VIETNAM
Vietnam offers an exceptional mix of landscapes: the verdant uplands and rice terraces in the north, the spectacular Mekong delta in the south, the white beaches and the crystal clear sea... This beautiful country, famous for two wars but also for his architecture, influenced by the Chinese, Indian and Khmer cultures, has an important role in philosophy, inspired by Confucio and Lao Tse. Thanks to its multiple attractives, Vietnam is the ideal place for every kind of holiday: Halong bay, a unique UNESCO world heritage site, the imperial city of Hue, the splendid city of Hoi An, the sanctuary of My Son and the national park of Phong Nha - Ke Bang, the city of Sapa in the mountains in the north, the white beaches of Phu Quoc island… More than 4000 years of history that will charm you.
SOME PLACES OF INTEREST
Sapa
The Sapa district is located in the province of Lao Cai, in north-western Vietnam, 350 km from Hanoi, not far from the border with China. At 1,600 m above sea level, Sapa is a picturesque resort located in the Hoang Lien Son mountains, known as "The Tonchinesi Alps". Sapa is a cool city all year round, the average temperature is around 15 ° -18 ° C and temperatures can reach zero in the winter months. Sapa offers many natural sites, such as the Ham Rong mountain, the Silver Waterfalls, the Rattan Bridge, the Bamboo Forest and the Ta Phin Quarry. Sapa is also the starting point for many climbers and scientists who want to reach the top of Mount Fansipan, which with its 3,143 meters is the highest in Vietnam. When the Tet arrives, the lunar New Year, the whole city is filled with pink petals of peach blossoms blown by the wind from the nearby peach forests. Sapa is also considered the kingdom of orchids: there are many different and all splendid species. Sapa is home to a great diversity of peoples belonging to ethnic minorities: Hmong, Dao, Tay, Giay and Xa Pho.
Baia di Ha Long
The Ha Long bay, a UNESCO heritage site, is a popular and spectacular tourist destination, located in the Gulf of Tonkin. Ha Long Bay includes about 2000 islands and islets rich in vegetation that form a splendid seascape of limestone pillars. Due to their steep nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and not contaminated by human presence. The extraordinary beauty of the site is completed by its great biological diversity: it hosts a great diversity of ecosystems including coral reefs, forests and freshwater marshes, mangrove forests, small freshwater lakes and sandy beaches. The islands are characterized by beautiful caves and caverns with interesting rock formations and hidden lakes.
Hoi An
Hoi An is a characteristic city on the South East Sea coast, in the province of Quang Nam, located in central Vietnam. The city is a well-preserved traditional Asian commercial port which developed between the 15th and 19th centuries. Its buildings and streets reflect the various populations, both indigenous and foreign, who have contributed to the construction of the city: traditional Vietnamese architecture combines with the architectural techniques of different countries, especially China and Japan. In 1999, the historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every month when there is a full moon, motorcycles are banned from the historic center, which turns into a magical land of silk lanterns, traditional foods, songs, dances and games on the streets.
Phu Quoc island
The teardrop-shaped island is located in the Gulf of Thailand, 45km west of Ha Tien and 15km south of the Cambodia coast. Phu Quoc is surrounded by some of Vietnam's most beautiful beaches and offers the best seafood in the country. Thanks to the verdant mountains, the luxuriant forests, the white beaches and the picturesque fishing villages, Phu Quoc is one of the main attractions of Vietnam: ideal for a beach holiday but also adventurous, thanks to the dirt roads suitable for motorcycling, the sea crystal clear perfect for kayaking and coral reef for diving and snorkeling. Phu Quoc is also famous for its two traditional products: fish sauce, prepared with anchovies caught in the area, and black pepper, grown inland. A thriving pearl farm has also recently been established.
 Vinh Long 2 |  Tre em mien nui 1 |  trang an 1 |  Nguoi dan toc 2 |  Lao Chai 1 |  Bac Ha 1 |
|---|
PASSPORT
To enter Vietnam you need a passport with a residual validity of at least 6 months from the date of entry into the country.
