• AIRPORT TAX

• GETTING THERE

• HEALTH

• MONEY – CURRENCY

• SAFETY

• TELECOMMUNICATIONS

• TIME

• TRANSPORTATION

• VISAS

• WEATHER

• OTHERS
  

• Airport Tax

  • Is there any airport departure tax in Vietnam?
    Yes, an international departure tax is payable by all travellers leaving Vietnam. It is not included in the price of your flight ticket and must be purchased at the airport before departure.
    
    In Ho Chi Minh City, the International departure tax is USD 12.
    In Hanoi, the International departure tax is USD 14.
    In Danang, the International departure tax is USD 12.
    
    Domestic flights are not subject to airport tax. It is already included in the price of your ticket.
    
    NOTE: You can purchase your international departure tax in US$ or in Vietnamese Dong.
    Airport tax is subject to change without prior notice.

• Getting there

  • How can I get to Vietnam by air?
    Ho Chi Minh City's (Saigon) Tan Son Nhat Airport is Vietnam's busiest international air hub, followed by Hanoi's Noi Bai Airpot. A few international flights also serve Danang. Bangkok has emerged as the principle embarkation point for Vietnam but it's still possible to get direct flights from a number of major Asian cities and a few Australian cities including:
    
    Cheap airlines are limited to Air Asia operated between Hanoi and Bangkok, Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur, Jetstar between Ho Chi Minh City and Sydney, Tiger Airway between Hanoi/ Ho Chi Minh City and Singapore.
    
    NOTE:
    It is much more expensive to buy a ticket in Vietnam than your native country. Depending on your country of origin, ask your national carrier - they may have convenient
    flights for you. You can also consult your local travel agent for routings, fares and availability on flights to Vietnam. Check on the Internet: discount websites and flight
    search engines may offer some good deals

  • Other means of transportation?
    There are currently six border crossings for travellers coming to Vietnam, but more may open soon.

  • From China: It's become very popular to cross the border at Friendship Pass or Dong Dang, 20km (12mi) north of Lang Son in northeast Vietnam, to get to/from Nanning.
    There is a twice-weekly international train between Beijing and Hanoi that stops at Friendship Pass. The other popular border crossing with China is at Lao Cai in northwest
    Vietnam, which lies on the railway line between Hanoi and Kunming in China's Yunnan Province. There's also a seldom used crossing at Mong Cai.

  • From Laos: If you travel from Laos by road via Savannakhet and Sepon, you will get to Vietnam by the Lao Bao (Vietnam) border crossing. This crossing links Laos to central
    Vietnam (Danang and Dong Ha). If you travel from Vientiane, you will cross Lak Sao before entering Vietnam by Cau Treo border crossing in Ha Tinh Province (Vietnam).
    Nam Can border crossing connects Nghe An Province (Vietnam) and Xieng Khuang Province (Laos).

  • From Cambodia: If you travel from Phnom Penh by speedboat, you will enter Vietnam at Chau Doc, in the Mekong Delta area. If you arrive from Cambodia by road into Ho Chi Minh City, you will enter Vietnam at Moc Bai, which connects Vietnam's Tay Ninh Province with Cambodia's Svay Rieng Province.
    
    NOTE:
    Each means of transportation has its pros and cons, contact the local transport companies for more information and review them carefully before investing your budget.
    Also note that if you enter Vietnam by land, you should and must obtain the visa before arrival. Refer to our VISA section below for more information.

• Health

  • Do I need to have any vaccinations to enter Vietnam?
    No vaccinations are mandatory 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. Malaria is present in most of the region and it is advisable to take precautions, especially if travelling off the beaten track. Medical facilities are rather limited and it is essential to take out a good medical insurance policy before travelling in case evacuation is needed.
    
    NOTES: Consult your doctor for up-to-date information and prescriptions for vaccinations, anti-malarial tablets and any reasonably foreseeable illnesses whilst travelling in Vietnam. Some vaccination courses may need time to be completed. If you plan to take anti-malarial tablets, you usually need to start one week before arrival. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements (including a spare pair of glasses).

• Money - Currency

  • What is the local currency in Vietnam?
    The currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND) although US Dollars and Euros are accepted in many hotels, restaurants and shops. Banks are open Monday to Friday
    and some on Saturday morning.
    
