Vietnam

Most visitors to Vietnam are overwhelmed by the sublime beauty of the country’s natural setting: the Red River Delta in the north, the Mekong Delta in the south and almost the entire coastal strip are a patchwork of brilliant green rice paddies tended by women in conical hats. There are some divine beaches along the coast, while inland there are soaring mountains, some of which are cloaked by dense, misty forests.

The city of Dalat is the jewel of the southern Central Highlands region. The cool climate makes it one of the most delightful cities in Vietnam. Daily flights depart from Ho Chi Minh City which takes approximately 45 minutes. Nha Trang is situated 1,350 km from Hanoi and 450 km from Ho Chi Minh City and is a great place to go for sun. The 7 km long, palm lined sandy beach makes Nha Trang one of Vietnam’s most popular destinations for Vietnamese and visitors alike. With very clear turquoise waters, snorkelling, diving and fishing are prime activities, and just lazing on the town beach is an experience in itself.

Destination Information:

Getting There

Select Vacations offers economy & business class airfares with Vietnam Airlines, Qantas, Thai International & Singapore Airlines.

Visa

If you are and Australian passport holder planning a short holiday in Vietnam for a holiday, Tourism, Business and Working purposes are eligible to apply for a 1-3 month - single/multiple entry visa to Vietnam.

Passport

Your Australian must have validity exceeding 6 months after the date of entry, to enter Vietnam.

Currency & Credit Cards

The Vietnamese currency is called the Dong. The banknotes are VND 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, & 200,000 and Coins of VND 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500 and 200, 500, 1000, 2000 & 5000 Dong. Direct payment of cash is most popular in Vietnam. Small shops, restaurants and markets usually do not accept any other payment. Major credit cards (such as Visa, Master Charge and to some extent American Express) are increasingly being used, especially in big cities and tourist places, but only in restaurants, hotels or big shopping malls with a transactional fee (3%-5%)

Weather

Vietnam’s weather varies from the sub-tropics in the North to the tropics in the South. The humidity is high, with average ranging around 84% a year. Moderated by two monsoons, the average temperature is from 22 to 27 degrees Celsius. The weather varies greatly from North to South, depending on elevation and type of landscape. Northern Vietnam has four seasons with a cold winter and hot summer. The temperature ranges from 5-6C in winter to up to 35C in summer. The further North it is, the colder it gets in winter.

Getting around

Locally taxis are the cheapest and most reliable way of getting around. Make sure you have the address written down, as most drivers won’t speak English and Vietnamese is notoriously hard to pronounce. Motorbikes are for rent in major cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Dalat however you will require an International driver licence and take a mandatory test in Vietnam before driving.

Trains are popular, especially a sleeper overnight train. Vietnam’s Reunification Express runs the entire coast between Hanoi and Hoh Chi Min City with stops along the way in Hue, Danang and Nha Trang. In addition, the train is the main way to get between Hanoi and Sapa in the north.

Vietnam Airlines also offers domestic flights throughout the country.

What to Wear

Depending on the season and where you are visiting Vietnam as Thailand is very hot most tourists wear casual attire including shorts and golf or t-shirts with women wearing skirts and dresses made of cotton. In hotels the air-conditioning can be very cool so it is worth taking a shawl or lightweight sweater. In temples, long trousers or skirts must be worn.

Shoes should always be removed when entering temples and private houses. For this reason, most Thais wear slip-on shoes to avoid constantly tying and untying laces.