Traditional values of Vietnamese lifestyle were deeply affected by Confucian ethics. During thousand years under the invasion and domination by Chinese, Vietnamese culture was also permeated by their Confucian philosophical beliefs. It was believed that “in order to achieve human perfection, one must follow the established codes of behavior which include reverence for ancestors and respect for elders…The importance is not upon the individual’s accomplishments but upon his duty to family and society”

Most Vietnamese placed more emphasis on their roles, privileges and obligations within this group than on their own individual desires. The Vietnamese household traditionally followed the extended multi-generational pattern. The parents, their sons and their wives, their children, and unmarried siblings usually constituted a Vietnamese household. In this extended family, the most important expectation was the respect for the elders. Hence, the family decisions were made by the parents and grandparents.

For centuries in Vietnam, traditional family values were accomplished by the fulfillment of traditional roles – the role of man and woman as parents. Since the highest status in Vietnamese families is given to the man or the father, he had absolute authority in the household. As he provided the main source of income, he was never expected to work in the kitchen or to cook. After work, he returned home and relaxed. As a head of household, he had the final decision in all matters. The father, however, had the duty to exercise restraint and wisdom in running his family in order to deserve his respected position.

Having a boy in family was a “must” because the eldest son would assume the duties of his father when he died. A family which had no son to continue the process was superstitiously thought to have disappeared forever.

In a patriarchal society, Vietnamese woman had limited rights and took a secondary place in family. Women were brought up according to a strict discipline and have been traditionally less educated than men.

After marriage, woman became housewife and mother. She was expected to be depended upon her husband, took care of children and even grandchildren as well as performed all household tasks. A wife can be unhappy in her marriage, nevertheless, rather than accepts divorce; the family encouraged her to sacrifice and to endure the difficulties of the marriage for the sake of her children.

In Vietnam, family meal is very important. It is one part of a happy family especially when people become busier with their business. In some big cities such as Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh, parents are always busy. They have to get up early in the morning
to take their children to schools before going to work. In the past, a wife often prepares breakfast for the whole family but this tradition or habit has been ignored somehow due to limited time.

These days, the value of family’s meals has been still highly appreciated as dinner is an opportunity for them to share a meal and talk together after a hard day. That the reason why restaurants have still been strange to many people and families in Vietnam. For many people, family meal is one way to keep their family happy. The meal is not simply understood as lunch or dinner; it can be understood as feeling and sympathy, sharing and care. In many Vietnam families, the wives know which are their husbands’ or children’ favorite dishes. Then, they try to make those dishes as frequently they can or at least on special occasions.

Come back to the parental role in Vietnamese family. Obedience and respect were the traditional virtues which Vietnamese children were taught to exhibit in their family. Discipline and physical punishment were acceptable remedies for disobedience. When parents grew old, children were expected to take care of them to compensate for the gift of birth and upbringing.

Boys and girls are not free to do what they want. Yet, girls are under strict supervision. Western style courtship and romance were seen as inappropriate things for unmarried children. As virginity is cherished, pregnancy out of wedlock is a grave disgrace to the family. For their children’s marriage, parents generally made decision because they could judge better.

Vietnamese placed a higher value on education rather than on material success. That the reason why parents encouraged their children to study and excel in their education. Vietnamese parents had a high regard for it which was considered as a way for family advancement.

(VOV) – Situated near the banks of the To Lich River, the ancient village of Hoa Muc in Trung Hoa, Cau Giay District of Hanoi, is known for many historical relics connected to its cultural and religious life dating back hundreds of years.

Over history, Hoa Muc has been known as a defensive line against foreign invaders. The village is a precious historical treasure which has been embedded in the minds of the villagers and Hanoians alike.

Legend has it that Hoa Muc village was established during the Hung King dynasty (from 2879 BC to 258 BC according to “Dai Viet Su Ky Toan Thu”). In 40 AD, the battle led by the two Trung Sisters against the Ma Yuan invaders (Han dynasty) took place here. During the battles, two female generals of the Trung Sisters died and the villagers erected the Hai Co Temple to worship them. Inside the temple there is a stele from the Chinh Hoa Years (1680-1705) with inscriptions about the temple’s restoration. In the 5th century, Hoa Muc was renamed Trang Nhan Muc in Dich Vong District.

The village witnessed the death of Queen Pham Thi Uyen, a niece of Bo Cai Dai Vuong (Loyal Highest) Phung Hung, during her unyielding fighting against foreign aggressors in the 8th century. Following the queen’s example, her younger brothers, Pham Mien and Pham Huy, also joined Phung Hung’s army. When peace has restored to the country, Phung Hung visited the old battlefield and seeing the area was now safe he ordered the construction of a royal palace and a temple dedicated to his niece and nephews. Bo Cai Dai Vuong Phung Hung is now considered the village’s saint and is worshipped in the communal house.

During the Le dynasty (15th century), Hoa Muc was a battlefield where important strategies were devised to defeat the Ming invaders. King Quang Trung also used the village for military purposes when he was advancing from the South to the North in the late 19th century.

Today, most of the historic buildings in Hoa Mc are preserved fairly intact and under the law cannot be affected by the current wave of urbanization. It has six notable relics, including a communal house, temple, shrine, and pagoda, as well as an ancient well and village gate. The inner communal house for worshipping the sister and brothers of the Pham family who were credited with fighting bravely against the foreign invaders and Duc Anh temple have all been classified by the State as national relics.

In addition to the relics connected to the villager religious life, there are traditional houses over 100 years old that belong to great families, such as the Lai, Nguyen and Phung. 82-year-old Lai Khac Mo, a descendent of a large old family in the village said: “The old houses are made of wood and have delicate designs. The beams and frames are connected by wooden joints and bolts which can be easily assembled or taken apart, and they are carved with beautiful decorative patterns similar to those in the royal palace of the Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945). A musicologist came here to do research and said that Hoa Muc village could  be turned into an open air museum of ethnology.”

Hoa Muc is a typical traditional village and a special cultural treasure in the northern delta of Vietnam.

Population-84million people
Total Area – 329,560 square kilometers
Capital - Hanoi
Time Zone – Standard time zone: UTC/GMT +7 hours

Location

Vietnam is one of the most beautiful countries located in the South East Asia. In the North, Vietnam shares the long borderline with China. In the East, Vietnam is bordered by the Gulf of Tonkin, inn the East and South by the South China Sea, in the South West by the Gulf of Thailand, and in the West by Cambodia and Laos. Owning to stretching the length of the Indochinese Peninsula, Vietnam boasts a unique shape of an elongated S and a long coastline of 3,444km (2,140 miles) with a lot of wonderful sites.

