Vietnam travel info

General information for the traveller new to Vietnam.

Visas
All foreign nationals visiting Vietnam require a visa and this should be obtained prior to arrival from a Vietnamese Embassy, Consulate or a travel agent. The visa takes around five working days to process and once issued, you must enter the country within 90 days. Tourist visas are available on a single or multiple entry basis and there is also a business visa for frequent travellers to Vietnam (although a letter of invitation from a recognised Vietnamese company will be required). Ensure that the correct entry and exit points are entered on the visa as these tend to be strictly enforced - especially when using overland border crossings. If the visa is issued as a loose piece of paper make photocopies and keep these separate from your passport. This will save you extra hassle and a lot of time and expense should you lose the visa while in Vietnam.

Customs
Entry into Vietnam can be extremely bureaucratic; lots of forms to fill in and pieces of paper to keep. Make copies and take great care of all customs forms issued on arrival, as these must be presented upon departure. If the paperwork cannot be produced, you may be fined and it all becomes very time consuming. Keep all Foreign Exchange Certificates and receipts for goods purchased in Vietnam. In order to bring items such as electronic goods, laptops and cameras into the country you must write down the details for customs - so note these before arrival to save time and paperwork. Be aware that customs officers may wish to view videotapes. Foreign currency in excess of US$3,000 must be declared on arrival and no more than VND5,000,000 can be imported/exported.

Visitors are allowed to take the following into Vietnam duty free:

Alcohol - 1 litre of alcohol
Tobacco- 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco

Restrictions are placed on antiques being exported from the country and current information should be confirmed with a local Vietnamese Embassy.

Penalties for carrying or trafficking illegal drugs are severe, ranging from long prison sentences to the death penalty.

Time
Vietnamese time: GMT + 7

Currency
Dong (VND or d) - Check current exchange rates
Notes issued -VND50,000, VND20,000, VND10,000, VND5,000, VND2,000, VND1,000, VND500, VND200, VND100
No coins are issued
The government is trying to enforce a policy where all business transactions in Vietnam are carried out in VND. Certain establishments are officially licensed to trade in US$ (some hotels, travel agents and a small number of businesses) but despite the fact that it is officially illegal for other businesses, the reality is that the dollar is widely accepted. In actual fact, paying for items in VND generally gets you a better deal than the rate given for US$.

Language
The official language is Vietnamese; however French, English, Russian and Chinese are spoken to varying degrees in different parts of the country. Some English tends to be spoken in most tourist areas and is actually now taught as the second language in Vietnamese schools - local people are often keen to practice their English.

Tipping
Tipping is not expected but definitely appreciated. Some of the more expensive restaurants add 10-15%. About US$ 0.50 - US$1 is considered acceptable for a chambermaid or porter.

Banking Hours
Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 11.30 am and 1.00 pm to 4.30 pm

Telephone
The international dialling code for Vietnam is + 84
When making international telephone calls from Vietnam first dial 00 + country code + area code + telephone number

Local Telephone Codes

Bin Thuen 062

Da Lat 063

Danang 051

Ha Long Bay 033

Hai Phong 031

Hanoi 04

Ho Chi Minh 08

Hoi An 051

Hue 054

Nha Trang 058

Electricity
Mostly 220 V AC, 50 cycles, however some places still use 110V. Be aware that the current can be uneven so appliances may not perform very reliably, even with adapters. In the south, sockets tend to be for American style flat 2 pin plugs, while the north mainly uses Russian style round 2 pin plugs.

Water
Avoid using ice cubes and stick to (sealed) bottled water, as even in the cities the chlorinated tap water still needs boiling for up to 20 minutes to kill any bacteria.

Health
There are reasonably good medical services in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh but away from these major cities, medical services can be poor and comprehensive health insurance covering evacuation is recommended. Think seriously about being inoculated against hepatitis A, polio and typhoid; consider Japanese encephalitis, pre-exposure rabies vaccination and anti-malarials. The major cities and coastal areas are considered low risk for malaria but elsewhere it is best to be vigilant. Be sure that you have decided your itinerary when discussing health requirements with your doctor prior to the trip. It is essential that you check the current situation with regard to all potential health hazards and any vaccination requirements.

International Airports

Danang
Hanoi - Noi Bai
Ho Chi Minh - Tan Son Nhat

International Airport Departure Tax
US$10 (payable in US$ or VND)

Domestic Airports
All international airports mentioned above plus the following:

Bao Loc
Buon Me Thuot
Can Tho
Da Nang
Dalat
Dien Bien Phu
Haiphong
Hue
Nha Trang
Plei Ku
Qui Nhon
Rach Gia
Vinh

Domestic Airport Departure Tax
From VND15,000 to VND20,000 depending on airport

Etiquette/Dress Code
In recent years young Vietnamese have enthusiastically embraced Western fashions and culture but away from the beach revealing clothes are still considered quite shocking and disrespectful. Modest dress is recommended in Vietnam - avoid short skirts, shorts and sleeveless clothing. Dress even more respectably when visiting temples and churches ensuring that shoulders and legs are covered.

Diplomatic Missions
A number of countries have representative offices and consulates in both Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi.

Useful Sources of Information
Further information on Vietnamese culture and tourist attractions.