North: In the highlands Nov-Mar, it is very cold, especially mornings. Jacket necessary. South: T-shirts are enough all year around, except in the highlands, where it can be cooler. Apr-May is very hot. Hats are essential to avoid sun stroke.
* Can I use credit card
Most of the shops in Vietnam do not accept international business credit cards or they will charge fees for using credit card. However, if the card has Visa/Master logo, one can easily withdraw money from ATMs. Many banks such as Vietcombank, Techcombank, BIDV, HSBC… provide ATM facility for international cards.
* Tips for exchange money
Money Exchange and Financial Transactions in Vietnam are quite easy. One can exchange money into Vietnam Dong at various banks in Vietnam. Starting from airports to the hotels, you would get money exchange facility at various places.
The banks only accept some note: USD, EUR, AUD, THB, JPY, SGD. Other currency you can change at Ha Trung street (Hanoi)
All exchange places have ‘buy’ and ‘sell’ rates. It implies that one can either sell his currency or buy the local currency. However, there’s always an undisclosed commission. Always ask them about their commission rate before changing your currency. Moreover, there is a different rate for Travelers’ Cheques/Checks (T/C).
* Vietnamese Denomination:
* Transportation
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) is the largest and busiest airport of Vietnam, serving the city of Ho Chi Minh. Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi and Da Nang International Airport (DAD) in Da Nang are other important airports.
Noi Bai Airport is 35 km from Hanoi, about 1 hour drive. A taxi from the airport to the city costs 300,000 VND (taxi Noi Bai – 0964 664 569). For a minibus into the city, wait outside the terminal building, it costs 40,000 from Noi Bai to No1, Quang Trung, Hanoi.
Tan Son Nhat International Airport is 8km from District 1, a taxi from the airport to Ben Thanh Market cost 150,000VND.
* Vietnamese foods
Hanoi has rich food traditions and many of Vietnam’s most famous dishes
Perhaps most widely known is “Pho”, a simple rice noodle soup often eaten as a breakfast dish in the home or at street side cafes, but also served in restaurants as a meal. “Cha Ca” also a good choice for tasting Vietnamese food.
* Here are some culinary address for your reference
