Insurance

A travel insurance policy that includes medical evacuation, medical expenses overseas, loss of personal possessions and cancellation cover is absolutely essential for travelling. The cover should be start from the time of payment of your tour so as to cover cancellation due to illness or other reasons prior to the start of the tour. Vietnam Birding will require proof that you have such an insurance policy before the start of your tour. 

Visas

Most visitors to Vietnam are required to have a valid visa to enter the country. Exceptions are Japanese and South Korean nationals who are allowed to stay for up to 15 days without a visa and Thai, Singaporean, Malaysian, Indonesian, Philippine and Lao nationals who are permitted a visa-free stay of one month. For other nationalities a visa must be arranged in advance. Visit www.vn.embassyinformation.com for contact details of your nearest Vietnam Embassy.  A one-month tourist visa is usually sufficient for most tours though it is possible to arrange 3-month and 6-month multiple entry visas if needed.

If there is no Vietnam Embassy in your country Vietnam Birding can arrange for a Vietnam visa to be issued on arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi or Danang International Airport in Danang. If you require a visa on arrival you should inform Vietnam Birding as early as possible but at least 10 working days before departure. On entering Vietnam all visitors must complete an ‘Arrival–Departure Declaration’ form including a customs declaration. Pages 4 and 5 of this form must kept safe with your passport while you are in Vietnam and presented to immigration officials on departure. 

Vaccinations

No vaccinations are required for visitors to Vietnam except for yellow fever if you are coming from an area where the disease is present. However visitors should be inoculated against typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A & B, tetanus and polio. Malaria is present in most of the region and it is advisable to take precautions especially if travelling off the beaten track.

Medical facilities are very limited outside of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi and it is absolutely essential to take out a good medical insurance policy before travelling in case of medical evacuation. If you have any health problems that may affect you travelling or your participation in the tour please advise Vietnam Birding in advance of booking your tour so that we may advise accordingly.

What to bring

A good pair of binoculars is perhaps the most essential item to bring on a birding trip. Spotting scopes are not so useful for forest birding but your Vietnam Birding leader will carry a scope for sites where one may be needed.

Comfortable clothing in natural fabrics such as cotton is most suitable for Vietnam’s tropical climate. Go for earthy greens or browns to blend into the natural surroundings for birding and avoid bright colours, particularly white. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants in the forests to ward of biting insects, of which there are sure to be some. Either a wide-brimmed hat or a cap is important not only as protection against the fierce tropical sun but also to break up the outline of your face when birding.

For footwear pack a comfortable pair of worn-in walking boots and a pair of sneakers or casual shoes to wear when not birding. Leeches can be a real nuisance along forest trails especially from May to December and a pair of leech socks is a very good investment. A lightweight raincoat is another essential at any time of the year and during the winter months in northern Vietnam a fleece or warm jacket will be needed. Sun block, insect repellent and a torch or flashlight should also be packed although these can if needed be bought once in Vietnam.

Finally pack a supply of your favourite muesli bars or other snack food for long days in the forest or early pre-breakfast starts.

Books and maps

The essential field guide for Vietnam is Craig Robson’s award-winning Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia which features colour illustrations of every bird you are likely meet in Vietnam. Another highly recommended book is Vietnam: A Natural History by Jane Sterling, Martha Maud Hurley & Le Duc Minh, a beautifully illustrated and comprehensive account of the country’s natural history. These and some other useful guides are listed below.

A Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia by Craig Robson
Vietnam: A Natural History by Jane Sterling, Martha Maud Hurley & Le Duc Minh
Vietnam Nature Tourism Map by Fauna & Flora International
Footprint Guide to Vietnam by John Colet
The Lonely Planet Guide to Vietnam by Nick Ray
The Lonely Planet Vietnamese Phrasebook
Field Guide to the Common Butterflies of Vietnam by Alexander Monastyrskii & Alexey Devyatkin
Large Mammals of Thailand by John W.K. Parr
A Photographic Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Thailand and South-East Asia by Merel J. Cox, Peter Paul van Dijk, Jarujin Nabhitabhata & Kumthorn Thirakhut.

Money

The currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese dong although US dollars are accepted in many hotels, restaurants and shops. Banks are open Monday to Friday. In the major cities there are exchange bureaux and most hotels will change US dollars although for other currencies it is usually necessary to visit a bank. Travellers cheques can be exchanged at banks and some exchange bureaux but can be difficult to change outside of the major cities. Visa Card and Mastercard are now accepted in many hotels, restaurants and shops and Vietnamese dong can easily be obtained from ATM machines in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and other major cities. 

Weather

The south of Vietnam has a hot, dry season from December till April with average temperatures around 28°C and a rainy season lasting from May through till November. Rain usually comes in short downpours during the afternoon but rarely lasts for long.

Central Vietnam has very hot, dry weather from February to August with temperatures reaching the mid 30’s Celsius, but can experience some heavy rainfall between September and January.

The north of the country has a distinct winter and summer season with the mainly dry winter lasting from November through to April with average temperatures of 18-20°C. Summer lasts from May to October and is hot and humid with temperatures around 30°C. 

Phones, faxes and internet

Most hotels have IDD phones in rooms and it is possible to send faxes from hotels and post offices although be warned these services can be expensive in Vietnam. Away from the major cities it may not always be possible to make international calls.

Vietnam’s mobile phone market is one of the fastest growing in the region and everyone from school children to cyclo drivers seems to carry a mobile phone. Vietnam SIM cards can be bought cheaply in all the major cities.

Internet cafes can be found almost everywhere in Vietnam and rates are very reasonable. Postcards can be bought at all the main tourist sites and stamps are available from post offices and some hotel reception desks. 

Water

It is not advisable to drink tap water in Vietnam but bottled mineral water is safe and available everywhere. Ice in drinks is generally OK in good standard hotels and restaurants but it is best to avoid it on street stalls or in country areas. 

Tipping

Tipping for good service is always appreciated. It is customary, though not compulsory, to tip local tour guides and drivers at the end of a tour. Hotel and station porters should also be tipped a small amount for their troubles. 

Language

With its six different tones, Vietnamese is a difficult language for most foreigners to speak despite the fact that the Latin-based alphabet is used in modern Vietnamese. The same word can have six different meanings depending on the tone used to pronounce it. Fortunately in the cities and larger towns English is now widely spoken by many younger people while some of the older generation speak fluent French. However if you can master a few simple words or expressions from your phrase book you can be sure to make some friends while in Vietnam.