VISA
For entry into Vietnam, a visa is not required for stays of up to 15 days and single entry, until June 30, 2021. The acquisition of an entry visa remains necessary for stays with a single entry of more than 15 days or for stays with multiple entry. The visa for stays of 16 to 30 days can be requested on the website https://immigration.gov.vn/ or at the Italian Vietnamese embassy. The visa for periods longer than 30 days can be requested at the Vietnam Embassy in Italy or on arrival at the airport (so-called "visa on arrival"), with an additional cost for the service, only on condition that: in the country of where there is no Vietnamese Embassy; for emergency entrances, due to humanitarian reasons and technical missions; the visa is required by a Vietnamese travel agency accredited by the local authorities, with a special procedure (for a fee) which can take a couple of days. For further information, consult the Farnesina website: http://www.viaggiaresicuri.it .
HEALTH
No specific vaccinations are required for Vietnam. We recommend that you consult your doctor and a vaccination center before departure, although no vaccinations are formally required to enter the country. Malaria and dengue remain a problem in some regions, it is therefore advisable to bring good anti-mosquitoes from Italy and wear light clothes that cover arms and legs, especially in the evening. As an indication, it is good to start with bandages, analgesics, anti-diarrheal, anti-mosquitoes, sunscreen and medicines for colds and sore throats. Given the distance it is advisable to be in a good state of health before departure. If you are following specific medical treatment, you need to obtain a quantity of drugs in relation to the duration of the trip. Local pharmacies are generally well-stocked, but it is always best to bring your own supply. Guided tours off the beaten track require good physical condition and long journeys on sometimes damaged roads can be tiring for people suffering from back pain.
CLIMATE
Given its particular geo-climatic position, it is not easy to give advice on the best time to travel to Vietnam. The country has a rather variable climatic composition since it extends for about 2000km from North to South and about three quarters of its surface is mountainous. In general, the climate is hot and humid, especially during the summer months, and rains are frequent, even quite heavy. We therefore recommend clothing to protect yourself from the sun, but also a raincoat (it is also possible to bring an umbrella but often in the rain there is strong wind, which would therefore risk breaking the umbrella and would not protect you from the water). Our advice is to rely on our operators who together with you will know how to plan the best time for your trip, depending on your preferences and the places you want to visit.
CURRENCY
The national currency is the Dong (VND) and the exchange rate is around € 1 = 26,500 VND. For sums equal to or greater than USD 7000 a declaration of foreign currency will be required on arrival and the exchange is carried out easily in all hotels, just make sure that the state of the banknotes is excellent, so as not to run the risk of being refused the operation. Tourist checks are difficult to convert. The ATM service has improved considerably, it is now possible to withdraw money (exclusively VND) in most cities and tourist centers (Visa, Eurocard), although several ATMs limit the amount of money withdrawable per single withdrawal to about $ 100 in local currency.
TIME ZONE
The Vietnamese time zone is GMT + 7 hours, so there are 6 hours more than Italy when summer time is in effect and 5 hours more when solar time is in effect.
CUSTOMS
The declaration card must be delivered during the flight, it must be carefully compiled and carefully preserved until departure. Customs allowances allow you to bring a maximum of 2 liters of alcohol and 400 cigarettes with you.
LUGGAGE
On all domestic flights, the weight of checked baggage must not exceed 20 kg. Security checks are long and rigorous at all airports. During the flight, we advise you to carry in your hand baggage only the bare essentials such as your toilet case and some tablets, while for liquid drugs (insulin, syrups, etc.) it is necessary to present medical documentation to your first name. Do not bring sharp or pointed objects (knives, scissors ...) with you as they will be confiscated before boarding.
