Weather & When to go ?

Vietnam spans several climatic zones, resulting in substantial weather condition variations between the north and the south. Average temperatures year round range from 20 to 35 degrees Celsius so there is no particularly good or bad time to visit Vietnam.

 

 

In southern Vietnam: there are two seasons

+ The Wet season : from May to November
Average temperatures : 25 to 35 degrees Celsius
Humidity ranges between 75% and 85%
Rain : Downpour 4 to 10 times / a week
Sun : Scorching sun everyday

+ The Dry season : from December to April
Average temperatures : 20 to 26 degrees Celsius
Humidity ranges between 65% and 75%
Rain : Drizzle down 10 to 20 times / a week
Sun : Light Sun everyday

In north Vietnam : there are four seasons

+ Spring : Febraury, March, April
Average temperatures : 18 to 24 degrees Celsius
Humidity ranges between 40% and 55%
Rain : Drizzle down 15 to 25 times / a week
Sun : Light Sun some days

+ Summer : May, June, July
Average temperatures : 28 to 36 degrees Celsius
Humidity ranges between 75% and 85%
Rain : Downpour 4 to 6 times / a week
Sun : Scorching Sun almost everyday

+ Autumn : August, September, October
Average temperatures : 20 to 28 degrees Celsius
Humidity ranges between 45% and 55%
Rain : autumn rain 2 to 4 times / a week
Sun : autumn Sun, almost everyday

+ Winter : November, December ,January
Average temperatures : 10 to 25 degrees Celsius
Humidity ranges between 35% and 40%
Rain : Drizzle down 4 to 6 times / a week
Sun : Light Sun some days

 

High tourist seasons : in Vietnam runs from November to March
Lower tourist seasons : in Vietnam runs from April to September

You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).  You can also access http://www.nhc.noaa.gov for updates

 

Money & Cost

You should bring enough money for your stay. US$ are most widely accepted. Credit cards are becoming more widely accepted, but outside main centres you may find cash the only acceptable currency and find it difficult to cash travellers’ cheques. ATM distribution is still poor and limited to the major cities and tourist areas. It is possible to have funds transferred to Vietnam via international money transfer companies.

The cost of travel in Vietnam varies from pocket change to the platinum card, depending on taste and comfort. Ascetics could just about get by US$20 a day, while a conventional budget traveller can live it up from US$20 to US$50.
Midrange travelers can have a ball from US$50 to US$100 a day, staying comfortably, eating well and travelling comfortably.
At the top end, spending US$200 or more a day, anything is possible.

Dining out is where Vietnam comes into its own. Surfing the street stalls and markets, meals can be found for between US$1 and US$5 ( try it if you have your metal stomach) . Local restaurants are more comfortable and you can eat well for between US$10 and US$20
Then there are the Vietnamese gourmet restaurants, where you can still only spend around US$20 with drinks; with the right wines you could easily spend US$50 to 100.

Activities

If you are looking for action, Vietnam can increasingly deliver. Biking and hiking are taking off up and down the country , while offshore there is kayaking and surfing above the water and diving and snorkelling beneath. If it all sounds like too much hard work , rent a motorbike and let the engine take the strain

List Activities by destination :

- Sapa Mountain : Trekking , climbing, biking, homestay
- Hanoi Capital : Cyclo ( rickshaw), biking, golfing
- Halong Bay : Kayaking during cruising
- Hue : Biking, Bird watching
- Hoi An & Nha Trang & Mui Ne beaches - Phu Quoc island : Kayaking, wind surfing, diving, snorkelling, golfing
- Ho Chi Minh : Cyclo ( rickshaw), biking, golfing
- Mekong Delta : Cycling, trekking, homestay

Insurance is a must for Vietnam, as the cost of major medical treament is prohibitive. A travel insurance policy to cover theft, loss and medical proplems is the best bet

