Useful Information for Vietnam

Passports & Visas

Please ensure that your passport is valid for six months after your return date from Vietnam. Visas are required to visit Vietnam. You can obtain the visa in advance from the Vietnam Embassy in London or we can arrange for a letter of approval to be issued in Vietnam before you travel so that you can obtain your visa upon arrival into Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang airport.

Country

Vietnam, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, covers an area of 332,000 square kilometers. It shares common borders with China, Laos, and Cambodia. With a population of more than 80 million, it is the most densely populated country in Southeast Asia. The vast majority of the population is Vietnamese. Other ethnic groups include Chinese, Muong, Thai, Meo, Khmer, Man and Cham. Vietnam's topography varies from low, flat delta in the south and north to hilly, mountainous terrain in the central, far north and northwest. Three-quarters of Vietnam is hilly or mountainous. Hanoi is the capital, and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is the largest city in the country.

Vietnam, once a forbidden country for tourists, now attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors (with numbers increasing) every year. Rich culture, strong tradition, and a patriotic people characterise this fascinating country. This exotic destination offers such wonders as magical islands set in pristine waters as well as historic and cultural sites like temples, pagodas and churches. Traveling to Vietnam will be an unforgettable experience and will leave visitors deeply impressed.

Language

Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam. Some of the local tribes in the Sapa region also have their own dialects. Learning foreign languages, particularly English, is currently popular among young people in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Da Nang and other cities. Tourist guides are available for English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and Russian speakers.

Religion

Vietnam’s religion is primarily Buddhist but there are also Taoist, Confucian, Hoa Hao, Caodaist and Christian (predominantly Roman Catholic) minorities.

Weather

Because of its geography, the climate in Vietnam varies greatly from north to south. Tropical monsoons occur from October to April in the north and south and from May to September in the centre, this is when most of the country's rain falls. It is almost totally dry throughout the rest of the year. It can get exceptionally hot, however, all year round, but the north has a cooler time between October and April. It is best to travel between the shifting of seasons. Temperatures around the country often reach 40C in the height of the hot and rainy season (May to September), but the northern highlands and Hanoi can often seem chilly in the winter.

Currency

The Vietnamese Dong (VND) notes are in denominations of ₫500,000, 200,000, 100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of ₫5,000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500. The value is approximately USD1 = VND19,500.

There are plenty of ATMs in major towns, but they can be scarce in rural areas. ATMs issue Dông, and the single withdrawal limit is typically ₫2,000,000, although some banks do allow multiple withdrawals until the account limit is reached.

Travellers cheques are widely accepted in hotels and banks. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, visitors are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars.

Credit Cards

A increasing number of outlets accept MasterCard and Visa. However, outside main towns and cities, it is wise to carry cash. There are ATMs in many major towns, but not in rural areas.

Banking Hours

Monday - Friday 0830am to 1600pm. Many banks are also open on Saturday; all banks are closed on Sunday.

Telecommunications

Internet cafes are widely available throughout Vietnam. 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.

Time

Vietnam is 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Electricity

Voltage is 127/220 Volts in Vietnam. Two prong plugs are common in Vietnam. Many of the new 4 and 5 star hotels use the British standard 3-pin plug (Electrical Plugs Type C and G).

Dress

Living in a tropical climate, local people dress very informally (e.g. lightweight linens & cottons, T-shirt, shorts, jeans). For dinners and night spots, smart casual wear is the norm. Topless or completely naked sunbathing is not allowed. When entering mosques and temples, wear long sleeves and loose trousers or long skirts as a sign of respect.

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.

Transportation

The road system in Vietnam is reasonable in the main urban cities. The drives through the countryside can be a wonderful sightseeing experience. However, it must be noted that the roads are narrow and some may be poorly paved when outside the main cities, and as a consequence the drives can be rough and difficult at times.

The journey timings described in your itinerary are based on the usual amount of time a particular journey will take. However, please appreciate that not all roads can be checked for their condition throughout the year.

Most cars used are manufactured locally by Toyota, Honda and Ford and are for the most part comfortable and ideally suited to local roads. Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle, under any conditions.

If you decide to leave the hotel and go out on your own, there are various means of transport that you may like to take such as taxis or “cyclos”. If taking a taxi or “cyclo”, insist on the meter being switched on before you begin your journey. Due to an effort to stop pollution, most “cyclos” are pedaled as opposed to motor. It is suggested that you carry the name of your destination or hotel written in local language in the event your driver does not understand English. The staff at your hotel can assist with this.

