Photograph: Rebecca Skinner/Lonely Planet

What is it? 

A little-known secret is that the world’s best sandwich isn’t found in Rome, Copenhagen or even New York City, but on the streets of Vietnam. It begins with a light baguette grilled over coals. After a smear of mayonnaise and a dollop of pâté, the crispy shell is filled with meat, crunchy pickled vegetables and fresh herbs. It is then typically seasoned with a few drops of soy sauce and a spicy chilli condiment.

Origin 

An early example of fusion food, banh mi shows an obvious link with the French, rulers of Vietnam in the early 20th century. Other ingredients, including xa xiu, the barbecued pork better known as char siu, have Chinese origins, while the herbs and seasonings are distinctively south-east Asian.

Tasting

Banh mi is the epitome of street food: the sandwiches are sold almost exclusively from stalls and vendors. Seating usually takes the form of tiny plastic stools, and the sandwiches are generally served to go, wrapped in recycled paper. Pâté? Meatballs or grilled pork? Chilli? Mayonnaise? Diners choose their meats, toppings and condiments. A collection of the best of south-east Asian cuisine in a western package.

Finding it in Vietnam

If you’re in the coastal city of Hoi An, head to Phuong on Hoang Dieu, a legendary banh mi stall where a sandwich costs 15,000 dong (about 45p)

And in the UK

Anh and Van, two schoolfriends from Hanoi, came up with the name Banhmi11 because, in their mind, the perfect banh mi is 11 bites big. They make everything from scratch, even pickling their own daikon. They now trade in London’s Broadway market (banhmi11.com).

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2012/feb/24/worlds-best-street-food-lonely-planet?INTCMP=SRCH

Northern Vietnam Lai Chau province, near Chinese border, mountain road. Photo by Oliver Strewe - Lonely Planet

Vietnam and Laos – sublime scenery from mountain to coast

To kick off, the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail has been upgraded into a major highway running along the spine of the country and offers some sublime scenery. The stretch from the old US airbase of Khe Sanh north to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is a beauty, including a wide section that was apparently a secret jungle landing strip for MIG fighters during the war.

Elsewhere in Nam, Ha Giang is the final frontier for motorbiking aficionados in Indochina. Like Halong Bay on high, karst peaks protrude from the top of rolling mountains and secluded villages are home to a colourful mosaic of ethnic minorities. The gorge road from Dong Van to Meo Vac is the stuff of biker yore, its towering cliffs looming high above and plummeting to the Nho Que River in the distance below. Just remember to keep an eye on the road, despite the breathtaking scenery.

A word of caution, however, Ha Giang still requires an official permit to visit more remote areas. Choose to travel without one and accidentally stumble upon military exercises in the mountains and you may find yourself a guest of the local Vietnamese police.

If the coast is more your cup of tea, ride notorious Highway 1 between Saigon and Hanoi. The traffic can be daunting around major cities, but there are some remote and desolate stretches with empty beaches. Aim high over the Hai Van Pass, ignoring the tedious tunnel that has been conveniently burrowed through the mountain.

For experienced dirt bikers, it is possible to explore remnants of the old Ho Chi Minh Trail across the border in Laos. Rusting tanks and forgotten field guns litter the jungle of Southern Laos. Combine a ride through the region’s recent history with some of the most remote and wild regions of the country in Salavan and Attapeu.

Cambodia – the other Route 66 (and more)

Cambodia has long been the holy grail for dirt bike enthusiasts thanks to its network of crumbling roads. Many of these have been upgraded in the past decade, but there remain many parts of the country where pot holes are the size of golf bunkers and tarmac is an endangered species.

Get your kicks on Route 66, an ancient Angkorian highway that runs due east from Angkor via Beng Mealea to the vast temple complex of Preah Khan. Ancient stone bridges from the time of Jayavarman VII acts as historical waymarkers along the route, including the dramatic Spean Ta Ong with more than 20 arches.

Meander along the Mekong River through traditional villages in Kompong Cham and Kratie before making a diversion east to the elevated provinces of Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri. Still linked together by the infamous ‘Death Highway’, many an experienced biker has come unstuck on the sandy, muddy trails ‘linking’ Koh Nhek in Mondulkiri with Lumphat in Ratanakiri.

And let us not forget the Cardamom Mountains in southwest Cambodia for remote jungle; the dramatic northeast of Laos, home to the Plain of Jars and the Vieng Xai Caves, a sort of Cu Chi Tunnels cast in stone; and the rural Mekong Delta, a gentle two-wheeled adventure set against a patchwork of emerald green.

