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Ho Chi Minh

on June 25th, 2025 (JST) current information

Immigration and Visa

Visa

Japanese citizens with a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of entry can stay in Vietnam for up to 46 days without a visa. For stays of 46 days or longer, you can apply for and obtain an electronic visa (e-visa) from the visa website. You can stay for up to 90 days on a single-entry visa (US$25) or a multiple-entry visa that has no limit on the number of times you can enter the country (US$50).It takes 3 business days.

Passport

Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the time of obtaining a visa (or upon entry if you do not have a visa).

Visa, passport, and other information is subject to change without notice. Be sure to check with the Embassy, Consulate, or travel agency.

Note for travel to Vietnam

During the immigration inspection, you may present your ticket for return or onward travel. When traveling with an e-ticket, you may present an e-ticket itinerary receipt.

Quarantine

When visiting from Japan, it is prohibited to bring the following items into Vietnam.

a. Plants (including seeds), plant products, fruit
b. Mushrooms (excluding pickled, canned, frozen, or fermented)
c. Silkworms, cocoons
d. Insects, fungi, bacteria, viruses
e. Processed animal products and fresh foods
f: Narcotics, poisons, firearms, fireworks
g: Printed materials or videos criticizing socialism, pornographic magazines, adult videos/DVDs
h: Antiques

Customs

Bringing in e-cigarettes

As of June 2025, bringing in or using heated tobacco or e-cigarettes is prohibited. Those using them or bringing them in will be subject to fines.

For bringing and possession of tax-free cigarettes

The following are goods that must be declared upon entry (as of June 2025)

Foreign currency equivalent to more than US$5000 or VND15 million or more must be declared. Although there is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought in, currency exceeding those amounts that has not been declared may be confiscated when taking it out of the country at departure.
Either 1.5 L or more of liquor containing 20% or more alcohol, 2 L or more of liquor containing less than 20% alcohol, or 3 L or more of beer and other types of alcohol.
Either 200 or more cigarettes, 20 or more cigars, or 250 g or more loose tobacco.
300 g or more of gold, including jewelry and raw gold.
Bank checks, silver, platinum, or precious stones worth VND300 million or more.
Items worth over VND10 million. When declaring these items, you must write information such as the manufacturer and model.

Time difference and Daylight Saving Time

Time difference

Vietnam is 2 hours behind Japan. When it is noon in Japan, it is 10:00 in Vietnam. Daylight saving time is not observed.

Climate

Overall, Vietnam has high temperatures and a lot of rain. It has a tropical monsoon climate. However, since the country is narrow and runs a long distance from north to south, even in the same periods the climate can be quite different depending on the region. In particular, in winter (November to March) the north is cool enough to require a jacket, but in the south days with temperatures over 30°C continue. It is best to research the climate of the destination before leaving Japan to bring the proper clothing.

A temperature graph of Ho Chi Minh City and Tokyo

A precipitation graph of Ho Chi Minh City and Tokyo

Monthly average temperature and precipitation

The average maximum temperature in Tokyo and Ho Chi Minh, The average minimum temperature in Tokyo and Ho Chi Minh

month	The average maximum temperature in Tokyo	The average minimum temperature in Tokyo	The average maximum temperature in Ho Chi Minh	The average minimum temperature in Ho Chi Minh
Jan.	10℃	2℃	31℃	21℃
Feb.	10℃	2℃	32℃	22℃
Mar.	13℃	5℃	33℃	23℃
Apr.	18℃	10℃	34℃	24℃
May	23℃	15℃	33℃	24℃
Jun.	25℃	18℃	33℃	23℃
Jul.	28℃	23℃	32℃	23℃
Aug.	31℃	24℃	32℃	23℃
Sep.	27℃	21℃	31℃	23℃
Oct.	23℃	15℃	30℃	22℃
Nov.	17℃	10℃	30℃	21℃
Dec.	13℃	5℃	30℃	20℃

The average precipitation in Tokyo and Ho Chi Minh

month	The average precipitation in Tokyo	The average precipitation in Ho Chi Minh
Jan.	50mm	30mm
Feb.	50mm	10mm
Mar.	110mm	10mm
Apr.	120mm	60mm
May	130mm	250mm
Jun.	170mm	310mm
Jul.	150mm	280mm
Aug.	160mm	260mm
Sep.	210mm	330mm
Oct.	200mm	260mm
Nov.	90mm	110mm
Dec.	50mm	20mm

Currency and Exchange Rate, Tax, Currency exchange, Tip

Currency and Exchange Rate

The banknotes have many digits and similar pictures, so be careful not to mix them up. Coins are hardly ever in use.