Climate/Weather

Although Vietnam lies entirely within the tropics, the Vietnam’s climate surprisingly varies from region to region with the annual average temperature from 22ºC to 27ºC because of its topography. The mountainous people of Sapa in the north might be seeking shelter from snow while the urban dwellers of Ho Chi Minh City in the south seek refuge from mid-day heat.

In the North (from Hai Van mountain pass in the middle of Vietnam to the North), it is the weather of four different seasons in a year: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Spring lasts from February to April with warm weather. In Spring, it is characterized by fine drizzle that helps plants grow fast and flowers bloom brightly. Summer lasts from May to August with hot and showery weather. The sun shines almost days. And there are sometimes sudden thundershowers that make summer less hot and become cooler. Autumn lasts from September to November with cool air, and dry and lightly windy weather. It can be said that it is the most beautiful season in a year with yellow leaves falling on the streets and yellow bright shines in day time although sometimes typhoons threaten life and agriculture in the country. Winter lasts from November to January with cold and dry weather. It is the coldest season in a year. Frost and snow can also occur in the mountains (over 1000m above level sea), that make Vietnamese people eager to go up to see and take nice photos of such scare event of a year.

The southern region is predominantly sub-equatorial with two main seasons of wet rainy season and dry season. A wet rainy season ranges from April to September. It is often sunny in mornings and rainy in late afternoons. Showers often rain heavily but stop quickly. A dry season spans the months of October to May. The weather becomes hotter. The Sun shines all days. But it becomes so cool at night. Definitely, the weather is rather stable in the south.

Language

The official language of Vietnam is Vietnamese, which is the mother tongue of the Vietnamese people who constitute 86% of Vietnam’s population, and of about three million overseas Vietnamese. And it is the second language of the ethnic minority groups in the country. It is monosyllabic, with each syllable having six different tones that can change the meaning of the word. This makes it quite difficult for new learners. Beside the official language, each ethnic minority group has its own dialect that has been used and preserved in daily life.

The Vietnamese writing system in use today is an adapted version of the Latin alphabet, with additional diacritics for tones and certain letters. The different tones are indicated by the use of accent marks. This system of writing, called quoc ngu, was created by a French Catholic missionary, Fr. Alexander De Rhodes, in the 17th century to translate the scriptures. When France invaded Vietnam in the late 19th century, French gradually replaced Chinese as the official language in education and government. Vietnamese adopted many French terms, such as đầm (dame, from madame), ga (train station, from gare), sơ mi (shirt, from chemise), and búp bê (doll, from poupée). In addition, many Sino-Vietnamese terms were devised for Western ideas imported through the French. However, the Romanized script did not come to predominate until the beginning of the 20th century, when education became widespread and a simpler writing system was found more expedient for teaching and communication with the general population.

People

Although it is a small country with the area of 329,560 square kilometers, there are up to 54 different ethnic groups inhabiting in Vietnam, of which Kinh (Viet) people accounts for nearly 86% of the whole population, and the others are ethnic minority groups that represent about 14%.

According to historical materials, Viet people was the first group living in Vietnam. And then other people came from the Southeastern Asian area. Almost of them are from China. Their ancestors migrated to Vietnam few hundred years ago. There are ethnic minority groups such as Khmer and Cham, descendents of inhabitants who lived in central and southern Vietnam before the area was conquered by Vietnam. The other groups are Muong, Pathen, Pu peo,etc. All of them are divided into 5 major groups following the language they speak: Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Viet-Muong, Sino-Tibetan, and Austronesian.

Nowadays, Kinh (or Viet group) mostly base in plains, especially in the Red River Delta and the Mekong Delta. The ethnic minority groups locate in the mountainous areas. Each group has their own custom and tradition. However, they are all friendly and love peace.

Food

Eating out in Vietnam ranges from street food to fine dining in luxury hotels. Though from anywhere, it cannot be denied that Vietnamese food is tasty and healthy. It is often made by different kinds of vegetables. Rice is the staple cereal and fish-sauce “nuoc mam” is extensively used. The most popular dish among the local people is the Phở – a noodle soup with meat, beef or chicken. The chicken soup (pho ga) or beef soup (pho bo) is quite spicy and available at all food stalls at US $0.60 per bowl. Pho Bo Tai is a soup with rare beef fillets. Another specialty is the spring roll, which is found in many versions, with varying ingredients used.

The menu in restaurants is mainly non-vegetarian with dishes made from pork, fish and beef, snake and soft-shell turtle, which is considered a delicacy. Chè is a dessert made from sticky rice, beans, and a seasonal fruit. International cuisine such as French, Chinese, Japanese, Italian and American is also available.

Fruit smoothies made from seasonal fruits are popular. Fruits such as custard apple, sugar apple, banana, avocado, durian, strawberry, jack fruit, passion fruit, dragon fruit, lychee and mango can be found in fruit stalls. You will need to clean the fruit thoroughly before eating.

It is also recommended that you buy bottled water rather than drinking tap water. Don’t miss out the bia hơi (meaning ‘beer gas’), as the Vietnamese call draught beer. Imported brands such as Carlsberg, San Miguel and Heineken are available along with local brands such as Tiger, Saigon, and 333 (pronounced “ba-ba-ba”).

Currency/ Money

The currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). Notes are available in denominations of VND 100,000; 50,000; 20, 000; 10,000; 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500; and 200 hundred. Many tourists call Vietnam is a country of many thousand Dong.

Coins have just recently been re-introduced and are available in 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500; and 200 Dong denominations.

The USD is widely used in Vietnam’s cities. Tourists can use USD when travel around Vietnam but please look at exchange rate in the exchange rate table before coming to Vietnam.

VISA, MasterCard and American Express cards are accepted in major hotels, restaurants, and shops in the urban areas. Travelers Checks are easily changeable at banks and moneychangers all over the country. Commissions are US$1 for a US$100 TC at Vietcombank, US$2 at ANZ Bank.

Shopping

Vietnam is not exactly a shopper’s paradise, and the streets are awash with little shops selling all manner of items. You can do a lot of souvenir shopping in Hanoi, Hanoi’s Old Quarter is particularly excellent for visitors with shops selling clothes, gold, embroidered tablecloths and handbags. Around Hanoi have many handicraft villages, Good souvenirs are marble figurines and vases, ceramics from Bat Trang village, silk paintings from silk village, and hand-painted greetings cards. In particular, the lacquer ware, tailor-made ao dais (female national costume), mother-of-pearl inlay work, silk paintings, and wood block prints are very artistic and worth acquiring to take back home. The hill tribes of the Central Highlands and the north of the country now sell colorful woven bags and clothing. Ho Chi Minh City is also a good place to shop for jewellery, carpets and leather work.

