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Vietnam

General Information

Capital City:
Hanoi
Population:
87.37 million
Area:
127,243 square miles
Language:
Vietnamese, English, French, Chinese, Russian
Electricity:
220V AC 50Hz
Direct Dial:
84
Driving:
Driving is on the right. International Driving Permit & test taken in Vietnam required
Currency:
Dong (VND)

Business Hours

Bank:
0730-1130 & 1300-1630 Mon-Fri
Office:
0730-1200 & 1300 1630 Mon-Fri
Shops:
0730-1200 & 1300-1630 Mon-Sun (many shops open later evenings)
Public Holidays:
<b>2012</b> 01 Jan : New Year's Day 23 Jan : T�t - Lunar New Year* 12 Apr : Gio to Hung Vuong Day 30 Apr : Liberation of Saigon 01 May : May Day 02 Sep : National Day <b>Note:</b> *Check with the embassy for the exact date. Visitors may experience difficulties during this period as shops, restaurants and public services close and prices tend to go up in the few shops that remain open.

Business and social hints

General:
It is useful for business cards to have a translation in Vietnamese script on the reverse side. Business is conducted in Vietnamese or English. Many executives speak English. Often both hands are used to give or receive an item. There are restrictions on photography in certain areas
Tipping:
Officially, tips are not prohibited and are widely accepted
Clothing:
Lightweight and casual clothes are suitable. Heavy clothing is needed in the north during winter and also in the highlands in the evenings
Emergency Services:
Police: 113. Fire: 114. Ambulance: 115

Climate

The southern region has a tropical climate while the northern region is sub-tropical. The rainy season is from May-Aug in the north but lasts until Nov in the south. Average temperatures are about 25�C all year in the south while the north has 2 distinct seasons

Hanoi

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum Temperature °C 20 21 23 28 32 33 33 32 31 29 26 22
Minimum Temperature °C 13 14 17 20 23 26 26 26 24 22 18 15
Average Humidity (mornings) % 78 82 83 83 77 78 79 82 79 75 74 75
Average Humidity (afternoons) % 68 70 76 75 69 71 72 75 73 69 68 67
Average Rainfall 18 28 38 81 196 239 323 343 254 99 43 20

Customs

Import Allowances:
For persons of 18 years of age or older: a) 400 cigarettes and 100 cigars or 500gr of tobacco b) Liquor at 22� and above: 1,5 litres below 22� 2 litres, other alcoholic beverages 3 litres c) Tea max 5kg, coffee max 3kg d) A reasonable quantity of perfume and personal belongings
Contraband:
Drugs (non-prescribed), firearms, literature and pornography

Health

None.

Compulsary Vaccinations
Yellow fever certificate required if aged over 1 year and entering this country from an infected area.
Recommended Immunisations
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Typhoid. <b>In addition:</b> Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, Rabies, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis & Cholera are also recommended to those travelling to Vietnam frequently or intending to spend extended time here.
Risks
- <b>Malaria</b> - Risk is present throughout the year in all areas except urban centres such as Ho Chi Min City and Hanoi, the Red River delta and coastal plains of central Vietnam. Risk is highest in central highland provinces to the north west of Qui Nhon and the provinces south west of Ho Chi Min City. <b>GENERAL INFO FOR ALL TRAVELLERS:</b> Details listed can occasionally change at very short notice and it's recommended that all travellers seek advice from their Practice Nurse, GP or Travel Clinic when planning a visit to Vietnam. It should be noted that some vaccinations and treatments may require one or more visits and should be planned well in advance of travel. Primary courses and boosters should always be up to date as recommended for life in the UK. This should include vaccines given to special groups due to complications or risk exposure such as Hepatitis B for health care workers, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for the elderly etc.

Immigration and Passport

Passports and passport replacing documents must be valid for at least 6 months after the date of arrival.

The following DO NOT require a visa: 1) Nationals of Vietnam. 2) Nationals of Kyrgyzstan 3) For stays up to 30 days by: a) Holders of passports issued to nationals of Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore & Thailand. 4) For stays up to 21 days by: a) Passports issued to nationals of the Philippines. 5) For stays up to 15 days by: a) Nationals of Denmark, Finland, Japan, Korea (South), Norway, Russian Federation & Sweden. 6) For stays up to 14 days by: a) Nationals of Brunei Darussalam. All other nationals require a visa, including British Citizens.

Costs of visas and validity of visas are subject to change. The date of entry on the visa application should be precise, you are not be able to enter the country before the date specified. Entry requirements may change from time to time and should be checked with the Embassy of Vietnam

Useful Contacts

Embassy

Embassy of Vietnam 12-14 Victoria Road London, W8 5RD tel: +44 20 7937 1912 fax: +44 20 7937 6108 web: www.vietnamembassy.org.uk e-mail: consular@vietnamembassy.org.uk hours: 0930-1230 (Mon-Fri) visas Appointment not required.

Airports

  • Hanoi Noi Bai
  • Ho Chi Minh City

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