OVERVIEW
Vietnam, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, covers an area of 332,000 square kilometres of mainland territory and shares common borders with China, Laos, and Cambodia. With a population of more than 90 million, it is the most densely populated country in Southeast Asia and likely to grow rapidly as 75% population is under 30 years old. The vast majority of the population is Vietnamese and other ethnic groups include Chinese, Muong, Thai, Meo, Khmer and Cham.
Vietnam's topography varies from low, flat delta in the south and north to hilly, mountainous terrain in the centre, far north and northwest. Three-quarters of Vietnam is hilly or mountainous. One of the country’s main attractions is its 3,444 km of coastline bordering the East Sea.
Hanoi is the capital with a population of 6.5 million, and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) with a population of 7.5 million is the largest business centre of the country. Vietnam is a rapidly modernizing country thanks to its industrious population. 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 characterize this fascinating country. Images abound, but to most people Vietnam is the rumble of a million motorbikes, a patchwork of emerald-green rice paddies, throngs of women in conical hats, a long idyllic coastline and superb food!
PASSPORT & VISA
Travelers to Vietnam are required to hold a passport valid for at least six (06) months beyond the completion of their visit and must contain a valid visa.
Visas are usually issued by the Vietnamese Embassy in the passengers’ home country (against the visa’s approval number), which require the original passport, and two (02) photos and for at least three (03) full working days in order to issue a visa stamp.
Visa Exemption: Vietnam offers visa exemptions ranging from 14 to 90 days to citizens of 24 countries holding valid ordinary passports.
- Not more than 15 days: for citizens of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Japan, South Korea, Russia and is valid until 31December 2023. For citizens of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy and is valid until 30 June 2023.
Vietnam Electronic Visa (e-Visa)
- Vietnam's e-Visa is available to nationals of 80 countries: Azerbaijan, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Cuba, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Myanmar, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, Timor Lester, Uruguay, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Venezuela, etc.
- Please go to: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/web/guest/trang-chu-ttdt for a full guide on how to apply for Vietnam's e-Visa.
- The e-Visa takes three working days to process, costs $25 USD, and is a single-entry visa, valid for 30 days. You can enter Vietnam on an e-Visa at any of the country's eight international airports, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Danang, as well as 14 land crossings and seven seaports.
AIRPORT TAX
Airport departure tax for international and domestic flights is included in the airfare.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Before traveling to Vietnam, be sure to purchase insurance for your trip. If you have a medical condition or allergy of which requires particular attention, carry a doctor’s letter with you that describes the nature of the condition and treatment needed.
Some medications can be difficult to find in Vietnam: be sure you travel with a full supply of any prescribed medicine you need. Those visitors taking medicine for certain conditions such as diabetes or heart problems should make sure that they carry these medications in their hand luggage at all times in case the main luggage should be delayed.
The sun is strong throughout the year so proper care against sunburn and dehydration must be constantly taken. Vietnam is a tropical country so insect repellent is essential. It is recommended that all travellers take out comprehensive Personal Travel Insurance to cover personal expenses, in case of accident, illness, etc.
CURRENCY & EXCHANGE
Vietnam's unit of currency is the Vietnamese đồng (abbreviated: “d” or VND). The Vietnamese Đồng is represented by the '₫' symbol. You can find notes in denominations of 200₫, 500₫, 1,000₫, 2,000₫, 5,000,₫ 10,000₫, 20,000₫, 50,000₫, 100,000₫, 200,000₫, and 500,000₫. Currency exchange counters are available at airports, banks, and official exchange centres.
ATMs are not hard to come by across the country: in the shopping malls, near restaurants, bars and convenience stores. To easily find your nearest ATM, you can visit MasterCard’s ATM locator or Visa’s ATM locator. The majority of ATMs belong to local Vietcombank but you can also find many foreign banks’ ATMs of ANZ, CitiBank and HSBC.
Most of the Vietnamese banks’ ATMs have a 2 million VND limit per single withdrawal the city, and 4 million VND limit inside the city. The foreign banks have higher limits for one withdrawal.
LOCAL TIME & WORKING HOURS
Local time is GMT + 7 hours.
Governmental agencies work 8 hours a day from 8:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs (excluding one-hour lunch break). Working days are from Monday to Friday.
Banks in Vietnam open from 7:30am or 8am to 4:30pm. Some banks are open on Saturday mornings from 8am to 11:30pm. Sunday is close.
Private shops are open from 8:00 hrs or 8:30 hrs to 21:00 hrs or 23:00 hrs. During the Lunar New Year shops may be closed for several days before and after as well as during the festive holidays, depending on recommendations made by a fortune teller.
RELIGION
The major religious traditions in Vietnam are Buddhism (which fuses forms of Taoism and Confucianism), Christianity (Catholicism and Protestantism), Islam, Caodaism and the Hoa Hao sect.
