Here is Vietnam overview with brief information about Vietnam that Hanoi Tours Expert provides to help you to collect basic information about Vietnam for your records before you travel to Vietnam. 

GEOGRAPHY

Vietnam is located on the eastern seaboard of the Indochina peninsula, sharing common borders with China to the north, and Laos and Cambodia to the west. To the east and south lies the East Sea. Mountains and hills cove four- fifths of Vietnam’s territory with Truong Son Range stretching over 1,400km. Mount Fanxipan (3,260 km running from Mong Cai in the North to Ha Tien in the Southeast, including the continental shelf, islands and archipelagoes. There is a group of around 3,000 islets belonging to Viet Nam in the Tonkin Gulf, including Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, Cat Hai, Cat Ba and Bach Long Vi Island. Farther in the Eastern Sea are Hoang Sa Archipelago (Paracel Islands) and Truong Sa Archipelago ( Paratly Islands). To the West and the Southwest, there are groups of islands including Con Son, Phu Quoc and Tho Chu.

RESOURCES

Minerals: coal, iron, aluminum, tin, and oil. Agricultural and forestry products: rice, maize, sweet potatoes, peanuts, soy beans, rubber, lacquer, coffee, tea, tobacco, cotton, coconut, sugar cane, jute, and tropical fruit.

CLIMATE

Vietnam’s climate varies a great deal from north to south. Northern Vietnam has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. In the north, summers are warm, while winters are cool and misty. Southern Vietnam is warm all year- round, with temperatures typically varying by just three degrees Celsius. Tropical monsoons occur from May to November in the north and south, and from September to January in the Central Region

PRICE GUIDE

In Vietnam, be prepared to bargain. To give you an idea of where to start, we suggest the following prices:

TRANSPORT

Xe om (motorbike taxi): VND 10,000/km

Public bus: VND 7,000/ride

GROOMING

Shoeshine: VND 10,000/pair

Hair wash: VND 25,000

Street Haircut: VND 30,000

Street- side laundry: VND 10,000/item

RAIN GEAR

Plastic rain poncho: VND 5,000 for thin – VND 50,000 for thick

KEY CONTACTS

PHONE NUMBERS

• Country code: 84
• Operator: 110
• Police: 113
• Fire: 114
• Medical aid: 115
• Enquiries: 116
• Information: 1080

FOOD

Pho (beef noodle soup): VND 40,000/bowl

Banh mi (Vietnamese pork sandwich): 20,000/loaf

Banana: 2,000/each

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS

Vietnam has 63 provinces, including five municipalities ( Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh city, Hai Phong, Can Tho, Da Nang).

HISTORY

Vietnam’s history can roughly be divided into the following periods:

Pre-history: From circa 400,000 years(Paleolithic) to 4,000 years ( Neolithic) ago, cultures in the area included Son Vi, Hoa Binh, Bac Son, ha Long and Hoa Loc

Proto- history: According to legends, Viet Nam originated in the seventh century BC when the Hung kings founded Van Lang. In the third century BC, King An Duong Vuong named founded Au Lac and ruled until 179 B.C Chinese Occupation: Vietnam was occupied by China from the first to tenth century A.D.

Monarchy: Kings reigned from 968 to 1945

Independence: The Democratic Republic of Vietnam was founded after 1945 August Revolution, when President Ho Chi Minh declared independence. The socialist Republic of Vietnam has been official name since 1976.

ETHNIC GROUPS

There are 54 ethnic groups living in Viet Nam. The Viet ( or Kinh) people account for 88% of Vietnam’s population and are mostly concentrated in the lowlands. Most of the country’s ethnic minority peoples live in mountainous areas. Major groups include the Tay; the Nung; the Thai; the Muong; the H’Mong; the Dao; the Hoa; the Khmer; the Bana; the Giarai; and the Ede.

RELIGIONS

Major spiritual influences in Viet Nam include Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and native religions (Ancestor, Mother Goddess Worship). Christianity arrived in the late 18^th century and now has the second largest following, after Buddhism. Other religions practiced include Islam and Cao Dai, with higher concentrations in the South.

VIETNAMESE LANGUAGE AND SCRIPTS

More than 80% of the population speak Vietnamese (or Kinh ), the national language. Ethnic minorities have native languages. Three scripts have influenced Vietnam’s history: Han (Classical Chinese) ideograms were used until the beginning of the 20^th century. The Nom script, created between the 11^th and 14^th centuries, is based on Han Script. European missionaries in the 17^th century used the Roman alphabet to Quoc Ngu script. After independence in 1945, Quoc Ngu was developed and used as the official national language.

BUSINESS HOURS

Government offices and museums open early, around 8.am, and close between 4p.m and 5p.m.

CURRENCY

The currency in Vietnam is the dong (VND), which currently trades at about VND 22,700 to US dollar. Credit card acceptance, especially for Visa, is spreading in higher-end hotels, restaurants, and shops in big cities.

HOTELS AND REGISTRATION

There is a wide range of accommodation available in Vietnam’s major cities. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City feature a choice of five- star hotels offer no-frills rooms for around VND 600,000. As hotels and private hosts must register your presence with the police, you will be expected to hand over your passport.

SAFETY

While Vietnam is one of the safest countries in Asia, you should take care with your possessions. Secure your valuables, documents, and credit cards in your hotel’s safe. If you choose to drive a motorbike or ride a bicycle, by law you must wear a helmet.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Many hotels, especially up- market ones, add extra fees. Check your rate before dialing. One long distance service offers a flat fee of around VND 4,000 per minute to 50 countries. Faxes can be sent from hotels, business centers or post offices. Many free wifi spots can be found around Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh city, including hotels, café, and restaurant.

VISAS

Tourist visas are generally valid for 30 days. Should you wish to extend your visa, go to immigration office at 44 Tran Phu or 44 Pham Ngoc Thach, Ha Noi; 254 Nguyen Trai, D1, Ho Chi Minh City; 7 Tran Quy Cap, Da Nang City. Many tour operators can be also extend your visa for a fee.

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