Danang weather in January

Danang weather in January

Danang is the third biggest city in Central Vietnam. This city has two different season : the rainy season and the dry season. Let’s take a look here on the weather of Danang in January.

January is one of the “coldest” months with average temperature between 19 and 24 degree Celsius.

In Janury, the number of rainy is decreasing because it is the end of rainy season. The average number of rainy days is around 10 days during this month. Which is the half of the rainy days during December.

So, January is good time for visiting Danang with dry and cooler weather.

However, temperature of water which drops to its lowest level of the year at 22 degree Celsius makes January not a good time to swim and join in other water sports in this coastal city. There can be often big waves at the beach which makes it more difficult to swim.

This month is a good period to visit Ba Na Hills because most of the attractions will be not crowded. You will also have the chance to discover Ba Na Hills during the winter with an average temperature between 10 and 15°C.

If you travel to Danang during this period, tourits will discover the Têt festival. People rush for Têt shopping, and main streets are lit up and decorated with colorful flowers and flags these days.

Besides, visiting Danang or any other big cities in Vietnam at the end of January; tourists have a chance to appreciate colorful firework displays on the Tet Eve.

Note that during Têt Holidays, it is much more difficult to travel to Danang because most of the services are more expensive.

January is an intermediate month between rainy and dry season, January is somtimes rainy month. February is better time to visit Danang with warmer and drier weather.

How to get a cheap Sim Card in Vietnam

cheap sim card in Vietnam

Looking to stay connected in Vietnam? Buying a local SIM card is inexpensive, with good coverage and data speeds. Our local travel agency will provide you a good and cheap Sim Card with the best price.

The easiest way to get a Sim Card in Vietnam is to buy it at the airport. Most of the travellers buy a sim card at the airport when they arrive at Hanoi, Danang or Ho Chi Minh city. It is a fast and trustly way to buy a sim card in Vietnam.

However, at the airport the price of a Vietnam Sim Card is about 10 USD.

Mobifone Sim CardMobifone sim card Vietnam

You are looking for a cheap Sim Card in Vietnam. The Mobifone is a good choice if you want to stay connected with the cheapest Sim Card in Vietnam. You will have 9GB high speed data and low speed data after.

Data : Unlimited with 9GB high speed

Availibility : 2 weeks

Price : 4 USD

Vinaphone Sim Cardcheap sim card in Vietnam

If your looking for more data and you would like to stay connected with high speed internet during your whole trip, Vinaphone Sim Card is the best option. It is also a cheap sim card in Vietnam, cheaper than at the airport.

Data : Unlimited with 2GB high speed/day

Availibility : 2 weeks

Price : 6 USD

Where to exchange money in Hanoi

Where to exchange money in Hanoi

Almost all payments in Hanoi and in all Vietnam are made in cash. The local currency in Vietnam is Vietnam Dong (VND). It is therefore important to always have a small bundle of cash on you when you go to restaurant or for shopping. The question then is: where to exchange money in Hanoi?

Here are the listed the best places to exchange money in Hanoi.

There are different types of places where you can exchange money in Hanoi. Some places are more convenient but the exchange rate is often not very good. In few places only, you will find a good exchange rate in Hanoi.

VND exchange rate

Exchange rate change money in Hanoi

The Vietnamese dong (VND) is the Vietnamese official currency. The VND 10,000 is the smallest polymerised bill you’ll find on the street these days.  Coins of as low as VND 200 have long been phased out but you will find bills of 1000 VND and 2000 VND. The upper limit is the VND 500,000 bill.

Getting a grip on all those zeroes can be challenging for the first-time visitor to Vietnam. With a little time and practice, buying and spending Vietnamese dong becomes second nature to the Vietnam visitor.

The exchange rate of the VND is modeled on the exchange rate of the US dollar and also takes into account the rate of inflation. So, about thirty years ago, a few Dongs were enough to buy a bowl of soup (or Pho Bo). Today, with the effect of inflation, the price of a bowl of soup is about 30,000 VND.

The rate of Vietnam Dong varies daily according to the variation of the US dollar. It is therefore necessary to check the current exchange rate of your currency in Vietnam Dong before going to a bank or the like.

The reference site for checking the exchange rate is: https://www.xe.com/en/

Exchange money at Hanoi airport

Change money in Hanoi airport

A quick and easy way to exchange your currencies into Vietnam Dong is at the airport. In each international airport (including Hanoi airport and Ho Chi Minh City airport), you will find many counters at the exit  where it is possible to exchange money.

The biggest advantage of the airport is to be able to exchange almost any currency. The counters are also easily accessible upon your arrival in Vietnam and the service is fast. The counters are open from 6.30am to 9pm. 

The disadvantage of the airport is the exchange rate. The exchange rate is often disadvantageous. It is advisable to compare rates between each counter.

So, Hanoi airport is the most convenient way to exchange money in Hanoi but the exchange rate is not very good. That’s why we advise to exchange few currencies at the airport in order to take the taxi or the bus and exchange more money in Hanoi old quarter.

Exchange money in the bank in Hanoi

Banks in Hanoi can exchange money in Vietnam Dong. In big cities, it’s easy to find banks on every street corner. The advantages of banks in Vietnam is to be able to exchange money at an interesting rate. Banks are also very secure. It is therefore easier to exchange a large quantity of liquid safely. Most of the employees at the counters also speak English.

The disadvantage of banks in Hanoi is the opening schedule. Indeed, most banks open at 9:00 am and close around 17:00. It is therefore not possible to exchange money in the late evening. Also, the banks are closed on sunday in Vietnam.

In addition, banks do not allow to exchange all currencies in Vietnam. Euros and dollars are accepted by all banks.

