Smiling Albino

Vietnam Information & Resources Page

Hello there! Welcome to our ultra-secret information & resources page, specially built just for our guests who are coming to Vietnam. This page is not linked from our main website, so if you’re reading this, consider yourself inside the circle!

Here you’ll find a handcrafted collection of suggestions that will help you prepare for your upcoming trip to Vietnam, everything from what to pack, to tips on health and safety, and even Smiling Albino-endorsed books, movies and television shows that you can watch to learn more about the places you’re going to be traveling in. Exciting!
So while we’re building and refining all the details of your upcoming trip, please grab a beverage of your choice, put your feet up, and start to scroll. 

Visas

Important: Make sure all traveler’s passports have at least 6 months validity and have at least 3 empty pages for entry to Vietnam and an additional 1 ½ empty pages for each other Asian country traveling to – some of them have big visa stickers!

Visas are obtainable at Vietnamese diplomatic missions outside of Vietnam and are required for almost all visitors irrespective of nationality. We can assist with obtaining your visa before your departure, which is the easiest way.

Visa on arrival

In Vietnam, a “visa on arrival” means a visa stamped on arrival in addition to a visa approval letter from a Vietnamese Immigration Office, which must be obtained in advance. This allows you to board your flight to Vietnam without a visa, and get a stamp in your passport when you land in Vietnam. The process works like this:

  • We arrange a visa letter for you at $25USD per person
  • You use this visa letter to board the flight and when you land in Vietnam you buy a visa on arrival for another $25USD (remember to bring a couple of passport-sized photographs as you need them for the visa on arrival in Vietnam)
  • Let us know well in advance of your trip if you want us to provide the above service.

Travel permits are only required for trips to off-limit areas such as border provinces, military bases and remote islands. This is unlikely, but we will let you know if we’re going to any place like this.

eVisas

An eVisa is an official document granted by the Immigration of Vietnam which permits a traveler to enter into and travel within Vietnam. It is an alternative to the visa documentations issued at the embassies of Vietnam and visa on arrival.

Nationals of the following countries are eligible to apply for an eVisa Vietnam: Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Belarus, Brunei, Chile, China (Chinese e-passport holders are not eligible for this scheme), Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Myanmar, Mongolia, Norway, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Timor-Leste, Uruguay, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Venezuela and Canada. 

Apply for an eVisa here: https://www.evisa.com.vn/vietnam-visa-application-online

While the E-Visa process seems simple, we still recommend allowing us to take care of your Vietnamese Visa on your behalf to ensure a smooth and hassle-free arrival into the country. Our visa service in Vietnam includes a fast track VIP arrival service which includes a personal meet and greet on arrival, much less time in visa queues and personal support to ensure a smooth arrival process.

Money

Vietnam’s currency is the Vietnam dong (VND). Notes come in 500d, 1,000d, 2,000d, 5,000d, 10,000d, 20,000d, 50,000d, 100,000d, 200,000d and 500,000d denominations. You will find money changers in Vietnam’s airports, banks, and some high-end hotels. Many banks (open Monday to Friday) issue cash advances for Visa and MasterCard, usually for a 3% commission.

Credit cards are widely accepted. Traveler’s cheques are accepted at banks and hotels, but usually not at stores. You will find 24-hour ATMs at ANZ Bank, and at Vietcombank branches. These ATMs only issue Vietnam dong. American dollars are welcomed in hotels and higher-end restaurants, although you’ll need dong for taxis and smaller shops. The exchange rate is roughly 25,000 VND to 1 USD, so get used to some sticker shock with all those zeroes.

Emergency Numbers

Because Vietnam’s version of 911 is operated only in Vietnamese, we recommend calling these numbers below if the need arises:

SOS International Medical and Dental Emergency Clinics, Saigon

  • 24hr Alarm Tel: (84.8) 829 8520
  • Clinic: Tel: (84.8) 829 8424

Smiling Albino Hanoi  Office

  • 08/ 67 Thai Thinh str. Dong Da District, Hanoi, Vietnam
  • Tel: +84 (4) 3 562-2733, Fax: +84 (4) 3 853-7920
  • Mobile: +84 90 517 3383

Smiling Albino Saigon Office

  • 347/33/8 Huynh Van Banh,
  • Ward 11, Phu Nhuan District,
  • Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam
  • Office Landline: +84 (0) 8-399-135-27
  • Mobile: +84 (0) 908-172-430

Smiling Albino Thailand Head Office 

  • Office Tel: +66-2-107-2542 
    24-hour concierge (Thailand): +6684-466-4117

Health and Safety

For all Southeast Asian countries, following basic health precautions will ensure a hassle-free experience. 

  • Apply mosquito repellent during dawn and dusk. 
  • Drink plenty of bottled water (we will provide ample bottled water) and avoid uncooked meat and fish. 
  • A sun hat is recommended for days out. Not only does it look whimsical, it keeps the rays off your dome.
  • Sampling market or ‘street food’ is generally okay and your hosts will steer you to safe bets. 
  • Cubed ice is preferable to crushed ice and avoid drinking tap water, but you likely won’t have to worry about this at any places we stop at, which all use ice from factories.

Check this vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. 

Hospitals

Bangkok has several world-class hospitals with internationally trained doctors and medical staff, and modern equipment and technologies. It is a medical hub for the region receiving most medivacs from the rest of the country as well as neighboring countries. Big cities like Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi and others also have very good medical facilities. Ask your guides about this if you’d like more specific information.

What to Pack, What to Wear?

