Vietnamese postal services

Post Office (“Buu Dien” in Vietnamese) appears in every city, town, village and rural sub-district, opens from 6.30am to 9pm, including weekends and public holidays. International postal rates are similar to those in European countries.

Items mailed to international destinations: regular service takes a month, airmail service takes five to ten days, express-mail service (EMS) takes less than 5 days and everything is registered.

FedEx, DHL and UPS are reliable for small parcels or documents and available in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Postcards cost from 7,000d to 15,000d, depending on the destination.

Receiving even a small package from abroad can cause a headache, and large ones will produce a migraine. If the parcel contains books, documents, video tapes, computer disks or dangerous goods, it’s possible that a lengthy inspection will be required, which could take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

Vietnamese currency – Vietnam Dong (VND)

The currency of Vietnam is  “Dong” (abbreviated  “d” or  VND). Bank notes are: 100d , 200d and 500d (too small value – rarely used); 1,000d; 2,000d; 5,000d; 10,000d, 20,000d, 50,000d and 100,000d (each has two versions – cotton and polymer), 200,000d and 500,000d. Coins have recently come into circulation but not widely been accepted due to inconvenience, including: 200d; 500d; 1,000d; 2,000d and 5,000d. Their photos are as below.

US dollar is widely accepted while most major currencies can be exchanged at leading banks in Vietnam (Vietcombank, ANZ, ACB, VIB Bank…) or some hotels and jewelry shops. The official rate of exchange is approximately VND15,500 to US$1. With the relatively low value of Dong, you are recommended to carry US dollar in small notes; it will help you to change easily.

ATMs can be a choice as it’s very popular in most of tourist destinations now. Vietcombank (VCB) has the best network in the country. Withdrawals are issued  in Dong (50,000d and 100,000d only). There is a  limit of 2,000,000d (about US$125) for each withdrawal and a daily limit of 20,000,000d. Fee is 50,000d (US$3) each time.

Visa,  MasterCard and  JCB cards are widely accepted. Some merchants also accept  Amex. A  4%-commission charge on every transaction (3% for other cards) is pretty common, due to bank’s policy. Getting cash in advance from cards is possible at Vietcombank and some foreign banks in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Travellers Cheques are accepted at most of hotels, restaurants but in major cities. If you only have travellers cheques, stock up on US dollars at a bank, which usually charge anywhere from  1.25% to 3% commission to change them into cash. VCB charges no commission to changing travellers cheques for Dong. If your travellers cheques are in currencies other than US dollars, they may be useless beyond the major cities. Hefty commissions are the norm it they can be exchanged at all.

Sea route to Vietnam

Star Cruises, Royal Viking Lines, Crystal Cruises, Leo Star Cruises have weekly scheduled their water lines to Vietnam via some main Vietnamese seaports such as Saigon, Da Nang, Nha Trang and Hai Phong.

National public holidays in Vietnam

01 January	New Year’s Day (Tet Duong Lich)
January or February  (3 days)	Tet (Vietnamese New Year – Tet Am Lich)
03 February	Anniversary of the Founding of the Vietnamese Communist Party. (Thanh lap Dang Cong San Vietnam – founded in 1930)
30 April	Liberation Day (Giai Phong Saigon – the day on which Saigon surrendered – 1945)
01 May	International Labour’s Day (Quoc te Lao Dong)
19 May	Ho Chi Minh’s birthday (1890)
Eighth day of the fourth moon (usually in June)	Buddha’s birthday (Phat Dan)
02 September	National Day (1945)
25 December	Christmas Day

Vietnam custom regulations

Arriving in Vietnam, all visitors must fill in  declaration forms and show their luggage to Customs Officials upon request. There are no limited amounts of foreign currency, objects made of gold, silver, precious metals and gemstones or plated with silver or gold but visitors must declare these in detail on the customs forms.

Luggage of Prohibited and Restricted carriage

• Following materials are prohibited accompanying baggage: corrosive, gas, explosive, toxic, oxygen, radioactive, flammable…
• Following materials are not permitted accompanying baggage: knife, scissors, gun, cartridge, wheelchair with battery;
• Passenger should not put money, jewel, document, important samples… in your baggage. Baggage should be covered and locked carefully;
• Passenger should not put breakable materials such as china, electronic, bottle, jar… inside your baggage;
• Following goods are prohibited carrying in flight: fish sauce, durian…

Entry Vietnam

• Tourists are authorized to bring in the following items duty-free: Cigarettes: 400 pieces; Cigars: 50-100; Tobacco: 100 gram; Liquor: 1.5l.
• Personal effects of a reasonable quantity
• Small gift items valued at not more than US$500.

You are expected to declare:

• Cameras, camcorders and other electric equipments not for personal use
  Jewelry not for personal use;
• Currency over US$7,000 (There is no limit to the amounts of cash, precious metals and gems people can bring in, but amounts of over US$7,000 must be declared);
• Video tapes (they may be kept few days and screened).