TRAVEL INSURANCE ADVICE

Unfortunately things can go wrong on holiday. You could fall ill or have an accident; you could have money or luggage stolen; your visit might be cancelled or cut short through injury or illness; your family may need to fly out to be with you if there is a serious incident.
Costs - particularly medical treatment costs - can easily run into thousands of dollars. Local medical facilities are unable to provide the full range of medical services available in developed countries making evacuation a requirement in many non life threatening medical emergencies. The costs of relocation as well as local international standard care are extremely high. In the most serious emergencies, you may not be positioned to authorise payment for an appropriate medical response that is urgently required. This may delay or prevent the provision of critical and possibly life saving medical attention.
Market surveys show that many people don't take insurance. People believe that their credit card accident cover, home insurance, or private health cover is sufficient. However, it is unlikely that these will give adequate cover. If you do not already have a policy we urge you to take out insurance as soon as you make a booking with us to ensure you have adequate cancellation cover.
Know what your policy covers and check that the cover is adequate.
If in doubt ask your insurer.

What should my travel insurance policy cover
• medical and health cover for an injury or sudden illness abroad – more infomation on medical and health cover
• 24 hour emergency service and assistance
• personal liability cover in case you’re sued for causing injury or damaging property
• lost and stolen possessions cover
• cancellation and curtailment (cutting short your trip) cover
• extra cover for activities that are commonly excluded from standard policies, such as jet skiing.

The policy should cover the whole time that you’re away.
Your policy may also have:

• personal accident cover
• legal expenses cover
• financial protection if your airline goes bankrupt before or during your trip.
Many insurers will extend cover if you ask them. If not, shop around for a specialist policy.

Common travel insurance policy exclusions
Always check the conditions and exclusions of your policy:
• most policies will not cover drink or drug-related incidents
• you must take reasonable care of your possessions or your policy will not cover you.

Travel insurance buying tips
• shop around to find a good price and the right product rather than opting to travel without cover
• cheaper policies will usually have less cover – for some the price seems most important, but is it worth the initial saving?
• consider annual multi-trip insurance if you make several trips a year – you’ll save time and money.

Cancelling or cutting a trip short
A good insurance policy will cover you for cancelling or cutting a trip short. Check carefully to see exactly what you’re covered for:
• accident
• illness
• pregnancy (unknown when you buy the policy)
• jury service or witness summons
• home emergency: fire, storm or flood, burglary
• redundancy
• strikes
• bad weather – affects the departure of flights and ships.

Ensure your policy:
• will refund the full cost of your holiday
• pays out if you need to cancel or cut short a trip because you fall ill for example
• covers pre-paid expenses such as excursions
• covers extra costs incurred to get home

Personal liability insurance
If you accidentally cause an injury to someone or damage their property they may sue you. Good travel insurance will cover you for personal liability.

Personal accident cover – disability and death
Travel insurance can cover a personal accident payment made for permanent disability or death.

Cover for stolen, lost or damaged possessions
You can normally choose the limit in your policy. Limits for single items such as cameras and jewellery can vary from as little as US$250 up to US$1000 or more. Check these limits are adequate and realistic.
You should report a loss to the Police within 24 hours. Proof of notification will be required when you make your claim.
All insurance policies say that you must take care of your belongings at all times. If you don’t, the policy may not pay out.
Tip: take as much care of your property as if it were uninsured.

Lost baggage on flights
Do not rely on compensation from an airline if it loses your luggage.
By law, airlines only have to pay a specified minimum value per kilo of lost luggage. This is unlikely to cover the full value of your things.

Legal expenses cover
Taking out legal expenses cover will help you to pursue compensation or damages following personal injury while you're abroad – very important in countries without a legal aid system.

