Timeless Charm
Over 95 million people reside in Vietnam. The country is known for its beaches, rivers and Buddhist Pagoda’s. The coastline is a staggering 3260km with its 2 major cities Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi at either end of the country. Hanoi is situated on the banks of the Red River and has many well preserved Colonial Buildings. Ho Chi Minh City is the financial hub and has a distinct French feel left from the mid 1800’s. The total area of Vietnam is 331,210 square km.
Currency: Vietnamese Dong
Language: Vietnamese
Visa: Constantly changing rules, check with your consulate at the time of travel
Power: 220 volts AC. Plug types A & C & F
Safety: Vietnam is a safe place to travel – apart from the roads. Many accidents occur both on bikes and in cars. Of course like anywhere in the world scams do happen so always keep safety in mind.
Flying of course is the fastest way to get around but also the most expensive.
Train is the most comfortable and can be reasonably priced.
Cheapest option is local buses or of course you can hire a car or a bike – but you need to have nerves of steel in the big cities.
Weather is tropcial and humid. The drier season is from November to April and the wet from May to October.
Vietnam has three distinct regional weather patterns. The far north of Vietnam is mountainous and its high altitudes can sometimes experience snow and freezing temperatures.
In Northern Vietnam, winter (November to April) is cool and dry and summer (May to October) is hot, humid, and rainy (July to September has the highest rainfall).
Central Vietnam is hot and dry in the summer (January to August) and cool and rainy in winter, with monsoon-level rains in October and November.
Southern Vietnam has constant warm temperatures. Here the seasons are simple: rainy (May to November) and dry (November to May).
Packing:
Loose lightweight quick dry clothing with layers of warmer gear if going north or high in the mountains. Layers are best to take into account the change altitudes.
Accommodation:-
Dorm beds – 250,000 dong
Basic Double Beds with air cond – 400,000 to 500,000 dong
Mid range Double 500,000 to 900,000 dong
Luxury up from 9000,000 dong
Food:-
Stalls – 20,000 dong
Local restaurants – 50,000 – 90,000 dong
Resort or similar 90,000 dong and up
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