Cuisine
Visitors often notice that Vietnamese food is very healthy. It is mainly based on rice and noodles. The palatable recipes are handed from generation to generation. Delicious bowls of noodle soup with vegetables and meat (pho), fresh rice pancakes (banh cuon) with a tasty sauce, hot grilled chopped fish accompanied by a small cup of rice wine, snail with ginger, green sticky rice (com) in lotus leaves All these specialties that give you a taste of Vietnam!
Fruits and Vegetables
Vietnam is located in a tropical zone, with abundant rainfalls and a high level of humidity. This results in a diversified ecological and agricultural area producing manifold fruits and vegetables, which are rich in flavours and colours. Vietnam counts over130 species of fruit-tree. The tropical zone trees produce bananas, coconuts, mangoes, papayas, listchis, longans, and oranges. The Temperate Zone trees produce apricots, plums, peaches, pears, and more.
There are some well known fruits coming from different parts of the country such as Sapa peaches, Bac Ha Plums, Trung Khanh chestnuts, Doan Hung pomelos, Bo Ha oranges, Hung Yen longans, Thanh Ha litchis, Huong Tich apricots, Ninh Thuan cashews and Thap Cham grapes.
Visas
Most visitors to Vietnam need a visa to enter the country (except for citizens of countries that signed an agreement of visa exemption with Vietnam). For now, tourist visas can only be obtained in Vietnamese embassies, consulates abroad, or at the first point of entry to Vietnam. To secure a visa Vietnam, the applicant is requested to submit: the original passport, 2 copies of the application forms, 2 passport-sized photos, and visa fee.
Tourist visa: they are generally valid for thirty days
Visa extension: Travel agencies offer this service
Customs
On arrival in Vietnam, the customs inspection is usually pretty fast now.
When entering Vietnam visitors will be asked to fill out a form declaring all electronic equipment, jewellery, camera equipment and other valuables (except for the persons exempted by Vietnamese law). Amounts of money exceeding US$3.000 must also be declared on the customs forms upon arrival. Visitor cannot bring more than 1,000g of gold into Vietnam.
When leaving Vietnam, quantities exceeding 300g of gold must be declared unless the holder has permission from the Director of the State Bank. The exportation of antiques is retricted by Vietnamese law.
General information
Vietnam time: GMT plus 7 hours
Office hours
All government offices are open from 7.30 am to 4.30 PM (with a one-hour lunch break) from Monday to Friday.
In local regions, offices are open from 7.00 am to 11.00 am and from 1.00 PM to 5.00. Banks are open from 7.30 or 8.00 am to 3.30 PM and are closed on Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday.
Private shops are usually open from 8.00 or 8.30 AM to 9.00 or 10.00 PM.
Holidays
There are 5 Vietnamese holidays every year for total of 8 days.
January 1: New Years Day (One-Day holiday)
April 30: Saigon Liberation Day (One-day holiday)
May 1: International Labor Day (One-day holiday)
September 2: National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (One-day holiday) Vietnamese Traditional Lunar New Year Festival, or Tet Nguyen Dan (four-day holiday): this holiday begins on the eve and last over the first three days of the Lunar New Year, generally at the end of January or beginning of February
Currency
The national currency is Vietnamese dong (VND). Notes are available in denominations of 100,000VND, 50,000 VND, 20,000 VND, 10,000 VND, 5,000 VND, 2,000 VND, 1,000 VND, 5,00 VND, 200VND.
Throughout the country, American dollars are widely accepted. However, the bills must be relatively new with no marking or tear. Travelers cheques are easily exchanged in banks. Credit cards are becoming popular, especially in the major hotels and restaurants of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Telephone, Facsimile, E-mail
The international phone code for Vietnam is 84. It is possible to make international calls or sent faxes from a post-office or major hotel. E-mail and Internet are available in most urban areas throughout the country. Domestic long-distance calls are made by dealing 0, followed by the area code and number. It is very easy to phone inside Vietnam. Most hotels will allow local phone calls free of charge.
Language
Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam. Learning foreign languages, particular English and French, is now vogue among young people. Tourist guides speaking English, French, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese are often available.
In the North, the best tourist season lasts from November to April. During this period, the weather is cooler and drier. There are several ritual ceremonies and folk festivals to celebrate the arrival of spring. The Lunar New Year festival (Vietnamese traditional Tet) in Hanoi will allow during this season is recommended to bring along warm clothes.
In the South, the temperature is warm all year round. The average temperature is approximately 27ºC. Therefor tourists need thin garments, sunglasses, and hats.
Electricity and water supply
Voltage system: 220 volt.
Tap water is already filtered and sterilised, but it should be boiled before drinking.
Accommodation
There are a vide variety of accommodations for visitor to choose from. Most hotels in big cities meet international standards.
Transportation
Visitor can travel over Vietnam through various province and town either by air, by road, or by train. Domestic flights are available everyday. The train between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi stops at different stations and province an exciting and unforgettable trip. The air-conditioned express trains take 32 hours to cover the distance. Cabs, motorcycles, and bicycles can easily be rented all over the country. The cyclo, a three-wheeled vehicle, is perfect for those who wish to move slowly and enjoy a city tour.
Airports
International Airport: Noi Bai (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City), and Danang airports.
