TRAVEL INFORMATION OF VIETNAM

INTRODUCTION

VIETLINK TRAVEL & SERVICE welcomes you to join a cyber-trip to Vietnam, a new and undiscovered destination. If you wish to encounter authentic people, magnificent landscapes, breathtaking scenery, delightful cuisine and a rich culture, Vietnam is your destination. It will be an unforgettable travel experience... and wherever you go, you will be overwhelmed by the natural warmth and hospitality of the local people.  <Top>

GENERAL INFORMATION

According to archaeological discoveries made at Do Mountain, it is believed that life in Vietnam began as far back as 300,000 years ago. Officially, the history of Vietnam stretches back 4,000 years when it was founded by the Hung Kings. It was then named Van Lang.

From the 1^st to the 6^th centuries, the south of what is now Vietnam was part of the Indianished kingdom of Funan. The Hindu kingdom of Champa appeared around present-day Danang in the late 2^nd century and had spread south to what is now Nha Trang by the 8^th century. The Chinese conquered the Red River Delta in the 2^nd and their 1000-year rule, marked by tenacious Vietnamese resistance and repeated rebellions, ended in 938 AD when Ngo Quyen vanquished the Chinese armies at the Bach Dang River.

During the next few centuries, Vietnam repulsed repeated invasions by China, and expanded its borders southwards from the Red River Delta, populating much of the Mekong Delta. In 1858, French and Spanish-led forces stormed Danang in southern Vietnam. A year later, Hochiminh City (formerly Saigon) was seized. By 1867, France had conquered all of southern Vietnam, which became the French colony of Cochin-China.

Communist guerillas under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh resisted French domination. Ho Chi Minh's declaration of Vietnamese independent after World War II sparked violent confrontations with the French, culminating in the French military defeat at Dien Bien Phu in 1954.

The Geneva Accords of 1954 temporarily divided Vietnam into two zones (the Communist in the north and the anti-Communist, US-supported in the south). Political and ideological opposition quickly turned to armed struggle, prompting the USA and other countries to commit combat troops in 1965. The Paris Peace Agreements, signed in 1973, provided an immediate cease-fire and signaled the withdrawal of US troops. Saigon eventually capitulated to the Communist forces on 30 April 1975.

The end of the Cold War and the collapse of the USSR in 1991 caused Vietnam and Western nations to seek rapprochement. In July 1995 even intransigent America re-establish diplomatic relations with Hanoi.

The immediate image in the minds of most people at the mention of Vietnam is that of the war fought against the United States some twenty five years ago. Most people think of the country only in terms of the American conflict in Indochina. The war ended nearly twenty five years ago, and today, despite lingering signs of past American involvement, the situation in Vietnam is markedly different. People have finally begun to look at the country from another perspective, now that travelers and tourists from the West are being welcomed into what was once a forbidden country. It may take a bit more effort and tenacity to plan an excursion into Vietnam that it would for another Southeast Asian country, but Vietnam has much to offer in terms of culture and sights.  <Top>

GEOGRAPHY

Vietnam, is an "S" shape country of 327,500 Km², located in the Eastern Coast of the Indochina Peninsula. It has 2,500 Kms of coastlines and borders, North and West are China, East is the Pacific Ocean, West are Cambodia and Laos. It has thousands of off-shore islands and archipelagoes; the biggest of which are the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelagoes.

The largest cities are Hochiminh City (Saigon) the cultural and economic center of Vietnam with a population of 4.8 million, Hanoi, the capital with 2.5 million, and Haiphong with 1.7 million, the biggest port in Vietnam.  <Top>

POPULATION

78 millions inhabitants (the 12^th population in the world), with an average density of 200 habitants/km², reaching 1,000 in the Red River Delta in the North. 88% of the population are Viet (also named Kinh), 3% Chinese, 1.5% Khmer and numberous minorities make up the people of Vietnam: Muong, Nung, Meo, Cham (which counts a few thousands) and Hmong. The dominant religions are Buddhism (65% of the population), Catholicism (6.5% of the population), Confucianism, Taoisim and Cadaism represent 28.5% of the population. Vietnam has one of the highest literacy level in Asia.  <Top>

PEOPLE AND CULTURE

The vast majority of the population is Vietnamese with minute percentages of Chinese. The Viet culture originated on the delta of the Red River and the Ma River where the Viet people cultivated paddy fields. They led a simple farming life in small villages, usually living around a communal house. Today the people living in the countryside follow this lifestyle. The Viet people are influenced by Confucianism, in particular the principle of respect for their elders.

In spite of the immense suffering of the Vietnamese and the somewhat ruined state of the country, they are generally warm and friendly, and surprisingly, the Vietnamese bear little if any resentment or bitterness toward Americans. Children in the streets will commonly greet visitors with the name Lien Xo, which means Russian, but they will easily be corrected if you respond, "Hello!" or "Good morning" and explain you are an American, European or Australian, etc.

