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.
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.
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.
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.
Bank notes currently in circulation are in denominations of 100 / 200 / 500 / 1,000 / 2,000 / 5,000 / 10,000 / 20,000 / 50,000 / 100,000 / 200,000 and 500,000 Dong.
Notes under 200 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 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 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 not customary in Vietnam, but it 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. Avoid tipping too much, as it will set a precedent for others.
- Restaurants: Government-run restaurants catering to tourists add a 10% service charge to the bill.
- Porters: Porters, if they are available, can be tipped with American coins.
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.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
Duty-Free Items
Visitors may import 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco, 1 liter of wine, 1 liter of liquor and an unlimited amount of film. Commercial goods and items of high value being taken out of Vietnam require export permits from the Customs Service. Antiques may be confiscated permanently. No local currency may be taken out of the country.
The Customs Service Headquarters
21 Ton Duc Thang St.
Ho Chi Minh City
Tel 3890095
TRAVEL TO THE COUNTRY
Airports
Noi Bai International Airport
Hanoi
Tan Son Nhat Airport
Ho Chi Minh City
Fares are significantly lower for those flying to Ho Chi Minh City. Although flights are available from the capitals of most Southeast Asian countries as well as from Sydney and Melbourne, the best place is from Bangkok as visas are easiest to obtain there.
Airlines
Vietnam Airlines (International)
116-118 Nguyen Hue Blvd.
Ho Chi Minh City
Tel (08) 3292118
Vietnam Airlines (Domestic)
27b Nguyen Dinh Chieu St.
Ho Chi Minh City
Tel (08) 3299980
Air France
Dong Khoi and Le Loi St. (Caravelle Hotel)
Ho Chi Minh City
Tel (08) 3241278
Aeroflot
4H Le Loi St.
Ho Chi Minh City
Tel (08) 3893489
Thai Airways
116 Nguyen Hue Blvd.
Ho Chi Minh City
Tel (08) 3292118
Philippine Airlines
Ho Chi Minh City
Tel (08) 3292200
MAS
116 Nguyen Hue Blvd.
Ho Chi Minh City
Tel (08) 3830695
Trains
There are currently no train lines running between Vietnam and its neighboring countries.
Buses
Traveling by road from Cambodia is a slow and expensive alternative to flying. It is highly advisable that travelers fly in instead.
Ships and Ferries
There are no official passenger services. Travelers may be able to ride on a cargo ship to Ho Chi Minh City, Danang or Haiphong from Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Singapore and France. Check with the local shipping and travel agencies for rates and availability. A ferry service runs from Cambodia to Chau Doc in the Mekong Delta.
EMBASSIES & CONSULATES GENERAL:
EMBASSIES
