Getting there
Many international airlines fly into Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi from all major Australian cities. You can compare cheap flights to Vietnam on Travel.com.au, STA Travel or FlightCentre. You can also travel between Vietnam and China by train. There are road crossings between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, however these are not always recommended, as there are reports of travellers being attacked. It’s best to check current conditions before setting out by road.
Getting around
There are buses, taxis, motorcycles and bikes to get you to your destination – the drivers in blue Taxis speak English. You will need a licence for a motorbike. The roads are often in poor condition, so take care; many Australians are injured each year through road accidents in Vietnam. SmartTraveller advises that road travel within Vietnam is often hazardous and accidents are frequent. Motorcycle and intercity bus travel have particularly high accident rates.
SmartTraveller also advises you to be very careful when crossing busy streets as traffic can appear from any direction, and road rules are routinely ignored. Vietnam Culture has a video of instruction on how to cross the street in Vietnam here – you can see the traffic for yourself!
It’s best to travel with tour guides to avoid unreliable operators and trouble.
Language
Vietnam Culture has a dictionary of useful phrases for getting around in Vietnam. Here are some key words:
English Vietnamese
Please xin (som)
Thank you cám ơn (cam uhn)
Hello xin chào (sin chow)
Goodbye chào/tạm biệt (chow/tam beet-et)
Sorry xin lỗi (sin loy)
I want to buy tôi muốn mua (toy moo-uhn mooa)
How much? bao nhiêu (ba-ow nyew)
Dos and Don’ts
Guide Vietnam.com recommends that you dress conservatively, especially around temples. (You will not be required to remove your shoes at temples, unlike other parts of Asia.)
It’s best not to wear jewellery and take care that if you have a bag, it is not easy for someone to snatch it. According to Guide Vietnam, violent crime is usually rare but there is petty crime, in particular bag snatching.
Practicalities – visas, vaccinations, and staying safe
SmartTraveller advises caution in personal safety and to monitor developments in case the risks increase.
Street crime and harassment occur, especially in larger cities. Petty theft, including bag-slashing, is also common in tourist areas, markets, on crowded trains, buses and at supermarkets.
Unexploded landmines and ordnance are a continuing hazard in former battlefields, particularly in central Vietnam. Mine-free roads and paths are well marked.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam for the most up to date information.
You must obtain a visa prior to arrival in Vietnam. You should review all visa conditions and carefully note any conditions listed on the immigration stamp which you will receive on arrival.
According to the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, you must show a vaccination certificate for Yellow Fever if you have come from or transited through an infected area (Africa and parts of South America.)
Many expatriate doctors also advise travellers to vaccinate against diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, Japanese encephalitis, polio, and TABT (tetanus, paratyphoid A and B, and typhoid). Also, you should seek advice on malaria prevention, as malaria is prevalent in a number of areas in Vietnam. SmartTraveller also advises that as AIDS is also prevalent, if you are attacked and injured you should seek medical advice immediately.
Currency
The Vietnamese currency is the dong. Cash is best in most places in Vietnam; many small restaurants and shops do not accept credit cards. (However, take care with your cash and do not show it in the open street if you can help it.) You could also use traveller’s cheques; these can be cashed at major banks in the large towns.
You can check the exchange rate here.
Weather
The weather in Vietnam varies depending on your location. The North has four seasons and can get quite cold in winter, with temperatures dropping to 5-6 C, or below zero in the mountainous areas in the North. Central Vietnam is warmer and has two seasons; it is not as humid as the tropics. In the South, the climate is tropical, and the temperature ranges from 25-30C. You can check the weather for when you’re planning to go here.
Food
In general, eating out is cheap, and there are heaps of clean restaurants to choose from in the cities. You can find a local restaurant close to where you’re staying when you get there – and don’t forget to try the local dishes!
Insider tip: Dave from Brisbane suggests that for cheap and cheerful food, (note: there are no McDonalds in Vietnam!) try Pho (far) – a well-known Vietnamese dish.
Things to do and see
According to guidevietnam.com, there are many Vietnam war history sites in the major cities in Vietnam which are worth a visit. Vietnam has a strong religious history, and there are also many Buddhist, Catholic and Cao Dai temples and religious sites, many of which are still being used. You could also try a homestay, or just people-watch; the Vietnamese people are very friendly towards tourists and their culture is unique.
Disclaimer
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