Why Vietnam ?

Work, Rest and Play in Vietnam

Despite Vietnam's ongoing economic liberalization and the pressures of rapid development, this dignified country has managed to preserve its rich civilization and highly cultured society. Visitors to Vietnam are overwhelmed by the sublime beauty of the country’s natural settings: the Red River Delta in the north, the Mekong Delta in the south and almost the entire coastal strip are a patchwork of brilliant green rice paddies tended by women in conical hats, along with its rich cultural heritage, and the deep humanity of its people.

Discover a country lined with untouched beaches; its verdant interior housing soaring mountains, dense, misty forests and bustling city hubs that represent a nation which really is open for business. Top-class golf courses, fine dining, modern meeting & convention facilities, and all levels of accommodation options – from boutique bungalow retreats to 5-star resort spas – can be found in hotspots around the country.

Vietnam Information

A new light shines on Vietnam. Once this country was mainly known for the tragedies of the war so closely linked to its name. Now it is an upcoming tourist destination. Vietnam has a lot to offer. The natural scenery throughout the country is truly spectacular and highly picturesque. There are pristine beaches, rugged mountains and endless paddy fields where women in conical hats tend the fields. The cultural heritage of Vietnam is rich and diversified: from the ruins of the unique Cham Civilisation over the age-old traditions amongst the hill tribes to the splendours of the ancient capital at Hue. One of the delights of a visit is the exquisite cuisine. The charm and hospitality of the Vietnamese people are legendary. Visitors to this fascinating country will be rewarded to see a country with a characteristic culture enthusiastically taking its first steps into the modern world.
Until quite recently the country was isolated from the rest of the world by continuous troubles of war and restrictions of the government. Now Vietnam is rapidly developing. The country has currently a comprehensive tourism infrastructure offering visitors a variety of excellent accommodation, restaurants & shopping.
Vietnam's travel industry is shifting into a higher gear with the potential of becoming the regions leading incentive destination. What is more rewarding than a journey of discovery through the mysteries of this intriguing land?

BASIC FACTS: Total area: 329,560 sq km (127,244 sq mi) Population: 84 million Capital city: Hanoi Language: The official language is Vietnamese. Some Chinese, English and French are spoken. Tour guides can also speak Russian and Japanese. Numerous ethnic languages are also spoken in parts. Religion: Buddhism is the dominant religion in Vietnam usually combined with elements of Confucianism and Taoism. About 10% of the country's populations are Catholic and there are also communities of Protestants and Muslims. Vietnam is also home to a unique religion called Cao Dai, a religious cocktail of all the world's major faiths. Currency: Vietnamese DONG (VND) USD 1 = approximately VND 16,418 (July 2007) Electricity: 220 volts, 50Hz. Plugs are either the two flat-pin or the two round-pin type. Three rectangular blade plugs can be found in some of the newer hotels. Local Time: GMT + 7 hours Communications: The international country code is +84. The outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001 for the United States or Canada). City/area codes are in use, e.g. Hanoi is (0)4 and Ho Chi Minh City is (0)8. GSM 900 mobile networks cover the major urban areas. Internet cafes are available in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Internet access is often available at post offices in rural areas.

Customs: Shorts should be avoided away from the beaches if possible. Shoes must be removed on entering religious sites and a donation is expected when visiting a temple or pagoda. Photography is restricted at ports, harbours and airports, and it is polite to ask permission before taking photographs of people, especially of ethnic minorities. Never leave chopsticks sticking upright in a bowl of rice as it has strong death connotations.

National Flag: The flag with a yellow five-pointed star in the center, yellow represents the color of Vietnamese people. The five points of the star represents the workers, the peasants, the soldiers, the intellectuals, and the merchants.

HEALTH: No vaccinations are required except for yellow fever if you are coming from an area where the disease is present. However visitors should be inoculated against typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A & B, tetanus and polio. Malaria is present in most of the region and it is advisable to take precautions especially if traveling off the beaten track. Medical facilities are rather limited in all countries and it is essential to take out a good medical insurance policy before traveling in case evacuation is needed. Do not drink tap water anywhere; purified bottled water is widely available. In major cities doctors speak French and English.

CLIMATE: Due to its extended narrow shape the climate in Vietnam is not homogenous. The South has a typical tropical monsoon climate with two main seasons: the wet (May to November, wettest from June to August) and the dry (December to April). The North is cooler in winter (November to April) and hot during the summer (May to October). Mountain areas can be cold in winter. Overall average temperatures range from 15°C (59°F)  to 27°C (81°F)  in the North (Hanoi) and 25°C (75°F)  to 30°C (86°F) in the South (Ho Chi Minh City).

CLOTHING: Comfortable lightweight clothing in natural fabrics such as cotton is most suitable for traveling in Vietnam. The dress code is fairly casual as in most parts of the tropics but it is advisable to cover arms and legs in the evenings against biting insects. A lightweight raincoat is a good idea in the rainy season. During the winter months, warm clothing is needed for visiting the north of Vietnam. Visitors to Buddhist countries should not wear shorts, short skirts or other skimpy clothing when visiting religious buildings and shoes should be removed before entering a private home.

VISAS: Visas are required by all nationalities. If visas are to be obtained via Pacific World in Bangkok, the following personal data must be supplied to us in Bangkok at least two weeks before traveling to Vietnam: