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Fact File: Vietnam
CLIMATE:
Packing for a trip to Vietnam can be difficult, as the climate varies so much depending on when and where you go. When the weather isn't ideal in one area, it's great in another. While Hanoi is cold enough to warrant a coat from December to February, this is an excellent time to visit Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta.
From April to October, most of the country is affected by south-western monsoons. The rains, which tend to be concentrated in the late afternoons, provide welcome relief to the heat. Travel to very remote areas may be affected by the rains, but overall they should not interfere with your trip. The summer months are the perfect time to visit Ha Long Bay, as the water is warm enough for swimming. In terms of weather, northern Vietnam is at its loveliest from September to December, when there's a good chance of clear skies and low humidity. The hottest months in Ho Chi Minh City are April and May, although there is generally a decent breeze. The central highland town of Dalat is temperate year-round, earning it the epithet 'City of Eternal Spring'.
CULTURAL DIVERSITY
Vietnam's cultural makeup is as diverse as its topography. The population of some 80 million is divided into 54 ethnic groups, most of them concentrated in the central and northern highlands. The Kinh ethnic majority, who comprise 84 percent of the population, is largely found in the lowlands. Kinh or Viet culture arose in Vietnam's northern Red River delta, where people's way of life revolved around the cultivation of wet rice. Visitors to this area will find gated, farming villages where people still celebrate their local pagoda festivals and pay tribute to their village founders' and tutelary gods. Other major ethnic groups include the H'mong, Dao, Thai and Cham. Descended from the people who founded the Indianized Kingdom of Champa in what is now central Vietnam, the Cham have retained their own religion, customs and handicrafts, including the weaving of colourful brocade cloth. Today, Cham communities are scattered throughout central Vietnam and the Mekong Delta.
The best place to appreciate Vietnam's stunning cultural diversity is in its mountainous northeast. Highland markets draw people from dozens of ethnic groups, who continue to produce and wear traditional clothing decorated with embroidery, batik-prints, and beads. Having had minimal contact with the outside world, these people speak their own languages, observe their own religious festivals, and live much as they have for generations. Most Vietnamese people observe a form of Buddhism that incorporates Confucianism and Taoism. About eight percent of the population is Catholic.
HISTORY
In 938 A.D. the Vietnamese put an end to China's occupation of the Red River Delta, bringing to end a colonial rule that had started in the first century B.C. That the Vietnamese managed to cling to their cultural identity during a thousand years of occupation says much about their tenacity'a lesson that has been retaught in more recent times.
From their cradle in the northern Red River Delta the Viet moved south, absorbing the Kingdom of Champa in what is now central Vietnam in the 15th century. The official founding of Saigon (now renamed Ho Chi Minh City) took place only some three centuries ago.
French forces imposed colonial rule on Vietnam in 1883, starting an era of anti-colonial resistance that would span the next eight decades. Having fought the Japanese occupation of Vietnam, when World War II ended, the Viet Minh, led by President Ho Chi Minh, declared the nation independent. The French rejected Vietnam's independence and tried to regain control, leading to open warfare that ended with the Viet Minh's astonishing victory at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in May 1954. The Geneva Accords of mid-1954 temporarily divided the country. When the southern regime refused to hold elections in 1956, Vietnam fell into a civil war. The United States, which supported the southern regime of Ngo Dinh Diem, sent its first combat troops to Vietnam in 1965. In 1973 the Americans withdrew; their former allies were forced to surrender on April 30th, 1975, at which time the nation was reunified under Communist rule. A period of economic and political isolation from much of the capitalist world followed. In the late 1980s the Vietnamese Government eased restrictions on foreigners wishing to travel and invest in Vietnam. Diplomatic relations with the United States were resumed in 1995.
VISA REQUIREMENTS:
Visitors who enter Laos at Vientiane airport or Luang Prabang airport or via the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai may obtain 15-day tourist visas on arrival, the cost of which is $30. These visas can usually be extended for another 15 days. Bring payment in US dollars and one passport photo.
