Vietnam Travel Facts

Thank you for choosing Travel Indochina for your journey into Vietnam.

Vietnam is where Travel Indochina was founded and we’re sure you’ll find the country as beautiful, captivating and intriguing as we do. To assist with your travel arrangements, we have prepared the following pre-departure information.  Please read this carefully before your travel to Vietnam and be mindful of some of our suggestions while you are travelling.

WHAT TO EXPECT
Vietnam is a nation of captivating diversity. From north to south you will find ‘authentic’ Asia - the fertile plains of the Mekong Delta, majestic mountains in the north, classical pagodas and temples, bustling cities and street markets, and the faded elegance of the French colonial era.  You will also encounter a nation rich in culture, tradition and history, and people with a refreshing warmth and friendliness unequaled in Southeast Asia; a people who have put the war torn past behind them and are clearly focused on a brighter future.

The travel industry in Vietnam is growing at a rapid pace. While the freshness and novelty of travel within Vietnam is still evident, major cities now offer facilities and services at Western standards. Travelling in the more remote areas of Vietnam will, however, involve travel on bumpy roads, in noisy trains, and overnight stays in clean but basic accommodation.

RESPONSIBILITY
Information herein was correct at the time of preparation, however the rapid development of tourism in Vietnam has the potential to make some of the information in this guide irrelevant. This information is intended as a guide only and Travel Indochina is not responsible for any inaccuracies. This document does not, in any way, alter the booking terms and conditions in our small group journey brochure.  Please contact us with your comments if you find during the course of your travels that the information in this guide is incorrect or out of date.

VISA REQUIREMENTS
To enter Vietnam you will require a passport (with at least 6 months remaining validity) and a tourist visa.  This visa must be obtained prior to arrival. A combined entry/exit and baggage declaration form will be issued to you prior to arrival and one section of this must be retained until your departure from Vietnam. Please ensure this paper is kept in a safe place while you are in Vietnam. It is your responsibility to ensure all visa and entry requirements are met prior to your arrival in Vietnam.

Please Note: All Vietnam visas are SINGLE ENTRY - unless you have specifically requested MULTIPLE ENTRY and this is stamped into your passport. Please ensure you have a multiple entry visa if you are entering Vietnam twice. The status of a tourist visa cannot be changed from SINGLE ENTRY to MULTIPLE ENTRY once a client has arrived in Vietnam.

ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS
If you have pre-arranged an airport arrival transfer you will find a representative from Travel Indochina waiting to meet you outside the customs hall. Please look carefully for a Travel Indochina sign with your name on it (not a hotel sign). There are usually a number of taxi touts outside the customs hall more than willing to take you to your hotel - at an inflated price. If you cannot find a sign with your name please call one of our 24 hour emergency contact numbers – 0903 724 206 in Saigon or 0904 037 889 in Hanoi – and our duty officer will advise you what to do.

If you have no airport arrival transfer pre-arranged, metered taxis are available at the airport.  Look for the “Airport Taxi” company with uniformed drivers, or wait and they will find you (make sure the meter is turned on when you begin). You should not pay more than about $US5-7 to reach your hotel in Saigon or $US15-20 in Hanoi.

INSURANCE
You must be comprehensively insured as a condition of travelling with Travel Indochina. Insurance should include unlimited coverage for personal accident and medical expenses, full provision for evacuation and a minimum of $25,000USD cover for repatriation expenses, baggage loss, and cancellation or curtailment of your holiday. 

We will ask you to confirm your insurance details as part of our travel registration process at the start of your journey.  If you do not have appropriate insurance we will insist you obtain insurance.  We reserve the right not to provide the services booked with us until insurance is purchased.

Note that travel insurance may be ‘attached’ to your credit card, although usually such cover is effective only if your travel arrangements have been purchased with the card.  Insurance cover from credit cards often does not include payment of medical expenses or emergency repatriation.  Please check your policy carefully.

Please note that government regulations in Asia do not always require or enforce the possession of hotel, transport supplier and other supplier public liability insurance.  Even when this insurance is in place, it can be for very limited cover only.   Travel Indochina does its best to work with suppliers who possess public liability insurance, however this is not always possible.  Regardless of length of stay and type of service, you must have adequate insurance to cover you in the event you suffer a medical problem while travelling.

A RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL INDOCHINA
Travel Indochina practices a thorough, realistic Responsible Travel Policy. We believe that travel should entail an exchange of knowledge and perspectives, a sharing of wealth, and a genuine appreciation of Asia’s beautiful natural environments. This philosophy underpins the heart and soul of our style of travel.  It drives all that we strive to deliver to our travellers, and shapes the contact we have with our supplier colleagues in Asia. We recognise that poorly planned itineraries or poorly informed tourists contribute less to cross-cultural understanding and less to the livelihoods of local people. We also recognise that we work in a developing part of the world.  Political and social factors sometimes impede the short term implementation of our responsible travel initiatives, so we do not make blanket, unrealistic statements about the achievability of our goals – doing so would make us ‘irresponsible’. We aspire to short or medium term implementation of our policies where this is realistic and to incremental change where there are constraints of a governmental or cultural nature.
We strongly encourage you to refer to our website and read our Responsible Travel Policy, as well as the Travel Indochina Guide to Responsible Travel (full of pointers which we hope will make for a more informed, more ‘responsible’ holiday).

THE POLITICAL SITUTATION – PAST AND PRESENT
The conquest of Vietnam by France began in 1858, and by 1887 the Vietnamese colonies became the centrepiece of the newly formed French Indochina. In the turmoil following the end of World War II, movements supported by the Communists declared independence, however France continued to rule over Vietnam until its defeat in 1954 at Dien Bien Phu by Communist forces led by Ho Chi Minh.  Under the Geneva accords of 1954, Vietnam was divided into what became the Communist led North and the anti-Communist South. US economic and military aid to South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolster the government, but US armed forces were withdrawn following a cease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later, North Vietnamese forces overran the South reuniting the country under Communist rule.

Despite the return of peace, for over a decade the country experienced little economic growth because of conservative leadership policies. However, since the enactment of Vietnam's "doi moi" (renovation) policy in 1986, Vietnamese authorities have committed to increased economic liberalization and enacted structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to produce more competitive, export-driven industries.

Today, Vietnam Politics takes place in a framework of a single-party socialist republic. A new state constitution was approved in April 1992, reaffirming the central role of the Communist Party of Vietnam in politics and society, and outlining government reorganization and increased market reforms in the economy. Though Vietnam remains a one-party state, adherence to ideological orthodoxy has become less important than economic development as a national priority.
Of note recently, according to the World Bank’s Lead Economist in Vietnam Martin Rama, Vietnam has shown progress in fighting corruption, especially the use of international methodology and consultancy to detect and effectively tackle manifestations of corruption. According to Mr Rama, the financial management reform project implemented by the Ministry of Finance is also further evidence of efforts to fight corruption. Through this project, the country’s system of financial institutions will operate in a more transparent environment.

MONEY   
The official unit of currency in Vietnam is the dong.  Approximate exchange rates at the time of printing are:

•    1USD equals 16,000 dong           
•    1AUD equals 12,000 dong
•    1CAD equals 14,000 dong
•    1NZD equals 10,500 dong
•    1GBP equals 29,500 dong

You are able to bring your home currency in cash or travellers cheques (AUD, GBP, CAD or USD).  All international currency, with the exception of US dollars, must be changed into the local currency, the Vietnamese dong. You can pay for goods and services in US dollars or dong, however you will get better value for your money if you use local currency. Most hotels change travellers cheques (with a 1% to 2% commission) and cash at reasonable rates. Credit cards (Visa or MasterCard are the most commonly accepted) can be used in a number shops and restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Hoi An and Hanoi, however they are not widely accepted outside these cities.  Cash advances can be obtained using these cards at the major banks and ATM’s in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Danang, Hoi An and Hue. Please note if travelling to remote areas of Vietnam it is advisable to carry dong or USD cash. 

CLIMATE
Vietnam spans several climatic zones, resulting in substantial weather condition variations between the north and the south. Average temperatures year round range from 20 to 35 degrees Celsius so there is no particularly good or bad time to visit Vietnam.

In southern Vietnam tropical conditions prevail, and there are two seasons – the wet season lasts from May to November and the dry season from December to April. The wet is characterised by high humidity levels and a refreshing afternoon downpour. Humidity in the south during the months of June and July ranges between 75% and 85%.  The hottest months are from March to May.

