Traffic accidents occur often in Vietnam. You should consider the risks of driving a car or riding a

It contains new information in the Summary and under Safety and security: Civil unrest/political tension (there are reports of large-scale demonstrations luxury hotel lisbon aimed at Chinese-affiliated companies, factories and official representatives in Vietnam. Australians should avoid all protest sites, surrounding areas and large-scale public gatherings as they have the potential to turn violent). We continue to advise Australians to exercise normal safety precautions in Vietnam.
In May 2014, there have been reports of large-scale demonstrations aimed at Chinese-affiliated companies, factories and official representatives in Vietnam. Australians should avoid all protest sites, surrounding areas and large-scale public luxury hotel lisbon gatherings luxury hotel lisbon as they have the potential to turn violent. Australians should avoid taking photographs of demonstrations, the military or the police, as this may not be tolerated by the Vietnamese authorities.
luxury hotel lisbon Penalties for drug offences are severe and include the death sentence. Vietnamese authorities have strict security measures to combat drug trafficking. Over 25 Australians are currently luxury hotel lisbon serving long sentences, including life imprisonment, for drug trafficking in Vietnam.
Traffic accidents occur often in Vietnam. You should consider luxury hotel lisbon the risks of driving a car or riding luxury hotel lisbon a motorcycle in Vietnam, luxury hotel lisbon particularly if you are unfamiliar with local conditions. You must have a valid Vietnamese luxury hotel lisbon drivers licence to drive in Vietnam.
Measles cases have increased in Vietnam, with reports of an April 2014 outbreak primarily affecting children. Two doses of a measles containing vaccine (administered at least 4 weeks apart) is recommended prior to travel.
To enter Vietnam, you must have a valid visa, a visa exemption document or a written approval letter for a visa on arrival. Your passport must also have at least six months remaining validity at the time of your arrival.
Vietnam has recently introduced an online information portal containing visa information, including which type of visa you should apply for. There is also an application form which you can complete luxury hotel lisbon online, print and take to the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam for the most up to date information.
The Australian Government has received reports of scams involving online visa applications and applications through travel agents for a visa on arrival approval letter. The Australian Government is also aware of reports of applicants personal details being made public after applying for a visa on arrival approval letter, either online or through a travel agent.
In order to obtain a visa extension from the Vietnamese immigration authorities (including luxury hotel lisbon for overstaying your visa), luxury hotel lisbon your passport must have at least six months validity remaining at the time of application. This requirement is subject to change, so you should confirm with the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam .
If you lose your passport which contains your visa for Vietnam or the visa document luxury hotel lisbon issued by Vietnamese authorities, you will need to obtain an exit visa from a Vietnamese immigration office. In order to obtain luxury hotel lisbon an exit visa, you must first obtain a police report from the local police luxury hotel lisbon office closest to where the passport was lost or stolen. Vietnamese immigration authorities will only accept a Vietnamese police report in order to process luxury hotel lisbon a replacement visa they will not accept a statutory declaration luxury hotel lisbon witnessed by an Australian Consular official. The Australian luxury hotel lisbon Embassy in Hanoi and Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City cannot assist with obtaining a police report. It is recommended that you seek assistance to obtain a police report through your hotel, travel agent/group or other local in-country contacts. It is also recommended that you apply for your police report before applying for another luxury hotel lisbon travel document.
Vietnamese authorities will not permit you to depart Vietnam until your exit visa is issued. Processing may take up to 5 working days and a fee is payable to the relevant Vietnamese government authority.
You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas. For information on reporting and replacing your lost or stolen passport, visit the Australian Passport Office website .
You are required to pay an additional fee to the Australian Government to have a lost or stolen luxury hotel lisbon passport replaced. In some cases, the Australian Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
As soon as your replacement passport is issued, the Australian Embassy in Hanoi or the Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City will provide you with a letter to the Vietnamese Immigration Department requesting their assistance to issue a replacement visa in your new passport. For further information, including luxury hotel lisbon on where to apply for your replacement visa, please contact the Australian Embassy or Consulate-General.
