destionation of Vietnam
Practical Information
Money
1. Vietnamese dong is the national circulation medium, but US dollar is widely accepted, and in some parts of north, Chinese Yuan (RMB) can also be used. Exchanging money is easy in Vietnam, but watch out for frauds.
2. Some of the Vietnamese dong bills look similar for the alike colors, so attention and double-check should be paid in shopping.
Health
If you get sick during your Vietnam tour, just don’t worry! Most of the big cities in Vietnam have standard hospitals where you can get in-time care. English-speaking doctors and nurses are professional and quite devotional for your health. Call up 115 if you are in an emergency.
Insurance
Due to procedural difficulties and budgetary constraints, ITU is not able to bear the cost of insurance for the participants, any medical expenses or any other expenses. ITU therefore requests your Administrations/organizations to kindly make necessary arrangements for insurance and medical coverage of your participants before travel.
Airport Tax
Airport Tax amounting to 14USD is to be paid at the time of departure.
Communications
1. Bikes, motorcycles, cars and other transportation are all jammed up in the streets, so please be extra careful when you cross the street and do always let the cars go first.
2.Trishaws are convenient but sometimes they can also be annoying and dangerous. So say No firmly and go away immediately if you don’t need one.
3.Internet service is great and cheap in Vietnam. Wireless is available in most area in the country.
Tips
Tips, although not strictly required in every city, are highly appreciated and always with a smile in return. Standards of tipping depend on the local consumptive level.
Watch-outs
1. Go easy on the food and drinks from the roadside stalls.
2. Rip-offs happen sometimes, so please make sure of the prices before getting the actual service.
3. Scams involving so-called party invitations, “for the monks” money donations and other stuff occur from time to time. Keep your wits with you, and keep an eye on the ones approaching for no reason, and you are safe to go.
4. Some certain regions still require permits to visit ( some minority villages in Buon Ma Thuot, for example), contact your travel consultant or guide to get these valuable bits of paper.
5. Haggle works in the shops. Try to avoid the black marketers while exchanging money or shopping. Don’t forget to double check your money after the deals.
Taboos
1. Greeting:
Handshake with both hands is often used in greeting while hugging and kissing are rarely seen. Greeting the elders first is considered polite and important.
2. Visiting private homes:
A gift while visiting goes a long way. Gifts should be wrapped in colorful paper. Never give handkerchiefs, anything black, or yellow flowers.
At the table wait to be shown where to sit and allow the oldest person present to sit first. If passing a dish, again use both hands. It is normal to eat family style with all the dishes in the centre of the table.
Pick up your rice bowl in the left hand – if you eat from the bowl on the table, you will be considered very lazy! You should help yourself but wait for the oldest person to take a mouthful first. If you are the oldest, then dive in!
3. Dressing:
Vietnamese people tend to dress conservatively and shorts are only acceptable on the beach. Women wearing heavy make-up or revealing clothes are very much looked down on.
4. Affection showing:
Men and women do not show affection in public, although members of the same sex may hold hands.
6. Talking:
Vietnamese talk slowly in a low volume and facial expressions are often used to “talk”.
Criticizing someone publicly will lead to them losing face. It is also possible to give face by praising someone.
Not sure where to go or What to experience in Vietnam?
Fill out the form below to tell us your interests, your schedule and people in your group to Vietnam and/or countries around. Your private travel consultant in Indochina Odyssey Tours will contact you within 0.5 - 23.5 hours to give you a proposal including a tentative itinerary tailor-made for you and the most competitive price IOT can offer. Not all information is necessary in this form, but the more you tell us, the better we can serve you.