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Vietnam People and Vietnamese language
The population of Socialist Republic of Viet Nam is more than 78.5 million with an urban population consisting of about 19.7%. There are 54 ethic minority groups living in Vietnam. The ”Kinh” people (or Viet) account for nearly 90% of the population. Major ethic minority groups include the Tay, Thai, Muong, H”Mong, Dzao and Khmer.
Vietnamese language is the main language. English, French and Russian can be heard in the major cities. More about Vietnam People and Language…

Vietnam Land & History
The land of Vietnam has an S shape with a total surface area of 329,600 km2.  Vietnam has common borders in the North with China, to the East and Southeast with Laos and Cambodia. The West of Vietnam faces the Eastern Sea (South China Sea). Vietnam”s coastline is more than 3,260 kms long. The land is very diverse with mountains, highlands, deltas, rivers and forests. Hanoi is the capital and Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam”s largest city. More about Vietnam history…

Vietnam climate
Vietnam has a tropical climate, which is characterized by lots of sunshine, high rainfall, humidity  and two distinguished seasons in general: the cold and dry one from November to April and the other, hot and wet from May to October. Annual average temperatures range from 22ºC to 27ºC. But the weather usually varies North and South, as between land and mountains. More about Vietnam weather…

Vietnam currency
The currency is Vietnamese Dong (VND). The local currency is the Dong (abbreviated “d” or VND). Bank notes are 100d, 200d, 500d, 1000d, 2,000d, 5,000d, 10,000d, 20,000d, 50,000d, 100,000d & 500,000d. Coins include 200d, 500d, 1000d, 2000d & 5000d. The exchange rate (as of July 2006) is approximately Dong 15.850 to one US. Dollar.
Money and travelers cheques, particularly U.S. Dollars, can be exchanged at banks, hotels and authorized money- exchangers. It is advisable to carry U.S. Dollar bills in small denominations.
Credit cards are generally only accepted in major hotels, and in some up-market shops and restaurants in major cities.
ATM facilities are readily available now in major cities.
 Foreign currencies can be exchanged at the banks, exchange bureaus or hotel reception desks. Travelers” cheque and most of Credit cards are accepted in the major cities. We are recommend that you bring some cash with you. Check online currency exchange at Vietcombank: http://www.vietcombank.com.vn

Time
Time zone: GMT/UTC + 7 (the same zone as Thailand, Laos and Cambodia)
Business days: Monday through Friday.
Business hour: Mornings: 07h30 – 12h00; Afternoons: 13h00 – 16h30.
Museums are usually closed on Monday but you can visit temples and pagodas every day. Most restaurants and shops open from 08h00 till 22h00.

Public Holidays
01 January: New Year”s Day
Late January to mid-February: Vietnamese Lunar New Year ( 04 days off ).
30 April: Re-unification Day and 01 May: International Workers” Day.
02 September: National Day

Internet and mobile phone
Email & Internet:
E-mail and Internet services are available in most hotels and posts in Vietnam. In major cities, there are also a number of internet cafes available. 
Mobile phone:
In Vietnam you will be able to use your mobile phone as long as it is programmed for roaming internationally. You may also rent a mobile phone, which may be easier, or buy a pre-paid phone card. (This service is available at your hotel or at a Mobile Phone Service Center on the street.) Click here for more details.

Vietnam Visa
Entry visas for most nationalities are obtainable from a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate. Processing usually takes 4-10 working days. The validity of tourist visas is one month and is extendable.

International flights
Vietnam has three International Airports : Hanoi / Noi Bai, Ho Chi Minh City / Tan Son Nhat and Danang / Danang Airport.
Cities with directs flight to Hanoi / Noi Bai Airport are Bangkok, Beijing, Frankfurt Guang Zhou, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Kunming, Moscow, Paris, Siem Reap, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, Vientiane and Seoul.
Airlines currently serving Hanoi : Aeroflot (SU), Air France (AF), All Nippon Airways (NH), Asiana Airlines (OZ), Cathay Pacific Airways (CX), China Airlines (CI), China Southern Airlines (CZ), Eva Air (BR), Japan Airlines (JL), Korean Air (KE), Malaysia Airlines (MH), Lao Airlines (QV), Singapore Airlines (SQ), Thai Airways (TG), Tiger Airways (TR), Uni Air (B7), Vietnam Airlines (VN).
Cities with directs flight to Ho Chi Minh City / Tan Son Nhat Airport are Bandar Seri Begawan (Brumai), Bangkok, Frankfurt, Fukuoka, Guang Zhou, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Melbourne, Moscow, Osaka, Paris, Phnom Penh, San Francisco, Seoul, Siem Reap, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei, Tokyo, and Vientiane.
Airlines currently serving Ho Chi Minh City: Aeroflot (SU), Air France (AF), All Nippon Airways (NH), Asiana Airlines (OZ), Cathay Pacific Airways (CX), China Airlines (CI), China Southern Airlines (CZ), Eva Air (BR), Japan Airlines (JP), Korean Air (KE), Lufthansa German Airlines (LH), Malaysia Airlines (MH), Pacific Airlines (BL), Philippine Airlines (PR), Singapore Airlines (SQ), Shanghai Airlines (FM), Thai Airways (TG), Tiger Airways (TR), Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA),United Airlines (UA), Vietnam Airlines (VN).
Cities with directs flight to Danang/ Danang Airport are Bangkok, Singapore.
Airlines currently serving Danang: PB Air (PB); Silk Air (MI).

Vietnam domestic flights
If flights are required in your itinerary they are in coach class, unless specified otherwise. Flight timings quoted are local and are subject to change. Domestic flights require a check-in, 1-hour prior to the flight departure.
Carry on luggage is limited to one piece plus a camera.
All “carry-on” hand luggage must have luggage tags which are provided by the airlines when passengers check in at airports for their flights. Security regulations at airports are strict. Passengers are required to identify their checked luggage after they have passed through security check points in the airport. This identification process is done before boarding your flight. Appropriate announcements may or may not be made for this procedure.
In economy class air travel baggage allowance is 20kg per person.  Excess baggage may be subject to overweight charges by the airline. We cannot be held responsible for the loss or damage to passenger’s belongings. Domestic flights are prone to last minute schedule changes and cancellation without ANY advance notice.