Apart from US Dollars, many banks in Vietnam still exchange VND for these foreign currencies:

  • Australian Dollar: 1 AUD ≈ 17,000 VND
  • British Pound: 1 GBP ≈ 29,000
  • Euro: 1 EUR ≈ 25,000 VND
  • Canadian Dollar: 1 CAD ≈ 16,000 VND
  • Japanese Yen: 1 JPY ≈ 200 VND
  • Singaporean Dollar: 1 SGD ≈ 16,000 VND
  • Taiwanese Dollar: 1 TWD ≈ 500 VND
  • Hong Kong Dollar: 1 HKD ≈ 3,000 VND
  • Swiss Franc: 1 CHF ≈ 22,000 VND
  • New Zealand Dollars: 1 NZD ≈ 15,000 VND
  • Thai : 1 THB ≈ 700 VND

Exchange money in a jewelery store in Hanoi

Most jewelery shops allow you to exchange money in Hanoi. They agree to do it at a very interesting rate and very close to the actual rate. Some jewelers have become specialists in money exchange in Hanoi and do not even sell jewelry anymore. These jewelry stores accept all currencies.

For example, in Hanoi, you can visit Quôc Trinh Jewelery at 27 Ha Trung Street, at 10-minutes walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. You will see many tourists there to exchange money. The staff do not speak English but will take your money and show you the rate on a calculator. If you agree, your money will be exchanged to Vietnam Dong. 

Exchange money at the hotel in Hanoi

A simple and practical way to exchange money in Hanoi is to do it directly at your hotel. Most hotels agree to do this. Your hotel used to help their customers in order to simplify there stay in Vietnam. So, you can ask them to do many things and also to exchange your money.

The hotel will exchange your money at the actual rate without taking any commission.

However, the hotel will often not be able to exchange large sums of money because they do not have enough Vietnam Dong in the cash register. It is worth going through your hotel to exchange small amounts of money in Hanoi.

If you arrive late in Hanoi old quarter and you do not have any local currencies, exchange money at your hotel is the most convenient way to get local currencies.

Note that all the hotel do not accept to exhange money. The small and budget hotels will not accept to exchange money.

Take cash at the ATM

Take cash at the ATM in Vietnam

A simply way to get cash with local currencies it to take it at the ATM.

Most ATMs are connected to Visa and Mastercard networks. But do notice that a currency exchange fee and an ATM withdrawal fee will be applied.

Our advice is that you should ask your bank about the rules of getting cash advances overseas because the fee may be unfairly large.

Best time to visit Mai Chau

Best time to visit Mai Chau

There is no best time to visit Mai Chau but many different good times to visit Mai Chau. In this article, we will explain you when the ricefields are green and when they are yellow just before harvesting.

Mai Chau in JulyThe idyllic and rural valley of Mai Chau is located at only 150 km from Hanoi but it’s like being in a parallel world. Fields and rice paddies stretch as far as the eye can see, and the mountains blend into the horizon. The best time to visit Mai Chau is when the rice paddies are green or yellow because at some periods in the year, there are no rice crops anymore and this peacefull area is less beautiful.

The only soundtrack here comes from nature, the delicate song of birds, the roar of buffaloes, the cry of chickens and children playing freely in the fields. Although Mai Chau has become an increasingly popular tourist destination, it has kept its welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.

Best time to visit Mai Chau

The best time to visit Mai Chau is from April to May and even better from September to October, both in terms of climate and scenic beauty.

Best time to visit Mai Chau in June

There are 2 rice harvests in Mai Chau and its surroundings. The rice is planted after Tet, in late January and early February. After that, the rice fields will be green from April until the end of June. At this period, you will have the chance to see many different types of green in the valley.

At the end of June, the rice will be harvested. It is the time of the first harvest. In Mai Chau, all the people work together and harvest the rice by hand which is a spectacular perfomance.

Then the rice is sown again in July and harvested in October. So, from August to October, it is also a good time to visit Mai Chau with green ricefields.

In terms of climate, the weather oscillates between showers and bright sunshine in April and May. The temperature average is around 25 and 30°C.

In June, temperatures and humidity rise up and become really hard to bear. Go for shorter walks and bike tours.

In August, the rice fields are very green, but it rains a lot. It is also very hot at this period with a temperature average around 32-35°C.

Best time to visit Mai Chau in July

Then in September, the rain diminishes, the weather is cooler and the rice fields are again green until the second harvest in late September, early October.

Mai Chau in September

The weather remains ideal for visiting the area until late November, but the landscape loses its luster once the rice is gone.

The winter in Mai Chau

From December to end February, it is cold (temperatures can drop below 15 degrees), the sky is overcast and it often has drizzle. At this period, there are no ricecrops anymore in Mai Chau. It is not a good time to visit Mai Chau. The ricefields will be brown and the farmers don’t work in the fields at this period.

Most of the people spend an overnight in a homestay in Mai Chau. Most of the year, the weather is pleasant in Mai Chau and people don’t need air conditioning in the room. In the winter, the nights in Mai Chau can be less comfortable because with temperatures under 15°C at night, it is very cold if you stay in a traditionnal wooden house from the Thai minorities.

What to see in Mai Chau

Mai Chau is located in a peaceful valley. Most of the people visit Mai Chau to enjoy the calm of the vietnamese countryside.

When you arrive in Mai Chau, you will have the chance to arrive at the top of a mountain with an amazing view on Mai Chau Valley. At this view point, there is a rock with a vietnamese flag. All the people who want to have a lucky trip in Mai Chau have to go on the top of this rock to enjoy the view.

In Mai Chau valley, there are a lot of small villages. The Viet people live around the main road and the Thai minorities live in small villages far from the main road. It is quite easy to find a homestay in Mai Chau. Also, it is possible to spend a night in a hotel. The most popular hotel in Mai Chau is Mai Chau ecolodge where people can spend an amazing night in an individual small house with all the modern comfort.

