Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 7:01 pm Post subject: Vietnam Travel: Terms and conditions
Hello!
Are you planning on being to Vietnam?
I have good informations for you about Vietnam.
About Terms and conditions:
Airport Tax
International flights, US$14; Children under two exempt. Airport tax for domestic flights is included in the ticket price.
Baggage Claim
Keep your baggage claim stickers (stuck on to your tickets) in order to get your luggage out of the airport.
Tourist Visas & Passports
Tourist visas are generally valid for 30 days. All nationalities require a Vietnamese entry visa before arriving on the tour, except for residents of Thailand, Malaysia and Philippines. Costs are between $60 to $100 USD and you should allow 3 weeks for visa processing. When your passport is returned to you or your travel agent from the Vietnamese embassy, one application form with photo will be returned along with it. Keep the form, as you will be required to hand it at immigration upon arrival in Vietnam. If you misplace this form, you can complete a new form upon arrival – there are photo booths at the airport. You must keep each and every custom and immigration forms, as you will need them to exit Vietnam. Bring extra passport photos with you. Passports must be valid 6 months beyond the end of the trip. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of the correct visas for your holiday. ILV Travel Co-op cannot accept responsibility if you are refused entry to a country because you lack the correct visa documentation.
Landing Visas...........................................................................................
Tourist single entry visa can be obtained at Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Hanoi International airports. To get a landing visa, you must send all personal information to ILV Travel Co-op at least 10 days prior to your arrival. ILV Travel Co-op will provide you with an invitation letter. Required are your full name, passport number, nationality, sex and date of birth. ILV Travel Co-op will send you an approved letter issued by the Vietnamese Immigration Office stating that you can obtain a landing visa upon arrival. It is a legal and simple operation. The cost is between $60 and $80 USD and includes the invitation letter, visa, administration and telecommunication fees.
Customs...............................................................................................................................................................
On the yellow and white Customs Forms you are expected to declare: Cameras, camcorders, and other electronic equipment not for personal use; Jewelry not for personal use; Currency over US$3,000; Video tapes (they may be kept for a few days and screened). Vietnam Customs Inspection at airports permits to bring 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, two 250g of tobacco, 2L of liquor, gifts worth up to 50 USD, luggage and personal effects. Totally restricted are: opium, weapons, explosives and materials unsuitable to the Vietnamese society.
Don’t lose the Entry/Exit Form; you’ll need it when leaving the country.
Flight Information.........................................................................................................................................
For Vietnam Airlines flights, in Hanoi call (04) 934 9660, in Ho Chi Minh City call (0 832 0320. For other flights, call their airline office in Vietnam.
Lost and Found..................................................................................................................................................
Noi Bai Airport: (04) 884-0008 or 886-5013; Tan Son Nhat Airport: (0 844-6665, ext. 7461
Business Hours..................................................................................................................................................
Government offices and museums open early, around 8am, and close between 4pm and 5pm. Avoid doing business from 11.30am to 2pm, when people are either at lunch or napping.
Health....................................................................................................................................................................
There are no specific health requirements for entry into Vietnam. However, you should consult your doctor for up-to-date information and prescriptions for vaccinations, anti-malarial requirements and any reasonably foreseeable illnesses while traveling in Vietnam. We recommend that you carry a first-aid kit as well as any medical requirements (spare pair of glasses, contact lenses, etc). Be prepared.
We recommend the services of International SOS for all the medical requirements of our travelers when traveling in Vietnam. International SOS’s 24-hour clinics have expatriate doctors and specialists, and can be found at the following locations:
Hanoi – 31 Hai Ba Trung Street., Clinic Tel: (04) 934-0666,
24-hr Emergency Hotline: (04) 934-0666
Ho Chi Minh – 65 Nguyen Du Street, District 1,
Clinic Tel: (0 829-8424, 24-hr Emergency Hotline: (0 829-8520.
Electricity ..........................................................................
Vietnam uses 220V electricity nationwide. In the South, outlets are often US-style flat pins. In the North, many outlets fit round pins. As the electrical current varies, use a surge protector when running sensitive electronic equipment like laptops.
Hotels & Registration ..........................................................
There is a wide range of accommodation available, at least in Vietnam’s major cities. Hanoi and HCM City feature a choice of five-star hotels, while guesthouses and mini-hotels offer no-frills rooms for under US$10. As hotels and private hosts must register your presence with the police; you’ll be expected to hand over your passport, along with your visa number and your yellow form.
Safety....................................................................................................................................................................
While Vietnam is one of the safest countries in Asia, you should take care with your possessions. Secure your valuables, documents and credit cards in your hotel’s safe. Beware of pickpockets, purse-snatchers and mobile phone thieves, especially in Ho Chi Minh City. If you do choose to drive a motorbike or ride a bicycle, always wear a helmet.
To Bring................................................................................................................................................................
Pack as lightly as possible (stay under 15-20kg). It is in your best interest, as you will have to carry your own luggage at all times. Leave some room for souvenirs.
Checklist...........................................................................................................................................
Passport and visa, air tickets and vouchers
Travel insurance and health requirements documents
Travelers-checks, credit cards, cash, money belt
First-aid kit, day-pack, alarm clock, flashlight
Toiletries and lightweight towel
Insects repellent, hat, sun cream and sunglasses, refillable water bottle
Vietnam travel guide
Light raincoat (May to October)
Lightweight fleece sweater, windbreaker and trousers (November to February)
Currency.............................................................................................................................................................
The currency in Vietnam is the Dong (VND). The current exchange rate is around VND15,300 to the US dollar. US dollars remain widely accepted at hotels, but you should have local currency for use in taxis and shops. Credit card acceptance, especially for Visa, is spreading in higher-end hotels, restaurants and shops in big cities. For cash advances, usually at a rate of three-percent commission, go to ANZ Bank. Some traveler cafes provide cash advances at higher rates, their advantage being that they stay open late and on weekends. ANZ and Vietcombank have ATM machines that dispense only Dong. Do not accept torn or soiled bills as you may have trouble spending them. Never change money on the streets from hustlers.
Extra Money......................................................................................................................................................
Bring enough money for shopping and for additional sightseeing sites. Not inclusive are the phone calls and laundry. $15USD a day is about what you will need for miscellaneous. Carry enough money with you in case of emergencies.
Money Exchange..........................................................................................................................................
When traveling in Vietnam, US currency (cash or travelers cheques) is probably the most convenient to have. US dollars can be used to buy goods and services along with the Vietnamese Dong. Any other major international currencies can be exchanged in large cities, as well as Visa and Master Card for cash advances. There are banks in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City that have Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) where you are able to withdraw Vietnamese Dong. Some hotels offer exchange services at a reasonable rate. It is not possible to exchange Vietnamese Dong outside Vietnam, so exchange or spend all your Dong before leaving the country.
Security................................................................................................................................................................
Pickpocket is a problem in large cities and crowded streets; be aware. It is actually quite safe when going out. Racism and violence is practically non-existent in Vietnam. Police 113 is newly set up for security and they are very effective.
Telecommunication.........................................................................................
International and domestic, phone calls, faxes, internet and e-mail services are available in almost every hotels and internet cafes are on every street corners. International phone charges are steep in Vietnam and many hotels, especially up-market ones, add extra fees. Check the rates before dialing. One long-distance service offers a flat fee of US$1.30 per minute to 50 countries; dial 171 followed by the country code and number. Public phones require phone cards, which are available at Post Offices. To rent a mobile phone call 821 8465 in Hanoi and 824 2382 in Ho Chi Minh City. Faxes can be sent from hotels, business centers or post offices. Again rates vary.
PriceGuide...........................................................................................................................................
In Vietnam, be prepared to bargain. To give you an idea of where to start, we present the following suggested price list:
Transport.
Xe om (motorbike taxi): VND 2,000/km
Public bus: VND 2,500/ride
Grooming
Shoeshine: VND 5,000/pair
Hair-wash: VND 15,000
Haircut on the side of the street: VND 15,000
Street-side laundry (giat la): VND 10,000/kilo
Food.
Pho (beef noodle soup): VND 10,000/bowl
Plain baguette: VND 1,000
Bananas: VND 500/each
Beer in (Bia Hoi): VND 1,500/glass
Key West is not big. You can totally get it done in a day. The bulk of the interesting things will be near all the main things on Duval. And if you stay the night, make sure you are near Duval St. Top of La Concha Inn has a bar, highest point in Key West...not sure if you can go if you aren't guests...but it might be a good place to check out, take pictures, see sunset etc. Motels Key West
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832 0320. For other flights, call their airline office in Vietnam.
By Trafest
