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GROUP TRAVEL
2008 PRE DEPARTURE INFORMATION GUIDE TO VIETNAM (printable
document)
Thank you for choosing Jetabout Asia Vacations for your journey into Vietnam.
We’re sure you’ll find the country as beautiful, captivating and intriguing as we do. To assist with your travel arrangements, we have prepared the following pre-departure information. Please read this carefully before your travel to Vietnam and be mindful of some of our suggestions while you are on the road.
On the following pages you will find useful travel facts, background information and our suggestions to make your journey the best it can be. From details on currency and visas to suggested reading and responsible travel tips, we’ve covered it for you in this pre-departure guide. Please note that things change rapidly in our destinations, so you should use this document as a guide containing information which is subject to change.
What to Expect
Vietnam is a nation of captivating diversity. From north to south you
will find ‘authentic’ Asia - the fertile plains of the Mekong Delta,
majestic mountains in the north, classical pagodas and temples, bustling
cities and street markets, and the faded elegance of the French colonial
era. You will also encounter a nation rich in culture, tradition and
history, and people with a refreshing warmth and friendliness unequaled
in Southeast Asia; a people who have put the war torn past behind them
and are clearly focused on a brighter future.
The travel industry in Vietnam is growing at a rapid pace. While the
freshness and novelty of travel within Vietnam is still evident, major
cities now offer facilities and services at Western standards. Traveling
in the more remote areas of Vietnam will, however, involve travel on
bumpy roads, in noisy trains, and overnight stays in clean but basic
accommodation.
Whilst traveling through Vietnam please also be prepared for possible
changes to tour travel plans. Flight and train schedule changes
throughout Vietnam are common and are a reality of traveling through
this part of the world.
Money
The official unit of currency in Vietnam is the dong. Approximate
exchange rates at the time of printing are:
1USD equals 16,000 dong
1CAD equals 15,000 dong
You are able to bring your home currency in cash or travelers checks (CAD or USD). All international currency, with the exception of US dollars, must be changed into the local currency, the Vietnamese dong. You can pay for goods and services in US dollars or dong, however you will get better value for your money if you use local currency. Most hotels change traveler’s checks (with a 1% to 2% commission) and cash at reasonable rates. Credit cards (Visa or MasterCard are the most commonly accepted) can be used in a number shops and restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Hoi An and Hanoi, however they are not always widely accepted outside these cities. Cash advances can be obtained using these cards at the major banks and ATM’s in all major cities. Please note if traveling to remote areas of Vietnam it is advisable to carry dong or USD cash.
Climate
Vietnam spans several climatic zones, resulting in substantial weather
condition variations between the north and the south. Average
temperatures year round range from 20 to 35 degrees Celsius so there is
no particularly good or bad time to visit Vietnam.
In southern Vietnam tropical conditions prevail, and there are two
seasons – the wet season lasts from May to November and the dry season
from December to April. The wet is characterized by high humidity levels
and a refreshing afternoon downpour. Humidity in the south during the
months of June and July ranges between 75% and 85%. The hottest months
are from March to May.
Central Vietnam is usually dry from May to October and wet from December
to February. October and November may experience unstable weather
conditions and flooding.
Northern Vietnam also experiences two seasons though conditions can
change dramatically throughout the day. The winter months from November
to April are usually cold and humid. The months of December and January
can be particularly cool with temperatures as low as 8 degrees Celsius.
Temperatures can drop to 0 degrees Celsius in Sapa (in the highlands
near the Chinese border) in winter. Summer, from May to October, can be
quite hot and wet with regular downpours and occasional typhoons. The
hottest months are July and August in Hanoi.
Food
Vietnamese cuisine is diverse and tasty and one of the many highlights
of a visit to the country. Most food presented is well cooked, however
some optional dishes may be served cold. Travelers should note that raw,
cold food presents a higher risk of stomach upset than well cooked food.
Breakfast is included each day on our tours and is usually a mix of
buffet and continental style. Lunch should cost around $US4-10 and
dinner approximately $US6-20, depending on the restaurant. Drinking
local tap water is not recommended, even in hotels. Bottled water is
readily available throughout Vietnam.
Before You Leave
The Essentials
There are a few things you need to ensure are sorted before departing
for your holiday in Asia. Here’s some information on your essential
pre-departure preparation.
Passport
Ensure you have an eligible passport with extra blank pages for visas,
valid for at least six-months from the end of your holiday, and several
passport photos.