Internet

Today the internet is widely available throughout towns and cities in Vietnam. There is everything from trendy cybercafe’s to computer terminals in the lobbies of hotels and guesthouses, plus public internet access in many Vietnamese post offices. Many of the budget and midrange hotels in major cities offer free internet in the lobby. Some even offer free access in the room for those travelling with a laptop. The cost of internet access generally ranges from 3000d to 20,000d per hour, depending on where you are and what the competition is like. Printing usually costs around 1000d per page and scanning about 2000d a page.
Wifi access is spreading fast. Hanoi, HCMC and other big towns have plenty of cafes and bars offering free access. Many of the leading hotels also offer wifi, but in keeping with the four or five-star tradition, it is not a free service. For laptop travellers with older machines, check out the prepaid internet-access cards that can provide you with nationwide dial up to the net. FPT is one of Vietnam's largest ISPs, and its internet card is sold in most cities. Remember that the power supply voltage will vary from that at home. The best investment is a universal AC adapter, which will enable you to plug it in anywhere without frying the innards of your equipment.

Phone & Mobile Phone

You will almost certainly be able to use your existing mobile phone on in Vietnam, assuming it is a GPRS SIM card model. You should check to see if it's locked to your home network but even then, it's cheap and straightforward to have it unlocked in Vietnam, meaning you'll then be able to use it on, any network in the World.

The three big players in the cellular market are Vinafone, Viettel and Mobiphone. Competition is fierce and there is little to distinguish between them in terms of price and coverage, so take your pick of the promotions... and there are always promotions. Calls are normally very cheap, including international rates

If you use your mobile phone with internation number roaming,please folow contruction below to make a phone call:

- Call to : Desk Phone ( IDD ) = +84 & city code & number
Example : call to 22425892 in Hanoi , do follow : +84 4 22425892 (04 is hanoi city code, or 08 is Ho Chi Minh code, please remove 0 when you call)
- Call to : Mobile phone = +84 & number
Example : Call to 0988823458 do folow : +84 988823458 ( 09********** please remove 0 when you call )

If you Pre-paid Vietnam SIM cards . please folow contruction below to make a phone call :

- Call to : Desk Phone ( IDD ) = city code & number
Example : call to 22425892 in Hanoi , do follow : 04 22425892 (04 is hanoi city code, or 08 is Ho Chi Minh code)
- Call to : Mobile phone
Example : Call to 0988823458 do folow : 0988823458

Safety & Security

Vietnam is generally a safe country, however petty street crime is on the rise as tourist numbers increase. In Ho Chi Minh City we recommend that as little jewellery as possible is worn and that when on the street your spending money is kept close to your body in a secure place. We further recommended that you take taxis rather than cyclos at night. Taxis are metered and inexpensive. Carry a hotel card so that you can show your taxi driver where you want to go. You should leave valuables in hotel safety deposit boxes at all times and carry photocopies of your passport, credit card numbers, and airline tickets, and keep a record of your encashed travellers cheques. These papers should be kept in a safe place separate from the originals

Official Country personnel and tourists are sometimes not authorized to travel to the Central Highland areas without prior consent from the Government of Vietnam. These travel limitations may hinder the ability of the Government to provide assistance to private all tourist in those areas.

all tourist have been detained after traveling in areas close to the Vietnamese borders with China, Cambodia and Laos. These areas are not always marked, and there are no warnings about prohibited travel. Travelers should avoid such areas unless written permission is obtained in advance from local authorities.
Large gatherings, such as those forming at the scene of traffic accidents, can become violent, and should be avoided.

Beggar Fatigue
Just as you're about to dig into the scrumptious Vietnamese meal you've ordered, you feel a tug on your shirt sleeve. This latest 'annoyance' is a bony, eight-year-old boy holding his three-year-old sister in his arms. The little girl has a distended stomach and her hungry eyes are fixed on your full plate. This is the face of poverty. How do you deal with these situations? If you're like most of us, not very well. Taking the matter into your own hands by giving out money or gifts to people on the streets can cause more damage than good. The more people are given hand-outs, the more reliant and attracted to life on the streets they become. When money is tight. people recognise that life on the streets is no longer so fruitful. This will hopefully discourage parents and 'pimps' forcing children and beggars onto the streets. One way to contribute and help improve the situation is to invest just a few hours to find out about local organisations that work with disadvantaged people; these groups are far more likely to make sure contributions are used in the most effective way possible to help those who need it. However, if you want to do something on the spot, at least avoid giving money or anything that can be sold. The elderly and the young are easily controlled and are ideal begging tools. If you are going to give something directly to a beggar, it's better to give food than money; take them to a market or stall and buy them a nutritious meal or some fruit to be � sure they are the only beneficiaries.