- Algeria: 13 Phan Chu Trinh - Hanoi - Tel: 38 253865 - Fax: 38 260830
- Argentina: Daeha Building 360 Kim Ma - Hanoi - Tel: 38 315263 - Fax: 38 315288
- Australia: 8 Dao Tan - Hanoi - Tel: 38 317755 - Fax: 38 317711
- Austria: 8th fl. 53 Quang Trung - Hanoi - Tel: 39 433050 - Fax: 9 433055
- Bangladesh: 7th fl. Daeha Building - Hanoi - Tel: 37 716625 - Fax: 37 716628
- Belgium: 9th fl. Hanoi Tower - Hanoi - Tel: 39 346179 - Fax: 39 346183
- Brazil: T72 - 14 Thuy Khue - Hanoi - Tel: 38 432544 - Fax: 38 432542
- Brunei: 4 Thuyen Quang - Hanoi - Tel: 38 264816 - Fax: 38 222092
- Bulgaria: Van Phuc Quarter - Hanoi - Tel: 38 452908 - Fax: 38 460856
- Cambodia: 71 Tran Hung Dao - Hanoi - Tel: 38 253788 - Fax: 38 265225
- Canada: 31 Hung Vuong - Hanoi - Tel: 38 235500 - Fax: 38 235333
- China: 46 Hoang Dieu - Hanoi - Tel: 38 453736 - Fax: 38 232826
- Cuba: 65 Ly Thuong Kiet - Hanoi - Tel: 38 254775 - Fax: 38 252426
- Czech Republic: 13 Chu Van An - Hanoi - Tel: 38 454131 - Fax: 38 233996
- Denmark: 19 Dien Bien Phu - Hanoi - Tel: 38 231888 - Fax: 38 231999
- Egypt: 106 Nghi Tam - Hanoi - Tel: 38 294999
- England: 31 Hai Ba Trung - Hanoi - Tel: 38 252510 - Fax: 38 265762
- Finland: 6th fl. 31 Hai Ba Trung - Hanoi - Tel: 38 266788 - Fax: 38 266766
- France: 57 Tran Hung Dao - Hanoi - Tel: 38 252719 - Fax: 38 264236
- Germany: 29 Tran Phu - Hanoi - Tel: 38 430245 - Fax: 38 453838
- Hungary: 360 Kim Ma - Hanoi - Tel: 37 715714 - Fax: 37 715716
- India: 50-60 Tran Hung Dao - Hanoi - Tel: 38 244990 - Fax: 38 244998
- Indonesia: 50 Ngo Quyen - Hanoi - Tel: 38 253353 - Fax: 38 259274
- Iran: 54 Tran Phu - Hanoi - Tel: 38 232068 - Fax: 38 232120
- Iraq: 66 Tran Hung Dao - Hanoi - Tel: 38 254141 - Fax: 38 254055
- Israel: 68 Nguyen Thai Hoc - Hanoi - Tel: 38 433140 - Fax: 38 435760
- Italy: 9 Le Phung Hieu - Hanoi - Tel: 38 256246 - Fax: 38 267602
- Japan: 27 Lieu Giai - Hanoi - Tel: 38 463000 - Fax: 38 463044
- Korea (Republic of): 360 Kim Ma - Hanoi - Tel: 38 315111 - Fax: 38 315117
- Laos: 22 Tran Binh Trong - Hanoi - Tel: 38 254576 - Fax: 38 228414
- Libya: A3 Quartier de Van Phuc - Hanoi - Tel: 38 453379 - Fax: 38 454977
- Malaysia: 6B Lang Ha - Hanoi - Tel: 38 313400 - Fax: 38 313402
- Mongolia: Villa 5 Van Phuc - Hanoi - Tel: 38 453009 - Fax: 38 454954
- Myanmar: A3 Van Phuc Quarter - Hanoi - Tel: 38 453369 - Fax: 38 452404
- Netherlands: Daeha Office Tower - Hanoi - Tel: 38 315651 - Fax: 38 315655
- New Zealand: 32 Hang Bai - Hanoi - Tel: 38 241481 - Fax: 38 241480
- Norway: 7th fl. 6 Ly Thai To - Hanoi - Tel: 38 260211 - Fax: 38 260222
- Palestine: E4B Quartier Trung Tu - Hanoi - Tel: 38 524013 - Fax: 38 263696
- Philippines: 27B Tran Hung Dao - Hanoi - Tel: 38 257948 - Fax: 38 562760
- Poland: 3 Chua Mot Cot - Hanoi - Tel: 38 452027 - Fax: 38 236914
- Romania: 5 Le Hong Phong - Hanoi - Tel: 38 452014 - Fax: 38 430922
- Russia: 58 Tran Phu - Hanoi - Tel: 38 454631 - Fax: 38 456177
- Singapore: 41-43 Tran Phu - Hanoi - Tel: 38 233965 - Fax: 37 377627
