• Public Holidays

 • Transport

 • Working Hours

 • Telecommunication

 • Electric Power

 • Useful telephone number

 • Currency

 • Do’s and Don’ts

 • Health

 • Common Vietnamese phrases

Vietnam Traditional Lunar New Year - Tet Nguyen Dan (Four-day holiday) Tet is the most important and widely-celebrated public holiday of the year. This public holiday usually takes place in late January or early February and lasts officially for four days, although many businesses are closed the entire week. This is the busiest time of the year for traveling in Vietnam and hotels, flights and trains are often full.

Working 8 hours/day from 7:30AM to 4:30PM (excluding one-hour lunch).
Saturday and Sunday are close

Banks:

Shops:

220 Volts, 50 Hz

Vietnamese dong (VND) is the official currency in Vietnam. Paper notes include: VND 500,000; 100,000; 50,000; 20,000; 10,000; 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500; 200 and 100. Coins include VND 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500 and 200. Foreign currencies and travelers cheques can be exchanged into Vietnamese Dong at banks or foreign exchange agencies. Credit cards are popularly used, especially in cities and big tourist centers. ATMs can only be found in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city, so do not depend on any kind of bankcards ( e.g. credit cards...) as your main source of funds. Before leave Vietnam, Vietnamese dong can be changed into foreign currencies at the airport.

No vaccination is required to enter Viet Nam. However visitors are advised to have up-to-date inoculations for Cholera, Hepatitis A and B, Malaria, Typhoid and Tuberculosis.

Malaria: is prevalent in the remote mountainous regions, especially in the rainy season when mosquitoes breed. If spending time in the countryside (below 1,200 meters al), contact a doctor about anti-malarial drugs. Try to avoid getting bitten, cover up after dark, wear insect repellent, burn mosquito coils and sleep under a net.

Diarrhea: This malady is common. If it occurs, maintain a diet of bland foods of fluids only. If severe, consult a physician. There are international standard hospitals and clinics in Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Noi with qualified Vietnamese and foreign doctors to treat foreign patients. Over the counter prescription drugs are widely available in major cities. It is recommended to drink tap water and fresh fruit and vegetables should always be peeled or washed thoroughly with purified water.

Flights:
If you intend to visit only a few cities in Vietnam, flying is the most convenient way to travel, especially the places like Phu Quoc Island and Rach Gia that are difficult to reach by other means. The major problem with flying is reserving a seat. It is essential to book flights early especially on popular routes. Internal flights are reliable but can be infrequent to the less popular destinations. Vietnam Airlines and Pacific Airlines are the two carriers that operate domestic routes. Prices are fixed by the National aviation Authority.

Trains:
There is a regular train service between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and most cities in between. Tickets allow passengers to break their journey at the major regional cities like Hue, Da Nang and Nha Trang. The trip from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City takes between 36 and 48 hours non-stop, depending on which service is used. Passengers can book a sleeping compartment, soft seat, or economy class

Taxis:
In the major cities the easiest method of transport are taxis. Most are relatively new models of car and are air-conditioned. Prices are fairly  cheap. The first two kilometers cost about 14.000 VND and every subsequent 200 meters costs 1 thousand VND.

Cyclo:
The Cyclo, or pedicab offers easy, cheap and enjoyable transportation around Vietnam's cities. Riding a cyclo is also the best way to explore a city. Many of the drivers are also very knowledgable about their city and will speak at least some English and French. In HCM City, Saigontourist runs a fleet of red-painted cabs.

Honda "Om":
At any street corners in Vietnam, we can find men with motorcycles willing to carry you anywhere. This mode of transport is known as "Honda Om" or Honda embrace. It is usually cheap and reliable although the fare should be negotiated before commencing the journey. The biggest problem is explaining the destination to the driver . So travellers should bring  a pen and paper or a map.

Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 84. Outgoing international code: 00.

Fax: Available in most post offices, hotels and businesses.

Internet: Internet access is available at many hotels and Internet cafes in the.

