Travel tips

Things to remember

• It's in your best interests not to drink the tap water, especially after flooding!
• Avoid cyclo ride after dark.
• Dress modestly and appropriately when visiting local dwellings and religious sites, etc.
• Leave your valuables behind before a night out on the town, or going to the beach.
• When crossing the road, especially in Ho Chi Minh city, always keep looking to the left and right and walk slowly!
• Do not offer money directly to minority people - instead donate to a local charity or offer a small gift, such as pens.
• Try at least once the delicious, local street food.
• Always ask permission first before taking photographs, especially in minority areas.  

 
Things do not to miss

• Sleeping out on deck on a boat in Halong Bay
• Ordering custom-made clothes from the local tailor shop
• Taking a slow cyclo ride through the French Quarter of old Saigon
• Eating pho ga (chicken noodle soup) at a street side noodle stalls.
• Watching the traditional water - puppet performance in Hanoi.
• Experience the full moon festivities in the ancient town of Hoi An.
• Drinking rice-wine in the minority villages of the north
• Taking a boat along Hue's Huong (Perfume) River, visiting the Royal Mausoleums.
• Overnight in a homestay in the Mekong Delta's riverside orchards.
• Bartering for a bargain at Saigon's largest market, Ben Thanh Market
• Taking a stroll throug

Electric power: Electric current in Vietnam is 220 Volts.

Water supply: Tap water in urban areas in Vietnam is chlorinated, but it is recommended that it should be boiled before drinking.

Money: The currency issued by the Vietnam State Bank is the dong (abbreviated "d" or VND) which is used unformly throughout the country. Bank notes in denominations of 200d to 500,000d are presently in circulation. The exchange rate is approximately 16,000d = US$1. At present certain travelers' cheques such as Amercian Express and credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard are accepted in cities.

Language: Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam. Foreign language learning, particularly English, is currently in vogue among young people in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Da Nang and other cities. Tourist guides can speak English, French, Russian, Chinese and Japanese.

Postal service: A regular international post service is available. In addition there are some new, special services: Express Mail Service (EMS). The domestic EMS ensures that letters and small parcels are delivered within 24-48 hours. International EMS has relations with nearly 30 countries world-wide, with a delivery time ranging from 2 to 10 days. Air mail and small parcels must however be subject to additional charges. Express money transfer is also available; money is delivered to the receiver within 24 hours.

Telecommunications: Long-distance and international direct-dial calling is available throughout the country. Fax machines are quickly proliferating in Vietnam; public and registered fax machines are available in hotels, business and public offices. Internet access is available at most hotels and Internet cafes.

Television and Radio: Vietnam Television (VTV) and VTC broadcasts three channels (VTV1, VTV2 and VTV3) throughout the country and VTV4 for overseas Vietnamese. VTV will have eight channels by 2010. International channels such as CNN are available in most hotels equiped with sattelite dishes or TV cables.

Voice of Vietnam Radio broadcasts throughout the country; all provinces and cities have their own radio stations as well

Travel

Air
The national airline is Vietnam Airlines (VN) (website: www.vietnamairlines.com). The most usual routes to Vietnam are from Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Paris, Singapore and Taipei. Most Asian carriers have flights to Vietnam, as do Air France and Qantas.

Approximate flight times to check out
From Hanoi centre to Airport  is approximately 01 hour,  not including two hours' procedure at the airport

Main airports
Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) at Noi Bai is 35kmnorth of Hanoi, 01hour drive by private car (16$usd) or taxi(10$US).

To/from the airport: Buses and metered taxis are available.

Facilities: Restaurants, shops and bureaux de change.

Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) is 7km (4.5 miles) from Ho Chi Minh City. To/from the airport: Metered taxis(5$US) and limousines are available. Facilities: Snack bar, duty free and bureaux de change.

Departure tax
US$14 (Ho Chi Minh City), US$12 (Hanoi) and US$8 (Da Nang), payable in US Dollars or new Dông.
Sea
Main ports: Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau, Haiphong, Da Nang and Binh Thuy. International cruise facilities are available. Visit the website of Vietnam seaport association for more information:

http://www.vpa.org.vn/index.jsp

Rail
It is possible to cross into China by rail from Lao Cai to Kunming in the Yunnan province of China or through Lang Son to Nanning. There are trains from Beijing-Dong Dang-Hanoi and back twice weekly.

Visit the website of Vietnam railway for more information:

www.vr.com.vn

Road
There are routes to Guangxi, China through Lang Son, Cambodia through Moc Bai and also to Laos at Lao Bao and Cau Trieu.

http://www.transerco.com.vn/

Note
It is important to remember that all Vietnamese visas are issued with a specified exit point. If this exit point needs to be altered, it must be done so at an immigration office or through a travel agent in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
Duty Free
The following items may be freely imported into Vietnam by foreign visitors without incurring customs duty:
400 cigarettes; 100 cigars or 500g of tobacco; up to 5kg of tea and up to 3kg of coffee; 1.5l of liquor at 22 per cent and above, and 2l of liquor below this amount, and 3l of all other alcoholic beverages; a reasonable quantity of perfume and personal belongings; other goods not exceeding VND5 million.
Prohibited items
The importation of non-prescribed drugs, firearms and pornography is prohibited.
Internal Travel:
Air
Vietnam Airlines (VN) operates daily flights between Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Da Nang and Nha Trang. Regular services are also provided between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Buon Ma Thuot, Dalat, Na San, Phu Quoc, Pleiku, Qui Nhon and Vinh. The Northern Airport Flight Service Company operates flights by helicopter to Halong Bay from Hanoi. Visit the website of Vietnam airlines:

www.vietnamairlines.com.vn

Sea
A local network operates between ports. Details of ferry services can be found on the Vietnam National Tourism Administration website (see Top Things To Do). Cruise facilities are available. Contact the Embassy before departure.

Rail
Visitors may use the rail transport system independently or as part of a rail tour. Long-distance trains are more expensive but are faster, more reliable and more comfortable. Although a few carriages now have air conditioning, facilities are still short of international standards, and foreigners’ rates are comparable to the air fares. The main rail route connects Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and the journey can take between 30 and 40 hours. There are also services from Hanoi to Haiphong, Dong Dang, Lao Cai, Thai Nguyen and from Yen Vien to Ha Long. Contact Vietnam Railways (website: www.vr.com.vn) for more information.

Road
There is a reasonable road network. Traffic drives on the right. Roads, especially in the north, are often in a bad state of repair and may be impassable during the rainy season. Driving in Vietnam can be a hair-raising experience as the normal rules of highway discipline are rarely followed by the majority of drivers. There is a good highway from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. Bus: Services are often poor and overcrowded, although long-distance buses are sometimes more modern and air-conditioned. Minibuses often run between tourist hotels in the major towns. Car hire: It is possible to hire chauffeur-driven cars. Self-drive car hire is non-existent. Documentation: An International Driving Permit and a test (taken in Vietnam) are required.

Urban
There are local bus services in Ho Chi Minh City and in Hanoi, which also has a tramway. It is also possible to travel by taxi, motorbike or cyclo (cycle rickshaw; motorized version also exists); the last of these options can leave the traveller vulnerable to theft from opportunistic passers-by and the Government is trying to phase them out. When traveling by taxi, it is advisable to note down the driver’s registration number (displayed on rear side of taxi) for security reasons

http://www.transerco.com.vn/v

 
The crucial information for travelers!