Time: GMT +7.

Electricity: 220 volts, 50Hz. Plugs are either the two flat-pin or the two round-pin type. Three rectangular blade plugs can be found in some of the newer hotels.

Language: The official language is Vietnamese. Some Chinese, English and French are spoken.

Health: Health risks include Hepatitis A and E, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, bilharzia, plague, diarrhoea and HIV/AIDS. All care should be taken to avoid contact with live poultry and exercise caution when eating poultry dishes. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for travel outside main cities. Typhoid can be a problem in the Mekong Delta. Water is potable, but visitors usually prefer bottled water. Decent health care is available in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with English-speaking doctors, but more complicated treatment may require medical evacuation. Health insurance is essential.

Tipping: Most restaurants and hotels now add a 5 to 10% service charge to their bills. In top hotels porters expect a small tip. Hired drivers and guides are usually tipped, and it is customary to round up the bill for taxi drivers in the cities.

Safety: Travel in Vietnam is generally safe and violent crime is uncommon. Pick-pocketing is rife, and in Ho Chi Minh City drive-by purse snatching is a common trick. When transferring from airports only use pre-arranged hotel pickups or licensed taxis to avoid theft. During monsoon season (usually between June and October) the country is prone to serious flooding and typhoons, particularly the Mekong Delta and Central Region.

Customs: Shorts should be avoided away from the beaches if possible. Shoes must be removed on entering religious sites and a donation is expected when visiting a temple or pagoda. It is polite to ask permission before taking photographs of people. Never leave chopsticks sticking upright in a bowl of rice as it has strong death connotations.

Business: Business practices in Vietnam are conducted in a similar fashion to those of China, Japan and Korea rather than their Southeast Asian counterparts. Often it is best to be introduced rather than approach the person with whom business is intended. Formal dress is common but in summer months the dress tends to be more casual. It is important to be on time for business appointments as the Vietnamese consider lateness rude. The person is always addressed as Mr., Mrs., and Ms., followed by their personal name (not family name), unless otherwise referred. Shaking hands with both hands is the most respectful greeting although bowing is still popular among the older population. Meetings always begin with the exchange of business cards, given and received with both hands; each person expects to receive one, so bring a vast supply. Business hours are typically 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday with an hour taken at lunch, and 8am to 11.30am on Saturdays.

Communications: The international country code is +84. GSM 900 mobile networks cover the major urban areas. Internet cafes are available in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Internet access is often available at post offices in rural areas.

Travel guide content sourced from wordtravels.com

09/26/07 by visitEarth
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