Wow, versatile Vietnam...
This increasingly popular Southeast Asia travel destination is known for its many valleys, the famous Mekong Delta and the warm and friendly Vietnamese people. This long and narrow country shares borders with China, Laos and Cambodia and has tall mountains, rice paddy terraces on rolling hills, white sandy beaches and beautiful waterways. Most travellers decide to start off their trip through Vietnam in the capital city of Hanoi and then end their trip with a few days at the beach. It's also possible to fly into the country's former capital, Saigon. These days the city is known as Ho Chi Minh City, after the people's hero ‘Uncle Ho’.
More than 86 million people live in Vietnam. Most live in the larger cities; however there are still quite a few mountain tribes, especially in the far north. We strongly recommend spending some time in the mountainous area of Sapa trekking and meeting the traditionally dressed locals. If you would like to get a taste of Vietnamese culture, you can visit the town of Hué and if you're looking for a fun time in Vietnam, you can visit Hoi An a town oozing with character. During our Hoi An tour you'll get a chance to explore this charming tailor town at your own pace. You can bike through the surrounding rice paddies, visit a nearby beach or take a cooking class to learn how to make traditional Vietnamese dishes. Have a look below for more Vietnam travel tips.
Vietnam travel tips - Useful information
Time difference: it's 6 hours later in Vietnam than here in the UK. An additional hour is added to that during our winter time.
Best time to travel: generally the best time to travel is from December through May, though you can travel at anytime really. Click here for more Vietnam climate information.
Language: Vietnamese is the official language, however many people understand English as well. When a guide and driver is travelling with you they will also speak English. Menus and books are also available in English. In some areas you may even hear people speaking French, since Vietnam was once a French colony.
Currency: the local currency is the Vietnamese Dong, though many places accept and quote prices in US$. The exchange rate fluctuates on a daily basis, but to give you some indication £1 is about 25,450 VND (Vietnamese Dong).
Telephone calls: you shouldn't have any problem using your mobile to call back home, but depending on your provider this could be quite expensive. It's possible to buy an international phone card that you can use from a telephone box. If you would like to call our local agent using your mobile during your trip, you'll need to dial the Vietnamese country code +84 first.
Internet: You can find Internet access almost anywhere in Vietnam. At times you'll have Internet access from your hotel room, in other hotels you'll have access to an Internet lounge, otherwise you should be able to find an Internet café in most larger cities. Keep in mind that the connection may be a little slower than you're accustomed to back home.
Vietnam travel tips - Useful tips for on the road...
Vietnam travel tips - Time to celebrate
Photography: most Vietnamese are honoured to have their pictures taken by you (especially in less touristy areas). Don't forget to ask their permission though. Most Vietnamese are a little too shy to speak English, but they understand quite a bit. Keep in mind that you may not be allowed to take pictures all over Vietnam; always ask permission and show restraint when taking photos.
Voltage: Electricity in Vietnam is 220 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. If you travel to Vietnam with a device that does not accept 220 Volts at 50 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter. The electrical sockets are different from what you're accustomed to, so it's best that you bring along a universal plug adaptor.
Vietnam travel tips - National holidays:
January 3, 2010 - Enlightenment of Buddha
February 3, 2010 - Communist Party of Viet Nam Foundation Anniversary
February 11 - 19, 2010 - TET Festival (rings in the year of the Tiger)
April 30, 2010 - Liberation Day
May 1, 2010 - Labour Day
May 2, 2010 - Buddha's Birthday
May 19, 2010 - Ho Chi Minh's Birthday
September 2, 2010 - Independence Day
September 3, 2010 - Anniversary of Ho Chi Minh's Death
More than just fried egg rolls...
