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Vietnam » Travel » Vietnam Travel Tips
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| DESTINATION VIETNAM |
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VIETNAM TRAVEL TIPS |
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 QUICK GUIDANCE,... |
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| To help you plan an exciting holiday in Vietnam, we provide the complete travel tip resource from foreign exchange to passport and visa requirement, customs to weather, useful transport to public holidays of Vietnam. You will find here all you need to know for a trip of lifetime in Vietnam by browsing through the sections below. |
| VIETNAM TRAVEL TIPS |
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VIETNAM TRAVEL TRIPS |
COUPLE OF WORDS
Vietnam has only recently become a tourist destination. Every effort has been made to make all guests to this country comfortable and safe. Do not take the following tips as warnings, only advice, remember being a knowledgeable traveller is a big step to a successful vacation. Some of the rules and regulations implemented in Vietnam are found nowhere else in the world so it's a good idea to become acquainted with them before you step off the plane.
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1. VIETNAM PASSPORT AND VISA
According to the visa regulation of Vietnam, all nationalities except for citizens of countries having bilateral agreements on visa exemption with Vietnam, are required to have visa when entering Vietnam. The tourist visa and business visa are usually issued by Vietnamese Consulates and Embassies in China, Hongkong, Taiwan, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Brunei, Myanmar, East –Timor, South Korea, North Korea, Japan, Mongolia, India, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Australia, Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Poland, Hungary, Rumania, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, United Kingdom, Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, Spain, Italy, South Africa, Algeria, Libya, Angola, Egypt, Tanzania, Kuwait, U.A.E. P.O , Chile, Cuba, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Panama, Canada, United States.
To apply for Vietnam visa, the applicants are required to present the original passport with validity of at least 6 months after the date of entry to Vietnam, and plus 2 photos. The visa is usually issued after three working days and is granted only for single entry with a maximum stay of one month in Vietnam. Currently, tourists may make visa extension after their arrival in Vietnam via a local travel agency.
VIETNAM VISA ON ARRIVAL
To help everyone have an easy trip to Vietnam, Asianventure Tours has launched the express service of visa on arrival, which is only available at the international airports of Noi Bai , Danang and Tan San Nhat. To apply for visa on arrival through the express visa service of Asianventure Tours, the applicants are required to provide such personal data as:
Name and Surname, Gender, Date of Birth, Nationality, Residence Country, Entry Date to Vietnam, Arrival Flight Number, Passport Number and Expiry Date of Passport ( Only passport valid over 7 months from entry date accepted).
The visa approval letter written in English and stamped by the immigration of Vietnam, will be sent to the applicants in order to confirm these applicants are allowed to obtain tourist visa on arrival at Noi Bai , Danang and Tan San Nhat airports , after two or three working days. They then need to bring long the copy of this visa approval letter, two brand new passport photo size and US$ 25 in cash for visa stamp fee to get visa on arrival at the immigration counter. The process of visa issue at airport may take something from 10 to 20 minutes. The tourist visa will be granted only for single entry with a maximum stay of one month in Vietnam and may be extended after your arrival in Vietnam.
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2. VIETNAM CUSTOMS AND FORMALITIES
The official declaration forms must be filled in and presented with your luggage to customs on arrival. According to the custom regulation, visitors are allowed to import 400 cigarettes; 100 cigars or 500g of tobacco; up to 5kg of tea and up to 3kg of coffee; 1.5l of liquor at 22 per cent and above, and 2l of liquor below this amount, and 3l of all other alcoholic beverages, a reasonable quantity of perfume and personal belongings, other goods not exceeding VND5 million. The commercial goods and items of high value being taken out of Vietnam require export permits from the customs service. The export of local currency is forbidden. The travellers can take with them unlimited amounts of souvenirs bought with receipts to show proof of purchase. The prohibited items are antiques, non-prescribed drugs, firearms, pornography.
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3. VIETNAM CURRENCY EXCHANGE
The official currency is Dong, non-convertible. The foreign convertible currencies can be exchanged at any bank or bureau of exchange however US Dollar is the most convenient currency which is widely accepted among major shops and restaurants. To travel in Vietnam, you are advisable to bring US$ traveller’s cheques and a little US$ cash, advisably crisp clean bills. There are four ways to exchange currency: at a bank; through authorised exchange bureaus; at hotel reception desks; and on the black market. The best rates are offered by the banks, but the exchange bureaus are generally more conveniently located and have longer opening hours. The black market rate is worse than the legal exchange rate, so if you're offered better rates than a bank it's bound to be some sort of scam. The Visa, MasterCard, American Express and JCB credit cards are accepted in the major cities and towns popular with tourists. The ATM is now omnipresent in major cities of Vietnam.The banks in remote areas may not accept travellers cheques however if you head off the beaten track you will either need to stock up on dong, or conduct a private cash transaction on the black market. The good idea is to bring a small calculator with you for currency conversions. |
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4. VIETNAM CURRENCY
The banknotes come in denominations of 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000 and 500,000dong. In small towns, it can be difficult to get change for the larger notes, so keep a stack of smaller bills handy. The coins are being reintroduced for use in Vietnam, partially to help stave off the number of counterfeit banknotes.
