QUICK TIP:

SI·ES·TA

/sēˈestə/

noun

1. an afternoon rest or nap, especially one taken during the hottest hours of the day in a hot climate.

but in Vietnamese it’s called: Nghỉ Trưa

Similar to siestas in Spain, Viet Nam is serious about their naps/ siesta time and avoiding the sun because colorism is ubiquitous. In Viet Nam, it seems like siesta time is around 11am until 4pm. NOT ALL places, people, or businesses take a siesta. Just be aware this might be the reason a business isn’t open or a person is not available. There are some pros and cons to the siesta time.

Here’s a Vietnamese website talking about Viet Nam’s office napping culture.
"Napping culture" of Vietnam

Pros: many tourist attractions like the trending #goldenbridge (hand bridge) in Da Nang will be nearly empty. Everyone is taking a break indoors. They’re probably hiding from the sun and heat.

Cons: it's the hottest time of day. The sun is the highest in the sky around noon. If you’re not used to the heat it will feel torturous.

Bonus tip: I would go to a local hair salon and get my hair washed during this time. It was refreshing to wash away the sweat in my hair and my face. YUP, hair wash, and face wash in one sitting. It was glorious. Highly recommend going to a local hair salon to refresh yourself.

Ultimately, I would choose the heat instead of being herded with the crowds. I was genetically made for heat and humidity. It doesn’t bother me too much to be out and about during the hottest time of the day. Especially if that means I don’t have to be among the crowds.