LANGUAGE
 
National : Vietnamese
Foreign Language :
English - mostly in south, but increasingly in the north.
French - amongst older Vietnamese in tourist areas.
Most minority people (Montagnards) have their own language.
Lonely Planet Vietnamese language book (pirate version) $1-2 widely available in tourist area.

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CLIMATE
 
Climate varies from N to S, see local info.
Generally summer,(Apr-Sep) is hot and humid.
Winter is dry and relatively cool, the best time to travel.
North(Hanoi): Best season: Nov - Mar, Wet: May - Oct, Dry: Nov - Apr, Hot: Apr - Sep, Cool: Nov - Mar
Middle(Hue): Best season: May - Jun, Wet: Sep - Jan, Dry: May - Apr, Hot: May - Aug , Cool: Dec - Jan, Storms: Aug - Sep
South(Saigon): Best season: Nov - Apr, Wet: May - Sep, Dry: Mar - Apr, Hot: all year, Cool: None
Clothing: North: In the highlands Nov-Mar, it is very cold, especially mornings. Jacket necessary.
South: T-shirts are enough all year around, except in the highlands, where it can be cooler. Apr-May is very hot. Hats are essential to avoid sun stroke.

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TRAVELING COSTS
 
Vietnam has been changed a lot for last 10 years. Train fares are no longer expensive. Therefore the bus fares have been dropped. The bargaining in markets or on street is not hard as it used to be. (Only the old ladies are tough to bargain. Avoid them.) There are many reasonable hotels in most of the tourist destinations, thought single rooms are hard to find so you may travel with others to share a room.
Basic minimum prices for tourists
Room: single$5, twin$8, dm$3
Restaurant Meal: 30,000D+, (Tourist Cafe) 15-25,000D, Local restaurants 8-12,000D
Breakfast(American): 15,000D+
French bread sandwich: 2-3,000D
Black coffee: 5,000D Coffee with milk: 7,000D
Mineral Water 1.5-liter: 6,000D+
Beer: 6-12,000D Coke(bottle): 4,000D
Coke (can): 7-15,000D Fruit shake: 3-4,000D
Ice cream: 3,000D Toilet paper: 2-3,000D
Shampoo(S): 11-14,000D T-shirt: 10-20,000D
Post Card: 3,000D (some have  6,000D for 10 cards)

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CURRENCY
 
US dollar is the best. The rate and T/C commission varies slightly between banks and cities.
Not much difference in rate between T/C & cash. The rate is slightly higher for larger notes.
When price is quoted in US$, you can pay in dollar or Vietnamese Dong. Sometime paying in VD is better because of the exchange rate they use.
Exchange Rate: At bank $1=15,400D
Best currency to take: USA dollars.  Cash can be used at many places. The exchange rate is better than for other currencies
Exchange Commission: Cash to VND -None,
$T/C to VND 0%-1%, $T/C to $ cash 2%
Bank Opening hours:
M-F 8:30-11:30,13:00-16:00, Sa 8:30-11:30, Su Closed.
Black market: Very hard to find.
T/C com: Only American Exp, City Bank, Visa are accepted. The rate varies slightly between Banks. $1=15,400D commisson 0-2% (Vietcom bank 1%, Incom bank 0% for American Express, 1% for others) min$2
Credit Cards: Visa, Master Card Amex, Diners Club. Accepted only at high class hotels, restaurants, airlines. Places in the north tend to accept only Visa.
Cash Advance: Visa, MC can be used at some banks.
com Visa 3.5-4.0%, MC 0?-4.0%(Vietcom bank 3%)
ATM's: Available in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Hoian and some other major town. It is said that the commission is 3%.

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HEALTH
 
See SE Asia Health section.

