Banks: 08:00 to 11:30, Monday to Friday, some open 13:00 to 16:00 or 17:00
Post Offices: 07:00 to 20:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 08:00 to between 18:00 and 22:00, daily
Museums: 08:00 to 16:00, Tuesday to Saturday
Business Offices: 07:30 to 16:30, Monday to Friday
Many businesses close for lunch for an hour or two around mid-day.

Phan Thiet is generally a safe destination for visitors and the petty crime prevalent in larger cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City has not yet made itself felt here. The main safety concerns are connected with water sports; particularly kite boarding, which can pose risks even to those with lots of experience. Traffic poses another risk, as everywhere in Vietnam. Generally disorderly and with poorly educated drivers, the recent boom in motorcycles has seen accident numbers soar.

Electricity: 220 volts AC at 50 Cycles per second, two-rounded pins

By and large, Phan Thiet and surroundings present few health risks to visiting tourists. However, there have been cases of avian flu and it is strongly recommended to avoid contact with any live or uncooked poultry. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Malaria and dengue fever also occur. The best way to avoid getting bitten is to cover up at dusk and regularly apply mosquito repellent. Don’t enjoy too many hours of sunshine, as this can quickly lead to sunburn and dehydration. Be sure to drink plenty of fluid in the hot climate. If you do require medical treatment, you should be aware that doctors and hospitals usually expect immediate cash payment.

Central Hospital of Binh Thuan Province: +84 62 822733

Vietnamese is the official language. Use of English is getting more widespread, particularly in the quickly expanding tourism sector. Some Chinese and French are also spoken.

The currency used nation-wide is the Dong, which is non-convertible and comes in denominations of 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10.000, 20.000, 50,000, 100,000, and the new, plastic 500,000 notes.

Currency exchange booths are very rare in Vietnam and mostly restricted to international airports and large banks in major towns. Travellers’ cheques can be cashed at authorised foreign exchange outlets and banks, on presentation of your passport and ATMs are found in limited numbers.

Visitors are required to fill in official declaration forms and present them with their luggage on arrival. You are allowed to import 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco, 1 litre of liquor, 1 litre of wine and film in unlimited amounts. You need to obtain an export permit for commercial goods and valuable goods, including antiques from the Customs Service.

Vietnam is a very traditional society, only recently beginning to adopt western values. Older people in particular are, however, used to foreigners as a result of the Vietnam War. Avoid public displays of affection with a member of the opposite sex and never touch the Vietnamese on their heads. Items should be passed with both hands and shoes should be removed before entering Buddhist pagodas. Do not point with your finger and never stand with your hands on your hips. Vietnamese are prone to laugh during circumstances in which other cultures may find this inappropriate; do not take this as an offence or insult. On the whole, Vietnamese are very friendly and keen to help at any time.

Dining Etiquette
Should you have the privilege to be invited to a private home, rice will be served with most meals and the host will give a sign to start eating. Wait for this to happen before tasting anything. Dishes should be passed with both hands and chopsticks and a flat spoon are widely used as eating utensils. When eating noodle soup, hold the bowl close to your face and the spoon in your left hand. When you have finished eating, rest your chopsticks on top of your bowl.

Visas are required by most nationalities, except for nationals of Denmark, Finland and Sweden for stays of up to 15 days. Tourist visas allow stays of one month, but can usually be extended for another month, at extra cost, in bigger towns. Passports must be valid for at least one month after expiration of the visa. Visa regulations are subject to frequent change and it is advisable to contact your local Vietnamese embassy or consulate before travelling.

The Binthuan Tourist Office is operated by the government and situated on 15, Nguyen Du Street in Phan Thiet city (Tel:+84 90 879 6914).