Domestic Airport: Gia Lam (Hanoi), Cat Bi (Hai Phong), Dien Bien (Lai Chau), Na San (Son La), Vinh (Nghe An), Phu Bai (Hue), Pleiku (Gia Lai), Phu Cat (Qui Nhon), Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa), Buon Ma Thuot (Daklak), Lien Khuong (Dalat), Phu Quoc, Rach Gia (Kien Giang).
Visitors often notice that Vietnamese food is very healthy. It is mainly based on rice and noodles. The palatable recipes are handed from generation to generation. Delicious bowls of noodle soup with vegetables and meat (pho), fresh rice pancakes (banh cuon) with a tasty sauce, hot grilled chopped fish accompanied by a small cup of rice wine, snail with ginger, green sticky rice (com) in lotus leaves All these specialties that give you a taste of Vietnam!
Fruits and Vegetables
Vietnam is located in a tropical zone, with abundant rainfalls and a high level of humidity. This results in a diversified ecological and agricultural area producing manifold fruits and vegetables, which are rich in flavours and colours. Vietnam counts over130 species of fruit-tree. The tropical zone trees produce bananas, coconuts, mangoes, papayas, listchis, longans, and oranges. The Temperate Zone trees produce apricots, plums, peaches, pears, and more.
There are some well known fruits coming from different parts of the country such as Sapa peaches, Bac Ha Plums, Trung Khanh chestnuts, Doan Hung pomelos, Bo Ha oranges, Hung Yen longans, Thanh Ha litchis, Huong Tich apricots, Ninh Thuan cashews and Thap Cham grapes.
Visas
Most visitors to Vietnam need a visa to enter the country (except for citizens of countries that signed an agreement of visa exemption with Vietnam). For now, tourist visas can only be obtained in Vietnamese embassies, consulates abroad, or at the first point of entry to Vietnam. To secure a visa Vietnam, the applicant is requested to submit: the original passport, 2 copies of the application forms, 2 passport-sized photos, and visa fee.
Tourist visa: they are generally valid for thirty days
Visa extension: Travel agencies offer this service
Customs
On arrival in Vietnam, the customs inspection is usually pretty fast now.
When entering Vietnam visitors will be asked to fill out a form declaring all electronic equipment, jewellery, camera equipment and other valuables (except for the persons exempted by Vietnamese law). Amounts of money exceeding US$3.000 must also be declared on the customs forms upon arrival. Visitor cannot bring more than 1,000g of gold into Vietnam.
When leaving Vietnam, quantities exceeding 300g of gold must be declared unless the holder has permission from the Director of the State Bank. The exportation of antiques is retricted by Vietnamese law.
General information
Vietnam time: GMT plus 7 hours
Office hours
All government offices are open from 7.30 am to 4.30 PM (with a one-hour lunch break) from Monday to Friday.
In local regions, offices are open from 7.00 am to 11.00 am and from 1.00 PM to 5.00. Banks are open from 7.30 or 8.00 am to 3.30 PM and are closed on Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday.
Private shops are usually open from 8.00 or 8.30 AM to 9.00 or 10.00 PM.
Holidays
There are 5 Vietnamese holidays every year for total of 8 days.
Currency
The national currency is Vietnamese dong (VND). Notes are available in denominations of 100,000VND, 50,000 VND, 20,000 VND, 10,000 VND, 5,000 VND, 2,000 VND, 1,000 VND, 5,00 VND, 200VND.
Throughout the country, American dollars are widely accepted. However, the bills must be relatively new with no marking or tear. Travelers cheques are easily exchanged in banks. Credit cards are becoming popular, especially in the major hotels and restaurants of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Telephone, Facsimile, E-mail
The international phone code for Vietnam is 84. It is possible to make international calls or sent faxes from a post-office or major hotel. E-mail and Internet are available in most urban areas throughout the country. Domestic long-distance calls are made by dealing 0, followed by the area code and number. It is very easy to phone inside Vietnam. Most hotels will allow local phone calls free of charge.
Language
Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam. Learning foreign languages, particular English and French, is now vogue among young people. Tourist guides speaking English, French, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese are often available.
In the North, the best tourist season lasts from November to April. During this period, the weather is cooler and drier. There are several ritual ceremonies and folk festivals to celebrate the arrival of spring. The Lunar New Year festival (Vietnamese traditional Tet) in Hanoi will allow during this season is recommended to bring along warm clothes.
In the South, the temperature is warm all year round. The average temperature is approximately 27ºC. Therefor tourists need thin garments, sunglasses, and hats.
Electricity and water supply
Voltage system: 220 volt.
Tap water is already filtered and sterilised, but it should be boiled before drinking.
Accommodation
There are a vide variety of accommodations for visitor to choose from. Most hotels in big cities meet international standards.
Transportation
Visitor can travel over Vietnam through various province and town either by air, by road, or by train. Domestic flights are available everyday. The train between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi stops at different stations and province an exciting and unforgettable trip. The air-conditioned express trains take 32 hours to cover the distance. Cabs, motorcycles, and bicycles can easily be rented all over the country. The cyclo, a three-wheeled vehicle, is perfect for those who wish to move slowly and enjoy a city tour.
Airports