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5. VIETNAM ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
The electric current in Vietnam is 220 volts AC at 50 Cycles per second. To operate small appliances, laptop computers or other electronic gadgets, you will need a multi-adapter. You should check with an electronics store before leaving your home. |
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6. VIETNAM HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
No vaccinations are required except for yellow fever if you are coming from an area where the disease is present. However visitors should be inoculated against typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A & B, tetanus and polio. The malaria is present in most of the region and it is advisable to take precautions especially if traveling off the beaten track. The medical facilities are rather limited in all countries and it is essential to take out a good medical insurance policy before traveling in case evacuation is needed. |
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7. VIETNAM CLIMATE
The weather patterns in the principle cities of Vietnam are very different. The North : Winter lasts from November to April , with temperatures averaging 160C but little rainfall. Summer begins in May and lasts until October, with temperature of 300 C, heavy rainfall and the occasional Violent typhoon. The Center : Central Vietnam experiences a transitional climate, halfway between those of the north and south. The South : Temperature are fairly constant through the year; 250 C – 300 C, Seasons are determined by the rain – the dry season runs from November to April and the wet season from May to October . the hottest period is March and April, before the rain have broken . Typhoon s are quite common in coastal areas between July and November. The Highland Areas : In the hill resorts of Dalat (1,500m) , Buon Ma Thuot and Sapa , nights are cool throughout the year, and in the winter months, October to March ,it can be distinctly chilly with temperature falling to 40 C. Even in the hottest months of March and April the temperature rarely exceeds 260 C.
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8. VIETNAM FOODS
The cuisine of Vietnam comes as a pleasant surprise to many visitors and is definitely a part of the Vietnam experience not to be missed. One of the characteristics of Vietnamese food is that it is always fresh being bought the same morning straight from the market. The food is usually prepared with a minimum of oil and served with the ubiquitous fish sauce called nuoc mam. Typical Vietnamese dishes you can expect to try include pho, a type of rice noodle soup eaten for breakfast, cha gio, deep-fried spring rolls and goi ngo sen, a delicious salad made with lotus stems, shrimps and peanuts. The vegetarian food is widely available due to the b Buddhist influence in Vietnam.
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9. VIETNAM TELECOMMUNICATION
The international phone charges are steep in Vietnam and many hotels, especially up-market ones, add extra fees. The faxes can be sent from hotels, business centers and post offices. Again, the rates vary. To rent a mobile phone call 821-8465 in Hanoi or 824-2382 in Ho Chi Minh City. There is recently an exist of the new telecom suppliers providing the saving code, just get to any post offices or phone boxes to have number 171 or 178 dialled first and the international code then the country code... costs 1.30 $USD/min to any country. |
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10. VIETNAM DOMESTIC FLIGHTS
The main airline company in Vietnam is Vietnam Airlines who operates daily flights between Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Da Nang and Nha Trang. The regular services are also provided between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Buon Ma Thuot, Dalat, Na San, Phu Quoc, Pleiku, Qui Nhon and Vinh. The Pacific Airlines operates daily flight between Hanoi , Ho Chi Minh and Danang. The Northern Airport Flight Service Company operates flights by helicopter to Halong Bay from Hanoi.
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11. VIETNAM INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS
The international airports are Noi Bai in Hanoi City, Danang in Danang City and Tan San Nhat in Ho Chi Minh city.
+The cities with directs flight to Noi Bai airport in Hanoi are Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Moscow, Nanning, Paris, Singapore, Taipei, Vientiane, Osaka, Tokyo, Seoul. The airline companies currently serving Hanoi are Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines, Air France, Cathay Pacific Airways, China southern Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Laos Aviation, Singapore Airlines, Aeroflot, Thai Airways, Air Asia, Tiger Airway.
+ The cities with directs flight to Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City are Bangkok, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Moscow, Melbourne, Osaka, Tokyo, Paris, Phnom Penh, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei, Vienna, Vientiane, Taipei , Zurich Sans Francisco. The airline companies currently serving Ho Chi Minh City are Vietnam Airlines, Air France, Cathay Pacific Airways, China southern Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Swissair, Aeroflot, Thai Airways, Korean Air, Lufthansa German Airlines, Lauda Air, Asiana Airlines, Quatas Airways, United Airlines, Tiger Airway.
