People and Language The population of Socialist Republic of Viet Nam is more than 78.5 million with an urban population consisting of about 19.7%. There are 54 ethic minority groups living 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, Dzao and Khmer. Vietnamese language is the main language. English, French and Russian can be heard in the major cities.
Land & History The land of Vietnam has an S shape with a total surface area of 329,600 km2. Vietnam has common borders in the North with China, to the East and Southeast with Laos and Cambodia. The West of Vietnam faces the Eastern Sea (South China Sea). Vietnam's coastline is more than 3,260 kms long. The land is very diverse with mountains, highlands, deltas, rivers and forests. Hanoi is the capital and Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's largest city.
Climate Vietnam has a tropical climate, which is characterized by lots of sunshine, high rainfall, humidity and two distinguished seasons in general: the cold and dry one from November to April and the other, hot and wet from May to October. Annual average temperatures range from 22ºC to 27ºC. But the weather usually varies North and South, as between land and mountains.
Currency The currency is Vietnamese Dong (VND). Foreign currencies can be exchanged at the banks, exchange bureaus or hotel reception desks. Travelers' cheque and most of Credit cards are accepted in the major cities. We are recommend that you bring some cash with you. Check online currency exchange at Vietcombank: http://www.vietcombank.com.vn/English/Exchange%20Rate.asp
Time Time zone: GMT/UTC + 7 (the same zone as Thailand, Laos and Cambodia) Business days: Monday through Friday. Business hour: Mornings: 07h30 - 12h00; Afternoons: 13h00 - 16h30. Museums are usually closed on Monday but you can visit temples and pagodas every day. Most restaurants and shops open from 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: Re-unification 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. In major cities, there are also a number of internet cafes available. Mobile phone: In Vietnam you will be able to use your mobile phone as long as it is programmed for roaming internationally. You may also rent a mobile phone, which may be easier, or buy a pre-paid phone card. (This service is available at your hotel or at a Mobile Phone Service Center on the street.)
Visa Entry visas for most nationalities are obtainable from a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate. Processing usually takes 4-10 working days. The validity of tourist visas is one month and is extendable.
Arrival at Airport The Taxi rates from airport to city vary depend on the distance from airport to center of city.
City |
Airport to city (km) |
Taxi rate (US$) |
Hanoi -Noi Bai Airport |
35 |
12 |
Ho Chi Minh City - Tan Son Nhat Airport |
05 |
8 |
Hue - Phu Bai airport |
14 |
10 |
Airport tax and Customs declaration:
Food and Drinks There is a wide range of dishes in Vietnam, including the very popular nem (spring rolls) and pho (Vietnamese noodle soup). They are eaten together with rice or noodles. Not all foods are spicy. Vegetarian foods, dietary dishes & western menus are also available at some restaurants. A rich variety of tropical fruits is on hand year round, however, it will vary depending upon the season.
Imported beers and alcohols are available in hotels, restaurants and shops. There are many Vietnamese brands or country wines made from rice. If you prefer to drink water, please use bottled mineral water, which has an unbroken seal. Do not ingest tap water that has not been boiled.
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 |
Ho Chi Minh 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
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VIETNAM ATTRACTIONS - HISTORY, CULTURE, NATURE OR ALL?
For a very long time, Vietnam was well known for its" Tower of Hanoi” algorithm in the worlds of mathematics and programming languages. If you are not familiar with this Tower, then you probably associate Vietnam with its war for independence [1945-1975], the celebration for which President Bill Clinton visited Vietnam in November 2000. Consequently, Dien Bien Phu, Truong Son Road and the famous Cu Chi Tunnels should be the first views of our country when you arrive.
Vietnam’s past reads like a romantic legend, full of heroic struggles and outstanding victories, but this will prove to be only one of the many reasons for your holiday here. You will discover unparalleled opportunities for cultural exploration. The Vietnamese nation was primarily influenced through a process of anthropological cross-pollination between ancient Chinese and Indian cultures. The Kinh (Viet) people make up the majority of the population, however, Vietnam counts no less than 54 ethnic groups within its borders. Many of them live in remote areas and follow their own language and cultural identity, thus contributing to a harmonious blend of independent ethnicities. However, from a historical standpoint, and during the course of national development, all ethnic groups have been closely united, sharing the fight against foreign invaders, defending the country's sovereignty, and eventually gaining the right to national independence and self-determination.