The traditional use of fresh vegetables and herbs create various combinations of tastes in Vietnamese cuisine. Rice (Com) and noodles are generally the foundation for a main course, but you'll also find soup, fish and meat on Vietnamese menus. You can of course also enjoy the famous Vietnamese fried egg rolls 'Nem' along with the daily staple of broth 'Pho'. You may also want to try some ‘Elephant Ear Fish’, which is a popular dish along the Mekong Delta. This somewhat dangerous looking fish is served in a spectacular upright position on your plate and tastes delicious. If you're in Vietnam during the TET Festival, try the 'Square cake’ or 'Thí í’.
Travelling safely through Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the safest countries in the world. Despite its large population, there's very little crime and you're unlikely to have any problems walking across the street at night even in the larger cities. However, it's always best to be careful and watch your belongings to prevent theft. That's why another one of our Vietnam travel tips is to leave your valuables behind in the hotel safe or baggage depot when going out into town. You also need to be aware of possible fraud, especially in larger cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Beware of people posing to be taxi chauffeurs that want to take you to your hotel. Keep in mind that if we've arranged an arrival transfer for you, our local agent will be waiting for you carrying a sign with your name on it and the local agent's logo. This logo can also be found on your voucher. Check to make sure it's the same logo to make sure you're leaving with the right person. If you plan on arranging your own taxi cab to your hotel, be sure to take a taxi with a metre in it and agree on a set price per kilometre with your driver. You may also run into sales people, taxi drivers or rickshaw drivers telling you they don't have any change. Let them find change for you or check to see if you have smaller change, but never pay more than the agreed price. You'll notice that if you decide to walk away, they'll suddenly have plenty of change for you.
Friendly Vietnamese
During your trip through Vietnam you'll discover how friendly the Vietnamese people truly are. When you meet our local partner in Hanoi, it will almost seem as if the hotel is a living room and that you're being welcomed like a long lost relative. That's just the way the Vietnamese are, very warm, inviting and accommodating. Family and traditions are very important to them. The people in the mountain tribes still live according to ancient traditions.
These days however, western lifestyle is slowly influencing Vietnamese day-to-day life, especially in the cities and in Southern Vietnam. You'll see French and American influences here resulting from the occupation by France and the Vietnam War. You'll also see Chinese and communist influences in Vietnamese architecture or for instance in the Vietnamese flag (red and yellow). The people of Vietnam have become increasingly socialist-orientated.
Vietnam travel tips - What to pack?
Vietnam has quite a lot of rainfall; an occasional shower can be expected all year long. Don't forget to bring along your rain mac if you're travelling during the rainy season. You'll also want to bring along some sunscreen. During our summer months, temperatures are around 30 degrees Celsius and in between tropical rain showers, the sun can get pretty bright. During December and January it can be quite cold, especially in the north. You probably want to bring along a warm sweater for the evenings. We also have the following Vietnam travel tips for what to bring along to Vietnam:
- Vietnam Visa (you need to have a visa before you arrive in Vietnam)
- passport/ international travel document
- universal plug adaptor
- rain mac
- thick sweater (December - February, especially when travelling in Northern Vietnam)
- sunglasses
- First Aid kit
- charger for your mobile phone, camera and any other electrical devices
- torch
- insect repellent
- walking shoes with a good tread
- daypack (during several of our modules you'll leave behind the bulk of your baggage in a storage room at your hotel)
Did you know....
… that Vietnamese often transport anyone or anything on the back of their mopeds?
… that the typical Vietnamese cone-shaped hats are called 'non la'?
… that Vietnamese women in larger cities cover their arms and legs as much as possible so that they don't get a tan?
… that Vietnamese women are in charge at home, even though the man is supposedly the head of the family?
… that snake is commonly eaten in some areas of Vietnam?
… that bull's penis stew is a common street-food dish?
… that the Vietnamese are crazy about laughing cow cheese?
… that the Vietnamese in Can Tho drink snake wine because they believe it gives them strength?
… that fresh ingredients a vital in Vietnamese cuisine?
… that it's possible to watch how Vietnamese rice paper is made?
