About Vietnam
 
Vietnam has immense geographic and cultural diversity. Its varied climate and landscape range from four seasons of the mountainous north to year-round tropical temperatures of the lush south. Vietnam is also a country filled with captivating natural beauty and tranquil village life. Its highlands and rainforest regions, continue to yield new species and team with exotic wildlife. Its islands and beaches are among the finest in all of Southeast Asia, and its cuisine is very possibly the most delicious you will ever find. Over two decades have passed since Vietnam was officially united, and in that time it has done a remarkable job of healing its wounds. Today, this gracious and graceful country is an outstanding and safe travel destination.

Vietnam's cultural diversity stems from its intriguing history dating back more than 4,000 years. Its historical legacy includes a century of Chinese occupation, which has left a very strong foreign cultural influence, evident in the pagodas, local cuisine, and continuing practice of Confucianism. Vietnam's regal past can be revisited in the former capital city of Hue, where the Citadel and Royal Tombs represent an era of cultural renaissance. The French colonial legacy is still evident in many parts of Vietnam, as illustrated by the distinctive yellow pastel-colored architecture of its villas and administrative buildings.

Geographically, Vietnam is shaped like a long S, and it stretches over 1600km along the eastern coast of the Indochinese Peninsula. Vietnam has a surface area of 329.297 km2 (128,000 square miles)- making it about the size of Italy. China lies to the north, Laos and Cambodia to the west, and the South China Sea to the east. The country has three distinct areas: North, Central, and South. The north is known for its alpine peaks (Fansifan), the Red River Delta, the plains of Cao Bang and Vinh Yen, enchanting Halong Bay, and historic Hanoi. Central Vietnam is characterized by high temperate plateaus rich in volcanic soil and by spectacular beaches, dunes, and lagoons. It is the location of the ancient imperial city of Hue. Hoian has a charming atmosphere and while here you must see the extraordinary Cham ruins, located at nearby My Son. Nha Trang has crystal clear turquoise waters and offers great island-hopping and scuba diving. Dalat is made up of pine-forested hills, cultivated valleys, lakes and waterfalls.

In the South, visitors encounter modern life in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) and the fertile delta of the Mekong River. In addition, Vietnam has a large continental shelf and an archipelago of islands. In Vietnam you also can discover unspoiled beaches along the coastline stretching 3,200km north to south and mountainous regions where hill tribe people continue to live isolated from mainstream society. There are also pastoral landscapes of lush rice paddies and fresh vegetation, offering ample opportunities to observe the agrarian lifestyle of eighty percent of Vietnam's population. Today, most of the country remains relatively unchanged although in major cities you will discover modern infrastructure and technology. Visitors can choose to travel at various levels of comfort, staying in anything from budget to deluxe accommodations, using public or private transportation, and dining local style or in the finer Vietnamese and international restaurants. If you are in for a cultural exploration, picturesque landscapes, warm hospitality, or an adventure of a lifetime - Vietnam is your ideal destination!

Location: Southeast Asia
Area: 329,297 sq. Km
Capital: Hanoi
Deltas: Red River Delta in the North and Mekong River Delta in the South
Main Cities: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hai Phong, Halong, Da Nang, Dalat, Nam Dinh, Hue, Can tho, Nha Trang, Thanh Hoa, Vung Tau, Vinh.
Railway: 3,260 km;
Road: 177,300 km;
Waterway:17,000 km;
Ports: 8, main ports: Saigon, Haiphong , Danang
Airports: 3 international airports ( Noi Bai, Da Nang, Tan San Nhat ) & 10 domestic airports
Banks: 78, main banks: Vietcombank, ANZ Bank, Income Bank , VIP Bank
Telecoms: 2 million telephones (2.6 sets per 100 persons)
Hotels: 3,058 with 55,600 rooms including 500 international standard hotels
Universities and colleges: 109 with 297,900 students
 
