Geographic
Vietnam shares borders with Cambodia , Laos and China , and features 3,200 km of coastline bordering the Eastern Sea . With an area of 332,000sq KM, Vietnam 's topography varies from coastal plains to mountain ranges. Vietnam stretches over 1,800 km from north to south with current population 81,624,716.

Language
Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam but there are various dialects spoken by hill tribe people in remote areas. Leaning foreign languages, particularly English and French, is currently in vogue among young people in Hanoi , Ho Chi Minh City , Hue , Da Nang and other cities.

Climate
The weather patterns in the principle cities are very different. The North: Winter lasts from November to April, with temperatures averaging 16 C but little rainfall. Summer begins in May and lasts until October, with temperature of 30 C, heavy rainfall and the occasional violent typhoon. The Center: Central Vietnam experiences a transitional climate, halfway between those of the north and south. The South: Temperature is fairly constant through the year; 25 C - 30 C, Seasons is determined by the rain - the dry season runs from November to April and the wet season from May to October. The hottest period is March and April, before the rain has broken. Typhoons are quite common in coastal areas between July and November. The Highland Areas: In the hill resorts of Dalat (1,500m), Buon Ma Thuot and Sapa, nights are cool throughout the year, and in the winter months, October to March, it can be distinctly chilly with temperature falling to 4 C. Even in the hottest months of March and April the temperature rarely exceeds 26 C.

Currency
The local currency is the Dong (abbreviated "d" or VND). The rate of exchange at updating time is approximately dong 15,719 to one US. Dollar. The Major credit cards are generally only accepted in major cities. Visitors are recommended to carry US Dollar in small denominations. Travelers can change their money for Vietnamese dong (VND) at banks, hotels and jewelry shops throughout the country.

Overland
The other way to get into Vietnam is by land , from China, Laos and Cambodia but the visas must be indicated clearly by Vietnamese Embassies aboard with one or two of the below entry points. Tourists can pass the border gate at the following entry points:

Passport and visa
All nationalities are required to have visa before getting into Vietnam . Visa is usually delivered by aboard Vietnamese Embassies which require the original passport and 2 photos for two full working days in order to stamp the visa. If Visa approval is arranged by Viengchampa Tour upon the client request, the personal data (full name, passport number with date of issuance and expiry, date and place of birth, nationality) must be supplied to us at least 14 days before arrival to Viet Nam . Visas can also be obtained upon arrival at Vietnam international airports such as Noi Bai, Danang, and Tan San Nhat, in which case the stamping fee will be quoted separately. Viengchampa Tour also requires passport details in advance for visa stamp upon arrival. Then, an approval letter will be sent to clients in order to confirm that clients will obtain the visa on arrival. It could be the quickest way to get Vietnam visa because the formalities takes only two full working days (except Saturday and Sunday).

Customs and formalities
Arriving in Vietnam , all visitors must fill in declaration forms and show their luggage to customs officials on request. There are no limited amounts of foreign currency, objects made of gold, silver, precious metals and gemstones or plated with silver or gold but visitors must declare these in detail on the customs forms. Especially ancient items are strictly not allows to bring out the country.

Health requirements
No actual vaccinations are officially required. Malaria prophylaxis is no longer recommended but visitors are advised to check with their doctor or travel immunization clinic regarding the advisability of inoculation against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A & B.

International flights
Vietnam has three international airports: Hanoi =Noi Bai, Danang=Danang and Ho Chi Minh=Tan Son Nhat. Cities with directs flight to Hanoi, Noi Bai Airport are Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Moscow, Nanning, Paris, Singapore, Taipei, Vientiane and Seoul. Airline Companies currently serving Hanoi are Vietnam airlines, Air France , Cathay Pacific Airways, China southern Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Laos Aviation, Singapore Airlines, Aeroflot, Thai Airways. Cities with directs flight to Ho Chi Minh City, Tan Son Nhat Airport are Bangkok, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Moscow, Melbourne, Osaka, Paris, Phnom Penh, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei, Tokyo, Vienna, Vientiane and Zurich. Airline Companies currently serving Ho Chi Minh City are Vietnam airlines, Air France, Cathay Pacific Airways, China southern Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Lao Aviation, Singapore Airlines, Swissair, Aeroflot, Thai Airways, Korean Air, Lufthansa German Airlines, Lauda Air, Asiana Airlines and Royal Air Cambodge. The Thai Airways has commenced direct flights from Bangkok to Danang as well; please contact our company for update airlines operations.

Air passengers

Tipping
Widely practiced, in addition to hotel and restaurant service charges shown on bills ( Porters, VND10.000-15.000 per bag)

Airport tax
Domestic airport tax is now included in the airfare. On international flights, the airport tax is US$14 per passenger in Hanoi Airport and US$12.00 per passenger for Ho Chiminh City and US$8.00 per passenger for Danang Airport .

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