Last updated: 18 May 2012
Visiting
Business hours
Most business and government offices are open from 8.30am-5.00pm, Monday to Friday. Lunch time is between 12.00pm and 1.00pm, however most government agencies and State-owned enterprises tend to extend the break, usually from 11.30am to 1.30pm.
Banks are open from 9.00am-4.00pm, Monday to Friday.
Supermarkets (mini-marts) and shops are open around 8.30am-10.00am to 8.00pm, Monday-Sunday.
Private shops in central city shopping areas close at 10.00pm to midnight on weekends.
Public holidays
January 1 – New Year's Day
February 14 – Tet, Lunar New Year
April 30 – Vietnamese Liberation Day
May 1 – Labour Day
May 19 – Ho Chi Minh's Birthday
May 28 – Buddha's Enlightenment
September 2 – Vietnamese National Day
Climate
Vietnam has tropical weather marked by the monsoon season. It is typically steamy and warm, although the weather can vary significantly from one area to another due to the length of the country which crosses many latitudes and the variance in altitudes - Vietnam is more mountainous than most people realise.
Temperature remains almost constant in Saigon while in Hanoi there is a marked cooler season (November through March) and warmer period during the summer.
Hanoi (north)
Spring: from February to April; average temperature is from 15°-25°C, drizzle is frequent with wet weather. This is the season of the Lunar New Year holiday and many folk festivals.
Summer: from May to August; average temperature is from 30°-36°C. There is a lot of rain and sunshine.
Autumn: from September to November; average temperature is 25°-30°C. It is cool, clear and dry. This is the best season in Hanoi, but is short, lasting no more than 50-60 days.
Winter: from December to January; the temperature is the lowest, from 10°-15°C, sometimes it can get as low as 5°-6°C with 100 per cent humidity rate. The weather is cloudy and wet. The monsoons cause many phases of cold.
The annual average rainfall in Hanoi is 1800mm.
Ho Chi Minh City(south)
Temperatures in the south and Ho Chi Minh City are fairly constant throughout the year (25ºC-30ºC). The climate in Ho Chi Minh City is distinctively seasonal. The dry season lasts from November to April, when there is much sunshine and dry wind. The average temperature is 26°C. The rainy season begins in May and ends in October characterised by sudden heavy rains. The hottest and most humid time is from the end of February until May.
Humidity is 80 per cent which is low when compared with other regions of the country.
The central coast is dry from June to October. The highlands are significantly cooler than the low lands, and temperatures can be freezing in winter.
In the rainy season there is the possibility of typhoons between July and November, affecting the north and central areas. In heavy wind and rain, stay indoors as flying debris may cause serious or even fatal injury. Flight schedules are frequently disrupted by typhoons. Ensure you check with the airline.
For weather details in Vietnam, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.
Currency
Oanda currency converter
The Vietnamese unit of currency is the Dong (VND). A government decree issued in 1994 stipulated that all financial transactions are to be carried out in Dong, but in practice, either the US dollar or VND can be used, except at any state- owned enterprise. The US dollar can be used in most purchases in Vietnam from the major hotels to the cyclo drivers.
Traveller’s cheques and foreign currency can be exchanged at most major five-star hotels. Most restaurants and shops geared to tourists will accept US dollars and sometimes credit cards. Please note that you should have plenty of cash (either in US dollars or preferably VND) before leaving Hanoi if you travel to the countryside – there are no ATM facilities in smaller towns.
Credit cards are becoming more widely accepted in the major cities, the most common being Visa, MasterCard and American Express. It is now possible to access cash with several internationally recognised credit cards in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City through ATMs at the ANZ Bank or the ATM network of Vietnam Foreign Trade Bank – Vietcombank, in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Time zones and time differences
Vietnam is three hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time.
To find out the current time in Vietnam, view the World Clock.
Dialling codes
Vietnam's country code is 84.
For calls to Vietnam from Australia dial: 0011 + 84 + area code + telephone number.
For calls from Vietnam to Australia dial: 00 + 61 + area code + telephone number.
For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes.
Electricity and water
Vietnam’s power supply is 220/240 volts, 50Hz. The round two-pin plugs are the most common.
Links and resources
Travel and tourism
Vietnam Tourism – www.vietnamtourism.com
Way to Vietnam – www.waytovietnam.com
Please note: this list of websites and resources is not definitive. Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement by Austrade. The information provided is a guide only.