- Slovakia: 6 Le Hong Phong - Hanoi - Tel: 38 454334 - Fax: 38 454145
- Spain: Daeha Building - Hanoi - Tel: 37 715207 - Fax: 37 715206
- Sweden: Van Phuc Quater - Ha Tay - Tel: 38 454824 - Fax: 38 232195
- Switzerland: 15th fl. Melia Hotel- Hanoi - Tel: 39 346589 - Fax: 39 346591
- Thailand: 63-65 Hoang Dieu - Hanoi - Tel: 38 235092 - Fax: 38 235088
- Turkey: 4 Da Tuong - Hanoi - Tel: 38 222460 - Fax: 38 222458
- United States: 7 Lang Ha - Hanoi - 38 431500 - Fax: 38 431510
CONSULATES GENERAL:
- Australia: 5B Ton Duc Thang - D.1 - HCMC - Tel: 38 296035 - Fax: 38 296031
- Belgium: 115 Nguyen Hue - D.1 - HCMC - Tel: 38 219354 - Fax: 38 219304
- Cambodia: 41 Phung Khac Khoan - D.1 - HCMC - Tel: 38 292751 - Fax: 38 292744
- Canada: 235 Dong Khoi - D.1 - HCMC - Tel: 38 245025 - Fax: 38 294528
- China: 39 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai - D.1 - HCMC - Tel: 38 292437 - Fax: 38 295009
- Cuba: 45 Phung Khac Khoan - D.1 - HCMC - Tel: 38 297350 - Fax: 38 295393
- Czech: 176 Nguyen Van Thu - D.1 - HCMC - Tel: 38 292179 - Fax: 38 299191
- Denmark: 20 Phung Khac Khoan - D.1 - HCMC - Tel: 38 228289 - Fax: 38 224888
- England: 25 Le Duan - D.1 - HCMC - Tel: 38 298433 - Fax: 38 221971
- France: 27 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai - D.1 - HCMC - Tel: 38 297231 - Fax: 38 291675
- Germany: 126 Nguyen Dinh Chieu - D.3 - HCMC - Tel: 38 291967 - Fax: 38 231919
- Hungary: 22 Phung Khac Khoan - D.1 - HCMC - Tel: 38 290130 - Fax: 38 292410
- India: 49 Tran Quoc Thao - D.3 - HCMC - Tel: 39 303539 - Fax: 39 307495
- Indonesia: 18 Phung Khac Khoan - D.1 - HCMC - Tel: 38 223799 - Fax: 38 299493
- Italy: 17 Le Duan - D.1 - HCMC - Tel: 38 298721 - Fax: 38 298723
- Japan: 13-17 Nguyen Hue - D.1 - HCMC - Tel: 38 225314 - Fax: 38 225316
- Korea (Republic of): 107 Nguyen Du - D.1 - HCMC - Tel: 38 225757 - Fax: 38 225750
- Laos: 93 Pasteur - D.1 - HCMC - Tel: 38 297667 - Fax: 38 299272
- Malaysia: 2 Ngo Duc Ke - D.1 - HCMC - Tel: 38 293132 - Fax: 38 299027
- Netherland: 29 Le Duan - D.1 - HCMC - Tel: 38 235932 - Fax: 38 235934
- New Zealand: 29 Le Duan - D.1 - HCMC - Tel: 38 226908 - Fax: 38 226904
- Norway: 21-23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai - D.1 - HCMC - Tel: 38 296869 - Fax: 38 296866
- Panama: 7A Le Thanh Ton - D.1 - HCMC - Tel: 38 250344 - Fax: 38 236447
- Philippine: 29 Le Duan - D.1 - HCMC - Tel: 38 233157 - Fax: 38 233158
- Poland: 2 Tran Cao Van - D.1 - HCMC - Tel: 38 245244 - Fax: 38 290114
- Russia: 40 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan - D.3 - HCMC - Tel: 39 303936 - Fax: 39 303937
- Singapore: 8th fl. 65 Le Loi - D.1 - HCMC - Tel: 38 225173 - Fax: 38 214766
- Sweden: 8A/11D1 Thai Van Lung - D.1 - HCMC - Tel: 38 236800 - Fax: 38 236817
- Switzerland: 270A Bach Dang - District de Binh Thanh - HCMV - Tel: 38 412211 - Fax: 38 412028
- Thailand: 77 Tran Quoc Thao - D.3 - HCMC - Tel: 38 222637 - Fax: 38 291002
- United States: 4 Le Duan - D.1 - HCMC - Tel: 38 229433 - Fax: 38 229434
