DISCOVER Vietnam!
Vietnam is a must-see country, from striking Halong Bay and the mountainous north down to bustling Ho Chi Minh City and the mangrove-lined Mekong Delta in the south. It’s also a great option for a family holiday! Before you head off, though, take a look at our mini travel guide for tips, trivia and more.
THE BASICS
Population: 98 million
Capital: Hanoi
Religion: Vietnam is a multireligious state. The majority of Vietnamese identify with Buddhism, but Taoism, Confucianism and Catholicism are also practiced.
Emergency numbers: 113 (police), 114 (fire), 115 (ambulance)
FACT FILE
• Approximately 40 percent of all Vietnamese, or more than 30 million people, share the same family name, Nguyen.
• Through history, Hanoi has had at least five different names including Long Bien, Tong Binh Long Do and Dai La.
• Vietnam is the largest exporter of cashews in the world, and the second largest exporter of rice.
• Instead of bells, traditional gongs are used to call Vietnamese children to school.
• Vietnamese cuisine is a mixture of Chinese and Thai styles and is considered one of the healthiest cuisines in the world.
• The Vietnamese language has six different tones.
KEY DATES
• 22 January 2023: Tet Nguyen Dan. Also known as the Vietnamese New Year or Tet, this celebration usually goes for three to six days. Dates vary from year to year.
• 30 April: Victory Day. Celebrates the fall of Saigon and the reunification of Vietnam in the year of 1975.
HOT SPOTS & ITINERARIES
Popular destinations include Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), Hanoi, Sapa, Hoi An, Hue, Nha Trang and the Mekong Delta. Among the eight World Heritage Sites are Halong Bay and the monuments of Hué. Here are some itinerary ideas:
• Mekong Delta: Ho Chi Minh City – Can Tho – Cu Chi Tunnels – Ben Tre
• Beaches: Mui Ne – Nha Trang – Hoi An – Da Nang
• The North: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Sapa
STAYING SAFE & HEALTHY
Vietnam is generally a safe place to visit, and with a bit of common sense you shouldn’t have any issues. Here are a few things to keep in mind though:
• Typhoons and heavy rain during the wet season (June-December) can cause flooding and landslides.
• Traffic accidents are common. Buckle up, if you can, and tell your driver to slow down if necessary.
• Choose street-food vendors wisely – you do hear cases of travellers falling ill from contaminated food.
CULTURAL THINGS While you’re there, please don’t…
• Give handkerchiefs, black items or yellow flowers as a gift.
• Take pictures of military installations, buildings or personnel. This is considered a breach of national security.
• Sit with your feet pointing towards people.
Before you go, read …
• Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War by Karl Marlantes – published in 2010, this has been described as the first “great” novel about the Vietnam War.
• Catfish and Mandala by Andrew X Pham – the author left Vietnam as a “boat person” and grew up in California. This book is about his return to his home country.
Before you go, watch …
• Cyclo (Xich lo) – from the Vietnamese director of The Scent of Green Papaya, a film about an 18-year-old bicycle-taxi driver trying to make a living.
• The Quiet American – it’s a pale imitation of Graham Greene’s famous book, but there are some great scenes of Vietnam. And it has Michael Caine in it!
They said it
• “Rice and fish are as inseparable as mother and child.” – Vietnamese proverb
• “If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people.” – Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh
• “If necessity is the mother of invention, then the Vietnamese should win top prize…” – journalist Jane Lasky
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS Do I need a visa?
Pre-pandemic entry requirements have been reinstated in Vietnam, though there are some COVID testing requirements (check details at mfa.gov.sg/countries-regions/v/viet-nam/ travel-page). Most, but not all, passport holders require a visa even for a short visit; visa-on-arrival is available at major ports of entry (see vietnamvisa.govt.vn).
How long will it take me to get there?
Between 2 and 3.5 hours from Singapore. Vietnam is 7 hours ahead of GMT and 1 hour behind Singapore.
What’s the money situation?
The official currency of Vietnam is the Vietnamese dong (VND); be prepared to feel a little like a faux millionaire – you’ll receive more than 16,000 dong for a single Singapore dollar. ATM withdrawals are available in major cities and tourist destinations, and US dollars are widely accepted, as are credit cards.
When’s the best time to visit?
Opposing monsoon seasons in the north and south mean that seasonal changes are different around Vietnam. It is always high season somewhere in Vietnam, and the tropical south is always warm. Head to the north between May and October and the south between November and February. The popular central beaches can be wet between December and February.
What’s the lingo?
The official language is Vietnamese, and French and English are also spoken. Here are some phrases to get you started:
Hello Chào
What is your name? Ban tên gì? My name is __ Tôi tên là __ How much? Bao nhiêu? Thank you Cam on ban Yes Vâng
No, thank you Không cam
on ban