Exit Vietnam

• Goods of commercial nature and articles of high value require export permits issued by the Customs Office.
• Antiques, some precious stones and animals listed in Vietnam’s red-book may not be brought out of the country.
• Money: below US$3,000 of cash. 
• Shopping in Vietnam
• Vietnam has some fantastic shopping opportunities, so it’s well worth setting aside half a day or so to properly peruse. Hotspots include  Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City, each of which has a temping selection of everything from avant-garde art to sumptuous silk suits.
• Some of the best buys are as following:
• Vietnamese Art & Antiques
• There are several shops to hunt for art and antiques. Both traditional and modern paintings are a popular item. More sophisticated works are displayed in art galleries, while cheaper mass-produced stuff is touted in souvenir shops and by street vendors. A Vietnamese speciality is the “instant antique”, such as a teapot or ceramic dinner plate, with a price tag of around US$2.
• As Vietnam has strict regulations on the export of real antiques, be sure the items are allowed out of the country. Most reputable shops can provide the necessary paperwork.
• Vietnamese Clothing
• Vietnam is emerging as a regional design center and there are some extravagant creations in the boutiques of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
• Ao dai, the national dress for Vietnamese women, is a popular item to take home. Ready-made ao dai costs from US$ 10 to US$20, but custom numbers can cost a lot more. There are ao dai tailors nationwide, but those in the tourists centers are more familiar with foreigners.
• Hill-tribe gear is winding its way to shops in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. It’s brightly patterned stuff, but you may need to set the dyes yourself so those colours don’t bleed all over the rest of your clothes.
• T-shirts are ever popular items with travellers, cost from US$1 to US$4.
• Non (conical hats) are favorite items for women in both rainy and sunny times. The best quality ones can be found in the Hue’s area.
• Vietnamese Handicrafts
• Hot items on the tourist market include lacquerware, boxes and wooden screens with mother-of-pearl inlay, ceramics, colourful embroidery, silk greeting cards, wood-block prints, oil paintings, watercolours, blinds made of hanging bamboo beads, reed mats, carpets, jewellery and leatherwork.
• War Souvenirs
• It’s easy to by what looks like equipment left over from the American War, but almost all of these items are reproductions and your chances of finding anything original are slim. The fake Zippo lighters engraved with platoon philosophy are still one of the hottest-selling items.
• TIP:  Bargaining
• Bargaining should be good-natured, smile and don’t get angry or argue. Once the money is accepted, the deal is done. Remember that in Asia, “saving face” is very important. In some cases you will be able to get a 50% discount or more, at other times this may only be 10%.
• Shopping center in Vietnam
• In Ho Chi Minh City
• Ben Thanh market
• Saigon square
• Saigon center
• Diamond plaza
• Tax commercial center
• Dong Khoi street
• An Dong Plaza
• Binh Tay Market
• Parson shopping center
• Now zone
• Vincom center
• Lotte mart
• Saigon coop mart
• Big C mart
•  
• In Hanoi
• Me Linh Plaza
• Vicom center
• Gallery
• In Hoi An
• Walk along the ancient town, you will find many interesting shops where you can buy alot of wonderful gifts for you for your family and for your friends. Hoi An is the best place to buy cloths such as vest, caravat, skirts… with very cheap price. Even if you don’t have much time, they just need measure your size and post the products to your home within 2 weeks.

Advice for disable travellers

Vietnam is not the easiest of places for disable travellers. Typical problems include the crazy traffic, a lack of pedestrian footpaths, a lack of lifts in smaller hotels and the ubiquitous squat toilets.

You should find a   reliable company to make travel arrangements and don’t be afraid to  double-check things with hotels and restaurants yourself. In the major cities, many three to five-star hotels (two-star one in some case) have lifts and disable access is improving. Bus and train travel is not really geared up for disable travellers, but a private vehicle with a driver can let you go almost anywhere.

Remember that anything is possible.  Vietnamese are always willing to help you.

You might try contacting the following organizations:

• Mobility International USA
  Tel: 54-1343 1284
  Website: www.miusa.org
• Royal Association for Disability & Rehabilitation (RADAR)
  Tel: 020-7250 3222
  Website: www.radar.org.uk
• Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH)
  Tel:             212-447 7248      
  Website: www.sath.org

General procedure for Vietnam visa application

STEP 1:  Send us your personal information as following:

• Full names (include gender) 
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Passport No. (valid at least six months) 
• Date of arrival 
• Port of arrival: Noi Bai (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat (Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City) or Danang.
• Length of stays (one month for tourist visa).
• Place where you like to get visa (Name the capital or city where the most convenient Vietnam Embassy or Consulate located in your country)

STEP 2:  We will  submit these information to the Vietnam Immigration Office in Vietnam to get the approval letter.

STEP 3:

• For Visa Approval letter: After four (4) working days, the Vietnam Immigration Office will issue an Approval letter. This approval letter will be sent simultaneously to us and to the Vietnamese embassy or Consulates in your country.
• For Visa on arrival service: After four (4) working days, the Vietnam Immigration Office will issue an Approval letter. This original Approval letter will be sent to us and simultaneously fax to the Immigration Department at  your arrival airport in Vietnam.

Then we will send a copy of the Visa Approval letter to you before boarding to Vietnam.

STEP 4:  We will scan and email the “Approval letter” to you. You just have to print it out.

• For Visa Approval letter: You just take your Visa Approval letter with your original passport to Vietnam embassy or consulates in your country to get  Visa stamp. You have to pay the visa stamp fee. The visa stamp fee might be different depending on Vietnam Embassy in each country.
• For Visa on-arrival service: you just show the Approval letter to the airlines when you check-in and show it to the Immigration officer at the airport upon arrival to get visa stamp. You are then required to fill out the visa form, attach photos and pay the visa stamp fee (see the visa stamp fee below) to the Immigration officer. In the Visa on-arrival full service, our staff will go to meet you at Immigration and help you fill the form out properly.

Note:

• Please remember to bring along two (2) recent passport size photos (3cm*4cm)
• Stamp fee: 
       One-month visa: US$ 25
       Three-month visa: US$ 50
       Six-month visa: US$ 100