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Hanoi
Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi, located on the banks of the Red River, is one of the most ancient capitals in the world, where travellers can find well-preserved colonial buildings, ancient pagodas, and unique museums within the city centre. A great place to explore on foot, this French-colonial city is also known for its delectable cuisine, vibrant nightlife, silks and handicrafts, as well as a multi-cultural community that’s made up of Chinese, French and Russian influences.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is the business and financial hub of Vietnam, with a prominent history going back hundreds of years. The Khmers originally settled the region, with the Vietnamese taking over in the 17th century.
Today, Ho Chi Minh City is a popular tourist destination due to its fascinating culture, classic French architecture, and sleek skyscrapers as well as ornate temples and pagodas. The city is also filled with rooftop bars that overlook Saigon and beyond, while fantastic restaurants offer a combination of French, Chinese and local Vietnamese cuisine.
Phu Quoc Island
Phu Quoc, Киен Гианг, Vietnam
Phu Quoc Island boasts idyllic beaches, romantic sunsets, evergreen forests, and a serene atmosphere, making it an ideal holiday destination for travellers looking to escape bustling city life. Located 45 kilometres west of Ha Tien in the far south of Vietnam, the northern part of the island is relatively untouched due to its status as a UNESCO-listed national park but there are plenty of luxurious resorts, funky bars, and quaint cafes along the southern coastline.
Mui Ne and Phan Thiet
Mũi Né, Phan Thiet, Бин Туан, Виетнам
About 200 km north of Ho Chi Minh City are Mui Ne and Phan Thiet. Together, these traditional fishing villages are fast becoming a popular leisure destination. Resort-style developments have been rising along the coastline, though so far the lives of the fishing communities remain unchanged and Mui Ne’s long beach is quiet and serene, great for walks, jogging and spectacular sunsets.
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Location
Vietnam is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula. With an estimated 94.6 million inhabitants as of 2016, it is the 15th most populous country in the world. Vietnam shares its land borders with China to the north, and Laos and Cambodia to the west. It shares its maritime borders with Thailand through the Gulf of Thailand, and the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia through the South China Sea. Its capital city is Hanoi, while its most populous city is Ho Chi Minh City.
Transportation
Aside from taxis, there are cyclos, local buses and minibuses as well as sleeper buses and trains for long distance travels.
Languages Spoken
The national language is Vietnamese and is comprised of six different tones.
Currency
US$1 = VND 22,000 approx (most people round it down to 20,000 when calculating prices).
Widely available all over Vietnam. All major banks’ ATMs accept international cards and provide instructions in several languages, including English. Most major hotels and restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi also accept payments using Visa and MasterCard.
Visas
Nationals from most European and Asian countries can enter Vietnam without a visa, with a maximum stay duration of up to 30 days (depending on which country you’re travelling from). Others will need to apply for a visa from their local embassy, with one-month fees priced at US$25 for single entry and transit visas, while US$10 is charged if you want to extend your single entry visa.
Electricity
The standart household (hotel) electrical supply in Vietnam is 220 volt, 50 Hertz. Both flat and round two-pin outlets are used throughout the country. It is recommended to bring a universal plug adaptor.
Vaccinations
Malaria and dengue fever are present and it is advisable to take precautions. Visitors should be vaccinated against typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A and B, tetanus, polio, and yellow fever (is traveling froman area where it is present).
Emergency Calls
In case of an emergency, dial 113 for police, 115 for ambulance, or 116 for phone number enquiries.
When to visit
Best time to visit the destination
What to do?
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FAQs about Vietnam
Is drinking water safe in Vietnam?
Do not drink from the taps. Always use bottled water.
Can the driver speak English and act as a guide?
No, he cannot. In Vietnam, drivers are just drivers. Tour guides need to be licensed by the National Tourism Authority. Tour guides are the only persons legally entitled to escort tourists. GV specialises in arranging tours with private drivers and qualified professional tour guides.
Can I rent a bike and ride myself?
Yes, you can buy/rent bike easily and ride it yourself in Vietnam. However, please remember the traffic and roads conditions may be very different to what you are used to. Only young team is recommended for bike riding in Vietnam.
How expensive is food?
A bowl of noodles may cost 30K VND, and coffee can range from 15K to 30K VND. Foreign food may cost upwards of 100K VND.
Is there Wi-Fi or should I buy a sim card?
Most cafes and hotels offer free Wi-Fi, however I personally recommend purchasing a sim card for convenience. You can purchase a sim card for 150 VND and purchase credit of 100 VND, this will be more than enough for a short trip but if you need more you can always buy more credit later.
How do I book taxis?
We recommend downloading the Grab and Mai Linh apps. You can use Grab to book taxis; book motorbike taxis; order food and more. Grab is great for travellers as grab will translate your messages to and from Vietnamese - allowing easy communication! Use Mai Linh to book taxis, Mai Linh doesn’t have a translation service yet but operates in more places than Grab.
How much Vietnamese do I need to know?
In tourist areas many people, especially younger people will speak English. However, you shouldn’t assume that everyone in the tourist areas can speak English. Besides the basics (hello, thank you and bye) we recommend learning numbers, directions and the names of food. Download the google translate app and have the English to Vietnamese option downloaded as an offline translator.