    Vietnamese Dongs come in the following forms:
    Bank notes: 200; 500; 1,000; 2,000; 5,000; 10,000; 20.000; 50,000; 100,000; 500,000.
    Coins: 200; 500 (silver) and 1,000; 2,000; 5,000 (gold)
    NOTE:
    - Most hotels offer the opportunity to change USD and Euros at a reasonable exchange rate.
    - Shall you want to pay a bill calculated in VND by using USD, ask for the exchange rate.

  • Is it better to use Vietnamese Dongs or US Dollars?
    For everyday expenses, we recommend carrying a mix of US Dollars and VND in cash.
    For larger items or when the exchange rate works in your favour, use US Dollars.
    For cyclos, local food stalls and small purchases, it's best to use VND.
    In either case, make sure you always have a stock of small notes so that you don't have to worry about change.

  • Are Travellers' Cheques accepted in Vietnam?
    Banks such as CitiBank, ANZ Bank. HSBC and Vietcombank can change your Travellers' Cheques for VND or US Dollars but a commission applies (1% to 2%).
    Very few shops, hotels or restaurants accept Travellers' Cheques.
    NOTE: Travellers' Cheques can be difficult to change outside of the major cities.

  • Can I use credit cards in Vietnam?
    Most credit cards are accepted in Vietnam. VISA and MASTERCARD are the most widely accepted. JCB and AMERICAN EXPRESS are also accepted in some outlets.
    Not all hotels,commercial centres, shops and restaurants accept credit cards.
    Check with the cashier whether card is accepted.
    Bear in mind that a surcharge usually applies for credit card purchases.
    VISA and Mastercard: 3% surcharge
    JCB: 3% surcharge
    American Express: 4% surcharge
    NOTE: Surcharges can change without prior notice.
    Check the percentage charged before you buy.

  • Where can I withdraw cash?
    ATMs for withdrawal of Vietnamese Dong are available in major airports, hotels, towns and capitals of provinces throughout Vietnam. Most ATMs have an English language
    version. Ask your tour guide for help when you need to locate an ATM.

  • What is the exchange rate for Vietnamese Dong (VND)?
    Commission rates are slightly lower if changing Travellers' Cheques into Vietnamese Dongs rather than US Dollars. Vietcombank does not charge commission when changing
    US Dollars cash into Dong, though some banks do. You receive a slightly better exchange rate for $100 and $50 notes than for smaller denominations. When cashing Travellers' Cheques you may be asked for your passport.Best Replica Watches
    You can check real-time official exchange rates with the combination of a currencies converter anytime.

• Safety

  • How safe is Vietnam?
    Vietnam is a relatively safe country to visit. As a global rule, never leave your belongings unattended and always maintain eye contact or a firm grip on cameras and shoulder
    bags. Avoid cyclos late at night and choose reliable metered taxi companies. Ask your guide for advice on safety issues.

• Telecommunications

  • How can I get in touch with my family, workplace and friends?
    Telephone: Most hotels now have IDD phones in rooms and it is possible to send faxes from hotels and post offices although these services are expensive. It may not always be possible to make international calls in remote areas. If you have worldwide coverage, you can bring your own mobile phone and use it to
    make domestic or international calls. Check with your mobile phone provider for the costs before using it abroad - it may be expensive.
    Internet: Major hotels have Business Centres with PCs connected to the Internet. Some of them have wireless broadband access in rooms or public areas. Cyber cafes are
    becoming popular and are easily found in major towns and cities. Prices are reasonable, usually below US$1 per hour. In many Internet cafes, you can buy pre-paid international phone cards to dial from a computer to a landline or mobile phone worldwide. Most Internet cafes are equipped with webcams, headsets and microphones.
    Mail: Postcards are sold at all main tourist sites and stamps are available from post offices and some hotel reception desks. A postcard to Europe costs VND 9,000 to send
    and takes up to two weeks to reach the country of destination.

• Time

  • What is the time difference in Vietnam?
    It is GMT + 7

• Transportation

  • Can I rent a car and drive myself?
    Vietnamese law does not allow foreigners to rent and drive a car. It is highly advisable to rent a car with a driver who knows the roads and can speak Vietnamese in case of any problems. Traffic and roads conditions may be very different to what you are used to.

  • Can the driver speak English and act as a guide?
    No, he cannot. In Vietnam, drivers are just drivers. Tour guides need to be licensed by the National Tourism Authority. Tour guides are the only persons legally entitled to escort tourists. Indochina Travel Service specialises in arranging tours with private drivers and qualified professional tour guides.

