Travel
Airports
In Hanoi: Noi Bai International airport is 39 km from Hanoi’s downtown and
takes about 45 minutes to drive to the Australian Embassy or the city
centre by taxi.
In Ho Chi Minh City: Tan Son Nhat International airport is located inside
Ho Chi Minh’s downtown, and is about 40 minutes from the central urban
district of Ho Chi Minh City (which is District 1)
The country has seven further international and 15 domestic airports. All
Vietnamese airlines occasionally change their schedule at very short notice
and delays are common.
Ground transport
Taxis are an inexpensive and viable way to get around, Vinasun and Mai Linh
are examples of trusted taxi companies.
Austrade can help you arrange hiring a car with a driver during your stay,
as hiring cars to self-drive will be difficult for those who are visiting
Vietnam
Hotels
There are a wide range of hotels to choose from in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. A 10 per cent VAT and a service fee five per cent is often charged on top of advertised prices.
Dining
In the larger cities there are plenty of restaurants offering cuisine from
around the world and of course mid- and higher-range restaurants offering
Vietnamese dishes. International restaurant chains are increasingly
present. Little English is spoken at establishments with lower
price-ranges.
Trips to rural areas can mean little choice apart from 'street kitchens' -
bring packaged food if you want to avoid these.
Tipping
Tipping is generally not required in Vietnam.
Tourist attractions
The karst formations of Ha Long Bay and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in
the north of Vietnam figure on the UNSECO World Heritage list of natural
sites, while Vietnam’s eight cultural sites with this designation include
the old town of Hoi An and the imperial city of Hue in central Vietnam.
Further tourism hotspots include the beaches of Nha Trang, Da Nang and the
island of Phu Quoc in the south.