Ethnic Groups:
The country is predominantly 85-90% Vietnamese, 3% Chinese, ethnic minorities include Muong, Thai, Meo, Khmer, Man, Cham, and other mountain tribes.

Languages:
Vietnamese is the official language; French, Chinese, English, Khmer and tribal dialects (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian) are also spoken.

Religion:
Buddhist, Confucian, Taoist, Roman Catholic, indigenous beliefs, Islamic and Protestant.  <Top>

ECONOMY

Vietnam is still under developed, especially in the North, affected by 30 years of war (destruction of infrastructures, deforestation...) together with the disappearance of 30/45 years old age class and a majority of elite. The GDP in 1998 is US$26 billion, Inflation is 10%, the GDP per capita US$332 (Hochiminh City US$1,172, Hanoi US$865). Unemployment in Urban is 6.8% and in Rural is 3.9%. It is mainly an agricultural country (80% of the population) with a great difference between the North (very agricultural and poor) and the South (much more developed, less affected by war and natural disaster).  <Top>

MONEY

The currency issued by the Vietnam State Bank is the dong (abbreviated "d" or VND) which is used uniformly throughout the country. The exchange rate between VND and USD is approximately 14,000 VND per 1 USD. You can change money at hotels and banks. Bank notes in dominations of 100d, 200d, 500d, 1000d, 2,000d, 5,000d, 10,000d, 20,000d, and 50,000d are presently in circulation.

Credit cards and travellers' cheques are accepted in major hotels, some restaurants and a few shops. These establishments often charge an extra service charge for these form of payments.  <Top>

LANGUAGE

Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam. Foreign language learning, particularly English, is currently in vogue among young people in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Da Nang and other cities. Some people still speak French (especially older people), German and Russian (especially in Vung Tau, Nha Trang and Danang).

Tourist guides can speak English, French, Russian, Chinese and Japanese. Tour guides will make things easier to communicate in Vietnam. Language can indeed be a problem outside the main cities for people who have no knowledge of Vietnamese.  <Top>

TOURIST ENTRY AND EXIT PROCEDURES

Never go to Vietnam without first obtaining a visa. You will need a visa to visit Vietnam!

Any foreigners or overseas Vietnamese wishing to visit Vietnam shall fill in two regular application forms for an entry visa, enclosing two 4cm by 6cm photographs. They should be of the head and shoulders only, taken without a hat and should show the person concerned facing the camera, (and taken no more than one year before the application).

Presently it takes three days for a transit visa, five days for a tourist visa, and 15 days for a visitor visa, for those travelling to their native places or visiting relatives. Tourist agencies shall inform the application, so that they may contact a Vietnamese diplomatic representative office abroad to obtain their entry-exit visa.

If you need assistance, Vietlink Travel & Service offering services to Vietnam can help you to get a entry-exit visa. It is also possible to obtain visas at the Vietnamese consulates in other cities such as Bangkok or Hong Kong.

If you are going to Vietnam on business, you should request a specific business visa.

Two copies of the customs declaration must be completed upon arrival, together with one entry/exit form. One copy of the customs declaration and a portion of the entry/exit form will be kept by the visitor. These will have to be presented when leaving the country.

Once in Vietnam, it may be possible to extend your visa for a fee. If you plan to be in both North and the South, request a visa that allows entry and exit through both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.  <Top>

CUSTOMS FORMALITIES

1. All visitors to Vietnam, should fill in declaration forms and show their luggage to Customs officials on request.
2. Luggage, personal possessions and goods brought to Vietnam in amounts sufficient for personal use only, and not listed among noncommercial goods not to be imported, are exempt from tax.
3. Travellers' luggage as declared at Customs offices on arrival must be shown again at Customs when leaving Vietnam, except for articles which have been consumed or given as gifts.
4. Visitors to Vietnam can bring with them unlimited amounts of foreign currency, objects made of gold, silver, precious metals and gemstones or plated with silver or gold, but these must be declared in detail on their customs forms. Travellers can change their money for Vietnamese dong (VND) at the banks, hotels and jewelry shops throughout the country. Foreign currency must be changed into Vietnamese dong for shopping.
5. Travellers can take with them unlimited amounts of souvenirs bought with receipts.  <Top>

VIETNAM TIME

GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) plus 7 hours.
It is in the same time zone as Bangkok.  <Top>

OFFICE HOURS

All Government offices are open eight hours a day from 7.30 to 16.30 (except for a one-hour lunch break) on Monday to Saturday. Sunday is a holiday.  <Top>

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

January 1: New Year Day, one day holiday.
February 3: Anniversary of the Foundation of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
April 30: Saigon Liberation Day, one day holiday.
May 1: International Labour Day, one day holiday.
May 19: Birthday of President Ho Chi Minh.
September 2: National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, one day holiday.

