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

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. The content is for information and carries no warranty; as such, the addressee must exercise their own discretion in its use. Australia’s anti-bribery laws apply overseas and Austrade will not provide business related services to any party who breaches the law and will report credible evidence of any breach. For further information, please see foreign bribery information and awareness pack.

Visas

Australians travelling to Vietnam require a visa, which can be arranged through the Vietnam embassy or consulate or after obtaining a letter of approval, picked up on arrival (though this can be somewhat disorderly). Tourist and business visas are available.

Local business contacts can issue a letter of invitation for you to put in visa application to the Vietnam Immigration Department, who can instruct the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in Australia to issue the visa. Passports are required for domestic flights and must be presented at hotels.

For further information please contact your nearest Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate prior to arrival.