Source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/vietnam/travel-tips-and-articles/76479##ixzz1mywlS33U

Who Can Work in Vietnam?

Foreigners wishing to work in Vietnam must be at least 18 years old and be healthy enough to satisfy the job requirements. Only those with high technical skills or high professional qualifications regarding service and with considerable experience may be employed. As with other jurisdictions, a foreign employee is required to prove that he or she does not have any criminal record with a national security offense, and must not currently be subject to criminal prosecution or any criminal sentence in accordance with Vietnamese and foreign laws.

Grounds for Employment

The law lays out clearly different forms under which a foreign employee may work in Vietnam. Generally, a foreign expatriate may enter into Vietnam to work only under the following grounds:

• Performance of a labor contract between the foreigner and a Vietnam-based company.
• Internal transfer within an enterprise that has a commercial presence in Vietnam.
• Performance of a type of contract (but not a labor contract), namely economic, commercial, financial, banking, insurance, scientific and technical, cultural, sporting, educational, or medical health contracts between a foreign entity and a Vietnam-based entity.
• Service providers pursuant to a contract or, in other words, contractual service suppliers.
• Service salespersons.
• Foreigners representing a foreign nongovernmental organization that is permitted to operate in Vietnam.
• Persons responsible for setting up a commercial presence.

Visa

Foreigners entering Vietnam must have a valid passport and Vietnam visa, and must be able to state the purpose and length of their stay in the country before they can be granted entry. Visas may be applied for, and issued, at the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Police, a consulate office under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a foreign representative office, or a Vietnamese consulate overseas. If a visa applicant is already in Vietnam, he or she may apply to the Vietnamese immigration authority for a visa. The maximum visa term for a foreigner working in Vietnam is 12 months. Visas cannot be renewed once expired, but a new one can be applied for if necessary.

A foreign worker with a valid work permit may also apply for a Temporary Residence Card for a period of up to three years. The application must be submitted to the provincial Immigration Department, and may include supporting documents such as a housing lease contract and an employer’s certificate of incorporation.

Work Permit

A work permit is normally required from a foreign employee working for more than three months in Vietnam. Once an employer receives two sets of application files from the potential foreign employee, the employer can apply for issuance of a work permit for that foreigner from the Department of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs (DOLISA). For a foreign employee working in Vietnam on the ground of performance of a labor contract between the foreigner and a Vietnam-based company, after a work permit has been issued, usually within two weeks of submitting an application file to DOLISA, a written labor contract in accordance with the labor law of Vietnam, and consistent with the work permit issued, must be signed by the foreigner and the employer. A copy of this signed contract must be forwarded by the employer to DOLISA. For foreigners working in Vietnam on other grounds, including internal transfer, no Vietnamese labor contract is required.

A work permit is not required from the following foreign employees:

• A member or owner of a limited liability company or a member of the board of management of a shareholding company.
• A person offering services to practice law, under a professional license issued by the Ministry of Justice.
• A Chief Representative Officer, Chief Project Officer, or representative of a foreign nongovernmental organization for its operation in Vietnam.
• An internal transferee of a company that engages in one of 11 service sectors as stated in Vietnam’s WTO service commitments.
• A person providing professional and technical consultancy service or conducting other missions serving for the implementation, evaluation, and supervision of Official Development Aid programs or projects according to the agreements signed between foreign parties and the Vietnamese Government.
• A person permitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to conduct media activities in Vietnam.
• Other circumstances as stipulated by the Prime Minister.

Personal Income Tax

Foreign residents who stay in Vietnam for at least 183 days within 12 consecutive months are subject to personal income tax on all income earned in Vietnam and regular income earned abroad. Vietnam uses a progressive tax scale when calculating personal income tax, with the highest rate being 35%. Foreigners who stay in Vietnam for less than 183 days during a 12-month period are subject to personal income tax on regular and irregular income sourced in Vietnam during their residence in Vietnam and, instead of the progressive rate, a 20% flat rate will be applied.

Vietnam has signed double tax agreements (DTA) with many countries, in which tax exemptions may be applied in specified circumstances. As the language of each agreement differs to some extent, each country should be considered separately. The tax exemptions under the DTAs will not apply automatically, as the application for the exemption must be submitted to the Ministry of Finance.

