| | Must Visits | Need to Know | Capital City Hanoi | | Tipping In most cases, about 10% of the bill would be an adequate amount to leave as a tip. | | Electricity 220 volts, 50 Hz | | Weights and Measurements Metric System |
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How to get there by Air
Vietnam can be easily reached from any part of the world by regular flights touching down at any of its three international airports - Hanoi (Noi Bai International Airport) in the North, Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat International Airport) in the South and Da Nang (Danang International Airport) in the Central part of the country.
Large number of countries such as Australia, Cambodia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Brunei, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Macau, Qatar, Turkey and the United States are directly connected to Vietnam by several flights.
Some of the direct passenger carriers to Vietnam are as follows : Aeroflot, Air Asia, Air France, Asiana Airlines,Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Japan Airlines,Jetstar Asia, Korean Air, Lao Airlines, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Tiger Airways and United Airlines.
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How to get there by Rail
Vietnam can be easily reached from Nanning and Beijing in China via rail, with Nanning Express stopping at Gia Lam station in Hanoi,the capital city of the country. Getting here by means of train is recommended only when you want to visit the northern regions of Vietnam as train travel is not the most enjoyable experience due to slow speed of the trains.
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How to get there by Road
Vietnam is conveniently connected with Cambodia and Laos via road. It has six border crossings with Laos (Lao Bao–Dansavanh, Cau Treo–Nam Phao, Nam Can–Nong Haet, Cha Lo–Na Phao, Na Meo–Nam Xoi, Bo y–Attapeu) and three with Cambodia (Moc bai–bavet, Vinh Xuong–Kaam Samnor, Tinh Bien–Phnom Den). Although, it should be noted that getting in to Vietnam from Cambodia is relatively simpler than entering the country from Laos.
Regular buses will take you to Vietnam from both these countries.However, it is essential to possess a valid Vietnam Visa before entering the country as they are not issued at the border.
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How to get there by Sea
You can arrive in Vietnam via Mekong Delta from Cambodia by a ferry service or a cruise which are the only two ways of reaching the country by sea.
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Getting Around
Domestic flights within Vietnam are almost totally the domain of Vietnam Airlines. Getting a ticket isn’t much of a problem, but be prepared to shell out a goodly amount for it- it isn’t cheap.
If you are on a budget, you could opt for trains where, at a little extra cost, you can get quite a decent seat. But remember to watch out for thieves and pickpockets. If even trains aren’t within your budget, you could try buses - crowded, slow and often not particularly clean, but always a treat if you like people-watching- you’ll certainly get to see Vietnamese life close-up. Other forms of public transport include taxis, many of which have defective or broken metres and cyclos - the pedalled conveyances so common in both Vietnam and Cambodia.
A good alternative to all these transport problems is to hire a car- and if you hire a driver along with it, you can avail the services of a driver cum guide in one package. Motorbikes and cycles are available for hire and most Vietnamese still use the cycle to get around. You should definitely consider if you want to strike out on your own and want a healthy, economical and eco-friendly albeit slow mode of transportation.
A most unusual and gratifying way to travel around and see the countryside in Vietnam is by opting for a cruise down the Mekong on a rice boat or barge. These boats are traditional barges used to transport paddy from fields to the mills or sacks of rice from the wharf to ships. Most popular are the river cruises on the Mekong, round trips that begin at Ho Chi Minh City stopping en route at Long An, My Tho, Vinh Long, Can Tho, and Long Xuyen before wending their way back. Equally interesting boat cruises are also available in Hanoi and around Halong Bay.
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