Vietnam now welcomes travelers and offers an easy visa approval process. Visitors can obtain a visa approval letter online to pick up their visa upon arrival at international airports in major cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang. Vietnam has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. Basic information is provided about transportation from airports into cities, currency, electricity, internet, phone service, and healthcare facilities in Vietnam. The document outlines visa exemption requirements and provides general country and travel information to help visitors plan their trip.

1. Vietnam General Information
http://www.vietnam-immigration.org.vn/
Vietnam now open and welcome all travellers and business people to Vietnam. Thanks to that,
getting visa to Vietnam now very easy and simple. There is a new way to get visa to Vietnam
very simple and easy but rarely one know about it. That is getting "Visa approval letter" with
code for picking up visa upon arrival Vietnam at international airport (Tan Son Nhat int'l
airport in Ho Chi Minh City, Noibai int'l airport in Hanoi Capital city and Danang int'l airport in
Danang city).
With simple and easy way for getting Vietnamese visa, why you don't take a trip to Vietnam
for discovering the hidden charm of Vietnam, a beautiful country and friendly people.
1.At the Airport - Vietnam
The Taxi price from the airport to city very depend on the distance from Airport to center of
city.
City - Airport to City (km) Taxi to City Airport Tax
Ha Noi - Noi Bai airport 35 US$ 12 US$ 14
Ho Chi Minh - Tan Son Nhat airport 05 US$ 10 US$ 14
Danang - Danang airport 02 US$ 5 US$ 7
Hue - Phu Bai airport 10 US$ 8 US$ 12
Nha Trang - Cam Ranh airport 30 US$ 12 US$ 12
2.Vietnam Language and Country
Vietnam is not a war country, but a peaceful and nice country. After the liberalization and re-
unification "Doi Moi" from 1986, Vietnam has become an attractive spot for tourism and
business. From North to South of Vietnam, you can feel and see many beautiful differences in
topography, history, cultures, and people as well as sightseeing.
Looking at a map, Vietnam is located in the center of the Southeast Asia and is shaped like
the letter S. it lies on the Indochina Peninsula - the country borders on China, Laos,
Cambodia, the East Sea and Pacific Ocean to the east and south with a long coastline of 3,260
km, land area of 330,991 sq. kilometers and the country's total length is 1650 km from the
northernmost point to the southernmost.
Some great philosophies and religions have shaped the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people.
Vietnam natural resources offers unspoiled landscapes, virgin beaches, soaring hills and
mountains, peaceful rivers and springs. On the other hand, its long history and distinctive
culture serve as additional magnets for first-time and returning visitors alike.
Population of Socialist Republic of Viet Nam is more than 80 millions with urban population
consisted of about 19.7. There are 54 ethic minority groups inhabiting 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, Dao and Khmer.
Vietnamese language is the main language but English, French, German and Russian can be
communicated in major cities. Vietnamese language uses the Latin alphabet!
E.g.: Xin chào (hello, good morning)
3.Vietnam Climate & Weather
Vietnam has tropical climate, which is characterized by lots of sunshine, high rainfall, humidity
with two distinguished seasons in general: the cold and dry one from November to April and
the other hot and wet from May to October. The annual average temperature is from 22ºC to

2. 27ºC. But weather usually different between North and South, between land and mountains.
4.Vietnam entry visas
Only citizens of certain countries can visit Vietnam without Vietnam entry visa. Those
countries include : most citizens of ASEAN countries are no need Vietnam visa for visit
Vietnam within 30 days, except Myanmar, Cambodia & Timor Leste; citizens of Korea, Japan &
Scandinavians (citizens of Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland) are no need Vietnam visa
for visiting Vietnam within 15 days if having return tickets. All other citizens are required to
get Vietnamese entry visa to Vietnam.
From 1 Jan 2009, Russian passport holders are not required visa to Vietnam for 15days if
having return tickets.
Hereafter Vietnam Visa exemption information you should know:
 No Vietnamese entry visa required for travelers less than 30 days: Citizens of
Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Brunei and Laos.
Please note that citizens of Myanmar, Cambodia & Timor Leste are required visa to
Vietnam.
 No Vietnam entry visa required for travelers less than 15 days: Citizens of Japan,
South Korea, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. From 1 Jan 2009, Russian
passport holders are not required visa to Vietnam for 15days if having return tickets.
 No visa required for travelers less than 90 days or several visits within 6 months:
Citizens of France holding valid diplomatic or official passports.
 No Vietnam entry visa required for travel less than 60 days: Citizens of Chile holding
valid diplomatic or official passports.
 No Vietnam entry visa required for travel less than 60 days: APEC Business Travel
Card (ABTC) Holders from Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member
economie.
 No Vietnam entry visa for traveling to Phu Quoc Island – Vietnam : Foreigners and
Vietnamese nationals bearing foreign passports who enter Vietnam through an
international border gate and then travel to Phu Quoc Island and stay in Phu Quoc less
than 15 days will also be exempt from Vietnam visa application. Passports must be
valid for at least 45 days. After arriving in Phu Quoc Island, if visitors want to travel
other localities or stay in the island for more than 15 days, the immigration
department will be responsible for issuing visas right on the spot.
 No visa required for Vietnamese overseas less than 90days staying if holding Vietnam
visa exemption certificate.
That’s some information on Vietnam exemption we would inform you know.
5.Vietnam Time
Time zone: GMT/UTC +7 (the same zone with Thailand, Laos, Cambodia) Working days from
Monday to Friday.
Office hours

