Visiting

Business hours

Most business and government offices are open from 8.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday, often closing for lunch (around 12.00pm to 1.00pm).

Banks usually close at 4.30pm.

Shops tend to be open until 8.00pm or later, including on Saturday and Sunday.

Public holidays

January 1 – New Year's Day
Vietnamese Lunar New Year – Tet holidays (four to six days)
10th day of third lunar month – Hung King’s Anniversary
April 30 – Reunification Day
May 1 – International Labour Day
September 2 – Vietnamese National Day

Climate

North Vietnam experiences four season throughout the year: a humid spring, rainy and hot summer, sunny autumn and a winter in which night temperatures can fall to 5°C.

Temperatures in the tropical south of Vietnam are fairly constant throughout the year (25ºC to 30ºC). The dry season lasts from January to March, except in the central coast area from June to October.

The highlands are significantly cooler.

Typhoons mostly affect the north and centre between June and December.

For weather details in Vietnam, please visit the World Meteorological Organization .

Currency

Oanda currency converter

The official currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND).

Banks

ATMs of international banking institutions are available as well as major Vietnamese banks in the big cities. For example, HSBC, Standard Chartered and Citibank.

Traveller’s cheques and foreign currency can be exchanged at most major hotels. Credit cards are not accepted as widely as in Australia, but can be used to withdraw money from most banks’ ATMs, of which there are plenty, especially in cities.

Time zones and time differences

Vietnam is three hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).

To find out the current time in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, visit the World Clock .

Dialling codes

Vietnam’s country code is +84

For calls to Vietnam from Australia dial: 00+ 84 + area code + telephone number.

For calls from Vietnam to Australia dial: 00 + 61 + area code + telephone number.

Find out more about Australian area codes or international dialing codes .

Electricity and water

Vietnam’s power supply is 220/240 volts, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are most common.

Tap water is not safe to drink and bottled water is widely available.

Links and resources

Travel and tourism

Vietnam National Administration of Tourism

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