Vietnam is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest and Cambodia to the southwest.
Vietnam was under Chinese control for a thousand years before becoming a nation-state in the 10th century. Successive dynasties flourished along with geographic and political expansion deeper into Southeast Asia, until it was colonized by the French in the mid-19th century. Efforts to resist the French eventually led to their expulsion from the country in the mid-20th century, leaving a nation divided politically into two countries. Fighting between the two sides continued during the Vietnam War, ending with a communist victory in 1975.
Emerging from this prolonged military engagement, the war-ravaged nation was politically isolated. The government’s centrally planned economic decisions hindered post-war reconstruction and its treatment of the losing side engendered more resentment than reconciliation. In 1986, it instituted economic and political reforms and began a path towards international reintegration. By 2000, it had established diplomatic relations with most nations.
Vietnam has 58 provinces and 5 centrally-controlled municipalities.
The capital is Hanoi.
The biggest city is Ho Chi Minh
Population: 86,116,000
Calling code: +84
GMT: +7
Currency:Dong
VISA
Only citizens of certain countries can visit Vietnam without an entry visa.
Most citizens of ASEAN member countries: Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Laos citizens do not need a visa if they are visiting the country within 30 days; passport holders from the Philippines do not need a visa for 21 days; Brunei passport holders are not required to get visa for 15 days.
Passport holders from Korea, Japan and the Scandinavian nations (Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland; Russian passport holders don’t need a visa to travel in Vietnam for 15 days as long as they have return tickets.
All other citizens are required to get a Vietnam entry visa (issued before departure by local consulates or embassies) or a pre-approved letter for picking up an entry visa at the airport. Both are supplied before arrival in the country. Visa can be applied by mail or in person at the embassy of Vietnam.
You don’t have to apply for the Vietnamese visa in your country of residence. If you are traveling by land you can apply for your visa in Cambodia, Laos or China.
You must have your visa before arriving at the border; the land border office do not deliver visa unlike other Southeast Asian countries. (Cambodia or Laos for instance).
THE MUST SEE AND HOW TO GET THERE
-Halong Bay (from Hanoi)
Once you are in Hanoi, it’s very easy to go to Halong Bay. Hotels and hundreds of agencies are offering the tour. You can choose 1, 2 or 3 days tour. Before booking anything, just ask around for advice because some of the tour can be really bad.
-Hanoi
Some of you will be arriving at Hanoi international airport. For the others, depending where you are in Vietnam, you can either go by plane or by train. It’s only a matter of taste.
-Cu Chi Tunnels (from Saigon)
It’s a two hours trip by bus from Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). You can book a tour in any agencies in Ho Chi minh. They all offer the same service and the prices are quite similar.
-War Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral (Saigon)
Once in Saigon you have the choice. Your can book a tour through your hotel, you can go by taxi or you can rent a motorbike and go by yourself. Driving in Vietnam can seem a bit scary but it’s very easy.
-Hoian
Take a train or a plane to Danang. Once you are in Danang you can either go to Hoian by taxi or by bus. The taxi will charge you as much as they can, while if you take the bus, the fare will be way cheaper. If you want to take the bus from the train station; walk down the street in front of the station and take the second street on your right. You will see the bus stop.
-Hue
To go to Hue you have the choice between plane and train. For those running out of time, plane would be the best choice. For those who have time, the best way is by train. You can catch the train either from Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi.
TRAINS IN VIETNAM
The principal route is the thousand miles single track North-South Railway line, along the coast , running between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The trains are comfortable and it’s a very pleasant journey. The train stops in most of the tourist attractions; Hue, Da Nang (for Hoi An), and Dieu tri (for Quin nhon).
If you are only visiting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, you can still take the train. It’s a 30 to 40 hours journey, depending on the train you take, but at least, you will have time to enjoy the Vietnamese’s country side. For foreigners, the price of the train will be more expensive than for Vietnamese (you might know the reason), but it is still cheaper than flying.
Saigon – Nha Trang – Danang – Hue – Hanoi | ||||
| Trains | SE1 | SE3 | SE6 | TN3 |
| Saigon | 19:00 | 23:00 | 13:05 | 14:45 |
| Nha Trang (for Quin nhon) | 03:01 | 05:40 | 20:11 | 00:57 |
| Danang (for Hoian | 13:00 | 14:12 | 05:38 | 11:52 |
| Hue | 15:51 | 16:36 | 08:08 | 15:20 |
| Hanoi | 05:38 | 04:30 | 21:45 | 08:15 |
Runs Daily.
Distance Saigon – Hanoi: 1726 Km
Hanoi – Hue – Danang – Nha Trang – Saigon | ||||
| Trains | SE1 | SE3 | SE5 | TN3 |
| Hanoi | 19:00 | 23:00 | 13:05 | 15:45 |
| Hue | 08:42 | 10:37 | 01:19 | 06:55 |
| Danang (for Ho n) | 11:40 | 13:13 | 03:58 | 10:21 |
| Nha Trang (for Quin nhon) | 21:59 | 21:42 | 12:37 | 21:21 |
| Saigon | 05:20 | 04:30 | 20:00 | 07:25 |
Runs daily.
The trains have air conditioning, soft sleeper (4 berths), hard sleeper (6 berths) and soft seat.
Fares:
| trains | SE1 – SE6 | T3 – T4 | ||||
| One way | Soft sleeper | Hard sleeper | Soft Seat | Soft Sleeper | Hard Sleeper | Soft Seat |
| Saigon – Nha Trang | 17 US$ | 16 US$ | 12 US$ | 15 US$ | 14 US$ | 10 US$ |
| Nha Trang – Danang | 20 US$ | 18 US$ | 15 US$ | 19 US$ | 18 US$ | 12 US$ |
| Danang - Hue | 4 US$ | 4 US$ | 3 US$ | 4 US$ | 3 US$ | 3 US$ |
| Hue – Hanoi | 28 US$ | 26 US$ | 20 US$ | 28 US$ | 25 US$ | 16 US$ |
| Hanoi – Saigon | 62 US$ | 56 US$ | 46 US4 | 60 US$ | 54 US$ | 40 US$ |
There are few more trains running between Saigon and Hanoi.
For more information, timetables and fares you can visit:
- www.vr.com.vn/english/index.html
For the train ticket you can book through a travel agency or you can go to the train station. Most of the time, someone speaks English, and will help you to buy your ticket.
BUSES IN VIETNAM
PLANE IN VIETNAM
Some of you won’t have the time to take the train, plane might be a better option. If you want to check price and timetable click on the window below. You will get all the information you need to travel by plane.
PLANE TO VIETNAM
If you still don’t know which airline you want to fly with you can click on the window above to check price and timetable.
HOTELS & ACCOMMODATION
For hotel reservation you can access Hotels combined which offers more than 200.000 hotels in 20.000 thousands destinations across 195 countries. Click on the window bellow to check the price for hotel across Australia. Many languages are available on this website.
BACKPACKER’S HOSTELS
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