Money:
The currency issued by the Vietnam State Bank is the dong (abbreviated "d" or VND) which is used unformly throughout the country. Bank Notes are in denominations of VND500,000, 100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000, 2000, 1000, 500, 200 and 100. Coins are in denominations of VND5000, 2000, 1000, 500 and 200. The exchange rate is approximately 15,600d = US$1. At present certain travelers' cheques such as Amercian Express and credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard are accepted in big cities. Outside main centres, it is wise to carry cash. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Vietnam is still a cash society and credit cards are not widely accepted. Don't be surprised if you are charged an extra 3-4% to cover merchant fees. Exceptions are upscale hotels and airline tickets purchased directly from an airline. Travel agents expect cash or will reluctantly accept credit cards for an extra 4% fee.
Lodging Tips
When you book a room, go check it out. Make sure the toilet flushes, the water is running, the air conditioner works (wait for it to actually start blowing cold air) and the water heater in the bathroom heats water. Arguing with the receptionist after they have your money or your passport is quite useless. As
You are generally not charged extra for an extra person in the room. You will probably be charged extra for a second bed, even if you're not using it. To avoid confusion (and surcharges) over the various interpretations of "single", "twin", and "double", go have a look at the room to be sure you're getting what you want.
The cheaper the room, the higher the floor.
Visa Extensions Tips:
Whatever visa you get, extensions can usually be obtained once in Vietnam. You'll see numerous travel agencies and hotels offering this service in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Rates vary, as does the official policy regarding extensions. Like most things in Vietnam the availability of an extension is related to the size of your wallet.
Law regarding Foreigners
It is illegal for a foreigner to sleep in the same room overnight with a Vietnamese citizen unless you are married to each other.This applies to both male and female.
Shopping
It’s not uncommon to haggle a bit when you purchase gift items including souvenirs on the streets. Your best bet is to look at a few vendors to establish the price. A 5%-10% discount is considered great. Always smile when making an offer and be prepared to move on if it’s not accepted. If they call you back when you walk away, be prepared to accept the final price.You may be surprised to find that with a little walking around and patience you could come up with a decent bargain. However, don’t get caught up with too much negotiating. In due time you will know the value of items and, more importantly, where to shop.
Pickpocket
Remember to secure your cash in your pocket and be vigilant about pick-pockets, who can sometimes include young children and are surprisingly talented at their craft. Never carry anything in the top pocket of your shirt. More importantly do not wear jewelry, especially necklaces, watches and conceal cameras at all times. Secure pocket books and handbags and do not place large amounts of cash in them.
Night Life/ Entertainment
There really isn’t a wide variety to chose from, however they are many talented Vietnamese performers who do wonderful renditions of classical rock and pop music, particularly stuff from the 60’s and 70’s.
Karaoke is very popular in Vietnam and if like most westerners, you are afraid to hear your own voice there are many private rooms. You will certainly have at least one opportunity if you make friends with a local.
Avoid bars where females sit outside or open the door and invite you in. More importantly ask for the bill, in fact insist on getting the bill - after the first round of drinks even if you have no intention of leaving. You might be in for big surprise if you wait until the end of the night. Your best bet is to go out with someone who knows the local scene.
Tipping
Vietnam is not a tipping culture.Anything over 50,000 dong is not recommended for restaurant tipping. It’s not uncommon to give 15,000 dong for the normal taxi ride which is usually 12,000d on the meter for shorter trips around town. Keep in perspective that the 3,000 change is the equivalent of 33 cents but do not feel obligated that you have to tip. Or the other hand, having smaller notes on your person is a good idea as most taxi drivers are not enthusiastic about giving change.
Crossing the Street
Most visitors to Vietnam are stunned by the way the traffic moves in what appears to be nothing short of chaos and imminent danger.
It consists mainly of motorcycles, many with up to five people
including small children perched on them with apparent complete
disregard for safety. Riders pay no attention to traffic signals and
the traffic flows in a continuous, noisy stream. Crossing roads is
therefore a challenge for westerners used to traffic lights. The trick
is to follow the Vietnamese - step confidently out into the road and
cross at a slow but steady pace. Trust to Lord Buddha that the traffic
will flow miraculously around you, and it will.
Crime
Crime is more a nuisance than a danger, as violent crime is rare in Vietnam. watch your wallet or your purse when around tourist places, such as museums, parks and riverfronts, especially after dark. Never leave a bicycle or motorbike unlocked or unguarded. Almost every establishment offers an attended parking area where you can safely park your bike. Beware of cyclos drivers after dark. Stick to the ones you know or take a taxi.
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