Vietnam Traditional lunar New Year Festival (Tet Nguyen Dan): Four day holiday. It often falls between January and February. The holidays begin on the Eve and the first three days of a Lunar New Year.  <Top>

OTHER MAJOR ANNIVERSARIES

February 3: Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party.
May 19: Birthday of President Ho Chi Minh.
December 25: Christmas

The following major traditional festivals are listed by lunar calendar date:

• The 15th of the 1st moon: Tet Thuong Nguyen.
• The 2nd day of the 4th moon: New Year Festival of the Khmer ethnic minority people. o The 8th day of the 4th moon: Buddha's Birthday.
• The 15th day of the 7th moon: Tet Trung Nguyen.
• The 15th day of the 8th moon: Mid-Autumn Festival.
• The 29th day of the 8th moon: New Year Festival of the Cham ethnic minority people.
• The 15th day of the 10th moon: Boat-racing festival of the Khmer ethnic people in the Mekong River Delta.

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SOME POPULAR CULTURAL FESTIVALS (BY LUNAR CALENDAR)

• The 2nd day of the 1st month: Wrestling Festival in Lieu Doi, Nam Ha.
• The 5th day of the 1st month: Festival of Dong Da hill, Hanoi: Yo celebrate the anniversary of King Quang Trung's victory over 290,000 Qing invaders to liberate Thang Long (now Hanoi).
• The 6th day of the 1st month: Festival of Eel-Catching in Pot in Ving Lac district, Vinh Phu province. This reflects the farmers' love for labour and the joy over bumper crops.
• The 10th day of the 1st month: Festival in Trieu Khuc village, Hanoi. Cultural activities of a traditional handicraft village.
• The 13th day of the 1st month: Lim Festival, Ha Bac. Festival of quan ho folk song singing. Boys and girls meet on river bank, on hill or in the yards of village's communal house and pagoda to sing and exchange emotions.
• The 15th day of the 1st month: Festival of Spring on Ba Den mountain.
• The 15th of 2nd month (formal date): Festival of Huong Pagoda, Ha Tay: Traditional festival lasting over 2 months.
• Spring festival of buffalo fighting: in Tay Nguyen Highlands highlighting the martial spirit of the ethnic minority people.
• The 10th day of the 3rd month: Festival of Hung Temple celebrating the death a anniversary of Kings Hung.
• The 9th day of the 4th month: Giong Festival, Hanoi, commemorating Saint Giong, a legendary child hero who defeated foreign invasion and saved the nation.
• The 26th day of the 4th month: Festival of Queen Su in Chau Doc.
• The 5th day of the 5th month: Water Festival in Nha Trang. People in the city go to the beach and have a bath for health improvement.
• The 16th day of the 6th month: Festival of Nghinh Ong in Tien Giang - Ben Tre.
• The 30th day of the 7th month: Festival at Lang Ong, Ho Chi Minh City.
• The 9th day of the 8th month: Buffalo fighting festival, Do Son, Hai Phong.
• The 13th day of the 9th month: Festival of Keo Pagoda, Thai Binh. Traditional communal festival.
• The 22th day of the 11th month: Festival of Dong Quan in Chan Tien Pagoda, Hanoi.

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CLIMATE

Although the weather in Vietnam is not homogenous, we can distinguish two main seasons: dry season from November to May, and rainy season from June to October. However, this distinction is theoretical and varies from North to South of Vietnam.

NORTH: Dry season previously mentioned, from November to May, is divided in two periods: From November to February, it is rather cool. The average temperature is about 20o C, and it may be as low as 6o or 7o C at night. From March to May, it is much warmer.

Average Temperatures and Rainfall in Hanoi (North)

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max	20.4	20.4	23.1	27.3	31.7	32.8	32.2	32.0	30.9	28.8	25.6	22.0
Min	13.8	14.7	17.5	20.8	23.9	25.5	25.7	25.4	24.3	21.6	18.2	15
Rain	18	25	46	84	192	240	296	310	258	127	47	20

CENTER: Rainy season "overpasses" until December, with two months September and October period characterized by typhoons and heavy rains.

Average Temperatures and Rainfall in Danang (Center)

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max	24.7	26.1	28.1	30.8	33.1	34.5	34.2	33.9	31.6	28.8	27.1	25.1
Min	18.8	19.7	21.3	23.1	24.6	25.3	25.2	24.9	24.0	22.9	21.6	19.7
Rain	110	39	24	29	63	76	83	116	373	585	368	223

SOUTH: The changes of the two seasons (dry from November to May and rainy from June to October) are more obvious than anywhere. The rains are often limited to big shower at the end of the afternoon, and the weather is never cold.

Average Temperatures and Rainfall in Hochiminh City (South)

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Max	31.6	32.9	34.0	33.6	33.4	32.2	31.4	31.5	31.2	31.0	30.9	30.7
Min	21.0	21.9	23.5	24.9	24.7	24.1	23.9	24.0	23.8	23.6	22.8	21.6
Rain	11	6	10	50	218	298	279	271	312	267	111	35

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ELECTRIC POWER

Electric current in Vietnam is mostly 220 Volts, but 110 Volts system is still in use. Sockets are both round and flat types.

