Vietnam

Back to Country Page

Overview
Vietnam, a name too long associated with the horrors of war, has finally won its last battle - to capture the imagination of the travelling public. Elegant Hanoi now vies with its dynamic sister, Ho Chi Minh City (still fondly called Saigon by the locals), for the attention of visitors drawn by the eclectic mix of old and new. In both cities the streets are jam-packed with motorbikes and scooters, often carrying whole families, and the markets are chaotically busy.

Elsewhere, the scenes are timeless. Early morning on the Mekong Delta brings the daily floating markets where fruit and vegetables are peddled. Everywhere the green patchwork of rice paddies stretches into the distance, broken only by the silhouette of water buffalo and conical-hatted farm workers bending down to tend the young plants.

The soaring mountains in the north of the country tower over tiny villages where life continues much as it has done for centuries, with traditional costumes still proudly worn. Old French hill stations survive throughout the country offering welcome respite from the heat of the plains below.

The ancient former imperial capital, Hué, takes visitors back to a time of concubines and eunuchs. In every town, young women wearing the simple but feminine national dress, the ao dai, weave their way through the traffic at the controls of a motorbike.

Only in Vietnam could the past and the present be encapsulated so perfectly.
Area
329,247 sq km (127,123 sq miles).
Population
83.6 million (UN estimate 2005).
Population Density
253.9 per sq km.
Capital
Hanoi. Population: 3.2 million (official estimate 2005).
Government
Socialist republic since 1980. Gained independence from France in 1954.
Language
Vietnamese is the official language. English, French, Chinese and occasionally Russian and German are spoken.
Religion
Buddhist majority. There are also Taoist, Confucian, Hoa Hao, Caodaist and Christian (predominantly Roman Catholic) minorities.
Time
GMT + 7.
Social Conventions
Handshaking and a vocal greeting is normal. Clothing should be kept simple, informal and discreet. Avoid shorts if possible as they are usually only worn by children. Footwear should be removed when entering Buddhist pagodas. Vietnamese people should not be touched on the head.
Photography: There are restrictions at ports, airports and harbours, and in similar areas elsewhere. It is courteous to ask permission first before taking photographs of people.
Electricity
220/110 volts AC, 50Hz; two-pin flat plugs are in use.
Head of Government
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung since 2006.
Head of State
President Nguyen Minh Triet since 2006.

Culture

Food and Drink
Vietnamese cooking is varied and usually very good. It is a mixture of Vietnamese, Chinese and French traditions, with a plethora of regional specialities. As in all countries of the region, rice or noodles usually provide the basis of a meal. Not surprisingly, fish is plentiful.

National specialities:
o Breakfast is generally noodle soup locally known as pho.
o French-style baguettes are available throughout Vietnam.
o Nem (spring rolls - pork mixed with noodles, eggs and mushrooms wrapped in rice paper, fried and served hot).
o Banh chung (glutinous rice, pork and onions wrapped in large leaves and cooked for up to 48 hours, to be eaten cold at any time).
o Vietnamese dishes are not complete without nuoc mam, a fermented fish sauce.

National drinks:
o Green tea is refreshing and available everywhere.
o The French culinary legacy embraces rich, fresh, filter coffee, usually brewed on the table in front of the customer.
o Bia Hoi, a local draught beer available at street stalls everywhere. It is not only cheap, but free of additives.
o Rice wine is also a favourite throughout the country. It is generally extremely potent.

Tipping: Tipping is now quite customary, especially in tourist areas. Upscale restaurants and hotels may add a 5 to 10% service charge to the bill.

Nightlife
Vietnam definitely isn't Thailand when it comes to the nightlife, but Ho Chi Minh City has a vast range of bars, clubs, live music venues and restaurants from gloomy little establishments to some rather upmarket venues. Hanoi's nightlife is on the up and now there is a good selection of bars and restaurants, although the city can still seem a little quiet after 2200. Elsewhere there are bars and restaurants but the choice is limited.

Government restrictions mean that venues are unable to stay open very late and there are occasional police raids should a bar flout the unspecified regulations. Imported drinks are considerably more expensive than local ones and alcohol sold in the more upmarket places is even more expensive again. There is never any entrance fee to the bars but nightclubs generally charge around US$5. The dress code is very relaxed with no restrictions on jeans or trainers. Gambling is illegal in Vietnam for the Vietnamese but is allowed by foreign passport holders.

Shopping
Vietnam is a bargain hunter's paradise and the streets are awash with little shops selling all manner of items. Hanoi's Old Quarter is particularly excellent for visitors with shops selling clothes, gold, embroidered tablecloths and handbags. Markets are always great places to enjoy the local flavour and buy souvenirs.

