- In General
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It is best to travel light in Vietnam. One medium sized bag and a day pack will provide more than enough room to carry everything you'll need to survive, and enough space for the things you'll buy in Vietnam.
There is extensive black market for smuggled consumer goods in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, so do not worry about running out of something.
Before you leave home complete the following checklist:
• Lightweight and quick dry clothing is most appropriate for the summer months and warmer clothing for the winter months; sun hat; swimming costume.
• Travel Documents: Passport, visa, Travel Insurance, Air Tickets.
• Health requirements and travel insurance arranged.
• Flashlight/Torch, alarm clock, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, personal first aid kit, personal toiletries.
• Money: Us dollars or travelers cheques and/or credit card.
• Raincoat or umbrella, good hiking shoes.
• Cable locks or padlock for luggage.
- Visa
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Obtaining a single entry, 30-day tourist visa is easy. For a business visa it is a little more complex. (more expensive!) but you'll have the advantage of a longer stay, either 3 or 6 months, and multiple entries. Both visas can usually be extended once in Vietnam. Just ring up Vietnam Embassy and request a visa application.
You will receive your passport back with a visa stamped inside as well as one copy of your application and photo stapled to the page. When you enter the country the immigration officer will take this copy. Some travelers have been told they need to have additional pictures and copies of their visa application. You're directed to a person with a polaroid camera who snaps the needed photos for US$2. You then get back in the immigration line.
Visa extensions can usually be obtained once in Vietnam. You'll see numerous travel agencies and hotels offering this service in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Rates vary, as does the official policy regarding extensions!
- Airport taxes
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International Flights: 14 USD from Hanoi / 12 USD from Ho Chi Minh City Domestic Flights: 2 USD (approx). Kids under two exempt.
- Registration
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Hotels and private hosts must register your presence with the police. You will be expected to hand over your passport, along with your visa number. A handy tip is to photocopy your passport details several times and then hand this copy in instead of your original visa
- What to wear
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The main thing to consider is the weather, as it can be freezing cold in the mountainous North, and at the same time hot and humid on the Central Coast. If you are traveling in the North or the Central Highlands during the winter months definitely bring jeans and a warm coat or sweater. It seems that it is always raining somewhere in Vietnam, so lightweight rain gear is essential.
In the hot months, dress cool but conservative. Many Vietnamese cannot understand why foreigners insist on wearing shorts, tank tops and sleeveless T-shirts when they have the money to dress well. For the Vietnamese, appearance is very important, so if you are dealing with an official of any rank, make sure you are dressed appropriately
- Currency exchange
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The official currency, the dong, is non-convertible and at the time of writing trades at 15,300 (Oct, 2002) dong to USD 1. The US dollar, preferably crisp clean bills, is widely accepted among major shops and restaurants. Travelers checks can be cashed at authorized foreign exchange outlets and banks, and require presentation of passport. There is normally a 2 to 5 percent transaction fee for cashing travelers’ checks. Visa and Master card are accepted in some of the bigger hotels and restaurants.
There are also a small number of international banks now operating in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city, with 24-hour cash withdrawal facilities including ANZ bank