You can gather more details on obtaining a visa for Vietnam by visiting: www.vietnamembassy.org.uk
VISA REQUIREMENTS:
Twenty-eight day tourist visas may be obtained from Myanmar (Burma) embassies or consulates abroad. It is possible to get a visa on arrival if paperwork is done two weeks prior to arrival. To obtain a visa on arrival please send Trails of Indochina your full name, passport number and other passport details three weeks prior to departure. A visa on arrival costs $20 and requires two passport photos. The Myanmar Government is now making visa on-line available. For further information see: www.visa.gov.mm
CURRENCY:
Vietnam's currency is the Vietnam Dong (VND). You will find moneychangers in Vietnam's airports, banks, and some high-end hotels. Many banks (open Monday to Friday) issue cash advances for Visa and MasterCard, usually for a three percent commission. Credit cards and traveller's cheques are widely accepted in big cities. You will find 24-hour ATMs at HSBC, 235 Dong Khoi, D.1, HCM City; ANZ Bank, 11 Me Linh Square, D.1, HCM City; ANZ Bank, 14 Le Thai To, Hanoi; and at many Vietcombank branches nationwide. These ATMs only issue Vietnam dong. American dollars are welcomed in most hotels and higher-end restaurants, although you will need dong for taxis and in smaller shops.
The Laotian currency, the Kip, is worth about 7,880 to the US Dollar. U.S. Dollars are widely accepted, as are Thai Baht. Cashing traveller's cheques is difficult outside Vientiane and Luang Prabang. The only ATM in Vientiane is reserved for customers of La Banque Pour Le Commerce Exterieur Lao on Fa Ngum Road. If you have a debit card you can withdraw cash at this bank for a 3.5 percent commission. Better still; bring enough cash to last your stay. Myanmar's currency, the Kyat, trades for around 850 to 950 to the US Dollar. US Dollars are preferred. Travellers need no longer change a certain amount of cash upon arrival. Visa, American Express, Master Card and Diner's Club are NOT accepted in Burma. JCB cards numbered 3566 and up are also not accepted. A few major hotels do accept travellers' cheques and credit cards from hotel guests, although it is better not to count on this. Cash advances are not possible.
IMMUNIZATIONS:
The following immunizations are recommended for travellers in Southeast Asia . Consult your Doctor or local health department to discuss which ones you need. Diptheria and tetanus: Combined vaccinations for these two diseases are usually given in childhood and should be boosted every ten years.
Hepatitis A: Vaccination provides immunity for up to ten years and involves an initial injection followed by another six months to one year later.
Typhoid: Vaccination takes the form of an injection or capsules.
Meningococcal Meningitis: This vaccine is only recommended for travellers making extended visits to rural, northern Vietnam. Protection lasts for three years.
Rabies: People making longer trips to remote areas should consider rabies vaccination, which involves three injections over a period of three to four weeks.
Japanese B Encephalitis: People on trips of a month or more to areas suffering from recent outbreaks should consider getting this vaccine, which involves three shots over one month.
CLOTHING:
If your trip to Indochina or Burma includes stops at beaches and mountainous areas, you will need clothes for all temperatures. A swimsuit, sunglasses, a hat, t-shirts, shorts that are not too revealing, long trousers, some light-weight, long-sleeved tops and a light jacket that is wind- and rain-resistant will get you through most trips. If you plan to visit northern Vietnam, Laos or Burma in the winter, you'll need a warm coat. Mountainous areas can get chilly; choose clothes you can layer. If trekking is on your agenda, you will need sturdy footwear'plus lots of socks. Slip-on shoes or sandals are useful for visits to pagodas or people's houses, as you'll save time taking your shoes on and off. Larger cities like Ho Chi Minh City and even Phnom Penh and Yangon offer upscale bars and restaurants, so be sure to pack some clothes and shoes for a nice evening out. Leave your flashy jewellery at home.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS:
You should bring a money-belt to safely carry your travel documents and cash, and ensure that your luggage has a lock. Bring photo-copies of your passport and visa, plus some extra passport-sized photos if you're applying for on-arrival visas. When flying into or within Vietnam, you will probably be given baggage claim tags (they will be stuck to the back of your ticket). Keep these, as you will need to show them when leaving the airport.
Packing for a trip to Vietnam can be difficult, as the climate varies so much depending on when and where you go. When the weather isn't ideal in one area, it's great in another. While Hanoi is cold enough to warrant a coat from December to February, this is an excellent time to visit Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta.
From April to October, most of the country is affected by south-western monsoons. The rains, which tend to be concentrated in the late afternoons, provide welcome relief to the heat. Travel to very remote areas may be affected by the rains, but overall they should not interfere with your trip. The summer months are the perfect time to visit Ha Long Bay, as the water is warm enough for swimming. In terms of weather, northern Vietnam is at its loveliest from September to December, when there's a good chance of clear skies and low humidity. The hottest months in Ho Chi Minh City are April and May, although there is generally a decent breeze. The central highland town of Dalat is temperate year-round, earning it the epithet 'City of Eternal Spring'.
CULTURAL DIVERSITY
Vietnam's cultural makeup is as diverse as its topography. The population of some 80 million is divided into 54 ethnic groups, most of them concentrated in the central and northern highlands. The Kinh ethnic majority, who comprise 84 percent of the population, is largely found in the lowlands. Kinh or Viet culture arose in Vietnam's northern Red River delta, where people's way of life revolved around the cultivation of wet rice. Visitors to this area will find gated, farming villages where people still celebrate their local pagoda festivals and pay tribute to their village founders' and tutelary gods. Other major ethnic groups include the H'mong, Dao, Thai and Cham. Descended from the people who founded the Indianized Kingdom of Champa in what is now central Vietnam, the Cham have retained their own religion, customs and handicrafts, including the weaving of colourful brocade cloth. Today, Cham communities are scattered throughout central Vietnam and the Mekong Delta.
The best place to appreciate Vietnam's stunning cultural diversity is in its mountainous northeast. Highland markets draw people from dozens of ethnic groups, who continue to produce and wear traditional clothing decorated with embroidery, batik-prints, and beads. Having had minimal contact with the outside world, these people speak their own languages, observe their own religious festivals, and live much as they have for generations. Most Vietnamese people observe a form of Buddhism that incorporates Confucianism and Taoism. About eight percent of the population is Catholic.
HISTORY
In 938 A.D. the Vietnamese put an end to China's occupation of the Red River Delta, bringing to end a colonial rule that had started in the first century B.C. That the Vietnamese managed to cling to their cultural identity during a thousand years of occupation says much about their tenacity'a lesson that has been retaught in more recent times.
From their cradle in the northern Red River Delta the Viet moved south, absorbing the Kingdom of Champa in what is now central Vietnam in the 15th century. The official founding of Saigon (now renamed Ho Chi Minh City) took place only some three centuries ago.
French forces imposed colonial rule on Vietnam in 1883, starting an era of anti-colonial resistance that would span the next eight decades. Having fought the Japanese occupation of Vietnam, when World War II ended, the Viet Minh, led by President Ho Chi Minh, declared the nation independent. The French rejected Vietnam's independence and tried to regain control, leading to open warfare that ended with the Viet Minh's astonishing victory at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in May 1954. The Geneva Accords of mid-1954 temporarily divided the country. When the southern regime refused to hold elections in 1956, Vietnam fell into a civil war. The United States, which supported the southern regime of Ngo Dinh Diem, sent its first combat troops to Vietnam in 1965. In 1973 the Americans withdrew; their former allies were forced to surrender on April 30th, 1975, at which time the nation was reunified under Communist rule. A period of economic and political isolation from much of the capitalist world followed. In the late 1980s the Vietnamese Government eased restrictions on foreigners wishing to travel and invest in Vietnam. Diplomatic relations with the United States were resumed in 1995.
VISA REQUIREMENTS:
Visitors who enter Laos at Vientiane airport or Luang Prabang airport or via the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai may obtain 15-day tourist visas on arrival, the cost of which is $30. These visas can usually be extended for another 15 days. Bring payment in US dollars and one passport photo.
