Phone
In most cities of Vietnam telephone booths have been installed to allow international calls. The Moscow telecom operators Beeline and MTS signed agreements on the provision of preferential calls to Russia. Vinaphone and GPC SIM cards are distinguished by the most favorable conditions.
Emergency numbers:
113- militia.
114 – firefighters.
115 ambulance.
The local time
Local time of cities in Vietnam is GMT +7 hours (+3 hours to Moscow).
Currency
The official currency is the Vietnamese Dong. 1 US $ = 15 thousand VND.
Coming to Vietnam, it is not necessary to change dollars for local currency. In any store or trading shop, they will take dollars from you, and you will receive change in dongs.
Master, VISA and JSB credit cards are also accepted for payment, but with a non-cash payment method, you will be charged an additional commission fee.
Shopping
Vietnam is famous for its rich assortment of goods and the lowest prices in the region.
The most popular among tourists are products made of lacquer, mother-of-pearl or bamboo, cutlery and caskets made of mahogany and ebony, as well as silver. A profitable purchase will be clothes made of linen, cotton and silk.
When shopping, beware for the safety of your wallet – there are many petty thieves here. See liuxers for Vietnam customs and traditions.
Sometimes Vietnamese merchants are too annoying, they will not leave you until you buy something. When making a purchase on the street, try to accurately dial the required amount, otherwise you risk being left without change.
The shops
The official opening hours of the shops are from 7.30 to 17.30. Unofficially, many of them work until late in the evening.
Tips
State-owned hotels and restaurants add a 5% surcharge to the bill for services. When visiting a private institution, the size of the tip is determined independently.
Money and jewels
Jewelry and significant amounts of money are best kept in hotel room safes.
Transport
To move around the city in Vietnam, use the services of a taxi, as well as motorcycle and cycle rickshaws. Approximate fare:
Taxi – 5-10 thousand dong per kilometer, additionally paid 15 – 23 thousand VND per landing;
Moto and cycle rickshaws – 15 thousand dong for a 15-minute drive.
If you wish, you can rent a car (400 thousand VND), or rent a bicycle (6-8 thousand VND per day).
Traffic in Vietnam is not regulated well, so big “traffic jams” in large cities are a common occurrence.
Where to stay
Big cities in Vietnam offers tourists a wide selection of hotels of various levels of comfort: from mini-hotels to De Lux class establishments. In 3- and 5-star hotels, the rooms are equipped with air conditioning, satellite TV and telephone. Extra class rooms include a bathrobe, self-catering coffee and tea sets, a minibar and a safety deposit box, among other amenities.
Electricity
The mains voltage is 220 V with a frequency of 50 Hz. Plug connectors are flat. Many hotels have universal sockets that will accept any type of plug.
Recommendations
Don’t drink tap water in Vietnam. Keep a bottle of mineral water with you at all times to avoid dehydration. In addition, you can freely order drinks with ice in major cities (Saigon, Hanoi, Da Nang, Nha Trang). Avoid drinking ice in rural areas as it can be made from river water.
Healthcare
Before visiting Vietnam, get vaccinated against yellow fever and malaria. It is also recommended to purchase health insurance in advance.