The dimensions of hand baggage must not exceed 56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm, and the weight up to 7 kg. We advise you to carefully check the dimensions, since many models on the market exceed the measures indicated above, in order not to incur the risk of having to pay a supplement. We remind you that hand baggage can be of particular help if you are in a position to face a delay or loss of your main bags and face the night at the hotel. The price for additional baggage is quite high.
ELECTRICITY'
In Vietnam the current has a power of 220V and it is advisable to bring a flashlight in case of blackout. It is advisable to bring international adapters that are still easily purchased in markets and supermarkets.
DRINKS
The prices shown do not include drinks. Tea is consumed in all ways, especially green tea. The local coffee is particularly tasty, very aromatic and fragrant with a chocolate flavor (Vietnam is the second largest coffee exporter in the world after Brazil). Tap water is not drinkable anywhere, so you need to drink bottled water.
KITCHEN
Vietnamese cuisine is extremely varied and able to harmoniously combine different influences: Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese and French. It will be possible to taste a great variety of soups, chicken or pork dishes; in the south of the country, the dishes are often based on fish and seafood, but rice accompanies every meal, throughout Vietnam. In the preparation of the dishes, particular attention is paid to the use of aromas and spices, such as coriander, lemongrass, ginger, mint and "Nuoc Mam" (fish sauce). In all the hotels associated with your tour, the breakfast that will be served to you will be continental.
SHOPPING
Vietnam is rich in local crafts: you can choose from a multitude of bamboo, wood, marble, lacquer, silk and embroidered fabrics. Antiques are strictly regulated and controlled (at customs level).
INTERNET
In large cities, most hotels have an Internet room, while in newly built ones, there is often wifi in the room. There are many cafes and restaurants where you can connect to the internet via wifi.
TELEPHONE AND FAX
The cost for international calls is high, so it is advisable to buy a local prepaid SIM card (Vinaphone and Viettel are the most famous companies) to call, send SMS, or connect to the internet. It takes around 10-15 days for mail delivery to Europe and the postage costs for shipping a postcard are quite low. You can deliver your mail to the reception of your hotel.
PHOTOGRAPHY
With rare exceptions the Vietnamese are very kind and willing to be photographed, but as a courtesy, it is polite to ask for permission if you intend to photograph monks or to take a close-up. It is strictly forbidden to take photographs and videos in areas at risk such as airports, bridges, military structures ...
TRAFFIC
Traffic jams are frequent in the two largest cities of Vietnam, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The highway network is not yet adequately developed and infrastructure is still far from western standards in general. The bus is the most comfortable way to get around, its price is very low, but the wait is long. In the big cities it is possible to move easily and economically with taxis.
SAFETY
Accidents are rare. However, it is always advisable to be vigilant especially in popular tourist resorts. Despite being a very safe country, in which episodes of theft are rare, it is always better not to openly flaunt the valuables that you carry with you.
CLOTHING
Bring everyday clothes, practical, light and easy to clean (preferably non-synthetic cotton for better breathability) and comfortable shoes for visits on foot. In autumn and winter it is advisable to bring warm clothing. A light scarf and a raincoat can be useful, especially during the monsoon season. In Vietnam air conditioning is omnipreseent, so don't forget to bring a light sweatshirt or scarf with you to protect yourself from drafts or colds that could make your trip less pleasant.
GOOD HABITS
As in all Asian countries, the main rule is patience. One should not get angry and it is advisable to avoid raising the tone of voice. There are few taboos that still resist, but it is advisable to avoid kissing in public places, shaking hands or informally greeting the elderly. Do not plant the chopsticks vertically in the rice bowl as they may resemble the incense sticks used to honor the dead. The concept of "face" is very important: often a "yes" has a different meaning and is granted for the sole purpose of not losing face. It is advisable never to show anger or aggression: raising the tone of voice risks not getting any results. Any discussion or negotiation should be carried out with gentleness and patience and it is good to have a good dose of humor as a valid support in dealing with criticisms and inconveniences.
TIPS
Tips are welcome and rewarding in case of qualified service, their amount is at your discretion.