Quick Facts

Visitors should check information likely to change.

Area: 329,560 square kilometres

Capital City: Hanoi

Population: (2008 Est.) 86.12 million

Language: Vietnamese is the official language, and Chinese is widespread. English is becoming more common and French is still spoken by some older locals.

Religion: Vietnam has no official religion, though small percentages practice Buddhism, Taoism and Catholicism.

Climate: Northern Vietnam has a southern Mediterranean-type climate, and southern Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate.

Local Time: GMT +7

Currency: Vietnam’s official currency is the dong (VND), though US dollars are widely accepted. VND paper notes come in the following denominations: 500,000, 200,000, 100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 200 and 100. Coins include VND 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500 and 200. VND 1,000,000 and 500,000 cheques are also available.

Foreign currencies and travellers cheques can be exchanged into VND at banks or foreign exchange agencies throughout the country. Credit cards are generally accepted in cities and large tourist centres, but most shops prefer cash. ATMs are also readily available in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City as well as other major cities such as Danang, Nha Trang, Vinh and Hue.

Bargaining is very much a part of the Vietnamese way of life, and almost everything except meals is negotiable. Don’t bargain just for the sake of it; if your price is agreed, then you are honour-bound to make the purchase. Don’t waste time and energy haggling over what only amounts to a few cents. Tourists are regarded as wealthy, but small shopkeepers and restaurateurs usually charge the local rate.

Business Hours: Government offices are open Monday through Friday, eight hours a day from 07.30 to 16.30 with an hour off for lunch. Banks are open Monday through Friday from 07.30 or 08.00 until 11.30 and again from 13.00 to 16.00. Government offices and banks are closed on Saturday and Sunday. Private shops are generally open from 08.00 or 08.30 until 21.00 to 22.00.

Postal Service: Postal services are generally reliable. Post offices are open from 06.00-20.00 including weekends and holidays. EMS (Express Mail Service) is available from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to more than 30 countries as well as for 24-hour domestic deliveries.

Telephone: Local calls from hotels and restaurants. Long distance calls from hotels are generally reasonable, but it is best to check before calling. Vietnam also has several mobile phone providers. SIM cards and prepaid phone cards can be purchased at international airports and shops through the country.

Emergency Contact Numbers
General emergency telephone numbers in Vietnam are:

Ambulance 115
Fire  114
Police  113

In Hanoi, an emergency International SOS line is available (04 934-0555). The best facilities for receiving medical attention are Family Medical Practice (04 843 0748), Viet Duc Hospital (04 828-9852) and the Hanoi French Hospital (04 574 1111).

The Ho Chi Minh City police (08 99398) can be reached in the day time. For major medical emergencies, contact Asia Emergency Assistance (08 829-4386). The better medical facilities include Centre Medical International (24-Hour Emergency Number, 08 865 4025), Cho Ray Hospital (24-Hour Emergency Number: 08 855 4137), the Franco-Vietnamese Hospital (08 411 3333) and Grand Dentistry (08 821 9446).

English Newspapers: The Phnom Penh Post and The Cambodia Daily.

Email/Internet: Internet shops and connections in hotel rooms are widely available in the larger cities with rates under US$1 per hour. Access in the provinces is limited but available in provincial capitals. Guestrooms of the better hotels also have internet connections.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Tap Water: Only drink sealed bottled water.

Medical: No vaccinations are required for entry. A well-stocked first aid kit and personal medications should be brought into the country. If travelling to remote border areas, consider vaccinations for typhoid, hepatitis, tetanus and Japanese encephalitis.

Tipping: Tipping is not obligatory but widely practised in hotels and restaurants, in addition to restaurant and hotel service charges.

Airport Tax: The airport tax can be paid in VND or USD only at airports.

International flights: US$14 per adult and US$7 per child

Domestic flights: US$2.50 per adult at Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City airports

Photography: Photography can be prohibited in museums and other public building, so be sure to check before taking pictures  Discretion should be used when photographing people, and per.mission should be asked.

Tourist Information: Ministry of Tourism’s official site, www.vietnamtourism.com.