The country is granted a tropical monsoon climate with diversified characteristics
varied significantly from North to South, from frosty winters to the year-round
subequatorial warmth. At sea level, the mean annual temperature is about 27°C in
the south, falling to about 21°C in the far north. In South Vietnam, the rainy season
lasts from May to November, but the showers are usually limited to brief bursts
in the late afternoons. Along Vietnam’s central coast, the driest season runs from
June to October. Visitors to North Vietnam are often surprised by the sregion's
distinct seasons; summers are hot and humid while winters are invigoratingly cool.
As a result, each region has its best time for visiting: Hanoi from September to
May with a pleasant winter, Hue from March to August with a sunny summer and Ho
Chi Minh City with warm weather the whole year round.
In the north (Hanoi & its vicinities), winter is from November to April
and is characterized by cool damp weather (15 – 20oC), and summer lasts from May
to October and is hot with periods of heavy rain (25 – 28oC).
Southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City & its vicinities) has a more tropical
climate all year round (25 – 30oC) with a dry hot season from December to April
and a rainy season from May to November.
Northern central Vietnam (from Thanh Hoa to Danang) may have heavy rain
from September to February and occasional typhoons along the coast from September
to October.
Southern central Vietnam (from Quy Nhon to Phan Thiet) is endowed with a
long dry season from December to September and a short rainy season from October
to November.
The highlands have a temperate climate but it is cooler and temperatures can be
freezing in winter from December to February. Temperatures may range anywhere from
15-18°C in the central highlands to 7-10°C in the northern highlands with heavy
rain from May to November.
All official congress prices are indicated in USD ($). The official currency in
Vietnam is the Vietnam dong (vnd). All major credit cards are accepted in most hotels,
restaurants and shops.
Exchange rate: (01/11/2019)
- 1USD = 23,250 VND
- 1EUR = 26,650 VND
The following items are preferred by foreign travelers:
- Carved wooden furniture, rattan furniture, fine lacquer-ware and fine ceramics.
They can be shipped home on request.
- Traditional Vietnamese hand-made silk dresses (ao dai), kimonos and suits. They
can be made to measure in 1 day or half a day.
- Embroideries, embroidered pictures, etc.
- Simulated antiques, old watches, Zippo lighters, etc.
- Copies of famous paintings.
Local markets, supermarkets and department stores are plentiful in major cities,
where visitors can find almost anything from simple gifts and souvenirs to sophisticated
electronic products. Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City is not only a famous historical
attraction built by the French in their colonial time but also the biggest market
in the city where all products and goods, especially souvenirs for international
tourists, can be found.
No vaccinations are presently required for visitors to enter Vietnam. However, it
is advisable that precautionary measures be taken against cholera, malaria, hepatitis
A & B, typhoid and tuberculosis. Although international medical centers are
available in Ho Chi Minh City, they can be expensive for emergency and/or intensive
care. Therefore, health and emergency medical insurance prior to visiting Vietnam
is highly recommended. Clinics with qualified Vietnamese and foreign doctors to
treat foreign patients:
Ho Chi Minh City:
- Columbia Saigon – 24 Hours Clinic
08 Alexandre de Rhodes St., District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Phone: (84-28) 38238888
- FV Hospital
6 Nguyen Luong Bang St., Tan Phu Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City
Phone: (84-28) 54113333
- Ho Chi Minh City Family Medical Practice
Diamond Plaza
34 Le Duan St., Dist. 1, HCMC
Tel: (84-28) 38227848
- Westcost International Dental Clinic
71-79 Dong Khoi St., District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Phone: (84-28) 38256777
Tourists are advised not to bring along valuables while going shopping or sightseeing.
It is dispensable to give alms to beggars or to buy souvenirs from street vendors.
Foreign currencies should be exchanged at banks or authorized exchange bureaus.
Do not exchange money in the street.
When taking a pedicab (cyclo) or “honda-om” (motorbike-taxi), you should make a
fare agreement with the driver first.
In big cities, nightlife is very bustling. Until 9 p.m., streets in the centers
are still crowded with many shops and restaurant opened, so it is safe to have a
leisure walk to enjoy the dynamic evening in Vietnam