Vietnam, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, covers an area of 332,000 square kilometers and shares common borders with China, Laos, and Cambodia. With a population of more than 86 million, it is the most densely populated country in Southeast Asia and likely to grow rapidly as 75% population is under 30 years old. The vast majority of the population is Vietnamese and other ethnic groups include Chinese, Muong, Thai, Meo, Khmer, and Cham.
Vietnam's topography varies from low, flat delta in the south and north to hilly, mountainous terrain in the central, far north and northwest. Three-quarters of Vietnam is hilly or mountainous.  One of the country’s main attractions is its 3,444 km of coastline bordering the South China Sea.
Hanoi is the capital with a population of 3.1 million, and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) with a population of 6.6 million is the largest city and business centre of the country It is a rapidly modernizing country thanks to its industrious population.
At 1010 hours on 10 October 2010, Hanoi celebrates its 1000 year anniversary.

Vietnam, once a forbidden country for tourists, now attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors (with numbers increasing) every year. Rich culture, strong tradition, and a patriotic people characterize this fascinating country.  Images abound but to most Vietnam is the rumble of a million motorbikes, a patchwork of emerald-green rice paddies, throngs of women in conical hats, a long idyllic coastline and superb food! 

Vietnam stretches over 1,800 km from north to south and its topography varies from coastal plain to mountain ranges; therefore weather patterns in the principle cities are very different.
North: Winter lasts from November to April, with temperatures averaging 10 - 16C and during January – March fog and drizzle.
Summer begins in May and lasts until October, with an average temperature of 30C, heavy rainfall and the occasional violent typhoon.
Centre: Central Vietnam experiences a transitional climate, with heavy rain falls between November and December and dry, hot summer months.
South: Temperatures are fairly constant through the year; 25C - 30C. Seasons are determined by the rains - the dry season runs from November to April and the wet season from May to October. The hottest period is March and April. Typhoons are quite common in coastal areas between July and November.
Highland areas: In the hill resorts of Dalat (1,500 m), Buon Me Thuot and Sapa, nights are cool throughout the year, and in the winter months, During October to March, it can be distinctly chilly with temperatures falling to 0C and even during the hottest months of March and April the temperature rarely exceeds 26C.

 

Generally we recommend bringing light loose fitting cotton clothes for the warmer months and south of the Country. If travelling to the North some form of layering is required as Hanoi can experience wide temperature changes from one day to the next. During the Winter in the north and for travel to the hills it is imperative to bring warm clothing. An umbrella is definitely useful during the rainy periods.
Formal style clothing is not required. A sarong with its multi uses is a very useful item to bring.

Laundry facilities are widely available and quick.
When visiting a temple or pagoda, you should wear long trousers and dress respectfully.

The local currency is the Dong (abbreviated "d" or VND). Bank notes are  500d, 1000d, 2,000d, 5,000d, 10,000d, 20,000d, 50,000d, 100,000d & 500,000d. Coins include 200d, 500d, 1000d, 2000d & 5000d. The exchange rate (as of Jul 2009) is approximately Dong 17.500 to one US. Dollar.
Money and travellers cheques, particularly U.S. Dollars, can be exchanged at banks, hotels and authorized money- exchangers. It is advisable to carry U.S. Dollar bills in small denominations.
Credit cards are generally only accepted in major hotels, and in some up-market shops and restaurants in major cities.
ATM facilities are readily available now in major cities.

All visitors to Vietnam must fill in declaration forms and show their luggage to customs officials on request.
Visitors can bring with them unlimited amounts of foreign currency, objects made of gold, silver, precious metals and gemstones or plated with silver or gold, all of which must be declared in detail on the customs forms. Commercial Video films and printed materials that are considered offensive are normally confiscated and sent to Ministry of Culture for inspection.
Goods prohibited to import: weapons, ammunition, explosives, military technical equipment, drugs, toxic chemicals, debauched and reactionary products, firecrackers of all kinds, toys with negative impacts on the dignity education, social security and safety, cigarettes beyond the stipulated quantity, etc.
Goods prohibited to export: weapons, ammunition, explosives, military technical equipment, antiques, drugs, toxic chemicals, wild animals, rare and precious animals and plants, documents related to the national security, etc.   
Duty free is limited to 1.5 litres above 22% and 2 litres below 22% per person plus 400 cigarettes per person.    
There is a declaration limit for foreign currency of USD 7000.

220 volts AC, 50 cycles. Two-pin plug sockets require an adapter, which is available from Housekeeping at most hotels.

