Vietnam Summer Getaway and Discovery 12 Days 11 Nights

Vietnam uses the official currency called the Vietnam đồng, symbolized by ₫ or VND. The currency is in the form of paper bills, as coins are not used.

The denominations range from 1,000 VND to 500,000 VND, with a mix of smaller paper bills and larger polymer bills. If you find the numbers overwhelming, a helpful tip is to mentally remove three zeros to simplify the value.

For a quick conversion from VND to USD, you can remove three zeros from the amount and divide it by 23. This can make currency calculations easier during your travels in Vietnam.

Reference converted rates: (June 2023)
- 1 USD = 23,500,000đ (about twenty-three thousand VND)
-> One bowl of Pho in Vietnam costs about 2 USD
-> One Bread costs about 1 USD
-> Taxi: 1 USD for 2 KM

- 1 EURO = 25,700,000D (about twenty-six thousand VND)

- 1 AUD = 15,800,000D (about sixteen thousand VND)

- 1 CAD = 18,000,000D (about eighteen thousand VND)

In Vietnam, there are three common plug types: A, C, and F.
Plug type A features two flat parallel pins, plug type C has two round pins, and plug type F has two round pins with two earth clips on the side.

It's important to note that Vietnam operates on a 220V supply voltage. Therefore, it's advisable to have the appropriate adapters or converters to ensure compatibility with your electronic devices when traveling to Vietnam.

1. Visit the official website https://www.immigration.gov.vn and provide the required information.

2. Upload a photo (4x6cm, front-facing, white background, no glasses) and a scan of your passport details (valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay).

3. Receive a document code and pay the e-Visa fee.

4. Get your e-Visa within 3 working days.

5. Print your e-Visa using the document code.

• Region: Southeast Asia
• Neighbor countries: China, Laos, Cambodia
• Population: 100 million (2023)
• Area: 330,000 Km2
• Total provinces/states: 63
• Capital: Hanoi City
• Largest city: Ho Chi Minh (Sai Gon)
• Currency: Vietnam Dong
• Rich cities: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Quang Ninh (Halong Bay), Da Nang (Hoi An), Nha Trang, Hai Phong, Can Tho (Mekong Delta)
• Gasoline price: about 23,000 VND / liter. (about 1 USD)

In the North of Vietnam: There are four seasons, Spring (Jan, Feb, Mar), Summer (Apr, May, June), Autumn (Jul, Aug, Sep), and Winter (Oct, Nov, Dec).

The South of Vietnam: There are 02 seasons: Dry season (Oct to April next year) and Rainy season (May to Sep). It is the same in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok...

The Center is mixed of the above.

The best time to visit Vietnam is from September to April next year with the coldest weather being in Dec and around 10 census degrees.

But Summer is a bit hot around 30-35 degrees, but it is flowers, fruits, beaches seasons, blue sky, and blue seas, so it is ideal for a Summer beach holiday too.

- A round-trip taxi ride from Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat Airport typically ranges from 120,000 VND to 170,000 VND, which is approximately $5 to $7 USD, and the journey lasts between 30 to 50 minutes.

- On the other hand, an airport taxi from Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport has a fixed rate of 330,000 VND, equivalent to around $14 USD, and the travel time can vary between 45 to 60 minutes depending on the traffic conditions.

In some bustle cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, or Da Nang, the first impression of any foreign tourist when they reach is messy traffic. The streets are mixed with cars, coaches, buses, motorbikes, taxis, bikes...And it seems there is no way to cross the road in safety. 

=> Tips: Just take a deep breath (joke), put your hand up to show a signal and SLOWLY WALKING to cross the road. Other traffic will see you and keep away from you amazingly.

=> Do not: RUN or move fast when you cross the road.

1. Family name: Nguyen:
   The Nguyen family name in Vietnam accounts for more than 40% of the country's population (100 million - 2023). But usually, people have nothing to do with each other by lineage. Nguyen was also the last dynasty of Vietnam, which ended in 1945, at which time Hue City was the capital.
    
2. The world's most used social network (Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok…):
   It is a fact that young Vietnamese people use social networks the most in the world, an average of up to 7 hours a day. This is a very high number compared to other countries in the region because Vietnam's population is only nearly 100 million people.
    
3. Vietnamese people are very friendly and smiley.
   They always welcome foreigners, no matter where they come from, or what continent they are. They always aim to help strangers when in trouble, especially foreigners.
    
