Vietnam Travel Tips - things you need to know when travelling in Vietnam
Friday, 02 September 2011 20:33
Things you need to know when travelling in Vietnam: Vietnam travel tips, Air access, Air access, Climate of Vietnam, Vietnamese currency, Vietnam custom regulations, Food and drinks, Vietnam travel health, How to apply visa to Vietnam.
Air access
This is the most convenient way to enter Vietnam. Formalities at Vietnam’s international airports are generally smoother than at land borders, as volume of traffic is greater.
Network of Airports in Vietnam
- For both International and Domestic flights: Noi Bai (35km northwest of Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat (in Ho Chi Minh City), Danang (in Danang city).
- For Domestic flights only (North to South): Muong Thanh (in Dien Bien), Son La (in Son La), Cat Bi (in Hai Phong), Vinh (in Nghe An), Phu Bai (in Hue), Pleiku (in Pleiku), Buon Ma Thuot (in Buon Ma Thuot), Cam Ranh (in Nha Trang), Dalat (in Dalat), Can Tho (in Can Tho) and Phu Quoc (in Phu Quoc island).
For international flights
Cities having direct flights to Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat airport includes: Bangkok, Beijing, Franfurt, Fukuoka, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Kuala Lumpur, Kunming, Manila, Melbourne, Moscow, Osaka, Paris, Phnom Penh, Pusan, Seoul, Siem Reap, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei, Tokyo, Vientiane.
If entering through Danang airport, you can only fly from Bangkok.
If there’s no direct flight to Vietnam, the best way is taking a flight to Bangkok or Hong Kong and gets a connecting flight on arrival. You can either stay there several days for leisure (recommended for shopping) before flight to Vietnam. As they are two greatest hubs of Southeast Asia (many flights daily), you can depart at flexible time and have significant savings on ticket prices.
Domestic routes
Domestic flights are operated by Pacific Airlines (airline code: BL - www.pacificairlines.com.vn) and Vietnam Airlines (mostly), the state-owned flag carrier with modern fleet of Airbuses and Boeings. They offer a lot of daily flights and give many options for air travel throughout the country. But due to the low infrastructure, flights are always overbooked and cannot be reserved overseas. Cancellation and late flight are common.
As they’re our only choices in Vietnam, you’d better have a travel agent to book and secure domestic flights and keep informed on its status. Check the domestic flights hereVietnam Airlines Timetable 2006
Ticket reconfirmation
Depended on airliners’ policy, when you are in Vietnam, you should reconfirm the tickets 48 hours or 24 hours prior departure time to avoid any delay or cancellation or unsecured seat (automatically cancelled by system). Please check with ticket seller whether your tickets are required to do or not. Reconfirmation can be done at any their booking offices in Vietnam. Normally, your travel agent in Vietnam will do it as it takes a bit time.
Vietnam Airlines
Hanoi: 1 Quang Trung Str., Hanoi, tel: (84-4) 832-0320
Saigon: 116-118 Nguyen Hue Blvd., tel: (84-8) 829-2118
Pacific Airlines
Hanoi: 152 Le Duan Str., tel: (84-4) 518-1503
Saigon: 77 Le Thanh Ton Str., District 1, tel: (84-8) 823-1285
Business hours in Vietnam (GMT +7)
A normal working day in Vietnam starts from 7am to 8.30am and finish between 4pm to 6pm, from Monday to Friday and until noon on Saturday, leave the afternoon (most) and Sunday off.
Lunch is taken very seriously and virtually. Everything shuts down between noon and 1.30pm. Government workers tend to take longer breaks, so figure on getting nothing done between 11.30am and 2pm.
- Post offices keep longer, from 6.30am to 9pm.
- Banks open from 8am to 4pm and Saturday’s morning.
- Museums also open in the weekend for visitors but close on Monday.
- Temples and pagodas open every day, from around 5am to 9pm.
- Markets open at 7am and close at 5pm, except Night market (from Hang Dao Str. to Dong Xuan market – walking streets, in the evening of Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 8pm to 3am)
- Super-markets (mini-marts) open from 8am to 8pm or 9pm.
- Most private shops, restaurants and street stalls stay open seven days a week, often until late at night.
- Bars and night clubs generally open in the afternoon and to midnight (official closing time) but always till 1pm or 2pm (most)
Climate of Vietnam
The climate of Vietnam varies considerably from region to region. Although the entire country lies in the tropics and subtropics, local condition varies from frosty winters in the far northern hill to year-round, subequatorial warmth in the Mekong Delta.
