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 Passport
and visa
All nationalities are required to have visa
before getting into Vietnam. Visa is usually delivered by Vietnamese Embassies who
require the original passport and 2 photos for two full working days in order to stamp the
visa. If Visa approval is arranged by Dragon Travel upon the client request, the personal
data ( full name, passport number with date of issuance and expiry, date and place of
birth, nationality) must be supplied to us at least 10 days before arrival to Viet Nam .
Visas can also be obtained upon arrival at Vietnam international airports
such as Noi Bai , Danang, Tan San Nhat, in which case the stamping fee will be
quoted separately. Dragon Travel also require passport details in advance for visa
stamp upon arrival. Then, an approval letter will be sent to clients
in order to confirm that clients will obtain the visa on
arrival. It could be the quickest way to get Vietnam visa because the formalities takes
only two full working days ( except Saturday and Sunday).
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Customs
and formalities
Arriving in
Vietnam, all visitors must fill in declaration forms and show their luggage to customs
officials on request. There are no limited amounts of foreign currency, objects made
of gold, silver, precious metals and gemstones or plated with silver or gold
but visitors must declare these in detail on the customs forms.
Currency
The local
currency is the dong (abbreviated "d" or VND). Bank notes are 500d, 1000d,
2,000d, 5,000d, 10,000d, 20,000d, 50,000d, and 100,000d. The rate of exchange at updating
time is approximately dong 13.900 to one US. Dollar. Credit cards are generally only
accepted in major cities. Visitors are recommended to carry US Dollar in small
denominations. Travelers can change their money for Vietnamese dong (VND) at banks, hotels
and jewelry shops throughout the country.
Climate
Vietnam shares borders with Cambodia, Laos and China, and features 3,200 km
of coastline bordering the Eastern Sea.With an area of 332,000 square km, Vietnam’s
topography varies from coastal plains to moutain ranges.Vietnam stretches over 1,800 km
from north to south ; therefore weather patterns in the principle cities are very
different. The North : Winter lasts from November to April , with temperatures
averaging 160C but little rainfall. Summer begins in May and lasts until
October, with temperature of 300 C, heavy rainfall and the occasional Violent
typhoon. The Center : Central Vietnam experiences a transitional climate, halfway
between those of the north and south. The South :
Temperature are fairly constant through the year; 250 C – 300
C, Seasons are determined by the rain – the dry season runs from November to April
and the wet season from May to October . the hottest period is March and April, before the
rain have broken . Typhoon s are quite common in coastal areas between July and November.
The Highland Areas : In the hill resorts of Dalat (1,500m) , Buon Ma Thuot and Sapa ,
nights are cool throughout the year, and in the winter months, October to March ,it can be
distinctly chilly with temperature falling to 40 C. Even in the hottest months
of March and April the temperature rarely exceeds 260 C.
Health requirements
No actual vaccinations are officially required. Malaria prophylaxis is no
longer recommended but visitors are advised to check with their doctor or travel
immunization clinic regarding the advisability of inoculation against typhoid, tetanus,
hepatitis A & B.
International flights
Vietnam has
three international airports: Hanoi/Noi Bai , Danang/ Danang and Ho Chi Minh/Tan Son Nhat.
Cities with directs flight to Hanoi / Noi Bai Airport are Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong,
Kuala Lumpur, Moscow, Nanning, Paris, Singapore, Taipei, Vientiane and Seoul. Airline
Companies currently serving Hanoi are Vietnam airlines, Air France, Cathay Pacific
Airways, China southern Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Laos Aviation, Singapore Airlines,
Aeroflot, Thai Airways. Cities with directs flight to Ho Chi Minh City/Tan Son Nhat
Airport are Bangkok, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Moscow, Melbourne,Osaka, Paris,
Phnom Penh, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei, Tokyo, Vienna, Vientiane and Zurich. Airline
Companies currently serving Ho Chi Minh City are Vietnam airlines, Air France, Cathay
Pacific Airways, China southern Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Lao Aviation, Singapore
Airlines, Swissair, Aeroflot, Thai Airways, Korean Air, Lufthansa German Airlines, Lauda
Air, Asiana Airlines, Royal Air Cambodge. Since November 1,1999. Thai Airways has
commenced direct flights from BangKok to Danang on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Overland
The other way
to get into Vietnam is by land , from China, Laos and Cambodia but the visas must be
indicated clearly by Vietnamese Embassies with one or two of the below entry points.
Tourists can pass the border at the following entry points:
* From China: Huu
Nghi, Lao Cai.
* From Laos: Cau
Treo, Lao Bao.
* From Cambodia:
Moc Bai.
Language
Vietnamese is
the official language of Vietnam but there are various dialects spoken by hill tribe
people in remote areas. Leaning foreign languages , particularly English and French,
is currently in vogue among young people in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Da Nang and
other cities.
Public holidays
Jan 1 : International new years Day
Apr 30 :
Liberation Day
May 1 : Labour Day
Sep 2 : National
Day
Tipping
Widely
practiced, in addition to hotel and restaurant service charges shown on bills ( Porters, VND 5.000-10.000 per bag)
Airport tax
Domestic airport tax
is now included in the airfare. On international flights, the airport tax is
US$ 14 per passenger
Business hours : GMT + 7 hours
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