Country Information

  Airport taxes

  Security

• • Vietnam is generally safe for tourists, but petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag-snatching can occur in crowded areas, markets, and on public transport, especially in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. • Violent crime against tourists is rare, but scams and overcharging are common; use reputable operators and confirm prices in advance. • Keep valuables in hotel safes and avoid carrying large amounts of cash or expensive items when out. • Be alert when using ATMs and monitor credit card transactions for fraud. • Road safety is a concern; traffic is chaotic, and motorbike accidents are common. Avoid driving yourself and use trusted transport options. • Emergency services are limited; the general emergency number is 113 for police and 115 for medical assistance. • Drug offences carry severe penalties, including long prison sentences or the death penalty. • Demonstrations are rare, but avoid any gatherings as a precaution. • Natural hazards include typhoons and flooding during the rainy season; follow local advisories. Note to LGBT travellers: Same-sex relations are legal, and urban areas are generally tolerant, but social attitudes can be conservative; discretion is advised in rural regions. Note to women travellers: Vietnam is generally safe for women, but harassment can occur in crowded areas and nightlife settings. Avoid walking alone late at night and use trusted transport options.

  Health Precautions

Vaccinations

Compulsory:
None

Recommended:
• Routine vaccines (including MMR and diphtheria–tetanus–polio)
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Typhoid
• Influenza (seasonal)
• COVID‑19 (up to date)
• Japanese encephalitis (recommended for rural travel, long stays, or monsoon‑season exposure)
• Rabies (consider for long stays, rural travel, or potential animal exposure)
• Cholera (consider for high‑risk areas or during outbreaks)

Additional Health Considerations
• Yellow fever: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required only for travellers arriving from, or transiting through, any country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
• Malaria: Present in some rural and forested areas; antimalarial medication and mosquito‑bite precautions may be required depending on itinerary.
• Dengue, Zika and chikungunya: Widespread risk; strict mosquito‑bite prevention is essential.
• Gastrointestinal diseases: Moderate to high risk; maintain strict food and water hygiene.
• Air quality: Pollution may affect sensitive travellers, especially in major cities.
• Extreme weather: Typhoons, flooding and monsoon rains can affect travel and access to healthcare.
• Healthcare quality: Good in major cities; limited in rural regions. Upfront payment may be required.
• Medical evacuation: Recommended to have travel insurance with evacuation cover, especially for rural travel.
• Medication availability: Generally good in cities; bring essential prescriptions, particularly for remote areas.

  Currency

The official currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND).
Latest exchange rate: VND1 = ZAR0,0006 (25 Feb 2026 05:00).

Exchange currency (preferably USD) at the airport and banks in major cities. Do not exchange money on the streets. USD are accepted in many establishments in tourist areas, but notes must be in good condition. MasterCard and Visa can be used more often in cities but cash is required away from urban areas. There are a small number of ATMs in the main cities and tourist areas. Check with your bank whether your card will be accepted. Traveller’s cheques (preferably in USD) are accepted in hotels and can be exchanged at banks, but it may be difficult to cash them away from cities. Keep proof of all expenses in Vietnam. A certain amount of unused local currency can be reconverted on departure.

Banking hours: Monday-Friday 08:30-11:30 and 13:00-16:00. Some banks open on Saturday mornings.
 

  Language

  Electricity

110/220 volts, 50Hz (not the same as SA). Plugs are 2-pin flat, but some have an extra prong for grounding (similar to North American plug), European 2-pin round, and Indian 3-pin round. 

  Telecoms/Internet

It is expensive to call home from hotels and international calls from post offices are cheaper. Mobile phone roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Coverage is available throughout large parts of the country. It is possible to buy competitively priced SIM cards for use in the country. Internet cafés are widely available throughout the country and they are good value. High-speed connections are only available in major towns and cities. 
 

  Public Holidays

2026: New Year’s Day (01 Jan); Tet (New Year’s Day of Vietnam) (09-15 Feb); Hung Kings Commemoration Day (18 Apr); Reunification Day (30 Apr); Labour Day (01 May); National Day (02 Sep).
 

  Customs

Visas:

• South Africans require a visa to visit Vietnam.

Biometrics:

• All domestic passengers must use the self-service biometric kiosks at airports. By December 1, all airports in Vietnam will have these kiosks. Foreign passengers use the kiosk by entering booking details (booking code, e-ticket number and passport number). Passports must also be scanned at the kiosk. There is also a facial recognition scan. Thereafter, passengers can choose a seat, add baggage and print boarding passes and baggage tags before proceeding to security and boarding gates.

Duty-free allowances:

• 400 cigarettes, 100 cigars or 500g tobacco 
• 1.5 litres of liquor above 20% vol or 2 litres below 20% vol or 3 litres of other alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
• 5kg of tea
• 3kg of coffee
• A reasonable quantity of perfume and personal belongings
• Other goods, total value not exceeding VND 10 million (Vietnamese Dong)

Prohibited goods:

• Firearms and ammunition

Special notes:

• Only travellers aged 18 years and over may bring in alcohol, tobacco, tea and coffee.
• Pet regulations: An international health certificate and rabies vaccination is required.
• Baggage clearance: baggage is cleared at the first airport of entry in Vietnam.
• Currency import regulations: Local currency (Vietnamese Dong-VND) – no restrictions. Amounts exceeding VND150 000 000 must be declared on arrival. Foreign currencies – no restrictions. Amounts exceeding USD7 000 or equivalent must be declared on arrival. Amounts under USD7 000 or equivalent to be deposited in credit institutions and branches of foreign banks must also be declared on arrival.
• Currency export regulations: Local currency (Vietnamese Dong-VND) – no restrictions. Amounts exceeding VND150 000 000 must be declared on departure. Foreign currencies – no restrictions. Amounts exceeding USD7 000 or equivalent must be declared upon. Proof of expenses is required.
• Global liquid ban regulations apply. See below.

NB! This is only a brief overview of Customs requirements. If you need additional information, please contact the Vietnam Embassy on (012) 362 8119.

GLOBAL LIQUID BAN REGULATIONS
Global security guidelines have been issued by the International Civil Aviation Organisation implementing restrictions on liquids, gels, pastes and aerosols that passengers are allowed to carry in their hand luggage.

The following rules will apply throughout most airports world-wide:
Passengers may only carry small quantities (max. 100 ml per container) of liquids, gels, pastes and aerosols in their hand baggage. The packaging of these products must also meet specific requirements.

The new rules apply for liquids such as water, drinks, cream, lotion, oil, perfume, spray, hair gel, bath gel, various types of foam, toothpaste, deodorant, lip gloss or any product of similar substance. Exceptions will be made for baby milk, special dietary foods and medication, for which prescriptions are required.

The following rules apply for liquids in hand baggage:
– Passengers are only allowed to carry liquids and gels in containers with a volume of 100 ml or less.
– These containers may only be carried in a transparent plastic bag.
– Each passenger may only carry one such transparent plastic bag.
– The volume of the transparent plastic bag may not exceed 1 litre.
– The transparent plastic bag must be re-sealable.
– You may bring a transparent plastic bag from home.

Liquids and gels that you purchase after passing through passport control or aboard the aircraft will be packed and sealed for you in the shop or on board, if necessary. The package seal will remain valid for 24 hours. If you have to catch a connecting flight, you will not be allowed to break the seal until you have reached your final destination.

Note: Please consult relevant airline for hand baggage rules regarding liquid ban.

  Doing business

Office hours: Monday to Friday 07:30/08:00-17:00/18:00. There is usually a lunch break from 11:30-14:00. Some offices open on Saturdays.

Dress: Men should wear conservative suits with white shirts and ties. Jackets are not always necessary, but it is good to have one just in case. Women should wear conservative skirts, slacks, or suits. Avoid short, tight-fitting and sleeveless attire. Jeans and business casual may be appropriate in more rural areas.

Greeting: Two men greeting each other generally exchange a handshake. Women may exchange a handshake but generally a nod of acknowledgement is sufficient. Between men and women, a handshake is common, but usually a nod of acknowledgement or a slight bow will do. Wait for the woman to initiate the handshake. Handshakes should be soft, not firm.

Communication and etiquette: The Vietnamese prefer an indirect style of communication. It is common to imply what you are saying rather than actually saying it. Most senior staff in large and international companies speak English but it is not common in smaller companies. Titles are somewhat important and it is best to address people by using their professional title or Mr, Mrs or Miss, followed by the surname. It is recommended to have one side of your business card translated into Vietnamese and to present the card with the Vietnamese side facing the recipient. Give and receive business cards with both hands. Punctuality is important as is hierarchy. Let the most senior person in the room guide the conversation.  Simple gifts are sometimes exchanged after a first meeting. Gifts should not be opened when received.
 

  Getting around

• Driving is on the right-hand side; road conditions vary, with good infrastructure in cities and more basic roads in rural areas.
• An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended and may be required alongside your national license.
• Motorbikes are the most common form of transport; rentals are widely available, but traffic can be chaotic.
• Public buses operate in cities and between provinces; quality and reliability vary.
• Domestic flights are frequent and affordable, connecting major cities and tourist areas.
• Ferries and boats operate in coastal and river regions, especially in the Mekong Delta and to islands like Phu Quoc.
• Taxis are available in cities; metered fares are standard, but confirm the meter is used.
• Ride-hailing apps like Grab are widely used for both cars and motorbikes.
• Car hire is available but less common for tourists; hiring a car with a driver is more typical.
• Women travellers are generally safe; modest dress is advisable in rural areas.
• Police checks may occur; carry ID and vehicle documents when driving.

  Accommodation

• Hotels in Vietnam have improved and there are hotels or guesthouses in most towns.
• Both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have a good selection of hotels, including large international chains. There is no formal grading system, but the price is usually an indicator of the standard.
• The major beach resorts have a wide range of accommodation.
• B&Bs are common and there are many value-for-money guesthouses or mini-hotels across the country. They are best suited for visitors travelling on a budget.
• Most tourist towns have budget hotels that offer decent accommodation for less than USD20 per night. They are often not centrally located, but are in walking distance or reachable by taxi, motorbike or cyclo.

  Useful tips

• Most hotels and restaurants add a 5-10% service charge to their bills. Porters expect a small tip. Hired drivers and guides should be tipped. Round up the bill in taxis. Dress modestly when away from beaches. Shoes must be removed on entering religious sites and a donation is expected when visiting a temple or pagoda. Ask permission before taking photographs of people, especially if they are from an ethnic minority. Point with the whole hand. If invited to a home, bring soaps, picture frames and something for the children if there are any. Avoid flowers if possible. From Monday, December 1, it will be mandatory for most passengers to check in at Vietnam airports using biometric procedures and self-service kiosks.

  Disability awareness