Airport tax
Airport departure tax for international flights currently is:
US$ 14 from Hanoi
US$   8 from Danang
US$ 14 from Ho Chi Minh City
The departure airport tax may be paid in local currency or in US Dollars.
Airport departure tax for domestic flights is included in the airfare.

Vietnamese food ( Vietnamese cuisine) and drinks
There is a wide range of dishes in Vietnam, including the very popular nem (spring rolls) and pho (Vietnamese noodle soup). They are eaten together with rice or noodles. Not all foods are spicy. Vegetarian foods, dietary dishes & western menus are also available at some restaurants. A rich variety of tropical fruits is on hand year round, however, it will vary depending upon the season.
Imported beers and alcohols are available in hotels, restaurants and shops. There are many Vietnamese brands or country wines made from rice. If you prefer to drink water, please use bottled mineral water, which has an unbroken seal. Do not ingest tap water that has not been boiled.

Hospitals in Vietnam and Emergency phone numbers:
Hanoi:
International SOS: 24 hour alarm center & medical emergency teams.
Add: 31 Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
Tel: 39340555  Fax: 39340556
Vietnam International Hospital: 24 hour emergency clinic
Add: Phuong Mai road, Hanoi
Tel: 5740740
Medex: 24 hour emergency (090401919)
Add: A1 Van Phuc, Suite 109-112, Kim Ma. Hanoi
Tel: 8430748  Fax: 8461750
Ho Chi Minh City:
International SOS: 24 hour emergency
Add: 65 Nguyen Du, Dist.1., Ho chi Minh city
Tel: 38298424, 38298520 Fax: 38298551.
Alain Carpentier Foundation- IMC-Heart Institute: 24h emergency 
Add: 520 Nguyen Tri Phuong, Dist.10, Ho chi Minh city
Tel: 38654025
Colombia Asia Saigon: 24 hour emergency
Add: 8 Alexandere de Rhodes, Dist.1, Ho chi Minh city
Tel: 38238455
Police: 113
Fire Brigade: 114
First Aid: 115

We all wish you a pleasant staying in Hanoi soon!

Here are some of the things observed:
Sidewalks are okay to drive on to go around a corner (especially when pedestrians such as us are standing on the corner on that sidewalk!)
Dont observe traffic lanes, ride on the line between cars or move into the lane occupied next to you
Buses can ride your ass and can pass you by within inches
You can ride the shoulder, between traffic and the other side of the road or make a u- turn in heavy busy traffic and no one seems to care that you do this
You can ride into oncoming traffic lane and no one cares
You can pull over onto the sidewalk in front of pedestrians. So many bikes park on sidewalks so that pedestrians have to walk on the street in the traffic
Do not have bike side mirrors or use them only to check your teeth or hair while driving
It is possible to send text messages with one hand while riding the freeway by motorcycle..and no one cares
Do not ever practice using shoulder check to see what traffic is doing because its not necessary and would only frighten you to see what’s going on around you
Dont look both ways while turning into an intersection or going through an intersection..its just not necessary and will only frighten you. You will somehow be included in the flow of traffic so its not necessary.
It is acceptable to carry windows, tables, children in your arms with no helmets or balance them on bike tank, your whole extended family. Bamboo trees (7 ft tall) can be carried, glass doors/windows, beds, etc. etc. we are finding that those pics you see of motorcycles heavily weighed down with stuff are FOR REAL and more importantly they are the NORM versus the odd exception here. so we’ve really enjoyed watching traffic go by as its so amazing how MUCH is on those bikes!

When we were in the city of hanoi we found it was horrendously noisy, congested and there were so many bikes parked on sidewalks that we ended up walking single file on the curb side of the streets. It was so slow going because of all the traffic and bikes parked everywhere and a STRESSFUL experience to be out and about. crazy. crazy place.

Many communes in rural Vietnam feature countryside markets (cho que).

There are two main types of countryside market: the fair and the evening market. Fairs are held periodically. For example, it may be held on days with the numbers three and eight, which would imply fairs on the 3rd, 8th, 13th, 18th, 23rd and 28th days of each lunar month. Major markets attract huge numbers of people.

Apart from local products, visitors can find industrial and expensive commodities produced in other localities. Of course, necessities such as fruit, oil, salt and vegetables are always available.

Highland Market

Markets in highland areas where ethnic minorities reside are not only places of commerce, but also cultural festivals.

People wear their nicest clothes and spend some days at the market. They may play their pan-flutes, dance, sing and meet new friends. Therefore, markets in highland areas are also called Love Markets (Cho Tinh).

Floating Markets

There is a very interesting kind of market in the Mekong River Delta. Thousands of boats gather to form a place of economic activity. Trading activities take place all day, but the most exciting time is in the morning when boats arrive loaded up with agricultural products.

On a cho noi (floating market) all trade activities take place on boats. The largest cho noi include Phung Hiep, Nga Bay, Phong Dien (in Hau Giang), Cai Rang (in Can Tho) and Cai Be (in Tien Giang). Most of the agricultural productions sold in cho noi are for wholesalers, who then re-sell it to food processing factories or ship it to the north

Embassy of Algeria in Hanoi, Vietnam

Address: 13 Phan Chu Trinh, Hanoi
Phone: (844) 38253865
(844) 39332151
Fax: (844) 38260830
Web Site: http://www.mae.dz/ma_fr/
Email: ambalghanoi@ambalgvn.org.vn

Embassy of Argentina in Hanoi, Vietnam

Address: 360 Kim Ma Street-Daeha Business Centre, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Phone: (+84) 4 831-52-62/ (+84) 4 831-52-63
Fax: (84-4) 8315577/ (84-4) 8315288
Web Site: http://www.embargentina.org.vn
Email: eviet@mrecic.gov.ar

Australian Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam

Address: 8 Dao Tan, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Phone: 84 4 831 7755
Fax: 84 4 831 7711
Web Site: http://www.vietnam.embassy.gov.au/

Embassy of Austria in Hanoi, Vietnam

Address: c/o “Prime Center”, 53 Quang Trung, 8th Floor, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
Phone: (+84/4) 3943 30503/ (+84/4) 3943 3051 (Amt)
Fax: (+84/4) 3943 3055
Web Site: http://www.aussenministerium.at/hanoi
Email: hanoi-ob@bmeia.gv.at

Embassy of Bangladesh in Vietnam

Address: 7th floor, Daeha Business Center, 360 Kim Ma, Hanoi
Phone: 771 6625, 771 7829
Fax: 771 6628
Email: bdoothn@netnam.org.vn

Embassy of Belarus in Hanoi, Vietnam

Address:52, Tay Ho Road, Tay Ho, Hanoi
Phone: (+84 4) 829 04 94
Fax: (+84 4) 719 71 25
Email: vietnam@belembassy.org

