Visa requirements A visa is needed by all foreign nationals. Single entry visas are valid for one month and applications must be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance of travel. Travelmood offer a visa service for £16 per person. The actual cost of the visa is US$25 - payable in cash on arrival in Vietnam.


Eating out Vietnamese cuisine is generally delicious and good value, with the French colonial influence particularly benign.

Shopping Ho Chi Minh City is noted for great shopping, with particular bargains in silks and craftworks.

ClimateHo Chi Minh City and the south are hot all year round, particularly from May to August, with daytime temperatures ranging from 24°C to 35°C. Hanoi and the north experience the four seasons, with June to September as the hottest months at around 33°C, and December through February as winter averaging 18°C. The wet season affects all of Vietnam from April to September, but don¹t be put off visiting during this time, since the rain is often in the form of a short sharp afternoon downpour which leaves the air fresh and invigorated.

Ho Chi Minh City
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
°C	26	27	28	29	30	30	29	29	29	28	27	25
R	4	14	16	27	230	293	290	271	341	262	109	8

Hanoi
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
°C	20	21	23	28	32	33	33	32	31	29	26	22
R	18	28	38	81	196	239	323	343	254	99	43	20

°C Average monthly rain temperatures
R Average monthly rainfall in millimetres

Flying to Vietnam
From their European hub at Paris, Vietnam Airlines offer non-stop flights to both Ho Chi Minh City, in the south, and Hanoi, in the north of the country. By using a European hub you have the advantage of being able to fly from your local UK airport straight to Paris for the connection. In all there are daily flights on a Boeing 777 between the UK and Vietnam, giving you real flexibility in your holiday duration. You will also have the option of flying in to, for example, Hanoi and returning home from Ho Chi Minh. This allows you to really explore this fascinating country and make the most of your time there. As you would expect of an Asian airline, the in-flight service with Vietnam Airlines is excellent. And with an above average seat pitch of 33" you'll be travelling in comfort. For even greater comfort, ask about flying in Vietnam Airlines' new Economy Deluxe class.