Mai Chau is a good place for easy trekking and learn more about the Thai traditions. Many people visit Mai Chau by bicycle which is a good choice because this area is flat. It is also possible to hire an electric car in Mai Chau for elderly.

Top things to see in Ba Na Hills

Things to see in Ba Na Hills
Ba Na Hills is one of the most popular attraction around Danang city. There are many things to see in Ba Na Hills. Ba Na Hills is a mountaintop resort complex that looks like a medieval castle, but inside these stone walls are modern accommodations, world class restaurants and a Fantasy Park full of exciting rides. Here are the top things to see in Ba Na Hills.
Located just 35 kilometers away from Danang city on Nui Chua mountain, Ba Na Hills is a tourist destination for domestic and foreign travelers. With a cooler and moderate climate, Ba Na Hill station was praised as ‘Da Lat of Da Nang city’ ever since the hill station’s inauguration in 1919, built by the French.
Ba Na Hills View
In 2018, the opening of the Golden Bridge has given to Ba Na hills the popularity like never before. But if you don’t know much about the other things to see in Ba Na Hills other than the Golden Bridge, then our article will help you to spend a wonderful day there.

Firstly, the name ‘Ba Na’ comes from Katu language. Katu language comes from the local ethnic minority group residing in the area, which means ‘my mountain’.

There are three parts of Ba Na Hills:

Lower part: Le Jardin D’Amour Garden, Debay Cellar, Golden Bridge,…

Upper part: French Village, Fantasy Park,…

Mountaintop: Tru Vu Tea Corner, Spiritual Zone,…

Ride the cable cars

Ba Na Hills Cable car

Visitors can only get to Ba Na Hills via cable cars. Ba Na Hills cable car system is one of the most impressive ten cable car lines on earth.

The cable car system at Ba Na Hills was completed in 2013 and holds several Guinness World Records, including the widest gap between stations and the greatest change in elevation. You will have a spectacular view on Danang and on a natural landscape from the cable car.

With three lines of cable cars of total 25 kilometers in length, the longest ride takes you about 20 minutes to get to the mountaintop. The lines departing from Da Nang are:

Dream Spring Station – Ba Na Station

By taking this short line, you can visit Linh Ung Pagoda with the giant Buddha statue and take funicular to Le Jardin D’Amour – a lovely French garden. After that, take the Debay – Morin cable car to Chua mountaintop to visit resort complex and Fantasy Park.

Toc Tien Station – L’Indochine Station

This is the line that holds several world records: longest one-wire sling, greatest elevation between station, longest unpatched wire and heaviest cable roll in the world. The ride takes you around 20 minutes and travel over the beautiful Toc Tien waterfall.

Hoi An Station – Marseille Station

From Hoi An Station, the cable car ride will take you to Marseille Station which is located just next to the famous Golden Bridge. From this station you must take a funicular to the garden Le Jardin D’Armour and Linh Ung Pagoda. To visit the mountaintop, take another cable car at Bordeaux Station.

You might think the cable car fee is too expensive but actually it’s inclusive many activities you can enjoy on Ba Na Hills and the scenery during the ride is absolutely worth every of your penny. Especially, from the cabin you can admire the beautiful panoramic view of mountains and sea.

Walk on the famous Golden Bridge

Ba Na Hills Golden Bridge

The Golden Bridge is one the most famous things to see in Ba Na Hills. This attraction was famous even before its opening in 2018. Since it’s officially opening, the bridge has created a worldwide phenomenon and become one of the most beautiful landscape on earth according to Time magazine.

Why is the Golden Bridge so famous for tourists all over the world? The most obvious reason is its staggering appearance – a delicate gilded bridge being lifted by two giant stone hands, with an amazing view on Da Nang city.

It’s safe to say that Golden Bridge is the most instagrammable man-made construction in Vietnam right now. For the most gorgeous pictures, come to visit Ba Na Hills in summertime !

The French Village

Ba Na Hills the French Village

The French village in Ba Na Hills is a miniature Europe with medieval French architecture beautifully designed on every of its corner and alley.

You might actually feel like you are in the French Alps. When the mists come up at night, or when the clouds fog cover the entire mountaintop, the illusion is even more complete. The cobblestone streets and European-style buildings are remarkably well-built considering that this resort is in Vietnam and at an elevation of 1,500 metres (4,921 feet).

Any visitor would gasp at the sight of the village when see it at the first time. French village is a complete town complex that consists all most everything: a church, a square with fountain, shops, eateries and hotels. With little to none fusion with other architecture style and the cool mountain air, these monuments are the things to see in Ba Na Hills !Ba Na Hills French Cathedral

Not only the architecture and the ambience, there are a lot street artists performing on the streets of French village. They will also take pictures with you. At night, these small yet gorgeous French town sparkles with the colorful lights on.

If you want to stay longer at French village, Mercure Hotel should be your choice, not only for its luxury accommodation services but also because it look just like any other French building here, making feel like you’re not staying at a hotel but rather a local residence.

Le Jardin D’Amour Flower Gardens

This beautiful garden is located at the lower part of Ba Na Hills, together with Linh Ung Pagoda, the giant Buddha white statue and Debay Wine Cellar. To get to the complex, you’ll take a short funicular ride.

Le Jardin D’Amour welcomes you with its gorgeous beauty of 9 different gardens which tell 9 different love stories. This is the paradise of those who are fans of flowers and European architecture, you’ll have the chance to admire the quintessence of them both. A harmony that will please every visitor who sets foot here.

The nine gardens are: Love Garden, Mystery Garden, Legendary Garden, Memory Garden, Heaven Garden, Grape Garden, Brain Storming Garden, Dream Spring Garden, and Sacred Garden.

