Airport minibuses and metered taxis are available outside arrivals for transport to the city centre. Use an official taxi, it should be indicated on the driver's name badge and check that the meter is on.

Tel: +84 (0)4 827 1513, (0)4 826 8522, or (0)4 886 5060.

US$14 for international flights.

The airport has a bureau de change and basic facilities.

The official language in Vietnam is Vietnamese. Some Chinese, English and French are spoken. Tour guides can also speak Russian and Japanese. Numerous ethnic languages are also spoken in parts.

The official currency is the Dông (VND). There are no smaller denominations. Currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change, hotels and on the black market. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are becoming more widely acceptable, particularly in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, but it is best not to rely on them elsewhere. It is recommended that visitors bring travellers cheques in US Dollars, which can be cashed at major banks in the main cities and tourist areas. US currency acts as unofficial tender and is useful as a back-up when banks won't cash travellers cheques outside the main cities, but notes must be relatively new and unmarked. Dông can be withdrawn from ATMs, which are becoming more widespread.

Local time in Vietnam is GMT +7.