Customs and formalities: Arriving in Vietnam, all visitors must fill in declaration forms and show their luggage to customs officials on request. There are no limited amounts of foreign currency, objects made of gold, silver, precious metals and gemstones or plated with silver or gold but visitors must declare these in detail on the customs forms.

Currency: The local currency is the dong (abbreviated "d" or VND). Bank notes are 500d, 1000d, 2,000d, 5,000d, 10,000d, 20,000d, 50,000d, and 100,000d. The rate of exchange at updating time is approximately dong 15.000 to one US. Dollar. Credit cards are generally only accepted in major cities. Visitors are recommended to carry US Dollar in small denominations. Travelers can change their money for Vietnamese dong (VND) at banks, hotels and jewelry shops throughout the country.

Climate: Vietnam shares borders with Cambodia, Laos and China, and features 3,200 km of coastline bordering the Eastern Sea. With an area of 332,000 square km, Vietnam’s topography varies from coastal plains to mountain ranges. Vietnam stretches over 1,800 km from north to south; therefore weather patterns in the principle cities are very different. The North: Winter lasts from November to April, with temperatures averaging 160C but little rainfall. Summer begins in May and lasts until October, with temperature of 300 C, heavy rainfall and the occasional violent typhoon. The Center: Central Vietnam experiences a transitional climate, halfway between those of the north and south. The South: Temperature are fairly constant through the year; 250 C – 300 C, Seasons are determined by the rain – the dry season runs from November to April and the wet season from May to October. The hottest period is March and April, before the rain has broken. Typhoon s is quite common in coastal areas between July and November. The Highland Areas: In the hill resorts of Dalat (1,500m), Buon Ma Thuot and Sapa, nights are cool throughout the year, and in the winter months, October to March; it can be distinctly chilly with temperature falling to 40 C. Even in the hottest months of March and April the temperature rarely exceeds 260 C.

Health requirements: No actual vaccinations are officially required. Malaria prophylaxis is no longer recommended but visitors are advised to check with their doctor or travel immunization clinic regarding the advisability of inoculation against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A & B.

International flights: Vietnam has three international airports: Hanoi/Noi Bai, Danang/ Danang and Ho Chi Minh/Tan Son Nhat. Cities with directs flight to Hanoi / Noi Bai Airport are Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Moscow, Nanning, Paris, Singapore, Taipei, Vientiane and Seoul. Airline Companies currently serving Hanoi are Vietnam airlines, Air France, Cathay Pacific Airways, China southern Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Laos Aviation, Singapore Airlines, Aeroflot, Thai Airways. Cities with directs flight to Ho Chi Minh City/Tan Son Nhat Airport are Bangkok, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Moscow, Melbourne, Osaka, Paris, Phnom Penh, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei, Tokyo, Vienna, Vientiane and Zurich. Airline Companies currently serving Ho Chi Minh City are Vietnam airlines, Air France, Cathay Pacific Airways, China southern Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Lao Aviation, Singapore Airlines, Swissair, Aeroflot, Thai Airways, Korean Air, Lufthansa German Airlines, Lauda Air, Asian Airlines, Royal Air Cambodia. Thai Airways has direct flights (by BP airs) from Bangkok to Danang on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Overland: The other way to get into Vietnam is by land, from China, Laos and Cambodia Tourists can pass the border at the following entry points: * From China: Huu Nghi, Lao Cai. * From Laos: Cau Treo, Lao Bao. * From Cambodia: Moc Bai.

Language: Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam but there are various dialects spoken by hill tribe people in remote areas. Leaning foreign languages, particularly English and French, is currently in vogue among young people in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Da Nang and other cities.

Public holidays: Jan 1: International new years Day - Apr 30: Liberation Day - May 1: Labor Day: Sep 2: National Day

Tipping: Widely practiced, in addition to hotel and restaurant service charges shown on bills (Porters, VND 5.000-10.000 per bag)

Airport tax: Domestic airport tax is now included in the airfare. On international flights, the airport tax is US$ 14 per passenger.

Business hours: GMT + 7 hours