Vietnam Tours


This page contains useful information for general travel. If you are looking for information specifically related to rock climbing, please visit our Vietnam Rock Climbing page and its various links.http://footsteptravel.com/en/
 
<a href="http://footsteptravel.com/en">MOST IMPORTANT</a>
Crossing the Street: There are more motorbikes than people in Hanoi. Similar numbers exist in Ho Chi Minh City. Conversely, there are about as many stoplights and street signs as there are hot dog stands. Somehow the system works and the city rarely sees bad traffic. However, as a walking pedestrian the constant flow of traffic, may seem a little daunting especially when trying to get from one side of the road to another. Here’s the trick: Pick a spot on the other side of the road and aim for it, keep your eyes on that spot and start walking. Occasionally, look both ways to make sure a semi-truck isn’t barreling towards you, but otherwise just keep walking at a steady pace and traffic will weave around. Don’t hesitate and try to dodge traffic or you’ll create a disaster. Let them dodge you and everything will be fine. Of course this is our best suggestion based on our experience, but please take every precaution necessary to keep yourself safe.
 
 
<a href="http://footsteptravel.com/en">ALSO IMPORTANT</a>
OK. Remember that you're coming to a developing nation. Respect the fact that there are many poor people who need money and will do anything for it. So don't get flustered, it's all part of the experience. Here are some general rules of thumb to help you get by:
 
1) <a href="http://footsteptravel.com/en/?cat_id=9:Customize-Tours&subcat_id=27:Vietnam-Adventure-Tours">Learn the Language</a> - if you don’t know any Vietnamese you are considered a full blown tourist, and as a tourist you are thought to have endless amounts of money. It is common for vendors to charge higher prices for tourists. If you learn some basic Vietnamese you'll be more respected and thus charged lower prices. Vietnamese love to see your interest in their country, so speak a little lingo and you'll likely be invited to family dinners, crazy local Karaoke jams, or rice wine parties. Or you can take the lazier route and only shop at the scarce stores with fixed prices printed on the merchandise.
 
2) <a href="http://footsteptravel.com/en">Haggle</a> - if you are purchasing anything without a price tag on it, you can assume that the first price given is high. When the price is given, show that you are surprised and let them know that it is expensive. Then use your haggling skills to get the price down within reason. Walking away is usually the best way to get near the price you want. That said keep the prices in perspective. It's easy to feel a bit sheepish when you realize you'd been haggling righteously over a few cents.
 
3) <a href="http://footsteptravel.com/en">What You Pay for Is What You Get</a> - in a world of fixed prices and quality control, bargain hunting is well justified. But in Vietnam, this law does not apply especially for services. A better way to look at it here is - the cheaper you pay the poorer the quality. So take the time to compare products and prices before jumping into the purchase. If you find a pair of Nike's for $80 with the price tag on it, they’re probably real. If you find a pair of $10 Nike's they're most likely fake and of cheap quality. If you want a cheap meal, you can eat Pho Bo ("street beef") for less than $1, but don't expect the person who’s handling the beef to have the cleanest hands, dishes, or cookware. In Vietnam, everything that can be copied will be copied. So when purchasing items like jewelry or electronics take careful consideration to prove that the product is authentic. For services, the first price given is what you should accept with a grain of salt. Any bargaining you do will result in poorer quality service. One guy found out the hard way when he got half his beard shaved at the barbor shop!!
 
4) <a href="http://footsteptravel.com/en">Tours</a> - taking tours to popular destinations is common in Vietnam. If you are one of the tour-takers, keep in mind that the quality of your tour is reflected in the price (refer to rule #3). For example, Backpacker Billy is 20 years old and shops around for the cheapest 3-day tour to Ha Long Bay. Wow! He finds a kayaking/sightseeing tour for $35. He's given wonderful visions of kayaking into lagoons with other back packers, exploring caves, five-course meals, and so on. So the day of his tour comes along and his bus is 2 hours late, has 16 seats for 24 people, and is filled with 70-year olds. He gets to Ha Long City and there's no boat ready to pick them up. Finally they find the boat, but it has no refrigeration, more rats than crew members, no roof deck to relax and talk to his peers about...retirement and dentures. The group is spoon fed boring itineraries by a tour guide who barely speaks English. The itinerary includes visiting a cave with ugly florescent lights and millions of other tourists, kayaking for a total of 1.5 hours, and the five-course meal really is only five dishes for ten people to share. We see this sort of thing time and time again. The solutions: a) do some good internet research to find quality companies prior to coming here and stick with them b) ask us for our recommendations for tour companies c) don't take a tour; go to the location and explore on your own - you can set up day-trips or excursions once you've arrived at the destination to avoid being locked into a multi-day disaster!
 
5) <a href="http://footsteptravel.com/en">Water</a> - use bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, and washing food. Only use water bottled by a reputable company and sealed at the cap. Some suggestions include: Aquafina, Aquaplus, Joy, and La Vie. A 1.5 Liter of bottled water should cost about 4,000-10,000 Dong depending on where you are buying it. Market prices are cheapest and small shops with unmarked prices are most expensive.
 
<a href="http://footsteptravel.com/en/?cat_id=9:Customize-Tours">CURRENCY</a> Vietnamese currency is Dong (VND). Foreign currencies can be exchanged at the bank, exchange bureaus or hotel reception desks. Travelers' checks and most types of credit cards are accepted in major cities. There is usually a 3%-5% processing charge for credit card advances. We recommend you exchange cash prior to departing major cities.
 
<a href="http://footsteptravel.com/en">TIME</a>
Time zone: GMT/UTC + 7 (the same zone with Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia)
Typical work days are Monday to Friday.
Office hours: Morning: 07h30 - 12h00; Afternoon: 13h00 - 16h30.
Museums are usually closed on Monday but you can visit temples and pagodas every day. Most restaurants and shops operate from 08h00 till 22h00.
 
 

01 January: New Year's Day
Late January to mid-February: Vietnamese Lunar New Year (04 days off).
30 April: Re-unification Day
 
01 May: International Workers' Day.
02 September: National Day
 

<a href="http://footsteptravel.com/en/?cat_id=8:Mekong-Cruises">INTERNET AND MOBILE PHONES</a>
Email & Internet:
E-mail and Internet services are available in most hotels and post offices in Vietnam. There is an abundance of small internet cafes in most major cities.
Mobile phones:
In Vietnam you will be able to use your mobile phone as long as it is programmed for roaming internationally. This can be expensive. You can also rent a mobile phone, which may be easier and less costly than roaming charges. A pre-paid phone card is also an option (this service is available at some hotels or at a mobile phone service center on the street).
 
<a href="http://footsteptravel.com/en">FOOD & DRINK</a>
There is literally a world of food in Vietnam. Everyone has brought something into this country. The French, Americans, English and Chinese all brought their own unique influences. Of course there is the very popular nem (spring rolls) and pho (Vietnamese noodle soup). They are eaten together with rice or noodles. Vegetarian foods, dietary dishes and western menus are also available at some restaurants. A rich variety of tropical fruits is on hand year round, however, it will vary depending upon the season.
Imported beers and alcohols are available in most hotels, restaurants and shops. There are many Vietnamese brands or country wines made from rice. If you prefer to drink water, please use bottled mineral water (Aquafina or Joy), which has an unbroken seal.
 

Vietnam Airlines and Air Asia are some of the most popular domestic carriers. For international travel visit our Travel Info page.Please keep in your mind that we are here to assist you at any time for Vietnam Travel Guide, Halong Bay Tour, . Just simply email us or call us at (+84)978 198 489 to talk with our professional travel advisors

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