Central Vietnam is usually dry from May to October and wet from December to February. October and November may experience unstable weather conditions and flooding.

Northern Vietnam also experiences two seasons though conditions can change dramatically throughout the day. The winter months from November to April are usually cold and humid. The months of December and January can be particularly cool with temperatures as low as 8 degrees Celsius.  Temperatures can drop to 0 degrees Celsius in Sapa (in the highlands near the Chinese border) in winter. Summer, from May to October, can be quite hot and wet with regular downpours and occasional typhoons. The hottest months are July and August in Hanoi.
   
BAGGAGE & CLOTHING   
Standard sized bags (preferably soft bags), backpacks or soft cases only are permitted on our journeys.  Your baggage should be clearly labelled and kept to a reasonable minimum. Luggage limits on airlines are strictly enforced and space on vehicles and trains is limited. Any flights booked through Travel Indochina (domestic and international) have a luggage limit of 20 kilograms per person. You may be required to carry your own luggage at times where porters are not available – you should be capable of carrying your own bags on and off trains, and up and down stairs.  If you are doing lots of shopping during your travels, it may be necessary for you to forward any excess to the city where your tour concludes, or ship purchases directly home.  Keeping the amount of luggage you carry in check will ensure your safety and comfort, and the safety and comfort of your fellow travellers. Porterage is not included in the cost of your journey. Please ensure you pay porters around $1USD per person for carrying your luggage. Should you wish to avoid such payments, please carry and take responsibility for your luggage.

Comfortable casual clothes made of cotton are best in tropical and semi tropical climates – packing one set of smart casual clothes is advisable. Laundry services are available throughout the country, although hotel laundry costs can be expensive.  We suggest you include:

•    Flat walking shoes and sandals
•    Hat & sunglasses
•    Bathers
•    Money belt
•    Raincoat or umbrella
•    Basic first aid kit (see below)
•    Alarm clock
•    Small torch
•    Swiss Army pocketknife
•    Power adapter
•    Women’s sanitary products
•    Slide or any specialised film if used (print film is widely available in Cambodia)
•    Ear plugs

Please note that airlines insist all sharp items (knives, scissors, nail clippers etc.) are packed in your ‘check-in’ luggage!

ELECTRICITY   
The electric current in Vietnam operates mostly on 220 volts but occasionally you will find 110 volt sockets.  Electric plug types vary throughout the country, however the two-rounded pin standard Asian plug is usable in most parts of the country.

HEALTH & FITNESS
Travellers to Vietnam should take precautions as they would elsewhere in Asia. Western medical facilities are available in the major cities. In remote areas of Vietnam, medical facilities are basic. Some of the diseases known to exist in Vietnam include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tuberculosis, Japanese encephalitis, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, rabies and HIV/AIDS. We recommend you take adequate preventative measures to minimise your risk of exposure to these health risks.  We are a travel company and we are not qualified to provide detailed medical information appropriate to your individual needs. We recommend you consult with your local doctor or a specialist travel medical centre for up to date health information on vaccinations and medicine for your trip at least one month prior to departure.

We suggest you bring a simple medical kit.  Your doctor should advise you what to include, but as a minimum we suggest you bring:

•    Aspirin or paracetamol (for pain or fever)
•    Antihistamines (for allergies and itches)
•    Cold and flu tablets
•    Something to stop diarrhoea
•    Something appropriate for nausea and vomiting
•    Rehydration mixture (to prevent dehydration)
•    Insect repellant
•    Antiseptic and bandages
•    Sunscreen and lip balm
•    Antibiotics (discuss with your doctor)

As part of our travel registration process at the start of any journey with Travel Indochina, you will be asked to declare any serious pre-existing medical conditions or allergies.

SMALL GROUP JOURNEY GRADINGS
Each Small Group Journey in our brochure has a “grading” to assist you in choosing a holiday best suited to your level of health and fitness. A guide to the gradings is as follows:

Easy
These tours avoid the more arduous road travel by flying between major cities. They are suitable for travellers of all ages and levels of fitness. However, an average level of mobility and agility is required as these tours still include some walking in often hot and humid conditions, as well as getting on/off boats and walking up/down flights of stairs. Accommodation is generally comfortable by international standards.

