The Basics

Here is some useful information about:

• Visas
• Money and currency rates
• Border crossings
• Distances and travel times
• Modes of transport
• Cultural tips
• And some other things you will probably forget but we wrote them anyway

If you have any questions about topics that we have not covered, use the contact form to write to us. We will be happy to help you out.

Visas

Most tourists coming to Vietnam are required to have current Visas before arrival to Vietnam. Those that don't are some European passport holders and select ASEAN nationalities that are eligible for a visa on arrival. This type of visa is difficult and expensive to extend if holders wish to stay longer.

We strongly advise that you check with the Vietnamese Embassy in your home country to find out whether you require a Visa to enter Vietnam. The most common Visa issued to tourists is a 30 Day Single Entry Tourist Visa. The cost of which will vary depending on which country you are from and where you are applying for it.

Recently visitors have been able to apply for a Letter of Inviation which allows the holder to enter at Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Danang Airports and have a visa issued on arrival. The Invitee must be carrying a copy of the letter and 2 passport size photos. A Letter of Invitation usually takes working 3 days to process after the details of the passport (preferably a scanned copy) have been given to the Immigration Department.

If you would like to apply for a visa on arrival send your dates of arrival and a copy of your passport to us using our email address travel@hanoibackpackershostel.com.

Money and Currency Rates

Vietnamese money is called Dong (yes that's right) and it comes coins and plastic notes of different colours.

At the time of write this the approximate value of the Dong was 16,000VND to 1USD, 20,000VND to 1EURO, 30,000VND to 1UKP and about 12,500VND to the little Ozzy dollar.

We recommend that you use the following link to a Curreny Converter for upto date exchange rates, www.xe.com/ucc/.