• For both International and Domestic flights: Noi Bai (35km northwest of Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat (in Ho Chi Minh City), Danang (in Danang city).
• For Domestic flights only (North to South): Muong Thanh (in Dien Bien), Son La (in Son La), Cat Bi (in Hai Phong), Vinh (in Nghe An), Phu Bai (in Hue), Pleiku (in Pleiku), Buon Ma Thuot (in Buon Ma Thuot), Cam Ranh (in Nha Trang), Dalat (in Dalat), Can Tho (in Can Tho) and Phu Quoc (in Phu Quoc island)

Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) is 35km (21 miles) north of Hanoi. To/from the airport: Buses and metered taxis are available to Hanoi with a journey time of approximately 45-60 minutes. Facilities: Cafes, shops, duty-free and bureau de change.

Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) is 7km (4.5 miles) from Ho Chi Minh City. To/from the airport: Metered taxis are available with a journey time of approximately 20-30 minutes into the city. Facilities: Snack bar, shops, duty-free and bureau de change.

Vietnam Custom Regulations

Arriving in Vietnam, all visitors must fill in  declaration forms and show their luggage to Customs Officials upon request. There are no limited amounts of foreign currency, objects made of gold, silver, precious metals and gemstones or plated with silver or gold but visitors must declare these in detail on the customs forms.

Luggage of Prohibited and Restricted carriage

• Following materials are prohibited accompanying baggage: corrosive, gas, explosive, toxic, oxygen, radioactive, flammable...
• Following materials are not permitted accompanying baggage: knife, scissors, gun, cartridge, wheelchair with battery;
• Passenger should not put money, jewel, document, important samples... in your baggage. Baggage should be covered and locked carefully;
• Passenger should not put breakable materials such as china, electronic, bottle, jar... inside your baggage;
• Following goods are prohibited carrying in flight: fish sauce, durian...

Entry Vietnam

• Tourists are authorized to bring in the following items duty-free: Cigarettes: 400 pieces; Cigars: 50-100; Tobacco: 100 gram; Liquor: 1.5l.
• Personal effects of a reasonable quantity
• Small gift items valued at not more than US$500.

You are expected to declare:

• Cameras, camcorders and other electric equipments not for personal use
  Jewelry not for personal use;
• Currency over US$7,000 (There is no limit to the amounts of cash, precious metals and gems people can bring in, but amounts of over US$7,000 must be declared).

Exit Vietnam

• Goods of commercial nature and articles of high value require export permits issued by the Customs Office.
• Antiques, some precious stones and animals listed in Vietnam's red-book may not be brought out of the country.
• Money: below US$3,000 of cash.
  

In City Transportation

There are local bus services in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Danang. It is also possible to travel by taxi, motorbike or cyclo (cycle rickshaw; motorized version also exists); the last of these options can leave the traveller vulnerable to theft from opportunistic passers-by and the government is trying to phase them out. Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped, but it is welcomed. You can rent a motorbike for freely travelling, it costs about 100VND (7 USD) per day.

Inter-City Transportation

Air transport is recommended if you want to save your time. Many air routes are available though out the country (click here to see) including some popuplar routes Hanoi <-> Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi <-> Danang, Danang <-> Ho Chi Minh.
Vietnam has a railroad (about 1800 Km) along the sea coast to connect Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh and other provinces in between e.g. Hue, Danang and Nha Trang. In the north part, there are several railroads, i.e., Hanoi - Hai Phong, Hanoi - Lang Son and Hanoi - Lao Cai (Sapa). Tourists to visit Sapa are recommended to take the trail to Lao Cai and take a bus to Sapa (30 minutes from Lao Cai station to Sapa town). Click here to see Vietnam railway network.
It's also convenient to travel by bus. There are tremendous bus routes from Hanoi or from Ho Chi Minh to other provinces. Click here for more detail.
There are also some water routes to connect Ho Chi Minh to Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh to Vung Tau.

Internet Access

Today the Internet is widely available throughout towns and cities in Vietnam, including  dial-up,  ADSL and WiFi. WiFi (Wireless LAN) services are free in most hotels, guesthouses. There are always several internet-enable computers in hotel lobby for free to use. Cyber cafés are a good choice with just 3,000 to 4,000 VND per hour. Many  post offices also offer this service.

Shopping and Bargaining in Vietnam

Vietnam has some fantastic shopping opportunities, so it’s well worth setting aside half a day or so to properly peruse. Hotspots include  Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City, each of which has a temping selection of everything from avant-garde art to sumptuous silk suits.