Prostitution
Karaoke clubs and massage parlours are ubiquitous throughout Vietnam. Sometimes this may mean an 'orchestra without instruments', or a healthy massage to ease a stiff body. However, more often than not, both of these terms are euphemisms for some sort of prostitution. There may be some singing or a bit of shoulder tweaking going on, but ultimately it is just a polite introduction to something naughtier. Legitimate karaoke and legitimate massage do exist in the bigger cities, but as a general rule of thumb, if the place looks small and sleazy, it most probably is.

Scams
Con artists and thieves are always seeking new tricks to separate naive tourists from their money and are becoming more savvy in their ways. We can't warn you about every trick you might encounter, so maintain a healthy scepticism and be prepared to argue when unnecessary demands are made for your money. Beware of a motorbike-rental scam that some travellers have encountered in HCMC. Rent a motorbike and the owner supplies an excellent lock, insisting you use it. What he doesn't tell you is that he has another key and that somebody will follow you and 'steal' the bike at the first opportunity.You then have to pay for a new bike, as per the signed contract. More common is when your motorbike won't start after you parked it in a "safe' area with a guard. But yes, the guard knows somebody who can repair your bike. The mechanic shows up and quickly reinstalls the parts they removed earlier and the bike works again. That will be US$10, please. Beware of massage boys who, after a price has been agreed upon, try to extort money from you afterwards by threatening to set the police on you (these threats are generally empty ones). The most common scam most visitors encounter is the oldest in the book. The hotel of choice is 'closed' or 'full', but the helpful taxi driver will take you somewhere else. This has been perfected in Hanoi, where there are often several hotels with the same name in the same area. Book by telephone or email in advance and stop the scammers in their tracks. Despite an array of scams, however, it is important to keep in mind the Vietnamese are not always out to get you. One concerning trend we're noticing in Vietnam, relative to neighbouring countries such as Cambodia and Laos, is a general lack of trust in the locals on the part of foreigners. Try to differentiate between who is good and bad and do not close yourself off to every person you encounter.

 

Theft
The Vietnamese are convinced that their cities are full of criminals. Street crime is commonplace in HCMC and Nha Trang, and on the rise in Hanoi, so it doesn't hurt to keep the antennae up wherever you are. HCMC is the place to really keep your wits about you. Don't have anything dangling from your body that you are not ready to part with, including bags and jewellery, which might tempt a robber. Keep an eye out for drive-by thieves on motorbikes - they specialise in snatching handbags and cameras from tourists on foot and taking cyclos in the city. Pickpocketing, which often involves kids, women with babies and newspaper vendors, is also a serious problem, especially in the tourist areas of HCMC. Many of the street kids, adorable as they may be, are very skilled at liberating people from their wallets. Avoid putting things down while you're eating, or at least take the precaution of fastening these items to your seat with a strap or chain. Remember, any luggage that you leave unattended for even a moment may grow legs and vanish. There are also 'taxi girls' (sometimes trans-vestites) who approach Western men, give them a big hug, often more, and ask if they'd like 'a good time". Then they suddenly change their mind and depart, along with a mobile phone and wallet. We have also had reports of people being drugged and robbed on long-distance buses. It usually starts with a friendly passenger offering a free Coke, which turns out to be a chloral-hydrate cocktail. You wake up hours later to find your valuables and new-found 'friend' gone. Despite all this, don't be overly paranoid. Although crime certainly exists and you need ro be aware of it, theft in Vietnam does not seem to be any worse than what you'd expect anywhere else. Don't assume that everyone's a thief- most Vietnamese arc poor, but honest

 

