Travelling in Vietnam
If you've ever been interested in visiting Vietnam come along with us on our trip and enjoy the beauty, history and exotic timelessness of Vietnam.
We'll be updating this page with reviews, videos, photos, information and experiences from our travels so join us on our trip around the world and our exciting third stop, Vietnam!
Table of Contents
General Information on Vietnam
Vietnam (; ), officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (; /ko?? h?a?? sa??? hoi? t?u??? ?i???? v??t? nam/), is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea to the east. With a population of over 86 million, Vietnam is the 13th most populous country in the world.
Vietnam was under Chinese control for a thousand years before becoming a nation-state in the 10th century. Successive dynasties flourished along with geographic and political expansion deeper into Southeast Asia, until it was colonized by the French in the mid-19th century. Efforts to resist the French eventually led to their expulsion from the country in the mid-20th century, leaving a nation divided politically into two countries. Fighting between the two sides continued during the Vietnam War, ending with a communist victory in 1975.
Emerging from this prolonged military engagement, the war-ravaged nation was politically isolated. The government's centrally planned economic decisions hindered post-war reconstruction and its treatment of the losing side engendered more resentment than reconciliation. In 1986, it instituted economic and political reforms and began a path towards international reintegration. By 2000, it had established diplomatic relations with most nations. Its economic growth had been among the highest in the world in the past decade. These efforts culminated in Vietnam joining the World Trade Organization in 2007 and its successful bid to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in 2008.
Vietnamese Visa Information
A visa is required to enter Vietnam unless you are a national of one of the following countries: Cambodia, China, Malaysia, Laos, Bulgaria, Cuba, Korea, Romania and the Philippines.Tourist visas are valid for 30 days but can be extended for a fee at major cities. You will need to apply for your Vietnam visa before arriving in the country so if your travel plans or open ended or Vietnam is not your first stop you need to apply for your visa while on the road. Head to the nearest Vietnamese embassy and bring your passport, one passport sized photo and money to pay the fee. The fee may vary slightly based on what country you are applying in.
Make sure you double check all visa requirements for your nationality as requirements may change on short notice. See the links below to get started.
Vietnam Visa Resources
- The Vietnam Government Website
- Official Visa Information
- Vietnam Embassy in Canada
- Information for Canadians
- Vietnam Embassy in the United States
- Information for Americans
Vote for your Favorite Vietnam Travel Guide
Frommer's Vietnam: Including Angkor Wat (Frommer's Complete) by Sherisse Pham
Frommers Vietnam is an amazingly detailed guide th more...0 points
Vietnam (Country Guide) by Nick Ray
Discover Vietnam. Lie back on your very own junk a more...0 points
The Rough Guide to Vietnam 5 (Rough Guide Travel Guides) by Rough Guides
The Rough Guide to Vietnam is ideal for people who more...0 points
National Geographic Traveler: Vietnam (National Geographic Traveler) by James Sullivan
This authoritative guide to all the major sights y more...0 points
Talk to the Locals...
Being able to say some basic words while in Vietnam can go a long way. If you can't find the words, a smile works well to.
Learning to speak a little Vietnamese will be very appreciated by any local you talk to. You'll be surprised how people will lighten up and try to help you out if you just give it a try.Hello (generic) - Sin chow
Hello (to a female) - Chow-chee
Hello (to a male) - Chow-ahn
Thank you - Cahm uhn
Yes - Yah
No - Kong
Please help me - Sin jupe toy
I don't know - Toy kong beet?
How are you? - Kweh kong
Fine, thank you - Yah kweh cahm uhn
The translations are written phonetically and question marks have been put in so you have a better idea of the correct tone. For more practice or to learn more see the links and vietnamese language programs below.
Vietnamese Language Links
- Learning Vietnamese
- Learning Vietnamese - a very brief text-only guide to some useful spoken Vietnamese phrases, phonetically spelled in English.
- Learn Vietnamese
- Interactive resources for Vietnamese language and culture offered by Center for Southeast Asian Studies and Northern Illinois University.
- Online Vietnamese Listening Program
- An online listening program for beginners of Vietnamese to practice pronounciation and get used to hearing the language.
Want to learn more?
If you want to go beyond the basics of learning vietnamese check out these language programs from Amazon.
Basic Vietnamese: Learn to Speak and Understand Vietnamese with Pimsleur Language Programs (Simon & Schuster's Pimsleur)
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 12/01/2008) 
Vietnamese: Learn to Speak and Understand Vietnamese with Pimsleur Language Programs (Pimsleur)
Amazon Price: $14.96 (as of 12/01/2008)
Vietnam Travel Videos
The Latest Blog Posts on Vietnam Travel
- Ming Dynasty delectables - Hanoi, Vietnam Travel Blog
- Ming Dynasty delectables: Read the story and see photos of a visit to Hanoi, Vietnam by TravelPod member tainguyentho.
- Hanoi. - Hanoi, Vietnam Travel Blog
- Hanoi.: Read the story and see photos of a visit to Hanoi, Vietnam by TravelPod member thecolleys.
- The joys of budget travelling - Hue, Vietnam Travel Blog
- The joys of budget travelling: Read the story and see photos of a visit to Hue, Vietnam by TravelPod member lissas13.
Current Weather in Ho Chi Minh City
Current weather conditions in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Local Pollen Reports
23°C (Feels like 23°C)
Last update: 12/1/08 11:00 PM Local Time
Humidity: 78%Visibility: 10.0 km
Dew Point: 19°C
UV Index: 0 (Lawn and Garden Weather)
Barometer: 1010.8mm steady
Moon: Rush Hour Traffic
Wind: 8km/h From: Airport Conditions
Tonight
Low
Low: 21°C
Sunrise: 5:56 AM
Sunset: 5:29 PM
Tuesday
Dec 2
N/A
High: 30°C
Low: 21°C
Sunrise: 5:57 AM
Sunset: 5:29 PM
Wednesday
Dec 3
Scattered T-Storms
High: 32°C
Low: 22°C
Sunrise: 5:57 AM
Sunset: 5:29 PM
Thursday
Dec 4
Scattered T-Storms
High: 32°C
Low: 22°C
Sunrise: 5:58 AM
Sunset: 5:30 PM
Book your trip to Vietnam!
Comments? Questions?
Do you have a comment or question? Maybe you've been to Vietnam and have a suggestion for a attraction we just have to see, or hotel we have to stay at? We want to know!
