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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Visas are required by SA passport holders and foreign passport holders and applications should be made well in advance of any planned visit.
VISA INFORMATION
WEATHER
Vietnam’s weather varies significantly by region:
- North: Two seasons—winter (November to April) with cooler temperatures between 10°C and 15°C, and summer (May to October) with hot, humid weather and occasional typhoons.
- Central: Pleasant from April to October, shielded from the Southwest monsoon by the Truong Son Mountains. Northeast monsoon brings rain and typhoons from November to March.
- South: Sub-equatorial climate with a humid season (May to November) and a dry season (December to June).
- Coastal Areas:
- Phan Thiet: Generally good weather year-round with moderate rain in July and August.
- Nha Trang and Danang/Hoi An: Hot and dry from February to October.
- Phu Quoc: Dry season from October to July.
GENERAL INFORMATION
| Country: | The Socialist Republic of Vietnam |
| Capital City: | Hanoi |
| International Airports: | – Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi) – Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh) – Da Nang International Airport (Danang) – Cam Ranh International Airport – Can Tho International Airport – Chu Lai International Airport – Vinh International Airport – Van Don International Airport |
| Area: | 331,211 km² |
| Population: | 99,497,680 (2024 est.) |
| Time Zone: | (UTC)+7:00 |
| Religion: | Buddhism (including Taoism and Confucianism) Christianity (Catholicism and Protestantism) Islam Caodaism Hoa Hao sect |
| Language: | Official language: Vietnamese Widely spoken: French and English |
| Currency: | Dong (VN Dong) US Dollars are commonly used in major cities. |
| Exchange Rate: | Please consult your local bank as exchange rates fluctuate. |
| Credit Card Payment Availability: | Accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and shopping centres in major cities. cash is important for markets. |
| ATM Accessibility: | ATMs are widely available in major cities and tourist areas. |
| Dialling Code: | +84 |
TRAVEL TIPS
| Electricity: | Voltage: 220V AC/DC Socket types vary; carrying adapters is recommended. |
| Water: | Drink only bottled or distilled water. |
| Business Hours: | Mon-Fri: 08:00 – 17:00 (one-hour lunch break) Shops: 08:00/08:30 – 21:00/22:00 |
| Banking Hours: | Mon-Fri: 07:30/08:00 – 16:30 Sat: 08:00 – 11:30 |
| Photography Restrictions: | No major restrictions, but asking permission is polite. |
| Tipping: | Not generally expected but appreciated. Restaurants may add a service fee of 5-10%, which may not go to staff; tipping is discretionary. |
| Vaccination Requirements: | No mandatory vaccinations but consult a medical practitioner or travel clinic. |
| Dress Code Restrictions: | No specific restrictions noted. |
| Peculiar Customs to Observe: | – Avoid public displays of affection with the opposite sex – Do not touch someone’s head – Pass items with both hands – Avoid pointing with your finger; use your hand instead – Do not stand with hands on hips or cross arms on chest – Avoid passing anything over someone’s head or touching shoulders – Shorts should be worn only at the beach – If invited to a Vietnamese home, bring a gift such as fruit or incense, wrapped in colourful paper – Wait to be seated and let the elderly sit first – Be punctual – For handshakes, wait for women to extend their hand first; a two-handed shake with the left hand on top of the right wrist is sometimes used. |
FESTIVALS
- Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year) – January/February
- Lim Festival – Mid February
- Founding Day of the Communist Party of Vietnam – 3 February
- Perfume Pagoda Festival – February/March
- Phu Giay Festival – Late March/April
- Hue Festival – Biannual: April/May/June
- Hung King Temple Festival – April
- Liberation Day of South Vietnam and Saigon – 30 April
- Buddha’s Birthday – Early May
- Ho Chi Minh’s Birthday – 19 May
- Hoi An Lantern Festival – 14 of every month
- Mid-Autumn Festival – Mid September
- Wandering Souls Day – Early September
MAP
“A day full of travelling will bring a basketful of learning”
– Vietnamese Proverb