Vietnam Travel Guide

Throughout its history Vietnam has had a series of dynasties, foreign rule and infamous conflicts. Around the 3rd century BC the Chinese Qin Dynasty conquered Vietnam and for over 1,000 years Vietnam was under the rule of China until Ngo Quyen defeated their forces in 939AD. Other Vietnamese dynasties then followed, such as Ly, Tran and Le. For a brief period the Ming dynasty from China ruled the country and then power was restored back to Vietnam. Around the 16th century, the first Europeans to visit Vietnam were the Portuguese. In the late 1880s Vietnam became part of French Indochina, along with Laos and Cambodia. The French colonisation of Vietnam had a significant impact on architecture, cuisine and religion and evidence of their rule can still be seen today. When Japan occupied Vietnam in World War II,  Ho Chi Minh, the founder of the Communist Party of Vietnam. used this as an opportunity to grow the nationalist movement and gain independence for Vietnam. After the end of WWII, France attempted to control Vietnam again which lead to the First Indochina War (1946-1954). The country was divided into two parts, North Vietnam was communist and South Vietnam wasn't. This division was a contributing factor in the Vietnam war (1955 - 1975), where the U.S.A supported South Vietnam to fight against the North Vietnam communist forces. Inevitably the post Vietnam war period was very difficult. In 1986, the initiation of the economic reforms of 'Doi Moi', which means innovate or renovate, helped to transform Vietnam's economy and the country continues to develop.    

All foreign nationals require a visa to enter Vietnam. Your passport must contain two blank pages and be valid for 6 months after your planned departure date. The Vietnam E-visa is valid for a maximum of 30 days for single entry. You must enter and exit Vietnam within the range of dates stated on your visa. Amendments to the visa can be made only when the visa is still valid (a fee applies). 

The places in Vietnam we will visit are generally safe and our guides will always keep an eye out for you. However, in any large city there can be opportunists and pickpockets. It is wise to be vigilant, especially at busy tourist attractions, and always take good care of your personal belongings. Make use of the safe at your hotel, and carry a photocopy of your passport when out and about. Always take extra care when using public transport. At some tourist sites you may encounter some insistent souvenir sellers. A polite “No, thank you” usually is sufficient. Leave your expensive items at home and always use hotel safety deposit boxes or in-room safes for your valuables. 

Lightweight cottons are the most comfortable clothing in Vietnam. A light raincoat is a good idea in the rainy season. It is advisable to cover arms and legs in the evenings, to protect against mosquito bites. An umbrella is also useful in both the hot and rainy seasons as it will offer protection from both the strong sun and the tropical downpours. Evenings in the north and the central regions can be quite chilly so bring a sweater and a good jacket, especially from November to February. Take cover-up clothing for visits to monasteries or pagodas. 

It is not advisable to drink tap water. Ice is generally okay in good standard hotels and restaurants but it is best to avoid it at street stalls or in rural areas. Some minor stomach problems are always possible when travelling in exotic countries, so bring a supply of your usual anti-diarrhoea medicine.

Tipping in Vietnam for good service is not expected but is always appreciated.  

We suggest packing a universal plug adaptor as the standard electrical supply in Vietnam is 220V. Both flat and round two-pin outlets are used throughout the country.