18. Vietnam
Vietnam is beautiful and historically rich, but American travelers sometimes face unfiltered local attitudes. In busy cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, service workers can be impatient, and interactions are often rushed or dismissive. Americans often feel like they’re being overcharged, especially at markets or street food stalls where prices are rarely posted. Bargaining is standard, and if tourists don’t engage in it, they’re often seen as easy targets. Some travelers also report curt or uninterested responses when asking for help, and driving etiquette—or the lack of it—adds to the cultural disorientation. Vietnam’s fast-moving society doesn’t leave much space for hand-holding, so those who expect warm hospitality may be disappointed. That said, locals are often more receptive in rural areas, where fewer tourists go and where genuine curiosity often replaces city cynicism.
