Vietnam

SAFETY: good
The public order situation is stable and crime levels are low. Theft, pickpocketing and other petty crime linked to growing tourist numbers are reported in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as in the main tourist resorts. Vietnam is among the safest destinations in South-East Asia and, although no terrorist incidents have been recorded in the country, it is nonetheless advisable to adopt a cautious approach and to remain fully alert in view of the international situation.

TRANSPORT: fair
long-distance travel within the country is mostly by air, at reasonable prices, partly because of the poor condition of the road and rail networks. The average standard of train travel is rather modest in terms of both comfort and speed. For short distances and excursions of up to thirty kilometres, taxis are relatively inexpensive, with average speeds kept below 50 km/h. For getting around town you can use taxis, which are plentiful and cheap, and cyclos (the local version of the rickshaw). You are advised, however, to agree the fare in advance to avoid unpleasant arguments at the end of the ride. The main cities run bus services at particularly low prices.
Main airports: Ho Chi Minh City; Hue; Tam Ky; Hanoi; Dalat; Tho Xuan; Da Nang; Qui Nhon; Buon Ma Thuot; Nha Trang Cam Ranh; Can Tho; Tuy Hoa; Phu Quoc; Con Dao; Dien Bien Phu; Haiphong; Dong Hoi; Rach Gia; Vinh City; Pleiku; Ca Mau.
Main ports: Cam Pha Port, Da Nang, Haiphong, Phu My, Quy Nhon

HOSPITALITY: poor.
Hotel categories do not correspond to ours. The hotel offering is still developing. The major cities have excellent, recently built hotels.

COUNTRY FACTS:  Full name: Socialist Republic of Vietnam –  Borders: China to the north, Laos and Cambodia to the west, while to the east and south it faces the South China Sea, which between the Chinese island of Hainan and northern Vietnam forms the Gulf of Tonkin. In the south, for a short stretch, Vietnam faces the Gulf of Thailand.-Time zone: 6 hours ahead of Italy (5 hours ahead when daylight saving time is in force in Italy). – Area: 331,210 km² Capital: Hanoi – Population: 94,000,000 – Religion: Buddhist (9.3%); Catholic and Evangelical (6.7%); other (3.2%). –Languages: Vietnamese. English is not widely spoken, except in hotels and international restaurants in the main cities and in areas frequented by tourists.- Measures: metric system.

CURRENCY: the dong (VND) is not convertible outside the country. US dollars are commonly accepted for everyday transactions (except in public administration offices) – Credit cards: credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Maestro) are widely used, especially in large hotels, in restaurants with an international clientele, in mid- to high-end shops and for the taxi services of the main companies. Card payments often carry an additional fee, typically between 2 and 5%. Traveller's cheques can also be used, and in the main cities cash can be withdrawn by credit card from a growing number of ATMs.- Exchange: bring euros; exchange is easy.

ELECTRICITY: 127/220 V, 50 Hz. Standardisation to 220 V is under way – Sockets: type G sockets are found in hotels, especially those built by companies from Singapore and Hong Kong. The mains frequency is not very stable; you are advised to bring an adapter.

DOCUMENTS: to enter Vietnam you must hold a passport with at least 6 months' remaining validity.– Driving: international driving permit (Vienna Convention model), always accompanied by the Italian licence, plus a residence permit of at least 3 months. Those without an international permit who hold a residence visa of at least 3 months can convert their Italian licence into a Vietnamese one through a paid procedure at the Vietnamese driver licensing offices, which takes around 5 working days.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES:  International dialling code: 0084-24 for Hanoi; 0084-28 for Ho Chi Minh City – GSM: coverage for 900 MHz GSM mobile phones is satisfactory in the country's major cities and coastal areas. International roaming for customers of the main Italian operators is active, though not always reliable, and comes at particularly high cost. Inexpensive Vietnamese top-up SIM cards are readily available and allow calls to Italy at very low rates. – Internet: Internet (including Wi-Fi) is widespread throughout the country. Internet cafés with terminal access at very low prices are available in most places. – Web domain: .vn – Emergency numbers: Emergencies: 115, Police: 113, Ambulance: 115, Roadside assistance: 115.

RULES, LAWS AND CONDUCT:
Legislation on drug use and/or dealing: the consumption and trafficking of narcotics are on the rise throughout Vietnam. The local authorities class these phenomena as "social evils", which are therefore severely punished under the criminal code. Drug use is punishable by 3 months' to 2 years' imprisonment. Facilitating drug use is punishable, for large quantities, by up to 20 years. Foreign nationals have in the past been sentenced to this penalty.
Legislation on sexual abuse or violence against minors: among the so-called "social evils" Vietnam also counts abuse and violence committed against minors or women. It should be remembered that those who commit offences against minors abroad (sexual abuse, exploitation, prostitution) are also prosecuted on their return to Italy under the laws in force in our country.
In the event of problems with the local police authorities (detention or arrest), you are advised to inform the Embassy or the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City for the necessary assistance.

HEALTH: The standard of care provided by Vietnamese public hospitals is considerably below European standards. Hanoi, Danang and Ho Chi Minh City have private hospitals able to provide an adequate level of care, at least in some fields (obstetrics, general medicine, laboratory tests). These are the facilities to turn to for emergency treatment, although fees are rather high and payable in advance. In the event of illness or accident requiring more delicate and complex medical procedures, transfer to Bangkok, Singapore or Hong Kong is essential. When buying medicines, use reliable pharmacies of proven repute, owing to the widespread presence of counterfeit pharmaceutical products.

OPENING HOURS: Post offices: 06:00-11:00 and 14:00-20:00. Banks: Mon-Sat 06:00-11:00 and 14:00-20:00; Shops: Mon-Sat 09:00-19:00.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 1 January, New Year's Day; late January-early February, Vietnamese Lunar New Year; 3 February, anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam; 30 April, Liberation Day; 1 May, Labour Day; 19 May, birthday of Ho Chi Minh, birthday of Buddha; 2 September, National Day; 25 December, Christmas Day.

CLIMATE: hot, humid tropical monsoon climate, more continental in the north. The main rainy season runs from May to the end of October in the north; from July to January in the central regions; and from May to November in the south, with heavier rainfall than in the other areas. Typhoons particularly affect the centre and south of the country, above all in September and October.

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USEFUL ADDRESSES
Italian Embassy in Vietnam
9, Le Phung Hieu Street– Hanoi.
Telephone (+84-24) 38256256 – 38256246. Fax (+84-24) 3 8267602.
Emergency on-call telephone (for night-time, weekends and public holidays):
from Italy 0084 903430950. from Vietnam 0903430950.
E-mail: ambasciata.hanoi@esteri.it   consolare.hanoi@esteri.it
Website: ambhanoi.esteri.it

Consulate General of Italy in Ho Chi Minh City
President Place Building, 10th floor
93, Nguyen Du Street
District 1, 70000 HCMC
Telephone (+84-28) 3827 5445 - 3827 5446
Fax (+84-28) 3827 5444
Emergency on-call telephone (for night-time, weekends and public holidays):
from Italy 0084-778010257, from Vietnam 0778010257.
E-mail: hochiminh.consolato@esteri.it
Website: conshochiminh.esteri.it