  • Can I rent a bike and ride myself?
    Yes, you can buy/rent bike easily and ride it yourself in Vietnam. However, please remember the traffic and roads conditions may be very different to what you are used to.
    Only young team is recommended for bike riding in Vietnam.

• Visas

  • Do I need to get a tourist visa for Vietnam?
    Most visitors to Vietnam require a visa to enter the country. Since the 1st of May 2005, nationals from Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland travelling to Vietnam and staying for 15 days or less no longer need to apply for entry visas, provided that their passports are valid for at least three months and they can show their return ticket. Those who wish to stay longer than 15 days will need to apply for a visa. Tourists holding Thai, Indonesian, Lao, Malaysian and Singaporean passports do not need a visa for a visit up to 30 days. Philippines passport holders do not need a visa for a visit up to 21 days. Japanese and South Korean passport holders do not need a visa for a visit up to 15 days.
    
    NOTE:
    - A tourist visa is a single entry visa which means that if you exit Vietnam, you will require a new tourist visa to enter Vietnam again.
    - All travellers must have a passport valid to 6 months after their planned exit from Vietnam.
    - The above information may change without prior notice. It is your responsibility to check whether or not you are subject to a tourist visa for Vietnam.
    - For visa information, click here to contact your nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate.

  • How long is a tourist visa to Vietnam valid?
    A one-month tourist visa is usually sufficient for most visitors though it is possible to arrange 3-month and 6-month multiple entry visas.

  • How do I apply for a Vietnamese visa?
    There are 2 ways to obtain a visa:
    If you arrive to Vietnam by land, it is NOT possible to get a visa on arrival. You must obtain the visa beforehand, as outlined in Case 1. (The one exception is the Moc Bai land crossing, at the Cambodian border –see Case 2)
    
    Case1: Collect your visa before arrival from your closest Vietnamese embassy or consulate. To apply for a visa, the requirements are as follows:

- Entry permit form (which can vary from one Vietnamese embassies or consulate abroad to another) - There are two categories of this form: for foreigners and for
Vietnamese overseas.
- Two photos (4cmx6cm or 3cmx4cm)
- Original passport
- Visa fee.

You should send your application and photos to a Vietnamese embassy or consulate abroad, which is most convenient to you. On your requirement, the reply will be returned by post (you must provide stamped envelopes with your name and address).

Case2: Collect your visa on arrival at Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Danang International Airports.

- In both cases, Indochina Travel Service can help you obtain your visa prior to arrival or upon arrival. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU OBTAIN YOUR VISA BEFORE ARRIVAL TO AVOID LONG DELAYS AND POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS AT THE AIRPORT.

Indochina Travel Service can process your visa application and obtain the necessary visa
approval from the Vietnamese Immigration Department. For this, we need the following
details from all applicants:

- Full name as it appears in your passport
- Gender
- Date of birth DD/MM/YY
- Nationality
- Job
- Passport number
- Issue date and expiry date of your passport
- Place of issue (e.g. Paris, France)
- Entry and exit dates

In Case 1 only: Location for you collection of visa, e.g. Vietnam embassy in Paris
In case 2 only: Arrival date in Vietnam and flight number (e.g. 24th of March 2006 by Vietnam Airlines flight VN532) and Port of entry (e.g. Ho Chi Minh City, Tan Son Nhat
airport)
The process usually takes about 5 working days after we receive the above information. After this, we will send you the official document approved by the Vietnamese
Immigration department.
The official document in Case 1 is an "approval letter".
The official document in Case 2 is a "visa picking up upon arrival approval letter".

Case 1: Visa before arrival
Bring the "approval letter", your passport and two recent passport-sized photos to the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate. The person collecting the visa must also complete two application forms at the embassy or consulate. A visa stamping fee is charged by the Vietnamese embassy or consulate. Fees vary from one country to another.

Case 2: Visa upon arrival
Please remember to take your passport, 2 recent passport-sized photos and the "visa picking up upon arrival approval letter" with you to check in for your flight to Vietnam.

NOTE: if you do not have this letter at the time of check-in, the airline staff will not allow you to board the aircraft. Before departure, prepare some bank notes in USD to clear visa stamping fees on arrival. On arrival at Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi or Danang International Airports, head to the Landing Visa Counter. Present your "visa picking up upon arrival approval letter", passport and 2 pictures to the officer who will charge you a Visa stamping fee. Then, head for the Immigration desks.

