1. Passport and Visa
Visas:Visas are not required for clients coming from the following countries:

Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei… While the Vietnamese government is considering the cancellation of visa requirements for other countries, clients not included in the list above need to secure visas. They will need to supply the following information:
Name in full (as it appears on passport)
Date of birth and nation of birth
Nationality and career
Passport number ( valid for six months after departure from Vietnam)
Date of entry and exit from Vietnam
There are two ways to secure Vietnam visas: at the airport upon arrival (landing visas) or at a Vietnamese overseas embassy. Both of these need visa authorization / approval in advance. We can help with each. Just contact us at the address below. The procedures are easy and quite quick nowadays. We simply need three/four working days -- in some urgent cases, one to two working days is sufficient -- to get the visa approval. We can email or fax this document to you. With this copy you can contact the Vietnam embassy to obtain your visa. Or you can bring the copy on your flight to Vietnam and show it to the Immigration desk at the airport to receive a visa upon arrival. You will pay for visa fee ($US 20 each). Our services of visa processing are free of charge

Vyta Tours
17A Tran Dinh Xu St., Dist.1, Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) - Vietnam.
Tel: (848) 3837 7881 - 3837 7882 - 3837 8072 :: Fax: (848) 3836 8385
Email: info@vytatours.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ::  Website: http://www.vytatour.com/

2.Customs and security
Custom and security are getting easier and easier. All foreigners are warmly welcomed in Vietnam. You can bring as much money as you like into Vietnam, but cannot take out more than you brought in. We suggest you declare your currency as well as any valuables such as jewelry and electronic equipments. You need to take them out with you or imported taxes could be applied. And like other countries, drugs and firearms are strictly prohibited in Vietnam.

3. Weather and climate
With a coastline that stretches more than 3,200 kilometers, Vietnam's climate is varied even though it is generally considered a tropical country.

The South:
Saigonand its eastern provinces, as well as the Mekong delta, have two seasons, the dry season and rainy season. The dry season is characterized with clear skies and lots of sunshine. It runs from November through May. Temperatures range between 18 and 30 degrees Celsius (64 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit) from November through March. However, it sometimes warms up to 34 degrees Celsius (93 degrees Fahrenheit) in June and July. The rainy season begins in June and lasts through October. The rains during this season have their own charm, raining hard for one to two hours in late afternoon. The rains - and they are sometimes heavy - end quickly, cooling off temperatures even as the sun once again begins to shine. Flooding occasionally happens deep in the Mekong delta far from tourist sites

The Center:
Phan Rang through Nghe An: This section of Vietnam has three months of rain yearly, in November, December and January. Temperatures range from 17 to 27 degrees Celsius (63 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit). The rains are often light and misty. Drizzle is common in Hue. It's cool in February and sometimes warms up to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) in June and July. Aside from the rainy months, the climate in central Vietnam is quite agreeable, especially in March, April, May, August, Sept and October.

The North:
Thanh Hoa through the rest of the north: Here there are four seasons: Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring. In the spring and in autumn, March through May and August through October, the temperatures are cool and quite comfortable. From November through February, it drizzles and gets colder. However, "cold" in Vietnam has no comparison to other temperate climate countries. In Vietnam, even in the coldest months temperatures rarely fall below 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit). During the hottest months temperatures can reach 36 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit).
Note:Rain and cool weather are not major factors in Vietnam. Consider that our peak tourist season is the months of October through March when rain falls in the central and northern parts of Vietnam, and the months are cool. In “cold” days in Vietnam, while local people are wearing thicker cloths, foreigners who come from cold countries in Europe and north America even look more comfortable with light and simple dressing. Interesting, yes?

4.Currency
Vietnamese currency is referred to as the "Dong." Currently the rate is approximately 17,800 Dong to one U.S. dollar and 28,500 to one EURO. Traveling in Vietnam you are advised to use Vietnamese currency. However, U.S. dollars are accepted just anywhere in Vietnam (but you won't likely receive U.S. dollars in change, except at the larger hotels). Money exchanges are very common and easy throughout the country. Vietnamese currency is readily available with credit cards at airports and banks. ATM services are also available every where nowadays (tourist sites, cities, airports, rail & bus stations, shopping centers…).