Embassy of Belgium in Hanoi, Vietnam

Address: Hanoi Towers – 9th floor 49 Hai Ba Trung, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Phone: + (84) (4) 3 934.61.77/78
Telephone + (84) (4) 3 934.61.79/80/81
Fax: + (84) (4) 3 934.61.83
Web Site: http://www.diplomatie.be/hanoi
Email: hanoi@diplobel.be,hanoi

Address:Embassy of Brazil in Vietnam

Address: 14 Thuy Khue, Villa D-6/7 Tay Ho, Hanoi
Phone: (844) 843-0817/2544
Fax: (844) 843-2542
Email: vetbrem@netnam.org.vn

Embassy of Brunei Darussalam in Vietnam

Address: Villa No 8 and 9, Van Phuc Diplomatik Quarter, 44/8 and 44/9 Van Bao, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Phone: (+84) 4 943 5249 / (+84) 4 943 5250
Fax: (+84) 4 943 5201
Email: hanoi.vietnam@mfa.gov.bn

Bulgarian Embassy in Hanoi

Address: 5 Nui Truc Str. Van Phuc, P.O.Box 10, Hanoi
Phone: (0084 4) 38-45-29-08
Fax: (0084 4) 38-46-08-56
Email: bgremb@fpt.vn

Embassy of Cambodia in Hanoi

Address: 71A,Tran Hung Dao, Hanoi
Phone: (844) 942 4789
(844) 942 4788
Fax: (844) 942 3225Email: arch@fpt.vn

Embassy of Canada in Hanoi, Vietnam

Address: 31 Hung Vuong, Hanoi
Phone: +84 (4) 734 5000
Fax: +84 (4) 734 5049
Web Site: http://www.international.gc.ca/vietnam
Email: hanoi@international.gc.ca

Embassy of Chile in Hanoi

Address: Suite 1201-1203, 12 th floor, 2 Ngo Quyen, Tung Shing Square Building, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Phone: 84 (4) 9351147
84 (4) 9351148
Fax: 84 (4) 9351150
Email: embajada1@chile.org.vn

Chinese Embassy in Vietnam

Address: 46 Hoang Dieu, Hanoi
Phone: + 844 8453736
Fax: + 844 8232826
Web Site: http://vn.china-embassy.org/eng
Email: chinaemb_vn@mfa.gov.cn

Cuban Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam

Address: 65 A Ly Thuong Kiet, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Phone: (844) 942 4775 or 942 5070-71
Fax: (844) 942 2426
Email: embacuba@fpt.vn

Embassy of the Czech Republic in Hanoi, Vietnam

Address: 13 Chu Van An, Hanoi
Phone: (+84-4) 8454131
(+84-4) 8454132
Fax: (+84-4) 8233996
Web Site: http://www.mzv.cz/hanoi
Email: hanoi@embassy.mzv.cz

Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic in Hai Phong

Address: 2 Pham Minh Duc, ctvrt Ngo Quyen, Hai Phong
Phone: 0084/31836539
Fax: 0084/31737617
Email: haiphong@honorary.mzv.cz

Royal Danish Embassy in Vietnam

Address: 19 Dien Bien Phu, Hanoi
Phone: (+84) (4) 8231888
Fax: (+84) (4) 8231999
Email: hanamb@um.dk

Embassy of Finland in Hanoi, Vietnam

Address: Embassy of Finland, Central Building, 31 Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
Phone: + 84 4 826 6788
Fax: + 84 4 826 6766
Email: sanomat.han@formin.fi

Embassy of France in Hanoi, Vietnam

Address: 57 Tran Hung Dao, Hanoi
Phone: [84] (4) 944 57 00
Fax: [84] (4) 944 57 17
Email: ambafrance.hanoi@diplomatie.gouv.fr

German Embassy in Vietnam

Address: 29, Tran Phu, Hanoi
Phone: 84 4 845 38 36
Fax: 84 4 845 38 38
Web Site: http://www.germanembhanoi.org.vn
Email: germanemb.hanoi@ftp.vn

Embassy of Greece in Hanoi

Address: 28 Thanh Nien , Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Phone: (008443) 7152254
Fax: (008443)7152253
Email:grcon.han@mfa.gr

Royal Danish Embassy in Vietnam

Address: 19 Dien Bien Phu, Hanoi
Phone: +84 4 823 18 88
Fax: +84 4 823 19 99
Web Site: http://www.ambhanoi.um.dk
Email: hanamb@um.dk

Embassy of Hungary in Hanoi, Vietnam

Address: 360 Kim Ma, Daeha Business Center, 12th Floor Hanoi
Phone: 4-7715714
Fax: 4-7715716

Indian Embassy in Vietnam

Address: 58-60, Tran Hung Dao, Hanoi
Phone: 00-84-4-8244989, 82444990
Fax: 00-84-4-8244998
Email: India@netnam.org.vn

Embassy of Ireland in Vietnam

Address: Vincom City Towers [8F], 191 Ba Trieu, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
Phone: 00 84 4 974 3291
Fax: 00 84 4 974 3295
Email: irishembassyhanoi@dfanet.ie

Embassy of Israel in Hanoi, Vietnam

Address: 68 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
Phone: 00-84-4-8433140/1/2
Fax: 00-84-4-8435760
Web Site: http://hanoi.mfa.gov.il
Email: info@hanoi.mfa.gov.il

Italian Embassy in VietnamÂ

Address: 9, Le Phung Hieu, Hanoi
Phone: 84 4 825 6256
Fax: 84 4 826 7602
Web Site: http://www.embitalyvietnam.org
Email: embitaly@embitaly.org.vn

Embassy of Japan in Hanoi, Vietnam

Address: 27 Lieu Giai , Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Phone: (84-4)846-3000
Fax: (84-4)846-3043
Web Site: http://www.vn.emb-japan.go.jp
Email: soumuhan@vnn.vn

Consulate of the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos

Address: 40 Quang Trung, Hanoi
Phone: (+84-4) 8252588
Fax: (+84-4) 8228414

Embassy of Malysia in Hanoi, Vietnam

Address: 43 – 45 Dien Bien Phu, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Phone: 84-4-734 38 36
Fax: 84-4-734 3832
Email: malhanoi@kln.gov.my

Embassy of Mexico in Hanoi

Address: 14 Thuy Khue T-11, Hanoi
Phone: (844) 847-0948
Fax: (844) 847-0949
Email: embvietnam@sre.gob.mx