   Entering Vietnam
 
To enter Vietnam, travellers must complete an arrival card and have a national passport, an approved travel visa from the Vietnamese Immigration Department. All passports and travel documents must be endorsed for travelling in Vietnam. The Exit portion will be torn off and returned to the visitor, who should retain this for presentation upon departure. There is an departure airport tax for international flights: 14 USD  All domestic flights are free without tax.
If you have not arranged a Indochina Bike Tours representative to meet you at the airport, here’s what you should do:
 
   In Hanoi
 
Hanoi’s Noi Bai airport is approximately 39 km north of the city. A taxi into the city center is usually set around US$17. This figure is arranged in advance and therefore no meter is necessary. Do bargain the price before setting foot inside the taxi.

   In Saigon
 
Ho Chi Minh’s Tan Son Nhat airport is about 08km northwest of the city center. The best way to get into the city is by taxi. Pick a metered taxi outside the Terminal and the journey should cost around US$ 10.
 
   Visas
 
All visitors are required to have a valid visa to enter Vietnam. A one-month tourist visa is usually sufficient for most visitors though it is possible to arrange 3-month and 6-month multiple entry visas for regular visitors. Visitors must obtain visa approval prior to entry from the Vietnamese Immigration Department before a visa is issued. Upon booking travel packages with us, We can arrange visas at reduced cost for visitors who book one of our tours. Your visa will be sent to the Vietnamese embassy or consulate where the visa is to be collected once the following information has been forwarded:

• Passport details, arrival and departure dates should be faxed or forwarded to Indochina-Holidays not later than 30 days before travellers' departure to Vietnam.
• Indochina-Holidays submits all details to the Immigration Department.
• The Immigration Department notifies us of visa approval and sends a fax/telex approval to the Embassy or Consulate in the country of travellers' residence.
• Indochina-Holidays sends a fax copy of the approval to the agent or individual concerned.

A fee is payable to Indochina - Holiays for the visa authorisation and to the embassy or consulate for the visa stamping. The person collecting the visa must complete two application forms and hand these in with two passport photos when collecting the visa. In situations where it is more convenient, Our company is also authorised to issue visas on arrival at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, Danang International Airport in Danang and Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. The same authorisation procedure and a minimum of 5 working days notice is still required. In emergency cases Indochina - Holiays can arrange a visa on arrival if notice of 2 working days is given. On entering Vietnam all visitors must complete a entry/exit form including a customs declaration (white/yellow colour). It is important that the bottom copy (yellow sheet) of this form is kept safe with your passport while in Vietnam and is presented to the customs and immigration officials on departure.
 
 
  Television and Radio
 
Vietnam Television (VTV) broadcasts three channels (VTV1, VTV2 and VTV3) throughout the country, VTV4 for overseas Vietnamese and VTV5 for Vietnamese hilltribe. VTV will have eight channels by 2010. International channels such as CNN, TV5 are available in most hotels equiped with sattelite dishes or TV cables. Voice of Vietnam Radio broadcasts throughout the country; all provinces and cities have their own radio stations as well.
 
   Postal service and Telecommunication
 
A regular international post service is available. The Vietnamese postal system offers you most telecommunications services. In addition there are some new, special services: Express Mail Service (EMS), DHL Worldwide Express, UPS, Freight Forwarders…The domestic EMS ensures that letters and small parcels are delivered within 24-48 hours. International EMS has relations with nearly 30 countries world-wide, with a delivery time ranging from 2 to 10 days. Air mail and small parcels must however be subject to additional charges. Express money transfer is also available; money is delivered to the receiver within 24 hours.

Email & Internet: E-mail and Internet services are available in throughout the country. Other places where you could find the same services are in the Internet Cafes (100% are using ADSL) located in many streets of the major cities. Normally the post will charge you from 2000 VND to 5000 VND per hour for internet service (about 0.16 to 0.37USD) but it could be more in the hotels. Cyber cafes are becoming popular in the all cities in Vietnam and many travellers now prefer to keep in touch by e-mail. Postcards can be bought at all the main tourist sites and stamps are available from post offices, bookshops and some hotel reception desks.

