Most visitors to Vietnam need a visa to enter the country. Visas are exempted for the citizens of the countries, which have signed a bilateral visa exemption agreement with Vietnam, including Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Laos. Vietnam also made a unilateral decision on visa exemption for the Japanese citizens. Tourist visa may be valid for 15 to 30 days.

Tourist visa can only be obtained in Vietnamese embassies, consulates abroad. Otherwise, you can get a visa at the border gates if you are invitees of some Vietnamese competent organs or you are travelling on a package tour organized by Vietnamese travel companies. To apply for a visa, the requirements are as follows:

1. Entry permit form (which can vary from one Vietnamese embassies or consulate abroad to another) - There are two categories of this form: for foreigners and for Vietnamese overseas.
2. Two photos (4x6 or 3x4)
3. Original passport
4. Visa fee.

You should send your application and photos to a Vietnamese embassy or consulate abroad, which is most convenient to you. On your requirement, the reply will be returned by post (you must provide stamped envelopes with your name and address).
It is easier to get your visa from a Vietnamese travel agency. The necessary information to the travel agency include: full name, birthday, place of birth, nationality, title, number of your passport, entry and exit dates, in which country you plan to receive your entry visa from the Vietnamese embassies or consulates. Vietnamese overseas are required to provide more information: year and reason to leave Vietnam, by which means, relations in Vietnam (full names and addresses).

Visa extension: this service is available at all travel agencies.

You are required to fulfill entry and customs form when entering Vietnam. A new form (CHY2000) is currently used for entry and exit procedure. In cases of re-entry or re-exit without any must-be-declared items, you simply submit the copy of your entry and customs form (yellow paper) or make a new one. Cross (x) and fill the first up to the sixteenth boxes in the form. You must submit this form to customs and immigration officers.

To save your time, in the entry and customs form, you should clearly note down:

1. Camera, recorder and other electric equipment not for personal use;

2. Jewelry (especially gold) and precious stones not for personal use;

3. Foreign currency (cash, coin and tourist cheques): over US$ 3,000 or other foreign currency of the same value, or over

VND 5 million in cash;

4. Video-tapes will be checked and returned in several days;

5. Gold (over 300 g): If more than 3,000 g, you are required to deposit and re-export the surplus;

6. Other commodities out of duty-free luggage.

When entering Vietnam: Visitors are permitted to bring in a duty-free allowance of 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 150 g of tobacco; 1.5l of liquor; and other items (not forbidden goods) of the total value beneath US$ 300. Items that you cannot bring into Vietnam include weapons, munitions, explosives and inflammables, firecracker of all kinds, opium and drugs, toxic chemicals, and cultural materials unsuitable to Vietnamese society (pornographic seditious publications, films and photos), harmful child toys. Breaking these rules, you will be punished by Vietnamese laws.
When leaving Vietnam: A quantity over 300g of gold must be declared and be permitted by the State Bank. You are not allowed to bring out weapons, munitions, explosives, drugs, antiques, live wild animals, rare plants, and documents relating to the national security. Breaking these rules, you will be punished by Vietnamese laws

HEALTH
Providing they take basic commonsense measures, very few people have health problems in Vietnam. In all cases, wise travellers will check with their local medical specialist, even if only to confirm that recommended vaccinations are up to date.

It is best to assume that drinking water is risky throughout Vietnam. Bottled water, soft drinks and beer are freely available and cheap. And Vietnamese food is nearly always cooked from fresh ingredients.

The major health dangers are the effect of the sun and tropical heat. European skin will begin to burn very quickly on a hot day even if the sky is overcast: reputable high UV protection barrier lotions and cream are essential. Sunstroke is also a high risk: a wide brimmed hat that will shade the back of the neck as well as the eyes is better than a baseball cap. Heavy sweating caused by high humidity drains the body’s water supply rapidly. Drink plenty of water to replenish it and thus avoid unpleasant dehydration – several litres per day is generally recommended.

Health facilities are relatively good in the big cities, limited in other urban areas and almost nonexistent elsewhere. If you are taking medication, bring a supply with you – a wide range of drugs are available in city pharmacies, but the selection is by no means comprehensive.

ON STREET
Vietnamese traffic drives in the right and has a somewhat cavalier regard for road safety. Pedestrian crossings, where they exist, are almost invariably ignored, so visitors need to exercise care. The best technique is to wait for a lull in the traffic, then walk steadily and purposefully across the road – oncoming bicycles and vehicles will move to one side to avoid a pedestrian. Hopping about trying to avoid the traffic makes an accident more likely.

In the cities, and especially in Ho Chi Minh City, petty crime can sometimes be a problem. Burglaries of expatriate homes are also a problem. Police 113 is set up for security and they are very effective. There is no racism or violence except the above – mentioned case. Lost or stolen passports should be reported to the local police and to the Embassyi. To avoid difficulties, don’t:

• leave personal belongings unattended - put them somewhere safe or keep them with you
• carry a shoulder strap handbag or camera bag – a bag with a handgrip will deter motorbike bag snatchers
• carry large amounts of cash or vital documents – nearly all hotels have secure storage
• count money while standing at an ATM - put it in a safe place immediately and check it elsewhere

Most crime in Vietnam is low-level and opportunistic, and is uncommon in comparison with major cities elsewhere.

Tipping is a relatively new thing in Vietnam, and to date, it's more commonly seen in the southern part of the country. Gratuities usually aren't necessary in inexpensive restaurants, but upscale places will often tack on a 5% service charge. Tips for taxi drivers are purely optional (and most appreciated, however small).

Public displays of affection between members of the opposite sex are frowned upon and are almost never seen. Ironically, Vietnamese of the same sex frequently hold hands, walk arm-in-arm, or ride down the street with their hand on a friend's shoulder. This includes men, boys and young girls, but never women! Do not be alarmed, this is considered perfectly normal.