The unit of currency is the dong (VND). Banknotes come in 12 denominations: 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000, and 500,000 dong. The 100 and 200 dong notes are not widely circulated. Coins come in five denominations: 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 dong. These are also no longer in circulation. US dollars that were previously in circulation are prohibited from being traded outside of designated areas and are basically no longer in circulation. VND 1,000 is approx. JPY 5.48 (As of July 1, 2025). Be careful not to confuse the different banknotes as they have large numbers of digits and similar patterns.

Tax

A value added tax (VAT) of 10% is normally charged, but travelers typically only pay VAT at places such as mid- and high-class hotels, restaurants, and cafes.VAT refund counters are available at airports and ports with international flights, and refunds can be received by following the proper procedures. It is advisable to check the details in advance.

Tip

Vietnam does not have a custom of tipping, so basically it is not necessary.

Restaurants: Not required in restaurants other than upscale restaurants. Even in upscale restaurants, it is unnecessary when a service charge is added.
Hotels: Tip bellhops and room service approx. VND20000 to VND50000.
Tour guide and driver: For private tours, give a tip of at least 100,000 dong per day of the tour. You don't need to give a tip on a cheap tour.
Massage and spa: If you do give a tip, 50,000 to 100,000 dong is about right. In some cases the tip and/or service fee is included in the tour charge, so check beforehand.
Taxies: Not necessary.

Voltage and plug

Voltage

A conversion adapter for Type A, Type C, and Type SE

Voltage is almost always 220V, but in rare cases it is 110V. The cycle is 50Hz. Many plugs are a combination of Type A and Type C. There are Type A, Type C, and in rare instances, Type SE and Type BF plugs. Using 100V electric products from Japan requires a transformer. Even Japanese electric products that handle 100V to 240V can be used without a transformer, so read the instruction manual for electronic products you plan to use. However, be aware that even products that can handle 100V to 240V require a conversion adapter for the plug.

Video and DVD

Do not forget to check the region code when purchasing a DVD. The DVD region code for Vietnam is 3, while it is 2 for Japan. DVDs cannot be viewed in Japan unless they are clearly marked “All code” (but can be viewed on a computer even if region code 3). Be aware that bringing copied DVDs of animes and movies, etc. into Japan is not permitted.

Mail

Post Office Business Hours

Though it differs slightly for each post office, usually they are open from 7:30 to 18:00. Some post offices are also open on Sundays.

Postal Fees

Airmail to Japan costs VND19,000 up to 20 g. Parcel of air-parcels up to 3kg cost VND864,173. 5-20 days required.

Phone Call

How to phone

Telephoning Japan from Vietnam

Ex. When calling Tokyo (03) 1234-5678

STEP1

dial 00 (International telephone identification number)

STEP2

81 (Country Code, Japan )

STEP3

3 (Remove the first 0 for area codes)

STEP4

1234-5678(Other parties telephone number)

Telephoning Vietnam from Japan

Ex. When calling Ho Chi Minh(028) 1234-5678

STEP1

010 (International Identification No.)

For the three cell phone carriers, hold down 0 until + appears, then add the country code and the phone number your wish to dial.

Pre-registration to World Call is required for NTT DoCoMo.

STEP2

84 (Country Code, Vietnam)

STEP3

8 (Area code, remove first 0)

STEP4

1234-5678 (Other parties telephone number)

Holiday / National holiday

2026

January 1: New Year’s Day
February 17: Tet (Vietnamese New Year)*1
April 27: Anniversary of the Death of Hung Vuong
April 30: Reunification Day
May 1: May Day
September 1~2: National Day (Independence Day)*2

*1.Five days are allotted for the Tet holiday every year, and about one week before and after Tet is also a holiday, though the exact length varies from year to year. Tet 2027 will fall on February 6.
*2.This holiday has been two days long since 2021.

Language

The official language is Vietnamese, which is written using characters called Quoc Ngu. English is often understood in places that cater to foreigners and travelers. Some stores also understand Japanese. In addition, some senior citizens understand French and Russian.

Business hours, etc

Business hours

Below are guidelines for general business hours, which differ by shop, restaurant, etc.

Banks

Mon. to Fri. 8:00 to 11:30, 13:00 to 16:30, closed on Sun., holidays. Some places are open on Sat, but many are only open until lunchtime. Currency can be exchanged during business hours.

Shops

9:00 to 21:00.

Restaurants

10:00 to 22:00, but some places like cafeterias open at 6:00 and close at 24:00. In addition, many upscale restaurants close for 2 to 3 hours between lunchtime and dinnertime.

Age Limit

Neither tobacco nor alcohol is regulated by law. Their consumption is socially acceptable around the age of 18.A license is required for driving motorcycles that are over 50 cc, and this rule applies to foreign nationals as well. In addition, as Japan and Vietnam are part of different conventions for international driving permits, a Japanese international driving permit cannot be used in Vietnam.