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IMMIGRATION
 
Tourist Visa : Usually 30 days. May not be able to get from Embassy, may have to apply through a travel agent.
Enter/exit overland points stamps are no longer required. You can enter or exit at any official points.
You have to specify the date of entry. You can enter after the day but you will be permitted to stay for 30 days from the date you specified.
90 days, 90 days multi, 180 days multi visas are also available.
Visa fees in certain SE Asian cities:
Bangkok: At Vietnam embassy $50, agents on Khaosan Rd. 2000Baths 4 days (Reported: don't issue overland permits. you have to change later.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia:
at agents $30(need 4 days), $35(3 days), $55(2 days),$60(1 days),
at embassy: 1 month $30, 90days $45, 90 day multi 4$90, 180 days multi $150.
Battamgbang and Shihanoukville Cambodia: embassy $30(5 min) Also other visas are available.
Yangon, Myanmar:1-month Visa $55 4days
Vientiane, Pakxe, Savanaket, Laos: $55, takes 5days
Hongkong: HK$580 4 days. By agents only
Beijin China: embassy 425yuen ? days
Kunming China: consulate $50 3 days
Guanshu? China: $50 6days
Visa extension: At the immigration office in Hanoi 1 week only $10(may depend on personnel).
More than 10 days you should apply through travel agents.
1month $23+(need 3 days)-40(1 days), 2month $50(need 3 days)-70(1 days), 3month $60(need 3 days)-80(1 days), 6month $90(need 3 days)-120(1 days)
Re-Entry Visa: Apply through travel agents $3, takes 3 days.

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BORDER CROSSING
 
AIR
Departure Tax: International $10, Domestic 25,000D
Ho Chi Minh: Tan Son Nhat Airport shuttle $4/p, city bus 1000D
Hanoi: Noi Bai Airport shuttle bus $3, city bus 2000D?
Danang: No detailed info.
Land
From Laos
Savannaket (Laos) to Vietnamese border, "Lao Bao" by bus: then walk (very far, maybe 30 min.)or take bike taxi to Vietnamese bus station. Then a bus to Dong Ha. From there you can get to major cities, such as Hue/Danang.
Savannaket(L) to Hue/Danang: International bus daily
Savannnaket(L) to Hanoi: 1 bus /month.
Laksao(L) to Vinh(Vietnam), border, "Cao Treo": see the information below.
Phonsavan(L) to North part of Vietnam border, "Nonghet" : No detailed info. Ask Vietnamese embassy/consulate.
Vietnam (Hanoi) to Laos (Vientiane), Cau Treo crossing- Travelers report: Peter Lascher (2000 info)
Train ticket from Hanoi to Vinh is 128 000 Dong but if you are in a hurry take the mini bus to Hue (starting around 7 pm) tell the driver to drop you at the market area in Vinh (2 am) and take the bus...
In Vinh the bus-stop is near the Vinh market. They charge 50 000 Dong for the bus ticket (Cau Treo is written on the ticket). The bus (the first goes around 6:30),drops you around 25 km before the border and heads to another destination. There is no direct bus. A jeep waits for you and in the middle of nowhere the jeep stops and one of the guys starts to bargain. We paid 3$ for the ride. For another $1 at the border they skip the Vietnam customs. Walk three minutes to Laos immigration. Laos is easy, choose between Paksan and Tha Khaek. Pay the driver of the song thaew to Paksan to take you to Vientiane or take a Vientiane bound bus in Paksan.
It's possible to make the H - V trip in 24-28 hours (some people do that!). Around 30$ altogether.
From Cambodia
Phnom Penh(Cam) to Ho Chi Minh(VN) Daily tourist direct buses. $4-6 Ask travel agent in Phnom Penh.
Phnom Penh(Cam) to Caudoc(VN): Daily tourist boat trip regular boat $7-8, fast boat $15 Ask travel agent in Phnom Penh
From China
Route I: via He Kou(Ch)/Lao Cai(VN): No international trains are running between Kunming and Hanoi. Take a train/bus from Kunming to the Chinese border He Kou (about 15 hours), walk across the border(3 min), then take a taxi to Lao Cai Train Station. From there you can take a train to Hanoi. If you want to go to Sapa from the border. Walk along side of the river and wait for a van at the first bridge, then to cross the bridge.
Route II via Huu Nghi(Friendship) near Dong Dang(V): Take a train to Binshan, then a truck to the border town, Huu Nghi(Friendship) walk across to Vietnam town, then take a train to Hanoi.
Train from Beijing to Hanoi now operating, 1-2 trains/week. The train runs via Dong Dang, where you can change to Vietnamese train to Hanoi(reported)
For either route, you must already have a Visa - issued in Kontou,Beijing, Hongkong.

