The official currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND) although US dollars are still accepted. At the time of publishing the exchange rate is US$ 1 = 23,100 VND.

Traveler’s cheques can be cashed only at major banks and usually incur a 2 to 5% transaction fee.

Debit and credit cards are accepted now in most of hotels, restaurants and shops in main cities of Vietnam, but can also be subject to 2 to 3% transaction fees.

You can also get cash with your debit card either from automated teller machines (ATM) in the main tourists cities and hotels or from foreign exchange offices (subject to transaction fees).

Vietnamese is the official language although English is increasingly spoken by younger Vietnamese in main cities. Some people and especially elderly still speak French, while middle-aged speak Russian.

Tipping is not mandatory although it is appreciated. Note that prices in hotels and restaurants usually include 10% for VAT and 5% for service charges.

It is advisable not to drink water from the tap unless it is boiled properly.

International phone call charges from Vietnam have decreased tremendously over the past few years. WIFI is readily available everywhere from hotels to cafes and convenience stores. Prepaid SIM cards with internet data can be easily purchased at the airports and telecom dealers in the cities.

No vaccination is required, but visitors are advised to receive inoculations against hepatitis A and B, typhoid and tetanus. Inoculation for yellow fever and tablets for malaria are not necessary although doctors still usually recommend them.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have good hospitals staffed with foreign medical personnel, however for life threatening injury it can be necessary to be evacuated to Bangkok or Singapore and we therefore strongly recommend taking out medical travel insurance.

Vietnam has been ranked one of the safest countries in the world for travellers, however it always pays to be prepared. Refrain from holding cameras and cellphones on busy streets since most robberies are drive-by snatchings. When taking pictures stand away from traffic.

Vietnam has 95,5 million inhabitants with an average density of 308 inhabitants/km2, reaching 1,000 in the Red River Delta in the north.
88% of the population is Viet, 2% Chinese and 1.5% Khmer. Numerous ethnic minorities make up the rest of the population of Vietnam: Muong, Nung, Dao, Thai, Cham, Hmong and various mountain-dwellers.

The dominant religions are Buddhism (55% of the population) and Catholicism (8% to 10% of the population). Confucianism, Taoism, Hoa Hao, Muslim and Caodaism represent around 35% of the population.

Prices displayed are usually fixed, but in other cases, bargaining is a fact of life in Vietnam!

Vietnam is 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. It is the same time zone as Bangkok.

In Vietnam electric current is mostly 220V in main cities, although you can still find 110V in rural areas. Sockets are both round and flat types.