Laws in Vietnam for tourists. When and why should you go to Vietnam? Vietnam has a curfew

Holidays in Vietnam in the summer are becoming more and more popular. Every year more and more tourists from all over the world come here to have a good time away from everyday worries and problems, to get acquainted with local traditions, cuisine and culture. Due to some blurring of the geographical position of Vietnam, there is no unequivocal answer about the time and timing of holidays in this country.

In order to understand when it is better to fly to Vietnam for a vacation, you must proceed from the date indicated on the ticket. The fact is that the territory of the country has an elongated location, which is why the climate in different parts of Vietnam at the same time of the year has different temperatures.

Vietnam: where is the best place to go in summer?

Conventionally, Vietnam can be divided into 3 climatic zones - South, Central and North. Varied topography, changing wind direction throughout the year, the difference in latitude create their own microclimate in these areas, completely different from each other.

North Vietnam

Summer in North Vietnam is usually rainy, with noticeably fewer sunny days than in other regions of the country. Winter here is cool, almost windless. The most popular resort here is Halong. Not far from it is the capital of Vietnam - Hanoi, as well as the city of Sapa, famous for its mountain landscape, and the largest port center - Haiphong.

Holidays in Vietnam are coming - when is it better to go on vacation to the northern part of the country? The most favorable months for a pleasant pastime in the north of the country are October, the first half of May and the whole of April. During this period of time, there is little rainfall, and the water in the sea is well warmed up and suitable for swimming.

In winter, the air temperature here fluctuates between + 17 ° + 20 ° C. February and March are the months when it rains incessantly. January is considered the coldest month. The temperature in the mountains can drop below +5°C, frosts are not uncommon. The average air temperature in North Vietnam is +28°+30° C. The rainiest season is from the end of May to the end of September.

Central Vietnam

When to fly to Vietnam to the Central region of the country? The rainy season in this part of the state begins a little later than in other areas, beginning of July and closer to August. The greatest amount of precipitation occurs in October-November. Sometimes during the rainy season, typhoons with powerful destructive power can visit the country.


At this time, other regions of the country are already flooded with hot sunshine and receive thousands of visiting tourists on their territory. Da Nang, Nha Trang, Hue, Hoi An are the most visited resorts by travelers from all over the world. The peak of attendance is in spring and summer - the most favorable times of the year for family holidays. The dry season in Central Vietnam lasts from February to August. There is very little rain during this period, and the air temperature warms up to + 30 ° + 35 ° C. When moving to the northern part of the country, the temperature gradually decreases, while moving to the south, on the contrary, it becomes warmer.

South Vietnam: summer holidays

When is the best time to go on vacation to Vietnam, to its southern part? What are the conditions for tourists to relax here? The temperature in the southern region of the country, compared to its other climatic zones, is more or less stable throughout the year. The difference in air temperature varies only by 3-4°C from month to month. The average temperature range is +26°+33° C.


The south of the country is incredibly popular with tourists, because it is in South Vietnam that such resorts as Mui Ne, Vung Tau, Phan Thiet, Phu Quoc Island, as well as the country's second largest city, Ho Chi Minh, are located. You can vacation in South Vietnam all year round.

If you want to look at Vietnam, when is the best time to go on vacation so as not to fall into the rainy season? The rainiest months in the region are the summer months. In general, the rainy season is from April to November. The amount of precipitation falling during this time is 90% of the total annual rate (approximately 2000 mm).


Do not be afraid of these summer rains - they pour onto the ground, as a rule, in the evening and at night, and in the morning the sea coast is already warmed by the rays of the rising sun and welcomes the first lovers of water procedures. Occasionally, strong typhoons can also occur in South Vietnam, just like in the central part of the country.
Many tourists do not have the opportunity to take a vacation in July or August. Therefore, we advise you to read the article:.
Holidays in Vietnam - when is the best time to go in the southern region of the country? The most favorable in terms of beach holidays, excursions, study walks are the months from December to April. It rains quite a bit during this period of time, the water temperature is well warmed up (+25°+27° C). Travelers who cannot stand the intense heat are best to go on vacation in January and February. From the end of February to May, South Vietnam is under the influence of the scorching sun, the hottest month here is April, the temperature sometimes reaches + 37 ° C.

Holidays in Vietnam: how to combine business with pleasure?

Not all tourists come to Vietnam solely for the purpose of sunbathing on snow-white sandy beaches, swimming in crystal clear sea water, diving, riding scooters and jet skis. Many travelers visit the country also in order to:

• try the National cuisine;
• get acquainted with the traditions and customs of local residents;
• take part in guided tours to important historical and cultural sites;
• see the sights of Vietnamese cities with your own eyes;
• buy original souvenirs, gifts, natural cosmetics, etc.

Vietnam in the summer - where is it better to go for a cultural holiday? Travel agencies recommend that people who want to combine a beach holiday with a cultural pastime choose the Hoi An resort for travel. Tourists who dream of combining both a beach holiday and an acquaintance with the huge city of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) can choose a route through Nha Trang or Phan Thiet. It is most convenient to get to these cities from Ho Chi Minh City, which can be perfectly examined by staying here for a few days.