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WATER SUPPLY

Tap water in urban areas in Vietnam is chlorinated, but it is recommended that it should be boiled before drinking.

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CLOTHING

Relax clothes are recommended. In the South, light clothing is a must, but in highland areas (Dalat, Sapa, Buon Me Thuot) warm clothing is appropriate at all times of the year.

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DINING AND DRINKING

Vietnamese cuisine is varied and good. Some differences can be noted according to the region. Cooking in the North is most like that of China. In the Central region, food is spicier. The South offers a large range of fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices.

Vietnamese food varies from region to region. Almost 500 traditional dishes have been recorded! Rice and noodles are staple foods, served with nearly all meals. The most popular dishes are chä giò (spring rolls), bún thang (noodles with sliced pork, eggs, shredded chicken and shrimp), shellfish steamed with ginger and sea crabs fried with salt. Among common ingredients used are: shark fin, duck, pork paste, fish, spices, fruits, vegetables, crab meat, lobster and oysters.

Imported beer is available in Vietnam, although a number of domestic beers are brewed. Rice wine is very popular, and there are many brands available. There is a variety of fruit wines such as apricot, orange or lemon. Soft drinks are processed from the many varieties of tropical fruits available. Water from the tap should be avoided, even though it has already been filtered and sterilized at 10ºC. If you must drink it, boil the water first.

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TIPPING

Tipping is not common in Vietnam although it is appreciated. Larger hotels and restaurants often slap a service charge plus a 10% government tax on to your bill. Bargaining is a fact of life here.

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LOCAL CUSTOMS

General:

• Be firm, yet diplomatic when dealing with officials who will often be very rigid. In the case of misunderstanding, patience is the best policy.
• Out of politeness, always ask permission before taking photos of people. The same rule of thumb also applies to photos taken in places of worship. Permission will almost always be granted.
• A gentle handshake is the most appropriate manner of greeting.
• Beware of pickpockets. Keep your ID and passport in a safe place and carry only photocopies of those items.
• Remove your shoes before entering Buddhist pagodas. Small donations placed in the boxes found in temples are appreciated. It is acceptable to keep your shoes on within Chinese pagodas.
• Never let the soles of your feet face other people or any sacred monument, such as a statue of Buddha.

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TOURISM SEASONS

Vietnam is a country where tourists can visit in all four seasons. The country's tourism service offers a range of programmes convenient to your circumstances.

In the North, the best tourist season lasts from November to April the next year. Spring time is especially pleasant because of the cooler, drier climate. Also at this time there are a lot of ritual ceremonies and folk festivals of many diverse forms; such as: Festivals to commemorate national heroes and heroines, folk cultural festivals, spring festivals, as well as prayer ceremonies for good crops, to cite just a few.

The most interesting one is the Lunar New Year Festival.

Visiting Vietnam in that season, you are recommended to bring along warm clothes. The temperature in Winter is around 10-15 degree celsius. It becomes warmer in March and April.

Meanwhile in the South, the average temperature throughout the year is about 27 degree celsius, so you just need thin garments, sun glasses and may be a hat or two.  <Top>

SIGHTSEEING

Cat Ba
This island is the largest in the Cat Ba archipelago. It is potentially one of the major beach destinations in Southeast Asia. This region has beautiful beaches and pristine waters. Within the mountains are caves and grottos. Located 36 miles (58km) east of Haiphong.

Central Market
The Ben Thanh Market, formerly the main railway terminal, is the largest of the markets scattered throughout the city. A wide variety of goods are available, from imported electronics to imported perfumes.
Ho Chi Minh City

Cham Ruins
For those interested in seeing all that these fifteen towers have to offer, plan on spending a minimum of one day. These towers are located at My Son in the Duy Xuyen district.
Danang

Cholon
Ho Chi Minh City's Chinatown. Sights include the Binh Tay Market, the An Quang Pagoda (District 5) and the scenic Thien Hau Temple.
Ho Chi Minh City

Cu Chi Tunnels
An extensive network of nearly 200 miles (322mi) of Viet Cong tunnels used in the French Indochina war and American war. The tunnels have complete facilities, from kitchens to printing presses and even street signs, all of which were used to aid the NLF (National Liberation Front) military. Tours involve a description of the tunnels, after which tourists are allowed to crawl about the maze. Located in Tay Ninh (suburb of Ho Chi Minh City), 24 miles (39km) northwest of central Ho Chi Minh City.
Ho Chi Minh City

Dalat
The mountain resort among the Central Highlands has scenic surroundings as well as remnants of the French colonial era. The Ethnic Minority Museum is certainly worth visiting for those interested in the costumes, gongs, ornaments and other artifacts collected by locals from the Lam Dong province. As another point of interest, there is even an old abandoned nuclear power plant.

