Use Information about Vietnam - 2

5. CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

All visitors are required to fill out customs declaration forms upon their arrivals. A copy of the customs declaration form should be kept and handed over to the customs officers on their departures.

On arrivals, visitors are allowed to bring in the following duty-free items:
• Cigarettes: 400
• Cigars: 50-100
• Tobacco: 100g
• Liquor: 1.5 l.
• Small gift items valued at not more than US$ 300.
Note:
There is no limit to the amounts of cash, precious metals and gems that visitors may bring in, but amounts of over US$ 3,000 must be declared.
The following items are prohibited:
• Weapons, explosives and inflammable objects.
• Opium and other narcotics.
• Cultural materials unsuitable to Vietnamese society.
• Infected animals, plants or foodstuffs.
Upon departures, please note that goods of commercial nature and articles of high value require export permits issued by the customs authorities. Antiques, some precious stones and animals listed in Vietnam’s red-book may not be brought out of the country.

6. LANGUAGE

Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam. In major cities and tourist destinations, a large number of local people can converse in English. Most travel agencies can also provide experienced tour guides fluent in English, French, Russian, German, Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), etc.

7. PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

January 1, 2009 New Year’s Day (One day holiday)
January 26, 2009 Lunar New Year (Four-day holiday)
April 30, 2009 Saigon Liberation Day (One day holiday)
May 1, 2009 International Labor Day (One day holiday)
September 2, 2009 National Day (One day holiday)


8. OTHER USEFUL TIPS

Vietnam time: GMT + 7
Office hours:
All government offices are open from Monday to Friday from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. (with one-hour lunch break) and closed on Saturday and Sunday.
In local areas, offices are open from 7:00 am to 11:00 a.m. and from 1:00p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Banks are open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30p.m and closed on Saturday afternoons and Sundays.
Private shops are open from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 or 10:00 p.m.
ciated

Electrical current: 220 volts A.C.
Airport tax:
Airport tax is applied to every passenger on every departure
International flights:
• US$ 14.00/person (Noi Bai Airport, Hanoi)
• US$ 12.00/person (Tan Son Nhat Airport, Ho Chi Minh City)
• US$ 8.00/person (Da Nang Airport, Da Nang)

• No tax for children under two.
Domestic flights: included in airfares.

Important telephone numbers:
Police : 113
Fire brigade : 114
Ambulance : 115
International operator: 110

Gratuity is not a must and highly appreciated