1.Choose which time of year you want to
travel to Vietnam
2. Plan your travel around Vietnamese festivals and
celebrations. Vietnam
April 30th is Saigon
Liberation Day, which is a 1 day holiday, followed by a 1 day holiday on May
1st to celebrate International Labor Day. On September 2nd, a 1 day holiday is
observed to celebrate the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Around the end of
January and the beginning of February, the Vietnamese celebrate the Lunar New
Year, which they call "Tet." The exact dates change every year.
Though most people go home to spend this 4 day holiday with their families and
many businesses are closed during this time, it's an interesting festival to
witness.
3.Decide whether you want to travel alone or as part
of a tour.
An organized group tour
can ensure that your flights and accommodation is taken care of, as well as
help you avoid common pitfalls, such as overpaying for attractions, getting lost,
or even being robbed.
If you don't want to
travel as a part of a group, you're best advised to have a travel agent book
your flights and hotel for you but rely on local guides to show you the sights.
Most hotels can arrange for state-operated tour guides, who charge around $25
for a day, excluding expenses, to give you day tours. They generally can speak
English, French, Chinese, Russian or Japanese.
TRY A TOUR HERE!
TRY A TOUR HERE!
4.
Obtain your passport and tourist visa.
If you don't already
have a passport, apply for one at your local post office.
You do not need a
tourist visa if you're Vietnamese and holding a foreign passport. You and your
foreign spouse or child are exempt if you stay under 90 days. You'll need to
show your foreign permanent residency permit and obtain a visa exemption from
the appropriate Vietnamese authorities.
Visitors from Malaysia , Thailand ,
Singapore , Laos and Indonesia
with current passports can stay for 30 days in Vietnam
without a visa, while those from the Philippines
People with diplomatic
passports from over 60 different countries, as well as ASEAN officials, do not
need a tourist visa to enter Vietnam.
Tourists from Norway , Finland ,
Sweden , and Denmark
All others need visa,
30 days, issued in consulates or diplomatic offices. You can apply for a
tourist visa at the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in your country. Be sure to
do this well ahead of time, as the process may take over a month.
5.
Visit your doctor for immunizations and other medical precautions.
If you're entering from
a country with a risk of yellow fever virus, you'll need proof of yellow fever
immunization to enter Vietnam
Ask your doctor which
immunizations are currently required or recommended for Vietnam
Ask about other
medications, such as anti-malaria and anti-diarrhea drugs.
6.Get
the correct currency for your Vietnam Vietnam
7.Be
aware of the country's entry and exit procedures at customs.
You'll need to fill in declaration forms when you enter and leave the country.
Goods you bring into
the country for personal use are tax-exempt.
You may bring unlimited
amounts of gold, silver, and other precious metal objects, as well as foreign
currency, so long as you provide a detailed description on your customs form.
You can take as many
souvenirs with you as you like, so long as you can provide the receipts to the
customs officers if they ask to see them upon leaving the country.
8.
Buy a guidebook that has a few helpful phrases in Vietnamese.
Even a few polite words can get you a long way when traveling.
9.Purchase
a money belt that you can wear under your clothes.
This is a safe and comfortable way of storing money and your travel documents
on your person without tempting pickpockets.
Try a tour here!
Try a tour here!
