Essential Things to Know Before Traveling to Vietnam

CAPITAL

Hanoi

LANGUAGE

Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam.

RELIGION

Approximately 55% of the population are Buddhists. 37% of the population are registered as ‘other’. Minority religions include Christianity & Islam.

ELECTRICITY

Mainly 220 volts but in some areas 110 volts is also used, sockets are two pronged flat and round pin.

LOCAL TIME

Indochina Time (ICT) is 7 hours ahead of GMT.

PASSPORT & VISA

Nationals of eligible countries will be able to apply for a 30-day, single-entry e-visa. The fee is US$25/per traveller paid at the time your application is submitted. This fee is non-refundable, even if the visa is refused.

 

To apply for e-visas, foreign citizens need to visit the e-visa page of Vietnam Immigration’s website. The application is available in both English and in Vietnamese. Applicants will receive an application code and will be asked to pay a non-refundable, US$25/pax fee online.  Guests need to upload their passport plus 1 photo (straight looking without glasses).

According to the directive, it will take three (3) business days for tourists to find out if their applications have been approved or not. However, we suggest you allow 7 business days in case of any issues with the internet or the website. Successful applicants will be able to print off their e-visas to present when they arrive.

 

Eligible nationalities:

Canadians and US passport holders are eligible for an e-visa. For those holding passports issued by other countries please review the link: List of Countries Eligible

 

Eight international airports which allow foreigners to enter/exit Vietnam using e-visa are: Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport, Hai Phong's Cat Bi Airport, Da Nang Airport, Thua Thien-Hue Province’s Phu Bai Airport, Khanh Hoa Province’s Cam Ranh Airport, HCMC’s Tan Son Nhat Airport, Can Tho Airport and Kien Giang Province’s Phu Quoc Airport.

 

Foreigners will also be allowed to enter the country via the following land and sea border gates with e-visas as well:

 

The 16 land border gates include Tay Trang in Dien Bien Province, Mong Cai in Quang Ninh Province, Huu Nghi in Lang Son Province, Lao Cai in the namesake province, Na Meo in Thanh Hoa Province, Nam Can in Nghe An Province, Cau Treo in Ha Tinh Province, Cha Lo in Quang Binh Province, La Lay and Lao Bao in Quang Tri Province, Bo Y in Kon Tum Province, Moc Bai and Xa Mat in Tay Ninh Province, Tinh Bien and Song Tien in An Giang Province, and Ha Tien in Kien Giang Province.

 

The 13 ports of entry by sea are Hon Gai and Cam Pha in Quang Ninh Province, Hai Phong in the eponymous city, Nghi Son in Thanh Hoa Province, Vung Ang in Ha Tinh Province, Chan May in Thua Thien-Hue Province, Da Nang in the namesake city, Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa Province, Quy Nhon in Binh Dinh Province, Dung Quat in Quang Ngai Province, Vung Tau in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, Ho Chi Minh City in the namesake city, and Duong Dong in Kien Giang Province.

 

All other countries not listed must:

Obtain a Visa at the Vietnamese Embassy in your home country prior to your departure

 

Please note visas are refused without explanation to those the authorities consider a proscribed profession. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid listing your profession as a journalist, editor or similar. It has been known for the Vietnamese Embassy to make mistakes, so it is important to check all of the details on your visa as soon as you receive it.

 

Travelers must have a passport with at least 6-month validity beyond your intended date of return home. Only single entries will be granted; guests entering multiple times will need to apply for a visa each time.

 

Visa requirements can and do change frequently so please ensure you contact your local Vietnamese embassy or consulate to check current requirements before you travel.

 

All Passengers are responsible for securing proper documentation prior to joining the tour.  Passports are required; in addition, travelers are advised to check with local consulates for full details regarding Visa requirements. Please note securing a valid visa for entry is sole responsibility of the traveler.

LOCAL CURRENCY

The monetary unit in Vietnamese is the Vietnam Dong (VND). Dông (VND; symbol ₫). Notes are in denominations of ₫500,000, 200,000, 100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of ₫5,000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500. 

XE.com is a useful site for currency conversion. 

Credit cards & ATMs:

Credit and Debit cards are accepted in many mid to upper end shops, cafes, restaurants and hotels, usually for a small fee. ATM's dispense Vietnamese Dong for cash advances made with credit or debit cards. Cash advances also charge a small fee from the issuing bank. ATM's can be found in almost all towns and cities in Vietnam.

Banking hours:

Varies from bank to bank but generally Mon-Fri 0830-1600; some may close for lunch. Many banks are also open on Saturday morning; all banks are closed on Sunday.

Currency exchange:

The best places to do money exchanges in Vietnam are Banks, Hotels and Authorized Money exchange outlets. Each place may charge different fees and rates so it’s best to do a bit of research if you plan on exchanging large sums. Most places can usually change main international currencies like the US, Australian, Canadian, Hong Kong, and Singapore dollar as well as the Euro, Pound, Thai Baht and Japanese Yen.

