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Visas and Money
This information applies to Australian Passport holders. Members of other nationalities, please contact your local embassy.Holders of Australian passports must obtain a visa before travelling to Vietnam. To obtain a Vietnam visa, your passport should have at least six months validity remaining upon arrival back into Australia. You require one free (unstamped) page in your passport for a Vietnam visa. An application form can be downloaded from the embassy website. This must be completed and signed before being sent with your passport, 1 passport photo and the visa fee to: Vietnam Embassy - Visas 6 Timbarra Crescent O’Malley, ACT, 2606 Consular section open: Monday - Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm, except Vietnamese and Australian public holidays. Website: www.vietnamembassy.org.au/Consular.htm |
Applying for your visa...A tourist visa must be obtained prior to arrival, a single entry 30 day visa costs AUD$85 or a multiple entry 30 day visa costs AUD$135.These details can change, for the most up to date information we recommend contacting the Vietnamese Embassy directly. To apply for your visa you always need to complete the necessary application form. For Australian nationals, click here to print a copy of the application form. You can go in person to the embassy, or you can send all the documents by Registered Post. You'll need to send your passport, the completed application form, a passport photo and payment either paid in cash, money order or bank cheque payable to "the Embassy of Vietnam". Don't forget to include a pre-paid, self-addressed Registered Post envelope for the returning of your passport. Usually you'll get your passport and visa back within 7-14 days. |
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Show me the Money!The official currency in Vietnam is Vietnamese Dong. There are approximately 17,125 Dong to one Australian Dollar ($1), as of March 2012. For the latest exchange rate visit www.oanda.com.ATMs or cash machine: ATMs are now the easiest way to get hold of your money in Vietnam. The number of ATMs in the country is increasing all the time, and there is now usually at least one ATM in every town, more in the larger cities. However, it is not sensible to rely on them entirely, as ATMs can be out of order or out of cash, and you could also be left penniless if you were to lose your card. We would recommend a combination of bank cards, cash and travellers cheques. Australian Dollars and travellers' cheques: Larger value notes such as $50 and $100 usually get the best exchange rate, but you get a lot of Dong for $100 so don't change up too many at a time. Travellers' cheques can be cashed in banks and money exchanges in the larger towns/cities. Credit Cards: These are accepted in the larger hotels and restaurants, as well as a limited number of banks. Visa and MasterCard are often the most accepted cards. Very few places will accept American Express credit cards - so they are better left at home. Money, passports and other valuables like travellers' cheques are best kept in a safety deposit box at your hotel. Almost all of the hotels we use will have a safe available. Never leave valuables or money unattended in your hotel room. We also advise you to avoid carrying large amounts of cash and unnecessary valuables on your person, especially at night, just in case. |
Personal expenditure: You can spend very little or a lot in Vietnam depending on your personal spending pattern. We would say a modest weekly budget of approx. AUD $350 per person (around AUD$50 per day) for day-to-day things like food, drinks, tips, entry fees (when not included) and small souvenirs. This amount is naturally just an estimate.Greenback (US Dollars - $): There is no "black market" in Vietnam, but US Dollars are widely accepted by the locals. Sometimes things are quoted in US Dollars, even if you then pay for them in Dong. It's very handy to have some low denomination notes ($1, $5 and $10) in your wallet, they can be very useful for tipping. Tipping It is not customary to leave a tip in small local eateries, but more sophisticated restaurants will expect a tip. Tips are often divided between the waiting and kitchen staff, so if you have experienced great food and service, it is advisable to show your appreciation with a tip- between 5-10% of the bill is normal. A tip is also very welcome by local guides and drivers. External Links The internet has a wealth of information which makes planning your trip much easier. See our external links for a few suggestions, or type your questions into Google. |
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