Some of the best buys are as following:
Vietnamese Art & Antiques

There are several shops to hunt for art and antiques. Both traditional and modern paintings are a popular item. More sophisticated works are displayed in art galleries, while cheaper mass-produced stuff is touted in souvenir shops and by street vendors. A Vietnamese speciality is the “instant antique”, such as a teapot or ceramic dinner plate, with a price tag of around US$2.

As Vietnam has strict regulations on the export of real antiques, be sure the items are allowed out of the country. Most reputable shops can provide the necessary paperwork.
Vietnamese Clothing

Vietnam is emerging as a regional design center and there are some extravagant creations in the boutiques of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Ao dai, the national dress for Vietnamese women, is a popular item to take home. Ready-made ao dai costs from US$ 10 to US$20, but custom numbers can cost a lot more. There are ao dai tailors nationwide, but those in the tourists centers are more familiar with foreigners.

Hill-tribe gear is winding its way to shops in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. It’s brightly patterned stuff, but you may need to set the dyes yourself so those colours don’t bleed all over the rest of your clothes.

T-shirts are ever popular items with travellers, cost from US$1 to US$4.

Non (conical hats) are favorite items for women in both rainy and sunny times. The best quality ones can be found in the Hue’s area.
Vietnamese Handicrafts

Hot items on the tourist market include lacquerware, boxes and wooden screens with mother-of-pearl inlay, ceramics, colourful embroidery, silk greeting cards, wood-block prints, oil paintings, watercolours, blinds made of hanging bamboo beads, reed mats, carpets, jewellery and leatherwork.
War Souvenirs

It’s easy to by what looks like equipment left over from the American War, but almost all of these items are reproductions and your chances of finding anything original are slim. The fake Zippo lighters engraved with platoon philosophy are still one of the hottest-selling items.

TIP:  Bargaining

Bargaining should be good-natured, smile and don’t get angry or argue. Once the money is accepted, the deal is done. Remember that in Asia, “saving face” is very important. In some cases you will be able to get a 50% discount or more, at other times this may only be 10%. Bargaining is an art in Vietnam. You should offer the lower price (usually 30% or 40% lower than the offerred price) and increase step by step. If they don't accept your price, just go to another shop and they may call you back.

Things To Do or Not To Do in Vietnam

DO

• Store your cash, credit cards, airline tickets and other valuables in a safe place. Most 4-star hotels have in-room safes, otherwise ask the reception to keep your valuable things in their deposit facility.
• Take a hotel business card from the reception desk before venturing out from your hotel. This will make your return to the hotel in a taxi or cyclo much easier.
• Carry a roll of toilet paper in your daypack on long excursions from your base hotel. You never know when you might need it!
• Dress appropriately. Not only for the prevailing weather, but also not to cause offence to the local people. Vietnamese have conservative dress codes, and it is only in larger cities that these codes are a little more relaxed. Do not wear revealing clothing.
• If invited into a home, always remove your shoes at the front door when entering.
• Ask for permission when taking a photograph of someone. If they indicate that they do not want you to, then abide by their wishes. DO NOT offer money or push the issue.
• Drink plenty of bottled water. During the summer months you should be drinking a minimum of two liters per day. If you drink tea, coffee & alcohol you should increase you water intake accordingly as these will help to dehydrate you.   

DON’T

• Never carry more money than you need when walking around the streets. Do not wear large amounts of jewelry. There are two reasons for not doing this:
  (1) It is considered impolite to flaunt wealth in public;
  (2) It is more likely that you may become a victim of a pickpocket or drive-by bag snatcher.
• Don't be paranoid about your security, just be aware of your surroundings.
• Don't wear singlets, shorts, dresses or skirts, or tops with low-neck lines and bare shoulders to Temples and Pagodas. To do this is considered extremely rude and offensive.
• Avoid giving empty water bottles, sweets and candies or pens to the local people when trekking through ethnic minority villages. You cannot guarantee that the empty bottles will be disposed of in a correct manner, and the people have no access to dental health. If you want to give pens, ask your guide to introduce you to the local teacher and donate them to the whole community.
• Never sleep or sit with the soles of your feet pointing towards the family altar when in someone’s house.
• Never lose your temper in public or when bargaining for a purchase. This is considered a serious loss of face for both parties. Always maintain a cool and happy demeanor and you will be reciprocated with the same.
• Do not try to take photographs of military installations or anything to do with the military. This can be seen as a breach of national security.
• Never take video cameras into the ethnic minority villages. They are considered to be too intrusive by the local people.

The above advice is meant to help you have a perfect trip to Vietnam. Do not be overly paranoid though. Generally, Vietnamese people are very appreciative if they see you trying to abide by the customs, and very forgiving if you get it wrong or forget. If you make the effort, you will be rewarded.