On the
yellow and white Customs Forms you are expected to declare: Cameras,
camcorders, and other electronic equipment not for personal use;
Jewelry not for personal use; Currency over US$3,000; Video tapes
(they may be kept for a few days and screened). Vietnam Customs
Inspection at airports permits to bring 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars,
two 250g of tobacco, 2L of liquor, gifts worth up to 50 USD, luggage
and personal effects. Totally restricted are: opium, weapons,
explosives and materials unsuitable to the Vietnamese society.
Entry/Exit
Forms..........................................................................................................................................
Don’t lose the Entry/Exit Form; you’ll need it when leaving the
country.
Flight
Information.........................................................................................................................................
For Vietnam Airlines flights, in Hanoi call
(04) 934 9660, in Ho Chi Minh City call (08) 832 0320. For other
flights, call their airline office in Vietnam.
Lost
and Found..................................................................................................................................................
Noi Bai Airport: (04) 884-0008 or 886-5013;
Tan Son Nhat Airport: (08) 844-6665, ext. 7461
Business
Hours..................................................................................................................................................
Government offices and museums open early,
around 8am, and close between 4pm and 5pm. Avoid doing business from
11.30am to 2pm, when people are either at lunch or napping.
Health....................................................................................................................................................................
There are no specific health requirements for
entry into Vietnam. However, you should consult your doctor for
up-to-date information and prescriptions for vaccinations,
anti-malarial requirements and any reasonably foreseeable illnesses
while traveling in Vietnam. We recommend that you carry a first-aid
kit as well as any medical requirements (spare pair of glasses,
contact lenses, etc). Be prepared.
We recommend the services of International SOS for all the medical
requirements of our travelers when traveling in Vietnam.
International SOS’s 24-hour clinics have expatriate doctors and
specialists, and can be found at the following locations:
Hanoi
– 31 Hai Ba Trung Street., Clinic Tel: (04)
934-0666,
24-hr Emergency Hotline: (04) 934-0666
Ho Chi Minh
– 65 Nguyen Du Street, District 1,
Clinic Tel: (08) 829-8424, 24-hr Emergency Hotline: (08) 829-8520.
Medical
Help
HANOI |
HO CHI MINH CITY |
When calling outside Hanoi, use the prefix numbers in
brackets, which is (04), drop it when calling inside the
city. |
When calling outside Ho Chi Minh City, use the prefix
numbers in brackets, which is (08), drop it when calling
inside the city. |
Hanoi Family Medical Practice
Dr. Rafi Kot’s Clinic, A-1 Van Phuc Diplomatic Quarter,
Ba Dinh District,
Tel: (04) 843 0748 |
Cho Ray Hospital
201 Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, District 1, Tel: (08) 855
4137 |
International SOS
31 Hai Ba Trung Street, Hoan Kiem District. 24-hour
Alarm Center.,
Tel: (04) 934 0555, Fax: (04) 934 0556 |
Columbia Asia – Gia Dinh
01 No Trang Long Street, Binh Thanh District, Tel: (08)
803 0678, Fax: (08) 803 0677 |
Vietnam French Hospital
1 Phuong Mai Street,
Tel: (04) 574 0740 |
Columbia Saigon Asia 24-Hour Clinic
08 Alexandre de Rhodes Street, District 1, Tel: (08) 823
8888, Fax: (08) 823 8454 |
|
HCMC Family Medical Practice
34 Le Duan Street, District 1,
Tel: (08) 822 7848, Mobile: 091323 4911 |
|
International Medical Center
1 Han Thuyen Street, District 1, Tel: (08) 827 2366 |
|
International SOS
65 Nguyen Du Street, District 1, Tel: (08) 829 8520,
Fax: (08) 829 8551 |
DENTISTS :
|
DENTISTS |
Hanoi Family Dental Practice
A2 Van Phuc Diplomatic Quarter, Ba Dinh District, Tel:
(04) 823 0281, Mobile: 09044 6126 |
Century Dental Clinic
96A Tran Hung Dao Street, District 1,
Tel: (08) 836 7230 |
|
Grand Dentistry
Ground Floor, Sunwah Tower, 115 Nguyen Hue Street,
District 1, Tel: (08) 821 9446 |
|
International SOS
Tel: (08) 829 8424, Fax: (08) 829 8551 |
Electricity
Vietnam uses 220V electricity nationwide. In the South, outlets are
often US-style flat pins. In the North, many outlets fit round pins.