Source: http://www.travelermania.com/travel-hotels-in-asia/wow-versatile-vietnam/
This increasingly popular Southeast Asia travel destination is known for its many valleys, the famous Mekong Delta and the warm and friendly Vietnamese people. This long and narrow country shares borders with China, Laos and Cambodia and has tall mountains, rice paddy terraces on rolling hills, white sandy beaches and beautiful waterways. Most travellers decide to start off their trip through Vietnam in the capital city of Hanoi and then end their trip with a few days at the beach. It's also possible to fly into the country's former capital, Saigon. These days the city is known as Ho Chi Minh City, after the people's hero ‘Uncle Ho’.
More than 86 million people live in Vietnam. Most live in the larger cities; however there are still quite a few mountain tribes, especially in the far north. We strongly recommend spending some time in the mountainous area of Sapa trekking and meeting the traditionally dressed locals. If you would like to get a taste of Vietnamese culture, you can visit the town of Hué and if you're looking for a fun time in Vietnam, you can visit Hoi An a town oozing with character. During our Hoi An tour you'll get a chance to explore this charming tailor town at your own pace. You can bike through the surrounding rice paddies, visit a nearby beach or take a cooking class to learn how to make traditional Vietnamese dishes. Have a look below for more Vietnam travel tips.
Vietnam travel tips - Useful information
Time difference: it's 6 hours later in Vietnam than here in the UK. An additional hour is added to that during our winter time.
Best time to travel: generally the best time to travel is from December through May, though you can travel at anytime really. Click here for more Vietnam climate information.
Language: Vietnamese is the official language, however many people understand English as well. When a guide and driver is travelling with you they will also speak English. Menus and books are also available in English. In some areas you may even hear people speaking French, since Vietnam was once a French colony.
Currency: the local currency is the Vietnamese Dong, though many places accept and quote prices in US$. The exchange rate fluctuates on a daily basis, but to give you some indication £1 is about 25,450 VND (Vietnamese Dong).
Telephone calls: you shouldn't have any problem using your mobile to call back home, but depending on your provider this could be quite expensive. It's possible to buy an international phone card that you can use from a telephone box. If you would like to call our local agent using your mobile during your trip, you'll need to dial the Vietnamese country code +84 first.
Internet: You can find Internet access almost anywhere in Vietnam. At times you'll have Internet access from your hotel room, in other hotels you'll have access to an Internet lounge, otherwise you should be able to find an Internet café in most larger cities. Keep in mind that the connection may be a little slower than you're accustomed to back home.
Vietnam travel tips - Useful tips for on the road...
Vietnam travel tips - Time to celebrate
Photography: most Vietnamese are honoured to have their pictures taken by you (especially in less touristy areas). Don't forget to ask their permission though. Most Vietnamese are a little too shy to speak English, but they understand quite a bit. Keep in mind that you may not be allowed to take pictures all over Vietnam; always ask permission and show restraint when taking photos.
Voltage: Electricity in Vietnam is 220 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. If you travel to Vietnam with a device that does not accept 220 Volts at 50 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter. The electrical sockets are different from what you're accustomed to, so it's best that you bring along a universal plug adaptor.
Vietnam travel tips - National holidays:
January 3, 2010 - Enlightenment of Buddha
February 3, 2010 - Communist Party of Viet Nam Foundation Anniversary
February 11 - 19, 2010 - TET Festival (rings in the year of the Tiger)
April 30, 2010 - Liberation Day
May 1, 2010 - Labour Day
May 2, 2010 - Buddha's Birthday
May 19, 2010 - Ho Chi Minh's Birthday
September 2, 2010 - Independence Day
September 3, 2010 - Anniversary of Ho Chi Minh's Death
More than just fried egg rolls...
