VIETNAM INFORMATION GUIDE

Language and Country  |  Climate & Weather  |  Visas  |  Time  |  Currency  |  Internet & Mobil
Electricity  | Weights & Measures  |  Airport  |  Health & Hospital |  Specialities  |  Tropical Fruits

§        Language and Country

 Vietnam is not a war country, but a peaceful and nice country. After the liberalization and re-unification "Doi Moi" from 1986, Vietnam has become an attractive spot for tourism and business. From North to South of Vietnam, you can feel and see many beautiful differences in topography, history, cultures, and people as well as sightseeing.
Looking at a map, Vietnam is located in the center of the Southeast Asia and is shaped like the letter S. it lies on the Indochina Peninsula - the country borders on China, Laos, Cambodia, the East Sea and Pacific Ocean to the east and south with a long coastline of 3,260 km, land area of 330,991 sq. kilometers and the country's total length is 1650 km from the northernmost point to the southernmost.

 Some great philosophies and religions have shaped the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people. Vietnam natural resources offers unspoiled landscapes, virgin beaches, soaring hills and mountains, peaceful rivers and springs. On the other hand, its long history and distinctive culture serve as additional magnets for first-time and returning visitors alike.
Population of Socialist Republic of Viet Nam is more than 80 million with urban population consisted of about 19.7. There are 54 ethic minority groups inhabiting in Vietnam. The "Kinh"people (or Viet) account for nearly 90% of the population. Major ethic minority groups include the Tay, Thai, Muong, H'mong, Dao and Khmer.
Vietnamese language is the main language but English, French, German and Russian can be communicated in major cities. Vietnamese language uses the Latin alphabet!
E.g.: Xin chào (hello, good morning)
The link free Vietnamese online for those, who want to learn Vietnamese Language

§        Climate & Weather

Vietnam has tropical climate, which is characterized by lots of sunshine, high rainfall, humidity with two distinguished seasons in general: the cold and dry one from November to April and the other hot and wet from May to October. The annual average temperature is from 22ºC to 27ºC. But weather usually different between North and South, between land and mountains. Check online Vietnam weather

§        Visas

A Vietnamese entry visa is required for all foreigners wishing to visit Vietnam except for citizens of countries having bilateral agreements on visa exemption with Vietnam. Only citizens of certain countries can visit Vietnam without an entry visa (valid for visit within 30 days). Those countries include: most Asian countries, Korea, Japan & Scandinavians (2005). All other citizens are required to get an entry visa before departure or a pre-approved entry visa (visa is issued on arrival at Vietnam’s International Airports) supplied before arrival in Vietnam.
More information to apply a Vietnamese Visa

§        Vietnam Time

Time zone: GMT/UTC +7 (the same zone with Thailand, Laos, Cambodia) 
Working days from Monday to Friday.
Office hour: Morning: 07h30 - 12h30
Afternoon: 13h00 - 16h30. 
Opening hour for most restaurants and shops is at about 08:00 till 23:00 in 7 days/week

§        Vietnam Currency

The currency is Dong (VND). Foreign currencies can be exchanged at the bank, exchange bureau or hotel reception desk. Traveler cheques and most of credit cards are accepted in the most of hotels and in the major cities. But we recommend you to bring with you some cash.
Small bank notes and coins: 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 VN Dong.
Bank notes: 10.000, 20.000, 50.000, 100.000, 500.000 VN Dong.
Check online currency exchange

§        Internet and Mobil Phone

Email & Internet:
E-mail and Internet services are available in most hotels and posts as well as the internet cafes in Vietnam. And nowadays, the technology ADSL (high speed internet) is used in some hotels in major cities. But we recommend you should not use public internet for your bank account because of many virus and spywares!

§        Mobile phone:In Vietnam, currently GMS only works partially, so your mobile phone could be used here by roaming service. Another easy way is to rent a mobile phone and buy a pre-paid card (ca. VND 450.000 = USD 30). (This service is available at your hotel or at a Mobile Phone Service Center in the street.) Checkhere for more details.

§        Electricity

Standard 220 Volts AC (at 50Hz cycles).

§        At the Airport

The Taxi price from the airport to city very depend on the distance from Airport to center of city

§        Specialities

Vietnam has abundant food supply and elaborate food preparation techniques. As food preparation has become an art of the Vietnamese people, some Vietnamese dishes are world famous. People can find countless restaurants throughout the country.
In Vietnam, you will have an opportunity to enjoy some surprisingly good dishes, some of which can be found nowhere else in the world. On the table of a traditional banquet, you can find dozens of such specialty dishes pleasingly and elaborately presented. Some dishes are prepared from sea foods such as lobsters, fish, crabs and squids... which are relatively rare and expensive in some Western countries but abundant and cheap in Vietnam. Besides enjoying traditional foods such as beef noodle soups (Pho), pork sausages (Gio lua), spring rolls (Nem ran), fish balls (Cha ca), etc..., Vietnamese also adopt a number of dishes from countries that are well-known for their food preparation and cooking techniques.
More information about Vietnamese Food

§        Health & Hospital

No vaccinations are required 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 traveling off the beaten track. Medical facilities are rather limited in all countries and it is essential to take out a good medical insurance policy before traveling in case evacuation is needed.

• Hanoi

• Ho Chi Minh city