The country's two main cultivated areas are the Red River Delta (15,000 sq kms) in the north and the Mekong Delta (60,000 sq kms) in the southern part of the country. Three-quarters of the country is mountainous and hilly, the highest peak is the 3,143m high Fansipan in the North-West. Vietnam's population was more than 80 millions people (2002 statistics). That is why Vietnam can offer visitors diverse entertainment, beautiful beaches, tropical landscapes, colorful ancient royal palaces and tombs and also the many nice pagodas and temples all over the country. Vietnam has more than 3,000 kms of coastal lines with many nice and clean sandy beaches across the country await tourists. Some five -star resorts along the beaches in the middle of the country have been hosting many honeymooners, vacationers and business people. Vietnam has 5 UNESCO recognized World Heritage Sites of Ha Long Bay, Hue ancient royal city, Hoi An ancient city, My Son holy place and Phong Nha Caves. Major cities like Hanoi, capital city, Ho Chi Minh city (known as Saigon during the Vietnam War), Hai Phong, Danang and Vung Tau, etc, offer a lot of interesting sightseeing spots such as Cu Chi under ground tunnels, Chinese ancient temples and pagodas, Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, the Temple of Literature, the royal Citadel, ancient King's tombs and a lot more to see!

ANOTHER INFO

î AIRPORT TAX
International Flights: 12 USD (14 USD if from Hanoi)
Domestic Flights: None
î CLOTHING
Comfortable lightweight clothing in natural fabrics such as cotton is most suitable for traveling in Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia & Laos. The dress code is fairly casual as in most parts of the tropics but it is advisable to cover arms and legs in the evenings against biting insects. A lightweight raincoat is a good idea in the rainy season. During the winter months warm clothing is needed for visiting the north of Vietnam, Myanmar and Laos. Visitors to Buddhist countries should not wear shorts, short skirts or other skimpy clothing when visiting religious buildings and shoes should be removed before entering a private home.
î ELECTRICITY
Mainly 220V but in some areas 110V is also used.
î FOOD
The cuisine of Vietnam comes as a pleasant surprise to many visitors and is definitely a part of the Vietnam experience not to be missed. One of the characteristics of Vietnamese food is that it is always fresh being bought the same morning straight from the market. Food is usually prepared with a minimum of oil and served with the ubiquitous fish sauce called nuoc mam. Typical Vietnamese dishes you can expect to try include pho, a type of rice noodle soup eaten for breakfast, cha gio, deep-fried spring rolls and goi ngo sen, a delicious salad made with lotus stems, shrimps and peanuts. Due to the strong Buddhist influence in Vietnam, vegetarian food is widely available.
î HEALTH
No vaccinations are required except for yellow fever if you are coming from an area where the disease is present. However visitors should be inoculated against typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A & B, tetanus and polio. Malaria is present in most of the region and it is advisable to take precautions especially if traveling off the beaten track. Medical facilities are rather limited in all countries and it is essential to take out a good medical insurance policy before travelling in case evacuation is needed.
î HOURS OF BUSINESS
Offices are usually open from Monday to Friday from 07:30 or 08:00 until 17:00 or 18:00 and often close for lunch between 11:30 and 13:00. Some offices also open Saturday morning. Shops open early and close any time between 18:00 and 22:00. Most shops are open 7 days a week.
î LANGUAGE
Because Vietnamese has six different tones, it is a difficult language for most foreigners to speak despite the fact that the Roman alphabet is used in modern Vietnamese. The same word can have six different meanings depending on the tone used to pronounce it. In the cities and larger towns English is becoming popular and is now spoken by many younger people while some of the older generation still speak fluent French. Russian and Chinese are also spoken by some people.
î MONEY
The currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong although US Dollars are accepted in many hotels, restaurants and shops. Banks are open Monday to Friday and some are open Saturday morning. In the major cities there are bureaux de change and most hotels will change US Dollars although for other currencies it is usually necessary to visit a bank. Travelers cheques can be exchanged at banks and some exchange bureaux but can be difficult to change outside of the major cities. Visa Card and Mastercard are now accepted in many hotels, restaurants and shops but US Dollars cash are still the most reliable form of money to carry. There are some ATM machines appearing now in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

î PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

January 1: New Year's Day
January/February: Tet or Vietnamese New Year. The actual dates vary from year to year according to the lunar calendar. Officially 3 days holiday but many businesses close down for a full week. This is the busiest time of the year for traveling in Vietnam and hotels, flights and trains are often full.
April 30: Liberation of Saigon Day
May 1: International Labour Day
September 2: National Day

î RELIGION
Buddhism is the dominant religion in Vietnam usually combined with elements of Confucianism and Taoism. About 10% of the country's population are Catholic and there are also communities of Protestants and Muslims. Vietnam is also home to a unique religion called Cao Dai, a religious cocktail of all the world's major faiths.

î SHOPPING
Souvenirs to look out for in Vietnam include lacquer ware, silk, conical hats, woodcarvings, hill tribe fabrics and handicrafts, embroidery, marble, ceramics, silver jeweler, antique watches and paintings. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have the best choice when it comes to shopping but Hoi An in the centre of Vietnam is also a very good place to hunt for bargains.

î TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Most hotels now have IDD phones in rooms and it is possible to send faxes from hotels and post offices although be warned these services are expensive in all four countries. Away from the major cities it may not always be possible to make international calls. Cyber cafes are becoming popular in the major cities in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos (but not Myanmar) and many travelers now prefer to keep in touch by e-mail. Post cards can be bought at all the main tourist sites and stamps are available from post offices and some hotel reception desks. It is not permitted to bring mobile phones into Myanmar. Even if they are not connectable in Myanmar to international network such as GSM, they’ll be confiscated upon arrival at Yangon International Airport and released only upon departure.

î TIPPING
Tipping for good service is not expected but is always appreciated in these developing nations. It is customary, though not compulsory, to tip tour guides and drivers at the end of a tour. Hotel and station porters should also be tipped.

î WATER
It is not advisable to drink tap water in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar but bottled mineral water is safe and available everywhere. Ice in drinks is generally OK in good standard hotels and restaurants but it is best to avoid it on street stalls or in country areas.

î WEATHER
Hanoi and the north of Vietnam have a distinct winter and summer season with the mainly dry winter lasting from November through to April with average temperatures of 18-20oC. Summer lasts from May to October and is hot and humid with temperatures around 30oC. Hue and Danang in the centre of the country have very hot, dry weather from February to August with temperatures reaching the mid 30's Celsius, but can experience some quite heavy rainfall between September and January. Ho Chi Minh City and the south have a hot, dry season from December till April with average temperatures around 28oC and a rainy season lasting from May through till November. It rarely rains for long periods even in the rainy season with most rain coming in short, heavy bursts.