Appropriate dress differs from North to South. Southern Vietnam is tropical year round and people dress comfortably and casually. Lightweight cotton and wool fabrics will be comfortable at any time of year. While they may resist wrinkles, synthetics and blends are miserably hot. Generally, short pants are best kept at beaches, and are quite out of place in Hanoi. Neat and polite shorts in Hue and Hoi An is ok, and usually the norm in Saigon on hot days. Shorts are best worn obviously at Halong Bay, trekking in the woods up north in Sapa, and beaches of course.  Jeans are almost always fashionable except for business occasions.

 

Winter (November through April) can be cool in Hanoi, and a coat may be necessary. Dress here is a bit more formal and somber than the fashionable South. If traveling on business, jackets and ties are usually appropriate, regardless of the weather. Saigon’s business community is very image oriented. 

Remember that Vietnam is a tropical country. Most of the year, it is warm and humid. If you are not used to tropical weather, be prepared to shower and change your clothes two or three times a day. During the rainy season in Saigon the rain is often short (20-30 minutes) and sometimes quite sudden. Practically every hotel in Vietnam has laundry service, which is usually quite inexpensive.

Haggling

In all markets and some stores (you usually know when it’s appropriate) negotiating price is very much the norm. If you keep the conversation friendly, take your time and don’t look too eager you can usually shave anything from 10-60% off the initial price. However, keep in mind that spending 30 minutes haggling over $0.50 is not really worth it.

How Does Tipping Work?

Tipping is a relatively new phenomenon in Southeast Asia – of course, like anywhere in the world (apart from Japan) tips are always appreciated, but in most establishments the staff won’t be upset if you decide not to tip. Here are a few tipping, uh… tips:

  • Restaurants: If you are dining at a simple street side stall, you generally don’t tip (though it is common to let the stall holder keep the change if it’s a small amount). If you are at a casual sit-down restaurant, 10% will do it. If you are eating at a more upscale establishment check the bill as a 10% service charge is often added. Leaving extra is fine, but you don’t need to leave a lot. 
  • Hotels: If you’re pleased with the cleanliness of your room and the maid service, leave 1.50-3.00 USD per day that you stay on the bedside table each day. If a porter brings your bags to your room, then again 1.50-3.00 USD is acceptable. If you have received great service from a particular staff member during your stay – the concierge or a member of the security team for example – then a small tip on departure, say 5.00 USD is a nice gesture. 
  • Guides: Our guides do not accept commissions or kickbacks from vendors, and they are well paid and motivated to do a great job taking care of you. That said, if you are genuinely satisfied, they would be grateful for something extra. A general guideline would be between 10-15 USD per person per day. For a family doing a multi-day trip, approximately 5-10 USD per person per day. There are times when extraordinary service warrants more, but use your judgment as you would at home. 
  • Drivers: Our drivers are dedicated to their job, with your safety and comfort above all else. If you formed a relationship with your driver and they have exceeded expectations, you may wish to consider tipping 5-10 USD/day. 

Cultural Tips

Vietnamese are very gentle, friendly, polite, hospitable and helpful. It seems that the concept of tourism is quite new to Vietnam. When you meet Vietnamese, they may feel shy to talk to you, however, here are a few things you should consider while traveling in the country.

 

  • If you have a complaint about something, do it so in a manner that will not be taken as threatening or insulting.
  • Very direct questions about one’s age, family status, and income are quite natural topics of conversation and not considered rude or personal.
  • A gentle handshake is usual when meeting, but public demonstrations of close affection are not quite accepted.
  • Never touch adults on the head. Locals consider heads the spiritual height of the body. 
  • Do not blow your nose while eating. It is best to get up and step away from the table.
  • In busy centers, keep your shirt on (unless on the beach of course). 
  • Women must never come in physical contact with a monk.
  • Smile early and smile often – it opens many doors.

Shopping

Your guides and ground team are trustworthy and they have your best interests at heart. We have a very strict policy against kickbacks and commissions. We would never compromise your free will for 3rd party gain or to appease alliances of convenience. 

Vietnam is a fantastic place for shopping opportunities. Bargaining should be good-natured, smile and don’t get angry or argue. Once the money is accepted, the deal is done. In some cases you will be able to get a 50% discount or more, at other times this may only be 10%.

What to Read?

Whether you’re preparing for your adventure, currently enjoying it or reminiscing years later, food for the soul is always a good thing. These picks can be enjoyed while overlooking the Mekong River, lazing on a stunning beach, riding the plane or lounging on your couch at home. Here are some books we enjoy that cover a broad slice of Vietnamese life and history.

Catfish and Mandala, by Andrew X. Pham (1999) – Catfish and Mandala was the winner of the 1999 Kiriyama Pacific Rim Book Prize. This is an eye-opening, often hilarious view of Vietnam through the eyes of a Vietnamese-American who returned to his homeland 20 years after emigrating to the USA.

The Quiet American, by Graham Greene – The classic novel of a British journalist and his relationship with a Vietnamese woman and the turbulence in his life and the country.

Perfect Spy, by Larry Berman – Chronicles the extraordinary life of one of the twentieth century’s most fascinating spies.  During the Vietnam War, Time reporter Pham Xuan An befriended everyone who was anyone in Saigon, not to mention the most influential members of the South Vietnamese government and army. None of them ever guessed that he was also providing strategic intelligence to Hanoi.

The Girl in the Picture, by Denise Chong – The author’s account of a napalm attack on her village that left her scared and how it impacted her life – incredible.

Sparring with Charlie: Motorbiking down the Ho Chi Minh Trail, by Christopher Hunt – A look at modern Vietnam and some of its smaller villages.

Vietnam: A Traveller’s Literary Companion, edited by Nguyen Qui Doc – A collection of stories from Vietnam’s top authors.

Shadows and Wind, by Robert Templer – A journalist’s take on modern Vietnam and its many sides, from multiple viewpoints.

Paradise of the Blind, by Duong Thu Huong – A look at the lives of three women in Hanoi over the span of 40 years.