Information on Vietnam

Comparison of temperatures

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Hanoi	32	33	34	35	33	32	31	31	31	31	31	31
London	6	8	9	11	15	20	21	20	19	15	10	7

General note:

Below is an information overview. The conditions of entry, as well as the political and health situation, can change anywhere in the world at any time. We therefore recommend checking the website of the Foreign Office (www.gov.uk) before your departure.

Geography:

Vietnam is an elongated coastal state in the east of the mainland of South-East Asia.

Form of government:

One-party system

Capital:

Hanoi

Religion:

Predominantly atheists or adherents of various folk religions, as well as Buddhists, Catholics and Protestants.

Language:

The national language is Vietnamese.

Climate:

The climate is influenced by the monsoon. Northern Vietnam is subtropical with warm summers and mild winters. South Vietnam is tropical with a distinct rainy season in summer. Central Vietnam is dominated by a subtropical transitional climate with lots of rain in autumn.

Electricity:

The mains voltage is 110 / 220 V AC, 50 Hz. An adapter will be required. In some regions, the local mains voltage may be 110 V, for which a voltage converter is required.

Local time:

The time difference to UK is +6 hours in the summer months and +7 hours in the winter months.

Making telephone calls:

The country code for Vietnam is 0084 (+84). If you are calling the UK, dial 0044 (+44) and then the area code. The 0 before the area code is omitted.

Country and people:

Throughout the South-East Asian region, mutual respect is a valuable and important virtue. Friendliness and openness are therefore also expected from travellers. Skirts, shorts and revealing tops are forbidden in religious places. It is recommended to cover the shoulders and generally dress conservatively and casually. Shoes should be removed when entering the homes of local people. Tip Recommendation: It is common to tip the housekeeper £2 per room / night. In restaurants, a tip of about £1 to £2 per person / dish is usual. For group trips, it is recommended to tip the tour guide about £3 € to £5 per day / person, and the bus driver about £3 per day / person. Of course, it is up to each individual to decide whether and how much to tip.

Entry requirements for British citizens:

To enter Vietnam, your passport must have: • an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive • at least two blank pages • no damage – British nationals have been denied entry and exit due to passport damage You can visit Vietnam without a visa for up to 45 days for tourism or business. On arrival, your passport will be stamped with an entry and exit stamp (the date you have to leave by). Check that the date given is 45 days from your arrival date, as Immigration will not change this after you have left the airport / land border. Since April 2026, foreign travellers are required to complete a digital entry declaration. This can be done online before departure or via QR code after landing. Legal information and / or information outside the scope of these notes regarding entry requirements can only be obtained directly from the embassy or one of your destination country‘s general consulates. Nationals of other countries are advised to inquire at the Vietnam Embassy about the entry requirements applicable to them. Whilst we endeavour to provide guidance where necessary, we can not be responsible for any problems encountered (whether at any point of entry or elsewhere) in the event that passport and visa requirements are not satisfied. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/.

Tour guides:

Your expert tour guides will be able to provide you with detailed information about the country, people, history, culture, etc., and offer advice and assistance for organising your trip. They can also help with room allocation and look forward to welcoming you with initial information. Here you will find out all you need to know and useful information about the trip. We have put together a varied programme including numerous highlights, enabling you to experience the culture and diversity of landscape that Vietnam has to offer, and learn all about the country and its people.

Additional packages:

Although your trip already includes a comprehensive package, you also have the option of choosing added extras. We recommend booking the following packages: Half board: The package includes 9× dinner as 3-course menu in local restaurants: only £189* per person. Explorer package: The package includes the traditional water puppet theatre in Hanoi, the two full-day excursions to Halong Bay including boat trip & to the imperial city of Hue and the Street Food Tour in Hoi An: only £199* per person. * Package prices may vary when booking on site.

Currency/Banks/Credit cards:

The unit of currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND). 1 VND = 10 Hao and 100 Xu. Exchange rate (September 2026): 1 GBP = 35.1 VND; 1 VND = 0.0003 GBP. Cash may only be exchanged at official exchange offices with clear signs identifying them as such. Credit cards are accepted in many places and ATMs can also be found, but outside larger cities cash is still often the only accepted means of payment.

Customs regulations:

For basic customs regulations regarding the import of goods and foreign currency into Vietnam, please refer to the website of the Federal Foreign Office (www.gov.uk). Import, possession and use of all electronic cigarettes and the associated equipment are prohibited. If you are taking prescription medication into Vietnam, carry it in your hand luggage with a copy of the prescription. If it has a total import value greater than USD 100 (approx. £73), you must declare it at customs. More detailed customs information on importing goods can be obtained from the embassy of your destination country. Only there will you receive legally binding information. Important: If you are travelling to Great Britain from outside the UK, your personal allowances mean you can bring in a certain amount of goods without paying tax or duty. If you go over your allowances you must declare all your goods and pay tax and duty on all the goods in that category. Please inform yourself about the current customs regulations: https://www.gov.uk/bringing-goodsinto-uk-personal-use/arriving-in-Great-Britain.

Country-specific safety advice:

Public demonstrations are prohibited and have been previously dispersed by security forces. Participation in these can lead to lengthy pre-trial detention and sentencing to a long term of imprisonment, under harsh conditions of imprisonment. Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings of people. Follow the instructions of local security forces. Be aware that statements made in the UK on social media will be noticed in Vietnam and may lead to consequences when travelling there. A photocopy of an ID card can be helpful if the ID card is lost. Crime: Pickpocketing occurs frequently, especially in tourist centres. Travellers should therefore always keep an eye on their personal belongings and identification documents, even in shops, restaurants and at railway stations. In addition, there has been an increase in thefts of cash from hotel rooms. A photocopy of your ID can be helpful in case of loss.

Special criminal provisions:

Penalties for possessing, distributing or manufacturing drugs are severe. You can get the death sentence if you are found with even small amounts. Illegal drugs are often tampered with or spiked and can be much stronger than in Europe. British nationals in Vietnam have suffered severe psychiatric problems because of drug use.

Medical information:

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website ( check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website (https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries). Each countryspecific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad.

Medical care:

Medical care in the country cannot be compared to that in Great Britain. In many cases, it is problematic in terms of technology, equipment and hygiene. There is also no emergency medical care. The hospital staff and the doctors in provincial hospitals often only speak Vietnamese. There are several hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City that have better standards. Some international clinics are often the first port of call for tourists who fall ill. Here, communication can take place in English. It is strongly recommended to take out international health insurance with the option of medical repatriation to the UK. Customers must ensure that they are in good physical and mental health in line with the trip in question. Customers must enquire about the physical mobility and psychological autonomy required for this trip. All information is subject to change/Last updated: September 2026

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