At a glance:
Vietnam is a Southeast Asian country known for its beaches, rivers, Buddhist pagodas and bustling cities. Hanoi, the capital, pays homage to the nation’s iconic Communist-era leader, Ho Chi Minh, via a huge marble mausoleum. Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) has French colonial landmarks, plus Vietnamese War history museums and the Cu Chi tunnels, used by Viet Cong soldiers. Given its historic past, Vietnam is a country that offers a unique perspective for travelers. Blessed with an insanely diverse landscape, you could be sliding down sand dunes in the morning, taking a stroll by the beach by noon and walking around a UNESCO heritage town by afternoon.
Population: The current population of Vietnam is 98,962,189 based on projections of the latest United Nations data. The UN estimates the July 1, 2022 population at 98,953,541 according to the World Population Review updated by Jul, 2022.
Currency: The official currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND), although in some places, USD is also accepted. Credit cards are available when you are in restaurant or hotel or shopping mall.
Electricity Socket: 220V AC electricity. Power outlets are often compatible with either the standard US plug or the European one as well. To avoid the hassle of having to buy new adaptors for everywhere you go, you should prepare in advance.
Visa: After the lock down due to Covid 19, Immigration policy has changed a lot in which there are only 80 countries allowed to apply for Evisa to enter Vietnam, some can enter Vietnam without Visa as below:
Visa-free for 30 days: Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Kyrgyzstan
Visa-free for 21 days: The Philippines
Visa-free for 15 days: Belarus, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Russia, Sweden, Norway, Finland, The UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain
Visa-free for 14 days: Brunei, Myanmar
There are 80 countries that allowed to do Evisa to enter Vietnam, please click here: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/documents/20181/117155/Vietnam-Evisa-nation-list.pdf/21e0f88f-d8a0-48b8-bfdb-a0f82b0853e2
If you need to apply for an E-visa, you will a valid passport(at least 6 month valid), 1 straight photo (4*6cm) and you can arrange within 3-5 working day to complete it. However, as visa regulations change all the time, make sure you consult the government’s website to get an accurate idea on the regulations.
Safety: Generally speaking, Vietnam is a pretty safe country to travel to. Although there are a few scams to watch out for, the most common accident that happens is motorbike related. While driving a motorbike in Vietnam is something that we recommend you do, make sure that you have the proper licence from your home country. Most travel insurance policies won’t cover you otherwise.
Language: In larger cities like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, heaps of people speak a decent level of English making it a relatively easy place to travel. However, as with most places, as soon as you venture towards smaller towns and mountainous regions, the level of English drops. With this in mind, having a good grasp of a few basic Vietnamese words can go a long way. Words like petrol, hotel, and bathroom are definitely high up there on the list of must-know words.