Halong Bay
One of Vietnam's most beautiful areas, Halong Bay has fascinating limestone formations, coves for nighttime excursions, sheer cliffs, grottoes, arches and scores of small islets.

Ho Chi Minh City
This is the largest city in Vietnam. It is the industrial, commercial and cultural center of the country. The central city area is still called Saigon.

Khai Dinh Tomb
This is the final monument of the Nguyen Dynasty. The complex features ceiling murals, frescoes and a dragon staircase. Located on the slopes of the Chau E Mountain, six miles (10km) south of town.
Hue

Marble Mountains
Consisting of five limestone peaks, about five (8km) miles south of town. They can be explored by following the paths leading to the peaks.
Danang

Minh Mang Tomb
The most impressive of the tombs and pagodas at Hue. Located at the tributaries of the Perfume River, seven miles (11km) south of Hue, this complex has beautiful architecture, intricate decor and military statues.
Hue

Notre Dame Cathedral
This Catholic church was constructed in 1883 and is located near the Tu Do (Dong Khoi) Street, the former red-light district.
Ho Chi Minh City

Nha Trang
The central region near Nha Trang features some of the most beautiful beaches in Asia. The ocean waters are transparent, and the sands immaculate, attracting more and more visitors in recent times. Tours cover the Cham Ponagar complex, the north tower of which was built in 817 A.D. Ruins of the long-deceased Champa still stand as a testament to this once prominent kingdom.

One Pillar Pagoda
Built in the 11th century, this pagoda sits on a stone pillar in the middle of a pond. This is one of the more unusual structures in Vietnam.
Hanoi

Presidential Palace
This building is now called the Reunification Hall. The center was built as a modern administration center and is where the war and the American involvement in Vietnam ended in April 1975, with tanks invading the compound. Guided tours will take visitors through the various rooms within the complex.
Ho Chi Minh City

Tu Duc Tomb
Tranquil scenery composed of lakes, pine-tree-covered hills and pavilions make this area an ideal place to relax. Located about five miles (8 kms) southwest of Hue.
Hue

Vinh Nghiem Pagoda
A modern Japanese-style Buddhist temple, easily one of the largest and most impressive in Ho Chi Minh City.
Ho Chi Minh City

Vung Tau Beach
Located at the mouth of the Saigon River is the popular Vung Tau beach resort. Pineapple Beach is probably the most pleasant, with its villas and generally tranquil atmosphere. The temples are a definite must-see. The Niet Ban Tinh Xa is the largest temple in Vietnam. Tourist accommodations are available at the Hoa Binh Hotel, as well as the Thang Loi, Thang Thai and Tho Nguyet.
Ho Chi Minh City

Lenin Park (Thong Nhat Park)
Built over a former marsh, this park surrounds a large lake containing a statue of Lenin, often the object of jokes among the locals. The park itself is quite beautiful.
Tran Nhan Tong Street.  Hanoi

National Preserve of Cuc Phuong
This national park is one of the last tropical primeval forest reserves on Earth. There are 64 species of fauna and thousands of species of flora, many of which are extinct everywhere else in the world. Bizarre and fascinating species of animals from flying lizards to monkeys dwell within the park's 61,000 acres. Caves and grottoes, where various artifacts have been discovered, are located in the mountains within.
Ha Nam Ninh Province.  It is located approximately 62 miles (100mi) southwest of Hanoi.

Thu Le Park
Located northwest of Hanoi in the Thu Le village.

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POSTAL SERVICE

A regular international post service is available. In addition there are some new, special services: Express Mail Service (EMS). The domestic EMS ensures that letters and small parcels are delivered within 24-48 hours. International EMS has relations with nearly 30 countries world-wide, with a delivery time ranging from 2 to 10 days.

Air mail and small parcels must however be subject to additional charges.

Express money transfer: Money is delivered to the receiver within 24 hours.

Flower delivery on order by telephone: This service delivers messages of greetings or condolences, together with flowers, money or goods (allowed in circulation) to the receiver by order of the sender.

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HEALTH & MEDICAL FACILITIES

No vaccination is required. But visitors should receive inoculations against yellow fever, hepatitis B, cholera, polio, typhoid, tuberculoses and tetanus. It is also advised that your clients take malaria tablets.

Things improve in the main cities. The best Vietnamese hospital in Hanoi and Saigon can deal well serious illnesses and have foreign staff.

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TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICE

Telephone:

International long-distance calls (direct): To make an international direct dial (IDC) call you must first dial the international prefix (00) followed by the country code, area code and the local number. In case you fail to contact the required number, dial 110 for the operator's help.

Domestic long-distance calls: To place a domestic long-distance call you must first dial the national trunk prefix (0) followed by the area code and local number. If you fail to get the required number, dial 101 for the operator's help.

International Dialing Access: Available at major tourist hotels and post offices.

Country Code: 84
Hanoi city code: 04
Ho Chi Minh city code: 08

When calling from within the same city, delete the city code from the number. When calling to another city from within Vietnam, use the entire city code. When calling from outside Vietnam, delete the first digit (0) from the city code.