Ben Thanh market in Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Xuan market in Hanoi are worth a visit. Local specialities include lacquer painting, reed mats, embroidery, tailor-made ao dais (female national costume) and mother-of-pearl inlay on ornaments and furniture, not to mention the ubiquitous conical hat.

The hill tribes of the Central Highlands and the north of the country now sell colourful woven bags and clothing. Good souvenirs are marble figurines and vases, ceramics from Bat Trang village, silk paintings and hand-painted greetings cards. VAT is included on most items sold, but at the moment there is no system for foreign visitors to be able to claim this back. Bargaining is expected in markets and many souvenir shops.

Shopping hours: Daily 0800/0830-2100/2200.

Environment

Climate
Because of its geography, the climate in Vietnam varies greatly from north to south. Tropical monsoons occur from May to October in the north and south and from September to January in the centre. It is almost totally dry throughout the rest of the year.
Required Clothing
Loose, natural fabrics all year, but warmer clothing is required in the highlands, and in the winter in north Vietnam. Rainwear is essential during the wet season.
Vietnam shares borders to the north with the People's Republic of China and to the west with Laos and Cambodia. The South China Sea lies to the east and south. The land is principally agricultural with a central tropical rainforest.

Money

Currency
Dông (VND; symbol ?). Notes are in denominations of ?500,000, 200,000, 100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 200 and 100. Coins are in denominations of ?5,000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500.

Currency Exchange
The US Dollar is the most favoured foreign currency. Australian, British, Japanese, Singaporean and Thai currency, as well as the Euro, can usually be changed in the larger cities; great difficulty may be encountered in trying to exchange any other currencies. There is a commission charge for changing money in banks.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
An increasing number of outlets accept MasterCard and Visa. However, outside main towns and cities, it is wise to carry cash. There are ATMs in many major towns, but not everywhere.

Traveller's Cheques
These are widely accepted in hotels and banks. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.

Banking Hours
Mon-Fri 0730/0800-1130 and 1300-1600.

Duty Free
The following items may be freely imported into Vietnam by foreign visitors without incurring customs duty:

o 200 cigarettes.
o 100 cigars or 500g of tobacco.
o 1.5l of liquor at 22% and above, and 2l of liquor below this amount, and 3l of all other alcoholic beverages.
o A reasonable quantity of perfume and personal belongings.

Note: Foreign currency has to be declared on arrival.
Prohibited Imports
The importation of non-prescribed drugs, firearms, anti-government literature and pornography is prohibited.

Traveller's Guide

Passport Note
For security reasons, it is advisable to carry copies of documents rather than originals when in Vietnam.
Passports
Passport valid for at least one month after expiration of visa required.
Visas
Required by all except:
(a) nationals of Denmark, Finland and Sweden for stays of up to 15 days;
(b) transit passengers continuing their journey within 24 hours, provided holding valid return or onward tickets. At present, visas can be issued for either groups or individuals.
Visa Note
All regulations, including those concerning which countries require visas, cost of visas and validity of visas, are very complex and subject to frequent change. It is therefore advisable to contact the consular section at the embassy before any travel to Vietnam.

Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist: £38 (single-entry); £55 (express service); £70 (multiple-entry). Single-entry Business: £40. Multiple-entry Business: £70 (one month); £90 (three months); £140 (six months or more).

Validity
Tourist visas are valid for one month from proposed date of entry. Visas can usually be extended for another month, at extra cost, in the larger towns.

Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see Contact Addresses.

Working Days Required
Two (tourist visa express application); five (tourist visa). Entry visas can be applied for in person up to six months prior to date of travel.

Contact Addresses

Vietnam National Administration of Tourism
80 Quan Su, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel: (4) 942 3998.
Website: www.vietnamtourism.com

Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the UK
12 Victoria Road, London W8 5RD, UK
Tel: (020) 7937 1912.
Website: www.vietnamembassy.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700; 0930-1230 (visa section).

Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the USA
1233 20th Street, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036, USA
Tel: (202) 861 0737 or 2293 (consular section).
Website: www.vietnamembassy-usa.org

Health Care

There are excellent hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and health care centres in all provinces, but facilities are limited and there is a lack of medicines. Health insurance is essential and should include cover for emergency repatriation by air. Immediate cash payment is expected for services.
Note
* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age coming from areas with risk of yellow fever transmission.

As a UK specialist for independent travel, Footloose Adventure Travel can tailor-make all your holiday, trek, hotel, transport and tour requirements. We offer the security of booking with a UK company and the benefit of our experience and local knowledge.