Cheap airlines are limited to Air Asia operated between Hanoi and Bangkok, Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur, Jetstar
between Ho Chi Minh City and Sydney, Tiger Airway between Hanoi/ Ho Chi Minh City and Singapore.

NOTE: It is much more expensive to buy a ticket in Vietnam than your native country. Depending on your country
of origin, ask your national carrier - they may have convenient flights for you. You can also consult your local
travel agent for routings, fares and availability on flights to Vietnam. Check on the Internet: discount websites
and flight search engines may offer some good deals.

Other means of transportation?
There are currently six border crossings for travellers coming to Vietnam, but more may open soon.

From China: It's become very popular to cross the border at Friendship Pass or Dong Dang, 20km (12mi)
north of Lang Son in northeast Vietnam, to get to/from Nanning. There is a twice-weekly international train
between Beijing and Hanoi that stops at Friendship Pass. The other popular border crossing with China is
at Lao Cai in northwest Vietnam, which lies on the railway line between Hanoi and Kunming in China's
Yunnan Province. There's also a seldom used crossing at Mong Cai.

From Laos: If you travel from Laos by road via Savannakhet and Sepon, you will get to Vietnam by the Lao Bao
(Vietnam) border crossing. This crossing links Laos to central Vietnam (Danang and Dong Ha). If you travel
from Vientiane, you will cross Lak Sao before entering Vietnam by Cau Treo border crossing in Ha Tinh
Province (Vietnam). Nam Can border crossing connects Nghe An Province (Vietnam) and Xieng Khuang
Province (Laos).

From Cambodia: If you travel from Phnom Penh by speedboat, you will enter Vietnam at Chau Doc, in the
Mekong Delta area. If you arrive from Cambodia by road into Ho Chi Minh City, you will enter Vietnam at Moc
Bai, which connects Vietnam’s Tay Ninh Province with Cambodia’s Svay Rieng Province.

NOTE: Each means of transportation has its pros and cons, contact the local transport companies for more information and review them carefully before investing your budget. Also note that if you enter Vietnam by land, you should and must obtain
the visa before arrival. Refer to our VISA section below for more information.

NOTES: Consult your doctor for up-to-date information and prescriptions for vaccinations,anti-malarial tablets and any reasonably foreseeable illnesses whilst travelling in Vietnam. Some vaccination courses may need time to be completed.
If you plan to take anti-malarial tablets, you usually need to start one week before arrival. We recommend that you carry
a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements (including a spare pair of glasses).

Are Travellers’ Cheques accepted in Vietnam?
Banks such as CitiBank, ANZ Bank. HSBC and Vietcombank can change your Travellers’ Cheques for VND
or US Dollars but a commission applies (1% to 2%). Very few shops, hotels or restaurants accept
Travellers’ Cheques.

NOTE: Travellers’ Cheques can be difficult to change outside of the major cities.

Can I use credit cards in Vietnam?
Most credit cards are accepted in Vietnam. VISA and MASTERCARD are the most widely accepted. JCB and
AMERICAN EXPRESS are also accepted in some outlets. Not all hotels,commercial centres, shops and
restaurants accept credit cards. Check with the cashier whether card is accepted. Bear in mind that a
surcharge usually applies for credit card purchases. VISA and Mastercard: 3% surcharge JCB: 3%
surcharge American Express: 4% surcharge

NOTE: Surcharges can change without prior notice. Check the percentage charged before you buy.

Where can I withdraw cash?
ATMs for withdrawal of Vietnamese Dong are available in major airports, hotels, towns and capitals of
provinces throughout Vietnam. Most ATMs have an English language version. Ask your tour guide for help
when you need to locate an ATM.

Do's and Don'ts?
Eating out is no problem at all in major cities where you can easily find good restaurants. It is advisable to
eat in hotels in remote areas unless you have a reliable advice from your guide. You should avoid uncooked,
partially cooked or reheated meat, fish and raw vegetable, especially when they have been left out exposed
to dust and flies. Filtered and bottled water is usually available and safe. Cameras, precious jewelleries,
cash, passport should be deposited at hotel or taken care carefully while you are travelling by train or
walking in the streets. Local trains have been renovated and service on trains has been improved in the
past few years. However, the standard is still below international qualification and therefore travel by train is
not recommendable to elderly people.

Should I tip?
Tipping is customary, though not compulsory, to tip tour guides and drivers at the end of tours. Hotel porters
and restaurant waiters should also be tipped, especially in big cities like Hanoi and in Saigon. In a top-end
hotel, feel free to tip bellhops anywhere from 10,000 VND to 15,000 VND (about US$1). Most upscale
restaurants throughout the country now add a service surcharge of 5% to 10%. If they don't, or if the service
is good, you might want to leave another 5%. Taxi drivers will be pleased if you round up the bill (again,
mainly in the big cities). Use your discretion for tour guides and others who have been particularly helpful.

Tour in Vietnam      

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