Welcome to Vietnam in general

Vietnam is one of the safest countries in Asia, and probably in the world. It has a stable government, the level of civil unrest is insignificant, crime levels are very low in comparison with most countries, and natural disasters affecting visitors are rare.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Vietnam borders with China in the north, Laos and Kampuchea in the West, and the Pacific Ocean in the east. Its lies in the centre of South-East Asia. Vietnam's territory stretches from Lung Cu village (Ha Tuyen province) in the north to Rach Tau hamlet (Minh Hai province) in the south. It is a S-shaped pennisula, with thousands of off-shore islands and archipelagoes; the biggest of which are the Hoang SA (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelagoes. Vietnam's mainland covers 331,689 square kilometres .

According to archaeological discoveries made at Do Mountain, it is believed that life in Vietnam began as far back as 300,000 years ago. Officially, the history of Vietnam stretches back 4,000 years when it was founded by the Hung Kings. It was then named Van Lang.

When speaking upon the history of Vietnam, it is important to note the large role played by the French in Vietnam. It began in 1858, when the French took over Danang in southern Vietnam. Over time, more and more territory was won over by the French. It wasn't until 1954, when the French surrendered to to the Viet Minh, ending the French Indochina War, that the French colonial control in Vietnam ended.

The immediate image in the minds of most people at the mention of Vietnam is that of the war fought against the United States some twenty years ago. Most people think of the country only in terms of the American conflict in Indochina. The war ended nearly twenty years ago, and today, despite lingering signs of past American involvement, the situation in Vietnam is markedly different. People have finally begun to look at the country from another perspective, now that travelers and tourists from the West are being welcomed into what was once a forbidden country. It may take a bit more effort and tenacity to plan an excursion into Vietnam than it would for another Southeast Asian country, but Vietnam has much to offer in terms of culture and sights.

Health

They take basic commonsense measures, very few people have health problems in Vietnam. Malaria is now a problem in only a few remote areas, and mass immunization program have minimized the incidence of infectious diseases. In all cases, wise travelers will check with their local medical specialist, even if only to confirm that recommended vaccinations are up to date.

It is best to assume that drinking water is risky throughout Vietnam. Bottled water, soft drinks and beer are freely available and cheap. Vietnamese food is nearly always cooked from fresh ingredients, so getting an upset stomach is probably less likely in a street side café than in an international restaurant that re-heats pre-prepared food.

The major health dangers are the effect of the sun and tropical heat. European skin will begin to burn very quickly on a hot day even if the sky is overcast: reputable high UV protection barrier lotions and cream are essential. Sunstroke is also a high risk: a wide brimmed hat that will shade the back of the neck as well as the eyes is better than a baseball cap. Heavy sweating caused by high humidity drains the body’s water supply rapidly. Drink plenty of water to replenish it and thus avoid unpleasant dehydration – several liters per day is generally recommended.

Health facilities are good in the big cities, limited in other urban areas and almost nonexistent elsewhere. If you are taking medication, bring a supply with you – a wide range of drugs are available in city pharmacies, but the selection is by no means comprehensive.

In the streets

Vietnamese traffic drives in the right (mostly) and has a somewhat cavalier regard for road safety. Pedestrian crossings, where they exist, are almost invariably ignored, so visitors need to exercise care. The best technique is to wait for a lull in the traffic, then walk steadily and purposefully across the road – oncoming bicycles and vehicles will move to one side to avoid a pedestrian. Hopping about trying to avoid the traffic makes an accident more likely.

In the cities, and especially in Ho Chi Minh City, petty crime can sometimes be a problem. To avoid difficulties, don’t:

• leave personal belongings unattended - put them somewhere safe or keep them with you

• carry a shoulder strap handbag or camera bag – a bag with a handgrip will deter motorbike bag snatchers

• carry large amounts of cash or vital documents – nearly all hotels have secure storage

• count money while standing at an ATM - put it in a safe place immediately and check it elsewhere

Most crime in Vietnam is low-level and opportunistic, and is uncommon in comparison with major cities elsewhere.

PEOPLE AND CULTURE

The vast majority of the population is Vietnamese with minute percentages of Chinese. The Viet culture originated on the delta of the Red River and the Ma River where the Viet people cultivated paddy fields. They led a simple farming life in small villages, usually living around a communal house. Today the people living in the countryside follow this lifestyle. The Viet people are influenced by Confucianism, in particular the principle of respect for their elders.