Buddhism - Buddhism was first introduced to Vietnam in the 2nd century, and reached its peak in the Ly dynasty (11th century). It was then regarded as the official religion dominating court affairs. Buddhism was preached broadly among the population and it enjoyed a profound influence on people's daily life. Its influence also left marks in various areas of traditional literature and architecture. As such, many pagodas and temples were built during this time. At the end of the 14th century, Buddhism began to show signs of decline. The ideological influence of Buddhism, however, remained very strong in social and cultural life. Presently, over 70 percent of the population of Vietnam is either Buddhist or strongly influenced by Buddhist practices.
Catholicism - Catholicism was introduced to Vietnam in the 17th century. At present the most densely-populated Catholic areas are Bui Chu-Phat Diem in the northern province of Ninh Binh and Ho Nai-Bien Hoa in Dong Nai Province to the South. About 10 percent of the population is considered Catholic.
Protestantism - Protestantism was introduced to Vietnam at about the same time as Catholicism. Protestantism, however, remains an obscure religion. At present most Protestants live in the Central Highlands. There still remains a Protestant church on Hang Da Street in Hanoi. The number of Protestants living in Vietnam is estimated at 400,000.
Islam - Islamic followers in Vietnam are primarily from the Cham ethnic minority group living in An Giang province. The number of Islamic followers in Vietnam totals about 50,000.
Caodaism - Caodaism was first introduced to the country in 1926. Settlements of the Cao Dai followers in South Vietnam are located near the Church in Tay Ninh. The number of followers of this sect is estimated at 2 million.
Hoa Hao Sect - The Hoa Hao Sect was first introduced to Vietnam in 1939. More than 1 million Vietnamese are followers of this sect. Most of them live in the south-west of Vietnam.
Mother Worship - Researchers describe the Vietnamese mother-worship cult as a primitive religion. Mother, Me in the Vietnamese language, is pronounced Mau in Sino-script. The mother worship cult might be originated from the cult of the Goddess in ancient ages. In the middle Ages, the Mother was worshipped in temples and palaces. Due to the fact that it is a worshipping custom and not a religion, the Mother worshipping cult has not been organized as Buddhism and Catholicism have. As a result, the different affiliations of the cult have yet to be consistent and different places still have different customs. The custom of Mother capital letter originated from the north. In the south, the religion has integrated the local goddesses such as Thien Y A Na (Hue) and Linh Son (Tay Ninh). In fact, the Mother worship cult was influenced by other religions, mainly Taoism.
CLIMATE
Vietnam stretches over 1,800 km from north to south and its topography varies from coastal plain to mountain ranges; therefore, weather patterns in the principle cities are very different.
North: Winter lasts from November to April, with temperatures averaging 10 C – 16 C and during January – March fog and drizzle. Summer begins in May and lasts until October, with an average temperature of 30 C, heavy rainfall and the occasional violent typhoon.
Centre: Central Vietnam experiences a transitional climate, with heavy rain falls between November and December and dry, hot summer months.
South: Temperatures are fairly constant throughout the year; 25 C – 30 C. Seasons are determined by the rains – the dry season runs from November to April and the wet season from May to October. The hottest period is March and April. Typhoons are quite common in coastal areas between July and November.
Highland areas: In the hill resorts of Dalat (1,500 m), Buon Ma Thuot and Sapa, nights are cool throughout the year, and in the winter months, during October to March, it can be distinctly chilly with temperatures falling to 0 C, and even during the hottest months of March and April the temperature rarely exceeds 26 C.
LANGUAGUE
Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam. Learning foreign languages, particularly English, is currently popular amongst young people in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Danang and other cities.
ELECTRICITY /POWER PLUGS
The voltage supply in Vietnam is 220 volts AC, 50 cycles; Most sockets accommodate plugs with two round prongs. If you need adaptors, you can find them at any electrical shop. Power cuts and surges are not common but may happen from time to time depending on the location.
CLOTHING
Generally, we recommend bringing light loose fitting cotton clothes for the warmer months and for Southern Vietnam. If travelling to the north some form of layering is required as Hanoi can experience wide temperature changes from one day to the next. During the winter months in the north and for travelling to the mountains it is imperative to bring warm clothing. An umbrella is definitely useful during the rainy periods. Formal style clothing is not required. A sarong with its multi uses is a very useful item to bring. Laundry facilities are widely available and quick. When visiting a temple or pagoda, you should wear long trousers and dress respectfully.
DRINKING WATER
Never drink water from the hotel tap, no matter what category of hotel you are staying in. Bottled mineral water is available at all hotels throughout Vietnam. Do not have any ice in your drinks as this is often made from water that has not been purified.