Source: http://www.mondaq.com

Telephone: 94-11-2696050

Fax: 94-11-2692040

Email: vnemb-srilanka@mofa.gov.vn

Website: www.vietnamembassy-srilanka.vn

Office Hours:  Mon – Fri 09.00 am – 12.00 pm

02.00 pm – 05.00 pm

Consular Section Hours: 02.00 pm – 05.00 pm (Tel: 2696050/101)

National Day:  2nd September

List of Diplomats of the Embassy

1. His Excellency Mr. TON SINH THANH

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Mobile: 0771726300

2. Mr. PHUNG TRONG TUAN

Counselor

Office Tel: 94-11-2696050/103 (economic section)

Mobile: 0771735313

3. Ms. NGUYEN HOA KHANH

Attaché

Office Tel: 94-11-2696050/105

Living in Bengal during the decades of 60s and 70s, many of you will remember the very famous slogan – Your name my name, Vietnam Vietnam. The small country that waged war of liberation against a mighty superpower. And finally won.

Vietnam is not an established and recognised tourist destination in the world. Our decision to spend ten days in this country gave us more rewards than we had imagined. A young nation with much history and culture of their own, a vibrant economy, hard working resilient people with inherent discipline in their daily lives, abundance of natural beauty – hills, water bodies, rain forests and miles of green fields. The country is a narrow stretch of land bordering China in north, Laos and Cambodia in West and the South China Sea all along the East going down to the Mekong Delta. Relying mostly on agriculture, it has a manageable population of 90 million. And the population looks mostly young.

Getting Vietnam visa online was quite easy at http://www.Vietnam-Visa.com. The approval letter comes in two days. Then you spend 15 minutes at Immigration in Vietnam entry point with this letter to get visa stamped in your passport.

Arriving in Ho Chi Minh City, the first thing that strikes one is the traffic. There are 4 million bikes for a city of population 10 million. The traffic moves smoothly , no policeman to control , very few traffic signals , pedestrians crossing the waves of bikes moving at sensible pace, no jostling for space, no conflict with the cars . The drivers look focussed on driving, impassionate with no compulsion to beat the clock.

Traffic in Saigon, photo by Ranjan Kar

There are also no posters, no banners, and no dogs on the street or processions. Street food is prepared, sold and consumed quickly. Restaurants employ usherer who stands on the street calling backpackers and tourists in broken English. At $ 20 a double room including breakfast in most cities, this country is really cheap.

After watching the water puppet show in a theatre we went on cyclos through the centre of the city. What a ride that was! And then time for Dinner cruise on Saigon River. Sailing leisurely with other boats passing by, the Vietnamese songs, the skimpily dressed fire dancer and a sumptuous dinner spread made our cruise a memorable experience

Next day on a full day tour of Mekong Delta we saw the floating market and the village where they make rice paper and coconut candies. The narrow village street with children cycling, the village lady working in field with her toothless grin, the boatwomen who took us rowing from one village to another – picture post cards that will remain etched in our mind.

Mekong Delta, photo by Ranjan Kar

We walked the streets of Saigon and stood outside the Independence Palace where the war finally ended. The big metal gates that came crashing down by the liberating army tanks .The helipad built at building top. The last people running away from the city held on to a ladder dropped from a hovering helicopter. The war museum with well documented display of atrocities committed against small little people of this predominantly rural country.

I once asked the receptionist of our hotel – don’t you feel angry for all the crimes committed during liberation war against your people? The answer (that was in the past, we have to live for the future) impressed me to no end.

Da Nang located next to the Han River was once the Capital of this country. We travelled to Hoi an, a UNESCO heritage site with old buildings, Pagoda and few narrow streets. Plenty of shops sell souvenirs. We saw how silk is produced, then woven and converted by skilled hands into embroidered articles. On our return journey we stopped at the statue of Buddha located on a high hill facing the sea. A well kept garden, a few statues of dragons, laughing Buddha and the decorative Pagoda added to the beauty of this serene place.

Looking out of my hotel room early morning, I find scores of street vendors already preparing breakfast for sale. A gas stove , a few utensils, some boiled meat and vegetables , egg , French bread and a few small chairs / tables for the customers . Vietnamese noodle soup with beef seemed to be the most popular dish. At 50 pence a piece, I settled for the French bread with 2 egg omelette sandwich. It tasted pretty good and very fresh.

Ba Na hills on way to Hue have the longest and highest cable car ride in the world. The place around is green with dense vegetation, streams flowing down the hill side. . We could see far in the horizon. The mountains end into flat land and then merge with the sea.