When is the best time to go to Nha Trang?

Nha Trang and Phan Thiet are the most visited cities in Vietnam by tourists, because it is here that there is everything for a comfortable and pleasant pastime with the whole family:

• excellent infrastructure;
• well-equipped beaches;
• a lot of water, sports and other entertainment;
• exciting excursions;
• an infinite number of various shops, boutiques and retail shops with a variety of products;
• a huge number of attractions;
• magnificent restaurants with national and European cuisine;
• many comfortable hotels and hotels.

When it is better to go to Vietnam to Nha Trang is up to the traveler to decide. This city is hospitable throughout the year, because the climatic conditions here allow tourists to visit Nha Trang even in summer or winter. Tourists are also attracted by the island of Hon Che, which is located in close proximity to the resort town. The longest cable car is laid between the island and Nha Trang, which gives travelers a lot of positive emotions.

Also, the island of Hon Che is famous for its original amusement park - discos, held inside an artificially created mountain. There are many attractions in Nha Trang, such as: Monkey Island, Cham Towers, Long Son Pagoda, ancient temples, etc.

Giving preference to rest in Vietnam, when it is better to go and what to see in this country, it is advisable to think over in advance. Flights from Russia to this amazing country were launched quite recently, but the number of Russians visiting Vietnam is increasing every year.

TOURIST ANSWERS:

About theft

What is likely to happen to you seriously upon arrival in Vietnam is pickpocketing, because theft here is not so uncommon. Violence against visiting tourists is not accepted here (due to the severity of punishments that deter those who could decide on such actions), the main problem is still in the actions of pickpockets and other "petty" criminals. Therefore, do not “sparkle” with money, do not also carry with you constantly documentation, and better check in the safe at the reception. You can keep the amount of funds needed at the moment, and photocopies of documents with you. When calculating count your change carefully- locals, as elsewhere, are not averse to earning extra money on visitors who, paying for goods, "consider crows." As for all kinds of swindlers, they are more common in the northern part of the country; communication with local sellers also often does not cause positive emotions.

About taxi drivers

When traveling by taxi agree with the driver in advance that the fee will go according to the distance traveled - and check that the taximeter is turned on. There are enough fans to earn extra money on transportation here, the main thing is that at the end of the trip you are not ripped off a huge amount: after all, taxi drivers are a separate race, they think the same way in any country - if you are a visitor and with money, you can fool around. As for cycle rickshaws, negotiate the cost of the trip in advance and do not allow any changes while driving.

About the excesses of the bad

Fans of romantic adventures with local night “workers” need to watch their pockets - they are also not averse to getting into it if you yawn. As for gambling, there are special establishments for foreign citizens; for attempting to involve locals in this matter, there may be criminal liability. With drugs in Vietnam, everything is very tough - it is categorically not advised to store, use or distribute (they will punish severely - in Vietnam there is even the death penalty for serious crimes, and not only in this country - in Southeast Asia this is generally practiced).

On vacation, in principle, certain boundaries in behavior should be observed if you do not want to become the prey of thieves or scammers - even more so if you are relaxing in another country (and so “different”!). First of all, I mean, of course, the way of spending time so beloved by Russian holidaymakers as drunkenness: everything is banal here - in this state you can not only be robbed or drawn into some kind of scam. In Southeast Asia, there have been cases with tourists when the locals offered them to try drugs, they agreed, and suddenly, out of nowhere, the police appeared, demanding a ransom. And finally, such an elementary advice - do not swim while intoxicated, was it worth it to go to distant lands in order to drown there ...

About healthcare

Take care. You can arrange insurance with your travel agency. Alternatively, you can pay a fee to International SOS in order to be able to use the medical services they provide. Emergency medical care in this country has not yet reached the level of Western countries, and it is unlikely that it will be soon, but branches of international hospitals are opening in large cities. In remote regions with adequate medicine, there are problems. In the villages, for the most part, there are pharmacies and clinics. If you are not going to travel to places remote from the modern tourist routes, then you have nothing to worry about. The two main diseases in the country are malaria and bird flu, but this scourge only affects remote areas, especially those located near the Cambodian border. Use insect repellant, take in a trip the minimum required medicines(this is a must for any trip, and even more so to such an exotic country). More tourists in Vietnam may face such troubles as diarrhea And sunstroke(of course, separately). The reason for the first lies in poorly prepared food, the second - in the abundance of sunlight. To protect yourself from the first trouble, try to eat where you are sure that there will be no bad consequences, especially street food. When getting acquainted with local cuisine, behave prudently - after all, it can be difficult for a European to get used to them right away, local exoticism with its abundance of spices is not well absorbed by everyone. Save yourself from the second trouble with sunscreen, protect your head from direct sunlight with headwear and drink plenty of water. And water - definitely bottled., running water is strictly prohibited - and this also applies to most third world countries. For those who came to the country for the first time, a certain period of adaptation to the local climate and food is necessary.

On a note: police phone -113, fire department -114, ambulance -115.

About etiquette and local customs

The locals are friendly to visitors. A rule that applies not only to Vietnam, but probably to any country in the world: learn a few words in the local language, and you will have a completely different attitude, because people are pleased when foreigners show interest in their language. It is worth showing respect for the local population in the style of behavior - for example, you should not walk in beach clothes around the city - for such an “outfit”, in fact, there is the beach itself ... This is especially true for women. And topless indulge in the caresses of the southern sun is also not accepted here. You can talk about the war with the locals, but most of the people - those who can become your interlocutors - were born after those dramatic events, so the conversation is unlikely to be interesting and informative. In restaurants, you can eat with the help of those devices that are more convenient for you - use at least chopsticks, at least a fork or spoon. Breakfast at the locals usually takes place at an early time, while there is no heat, lunch lasts a long time, dinner is also early. Tipping is usually not left here, you can thank the waiters by slightly rounding the bill amount.

In general, behave more or less calmly and carefully, and your vacation in Vietnam will pass without problems and leave only good memories!

Helpful answer?

Currency

The currency of Vietnam is called the Vietnamese dong (denoted by the symbols ₫ or VND). Subdivided into 10 hao or 100 su. 1 US dollar = about 20,000 VND. International ATMs can be found in most tourist centers throughout the country. It's better to use dongs if you're shopping in rural areas, but larger centers also accept dollars. Credit cards are also accepted in many places, although they may not be accepted in small shops and restaurants.

Safety

Vietnam is a fairly safe country to travel. But, as in a number of Asian countries, petty theft is a major problem in tourist centers. Especially in Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang, where robberies happen most often. Violent crimes against foreigners, however, are not very common, but just keep everything under control when you go for a walk in the evening. Fraud, especially by travel agencies, is a plague in Vietnam to this day and remains a major source of complaints among tourists. So, before contacting any agency in Vietnam, research the reviews on the Internet or contact those through which your friends processed the services. Tours from Hanoi to Halong are at the peak of bad faith deals.

Police

It turns out that the local police do not speak English at all. Usually tourists go to the police with complaints about quirky travel agents - in practice, cops can do little, you don’t even have to waste time. But, if it makes you feel better, reach out all you want.

Health

Vietnam's health care is better than neighboring Cambodia and Laos, but still underdeveloped by Western standards. If there was some serious problem (pah-pah), I'm afraid I'll have to evacuate to Singapore or Thailand. And don't forget about insurance.

Transport

Vietnam has a comprehensive public transport system. Planes, trains and buses cover the entire country. However, transport here is somewhat slow, so if you are trying to see as much of Vietnam in your short trip, you risk spending most of your time on the road. Bus and train tickets are very affordable. But it is better to book train tickets in advance.

Visas

Entry into Vietnam is quite simple. If you are traveling before 15, you do not need a visa. For longer periods, a visa is required. A visa to Vietnam can be obtained directly at the border upon arrival, and there is no visa fee for Russian citizens. If you want to stay in Vietnam longer, you need to apply online through the Department of Immigration of Vietnam (then the visa will be pasted into your passport upon arrival at the airport) or contact the Vietnamese Consulate in Moscow in advance. Also, your passport must be valid for at least another six months at the time of entry into the country.

Vietnamese language

Vietnamese is very difficult. The written language can be confusing to foreigners, as some Latin letters sound completely different from, say, English. But you shouldn't even bother. In tourist towns and resorts, many Vietnamese speak English, although this is by no means the vast majority. In more remote areas, those who speak English can generally be counted on the fingers. Some old Vietnamese can speak French rather than English.

Weather

Vietnam has two seasons - hot dry season and hot wet season. But for us in Vietnam it is always very hot and somehow sweaty. Vietnam can be divided into three main areas where the weather conditions are quite different at the same time of the year.

And a couple more words

Vietnam, however, is not the most popular country in this area among tourists. Maybe the root of this problem is fraud. I don’t know, it’s just that somehow ours go to Thailand more, everything is already tailored there for our compatriots. But, despite all the nasty things that they write on the Internet, and which I wrote, it is still a very random concept. I mean, you don't have to be "shod" ten minutes after landing. The vast majority of Vietnamese are honest and hardworking, they would rather treat you to a beer than charge you a couple of tens of extra dollars for the same mug. And yet, such cases do happen, and you need to be a little more careful. Of course, if you climb into the jungle, away from the noisy tourist centers, the less likely it is that you will be warmed up by a travel agent. On the other hand, who wants to go to the wilds if you just want to lie on the beach? So don't worry again. Vietnam is a great country, and although it will be a little more expensive to come here than to neighboring Cambodia, Laos and our good old Thailand.

Features of the mentality

If you've been invited to visit Vietnam, don't be surprised if the gala dinner takes place on the floor. But do not flop anywhere - a place is assigned to all family members here, so let the one who invited you indicate where you can sit. But, most likely, it will be a place near the owner or the most convenient place (since you are a special guest). And after dinner, you will be offered to take a rest and stay for the night. It is not customary to finish everything from your plate here - this way you will show that you are not full, and they will quickly put you more food. By the way, do not be surprised if the Vietnamese champ and touch their feet while eating - this is generally normal.
On the other hand, you will note that fruits are eaten very decorously here: they are peeled and cut, and not bitten off from a whole piece. It is also a little embarrassing that the Vietnamese can calmly spit on the floor next to the interlocutor, leave for two meters and go to the toilet (if on the street, of course) or throw leftovers directly on the table, and not on a plate. With all this, it seems like lack of culture, the Vietnamese are still very tactful and modest people. And also very friendly. If you asked a Vietnamese about something on the street, he will certainly enter into a conversation and ask everything he needs. It is also quite normal that two men here walk by the hand or in an embrace - this is just a manifestation of friendship. At the same time, the open manifestation of tender feelings between a man and a woman in public places is not very common, so be more respectful.

Helpful answer?

In fact, a lot of kind and wonderful people live in Vietnam, which does not in the least prevent some of them from shamelessly deceiving tourists. Therefore, the example of Vietnam should be used to learn prudence. And the thing is that the so-called dummy travel agencies are widespread here. Therefore, they can easily sell you a tour that does not exist at all, or at best, an excursion that does not match the description.

In Vietnam, unfortunately, as well as in many countries of Southeast Asia, petty theft is very common, as well as snatching bags and wallets. A lot of scammers are engaged in the fact that they are closely watching naive and inattentive tourists, who, instead of watching their things, consider a raven in the area. Therefore, it is worth keeping all valuables, especially cameras and bags in front of you, tightly pressing them to your body. You should not turn yourself into an easy target for the prey of street thieves.

In Vietnam, as in any other eastern country, it is accepted and necessary to bargain. One has only to ask the seller a question about the cost of the goods, as you can immediately notice that he will think about how much money can really be ripped off from you. Experienced sellers not only see, but even feel inexperienced buyers literally a mile away.

Therefore, keep in mind that sellers inflate the price in advance, knowing that any tourist will bargain with them. The most banal thing that can be advised here is to dress as simply as possible when going shopping, in any case, try not to look like a rich person. For example, before going to the market, you can pull out all the large bills from your wallet and stock up only on small things. And then often tinkle it to add that it's all your money. Usually sellers at the sight of budget buyers are not so impudent.

Even in large Vietnamese cities, not to mention small ones, it is customary to go to bed at eleven o'clock in the evening. Of course, the work of clubs and bars does not stop at night, but shops, restaurants and other organizations usually close at this time. Therefore, if you are staying at a hostel or guesthouse, specify in advance what time they close and what to do if you return later than this time.

In Vietnam, something as simple as crossing a street can seem like a real challenge. In fact, pedestrian crossings are marked here, but in fact this does not mean anything. Even when you step onto the crossing, you should not expect that the flow of motorbikes will immediately stop in front of you. And here you have to go at your own peril and risk.

Therefore, good advice - raise your right hand up and start slowly crossing the street. In this case, drivers will somehow orient themselves, but just keep moving at a slow pace and do not make sudden movements. In no case do not try to maneuver, it is better to move in a straight line. Just do not cross the road in front of large buses in this way, because it is much more difficult for them to slow down. The Vietnamese themselves, in general, never raise their hands during the transition, they are probably kamikazes in life. But tourists practice this rule of behavior all the time.

If you are not afraid to buy food on the street, then in any case try to buy it where it is cooked right in front of you on an open fire. In no case do not eat peeled fruits and raw meat. All this can be quite dangerous. Drink only bottled water, remember that drinking tap water in Vietnam is strongly discouraged. The Vietnamese themselves do not drink it and do not cook anything from it.

Vietnam is an amazing country with a touch of French charm. In previous articles, we have already written about holidays in Vietnam in general. Here we will touch on some interesting facts about the country, its culture and inhabitants.

1. The bulk of the population travels on scooters and motorcycles. The Vietnamese call such transport "motorbike". 3 people on one moped is not the limit; can carry large loads.
Only wealthy Vietnamese have cars, since the high tax on car imports and the lack of their own production makes them practically unaffordable.

2 . Traffic on the roads can seem like sheer madness, especially in big cities like Ho Chi Minh City. But in fact, this is a well-organized swarm of moto-bikers. You just need to get used to the fact that the main people on the road are people on iron horses.

3 . mini french baguettes. This insanely delicious invention of mankind came from the French colonization. What is a baguette? This is a small crispy baguette , cut lengthwise , and inside there is a choice of filling : fried egg , vegetables , fried meat or fish , fresh vegetables . Sometimes hot sauce is added on top and then it's just an amazing dish.

4 . Another interesting fact is . Vietnam is famous all over the world for its coffee, I will say more, the Vietnamese occupy a leading position in the export of coffee in the world. In Vietnam, coffee is drunk very sweet, sometimes condensed milk and lots and lots of sugar are added. Popular here and drink iced coffee, you can even meet instant ice coffee.

5 . Cheap alcohol. There are no duties on alcohol as such in the country, so it is sold here, sometimes for ridiculous money, for example, beer Saigon costs 7.000-10.000 VND ($0.3-0.5). And the same is the price of carbonated water in stores.

6 . The world's longest cable car over the sea in Nha Trang. The road connects the resort town of Nha Trang (Nha Trang) and the island of Hon Che (Hon Tre) on which there is an amusement park. Its length is 3,300 km.

