FAQS (Frequently Asked Questions) and Answers

Questions from travelers and our answers on different general topics on traveling Vietnam like: Before you come, Weather, Transportation, Tourism in Vietnam, Etiquette in Vietnam, Shopping and bargaining, etc... If you do not find your questions here, please send us an email, we will answer you at our soonest and also update it here for other travelers.

• Money
• Health
• Getting around
• Food and Drink
• General

Money:

Q. Can I use a credit card to get cash in Vietnam?
A. Yes, but it gets more difficult the further you are from the cities. Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and other centres have ATMs that accept the main cards, but only dispense local currency. Be warned that all credit card transactions in Vietnam are subject to a 3% surcharge (3.9% for Amex).

Q. Can I pay by credit card in Vietnam?
A. Yes, but only in a few places. In cities, large hotels, international restaurants and some souvenir shops take Visa or MasterCard, but it is not wise to rely upon it as a method of payment.

Q. What about travellers’ cheques?
A. Travellers’ cheques and cash in any international currency can be changed at all major banks. Some hotels will accept travellers’ cheques.

Q. What are the levels of commission for changing money in Vietnam?
A. All credit card transactions in Vietnam are subject to a surcharge. Charges for other transactions vary: we will supply full details on request. There is no commission on excanging ‘hard’ currency.

Q. Where can I change my currency for local currency?
A. At the airport, in banks, or in shops licensed to sell gold - exchange rates are very similar. Steer clear of street moneychangers - the exchange rate will be no better, and being given forged notes is a risk.

Q. What if I have a lot of local currency left over when I leave?
A. You can change local currency back to the currency you entered with by showing the yellow customs slip that you were given on arrival. The amount you take out must be less than the original amount you brought in.

Health

Q. What is the main difference in the climate of Vietnam and that of my country?
A. Vietnam is both hot and humid. Combined, they make visitors from temperate countries sweat profusely. Drinking plenty of water and good sun protection is essential. Winter in Hanoi (January to March) and the rest of the northern area can be be cold. The chilling effect is made worse by a damp, clammy atmosphere.

Q. What can I do about jet lag?
A. Not much, really. A stop-over en-route, or a rest day on arrival helps. It’s important to try to sleep and wake according to local time, even on the aeroplane.

Q. What will happen if there is an emergency?
A. With Haivenu, your guide will always have a mobile ‘phone and a means of summoning immediate assistance. You will also have direct telephone access to Haivenu Head office.

Q. How will medical emergencies be dealt with?
A. You will be taken to the nearest international clinic or hospital for an immediate examination and appropriate treatment according to the terms of your insurance.

Q. What if I am hospitalised or become incapacitated?
A. If you have supplied us with the details of your insurance, we will contact the company on your behalf and assist in any way we can.

Q. What should we do about malaria?
A. We are not medical experts, so we cannot advise you. However, if you wish, we will ask a trustworthy local international medical practice to provide an up-to-date report and recommendations.

Getting Around

Q. Can I travel freely in Vietnam?
A. Up to a point. A few areas are closed for security reasons, and others require a permit. If you travel with Haivenu, we will complete all necessary paperwork and permission procedures on your behalf.

Q. Can I ride a motorbike in Vietnam?
A. Officially, not without a Vietnamese license. An international licence is not acceptable as a substitute. The police generally turn a blind eye to foreigners, but not always!

Q. Can I hire a motorbike?
A. Yes, easily. However, few come with official papers, which can result in an on-the-spot fine. As they are not insured, you will be liable to pay for any damage or theft.

Q. Is it safe to ride a motorcycle in Vietnam?
A. The short answer is no! 80% of the 20,000 or so serious traffic accidents per year in Vietnam are caused by, or involve, motorcyclists. Roads are bad, and regulations are often ignored.

Q. Can I get a license to drive in Vietnam?
A. Not easily. An international driving licence can be converted, but the document must be translated and notarised, a protracted procedure.

Q. Can I drive a car in Vietnam?
A. With a Vietnamese licence, or a converted international licence, yes. However, there are no car rental agencies. Advertisements for car rental mean a car and a driver.

Food and Drink

Q. I am restricted to a special diet. How will I cope in Vietnam?
A. If travel with Haivenu, and give us details of your diet, we will instruct all the hotels and restaurants in the itinerary to provide the correct food. Your guide will also be fully briefed.

