Travel Information
East-meets-West with Mind-Body-Soul ONLY with AcuVietnam!
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes, you can apply for a visa pre-departure via the London embassy HERE. However, the easiest option is to apply for a Visa Application letter online for approx $20, this takes just 48-hours. On arrival at Hanoi airport you simply proceed to the Visa window to the right of the immigration hall, where they will have this information on file. Simply hand your passport, along with your confirmed Visa application letter, 2 x passport sized photos and a Visa stamping fee of $45 (Single entry visa up to 1 month stay). Your visa will be issued in your passport, please wait for your name to called (approx 10minutes). Important passport info. Your passport must be valid for at least 6-months after your returning date, and you should have at least 4 blank pages in your passport – failure to do so could result in refusal to enter the country. What currency should I bring? The official currency is Vietnamese Dong (d), but the USD is pretty widely accepted. Bills can often be paid for in either USD’s or loca #l Dong (sometimes euro). Banknotes come in denominations of: 500d, 1000d, 2000d, 5000d, 10,000d, 20,000d, 50,000d, 100,000d, 200,000d & 500,000. The currency exchange for the Vietnamese Dong is approx (as of Nov 22): - 24,900 to 1 USD - 25,800 to 1 Euro - 29,300 to 1 Pound See today's latest exchange rates at www.xe.com. Please note the above are just a guide only, as currency rates fluctuate daily, and the euro is particularly weak in recent months. ATM's are plentiful, and you can also exchange currency very easily – with facilities just around the corner from your hotel. We suggest bringing some cash in dollars/euros plus using your own bank debit cards locally. Credit cards are widely accepted, however please do bear in mind, credit cards generally incur a 3% levy charge in Vietnam. ![]() Is Tipping necessary?
This is not expected in Vietnam, but greatly appreciated – don’t tip too much, as it is sometimes easy to tip more than the meal itself! With many monthly salaries at $150, a $1 tip is significant. Some of the more upmarket restaurants may automatically add a 5% service charge. If you are visiting a temple or pagoda, it is considered proper to make a small donation at the end of the visit, especially if a monk has shown you around; most of the pagodas have contribution boxes for this purpose. What about spending money? Realistically you could get by on just $12/€10 per day! You can surf the endless street stalls and the local restaurants where you can indulge in delicious dishes for as little as $1. If you fancy one of the famous locally brewed ‘Bia Hoi’, this delicious beer is brewed just the night before – free from all additives and preservatives - It is one of the cheapest beers in the world. For as little as 5,000d or 25 cents a jug! Religion in Vietnam In Vietnam the predominant religion is Buddhism, with temples spread throughout the city that are open for visitors. The temples are a wonderful calm respite from the craziness of Hanoi, but please ensure you cover your shoulders and knees before entering all temples. Christianity is also wide spread in Hanoi, for those of you who would like to take mass during your stay – there is a beautiful, famous Catholic church just down the road. Vietnamese Language Vietnamese is a Tonal language, for every syllable there are 6 different tones that can be used, each changing the definition of the meaning – making it one of the most difficult languages in the world to learn, believe me I have tried!! The Vietnamese language uses the Roman alphabet with marked accents to show the tones. This system of writing is called quoc ngu, and it was created by the catholic missionaries in the 17th century to translate the scriptures. Eventually this system, particularly after World War I, replaced the one using Chinese characters (chu nom), which had been the unofficial written form used for centuries within Vietnam. Is there a language barrier? A high percentage of the doctors on our program speak English fluently; AcuVietnam also has some excellent translators who will be with you during your time at the hospital, and other venues - both are highly knowledgeable in Traditional Medicine terminology and diagnosis. |
What do I need at the hospital/clinics?
During the hospital hours casual dress is fine, but you should dress respectfully in light cotton/linen clothes especially in the summer months. You will be provided with a white coat ideally a light t-shirt, or vest with trousers, skirt or leggings underneath is fine. Pumps, light shoes or open toe shoes or flip-flops are fine at the hospital – your personal comfort is the No.1 focus here! These can be purchased very cheaply locally, however if you are a female and size 7½ or bigger, it can be difficult to get ones to fit! What should I pack for my trip? Light, loose clothing is recommended, and layering is best. It is very laid-back in Hanoi, as with a lot of Asia the majority of Asians do not bare their shoulders, or wear low cut tops – however 80% of them wear skinny jeans these days, so it is really about what you feel comfortable in, in the climate! Toiletries and cosmetics are readily available in Hanoi, whilst not all brands are accessible; there are lots of other excellent options. We would suggest bringing a tablet or laptop for your own use, plus a kindle or a couple of good books. However, there are a couple of great bookshops to pick up second hand books with an astonishing selection in fiction and biographies! We recommend bringing needles with you for personal use, during the hospital you will use a mix between autoclave and disposable needles, depending on each patients preference, or budget! Additional equipment can be purchased locally; AcuVietnam has a listing for this which will provided to you pre-departure. Where do I do my laundry?