7 . Vietnamese currency. The Vietnamese dong is denoted ₫ or VND. Due to rising inflation since 1987 in Vietnam, all purchases are in the thousands, as in Belarus. For example, drinking water is 5,000 VND at the current exchange rate, which is about 15 rubles.

8 . The Vietnamese love Russian tourists. A couple of times they approached us on the street and asked us where we were from, and we proudly said “From Russia“, to which the reaction was simply amazing - they began to speak Russian with us. This is due to the fact that the USSR provided active assistance to North Vietnam in American-Vietnamese war.

9 . The short stature of the Vietnamese. With my height of 1.70 m, I was often half a head taller than any Vietnamese passing by. Accordingly, all vehicles, including slip-in basses, chairs and tables in local cafes, are designed for people who are not tall. If I was comfortable on chairs, in buses with low ceilings, then my companion, 1.93 m tall, often felt completely uncomfortable: in city buses, he had to stand in a half-bent state, on tiny chairs his knees were just above the table, it was very difficult to observe funny.

10 . Sunburn in Vietnam is not held in high esteem. Sunburn here is considered the lot of beggars, do not be surprised if you see a girl in the heat of +35 completely wrapped up: in long gloves, jacket, trousers, etc.

11 . Russian and international driving licenses are not recognized in this country. But our compatriots they still successfully rent motorbikes, as there is not much such control.

12 . Russian rubles, like the euro, are not accepted in Vietnam, but the Vietnamese take dollars willingly.

13 . Vietnamese daily routine. The day for the Vietnamese begins almost at dawn, and at 6-7 in the morning life in the cities is seething. As soon as the sun hides behind the horizon at six in the evening, literally in 5-7 minutes, life slowly slows down.

Therefore, while in Vietnam, try to shift your daily routine by 2-3 hours back in order to have time to go out before the hellish hell at 12-15.00.

14 . Private ebb and flow. Don't be surprised if you don't find half the beach in the morning. The roads also disappear, for example, in Vung Tau there is a small one, during low tide it can be reached on foot, but when the tide is high, under water is the only way to the temple.

15 . The mountain town of Dalat. Due to its location in a mountainous area, the city has a sharply different climate, it is cooler here than in other cities. Going to Dalat, it is better to take warmer things with you, but not overdo it, there will be enough jackets and jeans .

16 . And the last interesting fact. Ha Long Bay off the coast of Vietnam is recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

Hi all! Why in Nha Trang, you ask? And because Nha Trang is not only the most popular resort in Vietnam among Russian-speaking travelers, but also because this city has a very good geographical location. All major attractions can be reached on your own within one day.

We were in Vietnam three times, first on a tour, and then 2 times we went to Vietnam on our own. We traveled almost the entire country from the very south and almost to the north. We were in Fukuoka, Ho Chi Minh City, Mui Ne, Nha Trang, Dalat, Hoi An, Da Nang and Hue. In this article, we will share all the necessary information that we managed to learn and verify in practice on our own.

Let's go to Nha Trang on our own

What is better, take a ticket or go on your own to Nha Trang?

In the current situation, when travel agencies burst one after another, it is most reliable to organize your vacation yourself. For the first time we went to Vietnam on a voucher for 7 days and paid about 25 thousand rubles per person. Now I understand that we did not recognize the country at all in such a short time.

The second time we decided to go to Vietnam on our own and for a longer period. We saw and learned much more about Vietnam, while our expenses amounted to about $ 800 per month. But, this amount does not include air tickets, since we arrived from Cambodia and left for Laos. It turns out that if you fly for a short period of 7-14 days, then it will be more profitable to take a ticket, since air tickets from Russia and back are not cheap. But then there remains the risk of bankruptcy of your travel agency.

Rest in Vietnam as a savage. All beaches are public and free

Vietnam without a ticket? Easily!

So, if you decide to go to Nha Trang on your own, then read on carefully, I will briefly describe all the main details of organizing a trip as a savage. I will not be scattered about the benefits of independent travel, I will write only the main points that you should pay attention to. All of the following recommendations are based on our own experience living and traveling in Vietnam. We traveled half the country on buses, flew planes with local airlines, traveled by taxi, lived in Mui Ne, Nha Trang, Hoi An, Da Nang, looked at Dalat, Ho Chi Minh and Hue.

Standard solo travel plan:

• Find free time to travel
• Buy tickets
• To book a hotel
• Get insurance
• Exchange money
• Leave to enjoy your holiday

In principle, any of these items can be excluded. Even everything is possible If you have remote work, then it is not necessary to carve out free time, you can work via the Internet, which in Vietnam is available in every hotel. You can not buy air tickets, but go by land transport or hitchhiking - an option for seasoned travelers who have a lot of time. It is also not necessary to book hotels, you can always find something on the spot if it is a tourist city.

Do you need travel insurance, let everyone decide for himself whether it is worth the risk. But having insurance is not a requirement to enter this country. Money can be kept on the card, withdrawn from ATMs or paid in stores.

Something like this. See for yourself what can be excluded, but for now I will write in more detail about all the nuances of an independent trip to Nha Trang.

