VIETNAM     General Information.

 

TRAVEL  FORMALITIES

 

PASSPORT & VISA.
A passport and a visa are required for entry into Vietnam. A regular tourist visa is valid for up to 30 days.

 

N.B. Vietnam Visa’s normally require 5 working days to prepare, however this can be reduced by paying a premium price. Please call us for the price and the time for Visa Preparation.

 

AIRPORT TAX. (as of  August 2001)
International Airport Tax from Ho Chi Minh City: US$ 12.00 per person
International Airport Tax from Hanoi: US$ 10.00 per person
International Airport Tax from Danang: US$ 8.00 per person
Domestic Airport Tax (average): US$ 2.00 per person

Children Policy: Children aged 2 to 12 will be subject to a 50% charge of the airport taxes

 

DISEMBARKATION IN VIETNAM.
On the plane, the passenger will be given the Vietnam Arrival - Departure Card to complete. This form includes customs and health declarations. Upon arrival the form will be checked by an immigration officer, who will then take one copy of the form. The passenger retains the other half. The passenger proceeds to the luggage belt, then to customs. The passenger shows the customs form to the Customs Officer who will stamp and return the form. Passengers must keep this form and keep it for use at departure.

 

MEET & GREET.
After passing through customs, passengers will be welcomed by a Local guide holding a sign. Guests will then proceed to a car for the drive to the hotel.

 

MONEY.

The official currency is the Dong, although US Dollars are widely accepted. As the rates vary, you will need to check at a Bank for the current rate. Travellers' cheques can be cashed at major banks for a service fee of 2%-5%. Visa and Mastercards are accepted at most of the larger hotels, restaurants and shops. There are ATM machines in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

 

CLIMATE.  

Vietnam is a diverse country, spanning several climatic zones. With a mountainous border along most of its Western and Northern frontiers, and a long, unprotected coastline, the weather can vary enormously from region to region. As a result, at any time there is always somewhere in Vietnam that the weather is perfect.

 

In the North

There are two seasons a year:-

 

From November to April, the average temperature is 16degrees Celsius

From May to October it can be very hot and humid, with an average temperature of about 30 degrees Celsius.

 

In Central Vietnam

This region has a transitional climate, being a mixture of the climates of the North and of the South. Much of the Coastal Strip’s rainfall is brought by the North-East monsoon between the months of December and February. The average temperature is 25 degrees Celsius with very hot summers.

 

In the South

Much of the south-central lowlands and Mekong Delta enjoy year round tropical warmth. Roughly speaking there are also two seasons in the South:-

 

This prevails from May to October, this brings brief daily downpours, typical of a tropical climate, usually prevail. This is interspersed with long sunny dry spells throughout the day.

This prevails from November to April. The hottest months are from March to May, in which the temperatures can climb to 35 degrees Celsius, it is also very humid.

 

 

 

CLOTHING.

Light, comfortable clothing with warmer clothes for the winter months are recommended. Good walking shoes are also beneficial. Shorts are acceptable on women, however the Vietnamese are still modest and very revealing clothing is still frowned upon. Some temples and tourist sites do not permit shorts above the knee. For dinner, restaurants require only smart casual attire.

 

HEALTH.

 

VACCINATIONS.
No vaccinations are required, however, visitors are advised to have up-to-date inoculations for Cholera, Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Tetanus, Tuberculosis and Japanese Encephalitis. Malaria is prevalent in most remote regions of Vietnam and it is best to consult with your Doctor on the best preventative measures.

 

FOOD & WATER.
Fresh fruit and vegetables should always be peeled or washed thoroughly with purified water. Bottled water should be used at all times for drinking. Boiled drinks such as coffee or tea are fine.

 

MEDICAL FACILITIES.
Over the counter prescription drugs are widely available in major cities, but it is best to bring frequently used medicines from home. It is also recommended that visitors bring a basic travel first-aid kit with band-aids, anti-infection creams, mosquito repellant, and the like. There are several medical clinics in Hanoi and Saigon staffed by foreign medical personnel.

 

MEDICINES.

To get the most from your holiday experience you should try the local cuisine, however, as your system will be unused to this, it is recommended that you take with you some anti-gastric medicine, so as to be prepared. It is not recommended to purchase the medicines in Vietnam, but rather to take them with you. If you are uncertain of which will be best, we suggest that you speak to your Doctor or Pharmacist before purchase,