Embassy of Mongolia in Hanoi

Address: 39, Tran Phu, Hanoi
Phone: 0084-4-8453009
Fax: 0084-4-8454954
Email: mongembhanoi@hn.vnn.vn

Embassy of Myanmar in Hanoi

Address: A-3 (101-104), Van Phuc Diplomatic Quarters, Kim Ma, Hanoi
Phone: (84-4) 845 3369, 823 2056
Fax: (84-4) 845 2404
Email: mevhan@fpt.vn

Royal Netherlands Embassy Hanoi, Vietnam

Address: Daeha Office Tower, 6th floor, 360 Kim Ma, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Phone: 84 4 8315650
Fax: 84 4 8315655
Web Site: http://www.netherlands-embassy.org.vn/
Email: han@minbuza.nl

Embassy of New Zealand in Hanoi

Address: Level 5 63 Ly Thai To, Hanoi
Phone: (+ 84 4) 824 1481
Fax: (+ 84 4) 824 1480
Email: nzembhan@fpt.vn

Royal Norwegian Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam

Address: Metropole Centre, Suite 701/ 702, 56 Ly Thai To, Hanoi
Phone: + 84 4 826 2111
Fax: + 84 4 826 0222

Embassy of Pakistan in Hanoi, Vietnam

Address: 8th Floor, Daeha Business Centre, 360 Kim Ma, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Phone: (+84-4) 7716420, 7716421
Fax: (+84-4) 7716418
Email: parep-hanoi@hn.vnn.vn

Embassy of the Philippines in Hanoi

Address: 27-B Tran Hung Dao, Hanoi
Phone: (00844) 943-7873/ 3849/ 4493 / 7948 / 9826
Fax: (00844) 943-5760
Email: hanoipe@dfa.gov.ph

Embassy of Romania in Hanoi

Address: 5 Le Hong Phong, Hanoi
Phone: (00) (84) (4) 8452014
Fax: (00) (84) (4) 8430922
Email: romambhan@fpt.vn

Embassy of Russia in Hanoi

Address: 191, La Thanh, Hanoi
Phone: +84 4 833-6991, 833-6992
Fax: +84 4 833-6995
Email: moscow-vietnam@yandex.ru

Embassy of Singapore in Hanoi

Address: 41-43 Tran Phu, Hanoi
Phone: (84-4) 8233965
Fax: (84-4) 7337627
Web Site: http://www.mfa.gov.sg/hanoi
Email: singemb@hn.vnn.vn

Embassy of Slovakia in Vietnam

Address: 6B Le Hong Phong, Hanoi
Phone: (84-4) 845 4334-5
Fax: (84-4) 845 4145
Email: zuskemb@hn.vnn.vn

Embassy of South Africa in Vietnam

Address: 3rd Floor, Central Building, 31 Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
Phone: +84-4-9362000 / +84-4-9362003
Fax: +84-4-9361991
Email: hanoi@foreign.gov.za

Embassy of The Republic of Korea in Hanoi, Vietnam

Address: 4 th Floor., Dae Ha Business Center, Kim Ma, Hanoi
Phone: (84-4) 831 5111/6
Fax: (84-4) 831 5117
Email: korembviet@mofat.go.kr

Embassy of Spain in Vietnam

Address: 15th Floor. Daeha Business Center, 360 Kim Ma, Hanoi
Phone: +84-4-771-5207 /
Fax: +84-4-771-5206
Email: embespvn@fpt.vn embespvn@mail.mae.es

Embassy of Sweden in Hanoi

Address: 2, Nui Truc Street, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Phone: +84 (4) 726 04 00
Fax: +84 (4) 823 21 95
Web Site: http://www.swedenabroad.com/hanoi
Email: ambassaden.hanoi@sida.se

Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Hanoi

Address: 5th Floor HITC Building, 239 Xuan Thuy, Cau Giay, Hanoi
Phone: 002-844-833-5501
Fax: (002-844) 833-5508
Web Site: http://www.teco.org.vn
Email: tecohn@netnam.vn

Embassy of Thailand in Vietnam

Address: Royal Thai Embassy, 63-65 Hoang Dieu, Hanoi
Phone: (84-4) 823-5092 to 93
Fax: (84-4) 823-5088, 733-1326
Email: thaihan@mfa.go.th

Embassy of Turkey in Vietnam

Address: 4th Floor., North Star Bldg, 4 Da Tuong, Ha Noi
Phone: +84-4 822-2460
Fax: +84-4 822-2458
Email: turkeyhn@fpt.vn

Embassy of Ukraine in Vietnam

Address: 6, Le Hong Phong, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Phone: +84-4-37344484 / +84-4-37344492
Fax: 84-4-37344497
Web Site: http://www.mfa.gov.ua/vietnam
Email: embvn@mfa.gov.ua

British Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam

Address: Central Building, 31 Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
Phone: + (84) (4) 9360500 -
Consular Section: + (84) (4) 9360550
Fax: ++ (84) (4) 9360551
Web Site: http://www.uk-vietnam.org/
Email: behanoi@hn.vnn.vn

U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam

Address: 7 Lang Ha, Hanoi
Phone: 84-4-7721500
Fax: 84-4-7721510
Web Site: http://vietnam.usembassy.gov/

In Southern Provinces

Australian Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Address: 5th Floor, The Landmark Building, 5B Ton Duc Thang, Dist 1, HCMC
Phone: 84-8 829 6035
Fax: 84-8 829 6031

Honorary Consulate of Belgium in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Address: The Manor GBLK 5 A, 91 Nguyen Huu Canh – Ward 22, Binh Thanh, HCMC
Phone: + (84) (8) 3 512.79.68
Fax: + (84) (8) 3 512.79.69
Email: consubel.hcm@diplobel.be,consubel@hcm.vnn.vn

Cambodian Consulate in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Address: No. 41, Phung Khac Khoan, HCMC
Phone: (848) 829 2751
Fax: (848) 8222773
Email: cambocg@hcm.vnn.vn

Consulate General of Canada in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Address: 9th Floor, The Metropolitan, 235 Dong Khoi Street, Dist 1, HCMC
Phone: (011 84 827-9899
Fax: (011 84 827-9935
Web Site: http://www.international.gc.ca/vietnam
Email: hochi@international.gc.ca

Honoray Consulate of Chile in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Address: 79/2/1 Phan Ke Binh, Dakao, Dist.1, HCMC
Phone: 84-8-9102108
84-8-9102903
Fax: 84-8-9102904
Email: chileconsul@hcmc.netnam.vn

Chinese Consulate General of China in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Address: 39 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Dist 1, HCMC
Phone: 00848-8292457
Fax: 00848-8295009
00848-8231142
Email: chinaconsul_hcm_vn@mfa.gov.cn