You can gather more details on obtaining a visa for Vietnam by visiting: www.vietnamembassy.org.uk
VISA REQUIREMENTS:
Twenty-eight day tourist visas may be obtained from Myanmar (Burma) embassies or consulates abroad. It is possible to get a visa on arrival if paperwork is done two weeks prior to arrival. To obtain a visa on arrival please send Trails of Indochina your full name, passport number and other passport details three weeks prior to departure. A visa on arrival costs $20 and requires two passport photos. The Myanmar Government is now making visa on-line available. For further information see: www.visa.gov.mm
CURRENCY:
Vietnam's currency is the Vietnam Dong (VND). You will find moneychangers in Vietnam's airports, banks, and some high-end hotels. Many banks (open Monday to Friday) issue cash advances for Visa and MasterCard, usually for a three percent commission. Credit cards and traveller's cheques are widely accepted in big cities. You will find 24-hour ATMs at HSBC, 235 Dong Khoi, D.1, HCM City; ANZ Bank, 11 Me Linh Square, D.1, HCM City; ANZ Bank, 14 Le Thai To, Hanoi; and at many Vietcombank branches nationwide. These ATMs only issue Vietnam dong. American dollars are welcomed in most hotels and higher-end restaurants, although you will need dong for taxis and in smaller shops.
The Laotian currency, the Kip, is worth about 7,880 to the US Dollar. U.S. Dollars are widely accepted, as are Thai Baht. Cashing traveller's cheques is difficult outside Vientiane and Luang Prabang. The only ATM in Vientiane is reserved for customers of La Banque Pour Le Commerce Exterieur Lao on Fa Ngum Road. If you have a debit card you can withdraw cash at this bank for a 3.5 percent commission. Better still; bring enough cash to last your stay. Myanmar's currency, the Kyat, trades for around 850 to 950 to the US Dollar. US Dollars are preferred. Travellers need no longer change a certain amount of cash upon arrival. Visa, American Express, Master Card and Diner's Club are NOT accepted in Burma. JCB cards numbered 3566 and up are also not accepted. A few major hotels do accept travellers' cheques and credit cards from hotel guests, although it is better not to count on this. Cash advances are not possible.
IMMUNIZATIONS:
The following immunizations are recommended for travellers in Southeast Asia . Consult your Doctor or local health department to discuss which ones you need. Diptheria and tetanus: Combined vaccinations for these two diseases are usually given in childhood and should be boosted every ten years.
Hepatitis A: Vaccination provides immunity for up to ten years and involves an initial injection followed by another six months to one year later.
Typhoid: Vaccination takes the form of an injection or capsules.
Meningococcal Meningitis: This vaccine is only recommended for travellers making extended visits to rural, northern Vietnam. Protection lasts for three years.
Rabies: People making longer trips to remote areas should consider rabies vaccination, which involves three injections over a period of three to four weeks.
Japanese B Encephalitis: People on trips of a month or more to areas suffering from recent outbreaks should consider getting this vaccine, which involves three shots over one month.
CLOTHING:
If your trip to Indochina or Burma includes stops at beaches and mountainous areas, you will need clothes for all temperatures. A swimsuit, sunglasses, a hat, t-shirts, shorts that are not too revealing, long trousers, some light-weight, long-sleeved tops and a light jacket that is wind- and rain-resistant will get you through most trips. If you plan to visit northern Vietnam, Laos or Burma in the winter, you'll need a warm coat. Mountainous areas can get chilly; choose clothes you can layer. If trekking is on your agenda, you will need sturdy footwear'plus lots of socks. Slip-on shoes or sandals are useful for visits to pagodas or people's houses, as you'll save time taking your shoes on and off. Larger cities like Ho Chi Minh City and even Phnom Penh and Yangon offer upscale bars and restaurants, so be sure to pack some clothes and shoes for a nice evening out. Leave your flashy jewellery at home.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS:
You should bring a money-belt to safely carry your travel documents and cash, and ensure that your luggage has a lock. Bring photo-copies of your passport and visa, plus some extra passport-sized photos if you're applying for on-arrival visas. When flying into or within Vietnam, you will probably be given baggage claim tags (they will be stuck to the back of your ticket). Keep these, as you will need to show them when leaving the airport.
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