, water coolers, rice-cookers, moped repair).
