FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE SERVIVAL GUIDE.

• Currency : Dong (d)
• Language: Vietnamese.
• Visas: most nationalities need a visa, which must be arranged in advance. If you’re arriving  by air. Online visa agents (www.vienamvisachoice.com) are more efficient than embassies.
• Money: ATMs widely available, except well off the beaten track. Credit card accepted in most midrange and luxury hotel, but rarely in restaurant and stores…
• Mobile phones: to avoid roaming charges, local sim cards can be used in most European. Asian and Australian (and many North American )phone.
• Time: Vietnam is even hours ahead of GMT/UTC.
• High season (JUL-AUG):
• The prices increase by up to 50% by the coast; book hotels well in advance.
• All Viet Nam, except the far north, is hot and humid, with the summer monsoon bringing downpours.
• Shoulder (DEC-MAR):
• During the Tet festival, the whole country is on the move and prices rise.
• North of  Nha Trang can get cool weather. Expect cold conditions in the far North.
• In the south, clear skies and sunshine  are the North.
• Low season (APR-JUN, SEP-NOV):
• Perhaps the best time to tour the whole nation.
• Typhoons can lash the central and northern coastline until November.
• Websites:
• Vietnam Coracle (http://vietnamcoracle.com) excellent independent travel advice from a long – term resident.
• The Word (www.worldhcmc.com) this comprehensive magazine has excellent features.
• Thanh Nien News (www.thanhniennews.com) government – approved news. But includes perse and interesting content.
• Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com/vietnam) Destination information, hotel bookings, traveller forum and more.
• The Economist (www.economist.com/topics/vietnam) Analytical and provocative articles.
• Vietnam Online (www.vietnamonline.com) good all – rounder.
• Important Numbers: to call Vietnam outside. Drop the initial )0 from the area code. Mobile numbers begin with )09 or )01.
• Country code                         : )84
• International Access Code    : )00
• Directory assistance              : )116
• Police                                     :)113
• General Information Service: )1080
• Exchange Rates:
• Australia       :              A$1                23,301d
• Canada          :              C$1                20,305d
• Euro              :               €1                   29,070d
• Japan             :               ¥100               21,678d
• New Zealand:               NZ$1              17,676d
• UK                :               £1                   34,093d
• US                 :              US$1              21,085d

For current exchange rates see:  www.xe.com

• Daily costs:
• Budget: less than US$40
• Glass of bia hoi: from US$0.50
• One hour on a local bus: US$1-1.50.
• Cheap hotel: US$10-15 a night, dorms less.
• Local meal of noodles: US$1.50-2.50.
• Midrange: US$40-100
• Comfortable double room: US$20-50
• Meal in a smart restaurant: from US$5
• One – hour massage: US$6-20
• Ten-minutes taxi ride: US$4
• Top End: more than US$100
• Luxury hotel room: from US$15
• Gourmet restaurant: from US$15
• Most internal flights: US$30-75
• Opening Hours: Opening hours vary very little throughout the year.
• Restaurants: 11.30am-9pm
• Banks: 8am-3pm weekdays, 8am-11.30am Saturday.
• Offices and museums: 7am or 8am to 5pm or 6pm. Museums generally close on Monday.
• Temple and Pagodas: 5am – 9pm
• Shops: 8am – 6pm
• Arriving Vietnam:
• Tan Son Nhat International Airport: taxis to central districts cost 175.000d and around 30 minutes. There’s also an air-conditioned bus (Route 152) to the central (5000d, every 15 minutes, 6am-6pm, around 40 minutes).
• Noi Bai Airport (Hanoi): taxis to the central cost 400.000d and take around one hour. The Vietnam Airlines minibus costs 60.000d and runs every 30 minutes. Route 17 public bus from airport to Long Bien bus station (working distance the Old Quarter) is 5000d.
• Getting Around: busses are the main mode of transport for local in Vietnam, but travelers tend to prefer planes, trains, automobiles.
• Train: reasonably priced and comfortable enough if you score an air conditioned carriage (and a sleeper on overnight routes). But not these are not real express train.
• Plane: very cheap if you book ahead (often less than the equivalent bus fare) and the network is pretty comprehensive. However, cancellations are quite common.
• Car: very useful for traveling at your own pace or visiting regions with minimal public transport. Cars always come with a driver as part of the rental deal.
• Bus: On the main highways services are quite good, although it’s not a particularly relaxing way to travel. In remote areas things deteriorate rapidly.

