ElectricityElectrical current in Vietnam is 220 volts, 50Hz.
Plugs are either the two flat-pin or the two round-pin type. Three
rectangular blade plugs can be found in some of the newer
hotels. LanguageThe official language in Vietnam is Vietnamese. Some
Chinese, English and French are spoken. Tour guides can also speak
Russian and Japanese. Numerous ethnic languages are also spoken in
parts. TippingMost restaurants and hotels in Vietnam now add a five to 10
percent service charge to their bills. In top hotels porters expect
a small tip. Hired drivers and guides are usually tipped, and it is
customary to round up the bill for taxi drivers in the cities.
Tipping is not generally expected, but some small change for most
services is appreciated. Safety InformationTravel in Vietnam is generally safe and violent crime is
uncommon. Pick-pocketing is rife, and in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
drive-by purse snatching is a common trick. When transferring from
airports only use pre-arranged hotel pickups or licensed taxis to
avoid theft from opportunists. It is best to leave valuables in a
secure hotel safe and avoid obvious displays of wealth. During the
monsoon season (usually between June and October) the country is
prone to serious flooding and typhoons (until December),
particularly the Mekong Delta and Central Region. In August and
September 2008, Northern and Central Vietnam experienced torrential
rain resulting in severe flooding, causing considerable damage to
local infrastructure, including road and rail links. Local CustomsThe wearing of shorts in Vietnam should be avoided away from the
beaches if possible. Shoes must be removed on entering religious
sites and a donation is expected when visiting a temple or pagoda.
Photography is restricted at ports, harbours and airports, and it
is polite to ask permission before taking photographs of people,
especially of ethnic minorities. Never leave chopsticks sticking
upright in a bowl of rice as it has
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