Far flung, not far fetched

Far flung, not far fetched.

Fast flights and travel apps make the world ever-more accessible, but it doesn’t mean anything unless you’re inquisitive. Stay curious and you will always have adventure.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Vietnam

TO TRAVEL NORTH-SOUTH, OR SOUTH-NORTH? Either way works, but if you want to ease your way into Vietnam, start in Hanoi: the north is less chaotic than the culture-explosion that is Ho Chi Minh City.

Flight time. Fly direct from Auckland to Ho Chi Minh City in 11.5 hours with Air New Zealand (seasonal). Non-direct routes are also available.

Visas. All New Zealand citizens need a visa prior to arrival. The easiest option is to talk to your House of Travel consultant. They will ensure your visa is obtained well in advance, without hiccups.

Passport. The most important thing to remember is your passport expiry date. For entry, it must be valid for six months after your arrival in Vietnam.

Currency. Dong is Vietnam’s currency. The extra zeros in all that Dong can be very confusing and 10,000 Dong looks a lot like 100,000 Dong. Triplecheck before handing over your notes.

Water. Unless you want to play Russian roulette with your intestinal tract, steer clear of the tap water. Even to brush your teeth, we recommend filtered.

Getting around. With such dense traffic, crossing the road is daunting. Start by following the locals, but hang back because they don’t always get it right. Go slow and with caution.

Weather differs by region.

Top north. December and January are bitterly cold.

North. May to October is hot and humid with high rainfall. November to April is cool and dry.

Central regions. Experience hot, dry weather between January and August (lovely mid-30°Cs) while heavy rainfall can occur September to November.

South. Dry and hot from November to April, and warm but wet from May to October.

Get adventurous and branch out.

Cambodia to your left, Thailand a little further west and Laos looking down from atop. It’s easy to see all four countries in one trip — ask your consultant about tours and itineraries.

See the best of Vietnam.If you want to gorge on all of Vietnam, we recommend a minimum of 10 days, but three weeks is preferable.

If you’re shy on time.

If you’re shy on time, we’d suggest seven days in either just the north or just the south. You could fly into Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh, or start centrally (from Da Nang) and work your way up or down via Hoi An.

Editor’s Note. Whatever you do, eat noodles.

HOT TIP

By STEVE LAWSON, House of Travel Jenny Nilsson

“Trains are reliable throughout Vietnam, but the Reunification Express train, which chugs between the north and south, is a real highlight. Slow but intrepid, if you have time to amble, the views are incredible.”