CRIME: Cities in Vietnam have the crime problems typical of many other large cities throughout the world. Pick-pocketing and other petty crimes occur regularly. Although violent crimes such as armed robbery are still relatively rare in Vietnam, perpetrators have grown increasingly bold, and We has received recent reports of knives and razors being used in attempted robberies in Ho Chi Minh City. Thieves congregate around hotels frequented by foreign tourists and business people, and assaults have been reported in outlying areas. The evolving nature of incidents warrants caution on the part of the tourist traveler. Travelers are advised not to resist theft attempts, and to report them both to police and to Your. Embassy in Hanoi or Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City

Motorcyclists are known to snatch bags, cameras and other valuables from pedestrians or passengers riding in "cyclos" (pedicabs) or riding on the back of rented motorcycles. Serious injuries have resulted when thieves snatched purses or bags that were strapped across their victims' bodies, resulting in the victim being dragged along the ground by the thief's motorcycle.

Passengers riding in cyclos (pedicabs) may be especially prone to thefts of personal possessions by snatch-and-grab thieves, because they ride in a semi-reclining position that readily exposes their belongings and does not allow good visibility or movement. As some cyclo drivers have reportedly kidnapped passengers and extorted money, it may be risky to hire cyclos not associated with reputable hotels or restaurants.

Travelers are strongly advised to keep passports and other important valuables in hotel safes or other secure locations. Travelers are advised to carry a photocopy of their passport with them when going out. The loss or theft abroad of traveller's passport should be reported immediately to the local police and Your Embassy or the Your. Consulate General. Travellers must obtain a police report from the local police office in order to apply for a replacement passport and a Vietnamese exit visa.

Travelers should take precaution in choosing ground transportation upon arrival at the airports in Hanoi and HCMC. Some travelers have reported being robbed by drivers who had greeted them upon arrival with a placard showing the traveler's name. If one is expecting to be picked up, ensure that the driver truly knows who they are picking up and where they are taking them. It is best to stick with only airport taxis or vehicles provided by hotels. Several times in the past year in Hanoi, people have been extorted by taxi drivers who took them from the airport to flophouses masquerading as hotels. Travelers should be familiar with the hotel they have chosen.

There have been occasional reports of incidents in which an unknown substance was used to taint drinks, leaving the victim susceptible to further criminal acts. Travelers are advised to avoid leaving drinks or food unattended and to avoid going to unfamiliar venues alone. Travelers should also avoid purchasing liquor from street vendors, as the quality of the contents cannot be assured.

Government Travel Advice

The following government websites offer travel advisories and information on current hot spots.

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs The department's role is to advance the interests of Australia and Australians internationally. This involves working to strengthen Australia's security; enhancing Australia's prosperity; and helping Australian travellers and Australians overseas.
The department provides foreign and trade policy advice to the government. We work with other government agencies to ensure that Australia's pursuit of its global, regional and bilateral interests is coordinated effectively.

British Foreign Office : Travel advice and tips for British travellers on staying safe abroad and what help the FCO can provide if something goes wrong

Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs

US State Department The State Department’s Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management (ACS) administers the Consular Information Program, which informs the public of conditions abroad that may affect their safety and security. Country Specific Information, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings are vital parts of this program.

 

 

 

Health

The significant improvement in Vietnam's economy has brought with it some major advances in public health. Rural areas can still pose a problem when it comes to finding good health care, however; although foreigners with hard cash will receive the best treatment available, even bars of gold cannot buy blood tests or X-rays when the local clinic doesn't even have a thermometer or any aspirin. If you become seriously ill in rural Vietnam, get to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) or Hanoi as quickly as you can. Government hospitals in Vietnam are overcrowded and basic. In order to treat foreigners, a facility needs to obtain a special license and so far only a few have been provided. The private clinics in Hanoi and HCMC should be your first port of call. They are familiar with the local resources and can organise evacuations if necessary. The contact details of the best medical facilities in Vietnam are listed in the Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Hospitals

Medical Kit

We also suggest you bring a simple medical kit. Your doctor should advise you what to include, however as a minimum we suggest you bring:

Aspirin or paracetamol (for pain or fever)
Antihistamines (for allergies and itches)
Cold and flu tablets
Anti diarrhea medication
Something appropriate for nausea and vomiting
Rehydration mixture (to prevent dehydration)
Insect repellant
Antiseptic and bandages
Sunscreen and lip balm
Antibiotics (discuss with your doctor)
As part of our travel registration process at the start of any journey with Relaxl Indochina, you will be asked to declare any serious pre-existing medical conditions or allergies.

Hanoi Medical service :

* Hanoi family Medical Practice (Tell: 3843 0748, 24hr emergency service 090-340 1919; Van Phuc Diplomatic Compound, 1 Pho Kim Ma) Includes a team of well-respected international physicians. Prices are good, keep checking your medical insurance is in order.
*French Embassy Clinic (Tell: 3825 2719 ; 49 Pho Ba Trieu) 24-hour clinic for French nationals.
* SOS International Clink (Tell:3934 05.55; fax 3934 0556; 31 Pho Hai Ba Trung; 8am-7pm Mon-Fri, 8am-2pm Sat, emergency 24hr) International chain of clinics with annual policies for expats living In Vietnam. English, French and Japanese are spoken.
*Viet Duc Hospital (Benh Vien Viet Duc ; Tell: 3825 3531; 40 Pho Trang Thi; 24hr ) Old Quarter unit for emergency surgery; the doctors here speak English, French and German.
* Vietnam-Korea Friendship Clinic (Tell: 3843 7231; 12 Chu Van An ; 9am-noon & 2-5pm Mon-Fri) Anyone crazy enough to travel without insurance should head here. This nonprofit clinic is the cheapest in town

Ho Chi Minh Medical sevice:

*Emergency Centre: 266 LyT huongKiet Rd.,Dist.10 Tel: 863 9139 Open 24 hours, doctors speak English and French.
*Franco -Vietnamese Hospital: 6 Nguyen Luong Bang Rd. , Dist 7 Tel: 411 3333
*International Medical Centre : 520 Nguyen Tri Phuong Rd . , Dist. 10 Tel: 865 4025

Baggage & Clothing:

Please ensure that your luggage is of a standard size (preferably soft bags) as backpacks or soft cases are only permitted on our journeys. It should be clearly labelled and not exceed the airline’s own limitations. Any flight (both domestic and international) has a luggage limit of 20kg per person. If you have made your own flight arrangements, please check the luggage allowance directly with the airline. Luggage limits on airlines are strictly enforced and space on vehicles and trains is limited. . If you are doing a lot of shopping during your travels, it may be necessary for you to forward any excess to the city where your tour concludes, or ship purchases directly home.
Keeping the amount of luggage you carry in check will ensure your safety and comfort, and the comfort of your fellow travelers. Please note you may be required to carry your own luggage at times. Porterage is not included in the cost of your journey. Please ensure you pay porters around 1USD per person for carrying your luggage. Should you wish to avoid such payments, please carry and take responsibility for your luggage.
Comfortable casual clothes made of cotton are best in tropical and semi tropical climates – packing one set of smart casual clothes is advisable. Laundry services are available throughout the country, although hotel laundry costs can be expensive.

We suggest you include:
Flat walking shoes and sandals
Hat & sunglasses
Jumper/coat/thermals - if visiting in winter
Bathers
Money belt
Raincoat or umbrella
Basic first aid kit (see below)
Insect repellent
Alarm clock
Small torch
Swiss Army pocketknife
Power adapter
Women’s sanitary products
Ear plugs and eye patches for the train
Please note that airlines insist all sharp items (knives, scissors, nail clippers etc.) are packed in your ‘check-in’ luggage. Alcohol is no longer permitted onboard domestic flights and must also be stored in your check-in luggage.

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. Electric plug types vary throughout the country, however the two-rounded pin standard Asian plug is usable in most parts of the country

There are three main types of voltage converter. Resistor-network converters will usually be advertised as supporting something like 50-1600 Watts. They are light-weight and support high-wattage electrical appliances like hair dryers and irons. However, they can only be used for short periods of time and are not ideal for digital devices.

Transformers will have a much lower maximum Watt rating, usually 50 or 100. Transformers can often be used continuously and provide better electricity for low wattage appliances like battery chargers, radios, laptop computers, cameras, mp3 players and camcorders. However, they are heavy because they contain large iron rods and lots of copper wire.

Some companies sell combination converters that include both a resistor network and a transformer in the same package. This kind of converter will usually come with a switch that switches between the two modes. If you absolutely need both types of converter, then this is the type to buy.

Vietnam Plug Adapters and Outlet Shapes
Outlets in Vietnam generally accept 3 types of plug:

Flat blade plug & Two round pins & Two parallel flat pins with ground pin

 

 

 

If your appliances plug has a different shape, you may need a plug adapter.
Depending on how much you plan to travel in the future, it may be worthwhile to get a plug adapter
Ask someone to help you to buy a plug adapter in Vietnam, it is easy to buy it or can find them out at any Electricity Store along streets, cost 1 or 2 cent

Plug adapter

 

 

 

 

Tipping

If you are happy with the services provided by your local staff as a guides and drivers and hotel' staff.... a tip is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, tipping inspires great service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across Vietnam destinations. As a general guide on private tours, please allow 3USD to 5USD per day per traveller for each of your local guide and driver. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip

 

 

Photography

Print film is widely available and of good quality at $US3 to $US4 per roll. Vietnam has good, fast, and inexpensive film processing facilities. Slide films and Hi8/V8 video cassettes are not widely available outside Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. X-ray machines at airports are film safe. With Digital Camera , it is a good way to burn your pictures to CD , it cost : max US $2 / 1 CD ( 700MB) to save your Flash Card for next photos

and Memory Card is very cheap in Vietnam with multi type of Card

Cost : 2 GB = US$20 , 1 GB = US$10, 10GB = US$40

Vietnam Shopping.

Vietnam has some fantastic shopping opportunities so it is well worth setting aside half a day or more to properly peruse. Hotspots include Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City, each of which has a tempting selection of everything from avant-garde art to sumptuous silk suits. Some of the best buys on the block include gorgeous glazed pottery, classic lanterns, 'almost' antiques, embroidered tablecloths, fine furnishings, and lavish silk and linen creations in designer boutiques.

Bargaining
Some bargaining is essential in most tourist transactions. Remember that in Asia 'saving face' is important, so bargaining should be good-natured. Smile and don't get angry or argue. In some cases you will be able to get a 50% discount or more, at other times this may only be 10%. And once the money is accepted. the deal is done. Don't waste time getting stressed if you find out someone else got it for less, it is about paying the price that is right for you, not always the 'right' price.
Do the follow :
* Bargaining to get to get a 50% discount with street shops
* Bargaining to get to get a 20% discount with paiting shops
* Bargaining to get to get a 40% discount with clothes shops
* Bargaining to get to get a 36% discount with other items

Art & Antiques
There are several good shops to hunt for art and antiques, but Vietnam has strict regulations on the export of real antiques, so be sure the items are allowed out of the country. Most reputable shops can provide the necessary paperwork. Both traditional and modern paintings are a popular item. Cheaper mass-produced stuff is touted in souvenir shops and by street vendors. More sophisticated works are displayed in art galleries, with paintings from US$50 to US$5000, but some of the hottest Vietnamese artiste now fetch up to 10 times that. It's important to know that there are forgeries around - just because you spot a painting by a 'famous Vietnamese artist' does not mean that it's an original. A Vietnamese speciality is the 'instant antique', such as a teapot or ceramic dinner plate, with a price tag of around US$10. Of course, it's OK to buy fake antiques as long as you aren't paying genuine prices.

Clothing
Forget the rubber sandals and pith helmets, Vietnam is emerging as a regional design centre and there are some extravagant creations in the boutiques of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. Beautiful silk dresses cost a fraction of what they would at home, and men can get in on the action with some flamboyant shirts or sharp suits. Ao dai (ow-zai in the north, ow-yai in the south) is the national dress for Vietnamese women and is a popular item to take home. Ready-made ao dai cost from US$ 20 to US$30, but custom numbers can cost a lot more but may be required due to sizing differentiation. There are ao dai tailors nationwide, but those in the tourist centres are more familiar with foreigners. These days more and more hill-tribe gear is winding its way to shops in Hanoi and HCMC. It is brightly patterned stuff, but you may need to set the dyes yourself (try to soak the clothes in some salty water overnight) so those colours don't bleed all over the rest of your clothes. Alternatively, put it in a plastic bag and wait until you get home. Women all over the country wear conical hats to keep the sun off their faces, though they also function as umbrellas in the rain. The best-quality conical hats are produced in the Hue area. T-shirts are ever popular items with travellers. A printed shirt starts from US$ 4 while an embroidered design will cost about US$ 6.

Handicrafts
Hot items on the tourist market include lac-querware, boxes and wooden screens with mother-of-pearl inlay, colourful embroidery, silk greeting cards, wood-block prints, oil paintings, watercolours, blinds made of hanging bamboo beads, reed mats. carpets, jewellery and leatherwork.

War Souvenirs
In places frequented by tourists, it's easy to buy what looks like equipment left over from the American War. However, almost all of these items are reproductions and your chances of finding anything original are slim. The fake Zippo lighters engraved with platoon philosophy are still one of the hottest-selling items. You can pay extra to get one that's been beat up to look like a war relic, or just buy a brand-new shiny one for less.

Important Dates Affecting Touring, And Compulsory Meals

01 Jan 2006 - International New Year's Day:
Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses. Road traffic will likely be heavy in the evening in Ho Chi Minh City.
28 Jan 2006 - Lunar New Year’s Eve:
Road traffic is likely to be heavy in the evening in Ho Chi Minh City.
Compulsory dinner charge levied by the Victoria in Sapa, Hoi An, Phan Thiet, Can Tho and Chau Doc at USD 30.00/pax.
29 Jan - 31 Jan 2006 - Lunar New Year:
Banks and public offices will be closed, as will most businesses. Re-unification Palace will be closed on New Year’s Eve. Cao Dai Temples (including the temple in Tay Ninh) will be closed 6 days before the Lunar New Year. Floating Markets in the Mekong Delta will not operate. Factories will not operate.
30 Apr 2006 - Independence Day:
Public holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses. Road traffic is likely to be heavy in the evening in Ho Chi Minh City.
01 May 2006 - Labor Day:
Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses. Road traffic is likely to be heavy in the evening in Ho Chi Minh City.
02 Sep 2006 - National Day:
Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses. Road traffic is likely to be heavy in the evening in Ho Chi Minh City.
24 Dec 2006 - Christmas Eve:
Not a public holiday.
Compulsory dinner charge levied by all Hotels & Reosrts 4 & 5 star at USD 40.00/pax.
31 Dec 2006 - International New Year's Eve:
Not a public holiday. Road traffic will likely be heavy in the evening in Ho Chi Minh City.
Compulsory dinner charge levied by all Hotels & Reosorts 4 & 5 star at USD 50.00/pax.

Women Travellers

Like Thailand and other predominantly Buddhist countries, Vietnam is relatively free of serious hassles for Western women. But it is a different story for some Asian women, particularly those who are young. It's not un-common for an Asian woman accompanied by a Western male to be stereotyped as a Vietnamese prostitute. The fact that the couple could be married, or friends, doesn't seem to occur to everyone, or that the woman may not be Vietnamese at all. Asian women travelling in Vietnam with a Western male companion have occasionally reported verbal abuse. However, there's no need to be overly paranoid, as locals are becoming more accustomed to seeing Asian women. Things have improved as more Vietnamese people are exposed to foreign visitors. Sanitary napkins are available in larger cities, though tampons are harder to find.