Travel documents
When you receive your travel documents, it is important that you are aware that your name on the flight ticket must be exactly the same as in your passport. It is true that a first name is enough, but if you have two last names in the passport, these must also be on the flight ticket. If you find that we have misspelled your name on your booking confirmation, please contact us immediately so that we can correct this before we issue your airline tickets. As a customer, you are responsible for checking that the travel documents are correct and in accordance with what you have booked.
Passport, visa and customs
Swedish citizens do not need a visa if the stay is a maximum of 15 days. If you make more than one entry within 30 days, however, a visa is required. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after leaving Vietnam.
You apply for a visa via the Vietnam Embassy in Stockholm:
Viet Nam Embassy,
Box 45, 125 21 Älvsjö
Tel: 08-5562 1071, 08-5562 1077, 08-5562 1082
Fax: 08-5562 1080
E-mail: info @ vietnamemb. see
www.vietnamemb.se
Phoenix Travel can help you with your visa application for an extra fee. Please note that you usually have to apply for a “multiple visa” if you plan to go on one of our tours that include both Vietnam and Cambodia. Contact Phoenix Travel if you are in doubt about the type of visa that applies.
It is a criminal offense to export antiques.
Vaccinations and health
At the time of writing, no mandatory vaccinations are required for travel to Vietnam. However, we recommend that you review your basic protection against diphtheria, polio and tetanus. In addition, some vaccination against Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B is needed. It may be relevant with some type of malaria prophylaxis if you are going to certain areas. The authorities require a certificate showing that you have been vaccinated against yellow fever if you have recently visited countries in Africa and South America where there is a risk of the disease. Feel free to contact the nearest vaccination center, or your doctor, for advice well in advance of departure. Feel free to bring a small set of “first aid” with patches, headache tablets, etc. Be aware that the water you drink is either boiled or bottled. Skip the ice for drinks / drinks. Eat only fruit that you peel yourself. The raw salad has to wait until you get home! Feel free to check with the Swedish Social Insurance Agency and / or private insurance companies that your health insurance coverage applies in Vietnam. Remember to bring documentation on current travel / health insurance.
Weather and clothing
Vietnam has three climate zones. November to April is winter (cool and dry) in northern Vietnam. In central Vietnam, it rains between September and December. There is a risk of hurricanes in the central part during October and November. In the southern part it is warm all year round, with the most risk of rain between May and October.
Casual and light clothing (preferably natural fiber) is needed all year round, but a sweater or jacket is useful in high-lying parts, especially during the winter months when the evenings are chilly. When visiting temples, tombs and other religious sites, consider covering your knees and shoulders. An umbrella or raincoat is needed if you visit the country during the rainy period May-October. Hat and high sun protection factor are also recommended against the sun.
Currency and exchange rate
The Vietnamese currency is Dong (VND). Bring a smaller amount in Dong for the first small expenses and the rest of the travel cash in US dollars, larger denominations can provide a better exchange rate when exchanging in Vietnam. In many places you can shop for US dollars. Most credit cards are accepted at hotels and restaurants in Hanoi and Saigon. There are also ATMs in cities and tourist areas. Outside the big cities, you can not count on being able to use the card. It can be difficult to exchange Dong back, so do not exchange for large amounts.
Transport and communications
In the larger cities of Vietnam, taxis are the best means of transportation. Most taxis are of a newer model and have air conditioning. Prices are very low, and most urban travel costs between two and five US dollars. It costs about as much to rent a rickshaw or cyclo as it is called in Vietnam. The tourist authorities advise against renting a cyclo at night. At post offices and larger hotels you can call interurbant and send faxes. In the larger cities there are plenty of internet cafes. Websites such as Facebook does not work via wifi.
Security
Theft of passports and valuables can easily happen at the airport, train and bus stations. In order for nothing to happen, we advise you to avoid the centers of the larger cities at night. Do not carry cameras, jewelry or other valuables open on the streets. Leave a copy of valuables such as passports and visas in a safe place. You should be careful especially in traffic, as many traffic accidents occur. We recommend all travelers that they should follow media reports and other sources about any problems in the country. If possible, you should avoid staying in border areas unless you have received written permission from local authorities.
Food and drinks
Vietnamese cuisine is a blend of Chinese, French and Thai cuisine. It is considered one of the better kitchens in Asia. Compared to Thai food, Vietnamese is slightly less spicy. Basic ingredients in Vietnamese food are rice and the famous fish sauce, nouc mam. Spring rolls are a popular specialty. Green tea is served everywhere and the Vietnamese coffee tastes really good. A large beer costs about 7 kronor.
Shopping and gifts
In Vietnam, you can buy handicraft products such as lacquerware, ceramics, silk, colorful embroidery and leather goods. However, Vietnam is not a “shopping paradise” compared to other Southeast Asian countries. Great care must be taken when buying jewels. Stones and gold can be of very low quality. Branded goods that are sold at extremely low prices are pirated copies. Do not forget to bargain!
General and mixed
- Electricity: 220/110 volts. Voltage varies greatly. Adapter can be recommended.
- Baggage: It sometimes happens that the checked baggage gets lost. Therefore, pack important medicines with a certificate from your doctor in your hand luggage. The same goes for valuables. Label all your luggage carefully with the luggage tags you receive with the tickets. This is important as these notes are our identification at the airport and at our hotels. It is good to have a proper, lockable suitcase because the bags are not treated very carefully.
- Local time: They are 6 hours ahead of us in time. In summer, the time difference is only five hours as Vietnam does not change to summer time.
- Tips: Common. Everyone who performs services expects a small amount in tips. In our group trips, we write whether tips are included or added.
- Language: Vietnamese is the official language.
- Travel insurance: You can buy it through Phoenix Travel when you book your trip or order it at http://www.erv.se/vara-forsakringar/valj-forsakring/. Before you buy travel insurance, please check what your home insurance or your card insurance covers when traveling to Vietnam.