Telephone booth, card and Fax machine: Long-distance and international direct-dial calling is available throughout the country . Using a telephone booth is an easy way for you to call home. You can find telephone booths at post offices or in the street of major cities. Telephone cards are on sales at GPO, shops, restaurants, book stores. However, it is getting more popular and cheaper to make phone calls over the Internet. These days many Internet Cafes offer you this service. Fax machines are quickly proliferating in Vietnam; public and registered fax machines are available in hotels, business and public offices. Most hotels now have IDD phones in rooms and it is possible to send faxes from hotels and post offices.
International calls: Costs for direct dialed international calls are still high. However, you can make a phone call to talk with your relatives in your country with half of the cost with 178 or 171 services. With these services, cost is about 0.60USD per minute to most of countries in the world. How to dial it? Very easy:

Dial 171 (or 178) + 00 + country code + city code + number

However, away from the major cities it may not always be possible to make international calls. Kindly note if you use this service from your hotel’s telephone, the charge might be a little higher as the hotel will put some service charges over it. Again, making international phone calls by Internet is another relatively great option.

Mobile phone: In Vietnam, GMS (Global Mobilephone System) is presently operated by three main suppliers: VINAPHONE, MOBIFONE and VIETTEL. Your mobile phone could be used here by roaming service. These suppliers offer also VINA and MOBI Pre-Paid Card services. The best way for you to use a mobile phone in the country is to buy a pre-paid SIM card for your mobile phone. You can also rent a mobile phone at your hotel or at a Mobile Phone Service Center in the street.

Time zone: Vietnam lies in the same time zone with Thailand, meaning seven hours ahead of GMT/UTC. So close to the equator, Vietnam has no daylight saving time (summer time).

  Population
 
Today there are about 83 million people in Vietnam and the annual growth rate is about 1.3%. 80 percent of nationals are ethnic Kinh or Viet, people who speak the tonal Vietnamese, while the remaining 20 percent comprises fifty three different ethnic groups. About 07 million of these ethnic minorities are members of the hill tribes or montagnards, making their homes and livelihoods in the spectacular mountains of the north and central highlands. The best-known hill tribes are the Tay, Hmong, Zao, White and Black Thai (both mainly from the north), and the Hoa. Each hill tribe has its own unique customs and dialect and some are able to speak Vietnamese.

Labour force: The workforce - estimated at over 41 million in 2005 - is growing at the even more rapid rate of 3.5% a year. Approximately 70% of the population is employed in agriculture and more than half is under the age of 25. Literacy rate: 88% (male: 92.6%, female: 83.8%)
 
   Clothing
 
Comfortable lightweight clothing in natural fabrics, easy to launder clothing such as cotton is most suitable and recommended for travelling in Vietnam. The dress code is fairly casual as in most parts of the tropics, but it is advisable to cover arms and legs in the evenings against biting insects. A lightweight raincoat is a good idea in the rainy season. During the winter months warm clothing is needed for visiting the north of Vietnam. The temperature during winter months in Hanoi and the rainy season in the central region can be cool; a sweater or light jacket can be handy. Good walking shoes and sandals that can be easily removed are recommended, especially when entering a private home or sacred places. Visitors to Buddhist countries should not wear shorts, short skirts or other skimpy clothing when visiting religious buildings.
 
   Local Currency
 
The currency issued by the Vietnam State Bank is the dong (abbreviated "d" or VND) which is used unformly throughout the country. Make sure that the Vietnamese notes you receive are not torn, this because many shops and restaurants will not accept them. Also try not to change too much money at one time, as you will end up with a large wad of notes. Bank notes in denominations of 200d to 500,000d are presently in circulation. The exchange rate is approximately US$1 = 15.500 vnd . The US Dollars are widely accepted in many hotels, restaurants, shops airlines and travel agencies. Banks are open Monday to Friday and some are open Saturday morning. In the major cities there are 'bureaux de change' and most hotels will change US Dollars although for other currencies it is usually necessary to visit a bank. Travellers cheques can be exchanged, cashed at banks, some authorized exchange bureaux and require presentation of passport, most hotels and airline offices do not accept travellers cheques as payment. Lost or stolen cheques are not replacable in Vietnam. There is normally a 2 to 5 percent transaction fee for cashing Travelers checks but it’s difficult to change outside of the major cities. At present certain travelers' cheques such as Amercian Express and credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard are accepted in many hotels, restaurants and shops but US Dollars cash are still the most reliable form of money to carry. There are ATM machines in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi and other mojor cities, but they are less available in more remote areas. There are also a number of international banks operating in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with 24hour cash withdrawal facilities, including ANZ Bank in Hanoi and the HSBC in Ho Chi Minh City. Here cash can be withdrawn on Visa and Master cards as well as other cards such as Cirrus.
 
   Cuisine
 
The cuisine of Vietnam comes as a pleasant surprise to many visitors and is definitely a part of the Vietnam experience not to be missed. A typical Vietnamese meal consists of rice or noodles with soup, a stir-fry, and another main dish and is eaten on a communal basis. One of the characteristics of Vietnamese food is that it is always fresh being bought the same morning straight from the market. Food is not spicy and usually prepared with a minimum of oil and served with chili sauce, soy sauce and the ubiquitous fish sauce called nuoc mam. Typical Vietnamese dishes you can expect to try include pho, a type of rice noodle soup eaten for breakfast, chao, deep-fried spring rolls, cha gio and goi ngo sen, a delicious salad made with lotus stems, shrimps and peanuts. Due to the strong Buddhist influence in Vietnam, vegetarian food is widely available.

The countries 3 main regions, the North, the Center and the South each have distinct cuisine. Generally the North is best known for its noodle soups and meat and seafood stir-fries. The central region especially around Hue has some of the most elaborate dishes. In the south, where there is a greater abundance of spices the food tends to be a little hotter. With over 3,000km of coastline the seafood here is both delicious and varied. Crabs prawns, crayfish and squid are in plentiful supply, not to mention hundreds of varieties of fish. Vietnamese cuisine is especially varied - there are said to be nearly 500 different traditional dishes, ranging from exotic meats such as bat, cobra and pangolin to fantastic vegetarian creations.

   Water supply and Electric power
 
Tap water in urban areas in Vietnam is chlorinated, It is not advisable to drink tap water but it is recommended that it should be boiled before drinking. Bottled mineral water is safe and available everywhere. Ice in drinks is generally safe as well in good standard hotels and restaurants but it is best to avoid it on street stalls or in country areas. The predominant and current power in Vietnam supply in most locations is 220 Volts, but 110V is in some areas.
 
   Health
 
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 travelling 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 travelling in case evacuation is needed.
 
   Language
 
Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam. Since the Vietnamese language has six different tones can be used in each syllable, which change the definition and it often makes it difficult for foreigners to pick up the language. There are other languages spoken as well such as Chinese, Khmer, Cham and other languages spoken by tribes inhabiting the mountainous regions. Although there are some similarities to Southeast Asian languages, such as Chinese, Vietnamese is thought to be a separate language group, although a member of the Austro-Asiatic language family.

Now the roman alphabet is used in modern Vietnamese. This system of writing called Quocngu, was created by Catholic missionaries in the 17th century to translate the scriptures. Eventually this system, particularly after 1918, replaced one using Chinese characters (chu nom), which had been the unofficial written form used for centuries. In Vietnamese the same word can have six different meanings depending on the tone used to pronounce it. In the major cities and larger towns. Foreign language learning, particularly English, is currently in vogue among young people in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Da Nang, Nhatrang, Dalat and other cities. Tour guides can speak English, French, Russian, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), Spanish, Japanese and Korean and even more

  Shopping
 
Souvenirs to look out for in Vietnam include lacquerware, silk, conical hats, woodcarvings, hill tribe fabrics and handicrafts, embroidery, marble, ceramics, silver jewellery, antique watches and paintings. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have the best choice when it comes to shopping but Hoi An in the centre of Vietnam is also a very good place to hunt for bargains.
 