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MAIL/TELEPHONE
 
Post Office
General opening hours: varies - check local info.
Opening hour varies between towns, but post office generally open on Sa & Su 7:00-21:00 as well.
There are many post boxes, but locals don't trust them. It's recommended to go to the PO.
Mail: Charges
 Europe USA Australia Asia
Post Card 7,000 8,000 7,000 7,000
Stamps from machine are 500D cheaper. In Dalat, 400D extra fee required.
Letter min. weight 12,000 14,000 10,000 10,000
Small Parcel (Sea)1kg 190,000 240,000 160,000 155,000
add. 1kg 150,000 150,000 127,000 127,000
Parcel sea mail 20kg 1,004,192 1,293,055 805,039 681,265
Parcel air mail 20kg 3,573,607 4,235,142 2,878,514 1,709,571
Asia APPU (Air) 1kg    111,544
2kg    170,813
 
Telephone     
IDD telephones at GPO telephone offices have the cheapest rates.
Private telephone offices in town are slightly more expensive. Phonecalls from hotels are the most expensive.
Vietnam Country code: 084
International Telephone/Fax charges:
 Japan
+2h Europe (UK)-7h USA
-12h Australia
+1,+3h Neighbor
Phone1 min/add 6 sec. $1.4/0.14 $1.5/0.15 $1.5/0.15 $1.5/0.15 38,000/31000
Fax 1 page/next page 73/54000? $6.15? $5.70? $5.55? 58/48000
Collect call & charge: possible for USA, UK, AZ, Japan
Card Phones: Not many except in Ho Chi Minh. Cards in units of 60,000D, 300,000D, 450,000D can be bought at shops with a yellow Phone card sign.
Local Calls: can be made from GH. free or small fee.(1,500-2,000D).
You can often use private phones in town.
Long- dist.     
Ho Chi Minh - Danang: 1 min. 10,000D (add7,000D/min)?
Ho Chi Minh - Hanoi: 1 min. 13,000D (add3,9,500D/min?

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NATIONAL TRANSPORT
 
Except for flying, transport is slow. See local info for details.
AIR:
very expensive.
Ho Chi Minh - Hanoi: - OW $136 RT$261
Daily flights between major cities.
Tickets can be bought from travel agents (com. $2)
Train: time table
Foreigners' fare is not longer asked. More than 6 trains/day. Duration and price depends on the train. Tickets can be paid with Dong.
Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi takes about 48 hours on local train. Reunification Express takes 36 hours. The ticket price includes some food(good).
Hard seats: Wooden seats. Very uncomfortable on long journeys.
Soft seats: Padding. More comfortable. Tall westerners will find them a bit tight.
Hard berth: Wooden beds with just a slight touch of padding, 6-person compartments.
Soft berth: Very comfortable but expensive. 4-person compartments.
Reservation necessary. Recommended to reserve 2 or 3 days in advance. Tickets sold at train-station booking office(Hanoi and HCM station have the special counters for foreigners.) and travel agents (com $1-2) Travel agents can sometimes still secure tickets even when the station tells you that they are sold out.
Long distance BUS
Cheapest transport. Usually same price for locals and foreigners. Many buses leave very early in the morning (5:00 or 6:00).
Long distance bus terminals are located far from town centers. You usually have to rely on a private transport to get there. Buses are very old, crowded and no a/c. It is very common to see broken down buses on the roads. You can reserve a bus but not a seat. If you pay about double you may be able to secure a seat. Tickets can be bought at terminal. usually open from 4:00 to 17:00. No English understood. A/C mini vans are operating on certain routes with double fare.
Reservation is highly recommended.
Tourist bus/Mini bus
Tourist buses connect major cities Relatively new service, pickup service possible, usually have A/C.
Very convenient. They take breaks on route, stopping at tourist spots. On arrival, they will stop at various hotels for you, but the hotels are all government-run and may be more expensive. Much more expensive than public bus, but cheaper than train (soft seats). Tickets sold at tourist cafes, Travel Agencies, GH's up until the night before the journey.
If you will take tourist bus between Hanoi and HCMC, you may buy a "Open Tour" ticket which allows to break journey at Hue, Hoian, Nha Tramg and Dalat. The fare is cheaper than buying individually because many travel agents are competing each other in Hanoi and HCMC.

