People and Language   Land & History   Climate & Weather   Currency   Time   Public Holidays   Internet & mobile phone

Visa   Arrival at Airport   Food and Drinks   Hospital & Emergency call   Embassies in Vietnam   Vietnamese Embassy abroad   Vietnam travel guide books

  People and Language
Population of Socialist Republic of Viet nam is more than 78.5 million with urban population consisted of about 19.7%. There are 54 ethic minority groups inhabiting in Vietnam. The 'Kinh' people (or Viet) account for nearly 90% of the population. Major ethic minority groups include the Tay, Thai, Muong, H'mong, Dao and Khmer.
Vietnamese language is the main language. English, French and Russian can be communicated in the major city.

  Land & History
Vietnam land's has the S -shaped and the area are 329,600 Km2.  Vietnam has common borders in the North with China, East and Southeast with Laos and Cambodia. The West of Vietnam facing the Eastern sea (South China Sea). Vietnam's coastline is more than 3,260 kms in length. Vietnam land is very diverse with mountain, highland, deltas, rivers and forest. Hanoi is the capital and Hochiminh city is Vietnamese biggest city.

Climate
Vietnam has tropical climate, which is characterized by lots of sunshine, high rainfall, humidity with two distinguished seasons in general: the cold and dry one from November to April and the other hot and wet from May to October. The annual average temperature is from 22ºC to 27ºC. But weather usually different between North and South, between land and mountains. 

Currency
The currency is Dong (VND). Foreign currencies can be exchanged at the bank, exchange bureau or hotel reception desk. Travelers' cheque and most of Credit cards are accepted in the major cities. We are recommend you bring with you some cash.

Time
Time zone: GMT/UTC + 7 (the same zone with Thailand, Laos, Cambodia) 
Working days from Monday to Friday.
Office hour: Morning: 08h00 - 12h00; Afternoon: 13h00 - 16h30. 
Museums are usually closed on Monday but you can visit temples and pagodas every day. Opening hour for most restaurants and shops is at about 08h00 till 22h00.

Public Holidays
01 January: New Year's Day
Late January to mid-February: Vietnamese Lunar New Year ( 04 days off ).
30 April: Saigon Liberation Day and 01 May: International Workers' Day.
02 September: National Day.

Internet and mobile phone
Email & Internet:
E-mail and Internet services are available in most hotels and posts in Vietnam. The Cafe Internet also in service in the street of major cities. 
Mobile phone:
In Vietnam, GMS currently work partial only, so your mobile phone could be used here by roaming service. Another easily way is to rent a mobile phone and buy a pre-paid card. (This service is available at your hotel or at a Mobile Phone Service Center in the street.) Check here for more details.

Visa
The entry visas for most nationality are obtainable from a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate. The process for the Vietnam visa usually take 4-10 working days. The validity of tourist visas is one month and extendable. Please read here for details.

Arrival at Airport
The Taxi price from Airport to city very depend on the distance from Airport to center of city.

City	Airport to City (km)	Taxi price (US$)
Hanoi -Noibai airport	35	15
Hochiminh city - Tansonnhat airport	05	5
Hue - Phubai airport	14	10

Airport tax and Customs declaration: click here

Food and Drinks
There are wide range of dishes in Vietnam, included popular nem (spring rolls), pho (Vietnamese noodle). They are eaten together with rice or noodle.  Only some foods are spicy. Vegetarian food, dietary dishes & western menu are also available at some restaurants. Variety of tropical fruits also available the whole year, change by seasons.

Imported beers and alcohols are available in the hotels or at shops. But there are many Vietnamese brands or country wines from rice.  If you are the one like to drink fresh water, use mineral water sealed in plastic bottles or boiled water. 

Hospitals and Emergency phone numbers:
Hanoi:

International SOS: 24 hour alarm center & medical emergency teams.  Add: 31 Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi Tel: 9340555  Fax: 9340556

Vietnam International Hospital: 24 hour emergency clinic  Add: Phuong Mai road, Hanoi Tel: 5740740

Medex: 24 hour emergency (090401919) Add: A1 Van Phuc, Suite 109-112, Kim Ma. Hanoi Tel: 8430748  Fax: 8461750

Hochiminh city:

International SOS: 24 hour emergency Add: 65 Nguyen Du, Dist.1., Ho chi Minh city Tel: 8298424, 8298520 Fax: 8298551.

Alain Carpentier Foundation- IMC-Heart Institute: 24h emergency   Add: 520 Nguyen Tri Phuong, Dist.10, Ho chi Minh city  Tel: 8654025

Colombia Asia Saigon: 24 hour emergency Add: 8 Alexandere de Rhodes, Dist.1, Ho chi Minh city Tel: 8238455

Police: 113  Fire Brigade: 114  First Aid: 115