exotravelguide vietnam

8/12/2019 Exotravelguide Vietnam

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Exo Travel Guides

Vietnam www.exotissimo.com

EXO TISSIMOTRAVEL

Experts in Asia - in Asia


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Introducing VietnamSeeing the real Vietnam with Exotissimo...

Thank you for choosing Exotissimo Travel Vietnam toorganize your travel arrangements in Vietnam. Thisdocument will give you some more information aboutthe country, the different destinations to visit, usefulinformation for travelers, a listing of the Exotissimopreferred hotels, reservations and booking procedures.

Vietnam is an intriguing destination. At the crossroads

of tradition and modernity, an eclectic mix of old andnew, this country will reveal astonishing nds to everytype of traveler. The old world charm is still retainedamid the French inuenced architectures, wide tree-lined boulevards gracing the cities and former imperial

capitals. History buffs can learn about Vietnams recenthard fought wars in the museums. Culture seekers willdelight in the discovery of the diverse landscapes andeveryday sights, from bustling oating markets, lushpaddy elds to colorful hill tribes in the highlands. Forbeach lovers, Vietnams long coastline is framed withsandy beaches and clear seas with lots of opportunitiesfor water-based adventures.

Whatever your interest may be, we assure you thattraveling with Exotissimo to explore Vietnams hiddentreasures will surely be an impressive trip.

Where should I go in Vietnam?

That depends how long youve got, what you want to see and what you want to do. The guide below should help you make those decisions.

If you want to really discover Vietnam, you should set aside a couple of weeks to travel, meet the people and get some kind of understanding for this beautiful and fascinating country. Our shortest tours are half day excursions but the longer youve got the better. At Exotissimo we pride ourselves on beingable to ll everybodys travel plans with just the right mix. It will be our pleasure to make the suggestion and arrangements to allow you to make the most of your precious leisure time. After all, our team of Vietnamese and western travel enthusiasts work, live and travel all over the country and we wouldbe happy to share our new discoveries with you.


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When to go to Vietnam?Vietnams weather varies greatly from north to southwith each area marked by slightly different seasonsand climates. Because of these regional variations, apart of the country is seasonable at any time of year.

The north, overall, tends to be cooler than the rest ofthe country. During the winter, from November untilFebruary, the day time temperature is pleasantly cooland the weather is often damp. To the far north in

places like Sapa, there is occasionally freezing tem-peratures during this time. The north begins to warmup in March and stays dry and warm until May. FromJune to October, the north is hot and rainy making it afairly unpleasant place to travel. Ov erall the best timeto visit the north is from November until April.

Central Vietnam experiences warm weather from Julyto October and wet, colder weather from November toMay. Frequent typhoons hit the central coast from Au-gust to October which can cause ooding and disrupt

travel plans.

Although the temperature remains fairly steadythroughout the year, Southern Vietnam has two sea-sons. The dry season lasts from December to May,while from May to November is the rainy season. Mostof the rain is in the afternoon and only lasts a shorttime so it is unlikely to disrupt touring plans.

The Chinese new year of Tet is celebrated throughoutVietnam in late January or early February. During thistime, transport options ll up quickly and lots of res-taurants and tourist sites are closed so it is not recom-mended to travel to Vietnam then.

This is a guide to the best of the best of Vietnam lledwith ideas for travel sightseeing and accommodationwith a few insider tips along the way.


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What to see in Hanoi?

Lying in the heart of the Red River Delta, the Vietnamese capital city of Hanoi blendsthe old world charm with the dynamism of a rising Asian city. Its legacy as a formerFrench territory is still evident from the French-inspired features - lakes and parks,colonial architecture and broad tree-lined boulevards - that still dot the presentcityscapes. The city has undergone dramatic transformation over the last thirty yearsand is now seeing a burgeoning population paralleled by rising motorbike ownership,a rapidly expanding retail sector and a ourishing art scene. Yet when comparedwith Ho Chi Minh City, the economic powerhouse in the south, Hanoi still retains aromantic and elegant atmosphere.

Hanoi is one of Asias most fascinating cities with its unique blend of western andoriental charm. You can wander through the 36 streets in the Old Quarter, rummagefor souvenirs and witness the artisans working on their specialty crafts. As the oldestuniversity (established since 1070), the Temple of Literature and its ve courtyardsretains a scholarly atmosphere and makes a peaceful respite from Hanois busy

streets. Pay homage to the late Ho Chi Min h at the Ho Chi Mhouse on stilts and learn why Uncle Ho is such a respecteese. Vietnam is a culturally diverse country and the fascinatinethnic groups can be seen at the Museum of Ethnology.

Hanoi


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Where to stay in Hanoi?

To check out the budding arts scene,pop into the dozens of art galleries thatstock works ranging from traditional tomodern. Some of our favorites, the Apri-cot Gallery and Art Vietnam have consis-tently received positive accolades fromart connoisseurs and travelers. Althoughmodern entertainment outlets are read-ily available in Hanoi, why not opt tocatch a water puppet show - a uniquecultural form of North Vietnam? For earlyrisers, head to Hoan Kiem Lake or Park ofReunication (formerly Lenin Park) andobserve Vietnamese in their synchro-nized Tai Chi moves. On ne afternoons,

stroll through the French quarter, sip anaromatic cup of coffee on the sidewalkand observe the bustling street life.

If you have more time to spare, there aremany interesting locales in Hanois out-skirts that are lesser visited by tourists.Tam Coc in Ninh Binh - with its seriesof limestone rock formations jutting outfrom a sea of rice paddies, is a scenicand surreal place to visit. Nearby Hoa Lualso offers similar landscapes of rockyoutcrops - no less spectacular when

compared to Tam Coc - as well as 10thcentury relics from when the area wasthe capitals country.

To learn about Vietnams pottery his-tory, a visit to Bat Trang Ceramic Villageshould be on the travel agenda. Here,you could try your hands at making theceramics, but it is much easier to be en-ticed into owning the exquisite vases,bowls and dishes produced from thehands of the talented Bat Trang potters.For lovers of indigenous crafts, the VanPhuc Weaving Village lures visitors withits bewildering range of silk products.

Explore the rustic landscapes by cyclingaround the citys northern outskirts inDong Ho Village, which is also famousfor its painting styles that depict thetraditional Vietnamese village lives. Fol-low the trails of Vietnamese pilgrims andembark on a 2-hour trek up Huong SonMountain to Perfume Pagoda (or ChuaHuong), with lots of photographic oppor-tunities along the way.

When in Hanoi, a stay in a colonial-style hotel should not be missed. The SotelMetropole Legend Hanoi is a celebrated Hanoi institution which boasts of an impres-sive guest list. For a lavish stay, the InterContinental Westlake Hanoi tops with itschic Vietnamese dcor and waterfront location by the historic West Lake. Nearby the

famous Hoan Kiem Lake, the boutique Maison DHanoiHanova Hotel appeals to discerning travelers with its55 tastefully designed rooms. For accommodations thatare more wallet-friendly but yet p resent good value, we

prefer The Silk Path Hotel - conveniently located withinwalking distance to the Old Quarter and other cityattractions.


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Where to eat in Hanoi?

For street eats, Pho Bo (beef noodlesoup), Bun Cha (grilled meat with drynoodles) and Banh Cuon (pho packagewith beef rolls) usually make good intro-duction to the local cuisine. For deliciouspho eats, consider the ubiquitous Pho24 which offers different varieties of themuch-loved Vietnamese beef noodle.The popular Quan An Ngon makes agood introduction to Vietnamese cuisinewith its scrumptious and inexpensive of-fering in a courtyard setting.

A classic Hanoi dish, Cha Ca - grilledsh with tumeric usually served withrice noodles - is best savored on Cha CaStreet where this northern specialty dishoriginated at Cha Ca La Vong Restaurant.Highway 4 is a recommended stop for itscomplete dining experience with its de-lectable range of traditional Vietnameseliquor and specialty dishes. The bustlingBao Khanh Street, lined with numerouscafs and open-air eateries, is a greathunt for a cup of Vietnamese coffeewhile people-watching.

Housed in an old colonial building, bothWild Lotus and Seasons of Hanoi are styl-ish establishments that serve rich Viet-namese menu with tasteful A sian dcor.For French - Vietnamese fusion fare, optfor Didier Corlous La Verticale whichshowcases an impressive selection in anintimate setting. For the ultimate diningexperience, head to one of the homes ofthe celebrated chefs who will whip up atantalizing dinner for you.


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An imperial city during the Nguyen dynasty, Hue stillretains much of its royal heritage and laidback atmo-sphere. Straddling the banks of Song Huong River (Per-fume River) in Central Vietnam, it is best known forits historic monuments and architecture and has beenappointed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hue

What to see in Hue?

Where to stay in Hue?

Step into imperial times with Citadel, the prime attraction ointerior houses the Forbidden plex of palaces, temples, pavila romantic boat ride along thway to explore the royal tomband other former emperors ththe countryside. The covered and cottage industries that dofer varied and interesting excuday trip out to the Demilitarissite between North and South Vghting during the American streets of Hue on a cyclo or biunique atmosphere. Do not foregant historic garden houses th

La Residence Hotel & Spa is dation with its enchanting bdcor and tranquil location bthe quaint countryside, Pilgrimharmonious combination of a modern art elements.


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Where to eat in Hue?

Where to go in Hoi An

The recommended street eats are Banh Khoai (tradi-tional savory pancake), Com Hen (tiny mussels servedon rice with soup) and Bun Bo Hue (hot and steamybeef noodle soup). Modeled after a style house, An-cient Hue offers imperial style cuisin e. Near the Citadel,Y Thao Garden is a simple yet charming choice. Dinein style in the grounds of the former mandarin housesor hobnob with the locals as you tuck into a bowl ofnoodles at the Dong Ba Market. For the romantics, aprivate dinner cruise down the Perfume River makes amemorable experience.

Hoi Ans tailors are renownedship, so be sure to shop for tailoshop for interesting souvenirs custom made jewelry. Head to torical sights await. There, youcovered bridge, stroll through ttraditional music performanceof an ancient house.

Situated along the south centrAn is an outstanding examplecient town that has been desigSite. Known as Faifo in the ptown that boasted multi-cultu16th 18th centuries. Today, esque town that can be easily e

Hoi An


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Where to stay in Hoi An?

Where to eat in Hoi An?

Just a few kilometers out of town, Cua Dai Beachsgolden sands provide a nice place to unwind over freshseafood. Explore the small villages on a bicycle and dis-cover artisans crafting pottery in the narrow streets. Forday trips out of Hue, opt for the historical Cham stat-ues at My Son or to the Marble Mountain where caves,temples and magnicent views await at the summit.

Situated close to the old town, the Ha An Hotel offersa pleasant stay amid its shophouse-style property andmanicured gardens. For a luxurious resort stay, it hasto be The Nam Hai which sits on a tranquil stretch ofpalm-lined beach facing China Sea. Overlooking thescenic Do River and lush paddy elds, the gorgeousLife Resort is highly favored for its proximity to Cua Daibeach and the old quarter.

In Hoi An, do not miss the local specialty Cao Lau whichis a dry noodle dish with a tantalizing touch. Other deli-cacies include Hoa Hong (white rose dumplings) andMi Quang (noodle soup with a foray of ingredients).With only 6 tables, the seafood specialty restaurant HoiAn Hai San features a cozy and intimate atmospherebut pre-booking is required if you want guaranteedseats. The funky Mango Rooms serves fusion food at itsbest delectable dishes with great visu al appeal. If youare eager to learn local culinary recipes, be sure to joinin the cooking classes at Tra Que Organic Vegetable Vil-lage which produces the countrys nest organic food.For an original culinary experience in Hoi An, indulgein a private picnic on a deserted beach on the ChamIsland (accessible by speedboat).

Commonly referred to as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City(HCMC) is Vietnams largest city and undisputed com-merce capital. It is a dynamic city that is currently en-joying the fruits of Vietnams economic boom lavishhotels, decadent restaurants and trendy nightspotsare continually added to the cityscape. The youngerresidents may seem status oriented and eager to anktheir new-found wealth, a signicant change from thewar-savaged population barely one generation ago.Yet against the backdrop of new-found condence,frenetic development and urban bustle, the boutiquecharm of HCMC still lives on amongst the tree-linedboulevards, quaint wooden shops, old temples and co-lonial architecture. The city is quickly making a namefor itself in Vietnamese crafts shopping, an emergingart scene and a wide range of dining pleasures (withalmost every imaginable cuisine available).

Ho Chi Minh City


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What to see in HCMC?

Within the city, HCMC has many sights that should notbe missed. A city tour of the O pera House, Le Loi Street,Reunication Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and WarRemnants Museum on a classic Citroen or Vespa scoot-er are nostalgic ways to be introduced to this formercolonial city. Ben Thanh Market, a massive old-stylemarket in the central district, is a place to rummagefor knock-offs and interesting souvenirs. However, donot forget to bargain hard (but in a polite manner) foryour purchases.

For more posh buys, head to shops that line Dong Khoi. Ifpiece of propaganda art, DogmHistory buffs should reminiscedia briengs known as ve national correspondents were War. For a night out, hit the citrants that are crowded by the r

If you have a bit of time to outside of Ho Chi Minh City tonetwork of over 200 kilometby the Vietcong during the Amfascinating look into the lives othe war-time era. This can easstop at Wildlife at Risk (WAprot organization to stop illegNinh Temple, home to the intr


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Where to stay in HCMC? What to eat in HCMC?

Park Hyatt Saigon is the citys most luxurious hotelthat packs world-class restaurants and spa services ina classic French colonial building. One of the nest inits class, the Caravelle Hotel offers commanding viewsof the city and overlooks Lam Son Square and the Op-era House. Recently refurnished, Palace Hotel Saigonretains its original French architecture and is favoredfor its convenient location in the citys heart. Anotherlandmark building from the colonial era, Hotel Majesticexudes old world charm combined with excellent ser-vice and rooms come with either pool or river views.The cosy and unique Sanouva is well located close toBen Thanh market and boasts charms with its well fur-nished interiors and friendly staff.

Street eats can be found in almost every corner of thisbustling city. To be inducted into Southern Vietnamesecuisine, opt for Lau (hotpot with cook your own ingredi-ents served on the side), Com Nieu (broken rice servedout of a claypot) and Banh Xeo (pancakes cooked overa ame). To enjoy the clatter of an authentic Vietnam-ese eatery, Com Nieu will surely leave an impressionwhen the waiters ing claypots across the restaurant.Dong Pho is the best place to enjoy a meal of tradi-tional Hue dishes in Ho Chi Minh City.

If you are looking for authentic Vietnamese cuisine in an old world setting, Anh Vien receoffers superb food and tasteful dcor in an old French villa. Tucked in a former opium rein a small alley, the Renery is a French bistro that s erves a wide range of light eats in classyHoa Tuc serves a tantalizing selection of Vietnamese dishes in an elegant setting of green our favorite when it comes to fusion Vietnamese fare, a renowned restaurant cum bar tops watmosphere.


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From Hanoi, a scenic 3-hour drive through the RedRiver Delta leads you to Hanoi. In the famed HalongBay, the sublime beauty of magnicent limestone for-mations rising dramatically from the waters is bestexperienced on a boat cruise. Be transported back tothe nostalgic charm of yesteryear aboard the Emer-aude, a luxurious replica of a grand colonial steamer.Other charming vessels in Halong Bay include Jasmineand Violet Junks, Paradise Cruise and utterly charm-ing Indochina Junks. Make a stop at a local village toenjoy the captivating performance of traditional waterpuppetry, a distinctive art form of the Red River Delta.

Buon Ma Thuot is the largest city in Vietnams CentralHighlands region, an unexplored area with great ad-venture and trekking potential. The abundance of un-touched forests, stunning landscapes, national parksand hill tribe villages are still off the tourist trails.

Although not a major stop on the tourist trail, D anangslocation between Hoi An and Hue makes a nice stopalong the way. The city is one of the most dynamic ofVietnams modern cities with rapid industrial and eco-nomic growth. Visitors to Danang can enjoy the under-stated, yet fascinating Cham art and culture at ChamMuseum. On the outskirts of town is China Beach,steeped in legend yet wonderfully deserted.

Just a four-hour drive from His renowned for its long streand perennial sea breezes thwind-surng and kite-surngwind-sculpted red and whitegreat postcard shots and advcan tee off at the Nick Faldo-dCourse. Home to many differVictoria Phan Thiet, the boutinewly refurnished Blue Oceathis charming beach town.

Vietnams northern mountain ranges are breathtak-ingly beautiful with fresh air and cool temperatures.To visit these remote mountains, take advantage of theelegantly restored Victoria Train with its plush seat-ing and wood-paneled Pullman carriages. Home to adiverse group of hill tribes such as Tay, Red Dao, Blackand Flower Hmong, Sapa boasts of ample hill tribetrekking and home stay opportunities. Victoria SapaResort combines mountain traveling with stylish com-fort while Topas Eco Lodge provides a peaceful retreatamid the lush valleys. Beyond Sapa, Mount Fansipan(Indochinas highest peak) is great for trekking andexploration.

With its perennial cool weather, pine-clad valleys andweathered but elegant French hilltop villas, Dalat isVietnams premier hill station. Opportunities aboundfor meetings and incentives in boutique colonial hotelssuch as the Dalat Palace Hotel, as well as mountain ad-ventures of absailing, canyoning and even world-classgolng. For an opulent alpine retreat, Ana Mandara Vil-las Dalat is a good t.

Halong Bay Buon Ma ThuotDanang Mui NeSapa Dalat


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Located in Binh Thuan province, Phan Thiet is a smallcoastal town with a thriving shing industry. Checkout the production of nuoc mam (sh sauce seasoningcommonly used in Vietnamese cuisine). Golf lovers willbe delighted with a choice of two international classgolf courses overlooking the sea Ocean Dunes andthe recently established Sealinks.

One of the worlds most fertile areas, the Mekong Deltais home to countless rice elds and tributaries acrossthousands of square miles of at land. An overnightcruise in the Mekong Delta is denitely worthwhile, forthe experience of awakening in the early morning tond oating markets and villages oating around youis incredible. The small sizes of the Song Xanh Sam-pans and Cai Be Princess are perfect for glimpses intothe local ways of life while relaxing in the comfort of aoating boutique hotel. The ornate vessels of Pandawand Bassac are great for Mekong Delta cruises betweenHo Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh.

Quy Nhon is Vietnams other secret destination. Occu-pying the stretch of coastline between Danang and N haTrang, this port city is close to spectacular secludedbays and unpopulated private islands. The Life Well-ness Resort Quy Nhon makes an ideal location for apeaceful retreat.

In the heart of Khanh Hoa province, Nha Trang is theundisputed beach capital of Vietnam. Besides longstretches of sand lapped by crystal clear waters, it isdotted with many islands each with its own distinctcharacter. The turquoise waters play host to teem-ing marine life, and snorkeling and scuba diving areperennial favorites. This beach town also features avibrant night life. The lovely Evason Ana Mandara andSheraton top the resorts in Nha Trang and for travel-ers seeking a luxurious resort experience, the remotesix-star Six Senses Hideaway Ninh Van Bay does notdisappoint.

Off Vietnams southern coast in the Gulf of Thailand,the island of Phu Quoc is one of Asias up and risingbeach destination. The islands clear waters, isolatedbeaches, forested interior and charming local charactermake for an ideal beach escape. Do not forget to sam-ple Phu Quocs famous traditional products - sh sauceand black pepper. For a relaxing tropical beach retreat,try La Veranda Resort & Spa or ChenSea Resort & Spa.

Phan Thiet Mekong DeltaQuy NhonNha Trang Phu Quoc


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AIRLINES

ATMs

CLOTHING

ELECTRICITY

HEALTH

ENTERTAINMENT

FOODCREDIT CARDS

Domestic: Three domestic airlines are currently operat-ing in Vietnam: Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar-Pacic Airlinesand Indochina Airlines. Both Jetstar-Pacic and Indochi-na Airlines are low-cost carriers (LCC). Jetstar is a jointventure company between Qantas Australia and PacicAir. Indochina Airiness is Vietnams newest airline andis privately owned. All airlines are using a mixture ofBoeing and Airbus planes and Vietnamese as well asforeign pilots.

AIRPORT TAX

There is a departure tax on all inter national ights fromHanoi and Ho Chi Minh City but this tax is already in-cluded in the price of your all airplane tickets.

ARRIVAL IN VIETNAM

BY AIR: Consult your local travel agent for routings,fares and availability on ights to Vietnam. Discountwebsites and ight search engines may offer somegood deals. Major airlines ying to Ho Chi Minh City or

Vietnam - FAQsHanoi include: Vietnam Airlines, Air France, United Air-lines, Lufthansa, Thai Airways, Qatar Airways, BangkokAirways and many more. Major airlines ying to Dan-ang International Airport include PB Air from Bangkokand Silk Air from Singapore.

BY LAND: Vietnam shares a border with China in thenorth (three border crossings), Laos in the west (threeborder crossings) and Cambodia in the south-west(three border crossings).

From China: Trains from Beijing to Hanoi pass by Nan-ning and Pinxiang in China and enter Vietnam at DongDang (north of Lang Son). There is also a road crossingknow as Huu Nghi in Lang Son province. Trains comingfrom Kunming cross the border at Lao Cai, in northwestVietnam. From Guangzhou, you will cross the borderat Mong Cai, a few hours drive from Halong and itsspectacular Bay.

From Laos: If you travel from Laos by road via Savan-nakhet and Sepon, you will get to Vietnam by the LaoBao (Vietnam) border crossing. This crossing links Laosto central Vietnam (Danang and Dong Ha). If you travelfrom Vientiane, you will cross Lak Sao before enteringVietnam by Cau Treo border crossing, in Ha Tinh Prov-ince (Vietnam). The Nam Can border crossing connectsNghe An Province (Vietnam) and Xieng Khuang Province(Laos).

From Cambodia: If you travel from Phnom Penh byspeedboat, you will enter Vietnam at Chau Doc, in theMekong Delta area. If you arrive from Cambodia by roadinto Ho Chi Minh City, you will enter Vietnam at MocBai, which connects Vietnams Tay Ninh Province withCambodias Svay Rieng Province. Border crossing atPrek Chak/Xaxia (close to Kep in Cambodia and Ha Tienin Vietnam) are now possible.

NOTE: You cannot obtain a visa on arrival at land bor-der-crossing points. If you enter Vietnam by land, youmust obtain the visa before arrival. Refer to our VISAsection below for more information.

ARRIVAL FORMALITIES/ VISA ON ARRIVAL

In case you are obtaining your pre-arranged visa onarrival please proceed to the Visa counter and read thevisa section.

ATMs for withdrawing Vietnamese Dong are available inmajor airports, hotels, towns and capitals of provincesthroughout Vietnam. Most ATMs have an English lan-guage version. Ask your tour guide for help when youneed to locate an ATM.

Comfortable lightweight clothing in natural fabrics suchas cotton is most suitable for traveling in Vietnam. Thedress code is fairly casual as in most parts of the trop-ics but it is advisable to cover arms and legs in theevenings against biting insects. A lightweight raincoatand umbrella are a good idea in the rainy season andan umbrella can also offer useful shade from the sun.

Evenings in the north and the center can be quite chillyso bring a sweater and a good jacket especially fromNovember to February. Visitors should not wear shorts,short skirts or other revealing clothing when visiting pa-godas and monasteries. Shoes must be removed beforeentering some religious building or a pr ivate home. It istherefore useful to wear shoes without too many lacesand which can easily be taken off.

Vietnam mainly uses 220V but in some areas, 110V isalso used. A mixture of at and round 2-pin outletsare used throughout the country. It is recommended tobring a universal plug adaptor.

No vaccinations are mandatorif you are coming from an arpresent. However visitors shoutyphoid, cholera, hepatitis A Malaria is present in most of visable to take precautions, ethe beaten track. Medical facilessential to take out a good mbefore traveling in case evacua

Consult your doctor for up-prescriptions for vaccinations,any reasonably foreseeable illnVietnam. Some vaccination cobe completed. If you plan to tayou usually need to start one wrecommend that you carry a personal medical requirementof glasses).

There are plenty of entertainment options in Vietnamand restaurants, bars and nightclubs open until lateat night/early in the morning. A wide variety of restau-rants are on offer, with everything from Vietnamese,Asian, Italian, French cuisine, etc. to fast food.

Vietnamese cuisine comes as a pleasant surprise tomany visitors and is denitely a part of the Vietnam ex-perience not to be missed. One of the characteristics ofVietnamese food is that it is always bought fresh fromthe market the same morning. Food is usually preparedwith a minimum of oil and served with the ubiquitoussh sauce called nuoc mam. Typical Vietnamese dishes

Most credit cards are accepted in Vietnam. Visa andMasterCard are the most widely accepted. JCB andAmerican Express are also accepted in some outlets.Not all hotels, commercial centers, shops and restau-rants accept credit cards. Check with the cashier beforemaking any purchases. Bear in mind that in some plac-es a surcharge applies for credit card purchases: Visaand MasterCard charge approximately 2.2% surcharge,

JCB: 2.75% surcharge, American Express: 4% surcharge.

NOTE: Surcharges can change without prior notice.Check the percentage charged before you pay.

you can expect to try include psoup eaten for breakfast, charolls and goi ngo sen, a delicioustems, shrimps and peanuts. Ddhist inuence in Vietnam, vavailable.


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HOURS OF BUSINESS

INTERNET

MONEY

POSTAL MAIL

RELIGION

SAFETY

SHOPPING TIPPING

TRANSPORTATION

TRAVELERS CHECK

TELEPHONE

TIME

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2011 - 2012

PHOTOGRAPHY

LANGUAGE

Ofces are usually open from Monday to Friday from07:30 or 08:00 until 17:00 or 18:00 and often close forlunch between 11:30 and 13:00. Some ofces also openon Saturday morning. Shops open early and close anytime between 18:00 and 22:00. Most shops are open 7days a week.

Normal print lms are available in Vietnam as well as

Major hotels have Business Centers with PCs connectedto the Internet. Some of them have wireless broadbandaccess in rooms or public areas. Cybercafs are avail-able everywhere and are easily found in major townsand cities. Prices are reasonable, usually below US$1per hour. Most Internet cafs are equipped with web-cams, headsets and microphones. Vietnam has an ex-ceptional amount of cafs and restaurants offering freeWIFI connections, if having a meal or a drink internetfees are waived.

The currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND).US Dollars and Euros are accepted in many hotels, res-taurants and shops. Banks are open Monday to Fridayfrom 08:00 to 05:00 and some on Saturday morning.In the major cities, some exchange ofces open longhours near places frequented by tourists and most ho-tels will change US Dollars and Euros at very reasonablerates.

For everyday expenses, we recommend carrying a mixof US Dollars and VND in cash. For larger items or whenthe exchange rate works in your favor, use US Dollars.For cyclos, local food stalls and small purchases, itsbest to use VND. In either case, make sure you alwayshave a stock of small notes so that you dont have toworry about change.

Postcards are sold at all main tourist sites and stampsare available from post ofces and some hotel recep-tion desks. A postcard to Europe costs VND 9,000 (0.5USD) to send and can take up to two weeks to reachthe country of destination.

Buddhism is the dominant religion in Vietnam and isusually combined with elements of Confucianism andTaoism. About 10% of the countrys population is Catho-lic and there are also communities of Protestants andMuslims. Vietnam is also home to a unique religioncalled Cao Dai, a religious cocktail of all the worldsmajor faiths.

Vietnam is a safe country to visit. As a global rule, neverleave your belongings unattended and always maintaineye contact or a rm grip on cameras and shoulderbags. Avoid cyclos late at night and choose reliablemetered taxi companies as they are really cheap andair-conditioned.

Souvenirs to look out for in Vietnam include lacquer-ware, silk, conical hats, woodcarvings, hill tribe fabricsand handicrafts, embroidery, marble, ceramics, silverjewelry, antique watches and paintings. Ho Chi MinhCity and Hanoi have the best choices when it comes toshopping but Hoi An is also a very good place to huntfor bargains.

Tipping for good service is noappreciated in a country whercome is quite low compared to customary to tip tour guides aa tour. Hotel and station porterDo not let the guide talk youyou plan to. It is totally up to and how much

Vietnamese law does not allowdrive a car. It is highly advisadriver who knows the roads anin case of any problems. Trafmay be very different to what y

Generally drivers do not spemight get lucky.

Banks such as CitiBank, ANZbank can change your traveleDollars but a commission applshops, hotels or restaurants acc

If you have worldwide coverage, you can bring yourown mobile phone and use it to make domestic or in-ternational calls. Check with your mobile phone pro-vider for the costs before using it abroad - it may beexpensive.

Most hotels now have IDD phones in rooms and it ispossible to send faxes from hotels and post ofces al-though these services are expensive. It may not alwaysbe possible to make international calls in remote areas.

Vietnam is GMT 7 and does not operate daylight-savingsystem.

January 1New Years Day

February 2 -5Tet or Vietnamese New Year. The actual dates vary fromyear to year according to the lunar calendar. Ofciallya three-day holiday but many businesses close downfor a full week. This is the busiest time of the year fortravelling in Vietnam and hotels, ights and trains areoften full.

April 12Hung Kings Birthday

The national language of Vietnam is Vietnamese. Inbig cities and in places with many tourists, people willspeak basic English. The younger generation will bemore adept at speaking English, while the older gen-eration still speaks some French. Because Vietnamese

has six different tones, it is a difcult language for mostforeigners to speak despite the fact that the Roman al-phabet is used in modern Vietnamese. The same wordcan have six different meanings depending on the toneused to pronounce it. Russian and Chinese are alsospoken by some people.

professional quality lms (like slide lms). Digital pho-tos can easily be downloaded and loaded onto a CD-Rom in case you run out of memory.

April 30Liberation of Saigon Day

May 1International Labor Day

September 2National Day


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VISAS

Most visitors to Vietnam require a visa to enter thecountry and all travelers must have a passport valid for6 months after their planned exit from Vietnam.

Exceptions: Nationals from Norway, Sweden, Denmark,Finland, and Russia traveling to Vietnam and stayingfor 15 days or less do not need to apply for entry visas,provided that their passport is valid for at least threemonths and they can show their return ticket. Thosewho wish to stay longer than 15 days will need to ap-ply for a visa.

Tourists holding ASEAN passports do not need a visa fora visit up to 30 days. Philippines passport holders do

not need a visa for a visit up to 21 days. Japanese andSouth Korean passport holders do not need a visa for avisit up to 15 days.

A tourist visa is normally a single entry visa, whichmeans that if you exit Vietnam (for example for a sidetrip to Cambodia), you will require a new visa to re-enter (or apply for a Multiple Entry Visa). The validity ofa Tourist Visa is 30 days and is normally a single entryvisa is given unless a multiple entry is requested.

There are 2 ways to obtain a visa:Case 1: Visa application in your country before depar-

ture

In case there is a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate inyour home town:

Apply directly at the Vietnamese embassy or consulate.The length of the process can vary.

In order to accelerate the process, bring the Approvalletter done by us (see below) your passport 2 recentpassport-sized photos and ll out the paperwork re-quired. Your visa can then be delivered much faster. Avisa stamping fee is charged locally. Fees vary from onecountry to another.

Note: A visa requested as a multi-entry at embassies

abroad is often issued as a single entry; it is recom-mended to double-check your visa stamp in passportwhen collecting your passport. Multiple entry visas canalso be arranged on arrival (Case 2).

Case 2: Pre-arranged Visa on arrival at internationalentry points

In case there is NO Vietnamese embassy or consulatein your home town:

Send us all passport details as required below and wewill process a pre-approval here from Vietnam. Bring

the Visa pick-up upon arrival approval letter (see be-low) to the airline check-in counter. Without this letterairlines may refuse you boarding.

On arrival in Vietnam, proceed to the Visa on Arrivalcounter at the airports. You will be asked to ll onemore form, give 2 photos and pay USD 25/person (Sin-gle entry) and USD 50/person (Multiple entry) in cashbefore the visa is stamped into your passport and be-fore going through passport control.

Such a procedure is possible at the international air-ports in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon and Danang)and at the land border of Moc Bai (coming from Cambo-dia near Ho Cho Minh City here you need the ORIGINALpaper and a copy will not be accepted please allow for

extra time to have original sent to you by DHL).

Before departure, prepare some bank notes in US Dol-lars to pay the visa stamping fee on arrival.

For both cases mentioned above Exotissimo can fa-cilitate the visa application procedure and obtain thenecessary visa pre-approval from the Vietnamese Immi-gration Department in advance. We need the followingdetails from all applicants:

- Full name as it appears in your passport- Date of birth DD/MM/YY

- Gender- Passport number- Issue date and expiry date of your passport- Place of issue (e.g. Paris, France)- Case 1: Location where you collect the visa, e.g. Viet-nam embassy in Paris.- Case 2: Arrival date and ight number (e.g. 24th ofMarch 2009 by Vietnam Airlines ight VN532) and Portof entry (e.g. Ho Chi Minh City, Tan Son Nhat airport)We will send you in time the ofcial document issuedby the Vietnamese Immigration department. In Case 1it is an Approval letter, in Case 2 it is a Visa pick-upupon arrival approval letter. The approval process us u-ally takes 5-7 working days. A processing fee is chargedfor this service. In urgent cases (less than 5 days) anexpress surcharge will be charged.

In urgent cases (less than 5 days) an express surchargeof USD 20 will be charged.

A supplement for DHL fees will be charged in case youneed the original document (land crossing Moc Bai fromCambodia to Vietnam).

NOTE: All the above information may change withoutprior notice. It remains the travelers responsibility toverify whether or not you are subject to a tourist visafor Vietnam.

WEATHER

Hanoi and the north of Vietnam have distinct winter andsummer seasons. The mainly dry winter lasts from No-vember to April with average temperatures of 18-20C.Summer lasts from May to October and is hot and hu-mid with temperatures around 30C. Hue and Danang,in the center of the country, see very hot, dry weatherfrom February to August with temperatures reachingthe mid-30sC, but can experience some heavy rainfallbetween September and January. Ho Chi Minh City andthe south have a hot, dry season from December tillApril with average temperatures hovering around 28Cand a warm rainy season from May to November. In therainy season, most rain comes in short, heavy bursts.

There is good weather somewhere in Vietnam all yearround! Vietnam stretches over 2000 km from North toSouth. The climate differs all year round from one re-gion to another. The North can be chilly during wintermonths (December to March). North and Central Viet-nam can encounter tropical storms and typhoons fromOctober to January. Overall, the north of Vietnam ex-periences more marked seasons than the rest of thecountry with two distinct seasons: wet and dry.

The South, including Ho Chi Minh City and the MekongDelta, benets from sunshine and warm weather allyear round. However, the rainy season lasts from May

to November (with showers oneral) and a dry season from Central Highlands can be chi sometimes hot - weather all season from the end of Septem

Unless you intend to visit frienily, we do not recommend visLunar New Year or Tet holidfalls between late January and Fimportant period of the year fotake time off to visit their famAll hotels, buses, trains and is almost no activity in the mahotels and restaurants are undcases the quality of the service

of reduced activity may last frweek after the Tet period. It is visa authorization letter proc

WATER

It is not advisable to drink taperal water is safe and availableprovide a complimentary bottper person in the room. Ice cubokay in good standard hotels abest to avoid it on street stalls o


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EXOTISSIMO TRAVEL VIETNAM

Ho Chi Minh City - Main Ofce261-263 Phan Xich Long StreetPhu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City, VIETNAMTel: +84 (0) 8 3995 9898Fax: +84 (0) 8 3995 9184/5Email: go [dot] vietnam [at] exotissimo [dot] com

Hanoi - Branch Ofce26 Tran Nhat Duat StreetHanoi, VIETNAMTel: +84 (0) 4 3828 2150Fax: +84 (0) 4 3828 2146Email: go [dot] vietnam [at] exotissimo [dot] com

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