5. Health
When traveling to Vietnam, you are advised to bring your own special medicines if you really need them. You actually need not worry about food as a health matter. We choose sanitary restaurants with excellent cuisines. Further, there are international clinics and hospitals in all the major cities. Compared with Thailand, China, India, Cambodia…, Vietnam has relatively fewer HIV/AIDS cases. Recently, the bird flu has been a concern in many countries. It is passed by coming into direct contact with diseased birds or by eating raw fowl. We always pay special attention to avoid such contact and contaminated fowl.

6.Airlines
Besides these airline companies: Vietnam Airlines, Indochina Airlines, Jetstar Pacific (Pacific Airlines formerly) which have been in operation for years, there are other new airline companies are planning to operate. Each has domestic flights to all the major cities. While Vietnam Airlines has plenty of flights to more than 25 inside-country destinations and a lot of flights to many other countries in Europe, America, Asia and Australia.
Bringing international travellers to and from Vietnam, also there are plentiful regular flights of these airlines:Air France, Lufthansa Airlines, KLM Airlines,Bristish Airlines, Lauda Air, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airlines, Thai Airways, China Airlines, Eva Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Quatas Airlines, Korean Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Swiss Air, Aeroflot, Emerates, Philippines Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Southern Airlines, Garuda Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Siem Reap Air, Laos Airlines…

7. Communication
Internet is very popular in Vietnam. In addition to all major hotels, you can access Internet almost anywhere at anytime in Internet cafes. Prices are cheapest in Asia, running around 30 cents hour. You can also use your laptops in every hotel in Vietnam. Local phone calls cost about a cent per minute inside cities, and less than 6 cents per minute within the country. It costs about 15 cents per minute for international calls. Besides, internet phone prepaid cards are available at around $US 3 per card for virtually 200 minutes of calls.

8. language
Like its nation, the Vietnamese language has travelled rough roads. When Vietnam was under the harsh rule of feudal Chinese invaders (for almost a thousand years), we were forced to use Chinese language. Thanks to our ancestors' continuous struggles our country was not lost but the Chinese influences were obviously profound. Therefore, even several centuries after we seized independence in 980, we still couldn't give up using Chinese language. Meanwhile, China has been always the main threat for the country's liberty. Chinese invaders came back from time to time. And until today they seem never to abandon their ambition to take over Vietnam. Several centuries ago, our ancestors created CHU NOM, a kind of Vietnamese writing based on Chinese pictography. In the 17th century a French missionary named Alexandre de Rhodes developed QUOC NGU, our present language, based on Latin alphabets. Unlike other languages in region (many of which use sanskrit as the base) Vietnamese language is very readable to the Westerners. It is much easier to find street addresses, names of hotels, restaurants, companies etc. in Vietnam than in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, India or China. But because of the system of accent marks, the pronounciation seems a little harder.
Most popular foreign language spoken in Vietnam is English. The next in orders may be French, German, Japanese, Thai, Spanish, Italian…

9. Ethnic groups
Vietnam has 54 peoples, in which more than 80% are Kinh people speaking Vietnamese. 53 other ethnic groups, such as : Khmer, H'Mong, Thai, Chinese, Dao, Tay, Nung, Giarai, Ede, Bana, Strieng, Champa... vary from 1.5 million down to a few thousand of people. Even though they have their own languages and cultures, most of them speak Vietnamese too. The peoples of H'Mong, Tay, Dao, Thai black and white ... in the north or northwest mountainous areas of Vietnam are appreciated by international tourists the most colorful in their own customs and dressing in South East Asia.