3. Morning: 08h00 - 12h00
Afternoon: 13h30 - 17h30.
Opening hour for most restaurants and shops is at about 08:00 till 23:00 in 7 days/week
6.Vietnam Currency
The currency is Dong (VND). Foreign currencies can be exchanged at the bank, exchange
bureau or hotel reception desk. Traveler cheques and most of credit cards are accepted in the
most of hotels and in the major cities. But we recommend you to bring with you some cash.
Small bank notes and coins: 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 VN Dong.
Bank notes: 10.000, 20.000, 50.000, 100.000, 500.000 VN Dong.
7.Internet and Phone in Vietnam
Email & Internet in Vietnam:
E-mail and Internet services are available in most hotels and posts as well as the internet
cafes in Vietnam. And nowadays, the technology ADSL (high speed internet) is used in some
hotels in major cities. But we recommend you should not use public internet for your bank
account because of many virus and spywares!
Phone in Vietnam:
In Vietnam, currently GMS only works partially, so your mobile phone could be used here by
roaming service. Another easy way is to rent a mobile phone and buy a pre-paid card (1 card
from. VND 50.000 = USD 3). (This service is available at your hotel or at a Mobile Phone
Service Center in the street.)
8.Vietnam Electricity
Standard 220 Volts AC (at 50Hz cycles).
9.Weights & Measures in Vietnam
Using the international metric system. In addition, there are two weight measurements: the
tael and the catty.
10.Vietnam Specialities
Vietnam has abundant food supply and elaborate food preparation techniques. As food
preparation has become an art of the Vietnamese people, some Vietnamese dishes are world
famous. People can find countless restaurants throughout the country.
In Vietnam, you will have an opportunity to enjoy some surprisingly good dishes, some of
which can be found nowhere else in the world. On the table of a traditional banquet, you can
find dozens of such specialty dishes pleasingly and elaborately presented. Some dishes are
prepared from sea foods such as lobsters, fish, crabs and squids... which are relatively rare
and expensive in some Western countries but abundant and cheap in Vietnam. Besides
enjoying traditional foods such as beef noodle soups (Pho), pork sausages (Gio lua), spring
rolls (Nem ran), fish balls (Cha ca), etc..., Vietnamese also adopt a number of dishes from
countries that are well-known for their food preparation and cooking techniques.
11.Health & Hospital in Vietnam
No vaccinations are required except for yellow fever if you are coming from an area where the
disease is present. However visitors should be inoculated against typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A
& B, tetanus and polio. Malaria is present in most of the region and it is advisable to take
precautions especially if traveling off the beaten track. Medical facilities are rather limited in all
countries and it is essential to take out a good medical insurance policy before traveling in
case evacuation is needed.
HANOI-VIETNAM CAPITAL CITY

4. International SOS: 24 hour alarm center & medical emergency teams.
31 Hai Ba Trung St., Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel: (04) 3934 0555 - Fax: (04) 3934 0556
French Hospital: 24 hour emergency clinic
1 Phuong Mai road, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel: (04) 3577 1100, emergency: 3574 1111
Vietnam Korea Friendship Hospital: 24 hour emergency
12 Chu Van An, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel: (04) 843 7231
Medex: 24 hour emergency (090401919)
A1 Van Phuc, Suite 109-112, Kim Ma St, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel: (04) 3843 0748 - Fax: (04) 3846 1750
HO CHI MINH CITY - VIETNAM
International SOS: 24 hour emergency
65 Nguyen Du St., Dist.1., Ho chi Minh city, Vietnam
Tel: (08) 3829 8424 / 3829 8520 - Fax: (08) 3829 8551.
Alain Carpentier Foundation- IMC-Heart Institute: 24 hour emergency
520 Nguyen Tri Phuong St, Dist.10, Ho chi Minh city, Vietnam
Tel: (08) 3865 4025
Colombia Asia Saigon: 24 hour emergency
08 Alexandere de Rhodes, Dist.1, Ho chi Minh city, Vietnam
Tel: (08) 3823 8888
12.Vietnam custom regulations
Duty-Free
* Cigarettes: 400, cigars: 100, tobacco: 100 gr
* Liquor: 1.5 litres
* Perfume and jewellery for personal use
* Small gift items valued at not more than US$ 300
* Personal effects of a reasonable quantity
Materials Under Declaration
* Foreign currency: in excess of US$ 7,000
* Gold and jewellery not for personal use
* Video tapes,CDs,...
* CDs and tapes are often retained for screening, and will be returned after a few days.
Banned Materials
* Weapon, firearms, explosives and inflammable objects
* Opium and other narcotics
* Anti-government literature
* Pornographic literature
Articles of high values
Goods of commercial nature and articles of high value require export permits issued by the
customs authorities. Therefore, to these group of articles, ask the retailer when you buy them
for a receipt and declaration that the item may be exported. Antiques, some precious stones
and animals listed in Vietnam's red-book may not be brought out of the country.
Notes
Since customs regulations are subject to change at any time, our brief summary above is used
for reference only. We can not be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other
detrimental events resulting from non-compliance. Always double check with your local
embassy or consulate.

5. For more detail about Vietnam custom regulations, please click here
http://www.vietnam-immigration.org.vn/