Any flights in your itinerary are in economy class, unless specified otherwise and are Flight timings quoted are local and are subject to change. Domestic flights require a check-in, 1-hour prior to the flight departure.
Carry on luggage is limited to one piece plus a camera. No meals or drinks apart from water are served on board.
Vietnam Airlines has frequent flight time changes and cancellations often at short notice even after confirmations for a flight have been received

All “carry-on” hand luggage must have luggage tags which are provided by the airlines when passengers check in at airports for their flights. Security regulations at airports are strict. Appropriate announcements may or may not be made for this procedure.
In economy class air travel baggage allowance is 20kg per person.  Excess baggage may be subject to overweight charges by the airline. We cannot be held responsible for the loss or damage to passenger’s belongings. Domestic flights are prone to last minute schedule changes and cancellation without ANY advance notice.

Please retain your luggage tag as you will be required to show this against your suitcase on arrival before being allowed to exit the airport

Vietnam has three International Airports: Hanoi / Noi Bai, Ho Chi Minh City / Tan Son Nhat and Danang / Danang Airport.

 

Cities with directs flight to Hanoi / Noi Bai Airport are Bangkok, Beijing, Frankfurt Guang Zhou, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Kunming, Moscow, Paris, Siem Reap, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, Vientiane and Seoul.
Airlines currently serving Hanoi : Aeroflot (SU), Air France (AF), All Nippon Airways (NH), Asiana Airlines (OZ), Cathay Pacific Airways (CX), China Airlines (CI), China Southern Airlines (CZ), Eva Air (BR), Japan Airlines (JL), Korean Air (KE), Malaysia Airlines (MH), Lao Airlines (QV), Singapore Airlines (SQ), Thai Airways (TG), Tiger Airways (TR), Uni Air (B7), Vietnam Airlines (VN).

 

Cities with directs flight to Ho Chi Minh City / Tan Son Nhat Airport are Bandar Seri Begawan (Brumai), Bangkok, Frankfurt, Fukuoka, Guang Zhou, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Melbourne, Moscow, Osaka, Paris, Phnom Penh, San Francisco, Seoul, Siem Reap, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei, Tokyo, and Vientiane.

Airlines currently serving Ho Chi Minh City: Aeroflot (SU), Air France (AF), All Nippon Airways (NH), Asiana Airlines (OZ), Cathay Pacific Airways (CX), China Airlines (CI), China Southern Airlines (CZ), Eva Air (BR), Japan Airlines (JP), Korean Air (KE), Lufthansa German Airlines (LH), Malaysia Airlines (MH), Pacific Airlines (BL), Philippine Airlines (PR), Singapore Airlines (SQ), Shanghai Airlines (FM), Thai Airways (TG), Tiger Airways (TR), Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA),United Airlines (UA), Vietnam Airlines (VN).

Cities with directs flight to Danang/ Danang Airport are Singapore.
Airlines currently serving Danang: Silk Air (MI).

 

Please retain your luggage tag as you will be required to show this against your suitcase on arrival before being allowed to exit the airport.

No actual vaccinations are officially required. Visitors are advised to check with their doctor or travel immunization clinic regarding the advisability of inoculation against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A & B and Malaria.
Those visitors taking medicine for certain conditions such as diabetes or heart problems should make sure that they carry these medications in their hand luggage at all times in case the main luggage should be delayed.
It is recommended that all travellers take out comprehensive Personal Travel Insurance to cover personal belongings, in case of accident or illness etc.

Vietnam has abundant food supplies and an elaborate cuisine. Cooking is seen as an art and some Vietnamese dishes have achieved international fame, including such traditional dishes as noodle soup (pho), pork sausage (gio lua), spring rolls (nem ran), and fish balls (cha ca). In addition to Vietnamese food, the larger hotels also serve a wide variety of Continental and Chinese cuisine. In the smaller cities, when the hotels only have one restaurant, ordering a-la-carte may involve a slight wait, consequently it is advised that if in a rush, you take advantage of the large and diverse buffets available at these hotels to minimize any delay.
Never drink water from the hotel tap, no matter what category of hotel you are staying in. Bottled mineral water is available at all hotels throughout Vietnam.  Do not have any ice in your drinks as this is often made from water that has not been purified.
Joining in a half or full day cooking class is a fun and unique way to become more acquainted with Vietnamese cuisine.
Vietnam has some excellent and atmospheric restaurants and we can give you a list of our recommendations in each city and town should you wish.

 

Avoid travelling during Tet (lunar New Year) as this is a family orientated holiday where businesses and shops close for almost a week. 

Hanoi – staying in old town is recommended but hotels are narrow and usually only have 1 window (either front or back of room) Front windows have a view but can be noisy whereas the back windows often are within the hotel but quieter. Many elevators are narrow hence waiting time. Smaller hotels have restaurants on top floors (elevator stops one floor below) so involves walking up but great views from the top.

