Rough Guide to Vietnam - Jan Dodd [13]
Holders of business visas can apply for an extension only through the office that sponsored their original visa, backed up with reasons as to why an extension is necessary.
Incidentally, overstaying your visa will result in fines of between US$10 and US$50, depending how long you overstay and the mood of the immigration official, and is not recommended.
Red tape and visas |
Vietnamese embassies and consulates
A full list of Vietnamese embassies and consulates is available at www.vietnamtourism.com.
Australia Embassy: 6 Timbarra Crescent, O’Malley, Canberra, ACT 2606 02/6286 6059, www.au.vnembassy.org. Consulate: 202–233 New South Head Rd, Edgcliff, NSW 2027 02/9327 1912.
Cambodia Embassy: 436 Blvd Preach, Monivong, Phnom Penh 023/726 273, vnembpnh@online.com.kh. Consulates: Sihanoukville 034/933 669, tlsqsiha@camintel.com; Road No.3, Batambang 053/952 894, www.vietnamembassy-cambodia.org
Canada 470 Wilbrod St, Ottawa K1N 6M8 613/236-0772, www.vietnamembassy-canada.ca.
China Embassy: 32 Guang Hua Lu, Jian Guo Men Wai, PO Box 00600, Beijing 10/6532 1155, suquanbk@yahoo.com. Consulates: Jin Yanf Hotel, 92 Huanshi Western Rd, Guang Zhou 20/8652 7908; 15f Great Smart Tower, 230 Wanchai Rd, Hong Kong 852/2591 4510; 2f Kai Wah International Hotel, 157 Beijing Rd, Kunming 650011 871/352 2669, tlsqcm@yahoo.com.
Ireland Contact UK office.
Lao PDR Embassy: 1 That Luang Rd, Vientiane 021/413 409, www.mofa.gov.vn. Consulates: 31 Ban Pha Bat, Pakse 031/212 058; 118 Sisavang Rd, Savannakhet 041/212418.
Malaysia 4 Persiaran Stonor, 50450 Kuala Lumpur 03/2148 4534, www.mofa.gov.vn.
New Zealand Level 21, Grand Plimmer Tower, 2 Gilmer Terrace, PO Box 8042, Welllington 04/473 5912, www.vietnamembassy-newzealand.org
Singapore 10 Leedon Park, Singapore 267887 462 5938.
Thailand Embassy: 83/1 Wireless Rd, Bangkok 10330 02/267 9602, vnembassy@bkk.a-net.net.th. Consulate: 65/6 Chatapadung, Khonkaen 40000 043/242190, www.vietnamembassy-singapore.org
UK 12–14 Victoria Rd, London W8 5RD 020/7937 1912, www.vietnamembassy.org.uk/consular.html.
US Embassy: 1233 20th St NW, Suite 400, Washington DC 20036 202/861-0737, www.vietnamembassy-usa.org. Consulate: 1700 California St, Suite 430, San Francisco, CA 94109 415/922-1577, www.vietnamconsulate-sf.org.
Health
Vietnam’s health problems read like a dictionary of tropical medicine. Diseases that are under control elsewhere in Southeast Asia have been sustained here by poverty, dietary deficiencies, poor healthcare and the disruption caused by half a century of war. The situation is improving, however, and by coming prepared and taking a few simple precautions while in the country, you’re unlikely to come down with anything worse than a cold or a dose of travellers’ diarrhoea.
Health |
Before you go
When planning your trip it’s wise to visit a doctor as early as possible, preferably at least two months before you leave, to allow time to complete any recommended courses of vaccinations. It’s also advisable to have a trouble-shooting dental check-up – and remember that you generally need to start taking anti-malarial tablets at least one week before your departure.
For up-to-the-minute information, it may be worth visiting a specialized travel clinic; most clinics also sell travel-associated accessories, including mosquito nets and first-aid kits.
Health | Before you go |
Vaccinations
No vaccinations are required for Vietnam (except yellow fever if you’re coming directly from an area where the disease is endemic), but typhoid and hepatitis A jabs are recommended; it’s also worth ensuring you’re up to date with boosters such as tetanus and polio. Additional injections to consider, depending on the season and risk of exposure, are hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, meningitis and