A solo trip to Vietnam may be more interesting than a package tour

Where to buy tickets

We buy online - it's cheaper and easier

Now the life of travelers has become much easier. It is no longer necessary to beat the thresholds of some agencies or air ticket offices. Now it’s enough just to go to online ticket search engines, for example, Aviasales, find the most convenient flights and buy an electronic ticket by paying with a bank card. It is not necessary to print such a ticket; at the counter at the airport, registration is carried out according to the passport. Just in case, you can take a picture of the itinerary receipt on the tablet.

Ticket websites:

Aviasales

skyscanner

Search on these sites or use the following form to search for air tickets for the dates you need:

How to book a hotel in Nha Trang

Hotels and guesthouses in Nha Trang are literally at every step. From $10-15 per day you can find a small but more or less decent room. A spacious room in a good 3-4 star hotel with a swimming pool and breakfast will cost at least $30-40 per day.

To independently book a hotel in Nha Trang via the Internet, you do not need to look for hotel websites. Here, too, everything is very simple. We go to the hotel search engine (for example, Booking) and book with a credit card.

Payment will be made directly at the hotel, and your card acts as a guarantee that you have booked a room and will arrive at it on the appointed day. Reservations can be canceled or dates changed if booked in advance. It is no longer possible to cancel the reservation 1-2 days before arrival.

Look for hotels on these sites:

In Vietnam, hotel prices are lower than the Asian average. For $10-12 per night you will have a small, clean room with air conditioning, a TV and a refrigerator, perhaps even with a balcony and a sea view. See our selection -. When renting for a long time, you can try to negotiate with the owners and get a discount. But even without a discount in Nha Trang, you can rent a hotel room for a month for $300-350.

In Nha Trang you can rent an apartment by the day. Use to search for housing search engine Booking.

Renting a house in Nha Trang costs $300-400 per month on average

Vietnam insurance

An insurance policy is now also easily issued via the Internet. Cost from 500 rubles per week. To apply for insurance go to Cherehapa insurance site. There, simply enter your travel dates and country, click calculate. The system will show the cost of insurance in various insurance companies. Choose the best one for the price and then click "Buy". You can also order insurance on the services Compare.ru And Tripinsurance.

If you are going to drive a moped, ride a jet ski, fly with a parachute, etc. - choose the type of recreation - active. Please also note that no insurance is valid if you are intoxicated!

Whether to insure or not is up to you. But it's better to do it, so it will be calmer. In our last article, we already discussed with readers whether insurance is needed, read it.

Visa to Vietnam

Russians 15 days without a visa. That is, they just flew in, went through passport control and received a stamp for 15 days. You don't even need to fill out any immigration cards.

Ukrainians, Belarusians and residents of other CIS countries need to get a visa. Read online about this topic.

IMPORTANT! If you leave Vietnam on your own for another country (Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, etc.), you cannot go back without a visa. They won't let you on the plane! This is because a new stamp for 15 days can only be delivered in a month.

What to do? Order an invitation or apply for a visa at a Vietnamese consulate in another country. Read more.

What money to take to Vietnam and how much?

Dollars, euros, Asian currencies (Hong Kong and Singapore dollars, ringgits, Thai baht, yuan, rupees). Do not bring rubles or hryvnia, it will be difficult and not profitable to change. If only on the map.

The currency of Vietnam is dong (VND). All payments are made only in dongs. In rare cases, hotels, travel agencies or tourist shops may accept dollars. But legally you can't do that.

In Nha Trang itself, you can exchange dollars for dongs at any bank or street exchanger. Never exchange money with random people on the street, on the beach, in the market (divorce).

I will not write the exchange rate against the ruble in the article now, it is constantly changing. See the current exchange rate in the currency converter on the right. Dong to dollar exchange rate 1$ = 23.000 dong. For convenience of calculations, consider that the dollar is equal to 20 thousand dongs.

Prices in Nha Trang are quite low. The main items of expenditure are flights, accommodation and excursions. On food per day, it can take an average of $ 15-20 per person, depending on where and what to eat, in simple cafes or in restaurants for tourists.

Money in Vietnam

Travel around the country, buses, trains, taxis

Public transport in Nha Trang, and throughout Vietnam, is well developed. There are no problems with movement in Nha Trang. Small buses run around the city, the fare is 7000 VND. There are several routes, so in Nha Trang you can easily get to anywhere in the city on your own.

Also in Nha Trang taxi drivers are on duty around the clock in modern air-conditioned cars. Grab taxi and Uber applications work. Can order a taxi online. There are no familiar Asian tuk-tuks in Vietnam, but you can use the services of motorbike taxi drivers.

Taxi in Nha Trang
City bus in Nha Trang
Vietnamese long distance sleeper bass

Excursions in Nha Trang are sold at every step

You can also go on almost all excursions on your own. There are many travel agencies with Russian-speaking employees on the central streets of Nha Trang. The most famous is the Russian Information Center. There you can order any excursions, buy a SIM card, change money or just consult.

