1. Best time to go is from January to March

Weather

My best advice is not to be put off coming in the raining season. The rain usually only happens for a few hours in the afternoon and the locals are used to carrying on with their day no matter how heavy the downpour is, so no activities will be cancelled due to it.

The weather varies across the country. The northern and highland regions exhibit more seasonal trends than the likes of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and the south. If you are coming here for the first time, I suggest packing summer clothes and a few light jackets for the evenings.

Looking to base your decision on more than just weather? Here are some additional considerations:

Public Holiday

Tet Holiday (End of January/ Beginning of February)

Tet lasts around ten days. For four of them, all the shops will be closed in the main cities and hotspots such as Hoi An will be very busy. The usual bustling cities are replaced with an eerie peacefulness which in itself is a unique experience.

30th April:

Reunification Day.

This celebrates the Reunification Day, or the Fall of Saigon (HCMC). There are fireworks and celebrations throughout many of the cities, the most impressive being in HCMC itself.

2. If you are from Europe, you might not need a visa.

Scandinavia, Southeast Asia, and Western Europe, get a free 15-day Visa.  If you leave the country after or during this Visa you may be asked to wait 30 days before re-entering, in this instance, you would be better to get the 3-month multiple entry Visa online (at least 3 working days before your flight).

Citizens of the United States, Canada, and Australia can apply for visa on arrival. The cost is about $45USD for a 30-day single entry visa.

3. Everyone is a millionaire here.

Ever wondered what being a millionaire is like? Travelling to Vietnam will let you fulfil this dream. The exchange rate for the  Vietnam Dong (VND) (at the time of writing) is at about:

1 US Dollar (USD) = 22,781 VND

which means 1,000,000 VND is around $44, the cost of a mid-range hotel room.

Vendors are not officially allowed to accept currency other than the VND so make sure not to be caught out without the local currency

4. Exchange money at jewelry shops for a better rate, and withdraw money from Citi bank to avoid multiple transaction fees.

Most ATMs in the country accept Visa or Master Card. In all of the major airports, there are money exchanges booths, however, you can find a better exchange rate in the jewelry and gold shops in HCMC and Hanoi around the central part of town (in HCMC, they surround Ben Thanh market).

Many of the local banks limit you from withdrawing more than $100USD at a time. Although, depending on your bank account, you can withdraw as much as  $250USD from an HSBC ATM and $400USD from Citibank.

5. Your trip will be much easier if you master these useful Vietnamese phrases.

The official language is Vietnamese. Many visitors find it extremely difficult to gain a quick grasp of this language as it is tonal and requires many of the sounds to be made in your throat instead of your mouth. Here are some quick and useful phrases which may come in handy even without mastering the tones. Make sure to check out our guide to learn 100 basic Vietnamese phrases as I have generally found locals are pleased to hear you attempting their language so will help you out.

Hello:   Xin chào (sin chow)

Thank you:  Cảm ơn. (gauhm uhhn)  – it is not common to use ‘please’ in Vietnamese-

I’m sorry/ Excuse me:  Xin lỗi. (sin loy)

Excuse me waitress:  Em oi! 

The Bill Please:  Tinh tien!

How Much?:   Bao nhieu? (bow yew)

Too Expensive:   Mac qua! (Mac wa)

No Sugar:  Khong suong (Khom duong) – The norm in Vietnam is to add sugar.

Tour Included

• Daily departure from Hanoi. Private transfer Hanoi – Halong – Hanoi.
• Private Pick-up & drop-off services –
• Luxury accommodation shared in twin/double cabin – Boat cruise program
• Vietnamese seafood Lunch and Dinner and International Brunch Buffet
• Welcome Coctail
• Round trip private transfer Hanoi/Halong/Hanoi
• Entrance fees
• English or French local guide on boat.
• Sunrise Tai Chi Class – Service charge and taxes

Tour Excluded

• International flights & departure taxes if any
• Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
• Travel insurance
• Beverage
• Peak season or public holidays surcharge (if any)
• Compulsory Gala dinner on X-Mas or New Year (if any)
• Other services not mentioned above

Heritage Line Ginger

Heritage Line is a collector and an architect of remarkable ships. We passionately design and build vessels with inimitable décor, outfitting and painstaking attention to details to create unique ambiances and extraordinary living experiences for our guests.

We consider ourselves as artisans rather than mere providers of cruises. We bring untold stories to life with the perfect mix of comfort, adventure, culture, tradition, authenticity and extravagance. Our journeys inspire guests to return, time and time again.

Heritage Line strives to make our guests feel home. We understand immaculate service as a matter of passion and dedication. We create intimate bonds and nourishing friendships. Being a wonderful host, we remember your name and make your journey a truly memorable one

Viet Green Payment Policies

Flexibility is our strongest point. You can amend your booking when it is made. Just contact us at info@vietgreentravel.com with your booking number. Our reservations team is glad to amend your booking accordingly.