VIETNAM

FLAG

National Day September 2nd

CURRENCY

Currency Dong

Currency Converter

The official currency is the Dong (1 US$=15.000 Dong). However the US$ is almost accepted every where. If you don't need a bill they prefer the $. Bills are in most cases in Dong and US$. Credit cards are very often charged in US$.

VISA

Most countries need a visa to be obtained from the Vietnamese overseas embassies and missions. check with them or the airline. Don't forget to check what the immigration stamps in your passport.

DID-INTERNET-GMT

DID

Country Code (84)

Internet (vn)

GMT + 8

ELECTRICITY

110 in old buildings, 220V in new hotels 50Hz

HOTELS

More on Vietnam

by (Encyclopedia.com)

State: The Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Head of State: President

Currency: Dong

Location: south of China, east of Laos and Cambodia

Area: 329,560 sq. km

Capital: Hanoi
Population: 81 mio

People: Viet (Kinh), Hoa, Khmer, Cham in all over 50 different ethnic groups

Religion: Buddhism 70%, Catholics 10%, Caodaism 2.5%, Hoahaoism 1.3%.
Language: Vietnamese

GDP: US$ 173 billion

GNP per capita: US$ 2,135

Annual growth: 4 %

Inflation: 0 %
Major industries: oil, agriculture, textile

Major trading partners: Japan, EU, China, Australia, Singapore

Health Service: Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh is ok

Water: Don't drink tap water
Time: GMT + 6

Electricity: 220-240V
Weights & measures: Metric

Road traffic: right side

Public transport: bus and taxis in Hanoi and Saigon are ok

PUBLICATIONS

NEWSPAPERS

English

Vietnam Economy

Viet Nam News

AIR, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh are he two international airport with good connections to all major Asian airports as well as to the major international hubs.

Information	Currency Converter Language Population Facts Religion
Reference	Tourism Weather Currency Converter
Transport	Rail

Travel

Advise Car Rental Rail Travel Travel Warning

Ambulance 115 | Fire 114 | Police 113 | Telephone local dir. 116 , int'l dir. 110

The first inhabitants date back 25.000 years. Over the years the northern part of Vietnam has been constantly in war with the Chinese, the last time in 1979. The French colonized Vietnam from 1859-1954. This left behind a distinctive French architecture and broad boulevards in the big cities. The baguette is eaten almost as much as in France. The war with the Americans has left signs all over the country. The worst victims are the people who were effected by the agent orange. many of them inclusive their children born after the war are badly handicapped.

Hanoi is the political center and capital of Vietnam. To be honest the city is nicer than Ho Chi Minh with it's lakes and beautiful colonial houses. The problem however is many of them need to be renovated. as Hanoi is a "poorer" city the people don't have the money to do so. The picture shows the Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum

Ho Chi Minh or Saigon as it was formerly known is the business center of Vietnam. The Notre Dame.is in the city centre. There are quite a few things to do like a boatride in the busy Mekong delta and visit the famous Chu Chi tunnels.

Hue is one of the most historical preserved cities in central Vietnam with it's walls, royal tombs and palaces. Hue is alse called the capital of Vietnams rice bowl. located between the Red river and Mekong delta. UNESCO has declared the city as a heritage town.

Halong bay north of Hanoi has one of the most beautiful sceneries with it's numerous islands and caves. It's a UNESCO heritage sight. Pick your life seafood and enjoy a lunch or dinner on board of any of the boats.

Being a big agricultural producer you find plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits and seafood. You will hardly see any overweight people as their diet is very healthy. Rice paper and rice wrapper filled with vegetables, some fish, chicken or meat, rolled to spring rolls and dipped in a wide range of sauces are some of a staple food. Local food you find best in the numerous hawker stalls and the typical local restaurants. Try as well barbecued game and Vietnamese fish cakes. The French left a lot in food culture behind. Some of the best French food in Asia can be found in Vietnam.

Vietnam is known for it's own excellent coffee. Vietnam has lovely fresh fruits. Mango, papaya, guava, bananas, passion fruits and so much more. Many places serve them as freshly squeezed. besides the gig guys, they have their own breweries as well. Quite a few mini breweries have popped up over the years in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. Thei are a few bottled beera. Halida, 333 (pronounced ba-ba-ba), Hue beer.

In short, Vietnam is an Asian country and the majority of the people stay at home. In the big cities life is different and you have in the south a left over nightlife from the Vietnam war. Don't get caught by the police. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh have disco's, bar's and pub's. Hanoi closing time is 12-01 whereby Ho Chi Minh is more "flexible.

Ho Chi Minh's residence in Hanoi

Chinese New Year decorations

HOLIDAYS

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

JAN/FEB varying dates for the Vietnamese or Tet New year.

MAY 1 Labour Day

MAY 30 Saigon's Liberation Day

SEP 2 National Day

School children

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Last modified: April 06, 2006