Q. I am a vegetarian. What are the options for me?
A. Despite being a Buddhist country, Vietnam is short of vegetarian restaurants. However, there are a few in the larger cities, and it’s quite easy to find good vegetable meals. The fruit is excellent!

General

Q. Can I make changes to my itinerary after I arrive?
A. Yes, as long as it’s possible. We will give you a quotation and issue a receipt or refund as appropriate. We consider minor changes involving minimal or no costs as part of the service and make no charge in such circumstances.

Q. Are there any restrictions on photography in Vietnam?
A. Yes. Photography in or near military installations, airports or similar locations is prohibited. Anyone caught doing taking photographs in restricted areas will have the film, and possibly the camera or camcorder, confiscated, and may be arrested.

Q. Can I buy antiques in Vietnam?
A. A qualified yes, providing it is less than a hundred years old. However, exporting an artefact that was made within the last century is not straightforward. There are experts on hand at the airport to verify the age of antiques, but the quality of fakes is very high, so anything that looks old is liable to be confiscated.

Q. How can I take large items home with me – furniture or paintings, for example?
A. We are also registered for export and import activities. We will give you an ‘at cost’ quotation, and arrange for the items to be properly crated, licensed for export, and shipped or flown to your home address.

Q. Are there Internet facilities in Vietnam?
A. Yes, there are plenty in cities and large towns, but not in rural areas. Most large hotels have internet access, and Internet cafes are commonplace and cheap.

Q. The artist you took me to was wonderful. I want to give him a present. Any ideas?
A. This is a common query. If you want to show your appreciation to someone in the form of a gift, we will try to suggest something appropriate, and even purchase and deliver it on your behalf, if necessary.

Q. I am from the United States. Will I face any hostility because of the war?
A. You will be surprised by the warmth of your reception. We Vietnamese live in the present and look forward to the future – the war is history. We warmly welcome people from all countries and races.

Q. What is the attitude towards drugs in Vietnam?
A. The law is strict in Vietnam. The use of illegal narcotics is strictly forbidden under any circumstances. Dealers and people caught trafficking, whether Vietnamese or foreigner, face execution. Don't be tempted to risk it!

Q.When is the best time to travel Vietnam?
A.The climate in Ho Chi Minh City and elsewhere in the south is hottest and most humid in March and April. The dry season runs from November to April and the rainy season from May to October. In the north, the wet season is from May to September; December to March is the driest months.

Q.What level of comfort can I expect?
A.It may vary from one trip to another pending on what trip you are following. On all our trekking trips we stay overnight at local family in hilly and mountainous area. All your gear will carried, your meals are prepared. Of course we will use also comfortable hotel with local quaint whenever available. On beach escape and touring holidays we stay in local hotels with fully supported staffs and amenities. All you have to do is enjoy yourself.

Q.What the accommodation like?
A.Hotels range from budget to five-star. While deluxe properties are located only in the major cities, the charm, and quaint local family run accommodations with varying levels of private facilities can be found through out the country. Vietvision Travel constantly stays abreast of hotel developments in order to offer our clients the best available and most preferred lodging?

 Q.How safe is it?
A. Above all, your well being is of paramount importance on all our trips. Our local staff constantly reviews every aspect of your adventure and our expert guides are fully conversant with the demands of traveling in remote and isolated regions.

Q.What about travel insurance?
A.Travel insurance is compulsory for any participant. It is advised that all travelers should have travel insurance covered before your departure. This will be really helpful in case of medical emergency evacuation. It is with go safe. The travel insurance will cover against Hospital and Medical expenses, the cover relates to expenses as a consequence of accidents occurring to the bearer during the period of Insurance and/or unforeseen illnesses which arise during that period as well.

Q.Do I need to have some vaccination before the trip?
A. No vaccinations are officially required by the Vietnamese authorities, however immunization against cholera, hepatitis, typhoid, tetanus, polio and Japanese encephalitis is advised. Please consult your doctors for further medical advice. Also plan to bring mosquito repellent. Wearing long-sleeved shirts and slacks from dusk onward and avoiding perfume is also recommended. In addition to an ample supply of any prescription drugs you are taking (and a prescription which can be filled in case your pills go missing) bring medicines for: Headaches, diarrhea, constipation, insect bites, sore throats, eye drops, cuts, etc. Medical standards outside Hanoi and Saigon, Siemreap and Luangprabang are lower that those found in western countries.