Our final destination is Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, a modern city with Old Quarters and French quarters. Narrow lanes lined with shops that sell anything and everything. Wide roads and a beautiful lake at city centre. Early morning  walkers, joggers and practitioners of Tai Chi.  Opera House built by the French. parks and monuments. Tourists sitting in roadside cafes and restaurants remind you of Paris. An ancient Pagoda, the Ho Chi Minh museum and his mausoleum. A revolutionary who fought against the French and the Americans. A larger than life man revered by the whole nation. A man who left behind no dynasty or personal assets. A proud independent nation indeed.

On our last night at Hanoi we had spicy food downed with red wine at a Thai Express restaurant. Sitting on the first floor balcony of KFC we watched the traffic flow by in the square below. Crowds of a vibrant city slowly melting into the night.

Our final retreat was Halong Bay, this is about 170 km from Hanoi. In between are miles and miles of rice fields that make Vietnam the largest exporter of rice. Small shops sell Tiger Beer, drinks, chocolates and mineral water. Souvenir shops selling marble statues and curios.

Halong Bay, photo by Ranjan Kar

Halong Bay is a world heritage site. The junk boats float in a picturesque bay 1500 square km in size. Limestone hills of various shapes that have risen all around  by tectonic activity millions of years ago. Chinese sellers in their small boats selling everything a tourist looks for. The large caves with stalactite and stalagmite designs of various shapes and sizes. The living rooms and sea food in our boat are luxurious. Tourists from many countries mingle freely with their life stories. Waves are choppy at night during high tide and splash below the window level. It is an ultimate experience that cannot be explained.

I keep asking myself, why is Vietnam so different from our country and also an ideal tourist destination? Good infrastructure, it is cheap beyond one’s imagination , people are friendly , no security issues and hence very little controls ,you see more backpackers and budget travellers , can get visa online, there is one railway line going north south with Reunification express and Vietnam airways is with no frills but efficient. Amazing people who are so focussed. And in this world of obesity and health problems, they seem surprisingly healthy and fit.

Try Vietnam before it gets attention of the tourist world. You will not regret.

06/10/2011

Ranjan Kar, from India

Chau Doc in An Giang Province. Photo by Huan Nguyen - xomnhiepanh.com

“Vietnam is always good value, but you can now skip the package trips arranged in Ho Chi Minh City that tread the same worn-out routes. It’s become easier, more rewarding and just as cheap to go on DIY multiday adventures to destinations like Ben Tre, Chao Doc and the floating markets of Vinh Long, and some less-seen ones like Ha Tien or Tra Vinh. Go by air-conditioned bus or hire moto-taxis as you go; the latter know ferry crossings on roads not on any map. Boat trips go for US$5 to US$10, while most guesthouses run US$10 to US$25.

Take a ferry or plane from Rach Gia to the beaches of Phu Quoc Island, then fly back to Ho Chi Minh City. Short flights are cheap – under US$50.”

Source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/vietnam/travel-tips-and-articles/76857?affil=twit#

Vietnam-visa.com is among a few leading websites in Vietnam entrusted by thousands for providing foreign tourists and businessmen with Vietnam visa on arrival every year. With more than 10 year experience in visa service, the website http://Vietnam-visa.com has been a familiar name among travel community.

Recently, an upgraded version of Vietnam-visa.com has been released with more user-friendly interface and new features that are tailored to users’ needs. The launching of new version has received positive feedback from users.

On the celebration of the upgraded version going online, Mr. Nguyen, CEO of Vietnam-visa.com, stated: “The new version with updated content and featured tools promises to bring a new look to the website as well as to enhance its usability in providing customers with the best experiences possible while using Vietnam-visa.com. The changes and innovations represent our effort to reach out and fulfill expectations from internet users and our potential clients. Furthermore, it reflects our ambition in striving to be better and do better.”

The upgraded version of Vietnam-visa.com allows users to easily surf through important pages with updated information about Vietnam visa as well as other Vietnam travel issues. A new Q&A section was designed for customers to submit questions directly to the website. The questions will be displayed and answered by our support staff and any other website user who wishes to share their experiences. Along with the Q&A section is a page for Vietnam visa tips which covers all visa-related guides categorized for users from specific nationalities.

Aside from Vietnam visa application service, the new version also features other extra services including Vietnam visa extension service, Vietnam hotel booking service, Transportation service and Tour booking service. We are happy to include in the new version a tutorial video to guide customers through the visa application process and brand-new tools for checking visa processing status and calculating service fees.

