Vietnam and back

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Introduction

Welcome to another world: a world where the colours are more vivid, the culture is richer, the history more compelling. This is the world of Vietnam, the latest Asian dragon to awake from its slumber. Nature has blessed Vietnam with a bountiful harvest. With soaring mountains, a killer coastline and radiant rice fields, Vietnam is simply stunning. Blanketed from head to toe in a patchwork of emerald-green rice paddies, timelessly tended by peasant women in conical hats, this time the brochures don’t lie. The rumble of a million motorbikes, the cries of hawkers and the buzz of business transactions are as ever-present as the tinkle of the past in the pagodas. Modern Asia meets medieval Asia and, in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, the two become one.

Destination Facts

Full name: Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Population: 81.6 million
Area: 329,566 sq km
Capital city: Ho Chi Minh City
Languages: Vietnamese, French, Russian, Chinese, English

For more information, check out Lonely Planet’s range of books on Vietnam.

Despite its ongoing economic liberalisation and the pressures of rapid development, this dignified country has managed to preserve its rich civilisation and highly cultured society. It has discarded its postwar fatigues, and the boom in budget travel coupled with the softening of government control has enabled more contemporary and relevant portraits of the country to gain currency in the West.

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)

Contrasting images of the exotic and mundane abound in HCMC, the largest of Vietnam’s cities. You’ll see the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life in the street markets, where bargains are struck and deals done; the pavement cafés, where stereo speakers fill the surrounding streets with competing thumping beats; and the sleek new cafés and pubs, where tourists chat over beer, peanuts, coffee and croissants. Yet within this teeming 300-year-old metropolis are timeless traditions and the beauty of an ancient culture. HCMC hums and bubbles day and night with a palpable energy borne of the tenacious will of human beings working to improve their lot.

Hanoi

The timeless capital of Vietnam is a quixotic blend of Parisian grace and Asian pace, evolving in harmony with its history rather than bulldozing through it as have many of the region’s capitals. The bustling Old Quarter has been a cauldron of commerce for 800 years – a network of streets and alleys teeming with life. Traders along the merchant guild streets in the Old Quarter are a living reminder of the city’s rich cultural heritage, while the boutiques and malls beyond in the French Quarter point the way to a successful future. Hanoi’s centre is an architectural museum piece known to many as the ‘Paris of the Orient’.

Safety & Security

Being careful about your safety will reduce the risk of something going wrong and make your trip more enjoyable.

Be sure to go to smartraveller and check out the latest travel advice before you depart. Driving in Vietnam can be hazardous – the rainy season makes some roads dangerous.

Bicycles are a really popular way to get around but be careful as drivers are not always on the lookout for cyclists!

Remember! Travellers are subject to the laws of the country they are visiting. Possession of drugs in Vietnam may result in the death penalty.

Money

Currency Vietnam’s unit of currency is the dong (VND). Coins are issued in denominations of 200, 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000. Banknotes also come in denominations of 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, as well as10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 dong.

Changing money US dollars are your best bet. Don’t rely entirely on travellers cheques. You can exchange aucurrency at banks, through authorised exchange bureaus, at hotel reception desks and on the black market. Banks offer the best rate but the exchange bureaus are generally more conveniently located and have longer opening hours. Credit cards are now widely accepted but if you are planning to go outside the major cities or tourist areas make sure you take dong.

Going offshore...know the medicine law. It’s illegal to take PBS medicine (subsidised by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) out of Australia, unless it’s for your own use or the use of someone travelling from Australia with you. Penalties are steep; fines of up to $5000 and/or two years imprisonment.

If you do take PBS medicine overseas, follow these simple steps:

  • contact the embassy of the country you’re visiting to ensure the medicine is legal there
  • carry a letter from your doctor with the medicine, stating what the medicine is, how much you’ll be taking, and that it’s for your personal use
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  • leave the medicine in its original packaging, so it’s clearly labelled with your name and dosage.