As the electrical current varies, use a surge protector when running
sensitive electronic equipment like laptops.
Hotels
& Registration
..........................................................
There is
a wide range of accommodation available, at least in Vietnam’s major
cities. Hanoi and HCM City feature a choice of five-star hotels,
while guesthouses and mini-hotels offer no-frills rooms for under
US$10. As hotels and private hosts must register your presence with
the police; you’ll be expected to hand over your passport, along
with your visa number and your yellow form.
Safety....................................................................................................................................................................
While Vietnam is one of the safest countries in Asia, you should
take care with your possessions. Secure your valuables, documents
and credit cards in your hotel’s safe. Beware of pickpockets,
purse-snatchers and mobile phone thieves, especially in Ho Chi Minh
City. If you do choose to drive a motorbike or ride a bicycle,
always wear a helmet.
To
Bring................................................................................................................................................................
Pack as lightly as possible (stay under 15-20kg). It is in your best
interest, as you will have to carry your own luggage at all times.
Leave some room for souvenirs.
Checklist.............................................................................................................................................................
Passport and visa, air tickets and vouchers
Travel insurance and health requirements documents
Travelers-checks, credit cards, cash, money belt
First-aid kit, day-pack, alarm clock, flashlight
Toiletries and lightweight towel
Insects repellent, hat, sun cream and sunglasses, refillable water
bottle
Vietnam travel guide
Light raincoat (May to October)
Lightweight fleece sweater, windbreaker and trousers (November to
February)
Currency.............................................................................................................................................................
The currency in Vietnam is the Dong (VND). The current exchange rate
is around VND15,300 to the US dollar. US dollars remain widely
accepted at hotels, but you should have local currency for use in
taxis and shops. Credit card acceptance, especially for Visa, is
spreading in higher-end hotels, restaurants and shops in big cities.
For cash advances, usually at a rate of three-percent commission, go
to ANZ Bank. Some traveler cafes provide cash advances at higher
rates, their advantage being that they stay open late and on
weekends. ANZ and Vietcombank have ATM machines that dispense only
Dong. Do not accept torn or soiled bills as you may have trouble
spending them. Never change money on the streets from hustlers.
Extra Money......................................................................................................................................................
Bring enough money for shopping and for additional sightseeing
sites. Not inclusive are the phone calls and laundry. $15USD a day
is about what you will need for miscellaneous. Carry enough money
with you in case of emergencies.
Money Exchange............................................................................................................................................
When traveling in Vietnam, US currency (cash or travelers cheques)
is probably the most convenient to have. US dollars can be used to
buy goods and services along with the Vietnamese Dong. Any other
major international currencies can be exchanged in large cities, as
well as Visa and Master Card for cash advances. There are banks in
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City that have Automatic Teller Machines (ATM)
where you are able to withdraw Vietnamese Dong. Some hotels offer
exchange services at a reasonable rate. It is not possible to
exchange Vietnamese Dong outside Vietnam, so exchange or spend all
your Dong before leaving the country.
Security................................................................................................................................................................
Pickpocket is a problem in large cities and crowded streets; be
aware. It is actually quite safe when going out. Racism and violence
is practically non-existent in Vietnam. Police 113 is newly set up
for security and they are very effective.
Telecommunication.....................................................................................................................................
