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Airport Tax
International Flights: 12 USD (14 USD if from Hanoi)
Domestic Flights: None
Electricity
Mainly 220V but in some areas 110V is also used.
Food
The cuisine of Vietnam comes as a pleasant surprise to many visitors and is definitely a part of the Vietnam experience not to be missed. One of the characteristics of Vietnamese food is that it is always fresh being bought the same morning straight from the market. Food is usually prepared with a minimum of oil and served with the ubiquitous fish sauce called Nuoc Mam. Typical Vietnamese dishes you can expect to try including Pho, a type of rice noodle soup eaten for breakfast, cha gio, deep-fried spring rolls and Goi Ngo Sen, a delicious salad made with lotus stems, shrimps and peanuts. Due to the strong Buddhist influence in Vietnam, vegetarian food is widely available.
Hours of Business
Offices are usually open from Monday to Friday from 07:30 or 08:00 until 17:00 or 18:00 and often close for lunch between 11:30 and 13:00. Some offices also open Saturday morning. Shops open early and close any time between 18:00 and 22:00. Most shops are open 7 days a week.
Language
Because Vietnamese has six different tones, it is a difficult language for most foreigners to speak despite the fact that the Roman alphabet is used in modern Vietnamese. The same word can have six different meanings depending on the tone used to pronounce it. In the cities and larger towns English is becoming popular and is now spoken by many younger people while some of the older generation still speak fluent French. Russian and Chinese are also spoken by some people.
Money
The currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong although US Dollars are accepted in many hotels, restaurants and shops. Banks are open Monday to Friday and some are open Saturday morning. In the major cities there are bureaux de change and most hotels will change US Dollars although for other currencies it is usually necessary to visit a bank. Travellers cheques can be exchanged at banks and some exchange bureaux but can be difficult to change outside of the major cities. Visa Card and Mastercard are now accepted in many hotels, restaurants and shops but US Dollars cash are still the most reliable form of money to carry. There are a lot of ATM machines appearing now in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
Shopping
Souvenirs to look out for in Vietnam include lacquer ware, silk, conical hats, woodcarvings, hill tribe fabrics and handicrafts, embroidery, marble, ceramics, silver jewellery, antique watches and paintings. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have the best choice when it comes to shopping but Hoi An in the centre of Vietnam is also a very good place to hunt for bargains.
Telecommunication
Most hotels now have IDD phones in rooms and it is possible to send faxes from hotels and post offices although be warned these services are expensive in all four countries. Away from the major cities it may not always be possible to make international calls. Cyber cafes are becoming popular in the major cities in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos (but not Myanmar) and many travellers now prefer to keep in touch by e-mail. Post cards can be bought at all the main tourist sites and stamps are available from post offices and some hotel reception desks. It is not permitted to bring mobile phones into Myanmar. Even if they are not connectable in Myanmar to international network such as GSM, they’ll be confiscated upon arrival at Yangon International Airport and released only upon departure.
Tipping
Tipping for good service is not expected but is always appreciated in these developing nations. It is customary, though not compulsory, to tip tour guides and drivers at the end of a tour. Hotel and station porters should also be tipped. It’s mainly an issue in the South, and particularly in Ho Chi Minh City, than in the South. A few general guidelines might be helpful. In the North, tipping in restaurants and hotels is not necessary unless you feel moved to reward particularly good service, and even then, keep it low – no more than about 5%. In Ho Chi Minh City and other large centres, tipping is more often expected – 10% or so would be adequate. Throughout Vietnam, it’s customary to give your guide some remuneration – somewhere between $5.00 and $10.00 per day, with half days pro-rata, should be OK. Don’t feel obliged, though.
Water
It is not advisable to drink tap water in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar but bottled mineral water is safe and available everywhere. Ice in drinks is generally OK in good standard hotels and restaurants but it is best to avoid it on street stalls or in country areas.
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