4. Having bath:
   Vietnamese people usually do not bathe in the morning, they usually bathe in the evening.
    
5. Teenagers's hobbies:
   They love Korean food, music, hairstyles, and clothes. they like the style called Luxury and like to use high-tech devices such as Surface laptops, iPhones, smartwatches…
    
6. The Vietnamese language:
   It is really complicated, there are meanings expressed in 10 different words. So my advice is that learning Vietnamese is not a good idea for foreigners.
    
7. Vietnamese people do not like restraint, prefer open space, and prefer to sit at sidewalk cafés rather than luxury restaurants. A beer on the sidewalk is also more inspiring than in a restaurant.
    
8. Helmet uses:
   Vietnamese people wear helmets not to be safe on the road, but to avoid being fined by the traffic police. And of course, many helmets are not qualified for protection.
    
9.  Parent and children:

It is still quite common for elderly parents to live in the same house with their children. Children are responsible for taking care of their parents in their old age. Parents can give their children all the wealth they have. In the old days, it was customary to give more boys or give them all. Today, girls will also be given or given equally to boys.

1. Coffee:
   Vietnam is the second largest coffee-producing country in the world, It is easy to see the image of Vietnamese people enjoying coffee everywhere.
   The coffee here is truly heaven. People often prefer iced milk coffee, or black coffee with more milk and ice.
    
2. Top 3 cuisine in the world:
   Will you be surprised when Vietnamese cuisine ranks 3rd in the ranking of regions and countries with the best dishes? In Vietnam, people can eat everything and it is very sophisticatedly processed.
    
3. Tra Da (Street iced tea) - 3 thousand VND/glass.
   Iced tea is served free of charge in most restaurants. Some places serve hot tea, others have both hot and cold varieties.
   Iced tea shops are popular in every corner of the city, this is a convenient place for people to chat or exchange business quickly.
    
4. Vegetables:
   Every dish has vegetables. A meal without vegetables, it is not yet called a true family meal. And most Vietnamese people hate having a "fat" body, especially women. Therefore, they are very interested in exercising and playing sports, from young to old people.
    
5. Vietnamese people like strong taste things: chili must be spicy, cigarettes must be smoked In big bamboo Tobacco, coffee or tea must be very strong, mixed with very condensed milk. Alcohol drinks (vodka) should also be heavy, usually 40-45 alcohol degrees.
    
6. Beer drinking culture:
   According to a report from Vietnam-Briefing, Vietnam's beer consumption as of 2022 accounts for 2.2% of the global market, at 3.8 million liters of beer annually. This makes Vietnam a leader in the ASEAN region in beer consumption.
   Bia Hoi (Local fresh beer) is national people drinks. They could drink from 12.AM until 11.PM (12 hours) with friends.

1. Own one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet:
   That is My Khe beach in the central city, Da Nang. Voted by Forbes magazine in 2006 along with 5 other beaches around the globe.
    
2. The world's largest natural cave:
   It has ever been discovered, which is Son Doong cave in Quang Binh, discovered by people when they went to the forest to shelter from the rain. And was discovered by the Royal British Explorers Association 30 years. According to them, Son Doong is the treasure of the world.
    
3. Casinos are illegal:
   Casino or gambling does not allow Vietnamese to play. And they are not allowed to gamble in any way. However, it still happens every day in illegal forms.
    
4. One of the few countries that like to take a nap:
   Different from the West, Vietnamese people spend a lot of time napping and nap time is up to hours. especially office staff. According to them, if you don't take a nap, your afternoon work will be ineffective.
    
5. Very low-cost phone charges and WIFI charges:
   You can order a cup of coffee and get free WIFI for half a day. Even the sidewalk iced tea shop has free WIFI.
    
6. Most popular sport:
   The main national sport is Football. However, the national championship is not of high quality. People only like the national team to compete, and the biggest rival of the Vietnamese national football team in the region is the Thailand team.
    
7. Traffic in the city is always very chaotic. Cars go in the lanes of motorbikes, motorbikes go on the sidewalks of pedestrians. Crossing the road is also a huge challenge for international tourists when coming to Vietnam, even with light traffic.
    
8. Motorcycles are the main means of transport for the people of this country. However, cars are becoming more popular even though they are still extremely taxed items.