Vietnam’s weather is indicated by two monsoons. The winter monsoon comes from the northeast between October and March, bringing wet cold winter to all areas north of Nha Trang, and dry and warm temperatures to the south. From April or May to October, the southwestern monsoon bring warm, humid weather to the whole country except for those areas sheltered by mountains.
For the best balance, try the months of April, May or October;
For those sticking to the south, November to February is dry and a touch cooler;
From July to November, violent and unpredictable typhoons hit central and northern Vietnam.
It gets pretty crowded from November to March and in June and August. Prices tend to peak over the Christmas and New Year period, but if you don’t fancy sharing the sites with the masses, try to avoid these busy times.
Some travellers like to time a visit with Tet (Vietnamese New Year), which is the biggest festival in the calendar in late January or early February. A nice idea but not ideal, as the whole country is on the move.
Vietnamese currency - Vietnam Dong (VND)
The currency of Vietnam is "Dong" (abbreviated "d" or VND). Bank notes are: 100d , 200d and 500d (too small value - rarely used); 1,000d; 2,000d; 5,000d; 10,000d, 20,000d, 50,000d and 100,000d (each has two versions - cotton and polymer), 200,000d and 500,000d. Coins have recently come into circulation but not widely been accepted due to inconvenience, including: 200d; 500d; 1,000d; 2,000d and 5,000d. Their photos are as below.
US dollar is widely accepted while most major currencies can be exchanged at leading banks in Vietnam (Vietcombank, ANZ, ACB, VIB Bank…) or some hotels and jewelry shops. The official rate of exchange is approximately VND15,500 to US$1. With the relatively low value of Dong, you are recommended to carry US dollar in small notes; it will help you to change easily.
ATMs can be a choice as it’s very popular in most of tourist destinations now. Vietcombank (VCB) has the best network in the country. Withdrawals are issued in Dong (50,000d and 100,000d only). There is a limit of 2,000,000d (about US$125) for each withdrawal and a daily limit of 20,000,000d. Fee is 50,000d (US$3) each time.
Visa, MasterCard and JCB cards are widely accepted. Some merchants also accept Amex. A 4%-commission charge on every transaction (3% for other cards) is pretty common, due to bank’s policy. Getting cash in advance from cards is possible at Vietcombank and some foreign banks in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Travellers Cheques are accepted at most of hotels, restaurants but in major cities. If you only have travellers cheques, stock up on US dollars at a bank, which usually charge anywhere from 1.25% to 3% commission to change them into cash. VCB charges no commission to changing travellers cheques for Dong. If your travellers cheques are in currencies other than US dollars, they may be useless beyond the major cities. Hefty commissions are the norm it they can be exchanged at all.
Vietnam custom regulations
Arriving in Vietnam, all visitors must fill in declaration forms and show their luggage to Customs Officials upon request. There are no limited amounts of foreign currency, objects made of gold, silver, precious metals and gemstones or plated with silver or gold but visitors must declare these in detail on the customs forms.
Luggage of Prohibited and Restricted carriage
- Following materials are prohibited accompanying baggage: corrosive, gas, explosive, toxic, oxygen, radioactive, flammable...
- Following materials are not permitted accompanying baggage: knife, scissors, gun, cartridge, wheelchair with battery;
- Passenger should not put money, jewel, document, important samples... in your baggage. Baggage should be covered and locked carefully;
- Passenger should not put breakable materials such as china, electronic, bottle, jar... inside your baggage;
- Following goods are prohibited carrying in flight: fish sauce, durian...
Entry Vietnam
- Tourists are authorized to bring in the following items duty-free: Cigarettes: 400 pieces; Cigars: 50-100; Tobacco: 100 gram; Liquor: 1.5l.
- Personal effects of a reasonable quantity
- Small gift items valued at not more than US$500.
- You are expected to declare:
- Cameras, camcorders and other electric equipments not for personal use
- Jewelry not for personal use;
- Currency over US$7,000 (There is no limit to the amounts of cash, precious metals and gems people can bring in, but amounts of over US$7,000 must be declared);
- Video tapes (they may be kept few days and screened).
Exit Vietnam
Goods of commercial nature and articles of high value require export permits issued by the Customs Office.
Antiques, some precious stones and animals listed in Vietnam's red-book may not be brought out of the country.
Money: below US$3,000 of cash.
Things to do or not to do in Vietnam
DO
- Store your cash, credit cards, airline tickets and other valuables in a safe place. Most 4-star hotels have in-room safes, otherwise ask the reception to keep your valuable things in their deposit facility.