Stay Safe

Never bring any recreational drugs into Vietnam. Possession and/or trafficking of even minute amounts can lead to a mandatory death sentence.

Crime levels are relatively low in Vietnam, but common sense precautions should be observed. Beware of pickpockets, snatch-and-run thieves and motorbike bag snatching in Ho Chi Minh City in particular. Avoid dangling your bags along traffic roads.

Never leave your bag unattended on beaches.

Exercise caution when crossing the streets – roads in Vietnamese cities are always packed and extremely busy. Some drivers will not stop at pedestrian/zebra crossings. Use pedestrian bridges if available.

Drink driving is a serious offence and breathalyser tests by the police are common.

Travel documents and valuables are best deposited in a hotel safe or carried safely with you, as there is a potential of theft from hotel rooms while guests are away.

Women travelling alone should be wary of opening their room doors to strangers. In such situations, common sense judgment should prevail.

Credit card fraud can be a problem, so use your card only at large, reputable retailers, and do not let your card out of your sight.

Public demonstrations are almost unheard of in Malaysia - should any occur, they may be treated with heavy-handed tactics, so avoid them at all costs.

Stay Healthy

Tap water is not safe to drink. Vietnamese boil tap water before drinking it. It is recommended for visitors to stick to bottled water.

Ice in drinks might be made from tap water but the cylindrical variety with a hollow tube down the middle are mass-produced at ice factories and are safer to consume.

Avoid buying food or drinks from street vendors if you find the hygiene standard is questionable. Heat exhaustion is rare, but do consume lots of fluids, use a hat and sunscreen and shower often. Pack clothing suitable for a warm humid climate.

• Due to the often humid climate, mosquitoes tend to be present throughout the year. To repel mosquitoes, ticks and other arthropods, apply an insect repellent. The risk of malaria is extremely small, however, if you are visiting Borneo inland or rural areas Malaria prophylaxis is recommended.
• Dengue fever occurs throughout Vietnam, largely in rural areas, and can only be avoided be preventing mosquito bites. The mosquito that transmits dengue feeds throughout the daytime, and is most active at dawn and dusk. If you experience a sudden fever with aches and lethargy, seek medical attention immediately. Aspirin and ibuprofen should not be used until dengue fever has been ruled out.
• Clinics and dispensaries take care of non-major medical treatment while state-run hospitals are available in all major towns. Private hospitals with international standard facilities can be found in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. Private hospitals require a cash deposit or a confirmation of insurance prior to admission and expect immediate payment for services. Be sure to have the appropriate travel health insurance.

Local Culture: Do’s and Don’ts

Vietnam is generally a laid back and relaxed place. However, they do have their own customs and visitors should try to observe these practices when they arrive. Some common courtesies and customs are as follows:

• Vietnamese people are very gracious, polite and generous and will make every effort to make guests feel comfortable. Do not be surprised if somebody you have just met invites you home to meet the family and friends. These are the experiences that will enrich your visit to Vietnam.
• Dress appropriately. Not only for the prevailing weather, but also not to cause offence to the local people. Vietnamese have conservative dress codes, and it is only in larger cities that these codes are a little more relaxed. Do not wear revealing clothing.
• Don't wear singlets, shorts, dresses or skirts, or tops with low-neck lines and bare shoulders to Temples and Pagodas. To do this is considered extremely rude and offensive.
• Never sleep or sit with the soles of your feet pointing towards the family altar when in someone’s house.
• Avoid giving empty water bottles, sweets and candies or pens to the local people when trekking through ethnic minority villages. You cannot guarantee that the empty bottles will be disposed of in a correct manner, and the people have no access to dental health. If you want to give pens, ask your guide to introduce you to the local teacher and donate them to the whole community.
• Never lose your temper in public or when bargaining for a purchase. This is considered a serious loss of face for both parties. Always maintain a cool and happy demeanour and you will be reciprocated with the same.
• Never take video cameras into the ethnic minority villages. They are considered to be too intrusive by the local people.
• Shoes must be removed when entering places of worship such as mosques and temples. Some mosques provide robes and scarves for female visitors. Taking photographs at places of worship is usually permitted but always ask permission beforehand.
• Showing of affection in larger cities is tolerated but might invite unnecessary attention from the public. In more rural areas it is frowned upon and is to be avoided.

The list goes on and on, however practice common sense, and enjoy the holiday!