Moderate
These tours involve some long distance overland/overnight travel and can include one or two nights of basic accommodation in more remote areas. The tours are suitable for most travellers of average fitness and mobility with a spirit for “soft” adventure. Clients will be expected on occasions to carry their own luggage for short distances.

Adventurous
These tours involve some long distance travel and at least 2 nights in very basic accommodation. On these tours there may be nights when clients will sleep out on boats, on trains, in a hilltribe village or in other basic accommodation. A client should be quite fit and be prepared for travelling in remote parts of developing Asia to get the most out of an “adventurous” tour. Clients will be expected on occasions to carry their own luggage for short distances.

Minimum Fitness Levels
It is essential for a good group dynamic on our Small Group Journeys that a less able client does not significantly impact on the enjoyment of the rest of the group during the touring days. We ask you please to consider the above tour gradings and think carefully about the Small Group Journeys most appropriate for your level of health and fitness.  As a minimum requirement for our tours graded Easy, you should ask yourselves the following questions:

•         Am I able to walk 2-3 kilometres comfortably in hot and humid conditions?
•         Am I able to walk up 4 flights of stairs without losing breath?
•         Am I able to walk along rough and unstable surfaces?
•         Am I able to board small boats, trains etc?
•         Am I able to carry my own luggage?

If, upon commencement of a Small Group Journey, our Tour Leader takes the view that a client’s physical capabilities are not to the standard set out in by the above criteria (also stipulated in the “Fitness Form” which is required to be completed upon booking) then, in the interests of the client and fellow travellers, we reserve the right to prevent the client from participating in the tour. In such instances, we will assist with onward travel arrangements. Cancellation penalties will apply. You should therefore ensure that you are physically capable and prepared for undertaking our journeys.

HEALTH   
Travellers to Vietnam should take precautions as they would elsewhere in Asia. There are now a number of international standard medical care facilities available in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.  Outside the cities, medical care facilities are basic. We strongly recommend you consult your preferred doctor for the most up to date health advice at least one month prior to travel. 

We also suggest you bring a simple medical kit.  Your doctor should advise you what to include, however as a minimum we suggest you bring:

•    Aspirin or paracetamol (for pain or fever)
•    Antihistamines (for allergies and itches)
•    Cold and flu tablets
•    Anti diarrhea medication
•    Something appropriate for nausea and vomiting
•    Rehydration mixture (to prevent dehydration)
•    Insect repellant
•    Antiseptic and bandages
•    Sunscreen and lip balm
•    Antibiotics (discuss with your doctor)

As part of our travel registration process at the start of any journey with Travel Indochina, you will be asked to declare any serious pre-existing medical conditions or allergies.

SWIMMING
Swimming at the many beaches and bays in Vietnam is usually safe. On occasion jellyfish can be found in the waters around Vietnam, the most likely time of year they are present is during the months of June through to August in the north, and during the months of August and September in the south. Swimming can still be enjoyed during these months, however please be aware and exercise some caution.

FOOD/ WATER
Vietnamese cuisine is diverse and tasty and one of the many highlights of a visit to the country. Most food presented is well cooked, however some optional dishes may be served cold. Travellers should note that raw, cold food presents a higher risk of stomach upset than well cooked food. Breakfast is included each day on our tours and is usually a mix of buffet and continental style. Lunch should cost around $US4-10 and dinner approximately $US6-20, depending on the restaurant.  Drinking local tap water is not recommended, even in hotels.  Bottled water is readily available throughout Vietnam.
       
TIPPING POLICY
If you are happy with the services provided by your local guides and drivers a tip is appropriate.  While it may not be customary to you, tipping inspires great service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across Travel Indochina destinations.  As a general guide on private tours, please allow 2USD to 3USD per day per traveller for each of your local guide and driver.  Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip.  Should you be dissatisfied with the services provided by your local guide or driver, please let us know.

