5. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
The rainy season extends from June to September in the north and the south, and from October to December in central Vietnam. Seasonal flooding can affect overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services, especially in October and November in central Vietnam. Roads may become impassable and bridges damaged. Flooding is common in and around Hanoi, particularly along the Red River, and also in the Mekong River Delta regions in the south. The typhoon season extends from June to December primarily in central and northern Vietnam. Travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.See our Current Issues page for information on typhoons and monsoons.
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6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail or death sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.
Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 7 below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.
The Department publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.
Dual nationality is not recognized. This limits the ability of Canadian officials to provide consular services to Canadians who have retained their Vietnamese citizenship and entered the country on a Vietnamese passport. However, Vietnamese authorities will allow holders of Canadian-Vietnamese nationality to exercise their consular rights to contact the Canadian Embassy when they are arrested or detained. Canadians should travel on their Canadian passport, obtain a Vietnamese entry visa, and present themselves as Canadian to local authorities at all times.
Foreign Affairs Canada publishes a booklet, Dual Citizenship: What Travellers Should Know, specifically targeted at Canadians with dual nationality.
Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs include death. Never transport packages for strangers and pack all luggage yourself. Involvement in politics, possession of political or sexually explicit material, or involvement in unsanctioned religious activity can result in detention.
Penalties for drinking and driving are strict. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines and jail sentences.
Travellers must declare all jewellery, cameras and electronic devices when entering the country.
Photography of military installations is prohibited.
Vietnamese law restricts the export of antiques, but these laws are vague and unevenly enforced. Purchasers of non-antique items of value should retain receipts and confirmation from shop owners and/or the Ministry of Culture and the Customs Department to prevent seizure upon departure.
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8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the authorities of Vietnam and, to the best of our knowledge, was valid on June 7, 2006. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change.
It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.
Foreign Affairs Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.
A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Vietnam. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Canadians must also be in possession of a visa. Visas should be obtained prior to arrival. Most tourist visas are issued for a single entry/exit. Extensions can be obtained from the Immigration Department in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, or from some local travel agencies and tour companies for a fee.
Vietnamese visas in expired Canadian passports are no longer valid, and the visa needs to be transferred to the new passport.The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs will not be processing type D visitor visas during the following period: October 15 to November 30, 2006.
The arrival/departure card should be kept with your passport, since it is needed when you leave the country. If lost, it can be reissued at the immigration office, but this is not always a straightforward process.
Travellers must register with the local police upon arrival, even if staying with relatives. Hotel guests are automatically registered. Failure to register can result in a fine of 2 million dong.
Tourist Visa: Required
Business Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required
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Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.
Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.
Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.
Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.
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9. MONEY
The currency is the dong. U.S. dollar traveller's cheques cannot be exchanged outside major cities and tourist areas. Credit cards are accepted at international class hotels throughout the country, as well as at an increasing number of restaurants and shops. ATMs are available throughout Vietnam. Cash in excess of US$3,000 must be declared upon arrival.
Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.
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10. GENERAL INFORMATION
Vietnam (capital: Hanoi) is located in Southeast Asia, bordering China, the Gulf of Tonkin, the South China Sea, the Gulf of Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. The official language is Vietnamese. Tourist facilities are available in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Sapa, Halong, Hue, Danang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Dalat, Phan Thiet, Can Tho, and Phu Quoc Island but are limited elsewhere.
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11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.
The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to closely monitor and report on occurrences of avian influenza A (H5N1), or "bird flu", in humans and in birds. Further information on avian influenza A (H5N1) and recommendations for travellers can be found on the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Web site as well as on the World Health Organization's Web site. For more information, see our Current Issues on Avian Influenza.
The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.
Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.
The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.
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12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
Outside Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, healthcare services and medical facilities and supplies are limited and below Western standards.To avoid risks of mosquito-borne dengue fever, travellers should cover up and use mosquito repellent.
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13. RETURNING TO CANADA
Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.
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14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
The Agreement Between Canada and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on Mutual Cooperation Concerning Adoption was signed on June 27, 2005, ending the suspension of Canadian adoptions of Vietnamese children. Ontario and Quebec have since entered into specific "Understandings" with Vietnam, and adoptions may now proceed in those provinces. Other provinces and territories are also in discussions with the Government of Vietnam. Canadians interested in adopting children from Vietnam should contact the appropriate adoption authority in their province or territory of residence for more information.
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15. TRAVEL TIPS
Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.
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16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.
Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.
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17. FOR MORE INFORMATION
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18. ANNEX
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