Vietnam is no longer a developing country and you can visit it without major health risks. Of course, you must adhere to a number of rules. Drinking tap water is not recommended at all times. As far as food is concerned, eating places in tourist areas are definitely safe. When eating from stalls and smaller eateries, you should exercise a little more caution. If you spend a little longer in Vietnam, you will undoubtedly have better resistance than when you arrive. For Vietnam it is recommended to get the vaccinations against DTP, hepatitis A and typhoid fever. Malaria is not a problem in Vietnam. We recommend that you always consult a GP in a timely manner for the most up-to-date information about the health measures you need to take before your trip.
Vietnam has a tropical climate in the south and a subtropical climate in the north. In summer the average temperature rises to about 35 degrees Celsius, while in winter the minimum temperatures are about 20 degrees (Saigon) and 12 degrees (Hanoi). In the mountain areas of Vietnam it is noticeably cooler in both summer and winter, with freezing points occasionally reaching freezing point in December and January.
In both the north and the south, the most precipitation falls during the rainy season, from May to October. However, that is not a reason not to visit Vietnam around that time. Rain showers are usually short and intense. In central Vietnam the rainy season takes place between December and February.
You can apply for a visa easily and cheaply online. Although quite a few websites present themselves as the official body for this, size one is the correct one: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/trang-chu-ttdt. A scan of your passport, a recent passport photo and USD 25 are sufficient. Officially, the application takes a maximum of one week, we recommend that you submit your application four weeks in advance.
The currency of Vietnam is the dong (VND). Currently, one euro is worth approximately VND25,000. In general, as the rate of the US dollar changes, the value of the dong will also change.
In touristic establishments you can often pay by credit card. Sometimes you can also use cash dollars, but that has no advantage - the euro is even less common. There are often no fixed prices: especially on the market you have to negotiate about everything you buy. The prices that the Vietnamese pay for many things will rarely be within your reach. Nevertheless, Vietnam remains an extremely cheap holiday destination.
