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TRAVEL ADVISORY FROM VIETNAMESE EMBASSY IN U.S.
http://www.vietnamembassy-usa.org/news/index.php?category=12 http://www.vietnamembassy-usa.org/travel_to_vietnam/entry_and_exit/ Visa Any foreigner or overseas Vietnamese wishing to visit Vietnam must fill out one 1 entry visa application form. The paperwork must be sent to a Vietnamese diplomatic representative office (the embassies), or consulate general of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, in the most convenient country. This rule may not be applied for citizens of countries with which Vietnam has bilateral agreements for visa exemption. (Please contact the Embassy of Vietnam for more information) Customs
Some Embassies of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Australia France Mexico Thailand United
Kingdom http://www.vietnamembassy-usa.org/travel_to_vietnam/transportation/ Vietnam Airlines Direct air service currently includes flights from Hanoi to Hue, Danang, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, Buon Me Thuout, Pleiku, Dien Bien Phu, and Nasan; and from Ho Chi Minh City to Buon Me Thuot, Danang, Dalat, Haiphong, Hue, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Pleiku, and Quy Nhon. Flights between Hong Kong, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City suit the travel needs of most travelers connecting with flights from the United States. For more information, please check with Vietnam Airlines. Major airlines flying to Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi:
China, Japan, Korea, and Russia have direct flights to and fro Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. Cheap airlines: Air Asia operated between Hanoi and Bangkok, Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur, Jetstar between Ho Chi Minh City and Sydney, Tiger Airway between Hanoi/ Ho Chi Minh City and Singapore. Airlines National railway Service is available on the northern line from Hanoi to Lao Cai via Thai Nguyen, Hai Phong, Uong Bi, and Lang Son. The full 296 km journey takes approximately nine hours, while Hai Phong is reachable in under four hours. Service on the southern line from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City includes the well-known Reunification Express train. Stops include Vinh, Hue, Danang, and Nha Trang. The full trip takes approximately two days. Main railway stations: Hanoi Railway Station Saigon Railway Station Road network North-south roads National Highway 1: From the Huu Nghi Border Gate in Lang Son Province to Ho Chi Minh City and down to Go Dau Ha. This is the trans-Vietnam North-South high way. Highway 14: Running along the Central Highlands from the ancient capital city of Hue to Kontum-Pleiku meeting Highway 1 at Bien Hoa. Truong Son Trail: Beginning at Tan Ky, Ha Tinh province, it runs in parallel with Highway 1 through the Tay Nguyen Central Highlands down to the east of South Vietnam. Other roads: * Highway 2: Linking Hanoi via Vinh Phu to Meo Vac (Tuyen Quang). http://www.vietnamembassy-usa.org/travel_to_vietnam/useful_times_and_dates/ Sea travel Maritime transport has been established to the seaports of Hon Gai, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Vung Tau, and Saigon. Hai Phong is the most important port, lying on the East-West and North-South international sea lanes. In recent years, the ports of Hai Phong, Da Nang and Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) have received international tourist ships each with upwards of 1,000 tourists on board. Tourism seasons Vietnam is a country where tourists can visit in all four seasons. The country's tourism service offers a range of programmes convenient to your circumstances. In the North, the best tourist season lasts from November to April the next year. Spring time is especially pleasant because of the cooler, drier climate. Also at this time there are a lot of ritual ceremonies and folk festivals of many diverse forms; such as: Festivals to commemorate national heroes and heroines, folk cultural festivals, spring festivals, as well as prayer ceremonies for good crops, to cite just a few. The most interesting one is the Lunar New Year Festival. Visiting Vietnam in that season, you are recommended to bring along warm clothes. The temperature in Winter is around 10-15 degree Celsius. It becomes warmer in March and April. (Northern Vietnam (from Hue up North) has four seasons with a cold winter and hot summer. The temperature ranges from 5-6C in winter to up to 35C in summer. The further North it is, the colder it gets. In mountainous regions in the far North, the temperature some times drops below zero. Rainy months are August, October, November. February and March have persistent, light, drizzling rain.) Meanwhile in the South, the average temperature throughout the year is about 27 degree Celsius, so you just need thin garments, sun glasses and may be a hat or two. (Has a distinct dry season (from November to April) and wet season (from May to October). Average temperature ranges from 25-30C. During wet months, heavy and short downpours may occur in mid-afternoons.) ( For Central Vietnam: The temperature tends to be warmer and more humid than the South in the middle of the year and cooler during the dry season from November to April. Beware of Flooding that may occur from October to December.)