SAFETY & SECURITY
Vietnam is generally a safe country, however petty street crime is on the rise as tourist numbers increase. In Ho Chi Minh City we recommend that as little jewellery as possible is worn and that when on the street your spending money is kept close to your body in a secure place.  We further recommended that you take taxis rather than cyclos at night. Taxis are metered and inexpensive.  Carry a hotel card so that you can show your taxi driver where you want to go.  You should leave valuables in hotel safety deposit boxes at all times and carry photocopies of your passport, credit card numbers, and airline tickets, and keep a record of your encashed travellers cheques. These papers should be kept in a safe place separate from the originals.

POST & COMMUNICATION
International mail generally takes 7 to 10 days to reach its destination and prices are generally equivalent to western postal charges. Reverse charge (collect) calls are not possible from Vietnam. International phone and fax charges are expensive and vary between $US1.50 (at some post offices) and $US6 per minute (at some hotels).  Email services are inexpensive and available in major tourist areas.

PHOTOGRAPHY   
Print film is widely available and of good quality at $US3 to $US4 per roll. Vietnam has good, fast, and inexpensive film processing facilities. Slide films and Hi8/V8 video cassettes are not widely available outside Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.  X-ray machines at airports are film safe.

HOTELS
Most hotels will have private western style bathrooms, hot water, air-conditioning, satellite television, IDD telephones, laundry and other facilities. Many have swimming pools. Coffee and tea making facilities are generally not available. Where possible we will endeavour at passenger request to accommodate couples in double rooms.  Please note however that on occasions during your journey, this may not be possible and a twin room will be provided. 

Our “Grand Adventure”, “North Unveiled”, “Trails of Indochina” and “Inside Vietnam and Cambodia” Small Group Journeys involve some overnight stops in remote areas where accommodation is clean and comfortable, but quite basic.

Check in and check out times can vary but most hotels in Vietnam require guests to check out by 12 noon and do not allow check in until 2pm. Many hotels may allow an earlier check in or later check out subject to availability on the day. However, if you are arriving early in the morning to a destination or leaving late in the evening you should consider pre-booking a guaranteed early check in/late check out. The additional cost varies from hotel to hotel but is usually between 50-100% of the nightly rate.

TRANSPORT   
On the road we generally use late model Toyota Coaster or Hyundai air-conditioned buses with either 25-40 seats - depending on the size of the group. These vehicles are designed with excellent viewing windows and a high roof. Modern sedan cars and minibuses are used for transporting smaller numbers of people. Some tours include domestic flights. Vietnam Airlines operates a modern fleet, however schedules frequently change and this can result in alterations to your tour programme. Some tours also involve an overnight 15 hour rail trip between Hanoi and Hue (or Hue and Hanoi) or an overnight train trip between Hanoi and Sapa (or Sapa and Hanoi). Accommodation is in shared, four berth, first class sleeper cabins which are sometimes fan-cooled and sometimes air-conditioned. Sheets and blankets are provided but on the odd occasion are not particularly clean or warm. You may wish to bring a sleeping sheet or purchase one in Saigon or Hanoi for an overnight train journey. Toilets on the train are generally Asian squat style although many also do have a western style toilet.

TOUR LEADERS/ GUIDES   
Providing the group tour reaches a minimum of 7 passengers a Western tour leader will guide you on your entire journey through Vietnam. All our tour leaders have an in-depth knowledge of Vietnam and an enthusiasm for the country that is contagious. Your tour leader is your link with Vietnam and is there to ensure the smooth running of the trip.  Your tour leader will try, wherever practicable, to cater for your individual interests. Local English-speaking guides also accompany you on your tour. They impart local information about history, customs and culture that can only come from living in the area.  Generally we have a different local guide for each city or region we visit and so local guides are usually only with the group for 1 to 2 days.
   
LOCAL TIME
Vietnam is:

•    7hrs ahead of GMT
•    3hrs behind Australian Eastern Standard Time
•    5hrs behind New Zealand
•    12hrs ahead of Canada Eastern Time
•    15hrs ahead of Canada Pacific Time
•    12hrs ahead of US Eastern Time.
•    15 hrs ahead of US Pacific Time.

SHOPPING
Vietnam is fast becoming known as a “shopper’s paradise”. Ceramics, lacquerware, bamboo, silk and embroidery are just some of the many good buys. Many travellers also have clothes tailored due to the low prices - standards vary. A few guidelines to follow when shopping:

•    Except in department stores, bargaining is the norm. To get the best price you will have to haggle hard.
•    Export of certain antiques is not permitted. Make sure you are aware of relevant regulations before purchasing.
•    Fake reproductions are common. Make sure you know what you are buying, especially in the case of antiques.