Facsimile (Fax):

Fax machines are quickly proliferating in Vietnam. public and registered fax machines are available in hotels, business and public offices.

Also available are local and international cardphone on socioeconomic and cultural information. This service also runs advertisements and business self-introduction scheme.

Useful Telephone numbers:

• Police 113
• Fire brigade 114
• Ambulance 115
• Telephone directory 116
• Time inquires 117
• Telephone repair service 119
• Domestic long distance telephone service 101
• International telephone service 110
• Inquiries on socioeconomic, cultural information 108

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VIETNAM RADIO AND TELEVISION

Radio:

At present Radio the Voice of Vietnam broadcasts on several channels for 68 hours a day, including:

• 42 hours of domestic service: There are diversified programmes to serve people of all walks of life: children, the elderly, young people, women, the armed forces, the police and ethnic groups... There are daily programmes broadcast in the languages of such ethnic minorities as the H'Mong, Ede, Khmer (of South Vietnam)... on the 49 meter band (74 KHz).
• 26 hours of international service in 11 foreign languages: English, French, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, Indonesian, Lao, Thai, Khmer and Chinese (Beijing and Cantonese). In addition there is a special programme for Vietnamese living far from the homeland.

Moreover daily music and news programmes are pm FM, 100 kHz, from 07 am to 12 pm. All provinces and cities have their own radio stations with their own programmes.

Television:

The Central Vietnam Television Station broadcasts three programmes daily through the Starcionar 13 transmitting station:

• Programme 1: In the morning from 6 am on Channel 9 in the evening from 7pm.
• Programme 2: From 7pm on Channel 11.
• Programme 3: From 4 pm to 6.45 pm on Channel 9 and Channel 11.

At present all provinces and cities have their own stations and programmes.

T.V.R.O.: Vietnam now has some 1000 parabolic antennae to directly receive satellite programmes. These antennae are installed on the roofs of hotels, guest houses, houses for rent to foreigners and some public offices. However, a TVRO is expensive, and consequently the Vietnamese government is presently considering setting up a cable television service.

Multi-channel Microwave Distribution Services: The service can simultaneously transmit several TV programmes including a news service, an economic broadcast, a science and technology service, as well covering educational issues, entertainment and sport. It operates from both local and international stations. This kind of entertainment is currently under test and it will soon be operational, to satisfy both Vietnamese and foreign viewers.

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ROAD, RAILWAYS AND SEA TRANSPORT NETWORK. THE ROAD NETWORK (RUNNING NORTH-SOUTH AND EAST-WEST)

NORTH-SOUTH ROADS

National highway 1: From the Huu Nghi Border Gate in Lang Son Province to Ho Chi Minh City and down to Go Dau Ha. This is the trans-Vietnam North-South high way.

Highway 14: Running along the Central Highlands from the ancient capital city of Hue to Kontum-Pleiku meeting Highway 1 at Bien Hoa.

Truong Son Train: Beginning at Tan Ky, Ha Tinh province, it runs in parallel with Highway 1 through the Tay Nguyen Central Highlands down to the east of South Vietnam.

WEST-EAST, SOUTH-EAST AND NORTH-WEST ROADS

• Highway 2: Linking Hanoi via Vinh Phu to Meo Vac (Tuyen Quang).
• Highway 3: From Hanoi to Thuy Khau (Cao Bang).
• Highway 5: Hanoi to hai Phong.
• Highway 6: Hanoi to Lai Chau.
• Highways 4B and 4A: From the Ngoc peninsula in Mong Cai (Quang Ninh) through Dong Dang (Lang Son) to (Cao Bang).
• Highway 4: From Ho Chi Minh City through the Mekong Delta to Nam Can, the southernmost part of Vietnam.
• Highway 20: From Xuan Loc to Da Lat.
• Highway 9: From Quang Tri to Lao Bao Gate.
• Highway 19: From Quy Nhon to Pleiku

RAILWAYS NORTHERN LINE

• Hanoi-Lang Son: 148km in 5-6 hours.
• Hanoi-Lao Cai: 296km in 9-10 hours.
• Hanoi-Thai Nguyen: 75km in 2 hours 30 minutes.
• Hanoi-Uong Bi: 130km in 4 hours.
• Hanoi-Hai Phong: 102km in 3-4 hours.

RAILWAYS SOUTHERN LINE

From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City: 1,730km, through Nam Ha (Nam Dinh, 87km); Thanh Hoa (187km), Nghe an (Vinh 319km); Quang Binh (Dong Hoi 522 km); Quang Tri (Dong Ha 622km); Hue (688km);Da Nang (791km); Quang Ngai (928km); Phu Yen (Tuy Hoa 1,197km); Nha Trang (1,315km).

