Banks: 08.00 to 17.00, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 07.00 to 21.00, Monday to Saturday
Government Offices: 08.00 to 11.30 and 14.00 to 16.00, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 08.00 to 11.30 and 14.00 to 16.00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 09.00 to 19.00, Monday to Friday; 09.00 to 13.00 Saturdays

Overall, Hue is a safe city to visit. Violent crimes against foreigners are extremely rare, though petty theft and pickpocketing remain minor problems. Theft most often occurs in the crowded transport centres and at popular tourist attractions. By keeping your valuables close at hand, you should enjoy a trouble-free visit. As in all cities, try to avoid walking along dark streets at night. Women need not worry excessively about their safety, but should be extra vigilant after dark.
Police: 13

220AC, 50Hz; two-pin flat plugs are used.

Throughout Vietnam it is not recommended that you drink the tap water. Stick to bottled water for all your drinking needs, including brushing your teeth. Food is also a potential trouble spot, as hygiene standards are not enforced in Hue’s restaurants. Stay away from restaurants that look dirty and are devoid of customers. As a rule, eat where the locals congregate.

The tropical heat and mosquito-borne diseases are other major health concerns in Hue. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and pace yourself. Try to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes at all costs, as malaria, dengue fever and Japanese encephalitis are present in Vietnam. By covering yourself at dawn and dusk you can greatly reduce your chances of getting bitten. It is also recommended that you have vaccinations against tetanus, hepatitis and typhoid.

Local pharmacies offer excellent health care for minor illnesses. They can be found all over Hue and happily provide pharmaceuticals of all kinds of ailments with or without a prescription. For any medical emergency, it’s best to head straight to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, where Vietnam’s only high-quality hospitals are located. Hue has several hospitals capable of treating most conditions, but their facilities are rather limited.
City Hospital: +84 54 523 694
Emergency services: 15

The official language in Vietnam is Vietnamese, although English is fast becoming a standard second language among young people and those working in the travel industry. French and Chinese are also fairly common, especially among the older generation.

Vietnam used the dong (d) as its official currency, though US dollars are widely accepted. Notes come in denominations of d500,000, 200,000, 100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 200 and 100. Coins come in denominations of d5,000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500.

All visitors to Vietnam may bring: 200 cigarettes, 100 cigars or 500g of tobacco, 1.5 litres of 22-plus per cent alcohol, two litres of alcohol below 22 per cent, three litres of any other kind of alcohol, and a reasonable quantity of perfume and other accessories without incurring a customs duty.

Hue receives many foreigners so visitors should feel comfortable everywhere they go in the city. A handshake is the common form of greeting in Vietnam. It’s perfectly fine to wear casual relaxed clothing, but try and dress on the conservative side. Shorts are only worn by kids in Vietnam therefore you may prefer to wear long pants here.

You will need to remove your shoes before entering any Buddhist temples or local homes. Also, be sure not to touch a Vietnamese person on their head, even children, as it is considered rude. Photography is prohibited in places that are strategically sensitive like airports and harbours, and it’s suggested you ask permission before snapping shots of the locals.

Travellers from the UK, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand must arrange a visa prior to arriving in Vietnam. Tourist visas are valid for stays of up to 30 days. You can apply for a visa at any Vietnam consulate by presenting your passport, a passport photo and an application. It takes between five to seven days for the application to be processed. Keep in mind that your 30-day travel period officially begins on whatever date you specify on your visa application, so there’s little room for travel delays.

In Hue the responsibility of providing tourist information falls to the myriad travel agencies that operate in the city. They can all provide essentially the same information, but Huong Giang is reputed to be the best.

Huong Giang Tourist Company
17 Le Loi Street  Hue 
Phone: +84 54 832 220
www.charmingvietnam.com