information about Saigon

Important Information about Saigon and Vietnam

Visas

All tourists who want to enter Vietnam must present their entry visa, except citizens of countries which are granted visa exemption such as Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Cuba, Japan and Korea. Entry visas are obtainable at Vietnamese diplomatic missions and passports of months' validity are requires. A 30-day tourist visa is usually sufficient for tourists though it is possible to arrange 3-month or 6-month multiple entry visas for business people.

Tourists who wish to extend, supplement or amend their certificates of temporary residence in Vietnam should follow the procedures at the office of provincial public security (the Immigration Department). Special cases of temporary residence shall be processed at The Immigration Department

Ha Noi : 40A Hang Bai, Hanoi, Tel: 8266200

Ho Chi Minh : 161 Nguyen Du, Ho Chi Minh City, Tel: 8299398.

Many tour operators can extend your visa for a fee.

Visa fee

Entry visa and transition visa: US$25
Visa extension: US$10
Multiple-entry visa: US$40 to US$100
Multiple-entry visa extensions: US$16
A group of tourists (at least 5 people) entering Vietnam from Bangkok may apply for visa at the port of entry but the travel agencies in Bangkok must contact with the responsible office in Vietnam to comply with the procedure and pay a fee approximately US$35.

Airport tax

Tan Son Nhat International Airport

International Flights: 12 USD
Domestic Flights: None

On entering Vietnam all visitors must complete an entry/exit form including a customs declaration (white/yellow color). It is important that the bottom copy (yellow sheet) of this form is kept safe with your passport while in Vietnam and is presented to the customs and immigration officials on departure.

There are no limited amounts of foreign currency, objects made of gold, silver, precious metals and gemstones or plated with silver or gold but visitors must declare these in detail on the customs forms.

ENTRY: Tourists are authorized to bring in the following items duty-free: Cigarettes: 400 pieces; Cigars: 50-100; Tobacco: 100 gram; Liquor: 1.5l.

Personal effects of a reasonable quantity. Small gift items valued at not more than US$ 500.

Note: There is no limit to the amounts of cash, precious metals and gems people can bring in, but amounts of over US$ 3,000 must be declared.

It is prohibited for any visitor to bring into Vietnam the followings:

Weapons, explosives and inflammable objects.
Opium and other narcotics.
Cultural materials unsuitable to Vietnamese society.

EXIT: Goods of commercial nature and articles of high value require export permits issued by the Customs Office. Antiques, some precious stones and animals listed in Vietnam's red-book may not be brought out of the country.

Baggage claim

Keep your baggage claim stickers (stuck on to your air-tickets) in order to get your luggage out of the airport.

Flight information

Operation Control Center at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport: (84-8) 8446662
Lost and found

Lost and Found Service at Tan Son Nhat International Airport: (84-8) 8446662 ext: 7416
Getting down town

A metered cab should get you downtown for under US$5. You also could get an air-conditioned city bus leaving from outside Tan Son Nhat International Airport terminal costs just VND 2,000.

Money

Vietnamese dong (VND) of the State Bank of Vietnam is the official currency of the entire country.

Bank notes come in denominations of

VND 100 - VND 200 - VND 500

VND 1,000 - VND 2,000 - VND 5,000

VND 10,000 - VND 20,000 - VND 50,000

VND 100,000 and VND 500,000.

The Vietnamese Dong and US Dollars are accepted in many hotels, restaurants and shops.

Banks are open Monday to Friday and some are open Saturday morning.

In Ho Chi Minh City there are exchange counter and most hotels will change US Dollars although for other currencies it is usually necessary to visit a bank.

Travelers cheques can be exchanged at banks and some exchange bureaus but can be difficult to change outside of the city.

Visa Card and MasterCard are now accepted in many hotels, restaurants and shops but US Dollars cash are still the most reliable form of money to carry.

There are some ATM machines appearing now in Ho Chi Minh City.