Welcome to Vietnam

With its storied past and exquisite beauty, Vietnam has been a siren call for world travelers over the past decade. Travel the length of this tranquil, yet modern country, from the Red River Delta to the Mekong Delta.

The cultural heart is Hanoi, where you can travel the wide boulevards and visit the temples by cycle, then stop for a bowl of the world’s best pho. From here, take a helicopter tour of beautiful Ha Long Bay, the water’s surface pierced by jagged limestone islands. Or, take the Reunification Express from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, an incredible scenic journey past natural landscapes and historic towns. In Ho Chi Minh City, take time to commemorate the lives lost in war at the War Remnants Museum.

Back down south, cruise the Mekong, Southeast Asia’s life blood and a chance to visit fishing villages and hard-to-reach natural attractions. Don’t miss the chance to light a lantern in Hoi An, known for its annual Lantern Festival – an illuminating experience, to be sure.

Unique Facts

• Vietnam has 392 rivers totally 4,184 miles. Water has played an integral role in Vietnamese civilization since the earliest settlements.
• Vietnamese food is based on five elements: metal (spicy), wood (sour), fire (bitter), water (salty) and Earth (sweet). The perfect cuisine finds all of these elements in balance.
• Vietnam is the world’s largest producer of both black pepper and cashew nuts.
• Vietnam is home to the largest known cave in the world, Hang Son Doong. This river cave is three million years old!
• Motorbikes are everywhere. There are almost 60 million motorbikes throughout Vietnam, as opposed to just 2 million cars.

Language

Vietnam’s official language is Vietnamese.

When To Go

Depending on whether you are visiting the northern or southern region of Vietnam, the climate varies because monsoons impact different areas at different times. The best time to go, overall, is during the fall, from September to December, or spring, during March and April.

Airports

Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi
Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City
Phu Bai International Airport, Hue

Passport Validity

Passport must be valid at time of entry for six months beyond arrival date.

Visa Required By US Citizen?

Yes

Vaccinations

The CDC recommends the following vaccines for most travelers when visiting Vietnam: Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Depending on where you are traveling, you may also need Hepatitis B, Malaria, Rabies and Japanese Encephalitis vaccines.

Electrical Outlets

Power plugs and sockets: types A, C and F. Standard voltage: 220V. Frequency: 50Hz.

Currency

Official local currency: Vietnamese Dong

Getting Around

Be aware that traffic in Vietnam is dangerous and undisciplined. The road conditions are poor.

Vietnam does have an extensive bus system, but long-distance buses are overcrowded and do not meet US safety standards.

Consider using a major taxi service or an app-based shared-ride service.

Motorcycle taxis are unsafe.

Driver’s License

International driving permit is required.

US Embassy Info

U.S. Embassy Hanoi – Consular Annex
170 Ngoc Khanh
Ba Dinh District
Hanoi, Vietnam
Telephone:
From outside Vietnam: +84-24-3850-5000
From the U.S.: 011-84-24-3850-5000
From landline within Hanoi: 3850-5000
From mobile or landline within Vietnam: 024-3850-5000

Local Visitor Info

Hanoi Tourist Information Center
47 Hàng Hòm
Hàng Trống
Hoàn Kiếm
Hà Nội, Vietnam
Tel: +84 24 3828 9283

Ho Chi Minh City Tourist Information Center
102 Nguyễn Huệ
Bến Nghé
Quận 1, Thành phố
Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Tel: +84 28 3520 8208

Local Emergency Phone Numbers

Ambulance: 115
Police: 113
Fire: 114

Safety and Security

The crime rate is high in Vietnam. Violent crime against foreigners is rare. Petty crimes, such as theft and pickpocketing, occur regularly in crowded areas and tourist locations.

Be aware of motorcyclists snatching bags, cameras, cell phones and other valuables from pedestrians or passengers riding in cycles.

Keep your passport and other important valuables in a hotel safe or other secured location at all times and carry both photo and digital copies of your passport.