World Country Guide

Travel - International

Note
Penalties for illegal drug importation and use are severe and can include the death penalty. There have been renewed outbreaks of avian influenza (bird flu) throughout Vietnam. Coming into contact with poultry should be avoided and care should be taken when consuming poultry dishes that the meat is sufficiently cooked.

Air
Vietnam’s national airline is Vietnam Airlines (VN) (website: www.vietnamairlines.com.vn). The most usual routes to Vietnam are from Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Paris, Singapore and Taipei. Most Asian carriers have flights to Vietnam, as do Air France and Qantas.

Approximate flight times
From Hanoi to London is approximately 17 hours, including two hours' stopover in Bangkok.

International airports
Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) at Noi Bai is 45km (28 miles) north of Hanoi. Buses and metered taxis are available. The airport has basic facilities.
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) is 7km (4.5 miles) from Ho Chi Minh City. Buses and metered taxis are available.

Departure tax
US$12 (Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi) and US$8 (Da Nang), payable in US Dollars or New Dng.

Sea
The major ports are Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau, Haiphong, Da Nang and Binh Thuy. International cruise facilities are available.

Rail
It is possible to cross into China by rail from Lao Cai to Kunming in the Yunnan province of China or through Lang Son to Nanning. There are trains from Beijing-Dong Dang-Hanoi and back twice weekly.

Road
There are routes to Guangxi, China through Lang Son, Cambodia through Moc Bai and also to Laos at Lao Bao and Cau Trieu.

Note
It is important to remember that all Vietnamese visas are issued with a specified exit point. If this exit point needs to be altered, it must be done so at an immigration office or through a travel agent in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.