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The most widely celebrated public holiday is the Tet, the Lunar New Year, which is the most important festival of the year to all Vietnamese. The week–long holiday is usually celebrated in late January or early February. It is an occasion for pilgrims and family reunions. During T?t, Vietnamese visit their relatives and temples, forgetting about the troubles of the past year and hoping for a better upcoming year. They consider T?t to be the first day of spring and the festival is often called H?i xuân (spring festival).

Language

Vietnamese is a tonal language with distinctive accents in three regions, North, Central and South. Much of the language is Sino/Vietnamese in origin, although influences from minority languages, French and English are also apparent. English is now the second language taught in the school system and is beginning to be spoken and understood throughout the country.

Religion

Viet Nam is home to both Western and Eastern religions and philosophies, including Catholicism, Protestantism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam, Hinduism and Caodaism. Ancestral worship, the belief that the soul lives on after death and protects its descendants, is practiced throughout Viet Nam. Buddhism is the main religion of Vietnam (about 70%), where as Catholicism is the second largest of the country (about 10%).

Cuisine

Rice is a staple food throughout the country. However, traditional Vietnamese cuisine also boasts specialties that differ according to the region visited. Oven-baked French baguette, seasonal fruits (including tropical fruits such as durian, magosteen, dragon fruit, rambutans, and longans), fresh vegetable, and local seafood are readily available. Vietnamese restaurants offer a broad selection of tempting international fare as well including French, Italian, American, Indian, Chinese and Japanese. All fruits and vegetables should be cooked or peeled.

Climate

The climate in Ho Chi Minh City and elsewhere in the south is hottest and most humid in late March and April. The dry season from November to April and the rainy season from May to October. In the north, the wet season is from May to September; December to March are the driest months.

Currency

The Vietnamese currency is the Dong. US dollars, preferably new & clean bills, are accepted almost everywhere. We recommend exchanging only a small amount at a time since Vietnamese bank notes are issued only in small denominations. American-issued VISA, Mastercard and American Express cards are accepted in major hotels, restaurants, and shops in the urban areas. While traveler’s checks are also accepted, exchanging them for dong can be quite inconvenient. ATM machines are available in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and other major cities.

Passport & Visa

A passport valid up to 6 months beyond your travel date and a tourist visa are required for entry into Vietnam. A tourist visa is valid for one month and can be extended while you are in country. Visa processing takes about 5-15 working days. Visa upon arrival is available at international airports, Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh city), Danang (Danang) & Noi Bai (Hanoi) but make sure that you have the invitation letter from your travel agents before departing from home.

Public Holiday

The most widely celebrated public holiday is the Tet, the Lunar New Year, which is the most important festival of the year to all Vietnamese. The week–long holiday is usually celebrated in late January or early February. It is an occasion for pilgrims and family reunions. During T?t, Vietnamese visit their relatives and temples, forgetting about the troubles of the past year and hoping for a better upcoming year. They consider T?t to be the first day of spring and the festival is often called H?i xuân (spring festival).

Dress Code

One of the most popular Vietnamese traditional garments is the “Ao Dai” worn often for special occasions such as weddings or festivals. White “Ao Dai” is the required uniform for girls in many high schools across Vietnam. It was once worn by both genders but today it is worn mainly by females, except for certain important traditional culture-related occasions where some men do wear it. In recent years young Vietnamese have enthusiastically embraced Western fashions and culture but away from the beach revealing clothes are still considered quite shocking and disrespectful. Modest dress is recommended in Vietnam - avoid short skirts, shorts and sleeveless clothing. Dress even more respectably when visiting temples and churches ensuring that shoulders and legs are covered.

People

The majority of the population (87%) is comprised of the Viet, or Kinh. The balance of the population is made up of over 50 minority groups, living mainly in the mountainous areas of the country. The best–known minority hilltribes are the Tay (the most populous), H’mong, Dzao, White Thai and Black Thai (both mainly from the north), and the Hoa. Each hilltribe has its unique customs and dialect making them fascinating to visit.