November 13, 2012 By

 

Nowadays, Vietnam is known as a popular destination for world travelers. With the hidden charm, Vietnam is a wonderful place to explore. Still, like traveling to any other country, there are several tips you should take when visiting Vietnam to avoid unexpected things or misunderstandings:

Before you go:

  • Find out all the basic information about the country beforehand.
  • Your passport should be valid for at least six months after arrival and at least one month after the expiration of your visa. To apply for a visa, contact your local Vietnamese Embassy or
  • Consulate, or an online travel agent for time saving.
  • Please take a note that visa on arrival in Vietnam means visa stamped at the arrival airport in Vietnam with the pre-approved letter issued by the Vietnam Immigration Office (obtained in advance). Remember that only when you are traveling by air, can you apply for a visa on arrival.

What you need to bring with you to Vietnam:

  • Lightweight and quick dry clothing for the summer months and warmer clothing for the winter months;
  • Sun hat, shoes and sandals;
  • A good quality backpack/rucksack and day pack
  • A decent pair of boots for walking
  • Light raincoat and umbrella;
  • A map, compass or a GPS system in case you get lost
  • Flashlight/torch, alarm clock, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, personal first aid kit, toiletries, basic aspirins, binocular, camera, emergency phone numbers [Read more...]
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Cheapest air tickets newly offered

November 13, 2012 By

In order to bring a sufficient travel service package to our dear clients, Govietnamvisa.com has newly launched the cheapest air tickets of all the popular airlines to and from Vietnam (Vietnam airlines, Jestar, Vietjetair, Thai airways, Singapore airlines, etc.

Why book a flight with us?

We understand what you want. With us, you are assured to get not only trustable information but also valued search. We have been bringing to you all other necessary services to ensure a safe, interesting and worry-free journey to Vietnam including Vietnam visa arrangement, hotel booking, tour arrangement, as you know; And now, to make your journey a perfect one, we also offer flight tickets (to and from Vietnam) at the lowest prices (as compared to any other agent in Vietnam).

If you do not have much time but would like to get the cheapest airfare with good service quality, you are right to deal with us!

How to book your flight through us?

Very simple! Just connect to our Customer-Care center, or call us at our hotline +84-946.466.068; or you can also email the below information: [Read more...]

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Grilled snakehead fish – a specialty of southern Vietnam

November 8, 2012 By

Grilled snakehead fish is a rustic dish typical of Southern of Vietnam with a unique flavor and a very simple cooking method. This dish is closely associated with the domestication of the Southern area of Vietnamese people.

One of the characteristics of the grilled snakehead is that the fish does not need preliminary treatment, i.e. no scaling, no shaving lubricant, no abdominal surgery, no marinated spices. Snakeheads that are just caught up from the river will be washed. One long stick will be put through the fish body from mouth to tail. Then burying the fish in a dry straw bush and setting fire around. There is another way to grill the fish, which is to stick the fish into the ground, put dry straw around and set fire. Wait until the straw absolutely turns to ashes to make sure that the fish is well grilled and ready to taste. Take the fish out, put it on a clean banana leave, and scrape away the scorched scales to reveal white, fragrant meat.

If the snakehead weighs more than 700 or 800gr, pour clean water into its stomach to fulfill it before grilling. When grilling, under the effect of temperature, the water inside stomach, which is closed environment will boil. This will help to cook the meat perfectly. One important requirement when cooking this dish is the material using to grill snakehead. It must be straw because only straw can make the white meat fragrant and not have the smell of smoke. When finish grilling, pick the bones out and enjoy the meat with raw salt and chili. The mixture of raw salt and chili will help people to enjoy the fragrant, salty, sweet taste of this dish. In Mekong region, grilled snakehead is often tasted with tamarind fish sauce. [Read more...]

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Hoi An lauded

October 29, 2012 By

For the first time ever, the historic town of Hoi An has been voted one of the top 10 cities in Asia by the annual Readers’ Choice Awards held by Condé Nast Traveler, the world’s premier travel magazine.

Condé Nast Traveler announced October 16 the results of its 25th annual Readers’ Choice Awards, which ranks the best cities, islands, cruise lines, airlines, hotels, and resorts worldwide.

Located in Quang Nam Province along Vietnam’s central coast, Hoi An was ranked eighth among the top 10 Asian cities by readers who voted Bangkok number one.

Readers ranked two resorts in Hoi An – Life Heritage Resort Hoi An and The Nam Hai – 10th and 14th respectively, among the top 15 resorts in Asia.