Now I will not describe in detail what to see in Nha Trang. The main attraction of Nha Trang, perhaps, is the island of entertainment - Winpearl. Tours are sold on it, but you can easily go on your own. Also in the city itself there are several interesting places that you can easily see on your own:

Also from Nha Trang, tourists go on excursions to neighboring cities - Dalat, Hoi An, Hue. If you plan to explore everything in Nha Trang on your own without guides and excursions, then you can also easily get there on your own. For example, you can get to Dalat from Nha Trang on your own by bus in just 2-3 hours, which is half the price of paying for an excursion. Can be ordered private transfer Nha Trang – Dalat. It takes longer to go to Hoi An and Hue, you will have to spend the night in a sleeper bass. If you travel in this direction, be sure to take 1-2 days to explore, which is located just between Hoi An and Hue.

The famous tree hotel in Dalat
You can also see the temples in Hoi An on your own without a tour.
Hue self guided tour
Linh Ung Pagoda in Da Nang. We came and saw

The language of communication

In tourist cities - English. In the wilderness - sign language.

In Nha Trang, in all the tourist areas, we had no communication problems. In crowded places of foreigners - Nha Trang, Hoi An, Hue, Sapa, all the locals speak English fluently. If you know English, then there will be no language barrier. In souvenir markets, in massage parlors, in travel agencies and in tourist shops, they can even communicate in Russian. The farther from tourist places, the more difficult it is with the language. In the wilderness, no one understands English. And not only in the wilderness, for example, we had difficulty communicating even in and in, we had to express ourselves with gestures.

In the markets for locals, communication occurs most often only with gestures

What to eat

There are a lot of cafes and restaurants in Nha Trang for every taste and budget. All tourists in Vietnam lean on cheap seafood (lobsters, shrimp, mussels, fish) and exotics - snakes, lizards, frogs. Directly in Nha Trang there are several Russian restaurants where you can eat the usual dishes - borscht, potatoes with meatballs and dumplings.

If you want to save money, then feel free to eat at a cafe for locals. They do not look very presentable, but at prices everything is 3-4 times cheaper there. Many travelers eat in such eateries with small plastic chairs.

Morning beach in Nha Trang

Security in Vietnam

While living in Vietnam, we noted that the country is quite safe to live in. The Vietnamese are not aggressive. The main thing is to follow the standard precautions:

• There are cases on the Internet when motorcyclists snatch bags from tourists, so do not carry any valuables and money with you to the beach. It will be safer to take a small backpack and put it on both shoulders.
• Theft in hotels, as in any country in the world, is possible. To minimize risks, just do not leave money, valuables, phone, tablet in sight and everything will be fine.
• Do not show large sums of money, jewelry, or other valuables to hotel staff or hosts. Just in case. Applicable to any country.
• In case of conflict situations, you should not raise your voice at the Vietnamese or engage in assault, as the police will always be on the side of the locals.
• Do not walk alone at night in dark deserted alleys, lighting the way with an iPhone. Most likely nothing will happen to you, but it's better not to risk it.
• Are insects, spiders, snakes, predators found in Nha Trang? Currently, there are no dangerous insects, snakes, and even less predators in the cities. Of course, no one is safe from mosquitoes and cockroaches, including large flying ones, but they are not dangerous and are rare.

Bike rental in Vietnam

Renting a scooter to get around Vietnam alone costs about $5-10 per day. International law does not apply in Vietnam, but tourists can privately drive a moped without a license. The main thing is to have a helmet and follow the rules. Do not leave your passport as a deposit, look for rental offices that will agree to a photocopy. Do not drink alcohol, otherwise, in the event of an accident, insurance will not work.

Storm in Nha Trang

Useful links for organizing an independent trip

A selection of links for more information:

• Flights to Vietnam- search and purchase of air tickets
• Hotel rentals in Nha Trang from $8 or in any other city
• Find an apartment or room for rent for a long time
• Arrangement of travel insurance- in this section you can find out the cost and order an insurance policy
• - a useful article about visas, our experience.
• Transfers and taxis- online taxi order in Nha Trang

Departure information: you need to be at the airport 4 hours before the departure of a / k Vietnam Airlines and 2.5 hours before the departure of charter flights. You independently go through passport, customs control and check-in for the flight, which ends 40 minutes before departure. Free baggage allowance may vary between airlines. Please check with the airline you are flying on for baggage rules.

Flight time: 9 - 10 o'clock

Time: ahead of Moscow by 4 hours

Customs: the import of foreign convertible currency is not limited, but it is necessary to declare the amount of more than $ 3,000, since the export of currency is allowed only within the limits of the declaration. Up to 400 cigarettes, 100 cigars or 500 grams are imported duty-free. tobacco, up to 2 liters. alcoholic beverages with a strength of up to 22 0C or 1.5 liters. strong alcoholic beverages (the total volume of imported alcohol should not exceed 3 liters), up to 5 kg of tea, up to 3 kg of coffee, a reasonable amount of perfumes and perfumes, as well as other goods with a total value of not more than 5 million dong. It is forbidden to import drugs and drug-containing medicines without a medical prescription for their use (the sanctions for importing drugs are extremely high, up to the death penalty), pornography, printed materials, CDs, audio and video recordings that offend local traditions. The import of household and computer equipment is subject to mandatory declaration, all undeclared equipment will be allowed to be exported only if customs duties are paid or if there is a receipt for its purchase in local trade organizations. It is recommended to keep proof of all expenses incurred in the country during the stay. The export of the national currency, antiques and works of art of artistic and historical value is prohibited without proper documentation. For the export of gold items weighing more than 300 g, a permit from the National Bank of Vietnam must be obtained. All types of weapons are prohibited for import and export from the country (you should not even buy edged weapons in the collection, anti-government materials). Rare species of animals and plants cannot be exported. To import pets into Vietnam, you must have a veterinary certificate with a notarized translation into Vietnamese. To export pets from Vietnam, you must have a veterinary certificate.