Office hours: All Government offices are open from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM weekdays, except for a one-hour lunch break. http://www.vietnamembassy-usa.org/travel_to_vietnam/cultural_festivals/ Based on lunar calendar The 2nd day of the 1st month: Wrestling Festival in Lieu Doi, Nam Ha. http://www.vietnamembassy-usa.org/travel_to_vietnam/travel_tips/ Electric power: Electric current in Vietnam is 220 Volts. Water supply: Tap water in urban areas in Vietnam is chlorinated, but it is recommended that it should be boiled before drinking. Money: The currency issued by the Vietnam State Bank is the dong (abbreviated "d" or VND) which is used unformly throughout the country. Bank notes in denominations of 200d to 500,000d are presently in circulation. The exchange rate is approximately 16,000d = US$1. At present certain travelers' cheques such as Amercian Express and credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard are accepted in cities. Language: Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam. Foreign language learning, particularly English, is currently in vogue among young people in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Da Nang and other cities. Tourist guides can speak English, French, Russian, Chinese and Japanese. Postal service: A regular international post service is available. In addition there are some new, special services: Express Mail Service (EMS). The domestic EMS ensures that letters and small parcels are delivered within 24-48 hours. International EMS has relations with nearly 30 countries world-wide, with a delivery time ranging from 2 to 10 days. Air mail and small parcels must however be subject to additional charges. Express money transfer is also available; money is delivered to the receiver within 24 hours. Telecommunications: Long-distance and international direct-dial calling is available throughout the country. Fax machines are quickly proliferating in Vietnam; public and registered fax machines are available in hotels, business and public offices. Internet access is available at most hotels and Internet cafes. Television and Radio: Vietnam Television (VTV) broadcasts three channels (VTV1, VTV2 and VTV3) throughout the country and VTV4 for overseas Vietnamese. VTV will have eight channels by 2010. International channels such as CNN are available in most hotels equiped with sattelite dishes or TV cables. Voice of Vietnam Radio broadcasts throughout the country; all provinces and cities have their own radio stations as well. http://www.vietnamembassy-usa.org/travel_to_vietnam/tourist_spots/ha_noi/ Hoan Kiem Lake. Considered the heart of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake is its symbol. Ngoc Son temple on the lake is dedicated to the God of literature, General Tran Hung Dao, who defeated the Mongolian enemy in the 13th century and the Pitron Saint of physicians. A large tortoise carcass of 2.1 m long and 250kg heavy that lived some 400-500 years is still kept at the temple. Ngoc Son temple is linked with the Bank by a beautiful curved bridge called The Huc (Morning sunshine). Just at the beginning of the bridge is a stone brush tower. It is located on a small hillock with three carved Chinese characters "Ta Thanh Thien" (writing on the blue sky). At its foot is Dai Nghien (Ink-stab). Many central and municipal bodies as well as busy trade streets are located around Hoan Kiem Lake. In the centre of the Lake there is an islet where the Tortoise Tower stands. The monument of King Le Thai To is situated on the Western Bank of the lake. Hanoi Old citadel. Hanoi Old Citadel was destroyed and restored many times. At present, only the Northern Gate of the citadel on Phan Dinh Phung street still remains. On its walls, there are traces of bullets left by the French army attacking Hanoi. On Dien Bien Phu street stands the Hanoi flag-tower (60m high), consisting of three layers made of Baked bricks. It was built in 1812 in a prism shape with spiral stairs leading to the platform. It is also a symbol of the capital. Inside Hanoi Old Citadel traces of the grounds of destroyed palaces still remain. The Ba Dinh Square zone. This zone is situated south of West Lake and North of Hanoi Old Citadel and is well-known for the following historical sites: - Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. It was opened on September 2, 1975, standing on the historical Ba Dinh square. This architectural structure has a rectangular form and evokes a lotus. Its upper part was made in the style typical of a traditional Vietnamese pagoda. The Mausoleum is opened daily for people coming to pay their homage to president Ho Chi Minh. - Uncle Ho's (Ho Chi Minh) house-on-stilts. The house is located in the compound of the Presidential Palace ( former Residence of the Governor General of Tonkin). It is made from wood, in the style typical of the houses of mountain ethnic minorities. Next to the house are century old trees, by the side of a beautiful lake. President Ho Chi Minh lived, worked and hold meetings with top leaders from 1954 until he passed away in this house (September 1969). - Ho Chi Minh Museum. This five-storey architectural project is situated behind Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. It was opened on September 2, 1990 on the occasion of the 100th birthday of the President. In this Museum many objects and documents relating to Ho Chi Minh are kept. The West Lake zone. West Lake has an area of over 800 hectares. It is a former section of the Red River. There are many legends about this lake. Formerly this lake was called "Dam Dam" (Misty lake). Around the lake, stand many palaces of feudal kings and lords. Numerous ancient and beautiful pagodas and temples are also seen in the surroundings of West Lake. In the old times, in the area around West lake there were craft villages specializing in paper and silk production, etc., and villages providing the city with flowers or vegetables. At present, many hotels, restaurants and villas have been built around the lake. In future, this place will be the recreation and tourist spot of Hanoi. - Co Loa Citadel (Spiral-shaped Citadel), in Dong Anh district, suburban area of Hanoi. There are ruins of a fortified palace with walls arranged in a spiral that was built in the 3rd century B.C. to serve as the capital of King An Duong Vuong. Of the nine coils of the spiral, which covered an area of more than 5 square kilometers, there remain only the vestiges of three, which in certain places are now about 2 metres high and 15 metres wide. In the centre of the citadel some buildings with valuable sculptures, are still found such as temples dedicated to King An Duong Vuong and his daughter, Princess My Chau, whose love for her husband caused the fall of the kingdom. - Opera House. The Hanoi Municipal Theatre also known as the Opera House was built by the French in 1911 after the architecture of Paris Opera House. This theatre is the stage for the most interesting and important performances in Hanoi. - Labour's Culture Palace was built with the help of the Soviet Union, and inaugurated in 1985 on the site of the former Exhibition House. The large hall has 1200 seats and a round stage. The small hall has 250 seats. There are also many places reserved for 24 clubs with various activities. - Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. The traditional water puppet shows are staged with original and interesting programs. It is a folk art particular to the people cultivating wet rice fields in North Vietnam. The artists hidden behind a curtain while immersed in water manipulate the puppets through an apparatus put under in the water surface, which serves as the stage. - Traditional Art Club. Scenes from the most interesting Vietnamese traditional plays are sown here. - The Cathedral of Hanoi (St. Josheph's Church), built in 1886 in Gothic style, is the most beautiful and largest church in Hanoi. Near the Cathedral is the office of Hanoi's bishop, and in front of it is the Madonna Monastery. - Cua Bac Church. Its architecture is slightly influenced by that of Vietnamese pagoda and temple. Hanoi's museums- Museum of the Revolution, No.25, Tong Dan Street. Various relics of the Vietnamese people's patriotic and revolutionary struggle. - Museum of History, No. 1, Pham Ngu Lao Street. Rich collections of archaeological findings of great scientific and artistic value, including some relating to the era of the Hung kings, about 4,000 years ago represent the evolution of the Vietnamese nation. - Museum of the Army, Dien Bien Phu Road. Great periods of the armed struggle of the Vietnamese people are reflected. - Women's Museum. No.36, Ly Thuong Kiet Street. Here thousands of objects on historical tradition of Vietnamese women in the cause of building and safeguarding the country are displayed. Moreover, there is a special section dealing with the wholehearted support of world's women towards Vietnamese women. - Museum of Fine Arts. No.68. Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. Artistic works of great value, ranging from bronze drums (first millennium B.C.) to sculptures, paintings, engravings, and lacquer works by contemporary artists are displayed, not to mention folk art. Principal pagodas and temples in Hanoi - Mot Cot Pagoda (One pillar pagoda). This is what remains of an ancient and much more imposing pagoda. It was built in 1049 in the shape of a lotus flower. According to a legend, King Ly Thai To, who had no male offspring, once saw in a dream the Goddess of Compassion (Avalokitesvara) sitting on a lotus who handed a boy to him. The King later married a young peasant woman he had met by chance and a son was born to them. As a token of gratitude, he had the pagoda built and dedicated to the Goddess. It is a square pavilion (3x3m) on top of a cylindrical stone pillar (diameter: 1.25m). - Quan Su Pagoda (Ambassadors' Pagoda). This is the most active Buddhist centre in Hanoi. In the 15th century, this was the site of the Guesthouse for Ambassadors coming from Buddhist countries, with a small pagoda nearby. The pagoda was rebuilt in 1936-42. - Ba Da Pagoda (Pagoda of the Stone Lady). As the soil was being dug for the building of the citadel of Thang Long (ancient Hanoi), a stone statue of a woman was unearthed. A temple was built to be dedicated to her. It later became a pagoda. The temple dates back to the 15th century. - Hai Ba Temple (Temple of the Two Ladies). This temple is dedicated to Trung Sisters. One can see in the sanctuary the statues of two women, kneeling with arms raised, as if addressing the people. - Quan Thanh Temple (or Tran Vu) wrongly called "Pagoda of the Big Buddha" by the French colonialists. It was built by West Lake under the Ly Dynasty (1010-1225) and later reconstructed. Tran Vu was the God of the North. His attributes are a tortoise and a snake. A bronze statue (1677) is 3.72 metres high and weighs 4 tons. A bronze bell dates Back to 1677. - Tran Quoc Pagoda by West Lake. A stele (1639) carries an inscription on the history of the pagoda. It was built probably on the site of an old royal summer palace. - Van Mieu Temple (the Temple of Literature). Built in 1070. Later rebuilt. Dedicated to Confucius. It was also the first University in Vietnam (training scholars mandarins) which opened in 1076. It features quietness and harmony with the greenery surrounding it. There is Khue Van Pavilion, 82 stone steles bearing the names of the laureates of royal examinations held over a period of three hundred years (1484-1787). - Voi Phuc Temple (Temple of Kneeling Elephants). According to a legend, it was built under the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong (1054-1072) and dedicated to Prince Ling Lang who defeated the Sung aggressors, attacking the enemy with his war elephants. Statues of Ling Lang and his men can be seen there. http://www.vietnamembassy-usa.org/travel_to_vietnam/tourist_spots/ho_chi_minh_city/ Not only a commercial centre, Ho Chi Minh City is also one of the most important tourist zones of Vietnam. Tourists may start their travels from Ho Chi Minh City to the Cuu Long delta with vast paddy fields and peaceful villages on both sides of channels overshadowed by coconut canopies. These channels may lead tourists to floating markets or to their remote mangrove forests in the southernmost part of the country. Other beautiful landscapes are the Thap Muoi field with natural birds sanctuaries, the Phu Quoc island or the beaches at Vung Tau. If going north, tourists will reach Da Lat that is next to the large basalt Central Highlands. Main tourist spots within the city include: - The Reunification Conference Hall. At the end of the 19th century, the French built the Norodom Place on this site. It was also an office of the then Governor. In 1963, those who carried out a coup d'etat damaged it in a bombardment. In 1966, it was restored. From 1966 to 1975 this