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Basic Information: |
Area: 329,560 sq.km.
Capital: Hanoi
Population: 77.31 Million
Language: Vietnamese (official), Chinese, English, and
French.
Religion: Buddhism, Taoism, and Catholic. |
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Climate: |
| North
Vietnam has Southern Mediterranean type climate. South
Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate. |
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Local Time: |
| GMT
+7 |
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Currency: |
| Vietnamese
Dong in denominations of 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000,
10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 banknotes. There are no coins
in use. |
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Exchange: |
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Travellers cheques are accepted at most banks. Hotels
sometimes charge a commission. Cash dollars in good condition
are accepted in many places, so small denominations are
useful to carry. The exchange rate can fluctuate considerably.
Remaining Vietnamese currency can be exchanged for US
dollars at the exchange bureau at the airport. |
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Credit cards: |
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Most major hotels and big restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City
and Hanoi accept Visa and MasterCard. |
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Business hours: |
| Most
shops, banks and businesses open from 8am to 4 or 5pm
with a 1-2 hour lunch break |
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Electricity
supply: |
| 220V,
50Hz / 110V, 50Hz |
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Tipping: |
| Tipping
is not customary in Vietnam, but is appreciated. A 5-10%
tip for a meal in a good restaurant may equal a day's
wages. |
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Nightlife : |
| There
are numerous discos and karaoke bars. As in most places,
it is preferable to explore in the company of a long-term
resident, to avoid the traditional rip-offs. |
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Photography: |
| Print
film is widely sold, but risks having been badly stored,
so best buy from reputable photo dealers rather than street
vendors. Slide film is available only in large cities.
Photo-processing shops are everywhere with one hour processing
facilities. |
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Tourist information: |
Vietnam Airlines-Hanoi: (84-4)
8253824; Ho Chi Minh City: (84-8) 8292118; Bangkok: (66-2)
6569056-8; Phnom Penh: (855-23) 424426; Vientiane: (856-21)
216761
Vietnam National Administration of Tourism-Tel:
(84-4) 8261061; Fax: (84-4) 8261115 |
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Public Holidays
(2001): |
January 1: New Year's Day
January 24: Tet, Lunar New Year
February 3: Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist
Party
April 30: Liberation of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
May 1: International Labor Day
May 19: Ho Chi Minh's birthday
September 2: National Day |
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