Overview

New policies from 15th August 2023

• Vietnam grants e-visas for citizens of all countries and territories with 90-day stay duration and valid for multiple entry.
• Citizens of 13 countries enjoying unilateral visa exemption can stay in Vietnam up to 45 days.

Vietnam Visa Exemption

Vietnam’s new visa policy effective from 15th August 2023 extends stay duration for 13 countries enjoying unilateral visa exemption from 15 days to 45 days, regardless of passport type and entry purpose. The 13 countries include: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Belarus.

Below is the full list of 25 countries +Kazakhstan that are exempted from visa requirement:

Brunei, Myanmar, Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, The UK, The Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Chile, Panama.

2. INFORMATION

Official Language

The official language of the conference is Vietnamese.

Vietnam weather

• The north of Vietnam: The north of Vietnam has 4 seasons, which are Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. The weather in northern provinces like Hanoi is hot and humid with high rainfall from May to October, and gets cooler and drier from November to April.
• Central Vietnam: The typical climate of central Vietnam is tropical wet climate. This region has dry, hot weather with temperatures of up to mid 30°C from January to August, while September, October, and November often see the highest rainfall.
• The south of Vietnam: There are only two seasons here: dry and rainy seasons. It is normally dry and hot from November to April, gets wet and warm from May to October. The highest rainfall happens from June to August.

Time

The time zone for Vietnam is Indochina Time, or ICT. It’s UTC/GMT +7 hours.

Electrical Specifications

Voltage: 220 V; Current: 50 Hz

The standard voltage in Vietnam is 220 volts. Primary sockets generally require 2 flat prong plugs, 2 round pin plugs, and many of the new 4 and 5 star hotels use British standard 3-pin plugs. We recommend that you pack a universal travel adaptor. You will need a voltage converter and plug adaptor in order to use U.S. appliances.

Insurance and Liability

The Organizers do not take responsibility for any individual, medical, travel, or personal insurance. Participants are advised to secure their insurance policies before departure from their countries.

While every attempt is made to ensure efficient, trouble-free hospitality, including hotel accommodation, sightseeing, and tours, participants are advised that no liability accrues to the Organizers in the event of any necessary modifications, including change in itineraries for tours due to delays or cancellations of flights / other exigencies beyond the Organizers’ control.

Tipping

Tipping is encouraged when you experience good service, and this would be above the standard 5-10% gratuity to your bill added by some restaurants and hotels

3. TRANSPORTATION

Flights in Vietnam

Travellers can arrive in Vietnam by train or plane. Tan Son Nhat international airport and Noi Bai international airport welcomes foreign and domestic arrivals daily. Domestic carriers are Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet,…

Metro in Vietnam (Especially in Ho Chi Minh City – Metro Line 1 from Bến Thành to Suối Tiên)

Metro Line 1 will operate from 5:00 AM to 11:30 PM daily, with a train frequency of 5 minutes per trip during peak hours, 10 minutes per trip during normal hours, and 15 minutes per trip during off-peak hours. The lowest fare for Metro Line 1 is VND6,000 per trip and the highest is VND20,000 per trip, depending on the payment method, subject, and distance.

With a simple, automatic, and modern method, we can buy tickets manually at the ticket machine: Pay via POS machine or transfer money, receive a QR code, and scan at the ticket gate. Or buy tickets online when downloading the HCMC Metro application.

The Metro will take you through 14 stations including Suoi Tien Bus Terminal Station ▶ National University Station ▶ High-Tech Park Station ▶ Thu Duc Station ▶ Binh Thai Station ▶ Phuoc Long Station ▶ Rach Chiec Station ▶ An Phu Station ▶ Thao Dien Station ▶ Tan Cang Station ▶ Van Thanh Station ▶ Ba Son Station ▶ City Theater Station ▶ End at Ben Thanh Central Station.

Metro Line 1, with its diverse and strategically located stations, offers a comprehensive transit solution that enhances connectivity and urban mobility in Ho Chi Minh City.

Trains in Vietnam

Averaging about 40km an hour, Vietnam’s trains are an insightful and relaxing way to journey through the country. The North and South are connected by a single, 2,600km-track network managed by Vietnam Railways. The track snakes through the country from Ho Chi Minh City all the way to the Chinese border.

• Hanoi Train Station Address: 120 Le Duan, Cua Nam, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi, Vietnam.
• Ho Chi Minh City Train Station Address: 1 Nguyen Thong, phuong 9, Quan 3, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.