Money, phone & connectivity
Hà Giang city is easy. The plateau is not. A little preparation avoids most problems.
Cash
- Bring enough Vietnamese đồng in cash before you leave Hà Giang city. Cash machines are fewer and can be empty in small towns, and many small places do not take cards.
- Carry small notes. Change can be hard to find for a large note at a village stall.
Phone and SIM
- Mobile signal can disappear on passes and in valleys. Do not rely on it for navigation.
- Download offline maps and screenshot your bookings before you go.
- Buy a local SIM or an eSIM in Hà Nội if you want data. Ask the seller which network has the best coverage in the north.
Power and small things
- Bring a power bank. Charging stops can be far apart.
- Keep a short note in Vietnamese on your phone for allergies and what you do not eat.
Sources: General traveller guidance. Coverage and cash-machine availability change; confirm locally.