Mobile phone: GSM 900 network. Operators include Vietnam Posts & Communications Telecom Service (GPC) (website: www.vnpt.com.vn) and Viettel Mobile (website: www.vietel.com.vn). Coverage is largely limited to main urban areas.

Domestic Long Distance Telephone Service

102

Directory assistance for Long Distance Domestic telephone service

103

Operator-assisted Long Distance Domestic telephone service

105

Vietnam Paging Service (in English)

106

Paging Service Enquiries

107

Vietnam Paging Service (in Vietnamese)

1080

General Information Service

1081

Yellow Pages Information & Consultancy Service

1088

Consultancy Service.

113

Police

114

Fire Brigade

115

Ambulance

116

Phone Number Enquiries

117

Time Inquiries

118

Ring Back Test

119

Advice on Telephone Repairs

1260

VNN/INTERNET Access Number

1268

VNN Access Number (Local)

1269

VNN Access Number (International)

131 / 133

HanoiABC Paging Service

141

Vinaphone Paging Service

142

International Telephone Service Rate

143

International Telephone Service Enquiries

145

VMS Mobifone Enquiry Service

151     

Vinaphone Enquiry Service

198

Viettel

Do's:
ALWAYS leave your excess cash, airline tickets, passports and valuables with the hotels safety deposit facility.
For longer excursions from your base hotel, it is always a good idea to carry a roll of toilet paper in your daypack. You never know when you will need it.
ALWAYS dress appropriately. Not only for the prevailing climatic conditions, but also not to cause offence to the local people. Vietnamese have conservative dress codes and it is only in larger cities that these codes are relaxed a little. Do not wear revealing clothing.
ALWAYS notice when entering someone’s house, at some houses it is a must to remove your shoes at the front door.
ALWAYS ask his or her permission first when taking a photograph of someone. If they indicate that they do not want you to, then abide by their wishes. DO NOT push the issue or offer money.

Don'ts:
NEVER carry more money than you need when walking around the streets. Do not wear large amounts of jewelry. It is more likely that you may become a victim of a pickpocket or drive-by bag snatcher.
NEVER wear singlet's, shorts, dresses or skirts, or tops with low-neck lines and bare shoulders to Temples and Pagodas. To do this is considered extremely rude and offensive.
NEVER lose your temper in public or when bargaining for a purchase. This is considered a serious loss of face for both parties. Always maintain a cool and happy demeanor and you will be reciprocated with the same.
NEVER try and take photographs of military installations or anything to do with the military. This can be seen as a breach of national security.
NEVER take video cameras into the ethnic minority villages. They are considered to be too intrusive by the local people.
The above advice is meant to help you have a perfect trip to Vietnam. Do not be overly paranoid though. Generally, Vietnamese people are very appreciative if they see you trying to abide by the customs, and very forgiving if you get it wrong or forget. If you make the effort, you will be rewarded.

English

Vietnamese

Pronunciation

Hello

Xin chao

Seenchow

Thank you

Cam on

Cumon

Please

Lam on

Lam on

Sorry

Xin loi

Seeloy

Yes

Vang

Vom

No

Khong

Khom

I

Toi

Toy

You

Anh ( Chi)

Anh/chi

We

Chung toi

Chumtoi

Good/Bad

Tot/Khong tot

Tote/Khom tote

Very

Rat

Rat

How much

Bao nhieu

Bow nyew

Hotel

Khach san

Khack san

Restaurant

Nha hang

Nya hang

Toilet

Nha ve sinh

Nya vay sing

Tea

Tra/Che

Cha/chay

Coffee

Ca fe

Ka-fay

Ticket

Ve

Vay

Railway station

Nha ga

Gah

How much?

Bao nhieu

Bough new?

Hot

Nong

Nom

Cold

Lanh

Lang

Water

Nuoc

Nook

Beer

Bia

Beer 

Excuse me

Xin loi

Sin loy

I don't understand

Toi khong biet

Toy kom beet