VIETNAM INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRAVEL TO VIETNAM - VIETNAM TRAVEL GUIDE

Travel guide -tips topic Before your travel Vietnam Hotel Vietnam Weather Vietnam Tour Vietnam Map Vietnam Visa Domestic Air ticket Travelers review On your stay Restaurant Cafe Gallery Shopping Sport center Entertainment

VIETNAM INFORMATION: General Information   People and Language   Land & History   Climate & Weather   Currency   Time   Public Holidays   Internet & mobile phone   Visa   Arrival at Airport   Food and Drinks   Hospital & Emergency call   Embassies in Vietnam   Vietnamese Embassy abroad   Vietnam travel guide books   Resources    People and Language The population of Socialist Republic of Viet Nam is more than 78.5 million with an urban population consisting of about 19.7%. There are 54 ethic minority groups living 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, Dzao and Khmer. Vietnamese language is the main language. English, French and Russian can be heard in the major cities.   Land & History The land of Vietnam has an S shape with a total surface area of 329,600 km2.  Vietnam has common borders in the North with China, to the East and Southeast with Laos and Cambodia. The West of Vietnam faces the Eastern Sea (South China Sea). Vietnam's coastline is more than 3,260 kms long. The land is very diverse with mountains, highlands, deltas, rivers and forests. Hanoi is the capital and Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's largest city. Climate Vietnam has a tropical climate, which is characterized by lots of sunshine, high rainfall, humidity  and two distinguished seasons in general: the cold and dry one from November to April and the other, hot and wet from May to October. Annual average temperatures range from 22ºC to 27ºC. But the weather usually varies North and South, as between land and mountains. More about Vietnam weather... Currency The currency is Vietnamese Dong (VND). Foreign currencies can be exchanged at the banks, exchange bureaus or hotel reception desks. Travelers' cheque and most of Credit cards are accepted in the major cities. We are recommend that you bring some cash with you. Time Time zone: GMT/UTC + 7 (the same zone as Thailand, Laos and Cambodia)  Business days: Monday through Friday. Business hour: Mornings: 07h30 - 12h00; Afternoons: 13h00 - 16h30.  Museums are usually closed on Monday but you can visit temples and pagodas every day. Most restaurants and shops open from 08h00 till 22h00. Public Holidays 01 January: New Year's Day Late January to mid-February: Vietnamese Lunar New Year ( 04 days off ). 30 April: Re-unification Day and 01 May: International Workers' Day. 02 September: National Day Internet and mobile phone Email & Internet: E-mail and Internet services are available in most hotels and posts in Vietnam. In major cities, there are also a number of internet cafes available.   Mobile phone: In Vietnam you will be able to use your mobile phone as long as it is programmed for roaming internationally. You may also rent a mobile phone, which may be easier, or buy a pre-paid phone card. (This service is available at your hotel or at a Mobile Phone Service Center on the street.) Visa Entry visas for most nationalities are obtainable from a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate. Processing usually takes 4-10 working days. The validity of tourist visas is one month and is extendable. Please click here for details.  Arrival at Airport The Taxi rates from airport to city vary depend on the distance from airport to center of city. City Airport to city (km) Taxi rate (US$) Hanoi -Noi Bai Airport 35 12 Ho Chi Minh City - Tan Son Nhat Airport 05 8 Hue - Phu Bai airport 14 10 Airport tax and Customs declaration: click here Food and Drinks There is a wide range of dishes in Vietnam, including the very popular nem (spring rolls) and pho (Vietnamese noodle soup). They are eaten together with rice or noodles. Not all foods are spicy. Vegetarian foods, dietary dishes & western menus are also available at some restaurants. A rich variety of tropical fruits is on hand year round, however, it will vary depending upon the season.  Imported beers and alcohols are available in hotels, restaurants and shops. There are many Vietnamese brands or country wines made from rice. If you prefer to drink water, please use bottled mineral water, which has an unbroken seal. Do not ingest tap water that has not been boiled.   Hospitals and Emergency phone numbers: Hanoi: International SOS: 24 hour alarm center & medical emergency teams.  Add: 31 Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi Tel: 9340555  Fax: 9340556 Vietnam International Hospital: 24 hour emergency clinic  Add: Phuong Mai road, Hanoi Tel: 5740740 Medex: 24 hour emergency (090401919) Add: A1 Van Phuc, Suite 109-112, Kim Ma. Hanoi Tel: 8430748  Fax: 8461750  Ho Chi Minh City: International SOS: 24 hour emergency Add: 65 Nguyen Du, Dist.1., Ho chi Minh city Tel: 8298424, 8298520 Fax: 8298551. Alain Carpentier Foundation- IMC-Heart Institute: 24h emergency   Add: 520 Nguyen Tri Phuong, Dist.10, Ho chi Minh city  Tel: 8654025  Colombia Asia Saigon: 24 hour emergency Add: 8 Alexandere de Rhodes, Dist.1, Ho chi Minh city Tel: 8238455 Police: 113  Fire Brigade: 114  First Aid: 115

Destination travel guide First arrival Hanoi Hochiminh city World heritage Halong bay Hoi an town Hue imperial Da nang-My Son Cultural site Sapa Gia Lai Dac Lac Kon Tum Mai Chau Ninh Thuan Resort Cat Ba Da Lat Nha Trang Phu Quoc Ba Ria/Vung tau Phan Thiet/Mui Ne Wildlife site Cat Tien Minh Hai Cuc Phuong Historical site My Lai Con Dao Dien Bien Phu Cao Bang/Pac Bo Nghe An/Nam Dan Other Son La Hoa Binh Bac Ninh Bac Giang Hoa Binh