The Vietnamese trace their beginnings to legendary kings that ruled nearly 5000 years ago, making the Vietnamese culture one of the oldest distinct cultures on Southeast Asia. Over thousands of years, this distinct culture has been influenced by neighbouring and ruling cultures as well, including the Chinese, Cham, Khmer and French, among others. Visitors to Vietnam can see an overall unifying Vietnamese culture throughout the country, with regional unique features in different areas.
TOP DESTINATIONS
Da Nang
Da Nang has everything, from pristine beaches to cultural sites within a booming city. You might want to spend a lot of time by those beach, like My Khe and My An, to enjoy cool breezes or go sun-bathing. You can also visit the Marble Mountains full of caves, tunnels and Buddhist shrines waiting to be explored! Ba Na Hills is a new top spot where cable cars will take you to the world-famous Golden Bridge. If you’re interested in Cham culture, you should definitely check out Cham Museum and My Son Sanctuary for amazing imprints of Cham dynasty. Moreover, don’t forget to try delicious local food.
Hoi An
Not far from Da Nang, Hoi An is perhaps Vietnam’s most atmospheric town. The riverside yellowish Old Town, with all of its incredible ancient Japanese merchant houses, Chinese temples and tea warehouses, will bring you back in time. Nowadays, many chic lounge bars, boutique hotels, tailor shops are opened to serve numerous tourists. You can take an easy stroll or a bicycle trip to check out the town and nearby villages. Once the night falls down, you can see lanterns floating on the water while tasting flavorful food by the river.
Hue
The once capital of the Nguyen emperors, Hue, still owns the graceful beauty of ancient imperial Vietnam. Located by Perfume River (song Huong), Hue is a blends of new traces on an old background, remaining tranquil and picturesque. Traveling here, you should pay a visit at the Tombs of the Ancient Emperors, the Imperial Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda, or the Royal Theater.
Quy Nhon
A large, prosperous coastal city, Quy Nhon boasts a terrific beach-blessed shoreline and grand boulevards. Its seaside appeal and tidy, litter-free streets make it the kind of place that affluent Vietnamese couples choose to retire to, spending their final days ocean-gazing and promenade-walking. The city is also a great place with many beautiful beaches, Cham temples, restaurants and bars.
Phu Yen
Phu Yen province encompasses a diverse landscape of mountains, rivers, lagoons and fertile plains with nearly 200 km of shoreline along Vietnam’s curving south-central coast. The city Tuy Hoa offers a good base for exploring the beaches, bays and offshore islands up and down the coast, with an ancient tower to see and a large seated Buddha on a hilltop just north of the city. Life here is laid back, with all the attractions of a seaside fishing village to enjoy with fabulous fresh seafood.
Quang Binh
Known as “The king of cave”, Quang Binh attracts visitors with the diversity of complex of caves in Phong Nha Ke Bang national park, a World Natural Heritage by UNESCO and Son Doong Cave, the new and biggest cave in the world. Nhat Le beach and various activities in Song Chay – Hang Toi will definitely amaze you as well.
Son Doong Cave
Son Doong Cave, belongs to the Phong Nha-Ke Bang grotto system in Quang Binh Province, has been recognized to be the biggest in the world. The cave is 9km long, 200m wide and 150m deep, was formed about 2 to 5 million years ago. If you get a chance to be here, you will be overwhelmed by breath-taking nature’s masterpiece inside the cave where a whole ecosystem was formed underground.
BEST TIME TO GO
The centre of Vietnam has hot and dry weather from mid-January to late August, with temperatures often reaching the mid-30’s °C. During the rain season, the rainfall increases with October and November achieving peak levels, occasionally in the form of typhoons. It is recommended that you plan your trip here in the dry season in order to have the best experience.
TOURS IN CENTRAL VIETNAM
Central Vietnam
Central Vietnam
Central Vietnam
Some of the most interesting Vietnamese festivals are unique to small localities. When planning to travel to Vietnam, contact your travel consultant to see if any local festivals will occur during your itinerary. Some of the larger festivals in Vietnam are celebrated nationwide:
Tet: Also known as the Lunar New Year, Tet usually falls between mid-January and mid-February. This is the largest and most important Vietnamese holiday when people travel to their hometowns and many businesses close for several days. There is a special festive atmosphere in the air during Tet.
Vu Lan: This festival is when Vietnamese people honour their parents, especially their mothers, whether living or deceased. The date is on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month.
Mid-Autumn Festival: The hallmarks of this festival, called Tet Trung Thu in Vietnam, are colourful paper lanterns, mooncakes and lion dancing. With such exciting activities, children especially enjoy this holiday. It falls in the middle of the 8th lunar month, and is also a time for families to spend time together drinking tea and eating sweet mooncakes.