Cuban Consulate in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Address: 45 Phung Khac Khoan, Dist 1, HCMC
Phone: (848) 08 829 7350
Fax: (848) 08 829 5293
Email: cubacons@hcmc.netnam.vn

Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Address: 28 Mac Dinh Chi, Dist.1, HCMC
Phone: 00848/8290585
Fax: 00848/8226043
Email: HoChiMinh@honorary.mzv.cz

Honorary Consulate General of Finland in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Address: 203 Dong Khoi, Suite No.206, Dist.1 HCMC
Phone: (84) 8 8272 029
Fax: (84) 8 8 234 436
Email: tuanphung@vci-legal.com

Consulate General of France in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Address: 27 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, BP 307, Dist. 1, HCMC
Phone: [84] (8) 35 20 68 00
Fax: [84] (8) 35 20 68 19
Web Site: http://www.consulfrance-hcm.org
Email: info@consulfrance-hcm.org

Honorary Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Address: 49-Tran Quoc Thao, Dist 3,
Phone: (+84) 8-9303539, (+84) 8-9307498
Fax: (+84) 8-9307495
Email: cgihcmc@hcm.vnn.vn

Embassy of Indonesia in Hanoi, Vietnam

Address: 50, Ngo Quyen, Hanoi
Phone: (84-4) 825-6316, 825-3353, 825-7969
Fax: (84-4) 825-9274
Web Site: http://www.indonesia-hanoi.org.vn
Email: komhan@hn.vnn.vn

Consulate General of Indonesia in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Address: 18, Phung Khac Khoan, Dist. 1,HCMC
Phone: 84-8) 825-1888, 825-1889
Fax: (84-8) 829-9493
Email: indochmc@hcm.fpt.vn

Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Vietnam

Phone: 00844 – 9424141
Fax: 00844 – 9424055
Email: hanemb@iraqmofamail.net

Consulate General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Address: 13-17 Nguyen Hue, Dist. 1, HCMC
Phone: (84-8)8225314
Fax: (84-8)8225316
Web Site: http://www.hcmcgj.vn.emb-japan.go.jp/
Email: ryoujikan@vietnam-japan.net

Embassy of the Lao PDR in Hanoi, Vietnam

Address: 22 Rue Tran BinhTrong, Hanoi
Phone: (844) 942 9746, 942 4576, 942 2735
Fax: (+84 4) 822-8414

Consulate General of the Lao PDR in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Address: 93 Pasteur St, Dist. l, HCMC
Phone: (+84 829-7667or 829-9275
Fax: (+84 829-9272

Consulate General of the Lao PDR in Da Nang, Vietnam

Address: 12 Tran Quy Cap, Da Nang
City: Danang
Phone: (+84 51) 821-208
Fax: (+84 51) 822-628

Consulate General of Malaysia in Ho Chi Minh City

Address: 1208 Me Linh Point Tower, No. 2, Ngo Duc Ke, Dist. , HCMC
Phone: 84-8-829 9023
Fax: 84-8-829 9027
Web Site: http://www.kln.gov.my/perwakilan/hochiminh
Email: malhcminh@kln.gov.my

Consulate General of the Netherlands in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Address: Saigon Tower, suite 901, 29 Le Duan Boulevard
District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
City: Ho Chi Minh
Phone: +84 8 8235932/33
Fax: +84 8 8235934 or +84 8 8241402
Web Site: http://www.mfa.nl/hcm-en
Email: hcm@minbuza.nl

General Consulate of Singapore in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Address: The Saigon Centre, Level 8, 65 Le Loi, Dist 1, HCMC
Phone: (84-8) 8225174
Fax: (84-8) 9142938
Web Site: http://www.mfa.gov.sg/hochiminhcity
Email: sporecg@hcm.vnn.vn

Honorary Consulate of Sweden, Ho Chi Minh

Address: 8A/11D1 Thai Van Lung, 5th Floor, Dist 1, HCMC
Phone: +84 (8) 823 68 00-2
Fax: +84 (8) 823 68 17
Email: kkling@hcm.vnn.vn

Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Address: 336 Nguyen Tri Phuong St., Dist.10, HCMC
City: Ho Chi Minh City
Phone: (002-848) 834-6264~7
Fax: (002-848) 834-6260
Email: suggest@tecohcm.org.vn

Royal Thai Consulate General, Vietnam

Address: 77 Tran Quoc Thao, Dist. 3, HCMC
Phone: (848) 932-7637-8
Fax: (848) 932-6002
Web Site: http://www.thaiembassy.org/hochiminhcity
Email: thaconho@hcm.vnn.vn

General Consulate of Ukraine in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Address: 4/4 Hoang Viet, Tan Binh, HCMC
Phone: (+84-8) 8222490
Fax: (+84-8) 8250009

General Advice About Travelling in Vietnam

From the worker’s simple outfits in the rice fields to western style business suits in the city, the Vietnamese are conservative in their dress. Visitors wearing shorts are tolerated, even though you may see many shirtless Vietnamese men in shorts.

Wear conservative clothing if you visit a culturally sensitive area such as a temple or pagoda — the less bare skin the better.

Keep in mind that, although tolerant, people may be judgmental. Unfortunately you cannot expect hospitality at every turn and you may experience problems with petty theft and pick pockets. This is more prevalent in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and Nha Trang. In other areas, especially in the north, reports of these activities are extremely minimal. It is not something to be paranoid about but be aware of your surroundings.

Below is a list of do’s and don’ts to help you avoid some of the social taboos during your visit. Take heed of these pointers and you will be rewarded with a culturally and socially enriching experience.

What You Should Do

Store your cash, credit cards, airline tickets and other valuables in a safe place. Most 4-star hotels have in-room safes, otherwise ask the reception to keep your valuable things in their deposit facility.

Take a hotel business card from the reception desk before venturing out from your hotel. This will make your return to the hotel in a taxi or cyclo much easier.

Carry a roll of toilet paper in your daypack on long excursions from your base hotel. You never know when you might need it!

Dress appropriately. Not only for the prevailing weather, but also not to cause offence to the local people. Vietnamese have conservative dress codes, and it is only in larger cities that these codes are a little more relaxed. Do not wear revealing clothing.

Drink plenty of bottled water. During the summer months you should be drinking a minimum of 2 litres per day. If you drink tea, coffee and alcohol you should increase you water intake accordingly as these will help to dehydrate you.

If invited into a Vietnamese home, always remove your shoes at the front door when entering.

