Politics and Currency

The dong is the currency of Vietnam. Banknotes are in denominations 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 50000, и 100000. The most popular foreign currency is the dollar. Currency exchange is very easy; you can exchange dollar for dong in café on the streets, at national parks etc.

Visa, Passport and Customs

Import of foreign hard currency in Vietnam is not restricted, but must the total amount declared, as the export of currency is permitted only within the declared amount.

Visa is required for entry. It can be received at the consular section or on arrival in Vietnam. Requirements for visa include: a valid passport, two passport size photo and a completed application form. The cost of visa for booking a reservation in a hotel is 80 USD and 100 USD without reservation. Visa is processed within 5 days. Approval letter is required to receive visa on arrival and the cost is 50 USD.

Embassy

Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Moscow
B. Pirogovskaya. 13
Phone: 247-10-92, 245-09-25 (night)
FAX: 245-10-92Consular Section: tel. 246-13-83 (entrance from the street. Rossolimo)

Commercial Division:
1-ya Tverskaya-Yamskaya. 30
tel. 250-85-26 Fax: 250-05-34
Office of Military Attaché: Pomerantsev lane., 8
tel. 245-15-44

The Russian Embassy in Hanoi
Location: Hanoi, st. Lathan, 191
Tel.: (844) 833-69-91, (844) 833-69-92
Fax: (844) 833-69-95
E-mail: moscow.vietnam @ hn.vnn.vn

Consular Department
Address: Hanoi street. Lathan, 191
Tel.: (844) 833-65-75
Tel / Fax: (844) 833-69-96
E-mail: kons_hanoi@hn.vnn.vn

Consulate General of Russia in Ho Chi Minh City
Address: ul. Bahyuyenthankuan, 40
Tel.: (848) 930-39-36
Fax: (848) 930-39-37
E-mail: cgrushcm@fmail.vnn.vn

Russian Consulate in Da Nang
Address: Changfu, 22
Tel.: (84511) 822-380, 818-528
Fax: (84511) 818-527
E-mail: consdanang@dng.vnn.vn

Time

Vietnamese time is 3 hours ahead of Moscow in the summer 4 hours in winter.

Geography

Vietnam borders Cambodia, Laos and China and stretches 1600 km along the eastern coast of the Indochinese peninsula.

The country has the shape of the letter “S” and covers an area of 329,600 square kilometers with a coastline of over 3000 km.

The two major granary of the country are the Red River Delta and Mekong Delta in the south. Three-quarters of the country are hills and mountains; the mountain with the highest peak is Mount Fansipan of height 3,143m.

History

The history of Vietnam begins around 2,700 years ago. Successive dynasties based in China ruled Vietnam directly for most of the period from 207 BC until 938 when Vietnam regained its independence.] Vietnam remained a tributary state to its larger neighbour China for much of its history but repelled invasions by the Chinese as well as three invasions by the Mongols between 1255 and 1285. Emperor Trần Nhân Tông later diplomatically submitted Vietnam to a tributary of the Yuan to avoid further conflicts. The independent period temporarily ended in the middle to late 19th century, when the country was colonized by France during World War II, Imperial Japan expelled the French to occupy Vietnam, though they retained French administrators during their occupation. After the war, France attempted to re-establish its colonial rule but ultimately failed in the First Indochina War. The Geneva Accords partitioned the country in two with a promise of democratic election to reunite the country.

However, rather than peaceful reunification, partition led to the Vietnam War. During this time, the People’s Republic of China and the Soviet Union supported the North while the United States supported the South. After millions of Vietnamese deaths, the war ended with the fall of Saigon to the North in April 1975. The reunified Vietnam suffered further internal repression and was isolated internationally due to the continuing Cold War and the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia. In 1986, the Communist Party of Vietnam changed its economic policy and began reforms of the private sector similar to those in China. Since the mid-1980s, Vietnam has enjoyed substantial economic growth and some reduction in political repression, though reports of corruption have also risen.

Climate

Holiday in Vietnam in large extent is possible all year round. Unlike some countries in the east there is always a place with optimal temperature and lack of rain. The rainy season (September to December) in Vietnam is associated with storms. Air temperature at the seaside resorts of Vietnam rarely drops below +28 ° C. There are quite excellent opportunities for diving; services of professional instructors and scuba gear are very cheap, and fauna of South China Sea is one of the richest in the world. In Vietnam, tourists have a wide selection of resorts and tours at low prices. Tourists have an opportunity to see the unique architectural sights: ancient cities, temples and pagodas, palaces and mausoleums, many of which are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage. Adventurers can roam the entire Vietnam on a motorcycle and ride on elephants.

Cuisine

Vietnamese cuisine has a small amount of fat and a lot of raw fruits and vegetables. One of the most famous Vietnamese dishes is cha gio. Cha gio are pancakes made of rice flour with a stuffing (chicken, crab meat, vegetables and mushrooms with spices).They are very popular in the U.S. and France.

Useful Information

There are telephone boots in the cities and it can be used for international calls. Moscow operators MTS and Bee-Line have an agreement with Vietnamese mobile network operators: the most efficient ones are Vinaphone and GPC.

International code of Vietnam is 84.

Codes of major cities include:
Hanoi is 4.
Hai Phongis is 32.
Ho Chi Minh City is 8.
Hue is 54.
Danang is 511.

Entertainment

Like Nha Trang, Da Nang is one of the most popular places for beach holidays. In Vietnam is the famous beach ‘China Beach ‘where American soldiers used to rest during the war.

Diving

Diving in Vietnam is considered one of the cheapest in the world, which attracts a large number of Vietnam snorkelers from around the world. The main diving resort is Nha Trang Vietnam,and the island of Phu Quoc and Con Dao. he best season for diving in Nha Trang is the period from March to October, and on the island of Phu Quoc from November to March