An inescapable fact is the contact noise, mainly of motorcycles. A good tip is to escape into a café for some quiet relief at intervals to recharge your batteries. The Vietnamese are early risers and so traffic noise starts early around 5 am onwards and you may be woken up by the crackle of a loudspeaker as the Voice of Vietnam starts up with music and rhetoric. For light sleepers ear-plugs are useful to bring!

Crossing the road is an art – the trick is to walk steadily and slowly across the road in the same direction and the motorcycles and bicycles  will weave round you. Do not run or make sudden movements.  

When hiring a motorcycle or jet-ski there is no insurance coverage and the hirer is personally liable for any damages or accidents. When exploring on your own, it is not advisable to take a motor bike taxi as these are often involved in accidents.

The Country has been hurtled in a relatively short time from an underdeveloped Communism country into its present dynamic state and so a flexible approach, humour and patience will ensure a more enjoyable holiday.

For non-smokers request rooms on non – smoking floors rooms where available.

Vietnam joined the global computer age and internet-service providers are currently operating in most of the Cities. You can access the internet through hotels, Cyber Cafés & Internet/Computer Service Centers. Following are internet addresses with relevant information on Vietnam:
Vietnam Development Gateway http://www.vietnamgateway.org/
Ministry of Foreign Affairs http://www.mofa.gov.vn/en
Vietnam News http://vietnamnews.com.vn/
Vietnam National Administration of Tourism http://www.vietnamtourism.com/
Vietnam Airlines http://www.vietnamairlines.com/

Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam. Learning foreign languages, particularly English, is currently popular among young people in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Danang and other cities. Tourist guides are available for English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and Russian speakers.

Local time is GMT + 7 hours.
Governmental agencies work Monday to Friday from 7:30 hrs to 16:30 hrs (excluding one-hour lunch) and are closed Saturday and Sunday.
Banks are open Monday to Friday from 7:30 hrs or 8:00 to 11.30 hrs and from 13:00 hrs to 16:00 hrs and are closed Saturday and Sunday.

Private shops are open from 8:00 or 8:30 hrs to 21:00 or 23:00 hrs. During the Lunar New Year shops may be closed several days before and after as well as during the festive holidays, depending on recommendations made by a fortune teller.

02 SEP 09 (Wed) National Day
01 JAN 10 (Thu) International New Year
13 – 18 Feb 10 (Sat – Thu)  Lunar New Year (TET)
23 Apr 10 (Fri) Hung King Festival
30 APR 10 (Fri) Liberation Day
01 MAY 10 (Sat) Labour Day
02 SEP 10 (Thu) National Day
02-07 FEB 11   Lunar New Year (TET)
22-26 Jan 12  Lunar New Year (TET)

The road system in Vietnam is reasonable in the main urban cities. The drives through the countryside can be a wonderful sightseeing experience. However, it must be noted that the roads are narrow and some may be poorly paved when outside the main cities, and as a consequence the drives can be rough and difficult at times. Traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road.
Drivers are very unlikely to speak any English. 

The journey timings described in your itinerary are based on the usual amount of time a particular journey will take.  However, please appreciate that not all roads can be checked for their condition throughout the year.
Most cars used are manufactured locally by Toyota, Honda and Ford and are for the most part comfortable and ideally suited to local roads. Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle, under any conditions. There is ample opportunity to smoke during photographic, luncheon and sightseeing stops. 

Border crossing into Vietnam is possible from China, Laos and Cambodia. Regulations for crossing overland borders can change at short notice. Tourists can pass borders at the following checkpoints:

Huu Nghi (Lang Son province) / Pinxiang (Guangxi province)
Lao Cai (Lao Cai province) / Hekou (Yunnan province)
Mong Cai (Quang Ninh province) / Dongxin (Guangxi province)

Tay Trang (west of Dien Bien Phu valley) / Muang Mai - Phongsaly Province
Na Meo (Thanh Hoa province) / Nam Sooy - Huaphanh Province
Nam Can (Nghe An province) / Nam Khan - Xieng Khouang Province
Cau Treo (Ha Tinh province) / Nam Pao - Bolikhamxay Province
Cha Lo (Quang Binh province) / Naphao / Khammouane Province
Lao Bao (Quang Tri province) / Lao Bao - Savannakhet Province
Bo Y (Kon Tum province) / A Ta Pu - A Ta Pu Province

Moc Bai (Tay Ninh province) / Bavet (Svay Reang province)
Tinh Bien (An Giang province) / Phnom Den (Takeo province)
Xa Mat (Tay Ninh province) / Trapeang Plong (Kampong Cham province)
Vinh Xuong - by Boat (Chau Doc province) /  Kaom Samnoar (Kandal province)

