Are you a first comer to Vietnam? We used our experience with telling other people about Vietnam to highlight some concerns that less-experience travelers might have.
Travel information for first comer to Vietnam
Do I need a Visa to enter Vietnam?
Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months past your arrival date.
At the time we are writing (June 2017), visitors from most countries can enter the country for a maximum of 15 days with a valid passport only.
Check out if you need a visa on this website.
Make a copy of your passport before you leave. Upon arrival, keep the original passport in a safe or secure place and bring the copy with you.
Air and train tickets
Pre-book internal flights and trains.
To buy tickets for internal flights please visit these websites:
Please find on this page more information about reaching the ICISE conference center.
Your name on the air ticket
Vietnamese people write their family name first, then their first name. Check the order of your names in your passport before booking your flight: in Vietnam, your names on your air ticket must be the same as on the passport.
Getting to the airport by taxi at Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City deserve a visit. When getting back to your flight to the International Departures at the Ho Chi Min City Airport, note that taxi drivers have to pay an entrance ticket of 10.000 VND (approximately 0,5 US$): they will ask you to pay this money in addition to the cost of the taxi.
Internal flights hold baggage
The maximum allowed weight of the hold baggage for the internal flights is 20 kg (44 US lbs). Since some international flights allow you to load a hold baggage up to 23 kg (50 US lbs), you may need to reduce their bagage weight.
Internal flights cabin baggage
The maximum allowed weight for the cabin baggage for the internal flights is 7 kg (15 US lbs). Actually at the check-in counter the cabin baggage is not always checked.
Healthcare warnings
Be sure to have appropriate travel insurance.
Be sure to have appropriate healthcare insurance.
Check your immunisation history.
Currency and payments
The offical currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND).
US$ are accepted in the hotels and some shops in touristic cities.
Inform your debit-/credit-card company about your trip before you leave.
Plugs
In Vietnam voltage is 220V.
The typical wall sockets are mostly two-pin plugs (the upper type in the picture).
Socket extenders found in shops/supermarkets are mostly three-pin plugs (the lower type in the picture).
Security
Vietnam is one of the most secure country in the south-eastern Asia. People are usually very friendly. Yet, especially in big cities like Ho Chi Minh City there are pickpockets. Be sure to keep your valuables under your control.
Mobility
Taxis are very easy to find and quite cheap. If available, prefer Mai Linh taxi or Vinasun taxi.
Motobike rent is easily found in the street. You will need to leave your identity document for the caution though.
In bigger cities (not yet in Quy Nhon) Uber service is also available. You may also want to check out Grab, a local service similar to Uber.
Warnings
Drinkable water
In most areas water is not drinkable. We suggest to drink only bottled water.