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TRAVEL TIPS
 Passport
and visa
All nationalities are required to have visa
before getting into Vietnam. Visa is usually delivered by Vietnamese Embassies who
require the original passport and 2 photos for two full working days in order to stamp the
visa. If Visa approval is arranged by Dragon Travel upon the client request, the personal
data ( full name, passport number with date of issuance and expiry, date and place of
birth, nationality) must be supplied to us at least 10 days before arrival to Viet Nam .
Visas can also be obtained upon arrival at Vietnam international airports
such as Noi Bai , Danang, Tan San Nhat, in which case the stamping fee will be
quoted separately. Dragon Travel also require passport details in advance for visa
stamp upon arrival. Then, an approval letter will be sent to clients
in order to confirm that clients will obtain the visa on
arrival. It could be the quickest way to get Vietnam visa because the formalities takes
only two full working days ( except Saturday and Sunday).
Customs
and formalities
Arriving in
Vietnam, all visitors must fill in declaration forms and show their luggage to customs
officials on request. There are no limited amounts of foreign currency, objects made
of gold, silver, precious metals and gemstones or plated with silver or gold
but visitors must declare these in detail on the customs forms.
Currency
The local
currency is the dong (abbreviated "d" or VND). Bank notes are 500d, 1000d,
2,000d, 5,000d, 10,000d, 20,000d, 50,000d, and 100,000d. The rate of exchange at updating
time is approximately dong 13.900 to one US. Dollar. Credit cards are generally only
accepted in major cities. Visitors are recommended to carry US Dollar in small
denominations. Travelers can change their money for Vietnamese dong (VND) at banks, hotels
and jewelry shops throughout the country.
Climate
Vietnam shares borders with Cambodia, Laos and China, and features 3,200 km
of coastline bordering the Eastern Sea.With an area of 332,000 square km, Vietnam’s
topography varies from coastal plains to moutain ranges.Vietnam stretches over 1,800 km
from north to south ; therefore weather patterns in the principle cities are very
different. The North : Winter lasts from November to April , with temperatures
averaging 160C but little rainfall. Summer begins in May and lasts until
October, with temperature of 300 C, heavy rainfall and the occasional Violent
typhoon. The Center : Central Vietnam experiences a transitional climate, halfway
between those of the north and south. The South :
Temperature are fairly constant through the year; 250 C – 300
C, Seasons are determined by the rain – the dry season runs from November to April
and the wet season from May to October . the hottest period is March and April, before the
rain have broken . Typhoon s are quite common in coastal areas between July and November.
The Highland Areas : In the hill resorts of Dalat (1,500m) , Buon Ma Thuot and Sapa ,
nights are cool throughout the year, and in the winter months, October to March ,it can be
distinctly chilly with temperature falling to 40 C. Even in the hottest months
of March and April the temperature rarely exceeds 260 C.
Health requirements
No actual vaccinations are officially required. Malaria prophylaxis is no
longer recommended but visitors are advised to check with their doctor or travel
immunization clinic regarding the advisability of inoculation against typhoid, tetanus,
hepatitis A & B.
International flights
Vietnam has
three international airports: Hanoi/Noi Bai , Danang/ Danang and Ho Chi Minh/Tan Son Nhat.
Cities with directs flight to Hanoi / Noi Bai Airport are Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong,
Kuala Lumpur, Moscow, Nanning, Paris, Singapore, Taipei, Vientiane and Seoul. Airline
Companies currently serving Hanoi are Vietnam airlines, Air France, Cathay Pacific
Airways, China southern Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Laos Aviation, Singapore Airlines,
Aeroflot, Thai Airways. Cities with directs flight to Ho Chi Minh City/Tan Son Nhat
Airport are Bangkok, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Moscow, Melbourne,Osaka, Paris,
Phnom Penh, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei, Tokyo, Vienna, Vientiane and Zurich. Airline
Companies currently serving Ho Chi Minh City are Vietnam airlines, Air France, Cathay
Pacific Airways, China southern Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Lao Aviation, Singapore
Airlines, Swissair, Aeroflot, Thai Airways, Korean Air, Lufthansa German Airlines, Lauda
Air, Asiana Airlines, Royal Air Cambodge. Since November 1,1999. Thai Airways has
commenced direct flights from BangKok to Danang on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Overland
The other way
to get into Vietnam is by land , from China, Laos and Cambodia but the visas must be
indicated clearly by Vietnamese Embassies with one or two of the below entry points.
Tourists can pass the border at the following entry points:
* From China: Huu
Nghi, Lao Cai.