Love Garden is the most popular of them.

The Wax Museum

If you would like to meet the most famous people of the world and take a photo with them, the wax museum is one the things to see in Ba Na Hills. There are some approximations on the wax statues but most of them seems to be real.

The Alpine CoasterBa Na Hills the alpine coaster

The Alpine Coaster is for children and people who like roller coasters. The Alpine Coaster will make you feel like in a speed car. The cars can go up to 40km/h (24 mph), but don’t worry, each car comes with its own braking system so you can go as fast or slow as you want. The Alpine Coaster is one the things to see in Ba Na Hills for children.

The 4D Death Race experience

Featuring a large 3D screen and moving seats, the Death Race lets guests feel the thrills of flying in a Formula 1 air race — but from the comfort of an air-conditioned theatre. There are even machines for wind, steam and smoke to further trick the senses. Your children will be very happy to try this attraction which is one of the famous things to see in Ba Na Hills for children.

The Drop TowerThe drop tower Ba Na Hills

Go from stunning beauty to cavernous terror in the blink if an eye at the Drop Tower, the wildest ride at Ba Na Hills. At the top, riders can look out the glass dome and see as far as the clouds will allow. Then, without warning, you’re dropped 29 metres (95 feet) into a cave based on two Jules Verne novels: Journey to the Centre of the Earth (1864) and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870).

Taste wine at 100-year-old Debay Wine Cellar

Since you’re at the garden, do not forget to visit the 100-year old wine cellar – Debay Cellar, built by the French in 1923. The cellar was dug in 100 meters long, through Ba Na Mountain, to maintain a continuous temperature of 16 – 20 degrees Celsius. A special material was used in the creating of the cellar you might never hear about. It’s litsea cubeba resin, in Vietnamese, called ‘mang tang’ which can only be found in this area. Come to this Debay cellar, you can enjoy the finest wine in Da Nang, and even Vietnam.

Ba Na Hills Ticket Fees

Ba Na Hills Cable Car ticket cost 700,000 VND per adult and 550,000VND per child for round-trip ticket.

You can join our Ba Na Hills group tour with daily departure from Danang to visit easily Ba Na Hills park. So, you will not get lost in Ba Na Hills and it is a cheap and easy way to visit Ba Na Hills from Danang.

Ba Na Hills is open everyday from 7 am to 10 pm. It takes a whole day to visit all the things to see in Ba Na Hills.

When is the best time to visit Ba Na Hills

The best time to visit Ba Na Hills is from January to August with dry weather.

If you’re visiting Ba Na Hills to take pictures of Golden Bridge, come during April to August but it is often crowded at this period especially on the Golden Bridge. The Golden Bridge is sometimes in the fog but from April to August the weather will be clear.

From September to March the Golden Bridge will be empty and it will be much better to pose for your Instagram pictures. However, don’t forget to bring umbrella because in September and October it’s supposed to rain because it is rainy season in Central Vietnam.

How to get Vietnam Visa (2024) – E-VISA – APPROVAL LETTER

need visa

Visa Vietnam : How to get a visa for Vietnam in 2023 ?

Most travelers wishing to visit or travel to Vietnam will need a visa to enter the country. Only Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Brunei, Myanmar, Japan, South Korea, Great Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy and France passport holders are visa-exempt for Vietnam provided that their travel or stay in Vietnam is part of a short-term tourist trip of less than 45 days. Similarly, citizens of Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Kyrgyzstan can enter Vietnam without a visa for any tourist stay of up to 30 days. Citizens of the Philippines are exempt from visa for stays of less than 21 days. Beyond this period of stay, a visa is required for these nationalities. (Vietnam travel: How to obtain a Vietnam visa)

There are 2 ways to get a Vietnam visa:

– The first is to apply for e-visa on the official government website : E-VISA VIETNAM

– The second solution is to obtain Visa Vietnam on arrival at the immigration post if your passport is not allowed to apply for e-visa, you will need invitation letter (commonly called “approval letter”).

In any case, before taking the steps to obtain a Vietnam visa, the traveler must be in possession of a valid passport (the passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the date of return), non-biometric passports are accepted.

A Vietnam tourist visa is automatically a single entry visa (unless you apply for a multiple entry visa), which means that if you leave Vietnam (for example for a combined trip with Cambodia , Thailand or Laos), you will need a new visa to return (or apply for a multiple entry visa) unless you are in transit at the airport, of course.

Note:

It is not necessary anymore to wait at least 30 days after leaving Vietnam to enjoy a new visa exemption (updated in 2023).

Here is the list of border gates that allowed foreigners enter and exit Vietnam by E-visa :

13 international airports: Noi Bai (Ha Noi), Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City), Cam Ranh (Khanh Hoa), Da Nang, Cat Bi (Hai Phong), Can Tho, Phu Quoc (Kien Giang), Phu Bai (Thua Thien Hue), Van Don (Quang Ninh), Tho Xuan (Thanh Hoa), Dong Hoi (Quang Binh), Phu Cat (Binh Dinh), Lien Khuong (Lam Dong).

16 land border gates: Tay Trang (Dien Bien), Mong Cai (Quang Ninh), Huu Nghi (Lang Son), Lao Cai, Na Meo (Thanh Hoa), Nam Can (Nghe An), Cau Treo (Ha Tinh), Cha Lo (Quang Binh), La Lay and Lao Bao (Quang Tri), Bo Y (Kon Tum), Moc Bai and Xa Mat (Tay Ninh), Tinh Bien and Vinh Xuong (An Giang), Ha Tien (Kien Giang).