Hanoi Railway Station
120 Le Duan Rd, Hanoi
Tel (84-4) 8252628

Saigon Railway Station
01 Nguyen Thong St, Dist 3
Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: (84-8) 8245585

MARITIME WATERWAY

Maritime communication and transport in Vietnam has also been developed. Hai Phong is a major port lying on the East-West and North-South international sea lanes. In recent years, the ports of Hai Phong, Da Nang and Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) have received many international tourist ships each with between 300 and 500 tourists on board.

MAJOR SEA PORTS

• Hon Gai
• Hai Phong
• Da Nang
• Vung Tau
• Saigon

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DOMESTIC AIR SERVICE

From/To Hanoi (Main route)

• Hanoi-Hue: Daily
• Hanoi-Da Nang: Daily
• Hanoi-Nha Trang: Daily
• Hanoi-Ho Chi MinhCity: Daily
• Hanoi-Buon Me Thuot: Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun.
• Buon Me Thuot-Hanoi: daily
• Hanoi-Pleiku: Mon, wed, Thu, Sat.
• Hanoi-Dien Bien: Tue, Fri, Sun.
• Hanoi-Nasan: Thu.

From/To Hochiminh City (Main route)

• Ho Chi Minh City-Buon Me Thuot: daily.
• Ho Chi Minh City-Da Nang: daily.
• Ho Chi Minh City-Da Lat: Tue, Thu, Sun.
• Ho Chi Minh City-Hai Phong: daily.
• Ho Chi Minh City-Hue: daily.
• Ho Chi Minh City-Nha Trang: daily.
• Ho Chi Minh City-Phu Quoc: Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat.
• Ho Chi Minh City-Pleiku: daily.
• Ho Chi Minh City-Quy Nhon: Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat.

Domestic Airport served by Vietnam Airlines and Pacific Airlines:

• Ban Me Thuot (BMV)
• Danang (DAD)
• Dien Bien Phu (DIN)
• Dalat (DLI)
• Hanoi (HAN)
• Hochiminh City (SGN)
• Hue (HUI)
• Nha Trang (NHA)
• Hai Phong (PHP)
• Phu Quoc (PQC)
• Pleiku (PXU)
• Qui Nhon (UIH)
• Vinh (VII)
• Rach Gia (VKG)
• Na San (SQH)

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INTERNATIONAL AIR SERVICE

TO/FROM	AIRLINES	DATE
		FROM HANOI	FROM HCMC	TO HANOI	TO HCMC
AMSTERDAM	KLM Airlines, Vietnam Airlines	1	1,3	2,7	2,7
BANGKOK	Thai Airways, Lao Aviation, Vietnam Airlines	Daily	Dalily	1,3,5,6	Daily
BERLIN	Air France, Vietnam Airlines	.	.	3,6	.
DUBAI	Emirates, Vietnam Airlines	2,5	1,4,6,7	.	1,2,4,6,7
FRANKFURT	Lufthansa Airlines	.	5,	.	4,5,6,7
GUANGZHOU	China Southern, Vietnam Airlines	2,5,7	3	.	3,6
HONG KONG	Cathay Pacific, Vietnam Airlines	Daily	Daily	Daily	Daily
JAKATA	Guruda Indonesia	.	2,5	.	2,5
KAOSHIUNG	Cathay Pacific, China Airliners, Vietnam Airlines	2,6	Daily	.	Daily
KUALA LUMPUR	Malaysia Airlines, Vietnam Airlines	1,6	Daily	2,4,6,7	2,4,6,7
LONDON	British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Vietnam Airlines	.	Daily	.	Daily
MANILA	Vietnam Airlines	.	1,6	.	1,6
MELBOURNE	Qantas Airways, Vietnam Airlines	.	3,6	.	1,2,4,6
MOSCOW	Aeroflot	3,5	1	2,4	6,7
OSAKA	Japan Airlines, Vietnam Airlines	.	Daily	.	1,3,5,7
PARIS	Air France, Vietnam Airlines	1,3,6	2,4,7	2,5,7	1,3,6
PHNOM PENH	Vietnam Airlines, Cambodge Airlines	.	Daily	.	Daily
SEOUL	Vietnam Airlines, Korean Air, Asiana	4,7	Daily	.	2,3,4,5,6,7
SINGAPORE	Singapore Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Garuda Indonesia	1,3,6	Daily	1,3,6	Daily
SYDNEY	Qantas Airways, Vietnam Airlines	.	2,4,6,7	.	1,2,6,7
TAIPEI	China Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, EVA Air, Pacific Airlines	1,4,6	Daily	1,3,6,7	Daily
TOKYO	Japan Airlines, Vietnam Airlines	.	1,3,5,6,7	.	Daily
VIENNA	Lauda Air	.	5	.	4
VIENTIANE	Vietnam Airlines, Lao Aviation	2,3,4,5,6,7	5	2,3,4,5,6,7	5
ZURICH	Vietnam Airlines	.	Daily	3,6	3,6

VIETNAM AIRLINES MAIN BOOKING OFFICES:

In Ho Chi Minh City:
116 Nguyen Hue St
Tel: (84-8) 8292118, and

15B Dinh Tien Hoang St
Tel: (84-8) 8299910

In Da Nang:
35 Tran Phu St
Tel: (84-512) 821130 or 822094

In Hanoi:
01 Quang Trung St
Tel: (84-4) 8250888 or 8268913.