First Time Vietnam
FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE SURVIVAL GUIDE
Checklist:

• Apply for your visa in advance
• Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months past your arrival date
• Check your immunization history
• Arrange appropriate travel insurance
• Inform your debit-/credit-card company
• Pre-book internal flights and trains

What to Pack:

• Good footwear – Vietnam’s streets are bumpy and lumpy
• Mosquito repellent with DEET
• Rain jacket
• Electrical adapter
• Torch (flashlight)
• Flip-flops or sandals
• Binoculars

Top Tips for Your Trip

• Prepare yourself for the crazy driving: traffic can come at you every which way, and in the cities swarms of motorbikes reach biblical proportions. Try to keep calm and consider arranging a massage after a long journey.
• Be aware that Vietnam has more than its fair share of scams; most concern overcharging. Though very rare, there are some more serious dangers (like unexploded ordnance) to also be aware of. Relevant warning are given in destinations throughout this guide.
• In towns like Hue and Sapa, and beaches popular with tourists, expect plenty of hustle from street vendors, cyclo drivers and the like. Off the beaten track there’s little or no hassle.
• Load your bargaining head before you arrive.

What to Wear:
There are no serious cultural concerns about wearing inap-propriate clothing in Vietnam. In temples, pagodas and government offices (or if attending a formal dinner), legs should be covered and singlets avoided.
Yes, Vietnam is in the tropics, but visit anywhere north of Hoi An between October and March and it can be cool, so pack some layers (a fleece or two). The rest of the year, and in the south, flip-flops or sandals, a T-shirt and shorts are likely to be your daily uniform.
Sleeping:
Tourism is booming in Vietnam so it’s usually best to book your accommodation a day or two in advance, or several weeks ahead in the high season (the Tet Lunar New Year holiday, July to August, and around Christmas).

• Hotels Range from simple functional mini-hotels to uber-luxurious spa hotels.
• Hostels Popular in the main tourism centres, but not that widespread elsewhere.
• Guesthouses Usually family run and less formal than hotels.

Money:
ATMs can be found throughout the country, even in small towns, though charges for with-drawals are quite steep. In general, cash is king in Vietnam, but credit and debit cards are accepted in many hotels.

Bargaining:
Bargaining is essential in Vietnam, but not for everything. Sharpen your haggling skills when shopping in marketplaces and in some small shops (that sell souvenirs and the like), and when arranging local transport like cyclos (bicycle rickshaws) and xe om (motorbike taxis).
Many hotels will also offer a discount if you ask for one. In restaurants prices are fixed.
Some bus drivers try to overcharge foreigners, so it’s worth bargaining if you’re certain the fare is overpriced.

Tipping:

• Hotels Not expected. Leave a small gratuity for cleaning staff if you like.
• Restaurants Not expected; 5% to 10% in smart restaurants or if you’re very satisfied. Locals don’t tip.
• Guides A few dollars on day trips is sufficient, more for longer trips if the service is good.
• Taxis Not necessary, but a little small change is appreciated, especially at night.
• Bars Never expected.

Language:
English is not widely spoken in Vietnam. In the tourist areas most staff at hotels and restaurants will speak a little, but communication issues are common. A few key phrases of Vietnamese go a long way.
Etiquette:

• Meals When dining with Vietnamese people, it’s customary for the most senior dinner to pay for everyone.
• Homes Remove your shoes when entering a private house.
• Heads Don’t pat or touch an adult (or child) on the head.
• Feet Avoid pointing your feet at people or sacred objects (e.g Buddhas).

