The Nam Hai 

Vietnam is a one of a kind holiday destination. With a dramatic glorious coastline, soaring snow capped mountains, tantalising delicacies, sweeping rice fields and a vivid and colourful culture, Vietnam will tantalise every one of your senses.

Vietnam has held on to its traditions, so you are still able to enjoy the Vietnam of the past. From the women in their conical hats tending the fields to the rickshaws speeding along the streets and the assortment of local variances on the fresh, vibrant and appetising Vietnamese cuisine, there is a wealth of experiences for you to see and enjoy. The country has also modernised in many ways, with bustling metropolises, luxurious shopping options and world renowned dining, so one can experience the many difference faces of exotic Vietnam.

Vietnamese cuisine is truly delicious. Whilst each region has its own special varieties, rice and noodles tend to form the foundation of every meal. Chefs and locals alike share a passion for fresh produce, such as fish, fruit and vegetables, making this cuisine one of the healthiest in the world. Popular meats include pork, beef, chicken as well as fish, prawns and duck. These can be flavoured with lemon grass, lime, peanuts or kaffir with soy sauce or fish sauce on top or as a dipping sauce. During cooking, only a minimal amount of oil is used, which accounts for the healthy attributes of the cuisine. Not only is the food delicious, it is fun to eat – many dishes are wrapped in coconut or banana leaves.

Some of the many exquisite specialities include:
Banh chung – rich, pork and onions wrapped in large leaves
Nem (spring rolls) – pork mixed with noodles, vegetables and egg, wrapped in rice paper and fried
Bun cha – grilled pork and noodles, served on a bed of greens with egg rolls
Bun bo Hue – spicy beef noodle soup
Com tam – pork cooked and presented in three different ways, served with rice and a sweet and sour fish sauce
Banh bao – a steamed dumpling stuffed with onion, vegetables and boiled quails eggs
Bia hoi – fresh beer
Ruou can – rice wine made by members of the hill tribes, served in ceramic fermentation jars with bamboo straws

Cao Dai Temple
Visit Tay Ninh’s temple to be a spectator of the colourful midday service where the followers dress in yellow, red and blue robes whilst they chant to the music played by a traditional orchestra.

Ha Long Bay
Explore this spectacular natural wonder by starting with the mystical caves and discover the hidden bright blue lagoons in a kayak.

Hanoi
In this city you can immerse yourself in Vietnam’s new outlook; a mix between the grand traditions of old Vietnam and the modern, dynamic new Asia. Lose yourself in the web of streets that make up the Old Quarter, watch or join in with a T’ai Chi session or chess game, or dine in glamorous restaurants and dance the night away.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Savour the sights in a unique way – by bike! Absorb the eclectic atmosphere by visiting the vibrant markets where locals sell spices and silk, wooden water puppets and ceramics and view the intricately decorated pagodas and temples. The city is also home to celebrated restaurants, modern bars and luxury shops.

Hoi An
In this historic town full of charisma you cannot miss the ‘Hoi An Legendary Night’, where on the full moon, the Old Town is transformed into a magical oasis complete with music and dancing, delicious traditional food, fun games and silk lanterns decorating the street. The town is also renowned for its tailor made clothing and atmospheric cafes and bars.

Mekong Delta
Get to know the real Vietnam by water. Glide through riverside towns and peaceful villages before you stop at a floating market and a bite to eat served by one of the friendly and talented locals.

Phong Nha Cave
Delve into the challenge of exploring the crevices of the biggest and most beautiful cave in the country amongst the oldest karst formations in Asia.

Sapa
Venture to this breathtaking mountain retreat to take in the valley panoramas and meet the local hill tribe people, who will most likely be wearing headdresses, in the process of weaving silk on the looms or picking peaches, plums and medicinal herbs from the trees that thrive in this environment.

The nightlife of Vietnam is relaxed and fun. The cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) are the best places to head for to get a taste of what Vietnam has to offer – friendly bars and lounges, drinks on ice, live music and lively dancing.

The electricity used in Vietnam is 220v, 50Hz.

Vietnam is, on the whole, a safe and serene country to visit. However, normal and sensible precautions should be taken with personal belongings, being sure to be aware of petty street crime such as bag snatching. Use hotel safes to store your valuables, such as money and passports.