You can do laundry at your hotel/accommodation, or it is often slightly cheaper outside the hotel - approx $1.50 per kg and a quick turnaround. Please note if hotel booked via AV, we cannot accept any responsibility for lost or damaged laundry. What is the time difference
Vietnam is +7 hours ahead of GMT Irish/UK time until the clocks go forward in March at which time it will be 6-hours time difference. The weather when you travel. The Vietnamese identify four seasons in the Northern provinces (from Hai Van Pass in the centre of Vietnam towards the north) with their distinct features: - pleasant spring (Mar-apr) - autumn (Oct-dec), - a chilly winter (Dec-feb) - a hot summer (Jun–jul). Here is a rough idea of what to expect weather-wise month by month – however, weather patterns have changed considerably worldwide the past few years, so please expect the unexpected! DRY SEASON: Runs Oct- May. WET SEASON: Runs Jun-Sep. October to November: A lovely comfortable, dry time. High season - the best time. December to February: Considerably cooler, and sometimes it can be bitingly cold with persistent light drizzle, locally known as ‘mua bui’ (‘rain dust’). January to early February: Greyer skies but warm, bright spells can also occur. The average temperature is approx 20°C, although this can fall to 6-7°C at night. March to May: Lovely warm & dry weather, although it sometimes can be quite hot. However, please bear in mind March of 2015 had a considerable rain fall.. June to July: The hottest months where temperatures can reach more than 39 degrees, we do not run group trips during this time, but if this is the only time you can travel please contact us for a quote for your preferred dates. July to August: Usually the wettest months in the north. September through to October: Occasional heavy downpours can occur in the afternoons. Occasionally Vietnam is subjected to typhoons during this period. Do I need Travel insurance? Yes, it is very important to purchase insurance to ensure you are fully covered in-case of an emergency locally or pre-departure. You must advise your travel insurance details to AcuVietnam prior to travel. BOOK NOW Places are Limited on all departures. Simply VISIT HERE We will confirm your place within 24-Hours. |
Where is Hanoi?
The beautiful, truly unique city of Hanoi is located within the Easternmost part of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. Flanked by the South China sea to its east, Cambodia to the Southwest, Laos to the northwest and China to its north - Vietnam is blessed with many great features, including spectacular mountain views, rice paddy fields, breathtaking coastline, limestone karsts, caves and lagoons and delicious cuisine and wonderful people - it is a must see on any traveller's list! Food in Hanoi
Street food in Hanoi is delicious, and Hanoi also boasts a fantastic array of restaurants serving a huge variety of cuisines. Cuisine in Vietnam is healthy, fresh and less spicy than other Asian countries like Thailand, etc. Prices vary from $1 a meal up to $25+. There is an abundance of coffee shops throughout the city, great to kick back and relax, read a book or chat with the locals! Chopsticks are the utensils of choice in Hanoi, often when a meal is served; a small plate of limes is also delivered to your table. Use these to rub on the end of the chopsticks, as these are a great sanitizer! Never drink the tap water in Vietnam, bottled water is sold everywhere and you can expect to pay between 7-10,000 dong for a small bottle and 12-20,000 for a big bottle. What about my weekends? After a busy week at the hospital, it is wonderful too just relax around the city, eating fine food and mixing with the locals. Hoan Kiem lake is teeming with life at the weekends, and it is a wonderful place to sit and be amongst the locals, or sip a delicious Vietnamese coffee in one of the lakeside cafe’s. The famous Night Market runs on a Friday, Saturday & Sunday and opens at 7pm -11pm. It is important to haggle – offer the trader 50% of the asking price, and go from there, the later you go down to the market – the better the deals! The city offers a wealth of sights and places to explore including: Ho Chi Minh Musoleum, The Temple of Literature, Museum of Ethnology, Woman’s Museum, take a Cyclo trip around the Old Quarter or for a few dollars you can use one of the local hotel pools to bask in the sunshine. Further afield there are some fantastic overnight trips to stunning areas including the Mai-Chau hill Tribe trek, Sapa, Halong Bay, and so much more. Hoan Kiem Lake & Tai Chi
Located in the centre of Hanoi is the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake, with your hotel located nearby - it is a wonderful place to absorb yourself in local life. Both sunrise and sunset are simply teeming with life, when it becomes an exercise haven with the young to the very old performing Tai-chi, Qi-Gong and all kinds of keep-fit activities. A great place to take in a quick walk, run of the lake or engage in Tai-Chi or Ballroom dancing with the locals. How safe is Hanoi city? Hanoi is a relatively safe city, but as in any city it doesn’t hurt to keep the antennae up. It is a very warm and welcoming city, many students will come up to you to practice their English and there is little aggravation, especially on the roads – where 1000’s of bikes flow smoothly, albeit chaotically – with very little aggression! Keep an eye on your bag as in any city, and you will be fine! |
Further Info required: Simply drop us a line or email us at : [email protected]
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: AcuVietnam are delighted to announce, we are officially sole representatives for the WHO National Hospital of Traditional Medicine, Hanoi, Vietnam for the UK, Irish, and Western European markets. Therefore all student practitioners wishing to take part in training at this hospital,must contact us directly either via phone or email. If you have a question regarding placement at this facility, even as an individual attendance - Please contact us directly at: [email protected].
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