Communication

Telephone: Most hotels now have IDD phones in rooms and it is possible to send faxes from hotels and post offices. Be aware that most hotels charge considerable amounts for these services; please check with the hotel prior to arrival. It may not always be possible to make international calls in remote areas. If you have worldwide coverage, you can bring your own mobile phone and use it to make domestic or international calls. Check with your mobile phone provider for the costs before using it abroad; it may be expensive.

 

The 1088 number is a rather unusual telephone service available in Vietnam. An army of operators, some of whom speak English, are trained to answer any questions from the public. From meteorology to tourist information, historical and scientific queries, the 1088 crew are able to deal with all reasonable questions you may have.

 

Internet: Major hotels have Business Centers with PCs connected to the Internet. Some of them have wireless broadband access in rooms or public areas. Cyber cafes are becoming popular and are easily found in major towns and cities. Prices are reasonable, usually below US$1 per hour. In many Internet cafes, you can buy pre-paid phone cards to dial from a computer to a landline or mobile phone worldwide.

 

If Internet connections at hotels are vital for you during your visit to Vietnam, please advise your Focus Asia travel consultant.

 

Mail: The postal system is quite good in Vietnam. Postcards are sold at all main tourist sites and stamps are available from post offices and some hotel reception desks. Sending a postcard to Europe costs VND 9,000 and takes up to two weeks to reach the destination. Don’t seal a parcel before you take it to the post office. You will be required to show its contents before you can have it weighed and priced.