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LOCAL TRANSPORT
 
! Attention: To use Taxi or cyclo, its advised to write down the directions, and the agreed-upon price, to avoid confusion.
Local Bus
Buses usually leave when full.
City-bus system is not usually useful, except in Ho Chi Minh.
Taxis
Metered taxis are available in Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City. The cost varies. First 2km12,000D, add 1,600D/250m. Check that the meter is operating. Pay in Dong. The taxis, hanging around the tourist areas, sometime change the setting of the meter. So try to get a taxi running on street. They often take a longer route.
Cyclo
3-wheeled bicycle-rickshaw. Passengers sit in front and driver peddles behind. Great views, though scary.
Bargain hard. Some drivers demand more money later. They are very aggressive. If you can't handle, this don't use them. Write the address and agreed price on paper. Same price for two people. $1-2/hr
Motor Bike Taxi
Costs the same to ones of cyclo.
Bicycle Rental
8-15,000D/day Deposit may be required($20). Available from Cafes or GH's. Check the brakes & tires before you set off.
Motorbike Rental
$5-10/day. They often hold your passport as a deposit and want you to sign a form. Get a translation of the form in a language that you understand. Available from cafes or hotels. Ask your own hotel to give you a good rate. Check brakes, tires, and gas before you set off. Don't ride in the larger cities unless you already know how.

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Food
 
The detailed information will be ready soon. However the food is no longer tasty.
monosodium glutamate(Ajimonoto): They often use excessive amount of monosodium glutamate, therefore taste seems to be always same.
Seafood is very tasty in south, such as HCMC and Nha Trang. Many sea shells are cooked on street. They are cheap and very delicious.
Coffee: very strong and rich. But they often add flavors, such as vanilla, caramel, etc. If you prefer normal coffee, ask normal taste coffee.

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ACCOMMODATION
 
With the building of new hotels in most tourist destination cities, the problem of room shortage has been resolved.
GH's and basic hotels are the budget options. Room prices start from $5 for single and $8 for double. But it is hard to find single rooms. Double rooms are usually twin rooms so it is possible to share a room with another traveler. Check the room (and the bathroom) before you take it. Bargaining is possible. Rooms are cheaper in the south, so discounts are not so common. Theft is rare but you shouldn't leave valuables in your room.

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CUSTOMS
 
See SE Asia customs sheet.

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SHOPPING
 
Souvenirs:
Hand-embroidered T-shirts: The needle work is more detailed in Hanoi, but T-shirt material is better in Saigon. Print T-shirts: $1-2 hand embroidered T-shirts $2-3.
Post cards: Near tourist sections.
Books: Cheap, because many are pirate copies. (less than 1/3 of the price).
Bags: Cheap. But they are copies and low quality. Small bags are Ok but large backpacks, $15-20, are not recommended at all. Originals are also sold with a good price, $90-100 in HCMC.
Toys: made from empty soda cans $2
Aluminum Coffee filter, Large: 2,500-3,000D
Silk Ao Dai (Tailor made): $25. They will make it for a day.
Paper umbrella: 5,000-10,000D
Photo Developing/Quality: There are many photo shops in all major towns. 1-2 hour service available 4,000-5,000D + large 1,500D/print small 1,200d/p
English Newspapers
Daily: Vietnam news, Weekly: Saigon Times, Saigon Newsreader, Vietnam Investment Review
Monthly: Vietnam Today (free), What's on Saigon (free)
Voltage, Plug type: 220V/50 cycles in main towns, 110v in country. 2 pronged.

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FESTIVALS / PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2000
 
PH : Public Holiday.  If date not specified, it is movable.
Jan 1 PH New Year's Day
Feb 3 PH Vietnamese Communist Party day
early Feb PH? Traditional New Year's Day, (3 days) traditional birthday of all Vietnamese.
Mar PH? Banh Ba Trung Day
Celebration for Trung sisters who fought against the Chinese.
Apr  New Year's Day for Dead
Apr 30 PH Liberation of S. Vietnam
May 1 PH Labour Day
May 19 PH Birth Day of Ho Chi Minh
May 28 PH Buddha 's birthday
Aug  Trung Nguyen, Wondering Soul Day,
many offerings made at temples.
Sep 2 PH National Day, Independent Day
Sep 3 PH President's Birthday
Sep  Trung Thu, Mid Autumn Festival Especially important for children,
Nov  Confucius's Birthday