Kim Lien Travel
“Serving from the heart”
Facts about Vietnam
Geography
Lying on the eastern part of the Indochinese peninsula, Vietnam is a strip of land shaped like the letter "S". China borders it to the north, Laos and Cambodia to the west, the East Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the east and south. The country's total length from north to south is 1,650km. The coastline is 3,260km long and the inland border is 4,510km. Vietnam is also a transport junction from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
Coastline
The coastline is 3,260km long and lined with many beautiful beaches. In some places, karst mountains can be seen jutting out from the sea. One such magnificent place is Halong Bay, which has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Climate
Vietnam's climate is characterized by strong monsoons, a considerable number of sunny days, high levels of rainfall, and high humidity. Although the entire country lies in the tropics and subtropics, it presents a very diverse climate according to its different altitudes and latitudes. Winters can be quite cold in the North, while the South offer sub-equatorial temperature all year-round. Some mountainous regions have temperate climates. Annual average temperature for the whole country ranges from 22° to 27°C. The average temperature is 23°C in Hanoi, 26°C in Ho Chi Minh City, and 25°C in Hue. The climate is generally divided into two seasons: the cold season (from November to April the next year) and the hot season (from May to October).
Population, People and Language
Year 2002: Approximately 80 million people.
At present, there are 54 different ethnic groups inhabiting Vietnam. The Kinh people or Viet represent about 80% of the whole population. Many minorities possesses its own traditions and language. Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam. Learning foreign languages, particularly English, is now in vogue among young people in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Danang, and other cities. Tour guides speaking English, French, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese are available.
Religion
Vietnamese religious beliefs have been influenced by combined values of the three traditional religions forming the Tam Giao (Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism), as well as ancestor worship, Catholicism, Islam, Protestantism, Caodaism, Hoa Hao Sect
Ao Dai – Traditional Costume
The intention of changing the way people dress to eradicate ancient habits, the 18th century lords and mandarins in Hue created the ao dai. Supposedly, the ao dai combined the beauty of dress from all three regions, the North, the Centre, and the South. The design of the ao dai was based on the long tunics of the Cham women. Starting from Hue, the ao dai became common dress for women throughout the country.
Conical Hat
According to ancient documents, the non la first appeared in Vietnam around the 13th century, during the Tran Dynasty. Since then, the hat has become closely connected to the Vietnamese people. The non la does not differentiate between sex, age or social standing; the non la is worn by all Vietnamese. The hat is made from materials readily available in Vietnam: palm leaves for the cone, bamboo for the frame, fibre from moc trees for thread, and coloured material for the chin strap.
Stage performance - Water Puppet Show - Unique stage performance
There are some kinds of stage performances in Vietnam. Such as Cheo or Vietnamese Popular Theatre originated in the northern countryside, Tuong or Classical Theatre originated during the Ly-Tran Dynasty, Cai Luong originated in the early 20th century in the South… Among that, Water Puppet Show is the most famous and unique. Invented during the Ly Dynasty (1009-1225), the water puppet show is a form of artistic performance unique to the Vietnamese.
USEFUL INFORMATION FOR TOURISTS
Visa
Most visitors to Vietnam need a visa to enter the country. Visas are exempted for the citizens of the countries, which have signed a bilateral visa exemption agreement with Vietnam, including Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Laos… Vietnam also made a unilateral decision on visa exemption for the Japanese, Korean, Finland, Norway, Sweeden, Denmark citizens… Tourist visa may be valid for 15 to 30 days. Especially, Chinese tourists can travel to Vietnam with either passport and visa or travel document.
Tourist visa can only be obtained in Vietnamese embassies, consulates abroad. Otherwise, you can get a visa at the border gates if you are invitees of some Vietnamese competent organs or you are travelling on a package tour organized by Vietnamese travel companies
Transportation
International Airports
There are three international airports in Vietnam: Noi Bai (Hanoi, 35km), Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City, 10km), Danang (Danang, 7km). In each airport, the tax for international flights is US$14 (Children under 2 are exempted).
Flights are available to Bangkok, Singapore, Paris, Hong Kong, Seoul, Sydney, Berlin, Jakarta, Manila, Taipei, Guangzhou, Vientiane, Amsterdam, Moscow, Frankfurt, Kuala Lumpur, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Dubai, Osaka, Kaohsiung, Phnom Penh…
Over Land Routes to Vietnam
From Laos:There are now three border crossings, including Lao Bao, some 80km south-west of Dong Ha, and Cau Treo, 100km west of Vinh and Na Meo - Nam Xoi 213km from Thanh Hoa City
From Cambodia:Your only choice is to go south-east from Phnom Penh to Moc Bai, and from there to Ho Chi Minh City.
From China:The Beijing-Hanoi train enters Vietnam at Dong Dang, north of Lang Son, at the border crossing known as Huu Nghi Quan (Friendship pass). Ha Khau Border Gate (LaoCai Province) and Mong Cai Border Gate (Quang Ninh Province) are open to foot traffic.
Boat
There are some boats linking Asian countries with Halong and Danang ports.
Getting Around
Visitors can travel to various provinces, cities, and towns by air, road, train, or boat. Domestic flights are available everyday. The train from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi stops at various stations along the way and provides an exciting and unforgettable trip. Air-conditioned express trains take 30, 33, and 39 hours to complete the trip. Taxis, motorcycles, and bicycles can be easily hired. Cyclo, a three-wheeled vehicle, is perfect for those who wish to move slowly and enjoy a city tour.
Tourism Season
Vietnam is located in a tropical and temperate zone, submitted to two a cold and a hot season. In the North, from November to April the next year, the weather is cooler and drier. Tourists visiting Vietnam during that season are recommended to bring along warm clothes. The period from May to October is suitable for those wishing to tour the beaches or to climb the mountains.
In the South, the temperature is pretty warm throughout the year, with an average temperature is approximately 27°C (80.6°F). Therefore, tourists need thin garments, sunglasses, and hats.
Money
The currency of Vietnam is the dong (VND). Notes are available in paper denominations of 500,000; 100,000; 50,000; 20,000; 10,000; 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500, 200 and 100VND, and also in metal denomination of 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500; 200VND. Throughout the country, American dollars are widely accepted. However, the bills must be relatively new with no markings or tears. Several big cities are used Euro currency (EUR). Traveler's cheques are easily exchangeable in banks. Credit cards are becoming more popular, especially in the major hotels and restaurants of Hanoi, Hue, Danang and Ho Chi Minh City.
Electricity and water supply
The voltage system in Vietnam is 220 volt. In most of hotels you can use personal eclectrical equipments having round or flattened 2-pin plugs. If you use 3-pin plug, hotels are willing to give you an adapter. Tap water is already filtered and sterilized, but it should be boiled before drinking.
Shopping and handicraft products
Vietnamese arts and craft products have been displayed at many international fairs. Articles made of lacquer, rattan, bamboo, and palm are quite popular. Vietnamese are also experts in making items out of wood, animal hide and horns, tortoise and oyster shells. Other items such as embroidered articles, objects inlaid with mother-of-pearl, ceramic objects, gold and silver jewelry, and paintings are also very popular. These can be purchased in shops or directly from the manufacturers.
Public Holidays
Saturdays and Sundays are holidays. There are eight public holidays in a year.
- January 1: New Year's Day, one- day holiday
- April 30: Saigon Liberation Day, one-day holiday
- May 1: International Labour Day, one-day holiday
- September2: National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, one- day holiday
- Vietnam traditional Lunar New Year Festival (Tet Nguyen Dan): four-day holiday. This holiday begins on the eve of the last lunar month and lasts through the first three days of the 1s1 lunar month.