Currency 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 = 17,500 VND.

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

Visa and Master 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 advances with your credit card either from automated teller machines (ATM) in the main tourists cities and hotels or from foreign exchange offices (subject to 2 to 3% transaction fees).

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

Tipping 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.

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

Electricity 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.

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

TRANSPORTATION

By Air: There are three international airports in Vietnam: Noi Bai in Hanoi located 45 minutes from the town centre, Danang in the Centre, 4 km from the heart of the town, and Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City located 20 minutes from the town centre.

By road: The road network has improved but still needs to be upgraded in some areas. To cover a distance, it is reasonable to count an average speed of 50 km/hour.

By train: It takes a minimum of 32 hours from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. Although we can now find carriages with soft sleepers and air-conditioning, it is slow and not really comfortable but for a short-term journey, it is an interesting means of transportation and way to see Vietnam.

Climate