Vietnam has only recently become a tourist and business 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.
The visa is usually delivered by Vietnamese Embassies who require the original passport and 2 photos for three full working days in order to stamp the visa. If the visa approval is arranged by Our Company upon the client request, the personal data must be supplied to us at least seven days before arrival to Viet Nam . The visa can also be obtained upon arrival at Vietnam international airports such as Noi Bai, Danang, Tan San Nhat, in which case the stamping fee will be quoted separately. Our Company also requires passport details in advance for visa stamp upon arrival. Then, an approval letter will be sent to clients in order to confirm that clients will obtain the visa on arrival. It could be the quickest way to get Vietnam visa since the formalities take only three full working days ( except Saturday, Sunday or holiday). The tourist visa will be granted only for single entry with a maximum stay in Vietnam of one month. The tourist visa and is good for thirty days and may be extended after your arrival in Vietnam
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 strong Buddhist influence in Vietnam.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
New Year's Day : Jan 1, Liberation of Saigon Day on 30 April. International Labour Day on 1 May. Birthday of Ho Chi Minh on 19 May. National Day on 2 September, New Year's Eve : December 31
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.
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.
Tags: Vietnam Travel Tips, Vietnam Travel Advisor, Vietnam Travel Informations, Vietnam Travel Guide
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