The traditional use of fresh vegetables and herbs create various combinations of tastes in Vietnamese cuisine. Rice (Com) and noodles are generally the foundation for a main course, but you'll also find soup, fish and meat on Vietnamese menus. You can of course also enjoy the famous Vietnamese fried egg rolls 'Nem' along with the daily staple of broth 'Pho'. You may also want to try some ‘Elephant Ear Fish’, which is a popular dish along the Mekong Delta. This somewhat dangerous looking fish is served in a spectacular upright position on your plate and tastes delicious. If you're in Vietnam during the TET Festival, try the 'Square cake’ or 'Thí í’.
Travelling safely through Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the safest countries in the world. Despite its large population, there's very little crime and you're unlikely to have any problems walking across the street at night even in the larger cities. However, it's always best to be careful and watch your belongings to prevent theft. That's why another one of our Vietnam travel tips is to leave your valuables behind in the hotel safe or baggage depot when going out into town. You also need to be aware of possible fraud, especially in larger cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Beware of people posing to be taxi chauffeurs that want to take you to your hotel. Keep in mind that if we've arranged an arrival transfer for you, our local agent will be waiting for you carrying a sign with your name on it and the local agent's logo. This logo can also be found on your voucher. Check to make sure it's the same logo to make sure you're leaving with the right person. If you plan on arranging your own taxi cab to your hotel, be sure to take a taxi with a metre in it and agree on a set price per kilometre with your driver. You may also run into sales people, taxi drivers or rickshaw drivers telling you they don't have any change. Let them find change for you or check to see if you have smaller change, but never pay more than the agreed price. You'll notice that if you decide to walk away, they'll suddenly have plenty of change for you.
Friendly Vietnamese
During your trip through Vietnam you'll discover how friendly the Vietnamese people truly are. When you meet our local partner in Hanoi, it will almost seem as if the hotel is a living room and that you're being welcomed like a long lost relative. That's just the way the Vietnamese are, very warm, inviting and accommodating. Family and traditions are very important to them. The people in the mountain tribes still live according to ancient traditions.
These days however, western lifestyle is slowly influencing Vietnamese day-to-day life, especially in the cities and in Southern Vietnam. You'll see French and American influences here resulting from the occupation by France and the Vietnam War. You'll also see Chinese and communist influences in Vietnamese architecture or for instance in the Vietnamese flag (red and yellow). The people of Vietnam have become increasingly socialist-orientated.
Vietnam travel tips - What to pack?
Vietnam has quite a lot of rainfall; an occasional shower can be expected all year long. Don't forget to bring along your rain mac if you're travelling during the rainy season. You'll also want to bring along some sunscreen. During our summer months, temperatures are around 30 degrees Celsius and in between tropical rain showers, the sun can get pretty bright. During December and January it can be quite cold, especially in the north. You probably want to bring along a warm sweater for the evenings. We also have the following Vietnam travel tips for what to bring along to Vietnam:
- Vietnam Visa (you need to have a visa before you arrive in Vietnam)
- passport/ international travel document
- universal plug adaptor
- rain mac
- thick sweater (December - February, especially when travelling in Northern Vietnam)
- sunglasses
- First Aid kit
- charger for your mobile phone, camera and any other electrical devices
- torch
- insect repellent
- walking shoes with a good tread
- daypack (during several of our modules you'll leave behind the bulk of your baggage in a storage room at your hotel)
Did you know....
… that Vietnamese often transport anyone or anything on the back of their mopeds?
… that the typical Vietnamese cone-shaped hats are called 'non la'?
… that Vietnamese women in larger cities cover their arms and legs as much as possible so that they don't get a tan?
… that Vietnamese women are in charge at home, even though the man is supposedly the head of the family?
… that snake is commonly eaten in some areas of Vietnam?
… that bull's penis stew is a common street-food dish?
… that the Vietnamese are crazy about laughing cow cheese?
… that the Vietnamese in Can Tho drink snake wine because they believe it gives them strength?
… that fresh ingredients a vital in Vietnamese cuisine?
… that it's possible to watch how Vietnamese rice paper is made?
Source: http://www.travelermania.com/travel-hotels-in-asia/wow-versatile-vietnam/
