Vietnam General Information
Vietnam Capital: Hanoi.
Time: GMT + 7.
Tel. Code: 00 84 .
Official Language: Vietnamese is the official language. English, French, Chinese and occasionally Russian and German are spoken.
Currency: New Dông (D). Notes are in denominations of D100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000, 2000, 1000, 500, 200 and 100. Coins are not used.
Electricity: 220/110 volts AC, 50Hz, plugs are mostly flat pin.
Religion: Buddhist majority. There are also Taoist, Confucian, Hoa Hao, Caodaist and Christian (predominantly Roman Catholic) minorities.
Climate
Because of its geography, the climate in Vietnam varies greatly from north to south. Tropical monsoons occur from May to October. It is almost totally dry throughout the rest of the year
Required clothing:
Tropicals and washable cottons are worn all year. Rainwear is essential during the rainy season.
Airports
Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) at Noi Bai is 45km (28 miles) north of Hanoi. The airport has basic facilities. Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) is 7km (4.5 miles) from Ho Chi Minh City. Buses and metered taxis are available.
Departure tax: US$12 (Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi) and US$8 (Da Nang), payable in US Dollars or New Dông.
Internal transportation: Air,road, rail and sea are the modes of transportation within Vietnam.
Passport / Visa
Passport
Passport valid for at least six months after date of arrival or one month after expiration of visa required by all.
Visas
Required by all except: (a) nationals of Bulgaria, Cuba, Korea (Dem Rep) and Romania; (b) nationals of the Russian Federation (if possessing invitation in Russian from Russian host detailing specific 'mission' involved); (c) nationals of China (PR) (if with passport stamped AB and visiting for specific purposes) and Mongolia (if with passport stamped AB, AC or AO, and visiting for specific purposes); (d) nationals of Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand for 30 days; (e) nationals of The Philippines for 21 days; (f) nationals of Japan and Korea (Rep) for 15 days; (g) 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.
Note: For security reasons, it is advisable to carry copies of documents rather than originals when in Vietnam.
Vietnam Cuisines
Vietnamese cuisine is a style of cooking derived from Vietnam with fish sauce, soy sauce, rice, fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables all commonly used. Vietnamese recipes utilize a diverse range of herbs, including lemongrass, mint, Vietnamese mint, long coriander and Thai basil leaves. Traditional Vietnamese cooking is greatly admired for freshness of the ingredients and for the healthy eating style. The most common meats used in Vietnamese cuisine are beef, pork, chicken, fish, and various kinds of seafood. The Vietnamese also have a strong vegetarian tradition influenced by Buddhist values.
Vietnam Wildlife
Vietnam's hot, moist climate is home to elephants, bears, tigers and leopards as well as some smaller animals like monkeys, squirrels, and otters. Reptiles such as crocodiles, snakes and lizards can be found that prosper in Vietnam. The forests are usually dense and home to the large mammals mentioned above, and have a broad range of evergreens in them, in addition to vegetation indigenous to rain forests.
Shopping in Vietnam
Clothing varies greatly from tourist T-shirts to beaded handbags and traditional ao dai (the traditional costume) made to fit your size. Items made from silk are a popular buy, with prices varying depending on the material and tailor. Shoes, slippers and handbags made from traditional materials (silk and bamboo) can also become unique gifts and accessories. Other popular handicrafts in Vietnam include lacquer ware, wood-block prints, and oil and watercolor paintings, blinds made from bamboo, reed mats, carpets, and leatherwork. Remember to bargain while shopping in Taiwan.
National Parks of Vietnam
Ba Be National Park : Ba Be national park is situated approximately 5km from Cho Ra District Town, Cho Ra District, Cao Bang Province, and a straight-line distance of 150km north-north-west of Ha Noi. It was established in 1977. It Includes a freshwater lake, covering approximately 500ha, in an area of limestone mountains. Round about 100 species of birds and 30 species of mammal have been recorded, including several that are rare or endemic.