Visa Requirements
To enter Vietnam you will require a passport (with at least 6 months
remaining validity) and a tourist visa. This visa must be obtained prior
to arrival. A combined entry/exit and baggage declaration form will be
issued to you prior to arrival and one section of this must be retained
until your departure from Vietnam.
Please ensure this paper is kept in a safe place while
you are in Vietnam. It is your responsibility to ensure all visa and
entry requirements are met prior to your arrival in Vietnam.
Please Note: All Vietnam visas are SINGLE ENTRY - unless you have
specifically requested MULTIPLE ENTRY and this is stamped into your
passport. Please ensure you have a multiple entry visa if you are
entering Vietnam twice. The status of a tourist visa cannot be changed
from SINGLE ENTRY to MULTIPLE ENTRY once a client has arrived in
Vietnam.
Airline Tickets
It is your responsibility to reconfirm your airline tickets; some
airlines in Asia will not honor your ticket if you haven’t rung to
reconfirm each individual sector. Ensure you keep your tickets in a safe
place whilst traveling.
Travel Insurance
Local medical facilities across developing Asia are often unable to
provide the full range of medical services that are available in
developed countries, making evacuation a requirement in many non-life
threatening medical emergencies. The costs of evacuation as well as
international standard care are extremely high. In the most serious
emergencies, travelers may not be positioned to authorize payment for an
appropriate medical response that is urgently required. This may delay
or prevent the provision of critical and possibly life-saving medical
attention.
It is a condition of travel on Small Group Journeys that all travelers are adequately covered by travel insurance prior to arrival. Insurance should cover personal accident and medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation, baggage loss, and cancellation or curtailment of holiday. Insurance details must be supplied to us at the time of booking, and where they are not provided we reserve the right to cancel bookings and apply charges as per our cancellation policy (in the Conditions of Reservation section of our brochure and on our website). Travelers will be asked to present their insurance details upon arrival in Asia as part of a registration process, and in the event that possession of insurance is unable to be confirmed, in the interests of the traveler and fellow travelers, Travel Indochina reserves the right to prevent participation in the journey. In such instances, we will assist with onward travel arrangements, however full cancellation penalties will apply.
Note that travel insurance ‘attached’ to credit cards is often limited
in scope (eg. not covering serious medical, repatriation or evacuation
expenses) and in any case is usually effective only if travel
arrangements have been purchased with the card. Please note also that
government regulations in Asia do not always require or enforce the
possession of liability insurance by hotels, transport and other
suppliers.
Even when insurance is in place, it can be for very limited coverage only. Travel Indochina does its best to work with suppliers who possess liability insurance, however it is not always possible to find and contract with such suppliers.
Travelers who book private touring arrangements with Travel Indochina will also be asked to provide insurance details at the commencement of touring, as part of a tour registration process.
Health & Fitness
Travelers to Indochina should take precautions as they would
elsewhere in Asia. In remote areas medical facilities can be
particularly basic. Some of the diseases known to exist in Indochina
include malaria, hepatitis A & B, typhoid, tuberculosis, Japanese
encephalitis, dengue fever, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, rabies and
HIV/AIDS. We recommend you take adequate preventative measures to
minimize your risk of exposure to these health risks. We are a travel
company and we are not qualified to provide detailed medical information
appropriate to your individual needs; it is recommended you consult with
your local doctor or a specialist travel medical centre for current
health information on vaccinations and medicines for your trip at least
one month prior to departure.
We suggest you bring:
• Aspirin or (for pain or fever)
• Antihistamine (for allergies and itches)
• Cold & flu tablets
• Anti diarrhea medication
• Nausea medication
• Rehydration sachets
• Insect repellant
• Antiseptic & bandages
• Sunscreen & lip balm
• Antibiotics (discuss with your doctor)
As part of our registration process at the start of any trip with Travel
Indochina, you will be asked to declare any serious pre-existing medical
conditions or allergies.
