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Basic Information: |
Area: 329,560 sq.km.
Capital: Hanoi
Population: 77.31 Million
Language:
Vietnamese (official), Chinese, English, and French.
Religion: Buddhism,
Taoism, and Catholic. |
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Climate: | | North
Vietnam has Southern Mediterranean type climate. South Vietnam has a tropical
monsoon climate. |
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Local Time: | | GMT
+7 |
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Currency: | | Vietnamese
Dong in denominations of 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000
banknotes. There are no coins in use. |
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Exchange: | |
Travellers cheques are accepted at most banks. Hotels sometimes charge a commission.
Cash dollars in good condition are accepted in many places, so small denominations
are useful to carry. The exchange rate can fluctuate considerably. Remaining Vietnamese
currency can be exchanged for US dollars at the exchange bureau at the airport. |
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Credit cards: | |
Most major hotels and big restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi accept Visa
and MasterCard. |
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Business hours: | | Most
shops, banks and businesses open from 8am to 4 or 5pm with a 1-2 hour lunch break
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Electricity supply: | | 220V,
50Hz / 110V, 50Hz |
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Tipping: | | Tipping
is not customary in Vietnam, but is appreciated. A 5-10% tip for a meal in a good
restaurant may equal a day's wages. |
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Nightlife : | | There
are numerous discos and karaoke bars. As in most places, it is preferable to explore
in the company of a long-term resident, to avoid the traditional rip-offs. |
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Photography: | | Print
film is widely sold, but risks having been badly stored, so best buy from reputable
photo dealers rather than street vendors. Slide film is available only in large
cities. Photo-processing shops are everywhere with one hour processing facilities.
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Tourist information: |
Vietnam Airlines-Hanoi: (84-4) 8253824; Ho Chi Minh City:
(84-8) 8292118; Bangkok: (66-2) 6569056-8; Phnom Penh: (855-23) 424426; Vientiane:
(856-21) 216761
Vietnam National Administration of Tourism-Tel: (84-4)
8261061; Fax: (84-4) 8261115 |
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Public Holidays
(2003): |
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Jan 1
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Western New Year's Day
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Feb 3
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Founding Day of the Communist Party of Vietnam
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April 30
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Liberation Day of South Vietnam and Saigon
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May 1
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Labour Day
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May 19
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Ho Chi Minh's birthday
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May 28
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holiday in commemoration of the birth, the enlightenment
and the death of the Buddha
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Sep 2
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National Holiday
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Sep 3
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Day to commemorate the death of Ho Chi Minh in
1969
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Nov
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Birthday of Confucius; moveable holiday, as it
depends on the moon calendar
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