In spite of the immense suffering of the Vietnamese and the somewhat ruined state of the country, they are generally warm and friendly, and surprisingly, the Vietnamese bear little if any resentment or bitterness toward Americans. Children in the streets will commonly greet visitors with the name Lien Xo, which means Russian, but they will easily be corrected if you respond, "Hello!" or "Good morning" and explain you are an American, European or Australian, etc.

Ethnic Groups:

The country is predominantly 85-90% Vietnamese, 3% Chinese, ethnic minorities include Muong, Thai, Meo, Khmer, Man, Cham, and other mountain tribes.

Languages:

Vietnamese is the official language; French, Chinese, English, Khmer and tribal dialects (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian) are also spoken.

Religion:

Buddhist, Confucian, Taoist, Roman Catholic, indigenous beliefs, Islamic and Protestant.

WEATHER CONDITIONS

The weather in the southern part of Vietnam is tropical. It is monsoonal in the north, bringing a hot, rainy season from mid-May to mid-September and a warm, dry season from mid-October to mid-March. Occasional typhoons from May to January bring extensive flooding to the middle regions of Vietnam.

TRAVEL WITHIN THE COUNTRY

Cars

Car rentals are currently not in existence. Cabs, which are unmarked cars without meters, can typically be rented for the day for US$30 to US$40. Trains

The Vietnamese railway system runs from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi along the coast and links with Haiphong and the regions further north. Odd-numbered trains travel South, and even-numbered trains travel north. The fastest trains take at least 36 hours from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. Reservations should be made a day or more in advance. The major setback to the railways is that tourists are charged many times more than Vietnamese people in the form of an outrageously high surcharge. For long distance traveling, it is best to fly.

Buses

The bus system runs almost everywhere within the country, with stations built around the country dividing the territory into regions. Buses tend to be slow and unreliable.

VISAS AND PASSPORT

Passports and visas are required for entry into Vietnam. The best place to obtain a visa for Vietnam is Bangkok. The visa will specify where you will be arriving and where you will be leaving, in addition to how long you can stay.

Formerly, tours had to be booked to obtain a visa, but this is no longer the situation. Potential visitors to Vietnam must fill out three applications for entry and exit visas, accompanied by three passport photos 4cm x 6cm. One of the applications must be sent to the most convenient diplomatic or consular mission of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The other two applications/photos are carried with you and handed in at the first point of entry.

If you require us to assist you in the application, please send an email with the following information to: info@viptourasia.com :

Surname and first name

Date and place of birth

Nationality

Present place of residence

Profession

Time and point of entry and exit

Some Embassies of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam:

Australia

6 Timbarra Crescent

O'Malley

ACT 2603

Tel (062) 866059

France

62, rue Boileau

75016 Paris

Tel 4524-5063 or 4527-6255

Mexico

Sierra Ventana 255

11000 Mexico, DF

Tel 540-1612

Thailand

83/1 Wireless Road

Bankok

Tel (02) 251-7201

United Kingdom

12-14 Victoria Road

London W8 5RD

Tel 937-1912

DINING AND DRINKING

Vietnamese food varies from region to region. Almost 500 traditional dishes have been recorded! Rice and noodles are staple foods, served with nearly all meals. The most popular dishes are nema rán (spring rolls), bún thang (noodles with sliced pork, eggs, shredded chicken and shrimp), shellfish steamed with ginger and sea crabs fried with salt. Among common ingredients used are: shark fin, duck, pork paste, fish, spices, fruits, vegetables, crab meat, lobster and oysters.

Imported beer is available in Vietnam, although a number of domestic beers are brewed. Rice wine is very popular, and there are many brands available. There is a variety of fruit wines such as apricot, orange or lemon. Soft drinks are processed from the many varieties of tropical fruits available. Water from the tap should be avoided, even though it has already been filtered and sterilized at 10ºC. If you must drink it, boil the water first. 

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

- Police: 113

Ho Chi Minh City Police Station

161 Nguyen Du, Quan 1

Tel 99398 or 97107

Open from 8am-11am and 1pm-4pm

Hanoi Police Office for the Registration of Foreign Visitors

63 Tran Hung Dao, Hanoi

All visitors must register with the police within 48 hours of arrival. If you are on a tour, this should have been taken care of (but check anyway).

