Time Difference
Vietnam is seven hours ahead of GMT. Vietnam currently observes Indochina Time (ICT) all year.
Money
The national currency is the Dong (VND). It exists only as notes, there are no coins. The easiest way to obtain Dong whilst in Vietnam is by credit card withdrawal. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 16:00 and Saturday from 08:00 to 12:00. Alongside the Vietnamese banks, there are many foreign banks located in the main cities in Vietnam.
Electricity and Plugs
The mains voltage in Vietnam is generally 220 volts but it can drop as low as 110 volts in some areas. You will need to carry a universal travel adaptor. We recommend you also carry a torch as power cuts are common.
Local Amenities
Offices and shops are open daily with varying opening and closing times but are generally between 07.00 and 17:00.
Media
The Saigon Times and Viet Nam News are both daily newspapers printed in English. There are some English-speaking television channels that can be accessed in major hotels in large cities.
Post
Post offices are generally open between 07.00 and 17:00. They tend to close for a lunch break between 12:00 and 14:00.
Phone
To call Vietnam from the UK, dial 00 + 84 followed by the number of your correspondent. To call UK from Vietnam, dial 00 + 44 followed by the number of your correspondent to 9 digits (without the first 0). Phone calls are charged in units of three minutes. You can buy phone cards easily which can be used in payphones. The hotel rates to make international calls tend to be quite high.
Internet and Mobile Coverage
The signal and internet access in Vietnam is good, except in the more remote areas and mountainous regions. However, we advise you to check with your operator on the specific charges and signal strength before travelling to Vietnam.
Currency
VND