GENERAL NOTES:
- Always allow plenty of time for your visa arrangements to ensure a good start to your trip.
- Indochina Travel Service charges a service fee to obtain your "approval letter" from the Vietnamese Immigration Department if you do not travel with us.

• What are the immigration procedures on entering Vietnam?
  On entering Vietnam, all visitors must complete an entry/exit form including a customs declaration (white/yellow colour). It is important that the bottom copy (yellow sheet) of this form is kept safe with your passport while in Vietnam and is presented to the customs and immigration officials on departure.

• Weather

  • What is the weather like in Vietnam?
    Hanoi and the north of Vietnam have distinct winter and summer seasons. The mainly dry winter lasts from November to April with average temperatures of 18-20°C. Summer lasts from May to October and is hot and humid with temperatures around 30°C. Hue and Danang, in the centre of the country, have very hot, dry weather from February to August with temperatures reaching the mid 30's Celsius, but can experience some heavy rainfall between September and January. Ho Chi Minh City and the south have a hot, dry season from December till April with average temperatures around 28°C and a warm rainy season from May to November. In the rainy season, most rain comes in short, heavy bursts.

  • When is the best season to travel to Vietnam?
    All year round is the good season somewhere!
    Vietnam stretches over 2000 km from North to South. The climate differs all year round from one region to another. The North can be chilly during winter months (December to March). North and Central Vietnam can encounter tropical storms and typhoons from October to January. Overall, the north of Vietnam experiences more marked seasons
    than the rest of the country with two distinct seasons: wet and dry. The South, including Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, benefits from sunshine and warm weather all year round. However, the rainy season lasts from May to November (with showers once or twice in general) and a dry season from December to April. The Central Highlands can be chilly. Nha Trang has warm and sometimes hot - weather all year round, with a rainy season from the end of September until December. Unless you intend to visit friends, relatives or your family, we do not recommend visiting Vietnam during the Lunar New Year, Tet holidays (Vietnamese New Year falls between late January and February). The Tet holiday is the most important period of the year for Vietnamese people who take time off to visit their families in the countryside. All hotels, buses, trains and flights are full, and there is almost no activity in the markets and shops. Some hotels and restaurants are under-staffed and in some cases the quality of the service may suffer. This period of reduced activity may last from a week before and a week after the Tet period. It is also impossible to get a "visa authorization letter" processed during this period.
    
    NOTE: As a reminder, the peak season lasts from October to May. To avoid disappointment because hotel rooms or domestic flights are fully booked, reserve your
    travel arrangements early. Contact us to discuss your travel plans.

• Others

  • Which language will they understand?
    English is spoken at hotels, restaurants, shops, airlines offices, and service offices. Guides that speak English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Japanese are available in big cities.

  • Do's and Don'ts?
    Eating out is no problem at all in major cities where you can easily find good restaurants. It is advisable to eat in hotels in remote areas unless you have a reliable advice from your guide. You should avoid uncooked, partially cooked or reheated meat, fish and raw vegetable, especially when they have been left out exposed to dust and flies. Filtered and bottled water is usually available and safe. Cameras, precious jewelleries, cash, passport should be deposited at hotel or taken care
    carefully while you are travelling by train or walking in the streets. Local trains have been renovated and service on trains has been improved in the past few
    years. However, the standard is still below international qualification and therefore travel by train is not recommendable to elderly people.

  • What food will I find?
    Besides rice, which is a staple of every meal, Vietnam has abundant food supplies and an elaborate cuisine. Some Vietnamese dishes have achieved international fame, including such traditional dishes as beef or chicken noodle (pho), pork sausage (gio lua), spring rolls (nem ran) and fish balls (cha ca).

  • Should I tip?
    Tipping is customary, though not compulsory, to tip tour guides and drivers at the end of tours. Hotel porters and restaurant waiters should also be tipped, especially in big cities like Hanoi and in Saigon. In a top-end hotel, feel free to tip bellhops anywhere from 10,000 VND to 15,000 VND (about US$1). Most upscale restaurants throughout the
    country now add a service surcharge of 5% to 10%. If they don't, or if the service is good, you might want to leave another 5%. Taxi drivers will be pleased if you round up the bill (again, mainly in the big cities). Use your discretion for tour guides and others who have been particularly helpful

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