- Fire Department: 114

- First Aid: 115

International Dialing Access: Available at major tourist hotels and post offices

Country Code: 84

City Codes: Hanoi: 04 / Ho Chi Minh: 08

When calling from within the same city, delete the city code from the number. When calling to another city from within Vietnam, use the entire city code. When calling from outside Vietnam, delete the first digit (0) from the city code.

LOCAL CUSTOMS

Be firm, yet diplomatic when dealing with officials who will often be very rigid. In the case of misunderstanding, patience is the best policy.

Small gifts such as cigarette lighters, pens, foreign cigarettes, liquor, perfume and even shampoo are greatly appreciated by anyone you wish to make friends with in Vietnam.

Out of politeness, always ask permission before taking photos of people. The same rule of thumb also applies to photos taken in places of worship. Permission will almost always be granted.

A gentle handshake is the most appropriate manner of greeting.

Be very discrete about giving anything to beggars frequently encountered in Ho Chi Minh City. If anyone is seen giving handouts to a beggar, he or she may end up being pursued by a mob of other beggars. This does not help create a good image for foreigners; it gives them instead the reputation of being easy to hit up for money.

Beware of pickpockets. Keep your ID and passport in a safe place and carry only photocopies of those items.

Remove your shoes before entering Buddhist pagodas. Small donations placed in the boxes found in temples are appreciated. It is acceptable to keep your shoes on within Chinese pagodas.

Never let the soles of your feet face other people or any sacred monument, such as a statue of Buddha.

CURRENCY

The Dong (D) is the official currency in Vietnam.

Exchange rate is approximately 1 USD = 20,000 Dong (Jan 01, 2011)

Bank notes currently in circulation are in denominations of 1,000 / 2,000 / 5,000 / 10,000 / 20,000 / 50,000/ 100,000/ 200,000 and 500,000 Dong

Notes under 5000 Dong have little value and are rarely used.

The U.S. dollar is more or less a second currency in Vietnam. Other foreign currencies are not readily accepted. A large supply of US$1, US$5 and US$10 are almost essential for tipping, for small expenses and for hotel bills. U.S. money is so common that change will frequently be given in dollars.

You may bring in an unlimited amount of foreign currency as long as it is declared on the forms provided by customs officers. Foreign currency can be exchanged for dong at your hotel or at the State Bank of Vietnam.

THINGS TO KNOW

Population: About 86 Million People

Capital: Hanoi

Flag: The flag of Vietman is red with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center.

Shop Hours: Shops run from 7 or 8am to 11 or 11:30pm. Some are open from 1 or 2pm to 4 or 5pm.

Bank Hours: Most banks are opened from 7am or 8am to 11am or 11:30am Some are open from 1pm or 2pm to 4pm or 5pm.

Holidays

January 1             Solar New Year's Day

January/February            Tet (Tet Nguyen Dan). The most important Vietnamese annual festival. This marks the new lunar year and the advent of spring. This is a three-day holiday, usually at the end of January or the beginning of February (according to the solar calendar)

February 3          Anniversary of the Foundation of the Communist Party of Vietnam

April 30 Liberation Day, the day on which Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) fell to Hanoi  in 1975. This holiday is commemorated nationwide.

May 1                 Labour Day

May 19 Birthday of President Ho Chi Minh

September 2      National Day of Vietnam

Time: +7:00, Vietnam is 11 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and 14 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time.

Tipping: Tipping is enormously appreciated. A 5-10% tip for a meal is a very small amount of money, but to the average Vietnamese, it could easily equal a day's wages.

Restaurants: Government-run restaurants catering to tourists add a 10% service charge to the bill.

Porters: Porters, if they are available, can be tipped 50cents equivalence to local currency.

Hotel maids: Government-run hotels catering to tourists charge an automatic 10% service fee.

Taxis: Generous tips are not necessary. A small gratuity, however, is expected by cab drivers.

In general

If you travel with VIP tour Asia, you’ll be driven in a high-quality vehicle by an experienced driver with an unblemished safety record. The places you visit will be safe and managed properly. For example, we only use officially licensed boats on Ha Long Bay, and always moor in a secure area for overnight stays.

Of course, accidents can occur at any time. All our guides are experienced and chosen not only for their local knowledge, but also for their sense of responsibility and ability to act decisively. They can be relied upon to take prompt, effective action when a situation merits it. The safety of guests is always top priority.

Author

VIP tourasia Team