A detailed overview of Vietnam, including history, politics, people, culture, cliamte holidays, regions, travel and transport, visa information, safety, food and useful contacts from Wikitravel Vietnam. And this detailed practical guide from Choice tells you everything you need to know to travel effectively in Vietnam.
Visa information: tourist visas must be issued before arrival and the typical visa is valid for 30 or 90 days, explains Travelfish. This is the most popular style of visa used by travellers to Vietnam. In some rare cases, the visa begins to expire from the day it is issued, so it is a good idea to get your visa as close as possible to your intended arrival date. Visitors from Scandinavia, Southeast Asia, and Western Europe get a free 15-day Visa, while citizens of the US, Canada, and Australia can apply for visa on arrival through a recognised travel agent, reports Inspitrip.
Language: comprehensive guide to Vietnamese language, pronunciation and phrases at Vietnamese 101.
Currency: You'll have no trouble finding exchange outlets in tourist areas and cities, reports Choice, but don't change money anywhere that doesn't look official (for example, in souvenir or jewellery shops). Black market money exchange is illegal and you could be ripped off. Tourists need both US dollars and Vietnamese dong for travelling around Vietnam, says The Travelista -- US dollars are commonly used for tourists booking a tour, domestic transport or paying for a hotel, Vietnamese dong are most commonly used for more local enterprises such as restaurants, bars, shops and market stalls. And go to XE for current rates.