See what the experts are saying about Vietnam. Get expert advice on how to get there what to see and more.
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Fast facts
<!--Exotissimo address 7/6/07--> American Express -- Amex is represented by Exotissimo Travel (In Hanoi: 24-26 Tran Nhat Duat, tel. 04/828-2150; in Ho Chi Minh City: Saigon Finance Center, 9 Dinh Tien Hoang, tel. 08/825-1723). Note: They... Continue reading »
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Visitor information
Cellphones The three letters that define much of the world's wireless capabilities are GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), a big, seamless network that makes for easy cross-border cellphone use throughout Europe and dozens of ot... Continue reading »
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When to go
Think Vietnam and you might imagine a steamy jungle and hot sun -- and you'd be mostly right. But even though Vietnam is tropical, you'll find a real range, from chilly mountaintops and cool highland areas to sun-drenched coastline and, yes,... Continue reading »
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Calendar of events
In their daily lives, Vietnamese people follow the standard 12-month calendar, otherwise known as the Gregorian or solar calendar used in the West. However, most of Vietnam's small village fetes and holidays follow the traditional Chinese cal... Continue reading »
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Getting there
By Plane The number of international connections to Vietnam is ever-increasing. United opened the first direct service from the U.S. West Coast to Ho Chi Minh City and the country's national carrier, Vietnam Airlines, will offer direct fli... Continue reading »
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Escorted & package tours
Ask Before You Go Before you invest in a package deal or an escorted tour: Always ask about the cancellation policy. Can you get your money back? Is there a deposit required? Ask about the accommodations choices and prices for each.... Continue reading »
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Getting around
With many transport options, you'll find good local travel agencies in every tourist stop in Vietnam, all ready to book your plane, bus, and boat tickets or to rent cars. Competition among service providers works to your advantage, and you ca... Continue reading »
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Money
The East Asian financial crisis is now a distant memory, and Vietnam is generally gaining economic clout in the world; but the rate of exchange, not to mention the price of most goods and services, means that travel in Vietnam and throughout... Continue reading »
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Entry requirements
Passports For an up-to-date, country-by-country listing of passport requirements around the world, go to the "Foreign Entry Requirement" Web page of the U.S. State Department at http://travel.state.gov. Visas Residents of the United... Continue reading »
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Regions in brief
Vietnam is an S-shape peninsula that borders China to the north, Laos to the west, and Cambodia to the southwest. Covering about 331,520 sq. km (128,000 sq. miles), it's roughly the size of Italy, but only a small percentage of the land is ar... Continue reading »
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Special-interest vacations
Cultural Tours A visit just to Hanoi puts vast resources at your fingertips -- from museums to vestiges of architecture as far back as the 13 century. Walking tours of the Old Quarter, an area of the city that a curious traveler could lite... Continue reading »
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Staying healthy
Health concerns should comprise an important piece of your preparation for a trip to Vietnam, and staying healthy on the road takes vigilance. Make it a priority. Tropical heat and mosquitoes are the biggest dangers, other than motor-vehicle... Continue reading »
Vietnam Travel Experiences
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Southern Vietnam
How would you envision a modern communist country?Neon lights advertising discoteques? Open trading of produce? Young couples in love cru... Continue reading »
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Central Highlands
I am officially a biker chick. It is just the best feeling to ride a motorbike. I am deffinately going to miss it!! It was just 3 amazing... Continue reading »
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Chao
Well we made it to Ho Chi MIhn City (Saigon) a few days ago and it is quite a change from OZ. The weather here is very hot and humi... Continue reading »
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Vietnam - North to South
We flew into Hanoi for our north to south journey through Vietnam. Our taxi driver clearly still had hopes of one day becoming an F1 driv... Continue reading »
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Our new home Hoi An
My last email I struggled to properly explain all the places we had been in a one week, so this is going to be a little different, as we... Continue reading »