13 sea border gates: Hon Gai and Cam Pha (Quang Ninh), Hai Phong, Nghi Son (Thanh Hoa), Vung Ang (Ha Tinh), Chan May (Thua Thien Hue), Da Nang, Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa), Quy Nhon (Binh Dinh), Dung Quat (Quang Ngai), Vung Tau (Ba Ria – Vung Tau), Ho Chi Minh City, Duong Dong (Kien Giang).

Visa Vietnam on arrival at the airport:

Visa on arrival is available only for passport holders who cannot apply for E-Visa. You can get a visa for Vietnam upon arrival if you arrive in Vietnam by one of these 3 airports (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Danang) through an invitation letter commonly called “approval letter”.

Visa vietnam

The letter of invitation (approval letter) is a letter issued by the immigration authorities in order to authorize the obtaining of the visa for Vietnam on arrival.

Thanks to the letter of invitation issued by our travel agency, you will be able to obtain your Vietnam visa at the immigration counter of the airports mentioned above for the payment of the visa fees at the airport in cash and in dollars.

Minors with their own passports will also have to pay visa fees. The time to obtain an approval letter or approval letter is usually between 3 and 5 business days. At the end of this period, our travel agency will send you the letter “approval letter” to print. The approval letter will be required at the time of check-in at the airport. Failing presentation of the visa authorization letter on arrival or a Vietnam visa, boarding your flight to Vietnam may be refused.

Note: The citizens of these countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea, Bissau Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tobago and Trinidad, Tunisia, Turkey, Yemen, Zimbabwe are not eligible for an approval letter.

Nationals of these countries must obtain a Vietnam visa at the Vietnamese Embassy before they can enter the Vietnamese territory. All letters of approval issued will be refused upon arrival.

How to get a visa on arrival

Simple and economic, obtaining the visa for Vietnam on arrival thanks to the letter of invitation (approval letter) will save you all the hassles of the administration. This system will prevent you from moving to the Vietnam Embassy or sending your passport.

To obtain a visa on arrival at the international airport, here’s how:

– Please send us a photo of your passport to start the procedure and the exact date of arrival on Vietnamese soil

– We will then send you the invitation letter approved by the Vietnamese Government within 3 working days by email

– Print and bring on board the letter of invitation with two ID photos. You can also print and bring on the plane the enclosed form (if necessary, you can get this form on the spot at the airport)

– Upon arrival at the airport, in front of the customs, you can queue at the counter for “VISA ON ARRIVAL” – Give your two passport photos with the letter of invitation and the completed form and your passport

– Wait until your name appears on the screen. Receive your passport with a visa and pay the stamping fee in cash.

– You can now go to the customs to pass the border control.

Get your visa on arrival

    MrMs

    Visa extension

    Once in Vietnam, if you want to extend your stay but your visa comes to end, a visa extension is possible.

    You can go through any local travel agency to obtain a visa extension. However, obtaining a visa extension is very expensive. It is therefore important to think carefully about the duration of your stay and your visa before arriving in Vietnam.

    It is also possible to renew your visa as many times as you want thanks to the visa run technique.

    Where to eat in Hoi An ? The 14 best restaurants in Hoi An

    where to eat in hoi an

    Hoi An is now a very touristy city where there are more than 600 restaurants. It can therefore be difficult to find a good restaurant especially because of the best alongside the worst. That’s why many people ask us where to eat in Hoi An, which are the best restaurants of Hoi An.

    You can eat all kinds of specialties at all prices. If you want to taste the traditional Vietnamese dishes of central Vietnam, Hoi An is one of the cities to recommend since there are a lot of good restaurants. Between Cao Lau (Only sold in Hoi An), Banh Bao Vac through Banh Xeo and Pho, Vietnamese cuisine is rich in flavors.

    We also have the chance to find excellent Western restaurants if you want to take a break with Vietnamese cuisine. On the program : pizza and burger. Here in this post you will know where to eat in Hoi An. Here is a small list of restaurants to know:

    LOCAL RESTAURANTS (small budget)

    PHO 29

    Here you can enjoy one of the best Pho soup in Hoi An. This soup is made with beef, vegetables and rice noodles. The price of the dish is about 30,000 Dong. The service is only in Vietnamese but with only one dish, no problem of understanding. 

    Adress: 29, Hung Vuong, Hoi An 5100, Vietnam

    NGA COM GA

    Also a unique dish restaurant (Com Ga = Rice with chicken). Here, there are different prices depending on the size of the meal and different pieces of chicken. The first price starts at 40,000 Vnd and they speak a little bit English.

    Adress: Phan Chau Trinh, Hoi An, Vietnam

    XANH QUAN
    This typical Vietnamese restaurant is perfect to meet local people. This place is one of the favorite places of locals despite it does not looks local and you will see it is often full. On the other side, if you are sensitive to noise, avoid this restaurant.
    Adress: 138 Tran Quang Khai, Hoi An  

    VIETNAMESE RESTAURANTS

    HI RESTAURANT

    Street food of Hoi An, it proposes a consequent choice of culinary specialties of Hoi An. From White Roses to Banh Dap via Cao Lau and Banh Xeo, most dishes are below 50.000 Vnd. Good size portions. Service in English and impeccable hygiene. Varied drinks.

    Adress: 15, Nguyen Phu Chu st, Hoi An

    BALE WELL

    bale-well Hoi an restaurant

    One of the must-see local restaurant in Hoi An, Bale Well is a restaurant where local people and tourists eat together, which is quite rare in Hoi An. There is no menu like most Vietnamese restaurants and the waitress will bring you the dishes without asking you anything. On the menu, it’s skewer of meat to roll in rice cakes, Banh Xéo and spring rolls for everyone. You pay the number of skewers eaten and the meal varies between 5 and 6 USD per person. Hygiene is not the strength of this restaurant without being repulsive. Point to note: Few varieties of drinks

    Adress: 45/11 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hoi An

    VI CAFÉ
    Small Vietnamese restaurant that excels everywhere, in vietnamese cuisine as well as Western cuisine. The prices are quite cheap making it a canteen for many tourists and expats. Their breakfasts are famous in Hoi An.
    Adress: 113 Tran Hung Dao, Hoi An

    BABY MUSTARD
    Located in Tra Que village, this restaurant has a very good reputation in Hoi An. The vegetables used for the dishes come from the ecological garden of Tra Qué. The menu is varied, from traditional to seafood. Staff and hygiene are at the top.

    Eating in the middle of the garden of Tra Qué is an original experience.

    Adress: Hai Ba Trung, Hoi An

    THE LITTLE MENU
    As the name suggests, the menu is really small but the Vietnamese cuisine is excellent, there is nothing wrong. I think the property lacks charm but if you want good Vietnamese food, this is the place for you, you will not be disappointed.
    Adress: 12 Le Loi, Hoi An

    MISS LY

    Second restaurant opened in Hoi An after the Mermaid, it is a reference for Vietnamese cuisine. The quality of the food and the cuisine with English service make it a very popular and highly recommended place and the price will take a back seat. Hygiene side, there is nothing wrong.

    Adress: 22, Nguyen Hue, Hoi An

    NU EATERY

    A fairly new restaurant, it has become a reference in a short time. The chef offers Vietnamese cuisine revisited and does it well. We regret the small portions but we will be seduced by the typical place.

    Adress: 10A Nguyen Thi Minh Kai – Hoi An

    RESTAURANTS OF SEAFOOD

    A ROI

    The best place to taste seafood is the A Roi. A local restaurant not far from the beach where you can choose fish and seafood in ponds. Negotiate prices per kilo before ordering. The waiters speak English. This is really worth the cost of taking a taxi to get to this little seaside restaurant. To go back to hotel, ask a waiter to call you a taxi. The other restaurants next to A Roi are also very good.

    INTERNATIONAL RESTAURANTS

    MIX 
    This new restaurant offers Greek cuisine. If you want to have a break in Vietnamese cuisine, this place is a good choice. It offers dishes with several specialties of Mousaka to Souvlaki through the Calamari.
    Adress: 188/, 05 Tran Phu

    GANESH
    The best Indian restaurant in the city is without hesitation the Ganesh. It offers several specialties from northern India. Reserve your seat or you will have to stay outside.
    Adress: 24 Tran Hung Dao

    GOOD MORNING VIETNAM
    Establishment of pizza in Hoi An and after the closure of Casa Verde (one of the oldest reference in pizza), Good Morning Vietnam, run by an Italian is one of the best see the best pizzeria from Hoi An

    Despite the quality of the service, pizzas are sometimes better than those served in european restaurants. My favorite, the calzone (puffed pizza).

    Count about 180,000 Vnd on average for a pizza.

    Adress: 11 Le Loi – Hoi Anwhere to eat in hoi an

    How much should I tip in Vietnam ?

    how much should I tip in Vietnam

    In the past, tipping is not a part of South East Asia culture. However, as the time flies, many things have changed, tipping gradually has become a part of this area culture and Vietnam is not an exception. But how much should I tip in Vietnam ?

    That’s an important question because with a tip, you want to give a reward for a service but the income of people is quite different in Vietnam than in other countries. So, how much should I tip in Vietnam to show my respect ?
    Here are some recommendations in this article for tipping.

    The root of this change is from the increase of a huge number of foreign tourists who come from Western countries and bring tipping culture here and nowadays, the tips is like a necessary part of the services employees’ income.

    Because tipping does not belong to the authentic local culture, normally, it is not compulsory for you to tip for any services you used. However, as in Vietnam, the general income for most of people is quite low, therefore the tip from customers is very important for service staff.

    How much should I tip the Tour Guide in Vietnam

    Normally, with private tour guide, the tip should be from 5 – 8 USD per day. However, with the group about 5 – 8 people or more, you should tip 2-3 USD/person/day. As the tour guide have to serve you all day long (even when they have already comeback home) and this job need a lot experience, knowledge and health, the tip for them usually the highest among other service staffs in tourism industry.

    how much should I tip the tour guide in Vietnam

    How much should I tip the driver in Vietnam

    You should tip a tour driver about 2-3 USD per day. On the other hand, with taxi drivers, if you feel totally comfortable with the car and they are so nice, you can just round up the total amount and let them keep the change.

    how much should I tip the driver in Vietnam

    How much should I tip in the Hotel (Bellman & Housekeeper)

    The tips about 1-2 USD should be applied for the bellman, but if you have too much luggage, you may tip 1 USD per suitcase or bag.

    Some people choose not to tip the housekeeper as clean the room is their duty. However, if you are totally happy with a clean and clear room with light aroma, you should leave few dollars on a table inside the room.

    how much should I tip in the Hotel in Vietnam

    How much should I tip at the Restaurant

    Restaurants in Vietnam usually applied 5% of service fee into your bills, therefore, actually there is no need to tip in any restaurant here. However, as you are totally happy with any waiter/waitress, you can give he/she 1-3 USD directly.

    how much should I tip at restaurant in Vietnam

    Spa

    If you use the luxury spa service, there is no need for tipping because the fee is high enough and includes commission for the staffs inside. In contrast, with the lower-end service, as the service price has been really low already, therefore, you should tip 15-20% bill directly to the staff who serve you.

    In general, although tipping is not a must-do in a South East Asia country like Vietnam. However, it now as a common way to say thank to service staffs whenever you get a totally satisfied service. Just remember, only tip when you are happy, no one can force you do that!