* From Laos: Cau
Treo, Lao Bao.
* From Cambodia:
Moc Bai.
Language
Vietnamese is
the official language of Vietnam but there are various dialects spoken by hill tribe
people in remote areas. Leaning foreign languages , particularly English and French,
is currently in vogue among young people in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Da Nang and
other cities.
Public holidays
Jan 1 : International new years Day
Apr 30 :
Liberation Day
May 1 : Labour Day
Sep 2 : National
Day
Tipping
Widely
practiced, in addition to hotel and restaurant service charges shown on bills ( Porters, VND 5.000-10.000 per bag)
Airport tax
Domestic airport tax
is now included in the airfare. On international flights, the airport tax is
US$ 14 per passenger
Business hours : GMT + 7 hours
Passport and visa
All nationalities are required to have visa
before getting into Laos. Visa is usually delivered by Lao Embassies who require the
original passport and 2 photos for two full working days in order to stamp the visa. If
Visa is arranged by Dragon Travel upon the client request, the personal data ( full name,
passport number with date of issuance and expiry, date and place of birth, nationality)
must be supplied to us at least 14 days before arrival to Laos. Visas obtained upon arrival at Wattay Vientiane airport and Friendship
Bridge is quoted US$ 30 per person. However, the procedure of getting of visa will be
change from time to time.
Customs
and formalities
The
regulations are now relaxed for travelers arriving by air in Wattay Vientiane airport.
Passengers should have completed immigration and customs declaration forms during the
flights and must submit these on arrival.
Currency
The local
currency is the KIP. The exchange rate at the time of updating is approximately 9,800 KIP
to one US. Dollar. Travelers can make an exchange either at licensed exchange shops in the
major cities or at your hotel. While paying in Laos. Traveler cheques and other currencies
than U.S.Dollars are only accepted by major banks. It is best to carry US Dollar bills in
small denominations.
Climate
Laos can be visited throughout the year. The dry or cool season begins end
of October and lasts until end of February. It is necessary to take along a pullover or
jacket during the cool season as nights can be very cool , especially in the mountainous
areas such as Luang Prabang , the plain of jars, Saravane and Houeixai. The hot season
lasts from March to June and light cotton and hats are recommended. The rainy season
starts in June and ends in October. For visitors travelling between end of March and
beginning of April , please note in the mountainous area where the slash and burn
cultivation remained, the weather may be worse caused by smokes and domestic flights might
be delayed or cancelled.
Health requirements
No vaccinations are
presently required. If travelling to remote or border areas, travelers should check with
their doctor or travel immunization clinic regarding the advisability of inoculation
against Typhoid, hepatitis, tetanus and Japanese encephalitis.
International flights
The direct flights
to Vientiane are available from Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Phnom Penh, Kunming, Chiang
Mai ( via Luang Prabang ). By air : Presently, Vientiane is the only legal point of
disembarkation in Laos for air passengers. At the present time, Bangkok is the most common
gateway for entry to Vientiane , although it is possible to come from Hanoi, Phnom Penh,
Ho Chi Minh City, Yangon, Kunming ( CHINA) , Chiang Mai , Singapore and Kuala Lumpur as
per schedules show below: Airport arrival : Arrivals at Wattay airport, Vientiane
are generally rather casual event. Carry on bags are not surely inspected if that all you
have brought. For checked baggage when claimed at counter ,sometimes passengers are
required to declare if they had antiques and silver item brought with.
Overland
The other way to
get into Laos is by land from from Vietnam, China, Thailand. Tourists can pass the
border at the following entry points:
* From Nongkhai (
Thailand ) by crossing Mekong River by shuttle bus.
* From Chiangkhong
( Thailand ) by crossing Mekong River by ferry to Houeixey.
* From South China
(Yuna ) to Luang Namtha province via Boten chek point.
* From Mukdahan
(Thailand ) and from Quang Tri (Vietnam ) to Savanakhet.
* From Ubol
Rachathani (Thailand ) to Pasker.
* From Vinh (Vietnam) via Keo Neua check point to Km 20 , Khamkeuth district
Borikhamxay province, then on to Vientiane by bus.
Language
The official
language of Lao PDR is Lao. It is spoken in different parts of the country The Vientiane
dialect is understood throughout the country. In spite of the colonial past, French
remains the second official language . English is in common use among business sectors and
young generations.
Public holidays
Jan 1 : International new years Day
Mar 8 :
International Women Day
May 1 : Labour Day
Oct 14 : Boat
Racing Festival in Vietiane
Dec 2 : Laos
National Day
Tipping
Tipping is not
obligatory in Laos, but is nonetheless widely practiced in hotels and restaurants in
addition to the service charges shown on bills. (Porters, 5000 - 1,000 Kip per bag.)