International and domestic, phone calls, faxes, internet and e-mail
services are available in almost every hotels and internet cafes are
on every street corners. International phone charges are steep in
Vietnam and many hotels, especially up-market ones, add extra fees.
Check the rates before dialing. One long-distance service offers a
flat fee of US$1.30 per minute to 50 countries; dial 171 followed by
the country code and number. Public phones require phone cards,
which are available at Post Offices. To rent a mobile phone call 821
8465 in Hanoi and 824 2382 in Ho Chi Minh City. Faxes can be sent
from hotels, business centers or post offices. Again rates vary.
Key Contacts.....................................................................................................................................................

Exit Code: 00
Operator: 110
Police: 113
Fire: 114
Assistance: 116
Information: 1080
Medical Aid: 115
Price Guide..........................................................................................................................................................
In Vietnam, be prepared to bargain. To give you an idea of where to
start, we present the following suggested price list:
Transport. |
|
Xe om (motorbike taxi): |
VND 2,000/km |
Public bus: |
VND 2,500/ride |
Grooming |
|
Shoeshine: |
VND 5,000/pair |
Hair-wash: |
VND 15,000 |
Haircut on the side of the street: |
VND 15,000 |
Street-side laundry (giat la): |
VND 10,000/kilo |
Food. |
|
Pho (beef noodle soup): |
VND 10,000/bowl |
Plain baguette: |
VND 1,000 |
Bananas: |
VND 500/each |
Beer in (Bia Hoi): |
VND 1,500/glass |
Brochure
Validity..........................................................................................................................................
The priced listed on-line and in our brochure are based on the costs
and exchange rates current at the time of printing and posting. I
Love Vietnam Travel Co-op reserve the right to alter these prices at
any time. For trips departing between 01 January 2004 and 31
December 2004 the land price of your trip is guaranteed when you
have paid in full. For trips departing beyond 31 December 2004
prices are indicative only. The itineraries and dates on-line and in
our brochure are applicable from 01 January 2004 until December
2004. Beyond 31 December 2004 dates and itineraries are also
indication only. All information in given is accurate to the best of
our knowledge at the time of printing and posting, but please note
that changes to our trips can and do occur. ILV will make every
effort to keep you informed of any changes, but cannot be held
liable for any alterations made to the published itineraries. Please
refer to this site for the most recent update to any trip.
Cancellation
by the traveler (7-day-trips and less)........................................................
Lost of monies paid applies to all cancelled reservations.
The date of the trip cancellation is the date on which the written
cancellation is received by ILV.
The loss of monies paid is as follows, per person:
2 days or more prior to trip departure – Loss of deposit
24 hours prior to trip departure – 50% of total booking
Last minute cancellation (inside 24 hours) – 100% of total booking
cost
Cancellation
by the traveler (7-day-trips and more)......................................................
Lost of monies paid applies to all cancelled reservations. The date
of the trip cancellation is the date on which the written
cancellation is received by ILV. The loss of monies paid is as
follows, per person:
60 days or more prior to trip departure – Loss of deposit
Between 30 and 59 days prior to trip departure – 50% of total
booking
Less than 30 days prior to departure – 100% of total booking cost
No refunds will be made if you voluntarily leave a trip for any
reason after the trip has begun. Refunds will be at the discretion
of ILV if you are involuntarily forced to leave the trip for any
reason. No refunds will be made for any accommodation, transport,
sightseeing, meals or services not utilized. Please note that these
conditions are subject to change and different loss of monies paid
may apply to airline tickets.
Cancellation by I Love Vietnam Travel Co-op.......................................................................
ILV Travel Co-op reserves the right to cancel any trip departure
before it is guaranteed to run. A trip is guaranteed to run once it
has the minimum travelers required for a trip. If ILV Travel Co-op
cancels a group trip, departure which, is guaranteed to run we will
refund the trip price, plus entitled to take an alternative trip of
the same value without charge. Also, ILV Travel Co-op reserves the
right to cancel any trip, including a guaranteed trip, prior to
departure due to reasons outside its control i.e.: natural disasters
or political instability). In such a case, ILV will refund the trip
price only.