There is no ideal time to visit Vietnam because the weather across the country is extremely diverse, ranging from hot and sunny days to heavy rains caused by the monsoons. Therefore the climate will vary according to your location and the time of the year you visit.

North
The average temperature in the winter (between November and April) is 18°C, but can be much cooler in the mountainous areas, with ice and snow covering the Hoang Lien Son Mountains. March and April bring pleasant weather and from May onwards, the temperature warms and may even reach 40°C. The humidity also rises. This area may be subject to heavy rain and typhoons between July and November.

Central
The central regions of Vietnam can be split into the coastal and highland areas. The coast is usually dry and warm from May to October and has a wet season between December and February, which is when the highland areas can have freezing conditions. As in the north, the central regions are also subject to the possibility of cyclones and typhoons between July and November.

South
Southern Vietnam has a tropical climate, with a hot and humid period from December to April and a wet season between May and November where the rain can be heavy but will clear quickly. Despite the different periods, temperatures average between 25-30°C year round.

Please consult your local GP for the most up to date information. They may advise vaccinations against tuberculosis and hepatitis B, and to take precautions against mosquitoes, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis and avian influenza.

Be careful of the heat and sun in Vietnam. Even if the sky is overcast, there is a high risk of sunstroke and sunburn. Applying a high UV suncream and wearing appropriate clothing including a hat is recommended. Keep hydrated by regularly drinking water. Drinking tap water in Vietnam is very risky, so it is best to stick to bottled water or soft drinks.

If you are taking medication, bring a supply with you because whilst health facilities are good in the large cities, they are limited elsewhere.

Taking out health insurance is essential and should include cover for an emergency repatriation by air.

There are currently no direct flights from the UK to Vietnam; however Vietnam Airlines will commence a direct flight from London Gatwick on 9 December 2011, with a flight time of approximately 12 hours.

Your flight will take 11 and a half hours to Hanoi and 12 hours to reach Saigon.

The official language spoken is Vietnamese.

The currency used in Vietnam is the dông. Notes come in denominations of ?500,000, 200,000, 100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500, and coins can be found in denominations of ?5,000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500.

The time difference between the UK and Vietnam is GMT +7.

All travellers to Vietnam are required to have a visa. The initial duration of the visa is one month, but this may be extended if you require.

A tourist visa can be applied for up to three months before your holiday. The application process involves submitting valid passport, a passport-sized photo as well as a completed application form and the requisite fee. Visa fees vary according to the length of stay and the type of visa.

A Vietnam visa is part of the required migration process for all travellers to the country. Dependent on the purpose of an applicant's visit, a tourist or business visa will be required for entry. Please contact the Embassy for the most recent fee information.

If you require more information, please refer to http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceania/vietnam

January 1st – New Year's Day
International New Year's Day is celebrated in Vietnam with a public holiday.

January 23rd – Tet
Tet is the Vietnamese New Year. The whole country recognises the day as the most important celebration of the year. As such, celebrations begin a week before, with peach blossom decorations hung and offerings made. As midnight strikes, everyone loudly welcomes in the New Year.

April 30th – Liberation Day
This holiday commemorates the liberation of Saigon in 1975, ending the Vietnam War. Events to look out for include parades, local festivals and performances as well as vibrant fireworks.

September 2nd – National Day
National Day celebrates the Declaration of Independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the death of Ho Chi Minh. The festivities take place in Hanoi and include a fireworks display in Ba Dinh Square and celebrations around Hoan Kiem Lake.

September 12th – Mid-Autumn Festival
The mid-Autumn Festival is a wonderful children’s festival that marks the end of the harvest. The traditional food served is delicious moon cake. Children join in beautiful parades, carrying candlelit lanterns and dragons.

Vehicles drive on the right in Vietnam. Be aware that pedestrian crossings do not guarantee that vehicles will stop. There are main routes out of the country to China, Cambodia and Laos. For domestic travel, Highway 1 runs the length of Vietnam, from Hanoi via Hue and Danang to the south.

You can also travel by train, but the quickest way to travel from one end of the country to the other is by plane. Vietnam Airlines operates daily domestic flights.

Taxis are in abundance in Vietnam. To travel in a traditional style, look out for a rickshaw. Cycling is one of the preferred ways to get around, and bikes can hired for your pleasure. Motorbiking is also becoming widely popular.

For an exhilarating way to travel, try a hydrofoil to reach Cat Ba Island and Phu Quoc in the Gulf of Thailand.