    Best food specialties you should try in Vietnam

    A trip to Vietnam is more meaningful and memorable than ever by trying its fine and delicious cuisine with a wide range of dishes in different regions. After checking in many impressive attractions, enjoying specialties are indeed a good way to enjoy your life. Furthermore, it is also interesting to learn more about the culinary uniqueness, local life and culture of each region. So, are you ready to explore this beautiful S-shaped country and find out the best specialty foods in different parts of Vietnam ?

    Specialties in Northern Vietnam

    • Green Sticky Rice (Côm Vòng) in Hanoi

    “Côm” is indeed a specialty in Hanoi. And the most reliable address for you to enjoy the best green sticky rice is in Vong village located on the outskirts of the capital city. Although how “Cốm” is made is still kept as a secret, there is one thing for sure that the process of making this specialty is really complicated and requires much time. Young glutinous rice – the main ingredient here – should be carefully chosen when they are even in their blossom. Slowly chewing green sticky rice is what you should do to feel its subtle scents, softness and tastes.

    It seems a big pity to skip a specialty in Ninh Binh, namely goat meat. Unlike goats in other areas, Ninh Binh goats likely grow on rock mountains. That’s why their meat is tougher, much more delicious and exotic than the ones raised on hills. Besides, the process of making goal meat dish becomes a secret of the locals. Traveling to Ninh Binh, you should not forget to enjoy various dishes cooked from goat meat, such as stir-fried goat meat, rare goat meat with lemon, steam goat meat, lemongrass and coconut goat, grilled goat brisket, etc.

    • Green Bean Cake in Hai Duong

    Also named Bánh Đậu Xanh Hải Dương, “green bean cake” is a sweet rectangular cake whose ingredients include green bean, pork fat, sugar, and grapefruit oil. After opening the box, eaters can easily feel its sweetly attractive smell. A very soft and tasty flavor just melt in your mouth after you enjoy it! Don’t forget to buy this specialty cake as the unforgettable gifts for family members during a trip to Hai Duong, Vietnam.

    • Fermented Pork in Thanh Hoa

    You only eat the best fermented pork in Thanh Hoa which is widely famous across the country, thanks to its delicious taste and unforgettable flavor. In fact, such specialty is made from fresh pork. That means the pork must immediately choose when the pig is slaughtered. Then, it is carefully minced and processed in a lot of steps. Another ingredient is pigskin. Once pork and pigskin are now processed, they will be then mixed with chili, salt, sugar, black pepper, fish sauce and “thính.” Next, the mix is wrapped in “dong” and banana leaves. In general, each packed roll may be eaten after 3 or 4 days.

    Specialties in Central Vietnam

    • Vietnamese Conjugal Cake (Bánh Phu Thê) in Hue City

    Hue is noticeable as the old kingdom of Nguyen Dynasty in the Center of the country. The city is peaceful and traditional with many attractions and foods. Here is where you can find it hard to leave without trying Conjugal Cake, or Bánh Phu Thê. As its name suggests, such cakes often do not come as individuals. Instead, you can see them being packed in pair. Basically, the stickiness of the cake represents the tie of the marriage, while the golden filling symbolizes the faithfulness and loyalty of the couple in a family.

    • Vietnamese Pancake in Phan Thiet

    Unlike other turmeric-yellow pancakes in Saigon, pancakes in Phan Thiet are very small crispy crepes. However, these are chewer and more delicious than their cousins in Ho Chi Minh City. The fillings are usually made of pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts, etc. To eat, you should tear off chunks of the crepe, and then wrap them in the paper rice, herbs and vegetable. After that, the roll is deeply dipped into a sweet and sour fish sauce dip. What a yummy dish! Tuyen Quang Street is where you can find such specialty.

    • Cudo Candy in Ha Tinh

    Cudo is a specialty of Ha Tinh. It is simply a kind of crispy candy in which many layers are made from dry cake, malt, peanuts, and sugar cane honey. Vietnamese have a tendency to eat Cudo while drinking green tea and leisurely have a conversation. What make the candy a culinary phenomenon of the region is its sweet, fatty, and spicy flavor. Foreigners can find it difficult to chew Cudo, because of its toughness. But, after trying several times, they instantly fall in love with this candy and also want to buy it to bring home and present to their family members and friends.

    • Grilled Rice Cake in Dalat

    Along with being a romantic place to marvel at colorful flowers, Dalat also gets its name famous for top best foods. Grilled Rice Cake is one of the city’s specialties. At that time, rice paper and other yummy toppings (i.e. pork floss, dried tiny shrimp, mayonnaise, quail egg, and chili sauce) are grilled on charcoal. Wait until the rice paper turns yellow and become crispy. This exotic food is greatly enjoyed while it is still hot.

    Specialties in Southern Vietnam

    • Cu Chi Beef in Saigon

    When visiting Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City – a place to learn more about Vietnam’s heart-breaking, heroic and resounding war against invaders, you should not ignore a chance to enjoy Cu Chi beef whose name has become a common specialty in many districts in Saigon. After browsing the menu, you can be enthralled by many various beef cooking styles. However, it is highly advisable to try boiled beef served with vegetables and forest leaves (Bò Tơ Hấp Cuốn Bánh Tráng Rau Rừng), beef served with vinegar soup (Bò Tơ Nhúng Giấm), stirred beef with saffron (Bò Xào Nghệ), etc. Gourmets may even feel the real taste of Cu Chi beef when it is cooked with no adding spices. Then, small slices of boiled beef should be wrapped in rice paper with herbs. Next, the roll is dipped into a wonderful fish sauce. How great it is!