When travelling by train, please be prepared for the fact that schedule changes occur frequently and sometimes without prior notification.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Travellers to Vietnam are required to hold a passport valid for at least six (06) months beyond the completion of their visit and must contain a valid visa. If tourist visas are to be obtained via Diethelm Travel, the following personal data must be supplied to us at least 2 (two) weeks before travel to

 

Vietnam:
full name as per passport
passport number, date of issue and expiry date
date and place of birth
occupation and nationality
city of where visa will be issued

Visas are usually issued by the Vietnamese Embassy in the passengers’ home country (against the visa’s approval number), which require the original passport, and 2 photos and for 3 (three) full working days in order to issue a visa stamp.

 

Visas can also be obtained upon arrival at Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Danang airports, in which case the stamping fee will be quoted separately. Apart from required details above we further need arrival/departure date and flight information. Diethelm Travel will send a confirmation letter to show to airport staff at the departing airport, confirming that clients will get the visa on arrival. Visas can only be requested via Diethelm Travel in connection with the booking of travel arrangements to Vietnam. Visa upon arrival requires 2 passport photos.

 

Visa exemption:

Not more than 30 days: for citizens of Asian Nationals such as Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand (except Myanmar & Cambodia).
Not more than 15 days: for citizens of Denmark, Finland, Japan, Norway, South Korea and Sweden.
French citizens holding valid diplomatic passports are exempt from visa requirements and are allowed to stay for up 3 months at one time or on several visits within six months since their first immigration dates.
Citizens of Chile holding valid diplomatic or official passports are exempted from entry transit visas and are allowed to stay for up 60 days on each visit.

Hotels might reserve the right to keep travel documents overnight at the reception for registration purpose.

A regular international post service is available. In addition Express Mail Service (EMS) is available to more than 50 countries worldwide with a delivery time of 2 to 10 days.
Vietnam has high international telephone charges. It is important to check the exact amount with the hotel before making a call, as hotel surcharges are often imposed.
VOIP calls which help reduce call charges (for most of International calls from any destination within Vietnam and for domestic calls between the main cities of the country) are now available as well pre-paid internet & mobile card can be bought in the major cities.

Vietnam is generally a safe Country. However some simple common sense precautions with possessions lessen the chances of becoming a victim to petty theft. Carry your handbag or rucksack to the front of you are  be particularly aware that handbag snatches /thefts from motorbikes occur especially in the larger cities and crowds. 
It is advised to keep luggage locked while travelling, whether it is stored in the hold of a car or bus, during flights or train journeys. Virtually all hotels have safe deposit boxes.
The Vietnamese are a shrewd people and whereas certainly not everyone you meet is out to cheat you, it is well worth being on the alert!

Foreign visitors to Vietnam have the opportunity to buy souvenirs made of rattan, gold, silver and stone. There is a diverse range of products, from woodenwares such as wooden buttons or sindora beds to lacquer paintings, bowls and chopsticks, bamboo screens and stone tea sets. Woven tapestries, “tho cam” handbags and other handicrafts are produced by the traditional skills of the women of ethnic minorities in such rural regions in the north as Sapa, Mai Chau and Dien Bien. When shopping please consider individual customs and import regulations of your own country as well as regulations regarding the protection of species.

Compared to some of its neighbours, Vietnam has less monuments and cultural sights and therefore the joy of seeing the country is discovering its people, lifestyle and cuisine. Exploring a small area on foot, cyclo or bicycle can be extremely rewarding and photogenic.
If you decide to leave the hotel and go out on your own, there are various means of transport that you may like to take such as taxis or “cyclos”. If taking a taxi or “cyclo”, insist on the meter being switched on before you begin your journey. Due to an effort to stop pollution, most “cyclos” are pedaled as opposed to motor. It is suggested that you carry the name of your destination or hotel written in local language in the event your driver does not understand English. The staff at your hotel can assist you in this regard.
Due to its Communist past and recent emergence as a tourist destination, the standards of tour guides in Vietnam can vary from the young dynamic and eager to embrace western ideas to the more rigid, staid communist approach.

 

Please note that, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi is closed every Monday and Friday and for the full duration of October and November. Museums are closed on Mondays and partly on Fridays.

Tipping is widely practiced and expected; however it should be given for good service.
Porters :   VND 5.000 - 10.000 per bag
Waiters in restaurants:  5-10% of total bill
Taxi drivers : 10% of total bill
Tour guides :   VND 60.000 per person/per day
Drivers :   VND 30.000 per person/per day

All of the above information is accurate at the time of publication.