  Hours of Business
 
Most Vietnamese are early risers, so businesses and shops open early. Government offices are usually open from Monday to Friday from 07:30 until 16:30. Most businesses are also open on Saturday from 08.00 and close any time between 18:00 and 22:00. Most shops are open 7 days a week. Many businesses, shops, and all government offices are closed during this lunch period.

Banks are open Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm and on Saturdays from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Lunch time is usually between 11:30 am to 1:30 pm.
 
  Tipping
 
Tipping for good service is not expected but is always appreciated in these developing nations. It is customary, though not compulsory, to tip tour guides and drivers at the end of a tour at least 5$ US per day. Hotel and station porters should also be tipped.
 
   Safety
 
Vietnam was recently voted one of the safest destinations in the world. Women and independent travelers have found it relatively hassle-free and easy to travel throughout the country. Incidents of petty theft and bag snatching are more widespread in Ho Chi Minh City and to a lesser extent Hanoi. Get ready to come.

Public Holidays

January 1 New Year's Day January/ February The most important and widely celebrated public holiday of the year is Tet (Vietnamese New Year). The Lunar New Year, which coincides with the cycle of the moon, vary from year to year according to the lunar calendar. This public holiday usually takes place in late January or early February and lasts officially for three days, but many businesses close down for a full week. This is the busiest time of the year for travelling in Vietnam and hotels, flights and trains are always full. April 30 Liberation of Saigon Day May 1 International Labour Day September 2 National Day May 19 Ho Chi Minh's birthday

Weather
 
Vietnam's elongated shape includes tropical and subtropical zone and is responsible for the varied climate in the country. Generally speaking the best time to travel in Vietnam is when there is a reduced chance of rain; that is during April/May and October/November.

The North

Hanoi and the north of Vietnam have a distinct winter and summer season with the mainly dry winter lasting from November through to April with average temperatures of 18-20oC. Summer lasts from May to October where temperatures range between 29-35 degrees Celsius and is hot and humid with the occasional burst of heavy rain. The temperature varies from 10-16 degrees in winter (December to March). February and March can be damp with drizzle and overcast skies.

The Center

Hue and Danang in the centre of the country have very hot, dry weather from February to August with temperatures reaching the mid 30s Celsius, but can experience some quite heavy rainfall between September and January. Danang and Hue both also experience typhoons from mid October to mid December when the climate becomes cooler, more overcast and wet. For most of the year Nha Trang is bathed in beautiful sunshine but between November and December the area has heavy rain. Dalat, at an altitude of 1,500m is cooler than the coastal area, particularly from November through to March.

The South

Ho Chi Minh City and the south have a hot, dry season from December till April with average temperatures around 29oC. It’s generally sunny and humid, and a rainy and wet season lasting from May through till November and you can expect daily downpours. It rarely rains for long periods even in the rainy season with most rain coming in short, heavy bursts.

 

WEATHER CHART

Month HANOI DANANG HOCHIMINH CITY Av. Temp (Celsium) Av. Rainfall (mm) Av. Temp (Celsium) Av. Rainfall (mm) Av. Temp (Celsium) Av. Rainfall (mm) Jan 12/30 26 17/25 21 21/32 26 Feb 13/21 26 18/26 22 22/32 10 Mar 16/23 60 20/28 23 23/33 15 Apr 20/28 110 23/30 75 25/35 50 May 25/32 220 25/35 200 25/35 200 Jun 28/33 280 29/36 280 24/33 325 Jul 28/33 350 29/36 300 24/33 300 Aug 28/33 340 25/34 280 24/33 275 Sep 28/33 280 23/30 260 24/33 325 Oct 23/28 160 23/28 260 23/32 225 Nov 18/27 80 21/28 80 23/32 100 Dec 15/21 10 20/27 40 22/32 50