    • Dish Made From Herring Fish And Vegetables (Gỏi Cá Trích) in Phu Quoc

    To make this dish, the fresh herring fishes are carefully chosen and processed by fishermen. Then, these will be decorated with strange types of vegetables with various flavors. Of course, the sauce is usually prepared with good quality fish sauce in Phu Quoc. All of these ingredients are harmoniously combined to make an unforgettable and wonderful dish, namely “gỏi cá trích.” And you can find this dish nowhere else in Vietnam, but Phu Quoc only. Sweet, salty, aromatic, acidic, as well as different textures, it does leave a strong impression on both local and international eaters.

    • Noodle Soup (Hủ Tiếu) in My Tho

    Although you can try a bowl of Hu Tieu in several street stalls at Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, Hu Tieu My Tho is quite different with its secret recipe only passing down from generations to generations. Instead of eating noodle soup with herbs and lettuce, guests are welcomed to try the flavor of lemon, chili, soybean, and soy sauce. To be sure, the most important contribution for an irresistible bowl of Hu Hieu is its broth cooked from pork, shinbone, squids, seasonings and additives. Enjoy one and feel the major differences right now!

     

    Things to Do in Hanoi City – Top Attractions

    Traveling to Southeast Asia may make you feel that everything just looks like the same, such as white-sand beaches, old temples, tourist traps, etc. Your mind can be changed after you visit Hanoi – the capital of Vietnam. Landing on here is like a new breath of fresh air. While Ho Chi Minh City attracts tourists by its vigorous and lively vibe, Hanoi helps them feel peaceful in heart and mind. The city is an amazing combination of modern living and traditional culture, which is suited to both extroverts and introverts. If you are the first-time visitor who’s concerned about what to do, when to visit, etc., then this post of Hanoi travel guide can ease your worry for sure !

    How to get there ?

    • By plane: Located about 45 kilometers North of Hanoi, Noi Bai International Airport serves as the main airport for domestic and international airlines. There are lots of regular flights which make it easy for tourists to choose from. Once you exit the airport, consider catching a metered taxi and mini-bus to reach any nearby hotel. But, if you’re still uncertain of using public conveyance, don’t mind requesting a hotel you’ve booked in advance to render airport service to you.
    • By train: Making a trip to Hanoi by train is also a nice idea because the city’s prime train station is not far from the centre of Hoan Kiem Lake. But, make sure that you check the cost’s ticket and route before departure.
    • By bus: Hanoi is a large transportation hub. You can catch the first-class sleeper bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi with an affordable price.

    When is the best time to visit Hanoi ?

    The city is endowed with 4 distinctive seasons. So, the time for departure partly depends on your travel purpose and your desirable activities once checking in here. In general, saying Hello to Hanoi in spring or autumn (from October to December) to enjoy cooler weather and avoid heat is a good choice. Or, you may stay away from the rainy season by making a travel plan between October and April. If watching many colorful parades and joining in temple celebrations are your main goals for this vacation, then make sure to arrive during Tet Holiday, which often takes place in late January or early February.

    What to do ?

    Visit the Museum of the Vietnamese Revolution 

    Situated at Tong Dan Street, this museum will be worth an arrival, if you are particularly interested in how Hanoi was in the past and the country’s revolutionary history. Events from 1858 to 1945 are mainly highlighted here. Although many artifacts in the museum are fascinating enough to get high attention from viewers, these simply aim for a less emotional and shocking pitch than those artifacts in War Remnants Museum, Ho Chi Minh City. Thus, items and documents here don’t fully convey the raw zeal which historical events occurred.

    Go around Hoan Kiem Lake

    Also called Lake of the Restored Sword, this place gets its name famous for an interesting legend. It was about Le Loi King who used the sword – a gift from heaven – to fight against a neighboring country and won a noble victory. One day, when taking a boat trip around the Thuy Quan Lake, a giant tortoise rose above water and asked him to return the sword to the Dragon King. He then threw the sword to the lake without any hesitancy. And the name “Hoan Kiem” started from then on.
    In general, from dawn to dusk, the lake is full of exciting activities. If waking up early, you can see lots of the elder and young people taking exercise or practicing Tai-chi. The afternoon is an ideal time to rent a cyclo and go around the lake with a handy camera. Once the sun goes down, it is easy to watch couples sitting on long benches to have sweet conversations or going for a stroll hand in hand along the lake.

    Hanoi city tour

    Drop by the Temple of Literature

    Just about a 10-minute walk away from Hoan Kiem Lake, Temple of Literature is another must-see destination you should not miss. It is considered the first university in Vietnam, which also serves as a monument to dozens of high-rank scholars. Visiting this temple gives you a chance to not only admire its classic architecture, but also learn more about its cultural and historic values. The opening time ranges from 8.00 AM to 5 PM with admission fee about 20,000 VND for adults and 10,000 VND for kids.

    Watch a show of Water Puppet

    A trip to the Northern Vietnam will not be complete without watching a performance of water puppetry. It is actually a traditional Vietnamese art form, dating back many centuries. A show tends to be performed in a pool of water, where the wooden puppets are manually controlled by skillful and talented artists. It basically displays the daily life of farmers (cultivating, catching fishes, harvesting, etc.), historical legends, or even communal festivals (dragon dancing, swimming contest, etc..).

    You are able to buy tickets and enjoy water puppet performances in 2 main theatres, including Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre and Vietnam Puppet Theatre. Going with children is also a good way to help them enhance their knowledge and bring them excitement.

    Haggle at one of Dong Xuan night market

    If your hotel or guest house is within the Old Quarter, and you would like to discover how nightlife in the city is, then head towards Dong Xuan night market now! You can find anything in this market, from sweets, salted dry fruit (ô mai), to clothes, stationeries, decorations, and toys. Even shopping is not your main purpose, roaming around to feel the atmosphere, savoring some snack, and chatting with other friends are highly recommended.

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