Vietnam Country Facts

We are all aware that the good trips are the trips need to be well prepared in advance. The following information is about the country of Vietnam you may need for a better trip preparation. We try to provided as much details as we can.

General Information

Viet Nam is long and narrow, with a 1,400-mi. coast. About 24% of country is readily arable, including the densely settled Red River valley in the North, narrow coastal plains in center, and the wide, often marshy Mekong River Delta in the South. The rest consists of semi-arid plateaus and barren mountains, with some stretches of tropical rain forest.

History

For many years, Vietnam formed part of the French colony of Indochina, along with Cambodia and Laos. With Vichy French agreement, in 1941, the Japanese occupied Vietnam during their World War II sweep through South-East Asia.

Passports and Visa

All regulations, including those concerning which counties require visas, cost of visas and validity of visas, are very complex and subject to frequent change. It is therefore advisable to contact us before any travel to Vietnam

International Travel

Vietnam’s national airline is Vietnam Airlines (VN). The most usual routes to Vietnam are from Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Paris, Singapore and Taipei. Most Asian carriers have flights to Vietnam.

Internal Travel

Vietnam Airlines (VN) and Pacific Airlines (BL) operates many flights between Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Da Nang and Nha Trang. Regular services are also provided between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

Customs

VietNam Customs serves the same purpose as any other customs service; enforcing commercial and legal mandates set down by the government. There are some differences, however, in as much as you baggage will definitely be X-rayed both going entering and leaving VietNam.

Climate and Weather

Vietnam is affected by the monsoon, that’s why the average temperature is lower than the other countries which are located in the same longitude in Asia. In comparing with these countries, the temperature in winter is colder and in summer is less hot in Vietnam.

Activities

There are opportunities for visitors to see some of the Vietnam War sights. It is possible to walk part of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a series of roads, trails and paths used as supply routes by the North Vietnamese during the war.

Public Holidays

Public holidays in Vietnam are days when workers get the day off work in Vietnam. Prior to 2007, Vietnamese workers observed 8 days of public holiday a year. On March 28, 2007 the government added the traditional holiday commemorating the mythical Hùng Kings to its list of public holidays, increasing the number of days to 9.

Money

The US Dollar is the most favored foreign currency. Australian, British, Japanese, Singaporean and Thai currency, as well as the Euro, can usually be changed in the larger cities; great difficulty may be encountered in trying to exchange any other currencies.

Health Issues

There are excellent hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and health care centres in all provinces, but facilities are limited and there is a lack of medicines. Health insurance is essential and should include cover for emergency repatriation by air.

Business Profile

The economy of Vietnam was devastated by 30 years of war up to 1975, after which, policy errors and a USA-enforced trade boycott combined to stifle development.

Social Profile

Vietnamese cooking is varied and usually very good. It is a mixture of Vietnamese, Chinese and French traditions, with a plethora of regional specialties. As in all countries of the region, rice or noodles usually provide the basis of a meal.

Cultural Profile

Vietnamese people are very gracious, polite and generous and will make every effort to have foreign guests feel comfortable. Most café’s and restaurants will have knives and forks as well as chopsticks for example.

The above information are the most common facts and the list is always updated by our team as well as by our guests. If you don’t find the information your look for or you have something interesting and useful to share with us and other travelers, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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