Explore Asia - Vietnam & Thailand

From the remarkable beauty of Sam Mountain and Halong Bay to the numerous sacred temples and pagodas, Vietnam has a lot to offer. It is a country that features everything from exotic culinary delights to breathtaking scenery. Seemingly endless, tranquil rice paddies stand in stark contrast to bustling cities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi which embrace all the technology and conveniences that the modern world has to offer. The well-preserved colonial buildings of Hoi An play host to a slew of charming boutiques and tempting cafes while, further north, the local hill-tribe people of Sapa sell a wide variety of exquisite crafts and handmade trinkets. Beyond the urban areas, this diverse country is characterised by vast, verdant jungles and lush mountainous regions as well as an enticing coastline peppered with golden sand, palm-lined beaches.

Currency 

Local currency: Vietnamese Dong 
Symbol: ₫ 
ISO code: VND 
Subunit: Hào 
Banknotes: ₫1000, ₫2000, ₫5000, ₫10000, ₫20000, ₫50000, ₫100000, ₫200000, ₫500000 
Coins: None 

Banking 

Card Transactions: Yes 
ATMs: Yes 
Mastercard: Yes 
Visa: Yes 
American Express: No 
Diner’s club: No 

Banking Hours: 
Weekdays: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM 
Weekends: Closed 
Public Holidays: No 
Foreign exchange services: Yes 

Air: 

Main airlines: Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air 
International Airports: Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City), Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi) 
Domestic Airports: Da Nang International Airport, Cam Ranh International Airport 

Road: 

Driving on the: Right 
Tar roads: Yes 
Gravel roads: No 
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes 
Car hire available: Yes 
Taxis: Yes 
E-hailing services: Yes 

Bus: 

Inter-city bus services: Yes 
Local city bus networks: Yes 

Rail: 

Railway system: Yes 
Subway System: No 

Water: 

Ferries: Yes 
Water taxis: Yes 
Leisure cruises: Yes 

Food and water safety: 

Can you drink the tap water: No 
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes 
Ice: Yes 
Meat: Yes 
Street food: Yes 

Local cuisine: 

Vietnamese cuisine is renowned for its fresh ingredients, balanced flavors, and diverse dishes. Pho (noodle soup), banh mi (sandwich), and spring rolls are popular street foods. Vietnamese cuisine is characterized by the use of herbs like mint and cilantro, fish sauce, and a variety of meats and seafood. Notable local drinks include Vietnamese coffee, iced tea, and sugarcane juice. 
Tipping: 5-10% 

Annual rainfall: 1500 - 2500 mm 
Average temperature: 25°C 

Summer: 

Average highs: 35°C 
Average lows: 25°C 

Winter: 

Average highs: 20°C 
Average lows: 15°C 

Best time to visit: 

The best time to visit Vietnam is from November to April when the weather is cooler and drier, making it ideal for exploring the country. 

Spring and Summer 

Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes 
Lightweight warm clothes: No 

Winter and Autumn 

Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended 
Heavyweight clothing and boots: No 

General 

Umbrella and raincoat: Yes 
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: No 
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes 
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes 
Walking shoes: Yes 
Casual: Yes 
Smart-casual attire: No 

Plug Type: Type A, Type C 
Voltage (V): 220V 
Frequency Hertz (Hz): 50Hz 

*Travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances. 

Fondly known as 'the land of smiles', Thailand is commonly associated with gorgeous golden sand, palm-lined beaches, warm aquamarine waters, glorious temples and verdant jungle-clad mountains. With sixteen million foreigners flying into the country each year, Thailand is the primary travel hub of Southeast Asia, offering a diverse range attractions and activities to suit all tastes and budgets. Whether exploring the teeming metropolis of Bangkok, relaxing on the tropical beaches of the southern islands, scuba diving in the underwater wonderland off the coast of Koh Tao, jungle trekking in the North, or discovering the ancient cities of Chiang Mai, Thailand is filled with attractions to satisfy any interest.

Currency

Local currency: Thai Baht
Symbol: ฿
ISO code: THB
Banknotes: ฿20, ฿50, ฿100, ฿500, ฿1000
Coins: ฿1, ฿2, ฿5, ฿10

Banking

Card Transactions: Yes
ATMs: Yes
Mastercard: Yes
Visa: Yes
American Express: Yes
Diner’s club: Yes

Banking Hours:
Weekdays: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Weekends: Closed, except for some mall and airport branches. Check hours with individual banks.
Public Holidays:Closed, except for some mall and airport branches.
Foreign exchange services: Yes

Air:

Main airlines: Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Thai Smile, Nok Air, AirAsia.
International Airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok), Don Mueang International Airport (Bangkok), Phuket International Airport, Chiang Mai International Airport.
Domestic Airports: Chiang Mai International Airport, Hat Yai International Airport, Krabi Airport, Udon Thani Airport, Surat Thani Airport.

Road:

Driving on the: Left
Tar roads: Yes
Gravel roads: Yes, in rural areas.
Valid International Driver's License needed: Yes
Car hire available: Yes
Taxis: Yes
E-hailing services: Yes

Bus:

Inter-city bus services: Yes
Local city bus networks: Yes

Rail:

Railway system: Yes
Subway System: Yes (in Bangkok)

Water:

Ferries: Yes
Water taxis: Yes
Leisure cruises: Yes

Food and water safety:

Can you drink the tap water: No
Fresh fruit and veg: Yes, but wash or peel before eating.
Ice: Yes, generally safe.
Meat: Yes
Street food: Yes

Local cuisine:

Thai cuisine is renowned for its vibrant flavours, aromatic spices, and balance of sweet, sour, spicy, and salty tastes. Must-try highlights include dishes like Pad Thai, Tom Yum Goong (spicy shrimp soup), Green Curry, and Som Tum (papaya salad). Popoular local drinks include Thai iced tea, Singha beer, and coconut water.
Tipping: 10-15%

Annual rainfall: 1500 - 3000 mm - varies by region.
Average temperature: 28°C

Summer:

Average highs: 33°C
Average lows: 24°C

Winter:

Average highs: 32°C
Average lows: 21°C

Best time to visit:

The best time to visit Thailand is from November to February, during the cool and dry season, when the weather is most pleasant for outdoor activities and sightseeing.

Spring and Summer

Cool, light, breathable and comfortable: Yes
Lightweight warm clothes: No, but could be useful for Northern Thailand in winter (Nov–Feb) and for air-conditioned spaces.

Winter and Autumn

Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets: Recommended
Heavyweight clothing and boots: No

General

Umbrella and raincoat: Yes
Warm gloves, hat and scarf: No
Swimming costume (bathing suit): Yes
Hat, sunglasses and sunblock: Yes
Walking shoes: Yes
Casual: Yes
Smart-casual attire: Yes

Internet cafes: Yes, less common now due to widespread Wi-Fi in hotels, cafes, and malls.
Accommodation options: Yes
Restaurants: Yes
Cafes: Yes
Shopping malls: Yes
Public parks: Yes
Libraries: Yes

Plug Type: Type A, Type B, Type C, Type O 
Voltage (V): 220V 
Frequency Hertz (Hz): 50Hz 

*Travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary depending on your appliances.