Airport tax
Airport tax
is US$ 1,0 per passenger on domestic flights and US$ 10 per passenger on international
flights.
Business hours : GMT + 7 hours
Passport and
visa
Cambodia has
very liberal visa regulations. For US$ 20, all travelers can obtain a tourist visa
valid for 30 days upon arrival at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports. A passport valid for
at least six months beyond the end of your visit and one passport photo is needed.
Visitors arriving overland from Ho Chi Minh city , Vietnam at the Bovet border crossing,
or from Thailand at Trat (Hat Lay border crossing) or Aranyaprathet ( Poipet border
crossing) must obtain a visa which clearly indicates their entry point prior to reaching
the Cambodian border.
Customs
and formalities
Airport tax
is US$ 1,0 per passenger on domestic flights and US$ 10 per passenger on international
flights.Regulations are relaxed and simple formalities
should be observed when entering the territory. Every traveler has to complete immigration
and customs declaration forms during the arrival flight and must submit them on arrival.
Any mount of foreign currency can be brought into Cambodia, but the mount of Cambodia
currency must not exceed 100.000 riels per person. Tourists and non- resident carrying
over USD 10.000 in cash or its equivalent must declare it to ensure they will be allowed
to take out with them the amount declared. The immigration formalities are quicker when
travelers already possess their visa. Upon leaving the country, luggage will be X-rayed in
Phnom Penh airport and inspected in Siem Reap.
Currency
The local
currency is the Riel, however, in Phnom Penh and most major tourist destinations, almost
all goods and services are caculated and paid for in the US currency. The rate of exchange
(at time of printing ) is approximately 3,900.- Riels to one U.S Dollar. Credit cards are
excepted only at a few place such as major hotels, restaurants owned by foreigners and
souvenir shop ( Diethelm Travel is the local representative of American Express ).
Travelers cheques and currencies other than US Dollars are accepted only by major banks it
is best to carry U.S Dollars in small domination.
Climate
Cambodia can
be visited throughout the year. The climate is tropical and distingush three major
seasons. The most pleasant season is the dry season from November to March during which
temperatures are cooler (average 20-28o c ). The host season last from March to
June (average temperatures 28-35O c) and the rainy season from May to early
October. Note also that Siam Reap is in general cooler than Phnom Penh.
Healt requirements
Although no vaccinations are officially required for entry to Cambodia,
they are highly encouraged. Visitors are advised to check with their doctor or travel
immunization clinic regarding protection against malaria typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A
& B. Any essential medications should be brought with you as there is no guarantee
they will be available in Cambodia.
International flights
The direct flights to Phnom Penh are available from Bangkok, Guangxhou, Ho
Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Kulalumpur, Singapore, and Vientiane. Dragonair, Laos Aviation,
Bangkok Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Royal air Cambodge, Silk Air, Thai Airways
International, Vietnam Airlines and President Airlines are currently serving Phnom
Penh. At this time visitors can get into Siem Reap by direct flights from Ho
Chi Minh and Bangkok.
Domestic flights
Siem Reap Airways or President Airlines accept domestic flight booking up to one year
in advance. Full details of flight will only be confirmed when tickets are
purchased . At this time most of flight to and from Siem Reap are operated by ATR
72s and Boeing 737s. Finally acting as intermediary Dragon
Travel is unable to guarantee exact flight times and flight number that
clients demand.
Language
Khmer is the
official language, inherited from the Mon- Khmer family, enriched by the Indian Pali and
the Sanskrit languages. There are various dialects spoken in areas outside Phnom
Penh. English is the second language, followed by French even though they are not widely
spoken except in the capital.
Public holidays
Nov 9 :
Independence Day
Jan 1 :
International New Year
Jan 7 : Victory
over Khmer Rouges
Mar 8 :
International Women Day
May 1 :
International Labor Day
Jun 18 :
Queen’s birthday
Oct 30- Nov 1 :
King’s birthday
Tipping
Tipping is not
obligatory in Cambodia, but is nonetheless widely practiced in hotels and restaurants in
addition to the service charges shown on bills. (Porters, 1,000 Riels per bag.)
Airport tax
US$ 20 per
international passenger for flights from Phnom Penh, US$ 8 per international passenger for
flights from Siem Riep and US$ 10 per domestic passenger for flights from Phnom Penh and
US$ 4 per passenger for domestic passenger from all other airports.
Business hours : GMT + 7 hours
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