Vietnam Update 2011 base
Coins
The title = "Viet Nam" currency> Vietnam is "Dong" (Abbreviated "d" or VND).
Currency bank 200d, 500d, 1000d, 5000d. Banknotes are 1000 D 2000 D 5000 D 10,000 D 20,000 D 50 000 D, 100 000 d, 200,000 d and 500,000 d.
Unlike most neighboring countries of Vietnam, the U.S. dollar is widely accepted. At this rate, the official exchange rate is approximately 18 500 VND to USD 01.
Credit cards and travelers checks are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops, but in cities main. Visitors are encouraged to U.S. dollars in small bills. Passengers can change their money for Vietnamese Dong (VND) to banks, hotels and jewelry throughout the country.
There are currently no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency that visitors can do in Vietnam, but the very large sums should be declared on arrival.
Exchange rate as of January 2010
1 pound = 32,000 VND
1 USA dollar = 19 500 VND
1 Euro = 23 000 VND
Check the last update exchange rate at Vietcombank www.vietcombank.com.vn
Food and Berverage
title = "Vietnam tourism"> Vietnamese food often comes as a wonderful surprise! It has a very particular style, but also clearly influenced by Chinese and French cuisine, to a lesser extent. Freshness is an important essential ingredients are bought fresh from the local market on a daily basis.
Meals usually include rice or noodles as staples with a variety vegetables and meats such as chicken, duck, beef and pork. Quality seafood (fish, squid, shrimp and crab) is widely available and you will see fish sauce is a condiment that accompanies almost every meal. The most famous dish of Vietnam spring rolls or fried (called cha gio in the south and nem ran in the north) or served fresh (bi cuon / bo BIA) with a combination of raw vegetables and grilled shrimp, crab, pork or chicken. Pho (soup noodles) served with chicken or beef, fresh green leaves, bean sprouts, red and cold is also in the country. If you are looking for a snack try a banh cuon, a vapor ravioli stuffed with beef or shrimp, black mushrooms and bean sprouts.
The "> French Colonial Vietnam period left a legacy the delicious continental food. Often, street cafes are a typically crisp French baguettes, pate, crème caramel, banana flambé, and pastas on the menu.
Vegetarians: Vegetarians should have no trouble finding a variety of foods in Vietnam there is a strong influence of Buddhism and abundant the Chinese and Vietnamese vegetarian dishes.
Food Allergies: If you have food allergies or preferences, please make known your guide will everything possible to ensure that their needs are met.
Drink
Bottled water and mineral water are obtained at any store in the most cities. It is advisable to drink boiled water and not drink ice and tap water. The brand is most reliable local life (not to be confused with imitations, the city where the Virgin). Pepsi's Aquafina and Evian is also available in many real stores.
Approximate costs for drinks bought in a shop in the street below.
1 liter of purified water = $ 0.3
30cl bottle of soda = $ 0.35
60cl bottle of local beer = 1 USD
Note: Prices in restaurants and hotels can be twice those specified.
Tea, like green tea in Chinese, is one of the most common drinks in Vietnam. Coffee was introduced by French and usually strong, thick and served complete with drip filter, so I know it's cool! If you ask for milk, usually sweetened condensed milk.
Beer most popular are: the local brand: 333 Hanoi beer, beer and international brand of Saigon Carlsberg, Heineken, Tiger and Foster
Film development
Fresh negative film is widely available. Popular brands are Kodak, Fuji, Konica and Agfa. Memory cards for digital cameras can be found easily, but beware of their quality. Print the image on a film negative or digital file time is available in cities and towns. Tourists say the negative film is cheaper abroad.
One hour photo shops have become ubiquitous service in places where tourists abound. Film positive can develop only in Saigon and Hanoi. Film shops, the most reliable and focused development are 19 Nguyen Cau – Ba Trieu and San Photocase – 77 Ly Thuong Kiet in Hanoi and stores Nguyen Hue Boulevard, District 1 of Saigon ..
Commercial
The following items are unique and of good quality:
* Carved wooden furniture, fine lacquerware (these can be sent Home on request).
* Traditional Vietnamese hand-made silk dresses, kimonos linen and cotton, embroidery, etc.
* Simulated antiques, ceramics, old watches or Zippo lighters, etc.
* Copies of famous paintings.
Other
Taxi: the meters are available in major cities. The current price is approximately U.S. $ 0.5 per kilometer. Most taxi drivers can speak as little English.
Hours: (GMT + 7)
* Offices: 07:30 to 11:30 and 1:00 to 4:30 p.m., closed Saturdays and Sundays
* Banks: 8:00 a.m.-03: 00 pm, closed on Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday.
Electrical current: 110-220 V AC
Phone: Long distance calls must be made in post offices, hotels and phone booths (phone cards are available at post offices). Normally, hotel service charge of 15 to 20% of the invoice. Internet telephony is an alternative and much cheaper, with $ 0.1 / minute to Europe or America
ADSL Internet cafes are easily found in Vietnam. Hourly cost is approximately U.S. $ 0.5.
Tips:
Tipping is not compulsory in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, however, if you meet one or goodness exceptional service, tipping is always appreciated. A tip for good service could be around 5% of the invoice.
Negotiation: Negotiation is a way of life in much of Southeast Asia. In Vietnam shops do not have a price fixed to the trader starts with a high price is then expected to negotiate to reach a fair price. The negotiation should always be relaxed and can be fun, but you must remember that it is considered disrespectful to agree on a price but then walk away.
Laundry: Most hotels have used in Vietnam to provide a laundry service, although this can be quite expensive, sometimes as much as U.S. $ 1 per item. Moreover the street side of the majority towns and villages are full of clothes, where the average cost per kilogram of laundry is $ 0.70 U.S..
Time
Vietnam has some degree of diversity in climate. The north was different and winter. Summer lasts from May to October when the weather is warm and humid with temperatures averaging 30 degrees Celsius. From November to April are the winter months when the weather is mostly dry and average temperatures are around 18-20 degrees Celsius. Note that country's mountainous regions, temperatures are much lower than that, warm clothing is required for travel tribal areas of the mountains during the winter months.
In the center of the country (eg, Hue, Da Nang and Hoi An), the weather is very hot and dry from February to August, with temperatures around 33-36 degrees Celsius, but not may have heavy rains between September and January.
South Vietnam was a hot and dry season from December to April, with temperatures around 28 degrees Celsius. May to November is the rainy season, but often there are long periods of rain – it is usually short rains.
About the Author
15 years in Travel Business in Vietnam , Laos & Cambodia
working for Asiana Travel Mate in last 3 years as online Advisor
Online contact: www.asianatravelmate.com
Local Offices:
113C Bui Vien Str. District 1.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Phone: +84-8 38 38 6678
Saigon Tourist Information Center
92-94-96 Nguyen Hue str. District 1
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Phone: +84-838250615
Hanoi Tourist Information Center
7 Dinh Tien Hoang Str.
Hoan Kiem Dist.
Hanoi, Vietnam
Phone: +84-4 39263370
Truly Halong Center
21 Luong Ngoc Quyen,
Hoan Kiem District
Hanoi, Vietnam
Phone: +84 4 39263449
Hue Tourist Information Center
45 – 47 Le Loi Str.
Hue City, Vietnam
Phone: +84-54 3942 233
100 year old Kodak camera
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