Travel tip and useful information in Vietnam

Located in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is a small and beautiful country with victorious history, profound patriotism and wonderful landscapes. Exploring the beauty of the country with its people and culture should be done once in one’s lifetime.

LANGUAGE

The national language of Vietnam is Vietnamese. In big cities and in places with many tourists, people will speak basic English. The younger generation will be more adept at speaking English, while the older generation still speaks some French. Because Vietnamese has six different tones, it is a difficult language for most foreigners to speak despite the fact that the Roman alphabet is used in modern Vietnamese. The same word can have six different meanings depending on the tone used to pronounce it. Russian and Chinese are also spoken by some people.

CURRENCY

Vietnamese dong (VND) is the official currency in Vietnam.

– Paper notes include: VND 500,000; 200,000; 100,000; 50,000; 20,000; 10,000; 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500.

– Foreign currencies can be exchanged into Vietnamese Dong at banks or foreign exchange agencies. USD is very appreciated in this country. Please bring US dollars.

– Most credit cards are accepted in Vietnam. VISA and MASTERCARD are the most widely accepted. JCB and AMERICAN EXPRESS are also accepted in some outlets. Not all hotels, commercial centers, shops and restaurants accept credit cards. Check with the cashier before making any purchases. Bear in mind that in some places a surcharge usually applies for credit card purchases: VISA and MasterCard approx 2.2%, JCB: 2.75% surcharge, American Express: 4% surcharge. NOTE: Surcharges can change without prior notice. Check the percentage charged before you pay.

Before leave Vietnam, Vietnamese dong can be changed into foreign currencies at the airport.

ATMs

ATMs for withdrawing Vietnamese Dong are available in major airports, hotels, towns and capitals of provinces throughout Vietnam. Most ATMs have an English language version. Ask your tour guide for help when you need to locate an ATM.

CUSTOMS PROCEDURES

Subject to change. You will be asked to fill out a form declaring the cash, jewelry and other valuables. Customs will review, stamp and keep one copy. Keep your copy for your departure later. You cannot bring out more cash than you take in.

ELECTRICAL CURRENT

Expect 220v, 50 cycles in most places. Your best bet is to bring dual voltage equipment. Almost all outlets have two prongs. Don’t forget to bring a surge protector for your computer equipment and a small flashlight.

CLIMATE

There are no good or bad times to visit Vietnam. When one region is wet or chilly there is always somewhere else that is warm and sunny. Basically, Vietnam has two seasons: the wet from June to October, wettest from June to August, and the dry from November to May. The hottest and most humid time to visit is from the end of February to May. However, this distinction is theoretical and varies from North to South.

NORTH – SEP: Dry season with sunshine. Some days may have a heavy rain or storm. Temperature is around 25oC to 35oC depending on weather.

CENTRAL- SEP: Starting rainy season but early September is better weather. Temperature is around 25oC to 30oC depending on weather.

WORKING HOURS

– Governmental agencies work 8 hours/day from 7.30am to 4.30pm (excluding one-hour lunch). Saturday and Sunday are close.

– Banks are open from 8am to 11.30am and from 1pm to 4pm. Saturday and Sunday are close.

– Private shops are open from 8am or 8.30am to 9pm or 10pm.

AIRPORT TAX

Airport departure tax for international and domestic flights is included in the airfare.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

No actual vaccinations are officially required. Visitors are advised to check with their doctor or travel immunization clinic regarding the advisability of inoculation against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A & B and Malaria.

Those visitors taking medicine for certain conditions such as diabetes or heart problems should make sure that they carry these medications in their hand luggage at all times in case the main luggage should be delayed.

It is recommended that all travellers take out comprehensive Personal Travel Insurance to cover personal belongings, in case of accident or illness etc.

GENERAL ADVICE

An inescapable fact is the contact noise, mainly of motorcycles. A good tip is to escape into a café for some quiet relief at intervals to recharge your batteries. The Vietnamese are early risers and so traffic noise starts early around 5 am onward and you may be woken up by the crackle of a loudspeaker as the Voice of Vietnam starts up with music and rhetoric. For light sleepers ear-plugs are useful to bring!

Crossing the road is an art – the trick is to walk steadily and slowly across the road in the same direction and the motorcycles and bicycles will weave round you. Do not run or make sudden movements.

The Country has been hurtled in a relatively short time from an underdeveloped Communism country into its present dynamic state and so a flexible approach, humor and patience will ensure a more enjoyable holiday.

For non-smokers request rooms on non – smoking floors rooms where available.

INTERNET

Major hotels have Business Centers with PCs connected to the Internet. Some of them have wireless broadband access in rooms or public areas. Cybercafés are available everywhere and are easily found in major towns and cities. Prices are reasonable, usually below US$1 per hour. Most Internet cafés are equipped with webcams, headsets and microphones. Vietnam has an exceptional amount of cafés and restaurants offering free WIFI connections, if having a meal or a drink internet fees are waived.

POST AND COMMUNICATIONS

A regular international post service is available. In addition Express Mail Service (EMS) is available to more than 50 countries worldwide with a delivery time of 2 to 10 days.
Vietnam has high international telephone charges. It is important to check the exact amount with the hotel before making a call, as hotel surcharges are often imposed.

VOIP calls which help reduce call charges (for most of International calls from any destination within Vietnam and for domestic calls between the main cities of the country) are now available as well pre-paid internet & mobile card can be bought in the major cities.

SECURITY

Vietnam is generally a safe Country. However some simple common sense precautions with possessions lessen the chances of becoming a victim to petty theft. Carry your handbag or rucksack to the front of you are be particularly aware that handbag snatches /thefts from motorbikes occur especially in the larger cities and crowds.

It is advised to keep luggage locked while travelling, whether it is stored in the hold of a car or bus, during flights or train journeys. Virtually all hotels have safe deposit boxes.

The Vietnamese are a shrewd people and whereas certainly not everyone you meet is out to cheat you, it is well worth being on the alert!

SHOPPING

Foreign visitors to Vietnam have the opportunity to buy souvenirs made of rattan, gold, silver and stone. There is a diverse range of products, from woodenwares such as wooden buttons or sindora beds to lacquer paintings, bowls and chopsticks, bamboo screens and stone tea sets. Woven tapestries, “tho cam” handbags and other handicrafts are produced by the traditional skills of the women of ethnic minorities in such rural regions in the north as Sapa, Mai Chau and Dien Bien. When shopping please consider individual customs and import regulations of your own country as well as regulations regarding the protection of species.

TIPPING

Tipping for good service is not expected but is always appreciated in a country where the average annual income is quite low compared to Europe for example. It is customary to tip tour guides and drivers at the end of a tour. Hotel and station porters should also be tipped. Do not let guide talk you into tipping more than you plan to. It is totally up to you who you tip, when and how much

WATER

It is not advisable to drink tap water but bottled mineral water is safe and available everywhere. All hotels provide a complimentary bottle of local mineral water per person in the room. Ice cubes in drinks is generally OK in good standard hotels and restaurants but it is best to avoid it on street stalls or in country areas. Some minor stomach problems are always possible when travelling in exotic countries. Bring a supply of your usual anti-diarrhoea medicine.

VISA

Nationals from Russia, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland traveling to Vietnam and staying for 15 days or less do not need to apply for a tourist visa, provided that their passport is valid for at least three months and they can show their return ticket. Those who wish to stay longer than 15 days will need to apply for a tourist visa.

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