GENERAL INFORMATION

Vietnam is bordered on China in the North, Laos and Cambodia in the West, and the Pacific Ocean in the East. Located  in the centre of South-East Asia. Vietnamese territory stretches from Lung Cu village (Ha Tuyen province) in the North to Rach Tau hamlet (Minh Hai province) in the South.

Vietnam's mainland covers 331,689 square kilometers and its coast prolongs over 3,000 kilometers in length. This S-shaped peninsula, with thousands of offshore islands and archipelagoes; Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) are the biggest ones of Viet Nam.

As the crow flies, the distance from North to South is about 1600 kms. The North, formerly Tonkin, is the greatest part of 600 kms in width, whereas the Southern part - ancient Cochin China, is only 400kms. And the narrowest part – Quang Binh province, old Annam, is just a strip of land of 50kms. This part is bordered on one side by Laos and on other side by Oriental sea.

In the past centuries, under  the dominance of different consecutive colonialism and imperialism, Vietnamese people have had plenty of fight for a long time to protect their territory and their culture. During the period of 1945- 1975, under the clear – sighted leadship of Ho Chi Minh, he was constantly fighting for independence and freedom and reunification.

Today, the bombardments of Yankee are stopped dropping, and replaced by the stream of travellers from over the world. They come and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Vietnam country that is called "Mountains and Sea". According to the legend, the first Vietnamese people were descended from the Dragon Lord Lac Long Quan and the Immortal Fairy Au Co. They have had 100 sons. One day, they have decided to part away. 50 of them have gone with their mother to the mountains, and the others to the sea with their father. The eldest son has become the first earliest Vietnamese king. People has called him as Hung King (Hung Vuong Dynasty). The Hung kings named their country as Van Lang, It has been located on the Red River delta; today it’s the northern Vietnam. People of Van Lang have been known as the Lac Viet.

WEATHER

Vietnam is located in the tropical and temperate zone. It is characterized by a strong monsoon influence, a considerable amount of sunny days, and with a high rate of rainfall and humidity. Some places located near the tropics or in mountainous regions are endowed with a temperate climate. Average temperatures for the year range from 22o to 27oC. The climate in Vietnam is divided into two distinguished seasons : The cold season (from November to April) and the hot season (from May to October).

The most noticeable seasonal changes in temperature are found in the northern provinces, where a difference of 12oC is possible. The difference in temperature, estimated at 3oC, between the two seasons in southern Vietnam is almost unnoticeable. Four distinct seasons are most evident in the northern provinces: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter.

 PEOPLE

Ethnic Groups: At present, in Vietnam community there are 54 different elements of people. The Kinh (Viet) is the major one who is represented nearly 90% of Vietnam total population. There are also 3% of Chinese and major ethnic minority groups as the Tay, Thai, Muong, H'Mong, Dao and Khmer. . and other mountain tribes. Vietnamese culture originated from the plains of the Red River and the Ma River where the Vietnamese are farming in the fields.

They live a simple farming life in the small village, usually around the public house of village. Today most rural people live in this lifestyle. Vietnamese people are influenced by the doctrine of Confucius (Confucianism), in particular they live on principle to respect the elders.
Each nationality has its own language, script, tradition and custom. This feature makes Vietnamese culture colorful and plentiful. 

LANGUAGES

Vietnamese language used for all nationalities beside the tribal dialects (Khmer, Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian). However, Vietnamese people demonstrate to the world that they can speak almost the foreign languages such as Russian, French, English, Chinese, Japanese, German.. . .

RELIGION

Apart from popular religious belief, Vietnam still has some major religions such as Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, Cao Dai and Hoa Hao

CUSTOM

- In principle, we do not touch the heads of little girls (and children in general).

- Clothing Question: No  nudity on beaches. In town, please avoid  be bared torso. Formal dress in temples and pagodas (where it has to remove generally their shoes before entering).
- Do not come in a house or apartment without being invited.  There again, we take off  our shoes mostly.

- Do not enter first into the house at Lunar New Year Eve -  after midnight. Doing like this you may cause the ruin of the unfortunate family for all the year!

- Do not take offense if  the Vietnamese do not open the gift that you gave him. Because, to his point of view, it would be impolite to do that.

- Begging is not only a real problem in the south, but also a little bit in the north. Please always have change ready if you want to donate money. Do it discretetly, at the risk of  keeping all the others on the back (including many professionals!).

- In fact, white is the color of mourning.

CURRENCY

The Dong (VND) is the official currency in.
Bank- note are currently in denomination of Vietnamese monetary system: 200 / 500 / 1,000 / 2,000 / 5,000 / 10,000 / 20,000 / 50,000 / 100,000 / 200,000 and 500,000 Dong.
Notes under 500 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  rarely accepted. A large supply of US$1, US$5 and US$10 is almost essential for small expenses, for tipping taxi driver or porter at the hotel….. U.S. dollars are very common that the exchanges normally take place.

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

THINGS TO KNOW

• Population: About 78 Million People

• Capital: Hanoi

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

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

Time: +7:00, Vietnam is 11 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and 14 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time.
Tipping: In Vietnam, It is not customary to tip but it is greatly appreciated.

A 5-10% tip for a meal is a very small amount of money, but to the average Vietnamese, it could be easily equal to a day's wages. Don’t tip too much, because it will be a done thing for others.

Restaurants: All restaurants are allowed by Governments to add 10% service charge to the tourists’ bill.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

Porters: Porters, if they are available, can be tipped with American coins.

Hotel maids: All hotels are allowed by Governments to add automatically 10% service fee to the tourists’ bill

Taxis:  Tips are not necessary. However, a small gratuity is expected by car drivers.