British passport holders can enter Vietnam for up to 15 days without a visa. Your passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months at the date of entry.

You require a visa to enter Vietnam for periods of 15 days and longer, and for multiple entries.

Links Travel & Tours can assist with visa applications through our in-house service.

If you are going on a Mekong River cruise, you will need to apply for your Cambodian visa on arrival at the River border crossing. Any visa obtained in advance will not be valid.

Please note visa policies and fees are subject to change.

Vietnamese is the national language and it is spoken by most of the population. Like Chinese, it is a tonal language.

English is likely to be understood in the major tourist areas, some of the elders may be able to speak more French than English, a reflection of the colonial past.

Vietnamese cooking is a mixture of Vietnamese, Chinese and French traditions, with many regional
variations.

Specialities include a meaty noodle soup locally known as pho, and spring rolls.

Vietnamese coffee grown in the Central Highlands, is served thick, strong and black.

Vietnam’s currency is the Dong (VND). Banknotes come in denominations ranging from 500 to 500,000.

Because the dong is tied to the US dollar, you can use US dollars at most hotels and big shops. To make things easier, prices are often quoted in US Dollars in tourist areas. Smaller vendors and those in rural areas will only accept the Dong.

There are no restrictions for VND, but amounts exceeding VND 15,000,000 must be declared on arrival.

There are no restrictions for foreign currencies, but amounts exceeding USD 5,000, or equivalent, must be declared on arrival.

It’s very handy to have some VND before arriving in Vietnam, which can be ordered from your bank, Post Office or local money exchange. Online money exchange providers in the UK offer the lowest rate of commissions, so you will get more for your money cashing in this way.

There are a number of international banks operating in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with 24 hour cash withdrawal facilities. You can use Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, Maestro, Plus and JCB network cards at most ATM's. Under Vietnamese law, ATM's can only dispense cash in Vietnamese Dong.

Some large stores, hotels and restaurants may accept credit cards, but most don't! Make sure you check beforehand. Any establishment that accepts credit card payments, will generally only accept Visa and MasterCard.

While it may not always be expected, tips can go a long way and are a great way to show your appreciation.

We would generally suggest that you should tip your guide/driver and we can advise you on appropriate amounts. It is also considered proper to make a small donation to temples, especially if the monks have shown you around.

Yes, there’s only one thing worse than having to make an insurance claim for some misfortune that may have occurred on holiday – and that’s not being able to make a claim because you’re not properly insured. Travel insurance is a necessity should you become unwell, either before or during your holiday. It not only protects you financially, it ensures the quality of overseas medical care is of a standard you would expect. It also covers emergency repatriation, should it be deemed necessary.

Links Travel & Tours have teamed up with Holiday Extras to offer our customers a bespoke insurance product that is ideal for our holidays. Holiday Extras are fully authorised and regulated by the FSA, and Links Travel & Tours is an Appointed Representative of Holiday Extras, and as such are authorised to provide travel insurance.

When embarking on any holiday, it is important that your insurance cover level is right. The wide range of policies available means that they are sure to have the cover you need for your trip. Single Trip cover is available for a one-off break, while an Annual Multi-Trip policy will cover all your trips throughout the year.

The policy contains restrictions regarding pre-existing medical problems concerning the health of the people travelling and of other people upon whose health the holiday may depend – even if they are not travelling. Holiday Extras can offer specific travel insurance policies for people with pre-existing conditions so please tell us about these in order for us to quote you appropriately.

Please feel free to contact us today to receive a quote for your travel insurance.

Many sites across Asia require a fair level of physical activity. The sheer scale of some attractions means walking is involved.

Our local representatives will do their utmost to accommodate any requests, and where possible, suggest alternative routes.

Please advise us of any special needs in advance, and we will do our utmost to provide support, including wheelchair assistance.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), issues advice to all countries, and their advice for Vietnam can be found on the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/vietnam