Cat Ba National Park : It is located in Ha Long Bay, about 30km east of Hai Phong City and Port, and about 8km off the coast and was established in 1996. The archipelago consists of one main island, covering 345sq.km, and 366 smaller ones.
Cuc Phuong National Park : It is situated in the foothills of the northern Annamite Mountains, some 100km south-west of Hanoi. The park may support as many as 300 species of birds, 65 species of mammals, 37 species of reptiles and 16 species of amphibians.
Nui Chua National Park: Nui Chua National Park is a national park in the province of Ninh Thu?n Province, on the border with Khanh Hoa Province, Nam Trung Bo, Vietnam. It was established on 9 July 2003 signed by the Prime Minister of Vietnam. Nui Chua Nature Reserve was changed into Nui Chua National Park. Núi Chúa National Park is situated on a wide, mountainous promontory, which projects into the South China Sea between Cam Ranh and Phan Rang bays.
Yok Don National Park: Yok Don National Park is a national park located in Buôn Đôn District, Dak Lak Province, Tây Nguyên of Vietnam, 40 km west of Buôn Ma Thu?t city. It was built in 1991 to protect 582 km² of a biological area of kh?p lowland forest. The vegetation at Yok Don National Park is covered by a mosaic of deciduous forest and semi-evergreen forest, with smaller areas of evergreen forest, particularly on hills and along watercourses. 474 vascular plant species have been found in the park.
Top Things to do in Vietnam
Crawl through the Cu Chi Tunnels.
Visit Dalat if you want to visit interesting tribal villages.
Paddle around Halong Bay
Visit Hoi An city
Meander along the Mekong on one of the many boat trips that are available taking you across the water
Visit Phu Quoc Island
Sightseeing In Vietnam
Cantho : Cantho is the political, economic, cultural and transportation centre of the Mekong Delta. Floating markets are the Delta's prime attractions. Central Market is also one of the attraction where you should go to stock up on fresh produce either direct from the farms or the fishing grounds nearby.
Chau Doc : Chau Doc is a riverine commercial centre better known for it's Cham and Khmer temples in its environs.
Ho Chi Minh Museum : Ho Chi Minh Museum is the only museum in the Mekong Delta devoted to this ruler.
Chau Phu Temple : Chau Phu Temple was built in 1926 and is decorated with both Vietnamese and Chinese motifs.
Tay Anh Pagoda : Tay Anh Pagoda is known for its fine wooden carvings of hundreds of religious figures. The building reflects both Hindu and Islamic influences and outside stand a black elephant (with 2 tusks) and a white elephant (with 6 tusks) as well as various monks tombs etc.
Dalat : The city of Dalat is the main centre of the Southern Highlands region. It is famous for its coffee shops, and is extremely popular with domestic tourists and honeymooners.
Prenn Falls : Prenn Falls are worth a visit and are located at the foot of Prenn Mountain Pass.
Telephones / Media
Main Telephones lines in use: 4.402 million (2003)
Mobile cellular: 2.742 million (2003)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 65, FM 7, shortwave 29 (1999)
Television broadcast stations: at least 7 (plus 13 repeaters) (1998)
There are five ISPs operating in Vietnam: Vietnam Data Communication Company (VDC), Corporation for Finance and Promoting Technology (FPT), Netnam Company, Saigon Post and Telecommunications Services Corporation (Saigon Postel Corporation, SPT) and Viettel Company. Another convenient method is to enjoy cheap international calling rates offered by many calling companies. You can take pleasure in talking for long
hours at reasonable price and from a valuable service like Rebtel.
Travel tips in Vietnam
Most banks are open from 7 or 8am to 11 or 11:30pm. Some are open from 1 or 2pm to 4 or 5pm.
Business hours are generally from 7.30 am to 4.30 PM, closed on Sundays.
Credit cards like American Express, Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted by banks and retail establishments.
Shops are generally open from 7 or 8am to 11 or 11:30pm. Some are open from 1 or 2pm to 4 or 5pm.
Hotels in Vietnam (Capital City : Hanoi)
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