Eating:

• Local restaurants Vietnamese restaurants tend to have purely functional décor and even look scruffy, but if they’re busy the food will usually be fresh and delicious.
• International restaurants In tourist areas many restaurants serve up Western and Asian food. Often the local food is ‘toned down’ and not that authentic in these places.
• Street food Pavement kitchens offer cheap and often incredibly tasty local grub.

What’s New
The World’s Biggest Cave
Finally, after years of speculation, the Vietnamese government has granted (strictly regulated) access to Hang Son Doong, the world’s biggest cave. Sign up for the trip of a lifetime.
Imperial Citadel, Hanoi
The nexus of Vietnamese military power for more than 1000 years, Hanoi’s World Heritage-listed Imperial Citadel has recently been opened for public viewing. It’s a right royal history lesson.
Phong Nha Fun
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park continues to open up. Superb new hiking and caving excursion are now possible deep inside Paradise Cave to remote Hang En, and the Tu Lan river-cave system.
                        Zone 9, Hanoi
Filling a former pharmaceutical factory with bars, galleries and art spaces, Hanoi’s Zone 9 precinct is the city’s hippest and most vibrant new destination.
Hill Station Signature Restaurant
In chic surroundings in Sapa, learn how to cook H’mong cuisine at the Hill Station Signature Restaurant. Wash it all down with a tasting set of delicious ruou (traditional rice wine)
                        Independent Tours in Ho Chi Minh City
A bevy of entertaining and inspiring tours is now up for grabs, taking visitors on a wild carousel ride of street food, night sights, bars and more.
                        A Tribal Base
High in the hills above Hoi An, this specular, unexpectedly comfortable new guesthouse is located in Bho Hoong, a traditional Co Tu minority village.
An Bang Beach
This beach goes from strength to strength with hip new accommodation choices, like the delightful An Bang Seaside Village, and chic new restaurants, like the effortlessly relaxed, ocean-facing Le Banyan Bar.
Cham Homestays
Such is its fame these days that the main Cham island settlement of Bai Huong remains totally tranquil, and has a great new home-stay program.
Cat Ba Island Hotels
New hotels are opening up on private islands in the Cat Ba area, including Cat Ong Beach Cottages, which has its own private beach and chic bungalows.
Phu Thuan Beach
A short cruise from the cultural capital of Hue, lovely Phu Thuan Beach offers a perfect vision of the tropics, with ocean-washed clean sands, a shack-bar and beautifully crafted, great-value accommodation.
For more recommendations and reviews, see lonelyplanet.com/vietnam
If You Like ….
Fabulous Food
Hoi An Try herb-rich dishes and unique creations like banh bao and banh xeo, then take a cooking course.
Hanoi An endlessly tasty street-food scene including bun cha, sticky-rice creations and crab noodle soup.
Ho Chi Minh City Foodie paradise: roadside stalls, swish gourmet restaurants, to-die-for Vietnamese eateries and international cuisine.
Minority Flavors Taste H’mong, Tay and Muong ethnic minority food at specialist restaurants like Quan Kien and The Hill Station.
Hue This city is famous for its complex imperial cuisine tradition, but is also great for a casual bite.
Markets
Bac Ha One of the most colorful markets in Southeast Asia where you can see the unique costumes of the Flower H’mong.
Mekong Delta’s Floating Markets Early birds get to catch the delta’s panoply of river markets, selling everything from durian to dog meat.
Sinho Experience an authentic minority market in this isolated highland town, which now has a good new hotel.
Ben Thanh Market HCMC’s most famous and most central market is a hive of activity.
Remote & Hidden
Ha Giang Crammed with jaw-dropping scenery, this rugged area abuts Vietnam’s northern border with China.
HCMC Tours Sample food from the backstreets, speed on Vespas along alleys and dig out the city’s hidden pockets.
Ganh Da Dia An isolated coast-line boasting empty beaches, lonely fishing villages and impressive sand dunes.
Phu Dien Buried in sand dunes for centuries, this small Cham temple is surrounded by magnificent coastal scenery.
Bai Dram Trau A half-moon crescent of pale sand, bookended by forest-topped rocky promontories on the Con Dao Islands.
Tombs & Temples
Hue Vietnamese emperors built dazzling monuments around this city. Don’t miss the tombs of Tu Duc and Minh Mang.
My Son Unquestionably the most impressive Cham site; the forested hilltop location is very special too.
Hanoi Come face-to-face with history in Ho Chi Minh’s austere mausoleum.
Cao Dai Great Temple  A brightly colored, magnificent hybrid of Chinese temple. Islamic mosque and Christian cathedral.
Jade Emperor Pagoda Taoism and Buddhism achieve a notable fusion at HCMC’s most famous temple.
Beautiful Beaches
Mui Ne Squeaky sands along the shore, towering sand dunes nearby and expanses of empty beaches up the coast.
Quan Lan Island Join friendly Vietnamese families for beer and seafood on sleepy Minh Chau beach.
Nha Trang Flop on the inviting sands, then explore the bay’s islands by boat.
Con Dao Islands We suggest a self-imposed exile of at least three nights.
Phu Quoc Island Long Beach is the natural choice, but Sao Beach has beautiful sand, sapphire waters and fewer people.
Lan Ha Bay Kayak to hidden sandy coves amid the karst labyrinths of this spectacular bay.
IF YOU LIKE…..CAVES
……………………………………………….
Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park is simply in a class of its own. It contains the world’s largest cave.
Road Trips
Mai Pi Leng Pass Negotiate this mountainous route from Dong Van to Meo Vac cut into a narrow pass high above the Nho Que River.
Phu Quoc Island Straddle a motorbike to tame the red-dirt distances of this island.
Mekong Delata Whiz about the delta, hopping abroad the occasional ferry when you run out of road.
Ho Chi Minh Highway Forgo Hwy 1 for a while: this inland route is light on traffic and big on scenery.
Spectacular Treks
Hang Son Doong For the ultimate finale, hike through pristine mountain and valley trails to the world’s largest cave.
Sapa Join chatty H’mong guides to explore the ethnic minority villages around Sapa, framed by cascades of verdant rice terraces.
Mai Chau Take-it-easy trekking in spectacular scenery around sleepy Mai Chau
(Top) Terraced rice fields, Ha Giang province
(Bottom) Children in traditional ethnic minority clothing, Sapa
Month by Month

TOP EVENTS
………………………
Tet, January – February
Hue Festival, June (Biennial)
Wandering Souls Day, August
Danang Fireworks Festival, April
Buddha’s Birth, Enlightenment and Death, May
January
Winter temperatures can be bitterly cold in the far north, with snow possible. The further south you go, the milder the weather. Tet occurs at the end of the month (or in February).
 Dalat Flower Festival
Held early in the month, this is always a wonderful occasion, with huge elaborate displays and the whole town involved. It’s become an international event, with music and fashion shows and a wine festival.

February
North of Danang, chilly ‘Chinese winds’ usually mean grey, overcast conditions. Conversely, sunny hot days are the norm in the southern provinces.
Tet (Tet Nguyen Dan)
The Big One! Falling in late January or early February, Vietnamese Lunar New Year is like Christmas, New Year and birthdays all rolled into one. Travel is difficult at this time, as transport is booked up and many businesses close.

March
Grey skies and cool temperatures can affect anywhere north of Hoi An, but towards the end of the month the thermometer starts to rise. Down south, the dry season is ending.
Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival
Caffeine cravers should make for the highlands during March, as Buon Ma Thuot plays host to an annual coffee festival. Growers, grinders, blenders and addicts rub shoulders in the city’s main park, and local entertainment is provided.
 Saigon Cyclo Challenge
On your marks… get pedaling. Ho Chi Minh City’s fastest rickshaw drivers battle it out in their three-wheeled chariots to raise funds for charity. Takes place in mid-March every year.