In launching the upgraded version, Vietnam-visa.com also offers special discount programs including VIP Account and Corporate Account program. While VIP account is run as a special thank you to our frequent customers, Corporate Account is designed to best assist clients representing big companies or organizations. More information regarding these programs can be found at http://www.vietnam-visa.com/corporate.html.

Dying to tell us ways of improving it?

We want our new website version to be everything you want it to be and so would love to know your thoughts. You can be as honest as you like, so please email any (constructive) comments to support@vietnam-visa.com and let us know what you think.

What is Vietnam visa extension?

Vietnam visa extension helps travelers continue staying in Vietnam after their visas expire without exiting Vietnam to apply for a new one again.

When do I need to extend my Vietnam visa?

You’d better extend/renew your visa at least 1 week (for 3 months visa, preferably 2 weeks) before your visa expiration date.

Which documents will I need?

Only your original passport, remember that your passport must have 2 blank pages at maximum.

Which type of visa can be extended?

For tourist and business Vietnam visa, the extension/renewal is only applicable for 1 month or 3 months (single/multiple entry).

For diplomatic, official visas, or/and other types of visa, it should be applied through the official agencies or government or business sponsor or contact the Vietnam Immigration Department in person.

How to extend my Vietnam visa?

With the aim of getting more and more opportunities to support our valued clients, http://www.vietnam-visa.com has developed visa extension/renewal services for those who have been in Vietnam. To extend/renew your visa, you are kindly advised to follow the following steps:

Step 1. Please send us your scan of your passport and the page containing your current Vietnam visa to support@vietnam-visa.com. Then we will send it to Vietnam Immigration Department to check your information before extending/renewing your visa.

Step 2. We will inform you about the visa extension fee and whether your visa can be extended/renewed as visa extension varies for each case.

Step 3. For those who are in Hanoi, please bring your original passport to our office:
In case, you are in Ho Chi Minh City, please let us know your current address so that our staff will come in person to pick up your passport.

Step 4. Wait some days to get your passport back together with your new stamped visa.

How long does it take?

The processing time takes from 5 to 10 days, depends on your type of Vietnam visa.

How much does it cost?

The Vietnam visa extension fee varies for each case and the type of Vietnam visa. Please contact us at http://www.vietnam-visa.com/contact.html for further information.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-tips-articles/vietnam-visa-extension-information-4969960.html#ixzz1RI4w4pyq

Copyrighted by http://www.vietnam-visa.com. Please keep the content intact and specify the source when using or publishing it on other websites. Thank you.

1. Getting there by Air

The national airline is Vietnam Airlines (VN) (www.vietnamairlines.com). It is however, served by many airlines nearby, including Cathay Pacific (www.cathaypacific.com) and Air France (www.airfrance.com).

Main Airports
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 to 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 to 30 minutes into the city. Facilities: Snack bar, shops, duty-free and bureau de change.

2. Getting there by Water
Main ports: Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau, Haiphong and Da Nang.

International cruise facilities are available. There is a ferry service from Phnom Penh in Cambodia to Chau Doc in the Mekong Delta and tickets can be booked through local travel agents or at the dock. In addition, there is a service from Can Tho to Phnom Penh offered by Tourism & Passenger Ship Company Vinasin (tel: (071) 888 960).

3. Getting there by Rail
It is possible to cross Kunming in the Yunnan province of China by rail to Lao Cai, or from Nanning to Lang Son. There are trains from Beijing-Dong Dang-Hanoi and back. Contact Vietnam Railways (tel: (04) 942 2770; www.vr.com.vn) for details.

4. Getting there by Road
There are routes from China to Lang Son, Mong Cai and Lao Cai, Cambodia through Moc Bai and also to Laos at Lao Bao and Cau Trieu. The Saigon Passenger Transport Company (tel: (08) 920 3623 or 829 7278; www.sotranco.com.vn) operates daily services from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vietnamese ambassador to Laos Ta Minh Chau expressed his thanks for the Party, State, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their attention to the operation of the embassy.

He also thanked the Lao Party and State and the Vientiane municipal authorities for creating favourable conditions for the project to get off the ground.

The ambassador pledged to do his best to fulfil his job of promoting the traditional friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, which have always been fostered by their Party and State leaders.

Deputy Minister Minh highlighted the embassy’s efforts to complete a high-quality project and said he believes it will help the embassy to fulfil its task.

The head office, covering a total area of 9,000 square metres, includes a 300-seat conference room, an office block, two housing blocks, a flower garden, and a sports ground.

(Source: VOV)