Palace was the residence and office of the presidents of the pro-American Governments, called the "Independence Palace". At 11.30 am of April 30, 1975 the tanks of the Liberation Army entered and the last puppet authority capitulated without conditions. - The Dragon House-Wharf. This is a large architectural project, built in 1862 on the bank of the Sai Gon River as the office of a waterway company. From there, in 1911 the 21-year-old Nguyen Tat Thanh (president Ho Chi Minh) departed for his voyages seeking a way for national liberation. At present, this is the commemorative house to President HO Chi Minh. - Vinh Nghiem pagoda. This is a most famous pagoda in the city, built from 1964 to 1973 thanks to financial contributions of the Buddhists of the Truc Lam zen sect who came from Bac Giang province, therefore the pagoda is called "Vinh Nghiem", after the name of a pagoda built in the 11th century in Yen Diung, Bac Giang province, the ancient of the Truc Lam zen Buddhist sect.� The pagoda has�a seven layered tower keeping many pictures, statues of Buddha and a large bell contributed by Japanese Buddhists for peace prayers during the war in Vietnam. - Notre Dame Cathedral. This is the most beautiful cathedral of the city located in its centre. The French built it from 1877 to 1880. Its two high bell towers were built the neo-Romanistic style. - Zoo and Botanical Garden. It was built during 1864 and 1865. At first, many precious species of plants were brought here from India, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand, then rare animals were also raised. A bridge across the Thi Nghe Channel links the part reserved for growing plants and that for animals. At present, thousands of plants grow in the Garden, including species from Africa and America. Hundreds of animals, birds and reptiles are also cared for here, so this is the biggest zoological garden of the country and the largest entertainment place of the city.
Cat Ba National Park. Cat Ba is composed of over 360 small islands situated between Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay to form a spectacular island scenery. The biggest among them is the Cat Ba Island, 40 kilometers east of Hai Phong City. Covering 10 thousand hectares of forests and 4 thousand hectares of sea water, it is of great value for its interrelated diverse ecosystems of forest and sea; Cat Ba Island has now been made a National Park. There are many limestone hills over the island, the highest one being Cao Vong rising 322m above sea level, where a lot of marvelous grottoes are found. In the Cat Ba National Park there remains the largest area of tropical primeval forests in Vietnam which are habitat for over 700 species from 150 families of plants and 20 species of mammals, 69 of birds and more than 30 of reptiles and amphibians. Do Son beach. This seaside resort, 22 kilometres southeast of Hai Phong City, stretches along a 4 km-long promontory which ends with a group of islets. The promontory has nine peaks, hence the name of Cuu Long Son (Nine dragons). The French turned Do Son into a summer resort for their expatriate community and the Vietnamese upper classes and built Do Son Airport in 1950. The sea resort town is composed of tree zones, each having bathing beaches, hills and forests. Around the hills are French-style constructions looking towards the sea. Since 1975, many large hotels and guest houses have been set up over the town and Do Son has become a weekend sea resort for Vietnamese and foreigners. Do Son village is famous for its yearly buffalo fighting festival. Du Hang Pagoda. It is located in Le Chan district, 2km southwest of the centre of Hai Phong. The pagoda was built at the beginning of the 11th century and was repaired and rebuilt many times. The pagoda keeps many valuable relics such as Buddha statues, bronze urns, bells, gongs, and ancient books of Buddhist teachings. Hang Kenh Communal House. Built in the middle of 19th century, the communal house is famous for its wooden sculptures and a statue of King Ngo Quyen, a national hero who defeated the Northern enemy in the historical battle on the Bach Dang River.
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 and 50,000 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
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