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Destination Overview > Travel Information > 10 Things to do in Vietnam >A Sojourn to Indochina

Travel information

Entry Requirements - Visas

Passports must be valid for at least six months and visas are required for all nationals. It is advisable to apply well in advance either at a Vietnamese embassy or though a travel agent.

Visa exemption:
Less than 30 days: Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Laos.
Less than 15 days: Japan, South Korea, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.

For further details and application procedures you may visit the following website: http://www.vietnamtourism.com/e_pages/useful/useful.asp

Time Zone

Vietnam Time Zone is GMT + 7 hours

Language

The official language of Vietnam is Vietnamese. Some locals can also speak English, Chinese, French, Russian and Japanese.

Climate

Ho Chi Minh City enjoys a tropical climate throughout the year. The average temperature ranges from 22°C to 33°C. The summer season is from May to November while the winter season is from December to April.

Currency

The official currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese dong (VND) and they come in the denominations of VND 500,00; 200,000; 100,000; 50,000; 20,000; 10,000; 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500; 200 and 100 and coins denominations comes in VND 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500 and 200.

Credit Cards

Credit cards are widely accepted in cities and large tourist centres.

Electricity

220/110 voltages 50 cycles AC current, 2 pin plugs

International Airports And Contact Numbers

There are 3 International Airports in Vietnam and they are:
• Noi Bai (Hanoi, Tel: (84 - 4) 8 866 527)
• Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City, Tel: (84 - 8) 8 485 383 / 8 320 320)
• Da Nang (Da Nang City, Tel: (84 - 511) 830 339)

Airport Tax

All International Flights, airport tax is priced at US$14 per person and children under the age of 2 years are exempted.

Health

Please do not consume water from the tap especially during flooding. Drink Bottled Water only.

Useful Telephone Numbers

0 - National Domestic Direct Dialing Access Code
00 - International Direct Dialing Access Code
101 - Domestic Long Distance Telephone Service
1081 - Talking Yellow Pages
110 - International Telephone Service
113 - Police
115 - Ambulance
116 - Phone Number Enquiries
117 - Time Inquiries
142 - International Telephone Service Rate
143 - International Telephone Service Enquiries

Local Working Hours

Governmental agencies - 7.30am to 4.30pm; Saturday and Sunday are close
Banks - 7.30am or 8am to 11.30am and from 1pm to 4pm. Saturday and Sunday are close
Private shops - 8am or 8.30am to 9pm or 10pm

Travel Tips

Always dress modestly and appropriately when visiting local dwellings and religious sites
Please leave your valuables behind in the safe box provided by hotels before a night out on the town, or going to the beach.
Always keep looking to the left and right and walk slowly when crossing the road
Please do not offer money directly to minority people but instead donate to a local charity
Always seek permission before taking photographs as an act of courtesy especially in minority areas.