Vietnam Overview
GENERAL
Official name of the state
Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Capital
Hanoi.
Geography
As a country located in Asia according to pharmacylib, Vietnam is a 3260 km long strip of land on the South China Sea, which borders China to the north and Laos and Cambodia to the west. The land is mainly used for agriculture; There is also a tropical rainforest in the center of the country. You can find mountainous landscapes on the border with China – the Yunnan highlands, fertile areas of the Red River around Hanoi, the highlands in the southwest on the border with Cambodia, here are home to many minorities, as well as the Mekong Delta in the extreme south around Ho- Chi Minh City.
Government
Socialist republic since 1980. Constitution of 1992. The National Assembly has 499 members who are elected every five years at the suggestion of the Communist Party (DCSV); in addition, Council of State as a permanent body.
Head of state
Truong Tan Sang, since July 2011.
Head of government
Nguyen Tan Dung, since June 2006.
Electricity
220 V, 50 Hz. An adapter is recommended.
Time zone
Indochina Time: CET +8
DUTY-FREE SHOPPING
Overview
The following items can be imported into Vietnam duty-free (people aged 18 and over):
400 cigarettes and 100 cigars or 50 grams of tobacco;
1.5 l spirits (alcohol content over 22%) or 2 l alcoholic beverages and spirits (alcohol content up to 22%);
3 kg of coffee and 5 kg of tea;
Perfume for personal use;
Medication for personal use;
Other goods with a total value of a maximum of 5 million D.
Two customs declarations must be completed upon entry, which should be kept until departure.
Prohibited imports
Drugs, all kinds of weapons, ammunition, explosives, combustible materials and pornographic products.
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Suits are only expected on very formal occasions. Little English is spoken in business circles; a good knowledge of French is more useful.
Opening hours
Business hours: Mo-Fr 07.30 / 08.00-17.00 / 18.00 with an extended lunch break between 11.30 and 14.00, Sa 08.00-12.30.
Economy
Trade Department of the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Elsenstrasse 3, D-12435 Berlin
Tel: (030) 53 63 01 08.
German Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam
DIHK Vietnam Representative Office
1303 Vietcombank Tower, 198 Tran Quang Khai Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Tel: (04) 825 14 20.
Internet: www.vietnam.ahk.de
Trade Department of the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Felix-Mottl-Strasse 20, A-1190 Vienna
Tel: (01) 36 80 75 60.
Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) (Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
4th Floor, 9 Daoduyanh Street, Hanoi.
Tel: (04) 574 39 85.
Internet: www.vcci.com.vn
Business contacts
Trade Department of the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Elsenstrasse 3, D-12435 Berlin
Tel: (030) 53 63 01 08.
German Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam
DIHK Vietnam Representative Office
1303 Vietcombank Tower, 198 Tran Quang Khai Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Tel: (04) 825 14 20.
Internet: www.vietnam.ahk.de
Trade Department of the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Felix-Mottl-Strasse 20, A-1190 Vienna
Tel: (01) 36 80 75 60.
Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) (Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
4th Floor, 9 Daoduyanh Street, Hanoi.
Tel: (04) 574 39 85.
Internet: www.vcci.com.vn
COMMUNICATION
Phone
The country code is 0084. Public card phones are available at post offices and on the streets of major cities. Telephone cards are available from post offices, shops, restaurants and bookstores, among others.
Cellphone
GSM 900/1800. Network operators are Viettel (Internet: vietteltelecom.vn), Vinaphone (VNPT) (Internet: www.vinaphone.com.vn) and MobiFone (VNPT) (Internet: www.mobifone.com.vn). The cellular network covers large parts of Vietnam. European cell phones can be used in Vietnam. International roaming agreements exist. It is also possible to rent a mobile phone from the network operators in Vietnam either in a hotel or in a mobile phone shop. You can also purchase VINA or MobiFone prepaid cards.
Internet
Internet provider is, among others, VDC (Internet: tintuc.vnn.vn). There are internet cafes in the cities. Most hotels and post offices have internet access.
Post Office
The postal system is limited. Airmail shipments to Europe take up to three weeks. International couriers support the national postal system.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
SHOP
Overview
Nice souvenirs are lacquer work, reed mats, decorative objects and furniture with mother-of-pearl inlays as well as ao-dais (traditional costumes of the Vietnamese women).
Shop opening times: Mon-Sun 7.30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m.-4.30 p.m.
CULINARY
CULTURE
Religion
Mostly Buddhists, but also followers of Taoism, Confucianism, Hoa Hao and Cao-Daï as well as Christians (mostly Roman Catholic) and Muslims.
Social rules of conduct
Manners: Shake hands to greet you.
Clothing: Low-key everyday clothing is usually appropriate. Short pants are usually only worn by children.
Photography: Airports, harbors and similar facilities may not be photographed.
Smoking: In Vietnam, smoking is prohibited on public transport and in public buildings such as schools, hospitals and offices. In Ho Chi Minh City, smoking is prohibited in all enclosed public spaces, with the exception of entertainment facilities.
Tipping: Tipping is also welcome in Vietnam, but it is not necessarily expected outside of the tourist areas and in the country. In upscale hotels and restaurants, the bill often includes a service fee. As a rule, a tip of 5-10% is given in restaurants. Other service providers such as tour guides, porters, housekeeping staff etc. also receive tips. In a taxi, the fare is rounded up.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
In the north it is subtropical with hot summers and mild winters, in the south it is tropical. Monsoons between May and October. Vietnam is a year-round travel destination, with the best weather conditions in the south in winter and in the north in November.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +84 Area (square km) 331 210 Population 94 348 835 Population density (per square km) 285 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No main emergency number 115