Q.What about the food?
A.Your good health is a top priority on all our trips. We are therefore fully aware of the healthy appetites that build up when trekking, kayaking or touring and provide tasty and varied meals with plenty of fresh ingredients. All our food is prepared by genius cooks who ensure high standards of hygiene and who serve a sensible combination of local and Western dishes. . We also cater for vegetarians, and none-seafood individuals. Whereas sometimes you have to choose your own meals, eat only the well-cooked food at decent hotels and restaurants. While snacks may be offered for sale else where, one never knows the condition under which they were prepared or the health of the food handlers. You may want to bring along dried fruits and other "comfort" for the bus ride (there is a " dining car" on the train which serves drinks and light meals).

Q.Who is my guide?
A.Positive feedback from our clients validates our policy of employing local people as guide. Our guides are open-minded, qualified and enthusiastic young people who can accommodate your travel needs and provide you - the traveler, with first-hand knowledge of local history and culture. They are also curious about foreign culture and are keen to engage in cultural exchange with visitors. They are there to make your trip a success.

Q.What about Responsible Travel?
A.We are highly committed in the friendly environment operation. Our style of travel is " environmentally, culturally and socially responsible - we call this 'Responsible Travel'. It involves working closely with local people and, where possible, training local people as trip guide and staff about how to protect the environment and decisions that affect their future. This is our mission to conserve the areas we visit, keep them intact and unspoilt by tourism and bring positive benefits to local communities.

Q.Can I organize my own group?
A.Our website is just the starting point. If the specified trips are not suitable, or you don't want to follow the same itinerary, we would be happy to come up with a program to suit your travel interests. This service is available to any individual, family or group. We regularly organize tailor-made holidays for families, groups of friends, schools, clubs, societies, associations and special interest groups. We're happy to be of any assistance in planning and making your trip, as you've ever wanted it to be!

Q.What is included in my trip?
A.Pending on specific trip our inclusions may vary from trip to trip, as an indication we include accommodation in clean, friendly located hotels with local character where possible on a double/ twin shared basis with daily breakfast; all transfers & transportation including boat ride, train journey if any; experienced English speaking guide; domestic flights where specified in the itinerary; food as stated in the trip; other specific arrangement for special interest tours.

Q.Are children charged the full room rate?
A.Rates are normally reduced for children under the age of 12 years.

Q.Are there any hidden cost or extra charges?
A.Good question! Most of our tours include all transport, meals, accommodation and much of arrangement and service you will need in the tour the cost is a little to spend. Read though the inclusion, exclusion portion and you will find more specific about it. Compare our quality, inclusions and daily rates our holidays offer good value for money.

What is the local money called? Can I use credit cards and travelers check?

Q.Currency
A.Vietnamese – Dong

In Viet Nam credit cards are accepted at most hotels and better restaurants and shops.

Q.Travelers Checks
A.In Viet Nam traveler’s cheque is accepted in the big cities but when you change it you need to bring along your passport

Q.ATM Machines
A.In Viet Nam: available in most of the major cities. US dollars, preferably crisp clean bills, are accepted almost everywhere in all of the countries listed above.

Q.How can I make a booking?
A.Booking can be actually made on line. Once you are interested in the trip, you then can go ahead and sign up the tour by sending us by fax the completed reservation form so that we could process your booking. In case you won't find any option that matches your expectation or you want to follow your own itinerary, then do not hesitate to fill the customized trip form and forward it to us. We will work it out and tailor your trip to just what you long for.

Q.How can I apply for a visa? 
A.Visitors must obtain visa approval prior to entry. We offer the visa approval service. The procedure can be summarized as follow:

(1) Passport details and arrival, departure dates are to send to us no later than 14 day prior to your departure. (You can send by email, fax or snail mail; we need: full name as stated in passport, gender, date of birth, passport number, expiry date, nationality, arrival & departure date, place to receive your visa-please advise which Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate where your want to get your visa stamped)

(2) We then go ahead and submits these details to the Vietnamese Immigration Department.

(3) The Immigration Department will confirm us of visa approval and send it by fax/telex approval to the Embassy or Consulate in the country of visitors' residence

(4) We send you the approval document via email.

(5) You bring your passports & 2 passport sized photos to Vietnamese embassy to get the visa stamped (stamp fee will be paid by yourselves).

Q.More Questions?
A.Please do contact us and let us know your question or concern, we will get back to as soon as possible