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Ho Chi Minh City has a pleasant tropical climate with two alternate seasons: dry and rainy. The dry season
runs from November through April with average temperatures around 28oC and the rainy season from May through
October. The rain, however, never last too long while the sun is not too hot.
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Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| Temperature (oC) |
21-32 |
23-33 |
24-34 |
26-35 |
25-34 |
25-32 |
24-32 |
24-32 |
24-31 |
31-24 |
31-23 |
31-21 |
| Humidity (%) |
61-69 |
56-66 |
58-63 |
60-63 |
71-72 |
77-78 |
79-80 |
77-78 |
78-80 |
77-80 |
74-75 |
68-72 |
| Rainfall (mm) |
5-15 |
0-15 |
5-10 |
15-25 |
200-230 |
290-310 |
270-285 |
270-280 |
300-320 |
260-275 |
100-120 |
30-40 |
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Offices are usually open from Monday to Friday from 07:30am or 08:00am until 04:00pm or 06:00pm and often close
for lunch between 11:30am and 13:00pm. Some offices also open Saturday morning. Shops open early and close any
time between 06:00pm and 10:00pm. Most shops are open 7 days a week.
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The currency in Vietnam, the Dong (VND), and the current exchange rate is round VND16.124 to the US dollar.
US dollars widely accept at hotels, but you should have local currency for use in taxis and shops. Credit
card acceptance, especially for Visa, Master Card, is spreading in high-end hotels, restaurants and shops
in big cities.
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Vietnamese uses 220V electricity nationwide. In the South, outlets are often US-style flat pins. In the North,
many outlets felt round pins. As the electrical current varies, use a surge projector when running sensitive
electronic equipments like laptops.
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It is not advisable to drink tap water but bottled mineral water is safe and available everywhere. Ice in
drinks is generally accepted in good standard hotels and restaurants but it is best to avoid it on street
stalls or in country areas.
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There is a wide range of accommodation available, at least in Vietnam's major cities. Hanoi and HCM City feature a
choice on five-star hotels, while guesthouses and mini hotels offer no-frills rooms for under US$15. As hotels and
private hosts must register your presence with the police, you'll be expected to hand over your passport, along with
your visa number and your yellow form.
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While Vietnam is one of the safest countries in Asia, you should take care with your possessions. Secure your valuables,
documents and credit cards in your hotel's safe. Beware of pickpockets, purse-snatchers and mobile phone thieves,
especially in HCM City. It you choose to drive a motorbike or ride a bicycle, always wear a helmet.
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International phone charges are steep in Vietnam and many hotels, especially up market ones, add extra fees. Check the rates
before dialing. One long-distance service offers a flat fee of around US$ 0.75 per minute to 50 countries; dial 171 followed
by the country code and number. Public phones require phone cards, which are available at post offices. Faxes can be sent
from hotels, business centers or post offices. Again, rates vary. Hanoi and HCM City offer dozens of internet cafes.
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All tourists who want to enter Vietnam must present their entry visa, except citizens of countries which are granted
visa exemption such as Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Cuba, Japan and Korea. Entry visas are obtainable at Vietnamese
diplomatic missions and passports of months' validity are requires. A 30-day tourist visa is usually sufficient for
tourists though it is possible to arrange 3-month or 6-month multiple entry visas for business people.
Tourists who wish to extend, supplement or amend their certificates of temporary residence in Vietnam should follow
the procedures at the office of provincial public security (the Immigration Department). Special cases of temporary
residence shall be processed at The Immigration Department
Ha Noi: 40A Hang Bai St. in Hanoi. Tel: (84-4) 826 6200
Ho Chi Minh: 161 Nguyen Du St., Dist. 1, Tel: (84-8) 829 9398.
Many tour operators can extend your visa for a fee.
Visa fee:
• Entry visa and transition visa: US$25
• Visa extension: US$10
• Multiple-entry visa: US$40 to US$100
• Multiple-entry visa extensions: US$16
• A group of tourists (at least 5 people) entering Vietnam from Bangkok may
apply for visa at the port of entry but the travel agencies in Bangkok must contact with the responsible
office in Vietnam to comply with the procedure and pay a fee approximately US$35.
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Tipping for good service is not expected but is always appreciated in these developing nations. It is customary,
though not compulsory, to tip tour guides and drivers at the end of a tour. Hotel and station porters should
also be tipped.
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