- Take a hotel business card from the reception desk before venturing out from your hotel. This will make your return to the hotel in a taxi or cyclo much easier.
- Carry a roll of toilet paper in your daypack on long excursions from your base hotel. You never know when you might need it!
- Dress appropriately. Not only for the prevailing weather, but also not to cause offence to the local people. Vietnamese have conservative dress codes, and it is only in larger cities that these codes are a little more relaxed. Do not wear revealing clothing.
- If invited into a home, always remove your shoes at the front door when entering.
- Ask for permission when taking a photograph of someone. If they indicate that they do not want you to, then abide by their wishes. DO NOT offer money or push the issue.
- Drink plenty of bottled water. During the summer months you should be drinking a minimum of two liters per day. If you drink tea, coffee & alcohol you should increase you water intake accordingly as these will help to dehydrate you.
DON’T
- Never carry more money than you need when walking around the streets. Do not wear large amounts of jewelry. There are two reasons for not doing this:
- (1) It is considered impolite to flaunt wealth in public;
- (2) It is more likely that you may become a victim of a pickpocket or drive-by bag snatcher.
- Don't be paranoid about your security, just be aware of your surroundings.
- Don't wear singlets, shorts, dresses or skirts, or tops with low-neck lines and bare shoulders to Temples and Pagodas. To do this is considered extremely rude and offensive.
- Avoid giving empty water bottles, sweets and candies or pens to the local people when trekking through ethnic minority villages. You cannot guarantee that the empty bottles will be disposed of in a correct manner, and the people have no access to dental health. If you want to give pens, ask your guide to introduce you to the local teacher and donate them to the whole community.
- Never sleep or sit with the soles of your feet pointing towards the family altar when in someone’s house.
- Never lose your temper in public or when bargaining for a purchase. This is considered a serious loss of face for both parties. Always maintain a cool and happy demeanor and you will be reciprocated with the same.
- Do not try to take photographs of military installations or anything to do with the military. This can be seen as a breach of national security.
- Never take video cameras into the ethnic minority villages. They are considered to be too intrusive by the local people.
The above advice is meant to help you have a perfect trip to Vietnam. Do not be overly paranoid though. Generally, Vietnamese people are very appreciative if they see you trying to abide by the customs, and very forgiving if you get it wrong or forget. If you make the effort, you will be rewarded.
Food and drinks
Eating in Vietnam ranges from cheap noodle soups on the street for about 25 cents to a banquet in one of the luxury hotels. Vietnamese restaurants offer a broad selection of international fare including French, Italian, American, Indian, Chinese and Japanese.
The most typical Vietnamese food is Pho, the noodle soup with meat in it. It is very cheap at around 10,000d per bowl and usually well spiced. The main types are: Pho Bo with beef, Pho Bo Tai with rare beef fillets and Pho Ga with chicken. Com – steamed white rice is eaten for lunch and dinner. Nuoc Mam is the fermented fish sauce used to spice absolutely everything in Vietnam.
Seasonal fruits such as dragon fruit, rambutans and longans, fresh vegetables and local seafood are widely available, although supply can vary by region and season. All fruits and vegetables should be cooked or peeled before eaten.
Drinking water or ice is generally not recommended, even in the cities. Bottled water is cheap and readily available, so we recommend you don't take the risk.
Vietnam is a beer culture and Hanoi is the “bia hoi” capital of Vietnam. Bia hoi (draught beer) is one of things you should not be missed. It’s the most popular beverage throughout the country and the cheapest beer in the world, 2,000d a glass. For the higher quality, there are plenty of local as well as imported brands, such as 333, Carlsberg, Hanoi, Tiger, Saigon, LaRue, San Miguel and Heineken.
Beside beer, Vietnam is also a place to enjoy tea (Thai Nguyen tea or “Thai tea”), coffee (“Trung Nguyen coffee”) or something heavier, wine (“Nep Moi” – the Vietnamese whisky).
TIP: Tram phan tram! and Zho zho!
Remember these words well as all over Vietnam, glasses of beer or wine are raised and emptied, cries of “100%” or “bottoms up” and “cheers!” echo around the table.
Vietnam travel health
Travellers tend to worry about contracting infectious diseases when in the tropics, but infections are a rare cause of serious illness or death in travellers. Pre-existing medical conditions such as heart disease, and accidental injury (especially traffic accidents), account for most life-threatening problems. Becoming ill in some way, however, is a relatively common thing. Fortunately, most common illnesses can either be prevented with some common-sense behaviour or be treated easily with a well-stocked traveller’s medical kit.
Heath care in Vietnam
Health issues and the quality of medical facilities vary enormously depending on where and how you travel in Vietnam. Many of the major cities are now very well developed, although travel to rural areas can expose you to a variety of health risks and inadequate medical care.
Some international hospitals/clinics in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (American, French and German doctors on staff)
In Hanoi: (tel code: 84-4)
Hanoi French Hospital
1 Phuong Mai Str.
Tel: 577-1100, emergency: 574-1111
Family Medical Practice
Unit 109-112, Van Phuc, Blog A1, Kim Ma Str.
Tel: 843-0748 (24hours))
International SOS
31 Hai Ba Trung Str.
Tel: 934-0666, emergency: 934-0555
Vietnam-Korea Friendship Hospital
12 Chu Van An Str.
Tel: 843-7231
In Ho Chi Minh City: (tel code: 84-8)
International SOS
65, Nguyen Du Str.
Tel: 829-8520, emergency: 829-8424
Saigon International Clinic
8 Alexandre de Rhodes Str., District 1
Tel: 823-8888
Gia Dinh International Hospital
1 Trang Long Str., Bin Thanh District
Tel: 803-0678
Franco Vietnamese Hospital
6 Nguyen Luong Bang Str., District 7
Tel: 411-3333
Internet access in Vietnam
Today the Internet is widely available throughout towns and cities in Vietnam, including dial-up (VNN1260 or VNN1269) and ADSL (MEGA VNN). ADSL services are using in most hotels, guesthouses and cyber cafés while dial-up services can be used through telephone line.
Hotels and guesthouses may apply varied charges on internet usage. Cyber cafés are a good choice with just 2,000 to 3,000d per hour. Many post offices also offer this service.
It’s easy to access internet with a personal notebook or laptop (with “standard” modem) as hotels offer several facilities in the room. You can buy prepaid cards to save cost, they are sold at most post offices. Remember that the power supply voltage may vary from that at home, risking damage to your equipment.
Vietnam travel insurance
Don’t travel without health insurance, even if you’re fit and healthy – accidents do happen.
Find out your insurance plan, declare any existing medical conditions you have to make clear which will cover you. You may require extra cover for adventure activities such as rock climbing. Check their payment plan (e.g.: directly to providers or reimburse you after you pay on the spot). It may decide which medical-expense option you have to pay, as well as documentation, policies required.
If you travel through a local agent, they normally supply insurance services of Bao Viet or Bao Minh (state-owned companies), with the highest assessment of US$10,000. Fee is about US$1,5 per day.
Visa to Vietnam
No matter which way of access you choose, a Vietnamese entry visa is required for all foreigners, except for citizens of countries having bilateral agreements on visa exemption with Vietnam.
Types of visa to Vietnam
Diplomatic and official visa:
No fees unless otherwise agreed upon between Vietnam and applicant’s country. On applying this visa, you must submit an official letter from the concerned agencies of local government, foreign embassies or consulates accredited to the country, international organizations, or other accredited organizations based in that country.
Business visa:
On applying this visa, you should obtain an approval through your sponsor in Vietnam. It’s generally much easier to apply once in Vietnam. Multiple entry and stay of three-month or six-month is possible.
Tourist visa: (short staying time) It's what you need to enter Vietnam!
Available one-month single-entry visa (maximum stay in Vietnam of one month). Tourist visa may be extended one time for 30 days after your arrival in Vietnam.
If you plan to spend more than a month in Vietnam, or if you plan to exit Vietnam and re-enter from Cambodia, Laos or China, you will need a three-month multiple-entry visa with the approval from local agents.
How to apply visa to Vietnam
You can either apply yourself at Vietnamese embassies or consulates in your country or have a local travel agent (your sponsor) to do a part or full its procedure.
By yourself:
Required documentations:
you have to submit: passport of six months’ validity, visa application forms, and probably some others required by Vietnamese embassy or consulates in your country. Visa forms are available by getting directly or by mail with a stamped, self-addressed envelope addressed to their Visa section. Request by email is perhaps acceptable (in some cases).
See Visa application form and list of Vietnamese Embassies and Consulates abroad (also available Foreign Embassies and Consulates in Vietnam).
Time:
processing tourist visa application typically takes four or five working days.
Cost:
fees vary from embassy to embassy; about $50 in Bangkok and $85 in Washington, for example.
By local agent:
Provide two types of visa services: Visa Application letter and Full-packaged service (on-arrival visa). Please refer to the Detailed visa procedure and services for more information
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