For more information about taking PBS medicine overseas, call the Travelling with PBS medicine enquiry line on 1800 500 147, or log onto Medicare Australia

Bargains & Basics

Vietnam has some fantastic shopping opportunities with hotspots including Hanoi, Hoi An and HCMC. Some of the best buys include gorgeous glazed pottery, lanterns, ‘almost’ antiques, embroidered tablecloths, fine furnishings, and lavish silk and linen creations.

Best Buys

Industry antiques Vietnam has strict regulations on the export of real antiques, so be sure that what you buy can be taken out of the country legally. Most reputable shops can provide the necessary paperwork so make sure you get it. A Vietnamese speciality is the ‘instant antique’, such as a teapot or ceramic dinner plate going cheap.

Wonder wear Women all over the country wear conical hats to keep the sun and rain off their faces and these are a good buy. Remember that products made from plant material must be declared for quarantine inspection on arrival back in Australia.

Hanoi and HCMC are good places to pick up contemporary fashion items.

Shaped locally Hot items include lacquerware, wooden screens, ceramics, colourful embroidered items, wood-block prints, watercolours, bamboo blinds, reed mats, carpets, jewellery and leatherwork. However, you will need to declare any handicrafts made with wood, other plant material or animal products for inspection by Quarantine when you arrive in Australia. Just because they’re lacquered doesn’t mean they are safe. There could still be live insects inside that can chew through the lacquer and escape! Pick items without bark, borer holes or other obvious signs of insect damage. Any items that present a pest risk will require treatment (at your expense) to make them safe. Bark items will have to be treated by Quarantine before you are allowed to take them home. Items made with banana leaves will require an import permit and must be treated in Australia.

War booty In places frequented by tourists, it’s easy to buy what looks like equipment left over from the American War. However, your chances of finding anything original are slim. Fake Zippo lighters are still one of the hottest-selling items.

It’s a bad idea to purchase weapons and ammunition even if fake. It’s illegal to carry real or fake ammunition and weapons on airlines and many countries will arrest you if any such goods are found in your luggage. Real or replica firearms, weapons and ammunition may be prohibited or require a permit and safety test before you can import them into Australia. Check with Customs on 1300 363 263 or Customs website 

Carrying funds in or out of Australia? In 2006, the Australian Government introduced stronger laws to protect Australians from money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Under this new law, you have to report travellers cheques, personal cheques, money orders, postal orders, promissory notes and other bearer negotiable instruments of any amount if a Customs or police officer asks you to.

You still have to report AUD$10,000 cash (or the equivalent amount in foreign currency) using a form available in the Customs area of airports or seaports. Check out Austrac website for more information.

Worst Buys

When shopping, it’s important to know what you can and can’t bring back into Australia. Common items from Vietnam not allowed into Australia include:

  • Fresh fruit and vegetables
  • Uncanned meat products, for example pork and dried meat
  • Eggs and egg products
  • Banana leaf items including traditional hats, food, photo albums and notebooks
  • Live plants and live plant material
  • Snake wine
  • Lucky bamboo
  • Green coffee beans
  • Water hyacinth leaves on photo album covers.

Some of these items are allowed in if accompanied by an import permit and/or treated by Quarantine (which will cost you money). Talk to Quarantine prior to departure about obtaining an import permit.

For more information about what you can’t bring back into Australia visit AQIS travel.

WARNING! Endangered plants and animals. Buying products made from endangered species (for example orchid, turtle, parrot, bear, snake and coral) could contribute to the extinction of the species in the wild. However, some species can be imported with the right permits – for more information see website

Note: if you import wildlife products without the right permits, your products may be seized by Customs and you could face stiff penalties.

Top Shops

Don’t get so overwhelmed by all the great buys that you spend your money on stuff that won’t be allowed back into Australia. Snakes and live chickens are a definite no-no, and anything made from animal products and plant material must be declared to Quarantine (and may need treatment) when you get home.

Ho Chihi Minh CITY

Tax Department Store
Russian Market, Dong Khoi Cnr Ð Nguyen Hue & Ð Le Loi

The Tax Department Store is a great place to pick up anything from electronics to clothing to handicrafts.

