On arrival in Vietnam, you must complete white and blue duplicate arrival-departure forms. The blue copy is to be kept with your passport at all times. Hotels, guest houses and private hosts must register overnight guests with the local police and these blue forms are essential for this purpose.
Incoming visitors must also fill out duplicate yellow and white customs declaration forms. The yellow copy is to remain with your passport until departure. Do not lose it!
On the yellow and white Customs Forms you are expected to declare:
- Cameras, camcorders and other electric equipments not for personal use
- Currency:  over US$3,000
- Jewellery:  not for personal use
- Video tapes:  (they may be kept for a few days and screened)
Duty free allowances are 200 cigarettes, two litres of alcohol,  perfume and jewellery for personal use.

BANNED MATERIALS

Vietnam has strict laws on bringing  anti-government literature, pornography, firearms and weapons into the country. CDs and tapes are often retained for screening, but will be returned after a few days. It is illegal to remove antiques from Vietnam. When buying handicrafts, especially those that look old, ask the retailer for a receipt and declaration that the item may be exported.

VIET NAM LANGUAGE

- Vietnamese is the official language. (click here to learn basic Vietnamese you need when you travel in Vietnam)
- Almost tourist guides speak languages: English, Chinese, French, Russian and Japanese.

VIET NAM CURRENCY

The currency issued by the Vietnam State Bank is the Dong (abbreviated "D" or VND), which is used uniformly throughout the country. There are presently bank notes in circulation in dominations of:

100 dong; 200 dong; 500 dong; 1,000 dong; 2,000 dong
5,000 dong; 10,000 dong; 20,000 dong; 50,000 dong; 100,000 dong; 500,000 dong
Coin: 200 dong; 500 dong; 1,000 dong; 2,000 dong; 5,000 dong;

Traveller's cheques and credit cards (American Express, Visa, Mastercard) are exchanged for Vietnamese dong at the banks. Cards can be used in travel agencies, hotels, and major restaurants. US currency is exchanged for Vietnamese dong and treasury notes in banks, exchange bureaus, hotels, and jewellery shops. The exchange rate always changes. When leaving the country, remaining Vietnamese currency can be exchanged for US dollars at the exchange bureau at the airport.

EMMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS

POST AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

POST SERVICE:
Regular international post service is available. In addition, there are some new specialized services:
- Express Mail Service (EMS). The domestic EMS ensures that letters and small parcels are delivered within 24-48 hours. International EMS is associated with nearly 30 countries worldwide, with a delivery time ranging from 2 to 10 days. Air mail and small parcels, however, are subjected to additional charges.
- Express money transfer: Money is delivered to the receiver within 24 hours.
- Flower delivery: can be ordered by telephone. This service delivers messages such, as greetings or condolences, together with flowers, money, or goods (allowed in circulation) to the receiver by request of the sender.

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES:
- International long-distance calls (direct): To make an international direct dial (IDD) call,  first dial the international prefix (00) followed by the country code, area code, and the local number. If  you are unable to contact the requested number, dial 110 for operator assistance.
- Domestic long-distance calls: To place a domestic long-distance call, first dial the national prefix (01) followed by the area code and local number. If you are unable to reach the required number, dial 101 for operator assistance.
- Facsimile (Fax): Fax machines are quickly proliferating in Vietnam. Public and registered fax machines are available in hotels, businesses, and public offices.
Local and international phonecards, mobile phones, pagers, and database netlink services are also available.
- The "1080, 1088, 108" service is for inquiries by phone on socio-economic and cultural information.
- This service also runs an advertisements and business self introduction scheme.

VIETNAM TIME
GMT plus 7 hours

Office hours:
All Government offices are open from 8.00 a.m. to 17.00 p.m.(with a one-hour lunch break) from Monday to Friday. Saturday and Sunday are holiday.
In local regions, offices are open from 7:00 am to 11:00 p.m. and from 13:00p.m. to 17:00 p.m. Banks are open from 7:30 or 8:00 a.m. to 15:30p.m. Banks are closed on Saturday afternoons and Sundays.
Private shops are open from 8:00 or 8:30 a.m. to 21:00 or 22:00 p.m.

Public Holidays

January 1	New Year's Day, (one day holiday)
April 30	Saigon Liberation Day, (one day holiday)
May 1	International Labour Day, (one day holiday)
September 2	National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, (one day holiday)
Vietnam Traditional Lunar New Year Festival - Tet Nguyen Dan:(Four day  holiday).  Tet usuallu falls  in January or February. The holiday begins on the eve and the first three days of the Lunar New Year

GUIDE-HANDBOOK
Things to remember It's in your best interests not to drink the tap water, especially after flooding! Avoid cyclo ride after dark. Dress modestly and appropriately when visiting local dwellings and religious sites, etc. Leave your valuables behind before a night out on the town, or going to the beach. When crossing the road, especially in Ho Chi Minh city, always keep looking to the left and right and walk slowly! Do not offer money directly to minority people - instead donate to a local charity or offer a small gift, such as pens. Try at least once the delicious, local street food. Always ask permission first before taking photographs, especially in minority areas.	Things do not to miss Sleeping out on deck on a boat in Halong Bay Ordering custom-made clothes from the local tailor shop Taking a slow cyclo ride through the French Quarter of old Saigon Eating pho ga (chicken noodle soup) at a street side noodle stalls. Watching the traditional water - puppet performance in Hanoi. Experience the full moon festivities in the ancient town of Hoi An. Drinking rice-wine in the minority villages of the north Taking a boat along Hue's Huong (Perfume) River, visiting the Royal Mausoleums. Overnight in a homestay in the Mekong Delta's riverside orchards. Bartering for a bargain at Saigon's largest market, Ben Thanh Market Taking a stroll through Hanoi's Old Quarters.