Important Things To Know
Currency
Vietnam’s currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND), symbolized as “₫.”
It’s simple to change foreign currency at banks or currency exchange booths, which you can find at airports, shopping centers, and popular tourist spots. You’ll also find ATMs where you can withdraw VND using a foreign debit or credit card.
Unlike some other countries, tipping isn’t as obligatory in Vietnam, so you don’t need to worry about it.
Cyclists exploring Vietnam. (photo courtesy of Exodus Travels) (Photo Credit: Exodus)
National Languages
Vietnam is a linguistically diverse nation, with over 80 distinct languages and dialects spoken. The official language of Vietnam is Vietnamese, which most of the population speaks. However, there are also numerous minority languages, such as Chinese, Khmer, Muong, and Cham.
English is becoming increasingly popular in Vietnam. It is widely spoken in many cities and tourist sites and is taught as a foreign language in most schools.
Climate And Weather
Vietnam is a tropical country with a large amount of rainfall and high temperatures year-round. The climate varies depending on the region, with the north experiencing colder temperatures during the winter months (November to April) and hotter temperatures in the summer months (May to October).
In general, the weather in Vietnam can be divided into two distinct seasons:
- The dry season: November to April
- The rainy season: May to October.
During the dry season, temperatures remain relatively consistent during the day and drop slightly at night. The rainy season is characterized by heavy rain and the occasional typhoon.