This year, the Sofitel Legend Metropole of Hanoi, the Park Hyatt Saigon and the Sheraton Saigon Hotel & Towers all broke into Condé Nast Traveler’s list of top 20 hotels in Southeast Asia, earning respective rankings of third, fourth and 10th respectively. [Read more...]

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IMMIGRATION LAW – VIETNAM

October 21, 2012 By

A valid visa is required for entry into Vietnam. In order to obtain a business visa, a businessperson should be sponsored by an organization in Vietnam. Only citizens of few countries can visit Vietnam without entry visa (valid for visit within 30 days for Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and 21 days for Japanese, 14 days for Korea), all others require to get the entry visa before departure or pre-approved entry visa (the visa on arrival will be issued at a international airport) before arrival in Vietnam.

APPLYING FOR VIETNAM VISA

A Visa to Vietnam can be applied at the Embassy of Vietnam as early as six months prior to the date of travel. The applicant must submit following documents:

  1. Original passport at least 6 months valid
  2. One filled out visa application form
  3. 2 to 3 of 4×6 inch passport-size photographs.
  4. Visa fee by MONEY ORDER, or CASHIER’S CHECK, or CERTIFIED CHECK made out to “THE EMBASSY OF VIETNAM.”
  5. A self-addressed postage-paid return envelope

The visa application form may vary from Embassy to Embassy, so you need to take the form from Embassy where you will get the visa. Submit this form filled with your original passport, 2 or 3 photo, visa fee. If you apply directly to Embassy, your information then be sent to Hanoi for approval, so it take about 4 to 10 days (depend on the country you apply). In case, the Visa is already approved at Immigration Office in Hanoi, it take you only one day.

The tourist visa is only for single entry and one month stay, but extendable after you enter Vietnam. Diplomatic, Official visas, Business and other type of visa should be applied through the official agencies or government or business sponsor.

DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL VISAS OF VIETNAM

Diplomatic and official visas will be granted GRATIS unless otherwise agreed upon between Vietnam and the applicant’s country.

In addition to the documents specified for applying for visa above the applicant must submit a note verbal or an official letter from the relevant agencies of the country, foreign embassies or consulates accredited to the country, and international organizations. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Vietnam Immigration and Customs Regulations Tagged With: , , , ,

Eating French style in Saigon

October 21, 2012 By

Le Bouchon de Saigon is located in downtown Ho Chi Minh City overlooking Idecaf, the French cultural center.

I go there at noon and the restaurant is quite crowded. I choose a table next to a small bookcase near the bar from where I can see Idecaf’s lush garden. The place offers French food and has an outdoorsy southern European atmosphere. Alexis, the owner, suggests wine options for the food.

Alexis Melgrani and his wife Jenny opened the restaurant with two other friends last year. He created the menu, and works as chef, manager, and sommelier. Melgrani, who was born in Senegal to a French father who worked in the hotel industry, came upon his dishes in a variety of ways: He learnt to make traditional veal stew with pasta from his mother, while his seafood linguini was born by chance when he accidentally burnt a sauce one day. Before coming to Vietnam he worked in restaurants in Brazil, Switzerland, and the US, which offered him exposure to various cultures and palates. “We offer modern French cuisine. Instead of butter, we use olive oil. To create the menu, I used my different experiences. And I like to collect home cooking recipes.”

For lunch Melgrani recommended two dishes, a tuna tartare with fresh and sun-dried tomatoes (VND180,000) and homemade foie gras terrine (VND285,000). When they came they were both so beautifully decorated and arranged that I was apprehensive about eating for fear of destroying the lovely aesthetics. [Read more...]

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UAE luxury carrier to fly to Ho Chi Minh City

October 14, 2012 By

UAE carrier Etihad Airways, famous for its luxurious services, will start flying next year between Ho Chi Minh City and Abu Dhabi. It is set to open an office in Ho Chi Minh City to promote itself and work with tour operators and others. Etihad is known for its giant aircraft and plush seats that cost US$14,000-16,000 each besides other features.

James Hogan, its chief executive officer, said the new route would promote trade as well as tourism between the two countries. Vietnam is a destination for relaxation and trade opportunities, and the route would bring a lot of customers to the country, he said.

The carrier chose HCMC since it shares many similarities with Abu Dhabi, being an open and dynamic city with a diverse culture, he said. Amid the economic difficulties, he expects no profit from the route for the first three years, he admitted.