Useful phones:
Embassy of the Russian Federation in Vietnam
Hanoi: tel. +84 438 336991
Ho Chi Minh: tel. +84 893 03936
Da Nang: tel. +84 511 822380
Ambulance, police: 115, 113

Connection: international telephone calls can be made from almost all major cities and towns, but for this you will have to use the services of call centers (located mainly in the building of post offices and in large organizations, the cost of a minute of conversation with Moscow is about 4 USD) or from rare yet specialized pay phones (they work with plastic cards). Inside the country, you can call from almost any pay phone (the cost of a minute within Hanoi is about 10 cents, long-distance calls cost from 0.3 to 0.7 USD). Upon arrival in the country, you can immediately purchase a SIM card from one of the local operators. Calls will cost significantly less: international calls to Moscow are 0.8 USD, local calls are even cheaper. The international dialing code of the country is 84. To call from Vietnam to Russia: 007 + area code + subscriber number. For a call within the country, 0 is dialed first, then the area code and the subscriber's number.

Transport: planes, buses, minibuses, trains, ships and ferries, taxis, motorcycles, bicycles, “se Om” (motorcycle taxis), “cyclo” (pedicabs), etc. Car taxis are paid by the meter. When traveling for long distances, you can tell the price in advance. The cost of a motorcycle taxi and a cycle rickshaw is also negotiated in advance. In Vietnam, an inexpensive taxi, and payment is strictly according to the meter. The fare depends on the brand and year of manufacture of the car, on average 2000-3000 VND per 1 km plus delivery (approximately 6000 VND).

Money: payment is accepted both in Vietnamese dong and in US dollars (approximate rate 1 USD - 18,000 dong). Currency exchange is officially carried out only in banks or at points at hotels, at airports, any other form of currency exchange (in the markets) is considered illegal. In major cities and tourist areas, major credit cards are accepted for payment: Visa, American Express, Master Card, etc.

The shops: work 08:00 - 17:20. We recommend buying green tea, Vietnamese coffee, ceramics, wood lacquerware, silk-embroidered paintings, jewelry, pearls. Vietnamese silk is of very high quality. In large cities, it makes sense to buy something from clothes or shoes. A gigantic amount of jewelry and silverware can be seen in the main urban markets of the country. Throughout the country, you can buy collections of bronze coins from the era of the empire - only a connoisseur will be able to distinguish one coin from another and tell which one was minted when. The best antique shops in the city are clustered on Hang Gai and Hang Khai streets in Hanoi, where there are several ethnic shops selling souvenirs from the life of Vietnam's many hill tribes. Also in the capital there is a large selection of clothing items in the traditional oriental style - silk robes, kimonos, jackets. Prices are extremely low compared to Moscow.

Nutrition: Vietnamese cuisine is undoubtedly considered to be the most refined in Southeast Asia. Not scorching, but delicate and piquant spices, minimal use of fats, emphasis on fresh ingredients, a variety of rice, vegetable and seafood dishes make Vietnamese cuisine not only tasty, but also healthy. There are restaurants for every taste: Chinese, Thai, Indian, Korean, European, Vietnamese. Prices range from 2.5 to 25 USD. Often the food is tastier in small restaurants where you can dine for four for 10-12 USD. Traditional favorites of Vietnamese cuisine among the locals are fish, chicken and pork dishes along with cooked vegetables and rice or noodles. The French influence in Vietnamese cuisine is felt in the abundance of fresh baguettes, pâtés and cheeses, which can be bought everywhere from street vendors. The country also inherited the French love for coffee, which has a very strong mocha flavor and aroma, and is served in a small glass or cup topped with condensed milk. Vietnam has good beer: in bottles, cans, draft, excellent cocktails - fruit and alcohol, fresh juices, good Vietnamese vodka.

Recommendations:
- It is not recommended to drink tap water, but you can wash your face and brush your teeth with it. Drinks with ice can be safely ordered in major cities and hotels in Saigon, Hanoi, Nha Trang, Da Nang, and you should not do this in rural areas
- you can not eat dishes from river fish
- the necessary medical care can be obtained in hospitals of large and small cities. Hotels usually have a medical office where you can get first aid. Pharmacies sell medicines from all the leading pharmaceutical companies in the world. A variety of insect repellents are sold in pharmacies, but there are no insects that are harmful to health in the resort areas. It is necessary to stock up on sunscreen - medical care for foreigners is paid
- it is better to leave valuables and documents in hotel safes
- in December and January in the northern provinces, we recommend wearing warm clothes
- when visiting temples, tourists are advised to wear long trousers and long-sleeved shirts