Vietnam is the proud recipient of three World Heritage Site cultural awards: 1) the Imperial City of Hue; 2) Hoi, an ancient town trade center; and, 3) My Son holy land. Other cultural attractions include the capital city of Hanoi, dubbed the “Pearl of the Far East” Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon), the town of Sapa, the village of Mai Chau, and many others.
Vietnam's magnetism also comes from its landscape, offering a breathtaking 3260 kilometers of coastline which extends along the eastern boundary of the country and wraps around its southern tip. Our shoreline is flanked by stretches of virgin, white sand beaches and islands. Vietnam’s topography is blessed by unspoiled mountains and forests, hundreds of beautiful lakes, pristine rivers, waterfalls, and scores of unforgettable caves. Most famous amongst our natural resources is World Heritage designated site, Ha Long Bay, with thousands of islands and limestone rocks of different sizes and shapes. You can see Nature’s hand at work in the wondrous caves and grottoes that inhabit the islands. For your enjoyment, one or more of twenty stunning resorts along the coastline await you: Cat Ba Island in the north; in the Central region, Da Nang, Nha Trang and Mui Ne (Phan Thiet); and in the south, Vung Tau, Con Dao Island and Phu Quoc Island.
Vietnam's attractions also come from its landscape with virgin beaches and islands from 3260km long coastline, unspoiled mountains and forests, hundreds of beautiful lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and many unforgettable caves. Vietnam has a long coastline that extends along the eastern boundary of the country and wraps around the southern tip for 3,260 km, features endless stretches of empty, white sand beaches. The most famous is World heritage Halong bay, with thousands of islands and rocks of different sizes and shapes. But it is more attractive since Nature create a lot of wonderful caves and grottoes in those islands. But you also may enjoy at one of more than 20 beautiful resorts along the coastline, such as Tra Co, Cat Ba island in the north and Da Nang, Nha Trang, Mui Ne (Phan Thiet) in the Middle, Vung Tau, Con Dao island and Phu Quoc island in the south.
Vietnam's National Parks are home to the tropical zone’s largest collection of flora and fauna. The most renown are Cuc Phuong National Park in Ninh Binh Province, and Cat Tien National Park in Dong Nai Province. Nonetheless, there exists several regions in Vietnam that have been preserved as gardens and bird sanctuaries; one such area is the Minh Hai Sanctuary which houses more than 80 species of birds.
Stretching long up to 1,600km in the eastern coast of Indochina Peninsula, Vietnam’s varied topography allows for an incredibly varied travel experience. Along the central coast, the driest season runs from June to October. Visitors to the north are often surprised by the region’s distinct season; summers are hot and humid while winters are invigoratingly cool. The country offers everything from tropical coastal lowlands to temperate zones above 2,000 meters. Among temperate zones spots, tourists cannot miss Da Lat with European style sweet pine forests, but it is also the city of waterfalls and flowers.
The East Coast of the Indochinese Peninsula stretches for more than 1600 kms, and Vietnam’s diverse geography allows for an incredibly varied travel experience. Along the Central Coast, the driest season runs from June to October. Visitors to the north are often surprised by the region’s distinctive season; summers are hot and humid while winters are invigoratingly cool. The country offers everything from tropical coastal lowlands to temperate zones above 2,000 meters. Among temperate zones settings, tourists should not miss Da Lat with its European-style sweet pine forests, its magnificent waterfalls and its vast array of flowers.
Have you ever tried Vietnam's famous dishes ''Nem' (spring rolls) and 'Pho' (soup) ? Traveling here will allow you sample the extraordinary and exotic tastes of Vietnamese cuisines, as well as freshly caught sea food and an abundance of tropical fruits.
Your travel fantasies will be further realized in Vietnam with its affordable accommodations, reasonable tour packages, and wide range of services. It is one of the most secure destinations in Southeast Asia.
With its new “Doi Moi” policy, Vietnam has now opened its doors to the world, and is unequivocally a 21st century destination. We are busy at work improving all of our country’s infrastructures to insure that your holiday with us will be unforgettable. We look forward to being of service to you.
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