Ask for permission when taking a photograph of someone. If they indicate that they do not want you to, then abide by their wishes.

Things Not To Do in Vietnam

Offer money or push the issue.

Never carry more money than you need when walking around the streets.

Do not wear large amounts of jewellery. There are two reasons for not doing this (1) It is considered impolite to flaunt wealth in public; (2) It is more likely that you may become a victim of a pickpocket or drive-by bag snatcher.

Don’t be paranoid about your security, just be aware of your surroundings.

Don’t wear singlets, shorts, dresses or skirts, or tops with low-neck lines and bare shoulders to Temples and Pagodas. To do this is considered extremely rude and offensive.

Avoid giving empty water bottles, sweets and candies or pens to the local people when trekking through ethnic minority villages. You cannot guarantee that the empty bottles will be disposed of in a correct manner, and the people have no access to dental health. If you want to give pens, ask your guide to introduce you to the local teacher and donate them to the whole community.

Never sleep or sit with the soles of your feet pointing towards the family altar when in someone’s house.

Never lose your temper in public or when bargaining for a purchase. This is considered a serious loss of face for both parties. Always maintain a cool and happy demeanour and you will be reciprocated with the same.

Do not try to take photographs of military installations or anything to do with the military. This can be seen as a breach of national security.

Never take video cameras into the ethnic minority villages. They are considered to be too intrusive by the local people.

The above advice is meant to help you have a perfect trip to Vietnam.

Do not be overly paranoid though. Generally, Vietnamese people are very appreciative if they see you trying to abide by their customs, and very forgiving if you get it wrong or forget. If you make the effort, you will be rewarded.

Vietvaluetravel.com

The country has a long coastline, varied, complex climatic zones and generally a fair amount of rain.
The best beaches are mostly in the southern half, and that’s best Dec- May. However, in that area it doesn’t usually rain for long periods at any time, only showers, unless an infrequent typhoon hits the coast, so the beaches are basically OK all year round.
The worst season is probably July -Oct (humidity, occasional rains, typhoons, and of course July-Aug is always a busy holiday period)
Oct – Dec has the best weather over the whole country for sightseeing, with clear skies and temperatures in the mid 20Cs.
Plan ahead if you wish to travel during the Tet New Year festival – it can be a problem getting accommodation and transport.

China Beach, between Da Nang and Hoi An Best May-Oct
The most unspoilt Vietnam beach is the endless white sand of China Beach, where US troops landed during the 70′s unpleasantness.
The main beach is officially around the Non Nuoc Resort hotel but some locals argue that the real China Beach is at My Khe Beach about 5 km north of the hotel [both are near the tourist attraction of Marble Mountains]. Development is in on the way!

Nha Trang, Vietnam Best May-Oct
Nha Trang, ‘the Vietnamese Riviera’, is a delightful little town of tranquil, friendly locals. It has 6 miles of splendid white sandy beach with azure water, backed by green hills and palm trees. The town has little noise or pollution because locals prefer walking or biking to motorbiking.
You can find good Indian restaurants there and some of the best seafood restaurants in the country.
Tran Phu [public beach] is inviting but beaches north of the town and on islands in the bay are a better option. For instance, Doc Let Beach [34 km north of Nha Trang], Dai Lanh Beach [37 km north], Bai Tru Beach in Bamboo Island are worth the trip for peace and quiet.

Mui Ne Beach, Mui Ne Bay, near Phan Thiet Best Dec- May
Mui Ne Bay is about 20mins [by bus] from Phan Thiet, which is 120 miles/198 km [a 3 hour drive] from Ho Chi Minh City. It has fabulous stretches of white sand, a scenic landscape and lovely locals. The climate is hot and dry almost all year, with an average temperature of about 27C.
The good bits are the outlying beaches to the north, but the best is Mui Ne Beach, an upcoming resort area known for its spectacular sand dunes. This is regarded as one of Vietnam’s most beautiful beaches, but locals still needs to develop an attitude to cleanness, as rubbish piles up between resorts.
The beach is also known for world-class wind/kite surfing [good wind almost guaranteed - though the sea-breeze can be over-the-top for sun bathing sometimes. See Mui Ne Beach Pictures. No hustlers/sellers. Lots of comfortable, reasonably priced hotels are available.

Hon Chong Beach, Ha Tien [South] Best Dec- May
The coastline of Ha Tien is on the border with Cambodia [5m/9 km] and has some superb beaches, including the site of the French film L’amant
Hon Chong Beach is a very seductive beach with soft white sand and calm tropical water, while nearby Tien Cave has interesting rock formations. White sandy Duong Beach is also worth a try.
The Hai Tac islets accessible by boat from Ha Tien offer some great diving for scuba freaks. The biggest of these islands, Hon Doc, has also some splendid white beaches. Or try Nghe Island

Bai Tam [Long Beach], Phu Quoc Island [South] Best Dec- May
Phu Quoc Island in the Gulf of Thailand is Vietnam’s largest island. Off Ha Tien, it’s a hidden gem of Southeast Asia. The island has mountains, forests and superb sandy beaches perfect for nature lovers as well as sun-seekers.
Some of the beaches can only be reached by hiking sandy paths – Bai Truong [Long Beach] on the west coast is apparently the best, where you can see sunset over the water.
Bai Thom in the north and Bai Khem in the south are also popular. Major development plans are afoot.

Spread over an area of about 331,690 sq.kms Vietnam has a population of more than 83, 535, 576 people. Vietnam has a rapid population growth, the average growth rate of Vietnam’s population id 2.23 %. Owing to its rapid population growth many fear that it has started becoming an obstacle in the development of the country. In order to reduce the risk of population growth overcoming the food production, the Vietnamese government has launched a 20-year crash plan of reducing fertility rate from the present 3.7 children per woman to a level of 2 per woman.

The population of Vietnam is large enough to make it second most populous country in the South-East Asia, seventh in the Asia-Pacific region and the 12th most populous in the world-list. One should also notice that the ratio of literate persons are high in Vietnam and the majority of the population is young.

According to a census conducted in1985, the average population density was 179 persons per square kilometer. The most densely settled region in Vietnam is the Red River Delta region that recorded more than 75 % of the population of North Vietnam. Another major populated region is the Mekong River Delta region in Vietnam that comprises nearly half of the southern population.

Vietnamese have a mixed feelings about the birth control and sex education, it was noticed that majority of women married before the age of 20 in Vietnam. Resulting in a high birth rate, with a woman on an average bearing four or more than four children. However, later the legal marriage age for women was set at 22 but this law met serious opposition. As the Vietnamese believed in “falling in love early and getting married early”.