Total area of Vietnam is 127,243
square miles (329,560 square km) with two thirds of the area are covered with
hills and mountains. The coastal line is more than 3,000kms long endowed with
many beautiful beaches and bays. Vietnam has to be one of the most beautiful places
on earth. From the rice paddies to the lush jungle, everywhere you look it's green.
And from the mountains to the flat river deltas to the sandy beaches, the landscape
is so diverse.
Vietnam already became member of WTO and fully open to the world. | 
Landscape |
 |
Capital:
Hanoi (3.8 million in 2005) |
| Independence:
September 2, 1945 |
|
Monetary
unit: Dong; valuation 1 U.S.$ = D 16,000 |
| Official
language: Vietnamese. English is becoming more common as a second language
|
|
Population:
83 million, average household size (2005): 4.5 people |
|
Labor
force (2005): 32.7 million -- agriculture 65 percent -- industry and
services 35 percent . GDP rate 8.5% per year |
|
Urban-rural
ratio (2005): urban 35 percent; rural 65 percent |
| Ethnic
groups: Vietnamese, Chinese, Hmong, Thai, Khmer, Cham, and mountain
groups |
|
Religions
(2005): Buddhist 66.7 percent; Roman Catholic 7.7 percent; Protestant
1.0 percent; Cao Dai 3.5 percent; Hoa Hao 2.1 percent; other 19.0 percent |
|
Literacy
(2005): 93.7 percent of people over age 15 are literate |
| Railroads:
1,762 miles (2,835 km) |
| Highways:
-- Paved 14,552 miles (23,418 km) -- Unpaved 43,425 miles (69,882 km) |
|
Vehicles
(2005): 1,000,000 passenger cars, trucks and buses, 15 million Motor
bikes. |
Vietnam has some truly remarkable weather patterns:
In short, Vietnam can be visited throughout the year.
Furama Resort |
The range of hotels is
wide from hilltribe homestays in outlying areas to luxury resorts in major cities
or coastal beach. In big cities like Hanoi, Hochiminh, there are hotels from mini
to 5-star ones.
In outback
areas accommodations normally from 2 to 3 star class. Most hotels have private
bath/shower, AC, minibar, safe box, telephone, and a television.
Tropical
Tours arranges accommodations suitable for the type of programs offered and client's
choice.
The Vietcombank is the main bank for foreign exchange and accepts most major currencies:
American dollars, German Marks, Japanese Yen, French & Swiss francs, Canadian
& Aussie dollars. Credit cards:Amex, Master etc can be used in Vietnam.
You had better to carry US Dollar bills in small denominations.
On the river |
Credit cards are accepted
in most of places, but it is advisable for you to bring Master, Visa, Amex etc. Many big
foreign banks have branches in Vietnam: Mitsubishi-Tokyo Bank, Credit Lyonaire,
Citi Bank, Bank of America etc.
Our current guides are young , open-minded, enthusiastic and well educated. They
are fluent in English, French, German, Japanese and Chinese. Our guides can give
the traveler first hand knowledge of Vietnamese culture and history. Right after
arriving at the airport, a local guide will meet you and escort you during your
stay in that particular city. You have an option to hire a "national" guide who
will accompany you through your whole journey.
There are several means of transport :
 | Meter-Taxi
Meter-Taxi, hired cars, bus, coach with A/C or without A/C. Cyclo or motor bike
taxi are an option. |
| Trains
Trains are operating services between Hanoi to Hochiminh City,
Hai Phong Port, Lao Cai (to Sa Pa), Lang Son, Thai Nguyen. While the average speed
is about 45 kms/hour, the Reunification Express running on Hanoi-Hochiminh City
track (1730kms) reaches about 50kms/hour. There are several daily departures to
the big cities. The carriages are equipped with fans and basic toilets. There
are soft cushioned seats, hard seats and A/C sleeper carriages on Reunification
Express. |
|
Planes
There are daily flights between
Hanoi and Hochiminh City and other cities. Vietnam Airlines is a flag carrier
with Boeing, Airbus, ATRs and Fokker aircrafts. Foreign pilots (British, French,
Australian ) are contracted to fly on long distance routes. Departure tax is charged
for both domestic and outbound overseas routes.
|
|
Boats
Hydrofoil (high speed) boats
operate daily services between Hochiminh City and Vung Tau, Can Tho, Chau Doc
in the south ; Haiphong and Cat Ba Island in the north. For cruising in Halong
Bay or in inland waterways in Mekong Delta, local 10-25 seater boats are used.
|
Friendly |
Generally speaking, it is safe to travel in Vietnam. Travelers' experiences show
that it is relatively hassle free and easy to travel throughout the country. There
is petty theft in Hochiminh City and some other cities.
It is advisable for
travelers not to wear extravagant jewelry, valuable things or large amount of
money when walking in the streets.
Vaccinations are not required.
Although there are international medical clinics
in Hanoi and Hochiminh City, Vietnam still lacks adequate care for serious illnesses
and injuries. Therefore, for anyone travelling to Vietnam we recommend that you
take out travel insurance before your departure. The rate for Asian destinations
is very reasonable when compared with Europe and the USA.
When you contact travel agent to purchase Tickets, Tours, Insurance etc, please
ask them to contact us. You can also contact us direct by phone, fax or e-mail
with any inquiries. But the longer in advance you contact us the better. Usually
2 months in advance of your departure is required.
If you want to travel to Vietnam, it's necessary to have your visa issued prior
to arrival. However, Japanese, South Korean, most of ASEAN member countries citizens and Scanadivians can travel to Vietnam up to 2 weeks without visa.
Tourist visas are generally for 1 month but business and other
visas can be obtained for longer stays if required. Tropical Tours can arrange
visa for you but the following personal data must be supplied to us at least 2
(two) weeks before your departure :
-
Full name as per passport
- Passport
number/date of issuance and expiry
- Date
and place of birth
- Occupation and nationality
Visas are usually
delivered by the Vietnamese Embassy in passengers' home country (against the visa
approval) who requires the original passport and 2 photos for 2 full working days
in order to stamp the visa.Tropical
Tours arranges visas only for clients whose trip to Vietnam is connected with
the booking of travel arrangements.
Some people have special interests or requirements or would like to make trips
not listed here in a particular area in Vietnam, in such cases please let us know
before your departure. We will assist in any way we can.
Festival |
- January 01, International New Year Day
- Lunar
New Year 3- day Holiday (same with China), usually in January or February
- April
30 Liberation Day
- May 01 Labour Day
- Sept.
02 Independence Day
|
Voltage is 220 volts. You can use your appliances.
Services can be booked directly with our office :
| TROPICAL
TOURS
23 Tran Xuan Soan St., Hanoi,
Vietnam
Tel. (84-4) 7665643 - Fax. (84-4) 7665557
E-mail: pham-binh@hn.vnn.vn
|
Tour arrangements are not confirmed until the issuance of a visa .
All prices are quoted nett to Travel Agents in US Dollars at current exchange
rates and are subject to change without prior notice.
30%
expected travel cost should be prepaid by bank transfer or bank certified cheque
is required 2 weeks before commencement of services.
Our bank details are
:
|
Account
owner: Huong Thanh Co., Ltd |
| Account
Number: 73110108, |
| | Bank for
Investment and Development of Vietnam,
Transaction Center
No.1, 53 Quang
Trung Street, Hanoi, Vietnam. |
In case of a client's decision not to participate in the tour the deposit will
be forfeited to cover expenses and cancellation charges.
|
