VIETNAM

TRAVEL FORMALITIES

PASSPORT & VISA
A passport with a visa are required for entry into Vietnam. A regular tourist visa is valid for up to 30 days.

There are two kinds of tourist visa. The first can be obtained from the Vietnamese Embassy in the travelers' home country. The second can be obtained at the airport on arrival in Vienam provided that it has been pre-approved by the Immigration Office. Green Trail Tours offers visa procurement services for individuals and groups. The procedures are as follows:

AIRPORT TAX (as of August 2001)
International Airport Tax from Ho Chi Minh City: US$ 12.00 per person
International Airport Tax from Hanoi: US$ 10.00 per person
International Airport Tax from Danang: US$ 8.00 per person
Domestic Airport Tax (average): US$ 2.00 per person

Children Policy: Children aged 2 to 12 will be subject to a 50% charge of the airport taxes

DISEMBARKATION IN VIETNAM
On the plane, the passenger will be given the Vietnam Arrival - Departure Card to complete. This form includes customs and health declarations. (See form A2 attached.) Upon arrival, the form will be checked by an immigration officer who will take one copy of the form. The passenger retains the other half. The passenger proceeds to the luggage belt, then to customs. The passenger shows the customs form to the Customs Officer who will stamp and return the form. Passengers must keep this form and keep it for use at departure.

MEET & GREET
After passing through customs, passengers will be welcomed by aGreen Trail Tours guide holding a Green Trail Tours sign or a sign with your company logo. Guests will then proceed to a car for the trip to the hotel.

HEALTH

VACCINATIONS
No vaccinations are required. However, visitors are advised to have up-to-date inoculations for Cholera, Hepatitis A and B, Malaria, Typhoid, Tetanus, Tuberculosis and Japanese Encephalitis. Malaria is prevalent in most remote regions of Vietnam and it is best to consult with your doctor on the best preventative measures.

FOOD & WATER
Fresh fruit and vegetables should always be peeled or washed thoroughly with purified water. Bottled water should be used at all times for drinking. Boiled drinks such as coffee or tea are fine.

MEDICAL FACILITIES
Over the counter prescription drugs are widely available in major cities, but it is best to bring frequently used medicines from home. It is also recommended that visitors bring a basic travel first-aid kit with band-aids, anti-infection creams, mosquito repellant, and the like. There are several medical clinics in Hanoi and Saigon staffed by foreign medical personnel.

MONEY

The official currency is the Dong, although US dollars are widely accepted. The exchange rate at time of printing is US$ 1.00 = 15,000 Dong. Travellers' cheques can be cashed at major banks for a service fee of 2%-5%. Visa and Mastercards are accepted at most of the larger hotels, restaurants and shops. There are ATM machines in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

CUSTOMS

The basic principle of customs policy in Vietnam is that visitors should enter and exit with the same goods and personal possessions with the following exceptions:

1) Cash amounts greater than US$ 5,000 should be declared upon entry or exit.

2) Souvenirs: Visitors are free to buy products in Vietnam for personal use. The exception to this principle is antiques. Antiques considered of "national interest" will be confiscated without refund or recourse. In general this applies to articles of ancient (over 50 years old) or religious nature. "National interest" is interpreted by an expert at the airport. In cases where a visitor is unsure of the acceptability of the export of any goods purchased, they can check with the Customs Office in either Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi for prior ruling without risk of confiscation.

To avoid confiscation of goods not purchased, visitors must be sure an accurate description appears on the Customs Declaration form upon arrival. Particular note should be taken of antiques purchased in other countries in the region which might possibly be deemed of Vietnamese origin. Also, extra care would be taken to declare loose gemstones and jewelry.

3) Firearms, narcotics and other internationally prohibited goods are banned and those found in possession of such items are liable to prosecution.

Duty Free Allowance
Liquor with above 22 degrees concentration of alcohol: 1.5 litres; below 22 degrees: 2.0 litres; alcoholic beverages: 3.0 litres. Cigarettes: 400 nos; cigars: 100 nos ; raw tobacco: 500g.

SHOPPING

Vietnam is particularly known for its various styles of lacquerware (mother of pearl inlay and duckshell) and its growing silk industry. A wide array of other handicrafts is also available, including quality hand embroidery, wood carvings, ceramics, silk paintings, brass and marble figurines and ivory and tortoiseshell accessories. Contemporary paintings and copies of masterpieces are also widely available in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. War paraphernalia remain popular souvenirs as do old cameras, watches, stamps, coins and zippo lighters.

Tipping & Bargaining
Tipping according to a percentage of the bill is not expected in Vietnam, but is enormously appreciated. For a person who earns US$ 50.00 per month, a US$ 1.00 tip is about half a day's wages. You should also consider tipping drivers and guides. Typically, travellers on minibus tours will pool together to collect a communal tip to be split between the guide and the driver. About
US$ 1.00 per day (per tourist) is standard. It is considered proper to make a small donation at the end of a visit to a pagoda, especially if the monk has shown you around. Most pagodas have contribution boxes for this purpose. Bargaining is a way of life in Vietnam, but do so in a good-natured manner. You will have a more pleasant experience, and stand a better chance of negotiating a lower price.

SECURITY

Baggage should have sturdy locks. Place all valuables, including passport and air ticket, in the in-room safe at hotels or at the front desk. It is best not to bring expensive jewelry or watches to Vietnam. Do not carry unnecessarily large amounts of cash with you at any time.

Bugs
As in all tropical countries, insect life is vibrant. Expect to see a variety of flying and terrestrial insects and bugs.

Children & Beggars
Foreigners walking through the streets of Vietnam occasionally find themselves surrounded by a throng of curious children. Saying a quick "hello" with a smile will satiate their curiosity.
Beggars are part of the streetscape of any major city, including those in Vietnam. Although travellers should be wavy of requests for larger amounts from beggars in the center of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi who are frequently controlled by organized street gangs.

POST & COMMUNICATIONS

POSTAL RATES
Postcards to Europe or the USA cost about US$0.50. Items mailed from anywhere other than large towns and cities are likely to take over a month to arrive at their international destination. Vietnam's express mail service (EMS) has faster delivery to international destinations. International express delivery companies like Federal Express and DHL have offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

INTERNATIONAL CALLS
International telecommunications charges from Vietnam are among the highest in the world, and hotels usually add a high surcharge on top of this. It's best to make quick calls and to have the other party call you back.

EMAIL & INTERNET ACCESS
All major hotels provide internet access in their business centres. Internet cafes have sprouted up throughout the country and can be found in nearly every city frequented by foreign tourists. Internet usage at peak times can be slow due to narrow bandwidth.

PHOTOGRAPHY

It's best to bring your own film although film can be purchased in all major cities. Obtain permission before photographing monks or the interiors of pagodas and temples. At large airports, the x-rays on the safety inspection machines are now film-safe. In smaller, provincial airports, however, this is far from certain, so it's best to carry your film through the safety check by hand.

OTHERS’ TIPS

CLOTHING
Please respect local dress standards, particularly at religious sites (avoid wearing shorts or sleeveless tops). In general, Vietnamese dress standards are conservative, especially in the countryside. Nude and topless sunbathing is inappropriate.

SHOES OFF
Like the Chinese and Japanese, Vietnamese are obsessed with clean floors and it's usual to remove shoes when entering somebody's home. Shoes must be removed inside most Buddhist temples, but this is not universal so look to see what others do. If shoes are piled up near the doorway, you should pay heed.

ZEN TRAVELLING
We suggest these tips for successfully dealing with Vietnamese officials, airport personnel, and bureaucrats: