Country Dossier for Vietnam Visas All other nationalities require a visa to enter Vietnam and conditions differ with respect to individual nationalities. The visa must be obtained prior to arrival. For the latest information on your specific visa requirements you should contact your local Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate. Visas are usually valid for either 3 months or 6 months from the date of issue and are valid for multiple entry regardless of whether you intend staying that long or re-entering the country. Tourist visas cannot be extended. Please see www.travcour.com for more information. Border Crossing Joining Your Tour Money Local Currency Banks and ATM’s can be found almost everywhere in Vietnam. Credit cards are accepted in most shops, restaurants and hotels (with the exception of American Express cards which are not widely accepted). We recommend that you take either US$ or GB£ currency and travellers cheques. Working Out Your Budget Entrance Fees Optional Excursions Local Transport Food & Drink Approximate cost of meals and snacks are as follows: Approximate cost of drinks bought in a shop in the street are as follows: Prices in restaurants and hotels can be as much as double those specified. It is not recommended that you drink the local tap water in Vietnam. However bottled water, soft drinks, and fruit juices are widely available. Visit www.worldclimate.com to get an idea of what the weather will be like on your trip. Security Local Food & Drink National Holidays Emergency Contact Please note that this number is a service for emergency calls only. We respectfully request that you consider the urgency of your enquiry. Non-urgent enquiries should be made during office hours. Please be considerate of time zones. Alternatively, contact our Operations department at the Tucan Travel office in London (office hours - 9am to 5.30pm local time): Last Updated 19/11/09
The Facts
The following nationalities do not require a visa: Vietnam, citizens of Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand & holders of a re-entry permit.
Between Vietnam & Cambodia:
For specific information and directions regarding the joining hotel for your tour please refer to the joining letter which will be sent to you with your final tour vouchers.
Prices quoted in this country dossier are in US dollars (US$), unless otherwise specified.
The monetary unit in Vietnam is the Dong (D). For up to date exchange rates with your own currency visit www.oanda.com or www.xe.com.
Our Asia & Russia pre departure information includes a general list of all the things you should take into consideration when budgeting and an estimate of what you should allow per day for spending money. Below are some specific notes relevant to our trips in Vietnam.
Generally speaking most entrance fees will be covered by the recommended spending money. There are, however, other sites and museums that are not part of the tour programme which you may wish to visit in your free time. If you have an International Student Card you will often be entitled to reduced entrance fees.
Most excursions and entrance fees are NOT included in the local payment and you can therefore choose as many or as few optional excursions as you like! A full list of the main excursions available on each tour can be found on the optional excursions guide, available to download from our website. All prices given are approximate and are likely to change due to local inflation or exchange rates.
Travelling on local transport in Vietnam will be by sleeper trains, overnight ‘junk’ boat, public and private bus, by foot.
Taxis are your most expensive option but are the best for long journeys. For shorter journeys, auto rickshaws (can take 2-3 people) are your best bet for quick travels, and cycle rickshaws (can take 1-2 people) are a good option if you want to enjoy the surrounds and take your time. Cycle rickshaws can be hired for a whole or half day, or failing that the bicycles for approx US$1.
Please Note: During periods of heavy rain, trains may unfortunately be delayed. If this should occur your patience will be very much appreciated.
Meals and drinks are generally not included on our tours in Vietnam.
Simple snack US$ 0.75
Light meal US$ 1-3
Fancy restaurant: US$ 5-20
1l of water – US$ 0.30
30cl bottle of soft drink US$ 1
30cl bottle of local beer US$ 1.5 – 2.5
Tipping
Although tipping may not be a custom to you at home, locals here depend on your tips as many of them have families and children to support. Tucan Travel aim to support the local community on every tour by staying in locally operated hotels and employing local guides for many excursions.
In South East Asia we operate a compulsory tipping kitty system to save you money and embarrassment in countries where tipping is a way of life and where requests for tips can be infuriatingly persistent. Each member of the group contributes to the kitty (approx US$15 per person per week) and this is then used to pay tips to any people who provide services to the group as a whole e.g. guides, porters, drivers, housekeeping staff in hotels etc. The tour leader administers these tips.
Geography & Weather
Vietnam’s warmest month is April, and even temperatures can often reach up to 40C(105F), climate is very humid though temperatures are warm from December onward. Summer monsoon falls from May to October and at this time temperatures are still in low thirties.
Vietnam is a safe a friendly country but in any foreign place you should exercise a reasonable degree of caution. Be sensible (NOT paranoid). Dont walk around lonely back streets, especially on your own or at night, don’t wear expensive looking jewellery or watch and don’t carry a wallet in your back pocket. Don’t carry your camera openly; always have in a small day pack which is firmly attached to your body, preferably in the front in crowded places. Take particular care not to be become relaxed if you have had a few drinks and returning to your hotel at night-it is best to always catch a taxi. Always wear a money belt or leave your valuables, including your passport in the hotel security box.
In Vietnam you will find an abundance of tasty rice dishes served with dried salted fish, chicken, beef or pork, and seasoned with flavours such as chilli and mint. Soup is a popular accompaniment to most meals as well. Amok, a boneless fish cooked in coconut and spices. You will be able to buy a wide range of seafood and meats in most medium and upmarket restaurants.You might even feel brave enough to try the local crunchy insects served on sticks!
1 Jan - New Year's Day.
7-9 Feb* - Têt, Lunar New Year.
30 Apr - Liberation of Saigon.
1 May - May Day.
2 Sep - National Day.
Please note: The Têt festival varies according to the lunar calendar. In 2010 the festival will happen around 8 Feb 2010 to 22 Feb 2010 and shops, restaurants, travel services and other normal day to day activites will be disrupted during this period. Train services may be cancelled and if so we will use coaches instead.
In the case of an emergency please contact our Asia Destination Manager on (+00) 668904 13304
Tel: +44 (0) 208 896 6700
Fax: +44 (0) 208 896 6701
Mobile: +44 (0) 7899 843 645
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