Nguyen Freres
2 Ð Dong Khoi
ph. 098 380 3070

This place stocks a lovely assortment of antique furnishings and textiles, pillowcases, silks, pottery and lamps.

Mai Handicrafts
Ð Nguyen Trong Tuyen, Tan Binh district
ph. 844 098 8298

A fair-trade shop dealing in ceramics, ethnic fabrics and other gift items, in turn supporting disadvantaged families and street children.

Dan Sinh Market
104 Ð Yersin

Also known as the War Surplus Market, this is the place to shop for a chic pair of combat boots or rusty dog tags. It’s also the best market for electronics and other types of imported machinery – you could easily renovate a whole villa from the goods on sale.

Sapa
223 Ð De Tham
ph. 836 5163

Incorporates ethnic fabrics and designs with a hip modern style; also sells gifts and jewellery.

Song
76D Ð Le Thanh Ton
ph. 824 6986

A small boutique selling sophisticated, high-end clothing and accessories for both men and women.

Huynh Thuc Khang Street Market
Ð Huynh Thuc Khang & Ð Ton That Dam

This street market in the Dong Khoi area sells everything. You can buy electronic goods of all sorts here – from mosquito zappers to video cassette recorders – but the market has expanded enormously to include clothing, lacquerware, posters of Ho Chi Minh and Britney Spears, Chinese-made ‘Swiss’ army knives and just about everything to satisfy your material needs.

Hanoi

Khai Silk
96 Pho Hang Gai
ph 825 4237

Almost a national institution these days, Khai Silk is the place to find funky, fashionable silk clothing, as well as more austere classical creations.

Hanoi Gallery
110 P Hang Bac

If you are in the market for propaganda posters from the old days, this place has a huge selection. It includes translations of the slogans and mailing tubes for easy carrying or posting.

Viet Hien
8B P Ta Hien
ph. 826 9769

An enormous warehouse of antiques, paintings, furniture and handicrafts, including rattan creations that are a hell of a lot cheaper than at home.

Viet Art Centre
42 Pho Yet Kieu

This new art centre promises cutting-edge contemporary art and classic painting. It’s worth a browse, plus there is an excellent little café to contemplate.

Night Market

Running through the heart of the Old Quarter this starts near Dong Xuan Market on Pho Hang Giay and runs almost to Hoan Kiem Lake on Pho Hang Dao. It is little more than a spill-over from the many shops that now dot the Old Quarter, but at least the streets are closed to traffic and it’s cooler to browse. Watch out for pickpockets as this has become the new Hanoi hot spot.

Hang Da Market
1 Pho Hang Da
Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

A relatively small market, but this place is good for imported food, wine, beer and flowers. The 2nd floor has fabric and ready-made clothing.

Prior to travel, you should consult your doctor for advice on how to reduce your risk of illness while travelling, including required and recommended vaccinations and whether booster doses of childhood vaccinations are necessary. Monitoring your health whilst away and when you return is important for your own wellbeing. There is a chance that during your travels you could have been exposed to infectious diseases such as influenza, gastroenteritis or malaria. It is very important that you consult with your doctor if you feel unwell, even after you return to Australia, and consider your recent destinations as a possible source for your illness.

Shop Smart

Before you spend your shopping money, it’s a good idea to know what you can and can’t bring back into Australia. That way, you keep your travel treasures and save money on any necessary quarantine treatments (or fines).

All food, plant material and animal products from overseas, including many common souvenirs, must be declared for quarantine inspection (and may need treatment) when you get home.

For more information about what needs to be declared to Quarantine visit AQIS travel.

Common items from Vietnam that you must declare (and might need treatment and/or an import permit) include:

  • Rawhide items, including drums
  • Wooden items – when you’re shopping, avoid items with bark, borer holes or insects
  • Herbs, spices and seasoning, including gift packs
  • Straw products and packaging
  • Eggs, eggshell ornaments, feathers and any other bird products
  • Raw tobacco
  • Animal products including bone items, for example monkey-skull ashtrays – must be clean with no tissue attached – some items may be subject to endangered wildlife laws
  • Bamboo, cane and rattan basket ware and furnishings
  • Seeds and nuts
  • Herbal medicines that are made from animal material such as deer penis, bear bile, asses glue – noncommercially prepared materials or items with signs of animal tissue are not allowed into Australia.