CLOTHING

As a general guideline clothing should be lightweight, loose fitting, hard wearing and easily washed. Vietnam has a tropical climate and therefore the weather is generally warm to hot all year round. However, the weather in the north and particularly in the hill tribe areas can become quite cool at night especially between December and February. You will generally find it is better to have several thin layers rather than one thick layer as it gives you more flexibility and warmth. A fleece can be invaluable. You should bear in mind that Vietnam has relatively conservative attitudes towards dress, particularly in remote areas. It is best to avoid displaying too much bare flesh although the most important point to remember is to keep yourself clean and tidy. The Vietnamese are most offended by scruffy, dirty travellers. Women, and also to a certain extent men, will find that the way they dress will often determine the degree of respect they receive from both men and women. The issue is not nearly of such importance in ‘touristy’ areas, such as the coastal areas and beaches, where you can be just about as casual as you like. Make sure you bring lots of clothing that covers shoulders and knees (for time away from the beach). In certain areas and religious sites, such as temples or family homes, your guide may ask you to dress conservatively. Out of respect for local values, we ask that you follow your guides advice at all times.

COMMUNICATION

Telephone:

Landline telephone services are available in nearly every area that caters to tourists and travellers. Be sure to check the price of outgoing international calls as the price can be quite expensive. Sim cards are widely available all over Vietnam with up to 4G connectivity in some areas. Some sim cards also specialize in outgoing international rates so be sure to research your options before purchasing.

Mobile phone:

Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Coverage is available throughout large parts of the country. It is possible to buy competitively priced sim cards for use in the country.

Internet:

Internet connections in Vietnam are widely available and up to standard with many Western countries, especially in the bigger cities. A great majority of cafes, restaurants, shops and hotels have private connections. Vietnam is one of the better countries in Southeast Asia when it comes to connectivity.

WEATHER & CLIMATE

Because of its geography, the climate in Vietnam varies greatly from north to south with three distinct climatic zones. Tropical monsoons occur from October to April in the centre and from May to September in the north and south. It is almost totally dry throughout the rest of the year. It can get exceptionally hot, however, all year round, but the north has a cooler time between October and April. Temperatures around the country can reach up to 40C in the height of the hot and rainy season (May to September), but the northern highlands and Hanoi can often seem chilly and damp in the winter.

There is no one ideal time to visit Vietnam as a whole but at any time of year there will be sun somewhere. The high season is from September to March but bad weather can disrupt travel in the centre of the country during this period, particularly from September to December. For the beaches in the centre of Vietnam, Danang, Hoi An and Nha Trang, it is best to go between May and August. The autumn is the best time to visit Halong Bay when there should be clear skies.

Northern Vietnam – Hanoi: (approx)

Southern Vietnam – Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City): (approx)

MEALS
Approximate costs for meals and snacks not included are shown below:

• Simple snack - $US 0.50-1
• Light meal - $US 1- 2.50
• Fancy restaurant - $US 5-50

DRINKS
Approximate costs for drinks bought in a shop in the street are shown below. Prices in restaurants and hotels can be as much as double those specified.

• 1l of water - $US 0.12
• 30cl bottle of soft drink - $US 0.20
• 60cl bottle of local beer - $US 1.50

It is not recommended that you drink the local tap water in Vietnam. However bottled water, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices are widely available throughout the region.

FOOD
Vietnamese cooking is varied and usually superb, as the profusion of Vietnamese restaurants in New York, London and Berlin contest. It is a mixture of Vietnamese, Chinese and French traditions, with a plethora of regional variations. As in all countries of the region, rice or noodles usually provide the basis of a meal. Not surprisingly, fish is plentiful. Pride is taken in the fact that the freshest of vegetables are used and the vegetables and fruit served is seasonal.

Specialties:

• Breakfast is often congee (rice porridge) or a meaty noodle soup locally known as pho.
• Nem (spring rolls: pork mixed with noodles, eggs and mushrooms wrapped in rice paper, fried and served hot).
• Banh chung (glutinous rice, pork and onions wrapped in large leaves and cooked for up to 48 hours, to be eaten cold at any time).
• Nuoc mam (Vietnamese dishes are not complete without this fermented fish sauce).
• Bun cha, (grilled pork, cold rice noodles, deep fried rolls and a big bowl of salad leaves).

Regional drinks:

• Soda chanh is a refreshing lime soda served with freshly squeezed lime juice, sugar and ice mixed into club soda.
• Vietnamese coffee grown in the Central Highlands is served thick, strong and black through a drip filter. Sometimes it is served with condensed milk to sweeten it.
• Vietnamese green tea is light and refreshing and served at the end of meals.
• Ruou can (rice wine) is made by members of the Vietnamese hill tribes and drunk straight from ceramic fermentation jars through bamboo straws.
• Bia hoi or fresh beer is produced daily and served ice cold in small, local bars. It is not particularly alcoholic but very refreshing.

SUGGESTED TIPPING SCALE:
Tipping is a way of showing your appreciation and will be welcomed by the recipient, although if you decide not to tip in a particular circumstance, this doesn’t mean you’ll receive a lower level of service. Ultimately, tipping is discretionary and should be done at a level that feels comfortable.

Here are some guidelines that you may find helpful:

HEALTH & MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS & GUIDELINES
As a general recommendation, it is advisable to check with your family doctor or travel clinic for latest health information.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance. Your home country health plan may only provide limited coverage while traveling outside of the country. Indus Travels can offer you a complete travel insurance package. Some credit cards do offer travel insurance; however, they do not always provide adequate coverage. Review and understand the terms of your credit card insurance policy. Extra travel insurance can be purchased. Most insurance companies do have exclusions in their coverage. Pre-existing medical conditions are not insurable.