Time to Pack
Standard-sized bags (preferably soft bags), backpacks or soft cases
only are permitted on our journeys. Your baggage should be clearly
labeled and kept to a reasonable minimum. Luggage limits on airlines are
strictly enforced and space on vehicles and trains is limited. Many
flights booked through Travel Indochina (domestic and international)
have a luggage limit of 20 kilograms (44 pounds) per person. You may be
required to carry your own luggage at times where porters are not
available – you should be capable of carrying your own bags on and off
trains, and up and down stairs. If you are doing lots of shopping during
your travels, it may be necessary for you to forward any excess to the
city where your tour concludes, or ship purchases directly home. Keeping
the amount of luggage you carry in check will ensure your safety and
comfort, and the safety and comfort of your fellow travelers. Porterage
is not included in the cost of your journey; please ensure you pay
porters around $1USD per person for carrying your luggage. Should you
wish to avoid such payments, please carry and take responsibility for
your luggage. Comfortable, casual clothing made of cotton is best in
tropical and semi-tropical climates, and packing one set of smart casual
clothes is advisable. Laundry services are available throughout Vietnam,
although laundry costs in some city hotels can be expensive. We suggest
you bring:
• Flat walking shoes & sandals
• Hat & sunglasses
• Swimming attire
• Money belt
• Lightweight waterproof coat or umbrella
• Basic first aid kit (see below)
• Alarm clock
• Small torch (flashlight)
• Power adapter
• Women’s sanitary products
• Slide film or any specialized camera equipment (print film is
available in main towns)
• Ear plugs
• Day pack – for carrying items on touring days
• Jumper/coat/thermals - if visiting in winter or mountainous high
altitude areas
Electricity
The electric current in Vietnam operates mostly on 220 volts but
occasionally you will find 110 volt sockets. Electric plug types vary
throughout the country, however the two-rounded pin standard Asian plug
is usable in most parts of the country.
On the Ground
Safety & Security
Vietnam is generally a safe country; however petty street crime is
on the rise as tourist numbers increase. In Ho Chi Minh City we
recommend that as little jewellery as possible is worn and that when on
the street your spending money is kept close to your body in a secure
place. We further recommended that you take taxis rather than cyclos at
night. Taxis are metered and inexpensive. Carry a hotel card so that you
can show your taxi driver where you want to go. You should leave
valuables in hotel safety deposit boxes at all times and carry
photocopies of your passport, credit card numbers, and airline tickets,
and keep a record of your encashed traveler’s checks. These papers
should be kept in a safe place separate from
the originals.
Photography
Print film is widely available and of good quality at $US3 to $US4
per roll. Vietnam has good, fast, and inexpensive film processing
facilities. Slide films and Hi8/V8 video cassettes are not widely
available outside Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. X-ray machines at airports
are film safe.
Swimming
Swimming at the many beaches and bays in Vietnam is usually safe. On
occasion jellyfish can
be found in the waters around Vietnam, the most likely time of year they
are present is during the months of June through to August in the north,
and during the months of August and September in the south. Swimming can
still be enjoyed during these months, however please be aware and
exercise some caution.
Maps & Guides
Travel Indochina has put together destination-specific City Maps &
Guides for many of our favorite destinations in Vietnam. These guides
provide up-to-date information on local sights, an excellent range of
quality restaurants and shops, and contact information for our offices,
airlines and emergency information. You will receive these on arrival,
where available.
Respecting Local Customs
Service levels in Indochina are more relaxed than those in more
established travel destinations; it is best to treat this as a cultural
nuance and to enjoy the ride. People are generally honest and eager to
please; however, miscommunication can often occur due to language and
cultural barriers. Showing anger is never a good idea in Vietnam; it
will not assist you in achieving your goal and will cause you to ‘lose
face.’ Exercising patience, tolerance and good humor is therefore
essential. Remember, you are the visitor – local customs is not only
polite, but will also lead to a more rewarding travel experience for
you.
Tipping
Tipping is an expected, though not compulsory, component of our
holidays. If you are happy with the services provided by your guides,
drivers and leaders, a tip is appropriate. While tipping may or may not
be customary to your culture at home, it is an entrenched feature in the
tourism industry across Asia. On Small Group Journeys, a suggested
guideline is $2USD – $3USD per day, per person, to each your local
guide, driver and tour leader if you are satisfied with their services.
On independent holidays we suggest $3USD – $5USD per day, per person, to
each your local guide and driver as a guideline. Should you be
dissatisfied with the services provided, please let us know.
Massage Centers
Vietnam is renowned for its massage techniques and the quality and value
for money of these services. Unfortunately, many massage parlors (even
in otherwise reputable hotels) are also linked to the paid-sex industry.
We advise you to check carefully before using massage services in Asia.
Shopping
Vietnam is fast becoming known as a “shopper’s paradise”. Ceramics,
lacquer ware, bamboo, silk and embroidery are just some of the many good
buys. Many travelers also have clothes tailored due to the low prices -
standards vary. A few guidelines to follow when shopping:
• Except in department stores, bargaining is the norm. To get the best
price you will have to haggle hard.
