Vietnam travel needed infomations
 

General informations


Mainland Territory: 331,211.6 sq. km


Population: 85,789.6 thousandinhabitants (Apr. 2009)


National Capital: Hanoi


Lying on the eastern part of the Indochinese peninsula, Vietnam is a strip of land shaped like the letter “S”. China borders it to the north, Laos and Cambodia to the west, the East Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the east and south.
The country’s total length from north to south is 1,650km. The coastline is 3,260km long and the inland border is 4,510km.


Vietnam is also a transport junction from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
Climate: Vietnam lies in the tropics and monsoon


Topography: Three quarters of Vietnam's territory consist of mountains and hills
Administrative Units: Vietnam is divided into 63 provinces and cities


Currency:
Vietnamese dong (VND) is the official currency in Vietnam, issued by the Vietnam State Bank.
- Vietnam paper notes include: VND 500,000; 200,000; 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.
- Cheques with value as Vietnamese dong include: VND 1,000,000 and 500,000.


Banking hours:


The hours may differ from bank to bank. Generally banks open from Monday to Friday: 8:00 – 11:30 and 1:00 to 4:00. Some large banks also open through lunch or on Saturday mornings. Banks are closed on public holidays.


Exchange Money:


- Foreign currencies and tourist cheques can be exchanged into Vietnamese Dong at banks or official exchange agencies. It is strongly recommended that you do not exchange money in the black market.


- Before leave Vietnam, Vietnamese dong can be changed into foreign currencies at the airport.


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Money and Costs[/b] [/b]


• The cost of travel in Vietnam varies from bargain basement to sky high, depending on taste and comfort. Don’t be afraid to negotiate for a discount if it is low season or if numbers are down.


• Bargaining: is essential in most tourist transactions. Bargaining should be good-natured: smile and don’t get angry or argue. In some cases you will be able to get a 50% discount or more, at other times this may only be 10%. And once the money is accepted, the deal is done. Don’t waste time getting stressed if you find out someone else got it for less; it is about paying the price that is right for you, not always the local price.


• If people approach you on the street with offers to change money at rates better than the official one, you can rest assured that you are being up for a rip-off. Fake notes or too few notes, they will get you somehow. Remember, if an offer seems too good to be true, that’s becait probably is.


• Tipping:


- If you stay a couple of days in the same hotel, try and remember to tip the staff who clean your room.


- You should also consider tipping drivers and guides – after all, the time they spend on the road with you means time away from home and family.


- It is considered proper to make a small donation at the end of a visit to a pagoda, especially if a monk has shown you around; most pagodas have contribution boxes for this purpose.





When to go


• For the best balance: travelers should visit in months of April, May or October.
• For those sticking to the south: November to February is dry and a touch cooler, it’s better.
• Especially, from July to November, violent and unpredictable typhoons hit central and northern Vietnam, which can dampen the spirits of even the most enthusiastic traveller.
Beside that, tourists need to care about tourism season of Vietnam:


• High season: - From November to March and in July and August: it gets pretty crowded. Domestic tourists are a major force now and they tend to travel in numbers during July and August as well.


- Prices peak over the Christmas and New Year period, and if you don’t fancy sharing the sites with the masses, try to avoid this busy time.


• Low season: May, June and September are usually the quietest months.





Vietnam Travel Company is a leading provider of travel services Vietnam and Southeast Asia. We offer tour packages and arrange customized trips covering regional flights, transfers, hotel booking, meals, tours and car rental arrangements.


Our main products are Halong travel (cruising tours on Halong Bay) and Open tour (group tours, open bus along Vietnam and open bus to Nanning – China, to Vientian & Luang Prabang – Laos, to Phnom Penh & Siem Reap – Cambodia).


Besides, Vietnam Travel Company can arrange for you almost every possible activity that can be engaged in Asia, right from traditional sightseeing, exciting scuba diving to thrilling white water rafting. You can choose to engage in these activities in destinations ranging from the most popular to off-the-beaten-track places that we offer.


We are proud of Vietnam’s heritage and culture. We strive to make your visit to our land as pleasant, comfortable and memorable as possible.