The first two daily flights from Abu Dhabi to Ho Chi Minh City are scheduled for October 1, and Airbus aircraft will be deployed.

It will be the airline’s sixth destination in Southeast Asia after Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, and Singapore.

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Yen sao (Bird nest) – specialty of Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa

October 14, 2012 By

Swallow fiber is the spittle of swallow. They are interlocked together as a nest called a bird nest. Bird nest soup has long been regarded as precious and good food to help foster health, enhance energy, rejuvenate the skin …

In Vietnam, bird nest has become an international brand. Khanh Hoa is now considered as “the Kingdom of the bird nest” with over 27 islands and 110 large and small caves. Khanh Hoa bird nest is so called King Nest. This tittle is not self-proclaimed, but it is confered by gourmets all over the world. When you eat a Khanh Hoa bird nest cup of soup, you enjoy a very typical but difficultly describing taste. This special taste has made Khanh Hoa bird nest King title and its price is always at top (according to information from CITES, 1994).

Swallow nests are often located in high mountain caves on the sea outside the islands of central Vietnam. The islands in Khanh Hoa province is where with highest quantity of nests. The fiber is ivory white, slightly yellow in color. There are two types of bird nests, are sold at a high price. Superior type, called blood nest, are generated by passing the bird nest in the rocky mountain high, von chon. Only workers with expertise and experience dare to look for this kind. In the middle of mountains are swallow nests without red color known as the primary nest. Value of the primary nest is only a quarter in comparison with the blood one. Formerly when kings set up bird nest party, blood nests were only served to
highly ranking dignitaries, others received primarty nests. [Read more...]

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Vietnam Shopping tips – All Do’s and Don’ts about shopping in VN

October 11, 2012 By

Shopping in Vietnam is a fun and interesting experience, and guarantees good bargains to those who know what to look for. It is true to say that you can find nearly anything in Vietnam. Markets vary from high class shopping malls, supermarkets to bustling open market, galleries, boutiques and street stalls.


It is not recommended that you buy imported, famous branded products such as clothing, perfume or electronics in Vietnam as tax makes these items more costly than neighboring countries.
In terms of shopping for tourists, Vietnam is most famous for its handicrafts, war souvenirs, authentic clothing, art, antiques and gems.
Hotspots include  Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City, each of which has a temping selection of everything from avant-garde art to sumptuous silk suits.

Art and Antiques
Vietnam has very strict regulations about exporting real antiques. There are several shops to hunt for art and antiques. Both traditional and modern paintings are a popular item. More sophisticated works are displayed in art galleries, while cheaper mass-produced stuff is touted in souvenir shops and by street vendors. Be careful and check your sources for certificates if they claim to sell you an original or antique piece.

Clothing
Vietnam is emerging as a regional design center and there are some extravagant creations in the boutiques of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Clothing varies greatly from tourist T-shirts to beaded handbags and traditional ao dai (the traditional costume) made to fit your size.

Items made from silk are a popular buy, with prices varying depending on the material and tailor. Pre-made traditional dresses are sold in many places. However, it is more recommended to have the dress made to fit your body, which takes more time and slightly more money.
Shoes, slippers and handbags made from traditional materials (silk and bamboo) can also become unique gifts and accessories.
The Vietnamese traditional conical hat, can be found everywhere throughout the country, but hats made in Hue are most famous as they have a poem embroiled on the inside.
Non (conical hats) are favorite items for women in both rainy and sunny times. The best quality ones can be found in the Hue’s area. [Read more...]

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Vietnam UNESCO World Heritage home to ‘mysteriously’ deep lakes

October 10, 2012 By

An exploration team at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Phong Nha – Ke Bang Park in central Vietnam has discovered two lakes that are so “mysteriously” deep that modern equipment had not been able to measure them.

The lakes are around 500 meters from each other in the park in Quang Nam Province. The surface of one is about 70 square meters and the other more than 300 square meters.

Their bottoms were still out of reach to modern diving tools and ropes, which could only indicate that the lakes were more than 1,500 meters deep, said a recent Tien Phong report.

Phong Nha – Ke Bang Tourism Center started allowing visitors to see the lakes on Monday and is organizing a contest to name the larger one. Explorers have named the small one Xuyen Son Ho, meaning “lake that goes through mountains.”

The park won UNESCO heritage recognition in 2003 thanks to explorations by the British Cave Research Association. The cave system includes Khe Ry, the world’s longest cave with a stream, and the world’s largest cave, Son Doong.

Filed Under: Vietnam travel news Tagged With: , , ,
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