• Export of certain antiques is not permitted. Make sure you are aware
of relevant regulations before purchasing.
• Fake reproductions are common. Make sure you know what you are buying,
especially in the case of antiques.
Local Time
Vietnam is:
• 7hrs ahead of GMT
• 3hrs behind Australian Eastern Standard Time
• 5hrs behind New Zealand
• 12hrs ahead of Canada Eastern Time
• 15hrs ahead of Canada Pacific Time
• 12hrs ahead of US Eastern Time
• 15 hrs ahead of US Pacific Time
Important dates
01 Jan 2008 - International New Year's Day:
Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses. Road
traffic will likely be heavy in the evening in Ho Chi Minh City.
6 Feb 2008 - Lunar New Year’s Eve:
Road traffic is likely to be heavy in the evening in Ho Chi Minh City.
- Compulsory dinner charge levied by the Victoria in Sapa, Hoi An, Phan
Thiet, Can Tho and Chau Doc at USD 30.00/pax.
- Compulsory dinner charge levied by the Majestic Hotel in Saigon at
USD76.00/pax
7 Feb – 11 Feb - 2008 - Lunar New Year:
Banks and public offices will be closed, as will most businesses.
Re-unification Palace will be closed on New Year’s Eve. Cao Dai Temples
(including the temple in Tay Ninh) will be closed 6 days before the
Lunar New Year. Floating Markets in the Mekong Delta will not operate.
Factories will not operate.
15 Apr 2008 - Anniversary of Hung Kings:
Public holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some
businesses. Road traffic is likely to be heavy in the evening in Ho Chi
Minh City.
30 Apr 2008 - Independence Day:
Public holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some
businesses. Road traffic is likely to be heavy in the evening in Ho Chi
Minh City.
01 May 2008 - Labor Day:
Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses. Road
traffic is likely to be heavy in the evening in Ho Chi Minh City.
02 Sep 2008 - National Day:
Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses. Road
traffic is likely to be heavy in the evening in Ho Chi Minh City.
24 Dec 2008 - Christmas Eve:
Not a public holiday.
- Compulsory dinner charge levied by the Victoria in Sapa, Hoi An, Phan
Thiet, Can Tho and
Chau Doc at USD 55.00/pax.
- Compulsory dinner charge levied by the Novotel Ocean Dunes in Phan
Thiet at USD 69.00/pax
- Compulsory dinner charge levied by the Hoi An Hotel in Hoi An at USD
20.00/pax.
- Compulsory dinner charge levied by the Hoi An Beach Resort in Hoi An
at USD 25.00/pax.
- Compulsory dinner charge levied by the Life Heritage Resort Hoi An at
USD 35.00/pax.
- Compulsory dinner charge levied by the Ana Mandara Resort Nha Trang at
USD 80.00/pax.
- Compulsory dinner charge levied by the La Residence Hotel and Spa Hue
TBA.
- Compulsory dinner charge levied by the Majestic Hotel in Saigon at
USD89.00++/pax
31 Dec 2008 - International New Year's Eve:
Not a public holiday. Road traffic will likely be heavy in the evening
in Ho Chi Minh City.
- Compulsory dinner charge levied by the Victoria in Sapa, Hoi An, Phan
Thiet, Can Tho and
Chau Doc at USD 65.00/pax.
- Compulsory dinner charge levied by the Novotel Ocean Dunes in Phan
Thiet at USD 89.00/pax.
- Compulsory dinner charge levied by the Hoi An Hotel in Hoi An at USD
25.00/pax.
- Compulsory dinner charge levied by the Hoi An Beach Resort in Hoi An
at USD 30.00/pax.
- Compulsory dinner charge levied by the Life Heritage Resort Hoi An at
USD 40.00/pax.
- Compulsory dinner charge levied by the Ana Mandara Resort Nha Trang at
USD 80.00/pax.
- Compulsory dinner charge levied by the La Residence Hotel and Spa Hue
TBA.
- Compulsory dinner charge levied by the Majestic Hotel in Saigon at
USD89.00++/pax
Language
The Vietnamese language is derived from Latin characters with a range of
tones. English is widely spoken throughout the country, especially in
tourist areas.
GROUND OPERATOR CONTACT DETAILS
The ground operator taking you through this fascinating part of the
world is Travel Indochina. Travel Indochina has been running tours to
Asia since 1993, and offers unique, innovative and exciting itineraries
that allow you to experience the best a destination has to offer as well
as giving you plenty of free time to explore.