INTERNET
Most Vietnamese cities have excellent Wi-Fi and free public Internet access is available in several tourist hubs, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, Hue, Hanoi, and Halong Bay. Vietnam is well-wired and you will never have a problem finding a connection close by. Internet access is available at almost all hotels and free Wi-Fi is common in cafes, spas and restaurants.
SIMCARDS
Getting a local SIM card in Vietnam is fast and inexpensive. There are three major GSM network operators in Vietnam, and all have good coverage:
- Viettel
- Vinaphone
- Mobifone
You can buy SIM cards right before the terminal exit at major airports, as well as from countless stores and small shops across the country. You will need to show your passport to register your SIM card. Prices for SMS messages and calls are extremely affordable within Vietnam. Data-only SIM cards may cost 100,000 VND to 200,000 VND depending on the amount of data purchased. If you run out credit, you can easily buy more from mobile shops or grocery stores.
POSTAL SERVICES
The Vietnamese postal service is generally reliable, although packages can take longer to arrive than expected and are often held at the post office for pick-up. Mailboxes are uncommon. If you are sending postcards home, give them to your hotel to mail or send them directly from a post office.
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 handicraft 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. When shopping please consider individual customs and import regulations of your own country as well as regulations regarding the protection of species.
TIPPING
Tipping is widely practiced and expected; Suggested tips:
Porters: VND 10.000 - 20.000 per bag Waiters in restaurants: 5-10% of total bill Taxi drivers: 10% of total bill
Tour guides: VND 100.000 - 150.000 per person/per day Drivers: VND 50.000 - 100.000 per person/per day
Doorman/Bellboy at hotels: VND 20.000 -40.000 per person/per day Cyclo ride: VND 50.000 -100.000 per person/per trip
Boat trip in Mekong Delta, Tam Coc, Hue: VND 50.000 -100.000 per person/per trip Halong Cruise/Mekong Cruise: VND 50.000 -100.000 per person/per trip
FOOD & DINING
Vietnam has abundant food supplies and an elaborate cuisine. Cooking is seen as an art and some Vietnamese dishes have achieved international fame, including such traditional dishes as noodle soup (pho), pork sausage (gio lua), spring rolls (nem ran), and fish balls (cha ca). In addition to Vietnamese food, the larger hotels also serve a wide variety of Continental and Chinese cuisine. In the smaller cities, where hotels only have one restaurant, ordering a-la-carte may involve a slight wait. Consequently, it is advised that if in a rush, you take advantage of the large and diverse buffets available at these hotels to minimize any delay.
Joining in a half or full day cooking class is a fun and unique way to become more acquainted with Vietnamese cuisine. Please see our excursions in Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City for detailed information about cooking classes. Vietnam has some excellent and atmospheric restaurants. Please refer to our list of restaurant recommendations or contact your local tour guide for more suggestions.
SAFETY & SECURITY
Vietnam is generally a safe country. However, some simple common sense precautions with possessions lessen the chances of becoming a victim to petty theft. Carry your handbag or rucksack to the front of you and be particularly aware that handbag snatches / thefts from motorbikes occur especially in the larger cities and crowds.
It is advised to keep luggage locked while travelling, whether it is stored in the hold of a car or bus, during flights or train journeys. Virtually all hotels have safe deposit boxes.
FLIGHTS DOMESTIC
Any flight in your itinerary is in economy class, unless specified otherwise. Flight times quoted are local and subject to change. Domestic flights require a check-in 1 hour prior to the flight departure. Vietnam Airlines has frequent flight time changes and cancellations often occur at short notice even after confirmations for a flight have been received. Carry-on luggage is limited to one piece plus a camera. All “carry-on” hand luggage must have luggage tags which are provided by the airlines when passengers check in at the airports for their flights. Security regulations at airports are strict. Appropriate announcements may or may not be made for this procedure. In economy class air travel baggage allowance is 20kg per person. Excess baggage may be subject to overweight charges by the airline.
RESTRICT AREAS AND OVERLAND BORDER CROSSING
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. Driving at night should be avoided, whenever possible. Traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road. Drivers are very unlikely to speak any English.
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. There is ample opportunity to smoke during photographic, luncheon and sightseeing stops.
Border crossing into Vietnam is possible from China, Laos and Cambodia. Regulations for crossing overland borders can change at short notice.
When travelling by train, please be prepared for the fact that schedule changes occur frequently and sometimes without prior notification.
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 you in this regard.
Due to recent emergence as a tourist destination, the standards of tour guides in Vietnam can vary from the young dynamic and eager to embrace western ideas to the more rigid, staid communist approach.
Please note that the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi is closed every Monday and Friday and for the full duration of two months in autumn, usually in October and November. Museums are closed on Mondays and partly on Fridays.
