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>> TRAVEL TIPS |
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>> PHYSICAL FEATURES OF VIET NAM On average, it receives more than 1,500 mm of rainfall a year in the plain and 2,000 mm in the mountains. Yearly mean relative humidity exceeds 80% or even 90% in the rainy season. The dry season lasts from November to April, the wet season from May to October. In northern regions, the dry season is cool and sometimes has a harsh winter (minimum in Hanoi 6C). Rivers are abundant. The Red river and the Mekong river, the biggest ones, discharge respectively 122,109 cubic meters and 1,400,109 cubic meters. Mountains and hills cover four-fifth of the territory (highest peak: Fansipan 3,142 m in North Vietnam). Stretching over 1,400 km from North to South, the mountain system runs from the Northwestern border to Easter Nambo. The alluvial plains, flat and low, are very populous: Red river delta (15,000sq. km) and Mekong river delta (22,000sq,km). |
| >> Customs Procedures are always subject to change, You will be asked to fill out a from declaring cash, jewelry & other valuables. Customs will review and stamp your declaration. You are to keep your copy. You will be fined if you lose it. You cannot bring out more cash than you take in. |
| >> Electrical current Expect 220V, 50 cycles in most places. Be wise, bring dual voltage equipment. Almost all outlets have two prongs. Don't forget to bring a safe protector for your computer equipment & a small flashlight. |
| >> What to bring Pack comfortable, light & easy to wash clothes made of cotton, but not a lot of it. T-shirts & disposable raincoats are on sale everywhere. Sandals & sneakers are a good way of getting around. Other ideas are: films & camcorder tapes (and extra batteries) fanny pack & money belt, Swiss army knife, strong insect repellent such as Dect, your own brand of cigarettes (1 carton max) & liquor (1 liter max), your own facial soap & shampoo, books, magazines & your contact lens fluid. Readily available in most cities are bottled mineral water, canned beer, toilet paper & Kleenex. |
| >> International airlines. Most international carriers enter via Hanoi, and/ or Ho Chi Minh City. Asisana, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Eva air, Korean Airlines, Malaysian Airlines, Japan Airlines, Philippines Airlines, Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Thai International. Presently there are no direct flights using US carriers. The most common layover cities are Hong Kong, Taiwan, Bangkok and Singapore., |
| >> Currency The official currency is the dong, with the exchange rate fluctuating around 14,500 dong to the dollar (Jan. 2001). Plan to carry enough travelers checks to pay all your bills. It is possible to exchange travelers checks at various bank, and most major hotels in Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City accept credit card (We recommend Visa, Master card, and JCB). The dollar is gladly accepted almost everywhere, please ensure that the bills are entire, with no markings or tears. Carry a small denominations for the few instances when you must convert to dong. |
| >> Tipping Tipping is becoming increasingly expected in Vietnam, although it certainly isn't required. you might be interested to know that the per capita in come is $ 300 a year. Cash always makes everyone smile, but the following list might be helpful: T-shirt, base ball caps, school supplies (no candies please, you don't want to further contribute to the decaying of their teeth), fashion magazines, cigarettes, booze, toiletries. Please call us for guidelines about tipping your chauffeur & tour guide. |
| >> Health Bring your own medicine & prescription drugs. Also essential is a good first-aid kit with all the trimmings. Don't forget anti-diarrhea drugs such as Imodium or Lomita. We've found Copra the most helpful, please consult your health care provider. Also, bring antiseptic & a laxative. Have immunization updated for tetanus, diphtheria, meningitis, polio, TB, yellow fever, hepatitis B, antyphoid. You might even consider malaria pills. Avoid drinking unbolted water and the use of ice, you'll
find plenty of mineral water, canned beer and soft drinks everywhere.
We recommend bringing along a soft cooler, in which you can keep your
favorite drinks chilled at all times. Most restaurants allow you to
bring your own drinks. |
| >> Store hours Most shop are open 7 days a week, with privately owned stores never seem to close. Shop owners live in the back of the store, so they keep the doors open until they go to bed, sometimes until midnight. Expect a siesta shut down between 11 to 2 PM. Offices are closed on Saturday and Sunday. |
| >> International driver's license Obtain your international license at the DMV or AAA. You will need it only if you plan on riding a motorcycle larger than 50cc. Forget about renting an automobile & drive it yourself. All cars come with a driver practically attached to it, for insurance, security & safety reasons. In fact, your driver either owns the vehicle. Or had to put up a bond (worth a few years of income) to ensure his 100% attention to the safety of his vehicle. If he violates traffic laws, or loses car parts due to vandalism, he has to eat it. Don't be surprised if he declines to join you for a meal, his priority is to watch the car, not having fun. |
| >> Telephones International calls can be made from major hotels & the post office. If there is a post office in your hotel, make the calls there, it's always cheaper. Prices are expesive, whether it's in your hotel or the post office. Faxing is a good solution, the cost is less than $ 10 a page. A phone call costs about $ 5 to $ 10 a minute, and collect calls are not possible. The best is to call home and leave a number where you can be called back. |
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