Booking................................................................................................................................................................
To book a trip you pay a non-refundable deposit of $ 200 USD per
person for trips running for more than 7 days, and a non-refundable
deposit of $ 50 USD per person for trips running less than 7 days.
No deposit necessary for trips less than 2 days, but full payment is
required in time of booking.
Final
Payment.................................................................................................................................................
For trips running more than 7 days, you must make your final payment
no less than 60 days prior to departure – or we may consider your
booking canceled.
Documents.......................................................................................................................................................
ILV Travel Co-op will issue your documentation upon receipt of final
payment and all details: passport number, date of birth, nationality
and any pre-existing medical conditions.
Booking
Amendments.............................................................................................................................
All amendment and cancellation fees apply to trips within this
brochure only. A cancellation on a trip in this brochure and a new
booking on a trip in any other brochure constitute a cancellation.
If you wish to change your booking in any way, the following fees
will apply:
Changes to trip bookings for trips running more than 7 days
if the booking amendment request is received by ILV 60 days or
more prior to your original trip’s departure – USD $ 80 per person;
if the booking amendment request is received by ILV less than 60
days prior to your original trip departure date – charges as per
cancellation fees
if there has been any change in the price of the trip you change
your booking to since the time of your original reservation, the new
trip price will apply to the new reservation
These fees are in addition to any charges levied by hotels, ground
operators or airlines.
Changes to any other arrangements made in conjunction with your trip
booking (i.e.: hotels, transfers, etc.)
Amendments to any other arrangements made in conjunction with your
trip reservation will incur a USD $ 40 per booking administration
fee per booking if the change can be made.
Insurance............................................................................................................................................................
Travel insurance is compulsory for all ILV Travel Co-op travelers.
Your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident,
medical expenses, emergency repatriation and personal liability. We
also recommend, it covers cancellation, curtailment and loss of
luggage and personal effects.
Responsibility.................................................................................................................................................
When booking on a ILV Travel Co-op trip you understand that ILV run
trip holidays in Asia. The standards of accommodation; transport;
hygiene; telecommunication facilities; level of infrastructure
development and medical facilities; are not the same that you are
used to at home, or would find on a conventional holiday. This type
of holiday inherently involves a high level of personal risk, which
you agree to fully assume.
You understand that during the course of the trip certain events may
occur, including, but not limited to, accident or illness in remote
places without medical facilities, political instability and the
forces of nature. You agree to assume all risks associated with the
journey to the maximum extent permitted by law.
You acknowledge that travel on a ILV Travel Co-op trip requires a
degree of flexibility, and understand that the trip's route,
accommodation and modes of transport are subject to change without
prior notice due to local circumstances. Should ILV Travel Co-op
deem it advisable to amend an itinerary for any reason, it may do so
by shortening, varying or re-routing any trip. These changes are
binding and additional expenses will be charged to you if the reason
for any alteration is outside ILV ‘s control.
While traveling with ILV you agree to accept the
authority of the
leader or local operator at all times. You are aware that travel
within a group may involve compromise to accommodate the diverse
desires and physical abilities of group members. You understand that ILV reserves the right to decline, accept, or retain any person as a
member of the group at any time.
You acknowledge that ILV Travel Co-op contract with a network of
companies, government agencies and individuals throughout Asia, to
assist in the running of its tours. To the best of ILV Travel
Co-op’s knowledge, these third parties are qualified to perform the
duties they are contracted to perform.
However ILV will not be held reliable for any injury, damage, loss,
delay or irregularity that may occur due to the behavior of these
third parties. ILV will not accept responsibility or liability for
any traveler who contravenes any law or regulation of any country
visited. No employee, servant or agent of ILV has authority to vary
these conditions.