April
Generally an excellent time to cover the nation, as the winter monsoon rains should have subsided and there are some excellent festivals. Flights are usually moderately priced (unless Easter falls in this month).
Holiday of the Dead (Thanh Minh)
It’s time to honor the ancestors with a visit too graves of deceased relatives to tidy up and sweep tombstones. Offerings of flowers, food and paper are presented. It’s held on the first three days of the third moon.
Hue Festival (Biennial)
Vietnam’s biggest cultural event (www.huefestival.com) is held every two years, with events in 2014 and 2016. Most of the art, theatre, music, circus and dance performances are held inside Hue’s Citadel.
Danang Fireworks Festival
Danang’s riverside explodes with sound, light and color during this spectacular event, which features competing pyro-technic teams from the USA, China, Europe and Vietnam. Held in the last week of the month.

May
A fine time to tour the centre and north, with a good chance of clear skies and warm days. Sea temperatures are warming up nicely and it’s a pretty quiet month for tourism.
Buddha’s Birth, Enlightenment and Death (Phong Sinh)
A big celebration at Buddhist temples with lively street processions and lanterns used to decorate pagodas. Complexes including Chua Bai Dinh near Ninh Binh and HCMC’s Jade Emperor Pagoda host lavish celebrations. Fifteenth day of the fourth lunar month.
Nha Trang Sea Festival
Falls at the end of May (and the beginning of June) and includes a street festival, photography exhibitions, embroidery displays and kite-flying competitions.

June
A great time to tour Vietnam as it’s just before the peak domestic season. Humidity can be punishing at this time of year, so plan to spend some time by the coast.
Summer Solstice Day (Tet Doan Ngo)
Keep epidemics at bay with offerings to the spirits, ghosts and the God of Death on the fifth day of the fifth moon. Sticky rice wine (ruou nep) is consumed in industrial quantities.

August
The peak month for tourism with domestic and international tourists. Book flights and accommodation well ahead. Weather-wise it’s hot, hot, hot.
Wandering Souls Day (Trung Nguyen)
Second in the pecking order to Tet is this ancient Vietnamese tradition. Huge spreads of food are left out for lost spirits who, it’s believed, wander the earth on this day. Held on the 15th day of the seventh moon.
Children’s (or Mid-Autumn) Festival, Hoi An
This is a big event in Hoi An when citizens celebrate the full moon, eat moon cakes and beat drums. The lion, unicorn and dragon dance processions are enacted, and children are fully involved in the celebrations.

October
A good time to visit the far north, with a strong chance of clear skies and mild temperatures. Winter winds and rain begin to affect the centre, but down south it’s often dry.
Mid-Autumn Festival (Trung Thu)
A fine time for foodies with moon cakes of sticky rice filled with lotus seeds, watermelon seeds, peanuts, the yolks of duck eggs, raisins and other treats. It’s celebrated across the nation on the 15th day of the eighth moon and can fall in September or October.
CAMA Festival, Hanoi
Hanoi’s Club for Art and Music Appreciation (www.camavietnam.org) promotes this annual one-day festival. It’s an excellent opportunity to experience the best of Hanoi’s emerging music scene.
Cham New Year (Kate)
This is celebrated at Po Klong Garai Cham Towers in Thap Cham on seventh month of the Cham calendar. The festival commemorates ancestors, Cham national heroes and deities, such as the farmers’goddess Po Ino Nagar.
Khmer Oc Bom Boc Festival
The Mekong Delta’s Khmer community celebrates on 15th day of the 10th moon of the lunar calendar (late October or November) with colorful boat races at Ba Dong Beach in Tra Vinh Province and on the Soc Trang River

December
The month begins quietly, but from mid-December the popular tourist resorts get increasingly busy and you should book well ahead to secure a room over the Christmas break. It’s still steamy in the south but can get chilly up north.
Chirstmas Day (Giang Sinh)
This is not a national holiday, but it is celebrated throughout Vietnam, particularly by the sizeable Catholic population. It’s a special time to be in places like Phat Diem and HCMC where thousands attend midnight Mass.
(Top) Tet (Tet Nguyen Dan) decorations
(Bottom) Traditional dress for Hue Festival