In general, there are no serious health or safety risks when traveling in Vietnam. However, it never hurts to take precautions. Please consult your healthcare provider to see if they recommend any vaccinations or other medications when traveling.
In large cities and other crowded areas, be mindful of your belongings such as cameras, mobile phones and wallets/purses.
The Vietnamese Dong (VND) is pegged to the US Dollar and the current exchange rate is 1 = 22,200 (as of January 2016). ATMs are widely available in all cities and many of them work with overseas ATM cards. Some larger hotels and shops accept credit cards, and this method of payment is becoming more common. Keep in mind that some merchants may charge small fee and that international transaction fees may apply.
The Vietnamese Dong (VND) is pegged to the US Dollar and the current exchange rate is 1 = 22,200 (as of January 2016). ATMs are widely available in all cities and many of them work with overseas ATM cards. Some larger hotels and shops accept credit cards, and this method of payment is becoming more common. Keep in mind that some merchants may charge small fee and that international transaction fees may apply.
Updated . . .
A visa is required for entry into Vietnam and the regular tourist visa is valid for up to 30 days from the date of the first arrival date in Vietnam.
Tourist Visa exemption is available for passport holders from some Southeast Asian countries including Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Laos are exempted from visa when entering Vietnam. Vietnam also has a visa exemption for Japanese, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish and Finnish citizens. Passport holders from these countries can travel to Vietnam up to 15 days without applying for tourist visas.
There are two kinds of tourist visas. The first, Vietnam Associates (VNAS) for Australians can assist and expedite obtaining, or, you can contact direct to the Vietnamese Embassy in Canberra or the Consulate in Sydney. The cost whether you obtain a tourist visa from us or direct is AU$95.00 per person per visa for a Single Entry Tourist Visa, however if you are stopping in Vietnam more than once then a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa is required and costs AU$150.00.
The second is a Tourist Visa on Arrival which can be obtained at the international airports (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Danang) on arrival in Vietnam provided that it has been pre-approved by the Immigration Office. VNAS offers visa procurement services for individuals and groups. Approval Letter costs vary and may depend on how long before date of arrival - from US$25.00 pp to US$45.00 pp. To board your flight you must show this Approval Letter before you will be allowed to fly. On arriving at the Vietnam international airport you will need to take your Approval Letter to a "LANDING VISA" counter to fill in a form (a passport photo is required) and obtain your tourist visa (cost approximately US$35.00 pp) before proceeding to Immigration. Please be aware that if there are numerous flights arriving at the same time this process may take one hour or so - as reported by clients. Please be patient.
CUSTOMS
The basic principle of customs policy in Vietnam is that visitors should enter and exit with the same goods and personal possessions with the following exceptions:
- Cash amounts greater than US$ 7,000 (formerly US$ 3,000) should be declared upon entry or exit.
- 1. Souvenirs: Visitors are free to buy products in Vietnam for personal use. The exception to this principle is antiques. Antiques considered of "national interest" will be confiscated without refund or recourse. In general this applies to articles of ancient (over 50 years old) or religious nature. "National interest" is interpreted by an expert at the airport. In cases where a visitor is unsure of the acceptability of the export of any goods purchased, they can check with the Customs Office in either Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi for prior ruling without risk of confiscation.
- 2. To avoid confiscation of goods not purchased, visitors must be sure an accurate description appears on the Customs Declaration form upon arrival. Particular note should be taken of antiques purchased in other countries in the region which might possibly be deemed of Vietnamese origin. Also, extra care should be taken to declare loose gemstones and jewelry.
- 3. Firearms, narcotics and other internationally prohibited goods are banned and those found in possession of such items are liable to prosecution. Items that you cannot bring into Vietnam include weapons, munitions, explosives and inflammables, firecracker of all kinds, opium and drugs, toxic chemicals, and cultural materials unsuitable to Vietnamese society (pornographic seditious publications, films and photos), harmful child toys.
If you break these rules you will be subject to Vietnamese law.
AIRPORT TAX
Airport tax is already included in the air ticket effective from 1 November 2006.
MEET & GREET
On exiting the Arrivals Hall, passengers will be met, greeted and welcomed by our partner VIDOTOUR whose guide will ne holding holding a VIETNAM ASSOCIATES / VIDOTOUR sign. Guests will then proceed to an air-conditioned vehicle for the trip to the hotel.
When traveling to Vietnam, remember to be flexible and keep an open mind. Many traveler frustrations begin with differing expectations and miscommunication. If there is an issue, try to stay pleasant, smile and enjoy the experience. Vietnamese people are very proud of their country and culture and are proud to showcase their nation to international visitors.
