Summary:
Black hair care while traveling in Vietnam often requires more effort than travelers expect. For Black women living abroad, finding a skilled braider who understands Afro-textured hair can involve extensive research, limited local options, and travel to larger cities.
In this experience, getting my hair braided meant traveling 500 miles to Hanoi to access the right skills, products, and care. The journey illustrates how hair care is closely connected to identity, comfort, and daily life, and why these realities are rarely addressed in mainstream travel content.
This story highlights that travel experiences are not universal and that acknowledging these differences leads to more honest and inclusive conversations about life abroad.
Key Takeaways
Black hair care while traveling in Vietnam is limited outside major cities
Skilled braiders for Afro-textured hair are difficult to find locally
Protective styles are practical solutions for heat and humidity
Researching portfolios and services helps avoid scams or poor results
Traveling to another city may be necessary for quality hair care
Hair services abroad can cost less than in the United States, even with travel
Language and cultural differences affect booking and navigation
Prioritizing hair care supports confidence, identity, and well-being
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Hair in a New Country Hits Different
I’m natural under these braids. No relaxers, no chemicals, no shortcuts. When I wear my hair out, especially in heat and humidity, it does what natural hair does. It expands. It gets big fast. And in a place like Da Nang, where it rains on and off and the humidity is intense, wearing my hair out just wasn’t realistic long term.
Braids aren’t just about style for me. They’re protection. They’re ease. They let me live my life without constantly worrying about my hair reacting to the weather.
When we were in Bangkok, finding a braider was easy. There were tons of resources in expat groups, on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook. I found someone quickly and had no problem booking an appointment.
Vietnam was a completely different experience.
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The Search That Didn’t Go Anywhere
Once we got to Da Nang, I started searching everywhere. Facebook groups. Instagram. TikTok. Google. Anything. What I found was either limited portfolios, outdated pages, or stylists who didn’t really show experience working with Afro kinky hair.
That’s something you can’t gamble on. I wasn’t trying to get scammed, and I definitely wasn’t trying to be someone’s experiment.
Then I came across a Youtube video by a woman named Anna. (Check out @tuakahandanna). She talked about traveling all the way to Hanoi by train just to get her hair braided. At first, I thought it sounded crazy. A thirteen hour train ride just for hair?
But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. If it’s done right, I’ll go by plane, train, bus, whatever. Hair done properly is worth the journey.
I told my fiancé we’d have to leave Da Nang to get my hair done, and he looked at me like I was out of my mind. But once I explained it, he understood. This wasn’t optional.
Nina in Hanoi
Booking the Appointment That Made It Worth It
Instead of taking the train, I booked a flight to Hanoi. Before booking anything, I reached out to the braider Anna recommended. I’ll link her below.
From the start, the experience was smooth. I contacted her through Instagram, sent her a photo of the style I wanted, the length, and the timeframe. I also asked what kind of hair she used. Human or synthetic matters to me. A lot.
She responded quickly, gave me a price, and confirmed availability. Once that was locked in, I booked my flight.
The flight was about seventy dollars round trip. I stayed two nights in a hostel. And even with the hair and service included, the total cost was still about half of what I usually pay in the States. For reference, the last time I got my hair braided in California with human hair, it was close to six hundred dollars.
That alone made the trip worth it.
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Finding the Place Was the Hardest Part
I flew in the night before my appointment. She sent me the address, but getting there was honestly the hardest part of the entire experience.
Cars can’t go down her street, so even if you take a car service, it drops you off at the entrance to the neighborhood. From there, you have to walk in and find the place. I got lost. The Grab driver tried to help. She tried to help. There was a bit of a language barrier.
Ironically, I had originally been at the right door. Miscommunication sent me in circles, but eventually another Grab driver helped me get back to the correct spot. I made it with fifteen minutes to spare.
If you go, take a bike if you can. It makes things easier.
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Eight Hours, Human Hair, and Real Care
Once I got inside, everything changed. She already had the hair separated and ready. She offered me slippers, which is customary in Vietnam since people don’t wear outside shoes inside their homes. She even gave me a brand new lip gloss, which I’m still wearing.
She went straight to work.
She was fast but incredibly thorough. Every braid was intentional. I asked for long, but I didn’t realize how long until we were finished. The braids ended up past my butt, which I love. Go big or go home.
The entire process took about eight hours. All human hair, including the braid. She told me she hand selects the hair herself and sometimes goes directly to a factory in Vietnam. That mattered to me. I have a sensitive scalp, and I avoid harsh synthetic hair whenever possible.
Beyond the hair, the day itself was beautiful. We talked about our lives, our partners, how we each ended up in Vietnam. She’s from Cameroon. I shared my story. It felt human, calm, and grounding.
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What This Experience Taught Me
This wasn’t just about hair. It was about access. Representation. The extra layers Black women carry while traveling that don’t get talked about enough.
I loved my braids. I still love them. And yes, I’ll absolutely be flying back to see her again when it’s time for a new style.
If you’re a Black woman traveling or living abroad, especially in Asia, just know you’re not alone in these experiences. It might take more effort, more planning, and sometimes a plane ride, but it’s possible.
And it’s worth it.
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Watch the Full Video
If you want to hear this story directly from me and see the full journey, you can watch the video below.
If you have any questions about braiders, services in Vietnam, or even Thailand, feel free to leave a comment. I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned.
Thanks for being here. And I’ll see you in the next one.
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Black hair care while traveling in Vietnam
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FAQ SECTION
How hard is it to find Black hair braiders in Vietnam?
Outside of major cities, skilled braiders for Afro-textured hair are limited. Most travelers need to research carefully or travel to a larger city.
How do I book a hair braider in Vietnam?
Most braiders book through Instagram. For this experience, I booked by sending a direct message to @dorostouch with a photo of the style, length, and preferred date.
Do I need to travel to another city to get my hair braided?
In many cases, yes. Cities like Hanoi offer more options than smaller locations such as Da Nang.
What type of hair is used for braiding?
This varies by stylist. Always ask whether human, fiber, or synthetic hair is used before booking.
Is getting braids in Vietnam affordable?
Yes. Even with travel costs included, braiding services can be significantly more affordable than in the United States.
Would I travel again just to get my hair done?
Absolutely. Having proper hair care made daily life and travel much more comfortable.