MASSAGE SERVICES
Many countries in Asia are deservedly renowned for their massage techniques and the quality and value for money of these services. Unfortunately, many massage parlours including some in otherwise 'reputable' hotels are also linked to the paid sex industry. We advise you to check carefully before using massage services in Asia.

GROUP DYNAMICS
Our small group journeys provide you with a good balance of group activity and personal discovery. Travellers need to be aware of certain personal responsibilities when travelling with a group. Simple things like being ready at agreed times and keeping to schedule will ensure the smooth running of the programme. Furthermore, the traditions and culture of the country you are visiting should be respected. Correct behaviour includes wearing the appropriate dress when visiting religious sites, and refraining from making comments or acting in a manner that would be viewed as unacceptable by your fellow group members or by the local people in the country you are visiting. Please ask your tour leader for further clarification of the issues mentioned above.

LANGUAGE
The Vietnamese language is derived from Latin characters with a range of tones. English is widely spoken throughout the country, especially in tourist areas. To help you get the most out of your contact with Vietnamese, try learning how to say these key phrases:

Vietnamese

English
sin chow
Hello (or hi)
kwhere khom
How are you?
toy kwhere, come ern
I’m fine, thank you
come ern
Thank you
ten la zee
What is your name?
ten toy la ……
My name is …
Bao new toy
How old are you?
Toy … too-ee
I am … years old
…Bao new
How much is …?
Muk kwar
Its too expensive!
Kom
No
Ya(south), vang (north)
Yes
Sin loy
Excuse me / I’m sorry
Kom can
No need
Come ern, noong toy kom can too-ee nee long
Thank you, but I don’t need a plastic bag.
Toy kom can ong hoot
No straw please
Voo-ee lum yup bao vay moy troong coo-ah choong tah
Please help protect our environment
Voo-ee lum doong tay kung tum coo-ah toy 
Please do not change my bath towels
Voo-ee lum doong tay kung chai young vu ow goy 
Please do not change my linen
Tum bee-et
Good bye!
Chook may mun
Good luck!



SOCIAL SUPPORT
Travel Indochina is a supporter of the following foundations, working to improve the lives of the underprivileged in Vietnam:

The Fred Hollows Foundation - “aims to develop sustainable local capacity to prevent and treat avoidable blindness in developing countries”.  Since 1994, through training and provision of medical supplies, the Fred Hollows Foundation has greatly improved eye health care in Vietnam.

The Loreto Foundation - provides support to poor and disadvantaged children in and around Ho Chi Minh City.  Current programmes include:

Please contact your tour leader or Travel Indochina if you would like to obtain more information about these organisations.

IMPORTANT DATES AFFECTING TOURING, AND COMPULSORY MEALS

01 Jan 2007 - International New Year's Day:
Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses. Road traffic will likely be heavy in the evening in Ho Chi Minh City.

16 Feb 2007 - Lunar New Year’s Eve:
Road traffic is likely to be heavy in the evening in Ho Chi Minh City.

17 Feb – 21 Feb - 2007 - Lunar New Year:
Banks and public offices will be closed, as will most businesses. Re-unification Palace will be closed on New Year’s Eve. Cao Dai Temples (including the temple in Tay Ninh) will be closed 6 days before the Lunar New Year. Floating Markets in the Mekong Delta will not operate. Factories will not operate.

30 Apr 2007 - Independence Day:
Public holiday. Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses. Road traffic is likely to be heavy in the evening in Ho Chi Minh City.

01 May 2007 - Labor Day:
Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses. Road traffic is likely to be heavy in the evening in Ho Chi Minh City.

02 Sep 2007 - National Day:
Banks and public offices will be closed, as will some businesses. Road traffic is likely to be heavy in the evening in Ho Chi Minh City.

24 Dec 2007 - Christmas Eve:
Not a public holiday.

31 Dec 2007 - International New Year's Eve:
Not a public holiday. Road traffic will likely be heavy in the evening in Ho Chi Minh City.