10. Office hoursGovernment offices and banks run from 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., with one hour closing for lunch. Restaurants, bars and night clubs are open until midnight and often as late as 2:00 to 3:00 a.m. You will find gift, novelty shops and markets opening daily, even through the lunch hours

11. Electricity
Vietnam has 220 volts and 50 cycles electricity. Almost all electric outlets have two round prongs. However, most of the larger hotels also have three prong outlets. You are advised to bring adapters with you, but they can also be purchased locally

12. Luggage and apparel
Normally, international tourists prefer bringing big suitcases since most like to purchase gifts to take home for themselves, friends or relatives. It is also easy to purchase additional luggage in Vietnam. As earlier stated, weather and climate in Vietnam is moderate - and never cold. Thus, you're advised against bringing heavy clothes. Dress lightly and comfortably. Cameras and/or video equipment are always good ideas. Dress is generally informal. The Vietnamese are generally modest. However, shorts or strapless shirts are generally not welcomed in pagodas, churches or other holy places. Many tourists wear sandals. Known as well that virtually all products, such as shoes, clothes, bags, and souvenir items are quite inexpensive in Vietnam. In many locations, you can even order tailor-made clothes within a single day or even a few hours.

13. International driving licenses
International drivers' licenses are required for those who come to Vietnam to do business and plan to drive vehicles or motorcycles. Licenses are required for more than 110cc motorcycles. Be sure to bring with you proof of your foreign driver's license

14. Tips
Tipping is always appreciated for drivers, porters, waiters, waitresses and tour guides. It is considered polite to give tips for services well done. In general, tour guides receive the most generous tips, followed by drivers, porters, waiters and waitresses. Tipping, however, is not obligatory

15. Vietnamese culinary delights
Located at the trading cross roads of Asia, Vietnam has been in a very good position for international transportation. This can help explain why Vietnam has at various times been under the domination of the Chinese and French, and was caught in the Vietnamese-American war. Vietnam has been influenced by many external cultures and cuisines, including the Spanish, Portugal, French, Indian, Thai, Cambodian and Laotian. It can be said that Vietnamese food has been widely influenced by foreigner tastes. Vietnamese cuisine is characterized by rich seasonings, including salt, chili, onion, garlic, citronella, pepper and fish sauce. At the same time, the cuisine is not as spicy as the cuisine in Korea, India, or Thailand. A common Vietnamese meal might consist of steamed rice, fish, along with small cuts of meat, vegetables and eggs, blended together. Common meats and fowl include pork, beef, goat and chicken. Fish and other sea foods are in abundance. Vietnam is a major seafood exporter. Fruits are also plentiful and are both colorful and tasty. Many Vietnamese, including devoted Buddhists, maintain a vegetarian diet.
Vietnam is internationally well known for its spring rolls and beef noodle soup, called "pho," and pronounced "faw." These originated in the north. "Bun bo," another variety of noodle soup, and a bit spicier than "pho," comes from Hue in central Vietnam. Yet another form of noodle soup, made with other spices and pork or shrimp, "hu tieu," originates in the south. Desserts are often served with dragon fruit, pineapple, watermelon, jackfruit, mango, grapes, bananas, longan and plums.m, an ethnic museum, and many other places of interest. Hanoi deserves the reputation as being one of the most beautiful cities of Asia.

16. Religions
The Vietnamese follow a number of religious traditions. The populace is roughly 40 percent Buddhist, 10 percent Catholic, 7 percent Cao Daists, and 10 percent for all others, including Protestants, Hoa Haoists, Muslim, Hindu and Brahmin. Regardless of religious affiliation, Vietnamese are also ancestor worshipers and always reserve a central and solemn location in their homes for altars dedicated to their ancestors. These altars are not only for religious or worship activities, but also for preserving and keeping spiritual, mental, and traditional values of the Vietnamese family intact. One of the most appreciated values in Vietnamese spiritual life is gentleness and meekness. The family is important, central to all Vietnamese values, which are life-giving. Vietnamese avoid causing harm and suffering to others. They take pride in keeping the family at the center of their worship life