Hot tip: don’t buy items such as medicines made from endangered species, including sea horses. In many cases, declared goods are returned to you after inspection. However, any item that presents a disease risk or is found to contain insects or larvae will be withheld by Quarantine.

You will be given a range of options for the item depending on the quarantine risk. These options include: treatment (for example fumigation) to make the item safe; holding the item until an import permit is presented; re-exporting the item; and destroying the item.

Most of these options will cost you money.

Before you return

  • Make sure you eat or throw away all fruit, vegetables and uncanned meat products before you land in Australia – they’re not allowed in
  • Leave ALL aircraft food on board, including nuts and snacks
  • Make sure you clean ALL soil from your hiking boots, sports shoes, golf clubs, camping gear, backpacks and mountain bikes – you still have to declare these to Quarantine
  • Pack items for inspection together, and keep them at the top of your bag so they can be reached easily
  • Wash shoes that have been worn in rural areas including farms, markets and zoos, or near animals such as elephants, monkeys, cattle and chickens.

Important Tips

Before travelling overseas register your travel and contact details online at smartraveller, or in person in Ho Chi Minh City on the 5th Floor, The Landmark Building, 5B Ton Duc Thang, District 1, ph. +84 (8) 829 6035; or in Hanoi at 8 Dao Tan St, Ba Dinh District, ph +84 (4)831 7755, once you arrive so we can contact you in an emergency.

Check the latest travel advice for your destination at smartraveller before you go. Subscribe to receive free email notification each time the advice is updated.

Take out travel insurance to cover hospital treatment, medical evacuation and any activities, like adventure sports, in which you plan to participate.

Obey the law of the country you’re visiting. Don’t expect to be treated differently to the locals just because you’re Australian, even if local laws appear harsh or unfair by Australian standards.

Make copies of your passport details, insurance policy, travellers’ cheques, visas and credit card numbers. Carry one copy in a separate place to the originals and leave a copy with someone at home. Ensure your passport has a minimum six months’ validity.

For more travel tips and advice, check out smartraveller

Important Information

With increased quarantine activity at Australia’s airports, you’d be mad not to declare all items made from food, plant and animal material. The detector dog’s sense of smell (100 times greater than ours), won’t miss a beat – and neither will the X-ray machines or Quarantine officers.

Don’t risk an on-the-spot fine or prosecution, or worse, threaten our flora, fauna and important agricultural industries with exotic pests and diseases.

Some people don’t realise that a lot of things you can get overseas are illegal in Australia and will be seized by Customs if you bring them back. These include blowpipes; BB guns; flick knives; crossbows; nunchakus; knuckledusters; electric flyswats; and cigarette lighters designed to look like weapons; coral; orchids; and reptile skin or ivory goods.

Don’t forget to check Customs for A Guide for travellers – know before you go or call the Customs Information and Support Centre on 1300 363 263 for advice about your customs clearance and items that must be declared.

Shopping on holidays? If you are 18 or over you are entitled to bring A$900 worth of goods back into Australia. This includes goods purchased overseas, in Australia duty/tax free before you left, or goods for which a refund of tax has been approved through the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS). You can also bring back 2.25 litres of alcohol and 250 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco products. Please note: Customs must verify your TRS purchases at least 30 minutes prior to departure. For details contact Customs on 1300 363 263 or check Customs

Remember when overseas, you are subject to local laws. Local laws and legal processes can be very different from those in Australia. A violation of local laws may result in a jail sentence, served in a local prison. Consular assistance cannot override local law, even where local laws may appear harsh or unjust by Australian standards. Penalties for drug offences can be severe and include the death penalty.

Last reviewed:
01 Nov 2011
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