Tourist Information
Vietnamese currency
The dong (D) is the official currency in Vietnam. Bank notes currently in circulation are in denominations of 200d, 500d, 1,000d, 2,000d, 5,000d, 10,000d, 50,000d, 100,000d, 200,000d, 500,000d. Notes under 500d have little value and are rarely used. The U.S. dollar is more or less a second currency in Vietnam. Other foreign currencies are not readily accepted.
A large supply of US$1, US$5 and US$10 are almost essential for tipping, for small expenses and for hotel bills. U.S. money is so common that change will frequently be given in dollars. You may bring in an unlimited amount of foreign currency as long as it is declared on the forms provided by customs officers. Foreign currency can be exchanged for dong at your hotel or at the State Bank of Vietnam.
Customs regulations
Customs procedures in Vietnam are quick and simple. To enter and exit Vietnam, visitors are required to fulfill the entrance and exit procedures (form CHY-2000).
Goods prohibited to import: weapons, ammunition, explosives, military technical equipment, drugs, toxic chemicals, debauched and reactionary products, firecrackers of all kinds, toys with negative impacts on the dignity education, social security and safety, cigarettes beyond the stipulated quantity, etc.
Goods prohibited to export: weapons, ammunition, explosives, military technical equipment, antiques, drugs, toxic chemicals, wild animals, rare and precious animals and plants, documents related to the national security, etc.
VIETNAM CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
Vietnamese travelers are entitled to bring along up to USD 3,000. A larger amount must be declared with a permit to take foreign currency overseas.
Foreigners are entitled to bring into the country USD 3,000 and a larger amount should be declared, 3m/m diamonds must be declared.
Machinery equipments exceeding USD 300 value should be declared and not to be packed in registered luggage. Merchandises imported will be evaluated by Vietnam custom ( not contingent on overseas invoice ); exceeding value of the USD 300 limit will be subject to 50% tax.
Electrical equipments, in particular, are subject to 50% tax without USD 300 dedication. In addition, a 10% VAT on the value of the equipment is to be paid, exclusive of import tax.
Assistance will be given to travelers on entry – exit procures and customs regulations.
EXCHANGE OF DRIVING PERMIT FOR OVERSEA VIETNAMESE AND FOREIGNERS.
According to related regulations, overseas Vietnamese or Foreigners allowed to stay in Vietnam over 3 months, having driving permit still valid are entitled to change for a temporary permit with the same length of validity but not longer than local permit validity length ( 3 to 5 years contingent upon category instead of previous regulation on residence length permission ).
CUSTOMS
With the yellow and white declaration form, travelers are requested to declare clearly : movie camera, recorder and other electronic equipments not classified as personal utensils.
Accompanied monetary amount should not exceed to USD 3,000.
Video cassette tapes are to be retained for inspect on for a few days before being returned to their owners.
The green custom form must be constantly retained by travelers to be used on their home bound trip at the port of departure .
Duty free articles include : 200 cigarettes, 2 liters of brandy, reasonable amount of perfume and personal cosmetic goods.
Entry Formalities
Entry visa is required for all visitors with valid passports irrespective of nationality. Different types of visa such as one month or six-month can be obtained at Vietnamese Embassies abroad. For tourist who have a guarantee letter by a local tour operator in advance, one – month visa can be collected upon arrival at Vietnam’s international airport in Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.
It is possible to get a “multiple entry” or “simple entry” visa. A multiple entry visa is usually for business people or tourists who would like to visit to neighboring countries of Vietnam, then come back to Vietnam for returning home.
A visa on arrival can be collected at the gateways in Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang when entering Vietnam. If you travel to Vietnam by overland, make sure that you get the name of the entry point on the visa approval letter. It is easy to extend visas while you are in Vietnam.
Emergency Numbers
0 National Domestic Direct Dialing Access Code
00 International Direct Dialing Access Code
101 Domestic Long Distance Telephone Service
105 Vietnam Paging Service (in English)
106 Paging Service Enquiries
107 Vietnam Paging Service (in Vietnamese)
1080 Social and Cultural Information Clearing up Queries Service
1081 Talking Yellow Pages
1088 Connecting Customers to Consultants in the fields of healthcare, nutrition, drug preventive measures, law, informatics, construction, tourism, estate trading, education and training, intellectual property, love-marriage-family matters
110 International Telephone Service
113 Police
114 Fire Brigade
115 Ambulance
116 Phone Number Enquiries
117 Time Inquiries
118 Ring Back Test
119 Advice on Telephone Repairs
133/131 Hanoi ABC Paging Service
141 Vinaphone Paging Service
142 International Telephone Service Rate
143 International Telephone Service Enquiries
