Before go to Vietnam

1, Weather
Vietnam has a tropical climate, which is characterized by strong sunshine, relatively high temperatures throughout the year and significant rainfall. In general, the country experiences two distinct seasons: a dry and cold season (from November to April) a hot and rainy season (from May to October). But the country stretching over more than 1600km, there are notable differences between the northern and southern provinces. Temperature changes are therefore more noticeable in the more temperate regions of Tonkin (north), while they are barely perceptible in HoChiMinh Ville and in the Mekong Delta. You can visit Vietnam in any season
 

	Annual average temp.	Coldest month	Hottest month	Average annual precipitation	Driest month	Rainiest month
Hanoi	24,4oC	Jan 16,5oC	June 36oC	1678mm	Dec  350mm	August 2020mm
Hue	25,1oC	Jan 19,7oC	July 35oC	3039mm	Jan 860mm	Oct 1930mm
Saigon	27,9 oC	Jan 26,8oC	April  35oC	1952mm	Feb 340mm	June 1930mm

Bring light everyday clothes, preferably cotton, but woolen fabric is recommended for air-conditioned places (Bus for long distances or restaurants) and the mountainous regions of Upper Tonkin or the Highlands where the thermal amplitude can be important between day and night. A jacket or sweater is  obligatory if you are traveling in winter (September to April). Also bring raincost , as the rains are frequent, brief but often torrential, as well as long clothes and socks to protect you from mosquitoes. When you visit the temples, avoid shorts and sleeveless tops. Bring a hat to protect yourself from the sun, don't forget the sunscreen for the beach and mosquito repellents. Also make sure you have decent attire for visiting places of worship. When visiting a pagoda, men should preferably wear pants, because the shorts would shock the monks, women should have their shoulders covered. It is advisable to have comfortable and easy to remove shoes because you will have to take off your shoes at the entrance of these. Finally, closed high shoes are recommended if you are trekking.

3, Passport and Visa?

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To prepare your trip to Vietnam, you must be in possession of a passport valid at least 6 months after your return date as well as a visa, valid from 1 to three months from your date of entry into Vietnam. Since July 1, 2016, the government has temporarily exempted citizens of 6 European countries from visa: France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom for a maximum of 15 days without distinction of category and purpose of entry to Vietnam. For other nationalities and trips longer than 15 days, the visa is always essential to enter Vietnam

To obtain the visa, you have two possibilities of doing it, either you can directly ask for the visa near the Vietnamese embassy or consullate in your country, for that, bring your passport, two photos and 70 euros or 80 euros for a request by correspondence. We can provide you with the forms to complete for your departure.
Less expensive and faster for you, you can get the visa on arrival (VOA Visa Upon, Visa on arrival). This visa will be delivered on site upon arrival at the airport provided that you have a letter of approval. Asiatik Travel will arrange everything and deliver this letter to you, along with your passport details. This letter with the forms will be delivered to you before your departure. When you arrive at the airport, go to the "Landing visa" counter located before passport control, with this invitation letter and a 4x6 photo. With the form, you will pay 25 USD in cash and exclusively in US dollars to obtain a month's visa.
4, Vaccinations and health
Vietnam poses no particular health or safety problems, but it is advisable to consult the "Advice for Travelers" sheets on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website before leaving: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr
No vaccine is required, except for yellow fever if you are coming from an African or Latin American country where it is endemic. However, it is strongly recommended to be up to date with your vaccinations against polio, diphtheria, tetanus, typhoid and hepatitis A and B, as well as meningitis A and C and Japanese encephalitis for long stays
a, Recommandations:
Veillez à vous protéger du soleil et de la chaleur de manière à prévenir tout risque d'insolation et de déshydradation. Exposez-vous progressivement et pensez toujours à porter chapeau, lunettes de soleil et protection solaire, même par temps couvert. il est également important de boire abondamment et fréquemment.
Ne buvez jamais de l'eau du robinet qui ne serait pas préalablement bouillie ou purifiée avec des pastilles, lavez-vous les mains avant et après chaque repas. 

b, Pharmacy kit
If you are following a particular treatment, take your medication in sufficient quantity, with the doctor's prescription
Also think of everyday products such as foam earplugs, razor, shaving cream, tampons and sanitary napkins. But do not worry there either in case of forgetting: all this is on site without difficulty.

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5, Telephone and electricity
a, Telephone: 
To call Vietnam from abroad, dial the international access number (00 from Europe) then 84 (for the Vietnam), the regional prefix without the 0 and the number of your correspondent. To call abroad from Vietnam, dial 00, followed by the country code (33 for France and 32 for Belgium, 41 for Switzerland and 1 for Canada...) followed by the regional prefix without the 0 and number
b, Electricity:
The current is in 220volts. In most hotels, the sockets are also designed to work with flat plug devices like those found in the United States (But in this case, you will also need an adapter if your device works in 110volts)
The national network is very reliable in the big cities as generally in the rest of the country.
 

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6, Tip 

In luxury hotels and restaurants, the service is generally included (from 10 to 15%), but elsewhere it is left to your discretion and is not systematic. On the other hand, it is traditional to thank the services rendered by the staff such as: luggage port, boat rowers, drivers of the cylos drivers. Our advice for these cases is often 1-2 euros / 1 person if you appreciate the services rendered. For guides and drivers, if you are in a large group (from 10 people), the tip is often at least 2-3 euros / 1 day / 1 person for the guide and half for the driver. If you are in a small group or two, it depends on your sastifaction to leave, the minimum is 3-4 euros / 1 person / 1 day and half for the driver.