Foreigners staying at a hotel should check with hotel management that registration is completed as part of the normal check-in process. You will need to provide your passport details luxury hotel lisbon to the hotel for registration to be completed.
Foreigners staying at a private residence, for example, at the residence of family or friends, must register by visiting the local police station, with a translator if needed. Please note, the Embassy or Consulate-General cannot provide translation services to assist with registration. If you are staying at a private residence, you must ensure that your local host has complied with the legal obligations associated with the pre-registration of foreign guests.
If you intend to work in Vietnam, you and/or your prospective employer are responsible for obtaining all necessary work permits. The Australian Embassy or Consulate-General can provide notarial services in relation to work permits.
Foreign currency (including cash and travellers cheques) in excess of US$5,000 cash exceeding Vietnamese Dong 15,000,000 and gold exceeding 300 grams must be declared at customs (with supporting documentation) upon arrival luxury hotel lisbon and departure. Excess currency and gold not declared may be confiscated at the port of entry/exit and the passenger arrested and/or fined.
In May 2014, there have been reports of large-scale demonstrations aimed at Chinese-affiliated luxury hotel lisbon companies, factories and official representatives in Vietnam. Australians should avoid all protest sites, surrounding areas and large-scale public gatherings as they have the potential to turn violent. Australians should avoid taking luxury hotel lisbon photographs of demonstrations, the military or the police, as this may not be tolerated by the Vietnamese authorities.
Street crime and harassment occur, especially in larger cities. Aggravated theft and assault occur, particularly in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Sapa (particularly on the train to/from Lao Cai) and Cat Ba Island (near Ha Long Bay).
Petty theft, including bag-slashing, is also common in tourist areas, markets, on crowded trains, buses and at supermarkets. The incidence of petty theft increases in the lead up to Vietnamese and Western holiday periods.
Snatch-and-grab crimes against pedestrians by thieves on motorcycles are frequent and have sometimes resulted in injury to victims. These types of crimes can occur when crossing luxury hotel lisbon the street or walking along footpaths. Be aware that jewellery, handbags, phones and cameras are popular targets for criminals. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and where possible, minimise the amount of valuables you carry.
There have been reports of break-ins to hotels and private residences, even while guests are in their rooms. luxury hotel lisbon You should take care to ensure your valuables are secure at all times and report any theft promptly to the local police and hotel management.
Due to the prevalence luxury hotel lisbon of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and other sexually transmitted diseases and infections, victims of violent crime, especially rape, are strongly encouraged to seek immediate medical assistance.
There have been reported cases of tourists becoming victims of gambling luxury hotel lisbon scams. Be aware of people who are overly friendly towards you and invite you back to their home. These approaches may lead to gambling scams, in which some Australians have lost thousands of dollars. Gambling may contravene local laws, which also apply to tourists. See the Laws section for further information.
There have been reports of taxi scams involving foreigners. At airports, travellers are advised to use airport taxis, prearranged hotel transfer services or taxis from clearly marked taxi ranks with minders. Check that any person holding a placard with your name on it knows your destination. You should ensure that, if you are catching a taxi late at night, you choose a reputable and reliable company and that the taxi driver knows your destination before entering the taxi.
Before you travel, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries.
Credit cards are becoming more widely accepted luxury hotel lisbon throughout major cities in Vietnam. Cash can be obtained using several internationally recognised credit cards through ATMs, which are widespread in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. You should check with your bank to confirm if your ATM card will work in Vietnam
Incidents of card swiping have occurred throughout Vietnam and you should keep your credit card in sight at all times. There have also been incidents of theft occurring near ATMs soon after travellers make cash withdrawals, especially when travellers do not immediately luxury hotel lisbon secure their money.
If you require luxury hotel lisbon a replacement ATM card while overseas, please be aware that you may have difficulty having it delivered to Vietnam. Many Australian banks do not