Travel Adventures to Vietnam (Part 1) Preparation

The Traveling Studio
24 minutes ago
3 min read

In this three-part series, my 9-day trip to southern Vietnam explores my preparation, photography while traveling, and the fishing culture.

So where exactly am I going? My adventure will take me to Hoi Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon. I will specifically be working in the city or district of Bình Dương, about an hour

north-west of Hoi Chi Minh City.

Early History (Before 17th Century)

The area that is now Bình Dương was originally:

Forested and sparsely populated
Inhabited by indigenous groups and influenced by early Khmer culture
Located along rivers that later became important trade routes (especially the Saigon–Đồng Nai river system)

Vietnamese Settlement (17th–18th Centuries)

As Vietnamese people expanded southward (Nam Tiến):

Settlers from northern and central Vietnam arrived in the 1600s
Farming villages formed along rivers and fertile land
The region became known for:
- Agriculture
- River trade
- Craft production

Thủ Dầu Một, now the provincial capital, emerged as an important riverside town.

Bình Dương Today

Today, Bình Dương is known for:

Modern cities like Thủ Dầu Một, Dĩ An, and Thuận An
Dozens of large industrial parks
A diverse workforce from across Vietnam
Strong economic ties to Ho Chi Minh City

Despite rapid development, Bình Dương still preserves elements of its past through:

Traditional villages
Pagodas and temples
Handicraft industries

Summary Timeline

Pre-1600s: Indigenous settlements
1600s–1700s: Vietnamese migration south
1800s: Nguyễn Dynasty administration
Late 1800s–1954: French colonial rule
1954–1975: Vietnam War period
1975–1996: Part of Sông Bé Province
1996–Present: Industrialization and modernization

Vietnam basically has two seasons: Hot and hotter. The wet season and the dry season, which is what they are in now. Current conditions as of December 2025: 90 degrees with a humidity of 80%, so I'll be packing light. T-shirts, shorts, a pair of jeans, and a rain jacket. I'm not checking any baggage. I can buy any additional clothing if needed when I'm there.

My main concern is staying safe and healthy. Generally, Vietnam is a safe place to travel to, but diverse food choices and drinking water can pose health risks for those not accustomed to the biodiversity of the local cuisine. Fortunately, I'll be traveling with a work associate who lives in Taiwan and knows the area very well.

Some Necessities:

Whenever I travel, I carry a filtration bottle in case bottled water isn't available.

GRAYL UltraPress 16.9 oz Water Purifier & Filter Bottle https://amzn.to/49a9nFN

One of the most exciting part of trip will be capturing images on my Nikon F camera, which is Nikon's first ever produced SLR camera. This camera was predominantly used in the Vietnam War by world-renowned journalists. Part 2 of this blog series will showcase the images I capture during my visit.

Travel Adapter

Voltage & Frequency

Standard voltage in Vietnam: 220 V
Frequency: 50 HzThis is similar to most of Europe and Asia, but higher than the 110 V used in the U.S., Canada, and Japan, so you’ll want to check your device specs before plugging in. Vietnam Visa Corp+1

Common Plug & Socket Types

Vietnam uses a mix of plug types, so a universal adapter is the safest bet:

Type A – Two flat parallel pins (common in North America/Japan)
Type C – Two round pins (European style)
Type F – Two round pins with grounding clips (also European-style)These are the most frequently found in hotels, cafés, and newer buildings. Vietnam Visa Corp+1

Some sources also list Type B and occasional outlets that accept multiple types, especially in hotels with universal sockets, so having a truly universal travel adapter that supports several types is ideal.

Here is the one I have been using: