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Region:
Southeast Asia |
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Size:
329,560 sq km |
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Population:
81,098,416 |
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Languages:
Vietnamese, Russian, French, Chinese, English
and a variety of Khmer and Laotian dialects |
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Time
Zone: UTC plus seven hours |
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Currency:
dong |
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Landscape:
low, flat delta in south and north; central
highlands; hilly, mountainous in far north and
northwest |
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Climate:
tropical in south; monsoonal in north with
hot, rainy season (mid-May to mid-September)
and warm, dry season (mid-October to mid-March) |
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Entry
Requirements:
A Visa to Vietnam can be applied for by
mail or in person at the Embassy of Vietnam up
to six months prior to the date of travel. The
applicant must submit an original Passport and
complete an application form and finally pay
the VISA fee with a money order or cashier
check. You can contact the embassy for current
rates, additional mailing instructions, and
options. For further information contact the
VISA Section of the embassy at 202.861.2293 or
visit
www.vietnamembassy-usa.org.
Five (5)business
days are required for processing and
expediting option are
available.
Diplomatic,
Official, and Business Visa's can be obtained
at the embassy as well. |
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Airlines: Korean
Air, China Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, Cathay
Pacific, United Airlines |
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Travel
Time from LAX: 20 hrs |
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Travel
Time from JFK: 18 hrs |
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Getting
Around:
Ultra-cheap buses and minibuses
criss-cross the country in an impressive network
of routes but you should think long and hard
before taking one. Apart from being ramshackle,
extremely slow and hugely overcrowded, the notion
of safety on Vietnam's roads is a loose and
hazy concept that doesn't bear too much investigating.
While sometimes train travel can be slower than
bus travel, it is safer, more relaxed and you're
likely to have decent legroom. Hire cars and drivers are available at reasonable
prices. Although you'll still be stopped by
the police to pay all sorts of 'fines', but
at least you'll have a local with you to do
the negotiating. You can hire a motorcycle to
drive yourself if you have an International
Driver's Permit endorsed for motorcycles, but
you'll need nerves of steel. Traveling through
Vietnam, and around the towns and cities, by
bicycle is worth considering, though the traffic
is still a hazard on highways without wide shoulders.
Trains and buses will carry your bike when you
want a break. |
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Personal
Technology: 220V and 50Hz, |
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Nearby
Destinations: China, Singapore, Malaysia,
Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand |
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Web
Site: http://www.vietnamtourism.com |
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| VIETNAM |
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 A
lush, tropical jungle, inhabited by a host of animals,
leopards, tigers and elephants, blankets most of Vietnam.
In other regions there are a patchwork of rich rice
patties, gorgeous beaches and breathtaking mountains
jutting out of the sea. If the sublime beauty of the
natural landscape isn't enough, it's accompanied by
a highly cultured society it has cultivated over thousands
of years. One of the biggest delights is sampling the
local cuisine.
Culture
The Vietnamese people have had several great philosophies
and religions shape their spiritual life; Confucianism,
Taoism, Buddhism, and Christianity. Over the centuries,
Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism have melded with
popular Chinese beliefs and ancient Vietnamese animism
to form what is known as Tam Giao (or 'Triple Religion').
Although
Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam, dozens
of languages are spoken throughout the country. The
most widely spoken foreign languages are Chinese (Cantonese
and Mandarin), English, French and Russian, along
with various ethnic minorities and Khmer and Loatian.
 There
are many different artistic forms of expression in
Vietnam, most popular are traditional paintings produced
on frame-mounted silk, an array of theater, puppetry
music, and dance, as well as religious sculptures,
lacquer ware, and ceramics.
History
At one point China ruled all of Vietnam until the
Indianized kingdom of Funan took control. In the 2nd
century the Hindu kingdom of Champa appeared. France
gained complete control of all Vietnam by 1867. Independence
was granted in 1954 after a hundred year struggle.
Communist forces under Ho Chi Minh defeated the French
military. The country was split in two zones. US economic
and military aid was given to South Vietnam in the
1960s to quell the arguments between the two regions.
US armed forces were withdrawn following the Paris
Peace agreement in 1973. Two years later South Vietnam
capitulated to the North. Hanoi became the new capitol
of the United Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
 Attractions
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in the country,
the economic capital, and the cultural trendsetter.
The streets, where much of the city's life takes place,
is a myriad of street markets, shops, pavement cafes,
stands-on-wheels and vendors selling wares spread
out on sidewalks.
Dalat
Dalat is also a good base for trips into the surrounding
highlands, which remain tranquil. In Dalat, make sure
you visit the Hang Nga Guesthouse & Art Gallery,
nicknamed the Crazy House by locals.
Nha
Trang
Nha Trang is a good place to go for sun and partying.
With very clear turquoise waters (except for the wet
season), snorkeling, diving and fishing are prime
activities, and just lazing on the town beach is an
experience in itself.
Halong
Bay
Magnificent Halong Bay, with its 3000 islands rising
from the clear, emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin,
is one of Vietnam's natural marvels. The tiny islands
are dotted with innumerable beaches and grottoes created
by the wind and waves.
Hanoi
Hanoi, capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,
has shaken off its unwelcoming attitude to travelers
and has become one of the most beguiling cities in
Asia. Its bustling markets, thriving nightlife and
excellent food are attracting visitors of every stripe
to this ancient city.
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Adventures:
Ha Tien
This area is known for their warm-water, white-sand
beaches and fishing villages. The area is also
noted for its seafood, black-pepper tree plantations
and towering limestone formations.
Sam Mountain
This area is known for its dozens of pagodas
and cave temples. Favored by ethnic-Chinese
pilgrims and tourists, the shrines feature tombs
and fine examples of traditional Vietnamese
design and artisanship.
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For
Families:
The vast landscape of Vietnam lends itself
to a multitude of different outdoor activities.
The coastline is scattered with fabulous resorts
that offer diving and snorkeling gear. Some
of the most popular beaches include Vung Tau,
Nha Trang, and China Beach. But always remember
to watch out for the strong currents. The
beautiful countryside allows for an incredible
place to hike, trek, horseback ride, and cycle.
Vietnam is a favorite place for long-distance
cycling because much of the country is flat
and the shortage of vehicles makes for light
traffic off the main highways. Other unique
activities that can be enjoyed are exploring
the caves and tunnels that were dug during
wartimes, and the long series of paths and
trails that are great for walking and experiencing
the countryside.
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Shopping:
Vietnam is a country rich in handicraft
products, thanks to the hardworking, dexterous,
and creative qualities of the Vietnamese people.
For a very long time, handicraft products
have been a source of cultural pride and a
source of income for the people. Some of the
popular handicrafts include woven tapestries
and tho cam handbags that are unique works
from the skilled hands of the ethnic women
living in the Northwest regions, such as Cao
Bang. Embroidered articles and silk products
are also famous crafts.
Ceramic and porcelain items have also been
produced in Vietnam for a long time. They
are glazed by traditional methods into beautiful
art are well known in Bat Trang, Quang Ninh,
and Haiphong. Copperware is fabricated by
the skillful hands of coppersmiths in Nam
Ha, Ngu Xa, Dong Son, and Long Tho. And jewelry
products and metalwork are concentrated in
Hanoi, Thai Binh and Hai Hung, while stonework
is mainly produced in Danang.
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Culinary:
Vietnamese cuisine is especially varied
- there are said to be nearly 500 different
traditional dishes that include exotic meats
(but think twice before you eat a rare animal)
and fantastic vegetarian creations (often
prepared to replicate meat and fish dishes).
However, the staple of Vietnamese cuisine
is plain white rice dressed up with a plethora
of vegetables, fish (which is common in Vietnam),
meat, spices and sauces. Fruit is abundant;
some of the more unusual ones include green
dragon fruit, jujube, khaki, longan, mangosteen,
pomelo, three-seed cherry and water apple.
Vietnamese coffee (ca phe phin) is very good;
it's usually served very strong and very sweet.
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Sports:
Many of Vietnam's beaches provide excellent
swimming and also are wonderful places to
relax. Bikes may be rented from various locations.
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