Travel Information

Frequent domestic and international flights make getting started on the World Heritage Road easy

Flying

Flying is the most ususal way to reach Central Vietnam and several of the cities along the WHR are connected by air. From here you can continue your explorations by road or by rail.

Danang is currently served by international flights from Hong Kong and Bangkok with other internatonional cities to follow soon: PB Air flies three times a week from Bangkok. Singapore's Silk Air (www.silkair.com) currently have three weekly flights from Danang to Singapore and vice versa. Another Singapore-based airline, Tiger Airways, operates 4 flights a week to Danang from Singapore (www.tigerairways.com)

Vietnam Airlines has also increased domestic links with Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and Hanoi providing easy access to Danang, Hue, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Vinh, Quy Nhon all cities along the World Heritage Road (www.vietnamairlines.com).

Taxis

Taxis are the safest way to get around in Vietnam's cities.

Thua Thien Hue
Hue taxi Tel 84-54-833 333
Gili taxi Tel 84-54-828 282
Thanh Do Tel 84-54-858 585
Co Do Tel 84-54-830 830

Danang
Dana Tel 84-511-815 815
Mai Linh Tel 84-511-522 266
Huong Lua Tel 84-511-828 282
Song Han Tel 84-511-655 655
Airport Tel 84-511-625 626

Travelling along the World Heritage Road

Air-conditioned minibuses or cars are a good way to travel along the WHR. These are organized by travel agencies (refer to travel in website) and tourist offices.
There is also a local train service on the Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City line that services the WHR cities along the coast of Central Vietnam.
In the cities the best way to get around is by cyclo, motorbike, taxi or car arrangement via a travel agent or tourist office.

Entering Vietnam

Visas are available from Vietnam Embassies around the world or upon arrival in Danang. Danang has become the first international gateway in central Vietnam to offer visa on arrival for travellers holding advance hotel bookings and the appropriate documentation, by prior arrangement with the Furama Resort Danang (www.furamavietnam.com). Details of the travel documents should be forwarded to the hotel at least 24 hours in advance. The cost of these visas is approximately USD30.00 per person.

Customs Regulation

Entry:
- Visitors are authorized to bring the following items:
- Cigarette: 400; Cigar: 50-100; Tobacco: 100gr.; Liquid: 1.5l.
- Personal effects of a reasonable quantity. Small gift items valued at not more that USD 300.
- The amount of cash is not limited, but amounts of over 3,000USD must be declared.

Exit:
Goods of commercial nature and articles of high value require export permits issued by the customs authorities. Antique, some precious stones and animals listed in Vietnam's red book may not be brought out of the country.


Weather in Vietnam

Vietnam is located in both a tropical and a temperate climate zone which provides Central Vietnam an ideal climate zone for year around traveling.
In Hanoi the average temperature is 23.5oC, in Ho Chi Minh City 26.9oC, in Hue 25.1oC and in the Danang region is 25.4oC.
The coolest months in the Danang region are November to February with an average low of 20oC and an average high of 25oC to 27oC. While in Vietnam this is considered as the cooler period, these are still ideal temperatures for exploring (matching summer weather in Central Europe) and thus ideal for a holiday trip from Europe allowing you to escape the freezing winter temperatures), don't forget the humidity level is much higher in Vietnam as well.
In January - February 2002 temperatures range from 25oC to 32oC.
The hottest months are from April to August with an average low of 24oC - 25oC and an average high of 30oC - 34oC.

Diving in Vietnam

Scuba divers can enjoy some of the best diving in Vietnam during Danang's diving season, which runs from February to October. The Furama Resort is a recognized PADI resort (Ref.No. R6604) and one of Vietnam's top diving centers (www.furamavietnam.com <http://www.furamavietnam.com>)

Currency

The currency of Vietnam is "Dong". The US dollar is also widely used. As of June 2006, the exchange rate is approximately VND 15,970 to one dollar. Besides that, credit cards are accepted more and more at the hotels, restaurants, shops and travel agencies in larger cities. Popular credit cards are Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, JCB.

Language

English, French, Cantonese and Japanese are spoken by hotel staff, and other languages by guides and interpreters.

Religion

Great philosophies and religions have shaped the spiritual life of Vietnamese People:
Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Christianism, Caodaism, others.

Other useful tips

Business hours (GMT+ 7)
- Offices: 8:00 am to 11:30am and 01:00pm to 05:00pm, closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Banks: 08:00 am to 03:00pm, closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Airport Tax
- International flight: USD 14 at Noi Bai Airport and Tan Son Nhat Airport, USD 8 at Da Nang Airport.
- Domestic Flight: tax is included in the airfare

Electric Current: 110-220 volts A.C

Long distance phone calls should be made at post offices, hotels or telephone booths (phone cards are available at post offices).

  • A tip might be about 5% of the bill.
  • Bottled water and mineral water are obtained at any shops in most cities. It is advisable to drink boiled water and not to drink ice and tap water.
  • No vaccinations are presently required.

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