Bike tours in Vietnam

VIETNAM OVERVIEW

The natural landscape of Vietnam ranges from the fertile, green paddy fields of the Mekong Delta in the south, to long stretches of sandy beaches along the coastal area, with highlands and mountains in the north. A warm and friendly people will welcome you as you explore quiet villages and bustling cities and experience a unique blend of rich heritage and modern tourist facilities. Find more information of Vietnam, please open the right menu.

About Vietnam

Official name: Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Population: 85,402,966(2008)

Capital city: Ha Noi (6 million); Ho Chi Minh city (8 million)

Area: 329,566 sq km (or 127,245 sq miles)

Administrative units: Vietnam is divided into 64 provinces and cities. Lying on the eastern part of the Indochina peninsula, Vietnam is a strip of land shaped like the letter "S". China borders it to the north, Laos and Cambodia to the west, the south China Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the east and south.

Weather: Sub-tropical climate with four seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter) in the North and two seasons (dry and rainy) in the south.

Time zone: GMT +7

Languages: Vietnamese(official), Chinese, English, French, Khmer

Religion: Buddhism, Christianity, Catholicism, Islam, Hoa Hao, Cao Dai

Currency: The Vietnamese Dong (VND) is the official currency. Paper notes are issued in denominations of 500,000; 200,000; 100,000; 50,000; 20,000; 10,000; 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500; 200; and 100. Coins are in denominations of 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500 and 200.

Foreign currencies can be exchanged for VND at banks or foreign exchange agencies. Traveler's cheques, preferably in US dollars, can be easily cashed at foreign exchange agencies, banks, hotels and some travel agents. Credit cards and traveler's cheques are popularly used, especially in cities and big tourist centers.