Visitor information:
Vietnam is a coastal country located in Southeast Asia.
Vietnam has over 95 million inhabitants, most of them Buddhists. The spoken language is Vietnamese. The capital city is Hanoi and the largest city is Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon).
Travel seasons:
There is no particular time to travel in Vietnam, since the geographical structure of the country is very special. In the season when it is convenient to travel in the south, it is less convenient in the north because it is too cold, and vice versa, so all year round is the season of travel in Vietnam.
Visa:
Visitors to Vietnam need a visa to enter the country.
The visa needs to be obtained prior to entrance, most countries cannot receive a visa upon arrival.
One can apply for a 30 day or 90 day visa, single or multiple entry.
You can make a visa online - it takes about 3-4 business days:
https://evisa.immigration.gov.vn/web/guest/khai-thi-thuc-dien-tu/cap-thi-thuc-dien-tu
Money:
The local currency is Vietnam Dong (23,447 = $1, as of January 2023)
It is illegal to change money at jewelry shops. The safest and most reliable place to change is at the banks.
Safety and Health:
In general, Vietnam is a very safe country, except for the theft of bags and other objects from pedestrians. Therefore, it is recommended not to walk with bags hanging over the shoulder, nor with large chains or large earrings. It is advisable to put everything in a backpack and put it on both shoulders!
Be very careful to drink water only from closed bottles and not to drink tap water (unless boiled first). It is highly recommended to have appropriate travel insurance before your trip, and check if the insurance also covers a motorcycle accident before getting on motorcycles.
There are several recommended hospital/clinics in the big cities, which include:
FMP (Family Medical Practice) – in HCMC, Hanoi and Danang
Raffles Medical Clinic – HCMC and Hanoi
FV Hospital (French-Vietnamese) – in HCMC and Hanoi
Taxis:
The best option is to download the Grab app before coming to Vietnam. It is similar to Uber, where they have fixed prices and you can see the cost before booking a ride.
If you are hailing a taxi, stick with the metered companies like Vinasun and Mailinh. Be careful of the taxi drivers waiting by the bus stops and markets, those are usually without meters and charge a lot more.
Loss of passport:
If you have lost your passport, immediately go to the nearest police station to fill out a police report form. With this form, you must go to your respective embassy equipped with 3 passport photos and approximately $100. In most cases, a new passport will be issued for you the same day or the next day.
Mikvah:
There is 1 Women’s Mikavh in Vietnam, located in HCMC.
To book an appointment, or for any questions, contact Rebbetzin Racheli Hartman +84937706769 | [email protected]