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Vietnam vs Arsenal

Advice for fans travelling to Vietnam for Arsenal’s match with the Vietnam National Team on 17 July 2013

Date: 17 July 2013

Venue: Sân vận động Quốc gia Mỹ Đình (in English My Dinh National Stadium)

Kick off time: 7 pm

As well as this advice, check out our travel advice for Vietnam

Passports and visas

You need to apply for a visa prior to travel to Vietnam. Further information on applying for a visa is available on our Vietnam travel advice page
Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not valid in Vietnam, so appropriate travel insurance is essential, even if your stay is short. If you have difficulties and don’t have the relevant insurance, it could cost you a lot of money
Carry a photocopy of the pages from your passport with your personal details and visa for ID and leave the original document in a safe place
If you lose your passport you can apply to the British Embassy in Hanoi for an Emergency Travel Document. You will also need to get a visa or exit visa in your new document and this can take up to 3 working days to get from the Vietnamese Immigration Department

To avoid becoming lost please ensure that you have your hotel address with you
There will be a 1 km exclusion zone around the stadium, where vehicles cannot go. Please bear in mind that you will have to walk from the start of the exclusion zone to the stadium so please allow extra time to do so
If you are travelling in a group, you should arrange to travel together to ensure that there is less congestion on the road
If you live in Hanoi, have a motorbike and a Vietnamese motorbike licence there is designated parking available near to the stadium
If you are travelling by taxi please read the Safety and Security section of the Vietnam Travel Advice section related to taxi journeys
It is extremely humid at this time of year in Hanoi, it is advisable to bring water into the stadium with you but it must be in a plastic bag – no bottles allowed

There will be ticket checks and body searches at the entrance to the turnstiles. To avoid a last minute bottleneck you should get to the stadium early - doors will open at 16:30
In addition to items which would usually be prohibited in the UK, please note the following restrictions at the stadium:
- Firecrackers and flammable material are banned from the stadium
- No bottles and cans are allowed to be brought into the ground and alcohol is banned within the stadium
- Large amounts of loose change and lighters may be confiscated and are unlikely to be returned
- Flags with poles are also banned, but flags without poles are allowed subject to size
If you experience any problems while you are in the stadium you should locate the nearest security officer and ask them if they speak English/ direct you to the nearest English speaking person
When the match finishes, the Vietnam National Team’s supporters will be allowed out of the stadium first. It is therefore advisable to wait for at least half an hour before seeking to leave the stadium
While there may be a substantial wait for taxis after the game you will be able to get a taxi from the main roads outside of the exclusion zones - both to the left or right of the stadium. Please ensure you read the Safety and Security section of the Vietnam Travel Advice section related to taxi journeys

As in any other city beware of pickpockets and bag snatchers at airports, railway stations, around the town centre and when using public transport. Only carry what you need and leave spare cash and valuables in hotel safety deposits (including your passport)
You will have to register your passport information when you check into a hotel. Ensure you get your passport back as soon as possible and keep it safe
Please bear in mind that everyone in Vietnam, including visitors, are expected to comply with local police instructions
Please take extra care when crossing roads as there is a high volume of motorbikes on the road and; like some other countries vehicles can turn right on a red light at pedestrian crossings
While your hotel might have late night food service most of Hanoi’s bars and restaurants close by about 11 pm

British Embassy Hanoi
31 Hai Bai Trung
Hanoi

Tel: from outside Vietnam: +84 4 3936 0500 and when making calls inside Vietnam: 04 3936 0500

Please follow the prompts to speak to a British Consular Officer who can offer you help

Published 10 July 2013