Capital City: Hanoi
Population: 96 Million
Language: Vietnamese (minority languages include Tay, Muong, Cham, Khmer)
Currency: The Vietnamese dong (VND or ₫) is the country’s official currency. ATMs are found throughout the country, accepting most debit and credit cards. There are numerous places, including banks, gold shops and money exchange stalls, that exchange USD, whilst most other major foreign currencies such as EUR, UK GBP and AUS can be exchanged at banks. Â
Most foreign citizens need to obtain a tourist visa (30 days single entry and 90 days multiple entry) in advance when travelling to Vietnam, with the exception of a small number of nationalities who can enter the country for a period of up to 15 days visa exempt. Currently there are two ways of obtaining a visa, travellers entering Vietnam by air can apply for a Visa on Arrival (VOA) through a travel agent. They will then receive an approval letter with which they can obtain the visa and entry stamp at the airport. This is the fastest and cheapest process, however, it’s only possible to get a VOA when arriving by plane through one of the six international airports. The other option is to apply for a visa through the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in advance, or to apply for an e-visa, which is valid for 30 days, single entry.
As travel policies change regularly, it’s best to check the official government website for the latest regulations before visiting. https://www.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/