VISAS
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A visa is needed for foreigners to enter Vietnam. Different
types of visa - one-month or six-month - can be obtained
at Vietnamese Embassies abroad. For those tourists who
have a guarantee letter by a local tour operator in advance,
one-month visa can be collected upon arrival at Vietnam’s
international airports in Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City and
Da Nang. |
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It is possible to get a “multiple entry” or
“single entry” visa and it should be clearly
requested upon your application for a visa. A multiple
entry visa is usually for business people or those tourists
who would like to make a visit to neighbouring countries
of Vietnam and then come back to Vietnam for returning
home. |
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The gateways for entering Vietnam by air are in Ha Noi,
Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang which are usually stated
on the visa approval letter. If you travel into Vietnam
by overland, make sure that you get the name of the entry
point on the visa approval letter. It is easy to extend
visas while you are in Vietnam. |
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CUSTOMS & IMMIGRATION
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On arrival in Vietnam, foreigners must complete the white
and blue duplicate arrival-departure forms of which the
blue copy is to be finally presented on your departure
from Vietnam. |
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White and yellow duplicate customs declaration forms must
also completed and the yellow copy must not be lost as
it also has to be submitted upon departure. |
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It is compulsory that tourists declare foreign currency
in excess of 7,000 USD, gold and jewelry not for personal
use and video tapes. Vietnam has strict laws on bringing
in anti-government literature, pornography, firearms and
weapons. CDs and tapes are often retained for screening
but will be returned after a few days. It is illegal to
bring antiques out of Vietnam so make sure you do not
buy any items called “antiques”. Although the
sellers provide you with receipts, these antiques will
be confiscated upon your departure. |
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CURRENCY
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The official currency issued by the State Bank of Vietnam
is the “dong” (abbreviated as “VND”)
which is nonconvertible outside of Vietnam and used throughout
the country only in the forms of bank notes. The current
exchange rate is around 14,000 VND to 01 USD. It is easy
to change cash at airports, banks and hotels in all cities
and towns. 100USD or 50USD bills earn a higher exchange
rate than the smaller denominations. |
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Major credit cards (American, Visa, MasterCard, JCB) are
accepted more and more at hotels, restaurants, shops and
travel agencies in big towns. A fee is to be imposed to
the card holder on the payment by credit cards. |
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GETTING TO TOWN
|
As Noi Bai Airport is far from downtown, Airport Taxis
charge a flat rate of 10 USD (one-way) for a car from
Noi Bai Airport to central Ha Noi. The drive takes about
45 minutes. |
|
In
Ho Chi Minh City, a metered taxi from Tan Son Nhat Airport
to downtown costs around 50,000 VND and the drive takes
about 20 minutes. |
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There is now a wide choice of meter taxis in Ha Noi and
Ho Chi Minh City as well as in other big cities. |
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HEALTH
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No
vaccinations are officially required for foreign tourists
to enter Vietnam. However, it is advisable that precautionary
measures be taken for diarrhea, malaria, hepatitis A &
B and other vaccine-preventable infections. |
|
Although
international medical centres are available in Ha Noi
and Ho Chi Minh City, it can be expensive for emergency
care. Therefore, health and emergency medical insurance
prior to visiting Vietnam is highly recommended for foreigners. |
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WHAT TO BRING & DRESS
|
The fact that Vietnam stretches from the subtropics to
the tropics makes it rather complicated to determine what
to bring. It is recommended that light and easy clothing
be brought. However, when travelling in northern Vietnam
in winter months (November to March), a jacket or sweater
would be useful. |
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Despite of hot and damp weather, shorts and tank tops
are considered inappropriate in sacred places like pagodas,
temples and churches and at formal events. Guests should
ask whether it is alright to wear shoes when entering
private homes. |
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ELECTRICITY
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Electric
current in Vietnam is usually 220V although you can sometimes
find 110V. Most plugs are two-pinned with rounded pins
except in international-standard hotels. |
|
.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
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It is possible to make IDD calls from Vietnam by dialing
the international prefix 00 followed by the country code,
area code and telephone number. To make domestic long-distance
calls, the prefix 01 must be dialed first and is followed
by area code and telephone number. |
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Fax and e-mail services are available in hotels, post
offices and internet cafés. |
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CLIMATE
| Northern
Vietnam |
| Ha
Noi |
Jan
-Mar |
Apr
-Jun |
Jul
-Sep |
Oct
-Dec |
| Rain
fall (mm) |
92 |
511 |
887 |
190 |
| Temperature
(ºC) |
17.8 |
26.4 |
28.1 |
21.2 |
| Humidity
(%) |
84 |
84 |
84 |
82 |
|
| . |
| Central
Vietnam |
| Danang |
Jan
-Mar |
Apr
-Jun |
Jul
-Sep |
Oct
-Dec |
| Rain
fall (mm) |
148 |
110 |
646 |
1070 |
| Temperature
(ºC) |
22.5 |
27.4 |
28.1 |
23.8 |
| Humidity
(%) |
86 |
81 |
79 |
86 |
|
| . |
| Southern
Vietnam |
| Hochiminh
city |
Jan
-Mar |
Apr
-Jun |
Jul
-Sep |
Oct
-Dec |
| Rain
fall (mm) |
30 |
593 |
918 |
438 |
| Temperature
(ºC) |
26.8 |
28.1 |
26.8 |
26.2 |
| Humidity
(%) |
75 |
82 |
87 |
84 |
|
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