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USEFUL ADDRESS

HANOI:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs : 1 Ton That Dam St oTel: (84-4) 8258201.
Central Overseas Vietnamese Board : 32 BaTrieu St oTel: (84-4) 8257354 or 8264867.
Ministry of Commerce : 31 Trang Tien St. oTel: (84 - 4 ) 8254915 or 8254904.
General Department of Customs. : Chuong Duong St oTel: (84-4) 8263961 or 8263948.
Central Foreign Trade Bank : 49 Ly Thai To St oTel:(84-4) 8257563.
Vietnam Post and Telecommunication : 18 Nguyen Du St oTel: (84-4) 8259519.
Hanoi Post Office : 75 Dinh Tien Hoang St oTel:(84-4) 8254543.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry : 33 Ba Trieu St oTel: (84-4) 8253961 or 8252962.
Vietnam Insurance Company : Ly Thuong Kiet St oTel: (84-4) 8262792.
Hanoi Customs : 159 Ba Trieu St oTel: (84-4) 8257224 or 8262829.
State committee for Co-operation and Investment :56 Quoc Tu Giam St oTel: (84-4) 8254970.
Department of Border Gates Management : 40A Hang Bai St. otel: (84-4) 8255798.
Hainoi Police : 87 Tran Hung Dao St oTel: (84-4) 8253131 or 8253132.
Entry - Exit Procedures Bureau : 89 Tran Hung Dao St oTel: (84-4) 8266472.
Expatriate Affairs Bureau : 79 Tran Hung Dao St oTel: (84-4) 8253076

Major Hospital in Hanoi:

Friendship Hospital : 1 Tran Khanh Du oTel: (84-4) 8252231.
Viet - Duc Hospital : 40 Trang Thi St, Hanoi oTel: (84-4) 8255912.
Bach Mai Hospital : Giai Phong Rd oTel:(84-4) 8693731.
International Department, Bach mai Hospital : Giai Phong Rd oTel:(84-4) 8522083 or 8522089

International Department, this department is reserved for foreigners for medical examination and treatment. The Department is staffed with experienced experts, doctors and nurses who are able to treat serious cases.

HO CHI MINH CITY:

Viet Nam Foreign Trade Bank in HCM : 29 Ben Chuong Duong St, Dist 1 oTel: (84-8) 8225705.
Branch of Chamber of Commerce and Industry : 171 Vo Thi Sau St, Dist 3 oTel: (84-8) 8230339.
Foreign Trade Development Centre :96 Nguyen Hue Blvd, Dist 1 oTel: (84-8) 8290002.
Commerce Office : 45-47 Ben Chuong Duong oTel: (84-8) 8292991.
Foreign Office Service Company : 124 Nguyen Dinh Chieu oTel: (84-8) 8295794.
City Finance Office : 140A Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St oTel: (84-8) 8292141.
City Police Headquartes : 268 Tran Hung Dao Blvd oTel: (84-8) 8398880 or 8398881.
City Customs Office : 2 Ham Nghi Bvld, Dist 1 oTel: (84-8) 8290095.
International Express Mail Service : 253 Hoang Van Thu St, Tan Binh Dist oTel: (84-8) 8443873.
Entry - Exit Visa Service Centre : 333 Nguyen Trai St, Dist 1 oTel: (84-8) 8325491.
Post Office : 117-119 Hai Ba Trung St, Dist 1 oTel: (84-8) 8332170

Major Hospital in Hochiminh City:

Cho Ray Hospital
201 Nguyen Chi Thanh Rd - Dist 5
Tel: (84-8) 8254137 / 8258074

This is a large hospital with more than 1000 beds. On 10th floor, there are rooms reserved for foreign patients. The hospital is staffed by experienced professors and doctors. Most of them were trained abroad and they can speak English or French.

Nhi Dong Hospital
No.2 Ly Tu Trong Rd, Tan Binh District

Thong Nhat Hospital

This is a modern hospital which consists of five buildings situated at the junction of Ly Tu Trong Rd and Cach mang Thang Tam Rd, Tan Binh District.

In Ho Chi Minh City, There are thousands of pharmacies, and many private consultation rooms Equipped with modern medical instruments.

Health insurance cards have been issued by the government. The card bearers can have medical checks and treatments in registered hospitals without paying any additional charges.

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USEFUL PHRASES

• Greetings - Chao ong (ba)
• How are you? - Ong (ba) co khoe khong?
• Fine, thanks - Cam on rat tot
• My name is ... - Tenn toi la ...
• I don't understand - Toi khong hieu
• Restaruant - nha hang
• Telephone - dien thoai
• Hotel - khach san

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Updated: 7-15-1999