Vietnam Travel

Vietnam is a vibrant melting pot of cultures and traditions, where diverse ethnicities such as Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasian communities coexist harmoniously. This rich cultural landscape, originally shaped by the Austronesian people from Taiwan, has evolved over the years, drawing influences from various Chinese dynasties and other Asian cultures. The result is a quintessentially cosmopolitan Singaporean culture, celebrated through local customs that emphasize the importance of family, respect for elders, and communal harmony. The architecture, languages, and everyday life of the country reflect this eclectic heritage, creating a unique and striking cultural identity.

Vietnam is a vibrant melting pot of cultures and traditions, where diverse ethnicities such as Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasian communities coexist harmoniously. This rich cultural landscape, originally shaped by the Austronesian people from Taiwan, has evolved over the years, drawing influences from various Chinese dynasties and other Asian cultures. The result is a quintessentially cosmopolitan Singaporean culture, celebrated through local customs that emphasize the importance of family, respect for elders, and communal harmony. The architecture, languages, and everyday life of the country reflect this eclectic heritage, creating a unique and striking cultural identity.

The usual voltage is 220V, 50Hz. The two-pin (ungrounded) plug is more popular than the three-pin one. If you have any devices needing a special outlet, please bring its adapter kit. The best investment is a universal AC adapter, which enables you to plug it into any outlet without damaging your appliances.

The local currency is the Dong (abbreviated "d" or VND). Money, particularly US dollars can be exchanged at banks, hotels, and authorized money exchangers. Most retailers do not accept checks. But Visa, Master & JCB cards are widely accepted. Some merchants also accept AMEX. A 3% bank charge on transactions (4% for AMEX) is pretty common, due to bank policies. ATMs are very popular in most tourist destinations.

Local time is GMT + 7 hours. Most government offices are open from 8:00 / 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 / 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, but are closed from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for lunch. Banks are closed after 4:00 p.m. Some foreign companies or private enterprises are open Saturday mornings. Most shops and department stores are open every day until 8.00 or 9.00 p.m. Local time is GMT + 7 hours. Most government offices are open from 8:00 / 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 / 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, but are closed from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for lunch. Banks are closed after 4:00 p.m. Some foreign companies or private enterprises are open Saturday mornings. Most shops and department stores are open every day until 8.00 or 9.00 p.m.

Flight times may vary from day to day. Schedules are subject to change without prior notice. You should allow an hour at the airport for the check-in process prior to your flight departure. Baggage allowance is 20kg per person in economy class. Hand luggage should not weigh more than 7kg. You are recommended to reconfirm your intention to travel at least 24 hours prior to departure from all your points on your itinerary, even if you have a confirmed reservation.

You can access the internet at hotels, cyber cafés & Internet/Computer Service Centers. ADSL technology is widely used in major cities. Also, WIFI internet is available at some cyber cafés, restaurants, and most hotels in major tourist destinations. Free WIFI is also available in some international airports.

Vietnam has high international telephone charges. It is important to check the exact amount with the hotel before making a call, as hotel surcharges are often imposed. VOIP calls help reduce call charges. Pre-paid internet & mobile cards can be bought in the major cities so if your phone is unlocked, this solution is cheap (around USD5) and will allow you to call in case of emergency, call your driver, your hotel and even home if you need! Service providers for mobile phone networks are GSM of Vinaphone, Mobile Phone and Viettel, while CDMA are EVN Telecom and S-Phone, HT Mobile etc.