+ The cities with directs flight to Danang airport in Danang are Siem Reap, Bangkok, Singapore. The airline companies currently serving Danang are Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines, Tiger Airway and BP Air.
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12. VIETNAM AIRPORT TAX
The airport tax for domestic and international flights are now included in the airfare however you need to check this item when purchasing the tickets.
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13. VIETNAM RAIL TRANSPORT
The rail transport is widely used by local travelelrs. The long distance trains are more expensive but are faster, more reliable and more comfortable. At this time, some carriages have air conditioning but their facilities are still short of international standards, and foreigners’ rates are comparable to the air fares. The main rail route connects Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and the journey can take between 30 and 40 hours. There are also services from Hanoi to Haiphong, Dong Dang, Lao Cai, Thai Nguyen and from Yen Vien to Ha Long.
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14. VIETNAM ROAD TRANSPORT
The traffic drive rule in Vietnam is on the right hand side. The roads, especially in the north, are often in a bad state of repair and may be impassable during the rainy season. The drive in Vietnam can be a hair-raising experience because the normal rules of highway discipline are rarely followed by the majority of drivers. There is a good highway from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. The bus services are often poor and overcrowded although the long distance buses are sometimes more modern and air-conditioned. The minibuses often run between tourist hotels in the major towns. The car rental with driver is possible in Vietnam. The self-drive car hire is non-existent.
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15. OVERLAND TO VIETNAM
The country of Vietnam borders Cambodia , Laos and China. The overland border crossing are available at the below entry points. The visa on arrival at these border gates are not available however you need to have Vietnam visa beforehand.
+ The entry from Cambodia. There is a road crossing at Moc Bai in Tay Ninh province 80km from Ho Chi Minh City , connecting Phnom Penh in Cambodia with Ho Chi Minh City. The new crossing into Cambodia via Chau Doc , 245 km from Ho Chi Minh, is passable either by boat or road.
+ The entry from Laos. There is a road crossing at Lao Bao in Quang Tri Province, about 160km north of Hue, connecting Savannakhet with Central Vietnam. The border roads into Vietnam also includes Cau Treo in Ha Tinh Province , Nam Can in Nge An Province and Nameo in Thanh Hoa Province.
+The entry from from China: There are 03 roads crossing at Ha Khau in Lao Cai Province, Dong Dang in Lang Son Province and Mong Cai in Quang Ninh Province
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16. VIETNAM PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
The traditional new year holiday locally called Tet or Vietnamese New Year. The actual dates vary from year to year according to the lunar calendar. This holiday officially lasts 3 days but many businesses close down for a full week. This is the busiest time of the year for traveling in Vietnam and hotels, flights and trains are often full booked.
HOLIDAYS IN VIETNAM
New Year's Eve : 31 December, New Year's Day : 1 January, Chinese New Year: January or February ( depending on lunar calendar), Liberation of Saigon Day: 30 April. International Labour Day: 1 May. Birthday of Ho Chi Minh: 19 May. National Day: 2 September |
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17. BUSINESS HOURS
The opening time of offices varies depending on business sectors. They are usually open from Monday to Friday from 07:30 or 08:00 until 17:00 or 18:00 and often close for lunch between 11:30 and 13:00. In some business sectors, also open Saturday morning. The banks are generally open from Monday to Friday from 8h00 to 15h30. The shops open early and close any time between 18:00 and 22:00 during 7 days a week.
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18. TIME ZONE
The time in Vietnam is 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and lies in the same time zone as its neighbors Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.
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19. USERFUL PHONE NUMBER
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| HANOI HOSPITAL AND MERGENCY PHONE NUMBER |
International SOS: 24 hour alarm center & medical emergency teams.
Add: 31 Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
Tel: 9340555 Fax: 9340556
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Vietnam International Hospital: 24 hour emergency clinic
Add: Phuong Mai road, Hanoi
Tel: 5740740 |
Medex: 24 hour emergency (090401919)
Add: A1 Van Phuc, Suite 109-112, Kim Ma. Hanoi
Tel: 8430748 Fax: 8461750
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| HO CHI MINH HOSPITAL AND EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER |
International SOS: 24 hour emergency
Add: 65 Nguyen Du, Dist.1., Ho chi Minh city
Tel: 8298424, 8298520 Fax: 8298551. |
Alain Carpentier Foundation- IMC-Heart Institute: 24h emergency
Add: 520 Nguyen Tri Phuong, Dist.10, Ho chi Minh city
Tel: 8654025
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Colombia Asia Saigon: 24 hour emergency
Add: 8 Alexandere de Rhodes, Dist.1, Ho chi Minh city
Tel: 8238455
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