Use Information about Vietnam

1. VISA

Most visitors are required to obtain valid visas to enter Vietnam. Entry visas can be obtained at Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam in many countries.

The requirements to obtain visas at Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam will include:
• Original passport
• 02 passport-size photos
• Visa fee
• Application forms (Please contact any Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam most convenient to you)
You are required to send the above documentations and payment for visa stamp fee to the Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam which is most convenient to you. You will be replied by post, therefore, make sure you provide stamped envelops with your name and correct mailing address.

Visas may also be obtained upon arrival for those who are invitees of competent Vietnamese companies or for tourists traveling on package tours organized by Vietnamese tour operators.

It is easier to obtain visas by using visa arrangement services provided by Vietnamese travel agencies. The necessary information to be provided to the travel agencies include:
• Full name
• Date and place of birth
• Nationality
• Profession
• Passport number, place of issue, date of issue and expiry date
• Entry and exit dates
• Country you plan to receive your entry visa from the Vietnamese embassies or consulates
For overseas Vietnamese overseas, the following information is required:
• Year and reason to leave Vietnam
• Leave Vietnam by means
• Full names and addresses of relatives in Vietnam
Visa Extension: this service is available at all travel agencies.
Visa Exemption: Visas are exempted for the citizens of the countries, which have signed a bilateral visa exemption agreement with Vietnam, including Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Laos. Vietnam also made a unilateral decision on visa exemption for citizens of Japan and Korea.

2. AIR ACCESS

Apart from Vietnam Airlines and Pacific Airlines, there are a number of international ones having access to Vietnam All Nippon Airways, Air France, Aeroflot, American Airlines, Asiana Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, China Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Czech Airlines, Eva Air, Emirates Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Airlines, Lao Aviation, Lauda Air, Lufthansa German Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qantas Airways, Royal Cambodian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Shanghai Airways, Siem Reap Air, Swiss Air and Thai Airways International, United Airlines, etc.

3. CLIMATE

Vietnam is located in both the tropical and temperate zone. The annual average temperature is between 22oC and 27oC. The average rainfall is from 1,500 to 2,000 mm and the humidity ranges around 80% In general, there are big difference in climate between the South and the North of Vietnam. While there are only 02 seasons (rainy and sunny) in the South, the North of Vietnam is strongly influenced by the temperate zone climate with 04 distinct seasons.

4. CURRENCY

The Vietnamese unit of currency is DONG. There are both notes and coins currently in use. Notes are in denominations of 500,000; 200,000; 100,000; 50,000; 20,000; 10,000; 5,000; 1,000; 500 and 200 dong. Coins consist of 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500 and 200 .

US dollars and major credit cards are widely accepted even at local shops. It is recommended that all foreign currencies should be exchanged at hotel cashiers, banks or other government’s authorized agents.