Japan Travel

U.S. Commercial Service Japan: Travel and Tourism Sitemap BUYUSA.GOV -- U.S. Commercial Service Japan Local time: 07:42 AM Travel and Tourism Highlight Reports Japanese Outbound Travel Market Japan is the largest overseas travel market for the United States. In 2000, the number of Japanese outbound travelers totaled 17.8 million, an increase of 8.9 percent over the previous year. The U.S. is the most popular overseas destination for Japanese travelers, receiving more than 5 million Japanese travelers each year. The total market for Japan's international travel to the U.S. exceeded US$13 billion in 2000. Japanese Overseas School Travel Market In Japan, almost all schools including primary, junior, and senior high schools, both public and private, organize school trips for their students. Although most schools organize domestic excursions, the number of high schools that have been organizing overseas school trips is increasing. Useful Links International Trade Administration Tourism Industries Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) Japan Visit USA Committee Japan Association of Travel Agents CONTACTS Unit Chief: Joel Fischl Commercial Specialist: Yoko Hatano Home Focus on JAPAN, the World's Second-Largest Economy Exporting to East Asia & China Just Got Easier! How We Help U.S. Companies How We Help Japanese Companies Doing Business in Japan Country Commercial Guide Japanese Customs, Etiquette, and Culture Industry Highlights Public Comment Update Business Service Providers Useful Links FAQs Contact Us Our Worldwide Sites Other Asian Markets Export.gov Trade Portal 日本企業の皆様へ Search! Printable version Last updated 2004-01-21 © 2001-2005 All rights reserved Privacy Policy Disclaimer

European Vacation

Europe tourism - Europe vacation reviews - Europe vacations - TripAdvisor Europe vacations - Europe tourism Sign in • Sign up Home > Europe > Europe Tourism Europe tourism: Overview Hotels Attractions Forums Maps, etc. All Europe reviews Search (e.g., Boston hotels, Las Vegas, Paris art museum) Europe Europe Overview All Europe Reviews Europe Hotels Europe Attractions Europe Forums Europe Maps Europe Discount Hotels Europe Vacation Packages e-mail this page to a friend Popular cities Andalusia Hotels Austrian Alps Hotels Barcelona Hotels Berlin Hotels Bohemia Hotels Campania Hotels Catalonia Hotels Emilia-Romagna Hotels Florence Hotels French Riviera - Cote d'Azur Hotels Ile-de-France Hotels Lazio Hotels Lombardy Hotels London Hotels Madrid Hotels Madrid Hotels Majorca Hotels Milan Hotels Paris Hotels Prague Hotels Provence Hotels Rhone-Alpes Hotels Rome Hotels Sicily Hotels Swiss Alps Hotels Trentino-Alto Adige Hotels Tuscany Hotels Valencian Country Hotels Veneto Hotels Venice Hotels Read more Europe tourism Europe vacations - Europe tourism Where do you want to go today? Find all the best web-based write-ups and deals on your chosen destination. View map of Europe and choose your destination >> View all Europe hotels Europe Hotel Recommendations Other Destinations Find a great hotel based on web-wide popularity and coverage. Top-Rated hotels: Le Meridien Wien , Vienna, Austria Parkes Hotel , London, England, United Kingdom Coeur des Alpes , Zermatt, Valais, Swiss Alps, Switzerland Villa San Michele , Fiesole, Tuscany, Italy Locanda dell'Amorosa , Siena, Tuscany, Italy Casa Camper Hotel Barcelona , Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain Four Seasons Hotel George V , Paris, Ile-de-France, France Hotel Santa Maria , Rome, Lazio, Italy Foscari Palace , Venice, Veneto, Italy View all Europe hotels Top-Rated B&B: The Stuarts Bed and Breakfast , Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom View all Europe B&Bs Find top hotels by destination: Select your destination Albania Amsterdam Andorra Ankara Athens Austria Barcelona Bath Belarus Belfast Belgium Berlin Bosnia and Herzegovina Brussels Bulgaria Cappadocia Cotswolds Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Dublin Edinburgh Estonia Faroe Islands Finland Florence France French Alps French Riviera - Cote d'Azur Galway Germany Glasgow Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Istanbul Italy Lake Baikal Lake District Latvia Liechtenstein Lisbon Lithuania Loire Valley London Luxembourg Macedonia Malta Moldova Monaco Moscow Munich Norway Paris Poland Portugal Prague Provence Romania Rome Russia Serbia and Montenegro Slovakia Slovenia Sochi Spain St. Petersburg Stockholm Sweden Swiss Alps Switzerland The Netherlands Turkey Tuscany Ukraine United Kingdom Venice Vienna Popular Europe Destinations Check out these popular places: Albania Andorra Austria Vienna Belarus Belgium Brussels Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Prague Denmark Estonia Faroe Islands Finland France French Alps French Riviera - Cote d'Azur Loire Valley Paris Provence Germany Berlin Munich Greece Athens Hungary Iceland Ireland Dublin Galway Italy Florence Rome Tuscany Venice Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Malta Moldova Monaco Norway Poland Portugal Lisbon Romania Russia Lake Baikal Moscow Sochi St. Petersburg Serbia and Montenegro Slovakia Slovenia Spain Barcelona Sweden Stockholm Switzerland Swiss Alps The Netherlands Amsterdam Turkey Ankara Cappadocia Istanbul Ukraine United Kingdom Bath Belfast Cotswolds Edinburgh Glasgow Lake District London Europe Attractions Top Europe Attractions: Tower of London , London, England, United Kingdom Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel) , Paris, Ile-de-France, France Angel Tours , Rome, Lazio, Italy British Airways London Eye , London, England, United Kingdom Disneyland Paris , Marne-la-Vallee, Ile-de-France, France Musee du Louvre , Paris, Ile-de-France, France State Hermitage Museum and Winter Palace , St. Petersburg, North-West Russia, Russia Colosseum (Colosseo) , Rome, Lazio, Italy Anne Frank House (Anne Frankhuis) , Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands Tivoli Gardens , Copenhagen, Zealand, Denmark Click above or search for more attractions in your destination: Select your destination Albania Amsterdam Andorra Ankara Athens Austria Barcelona Bath Belarus Belfast Belgium Berlin Bosnia and Herzegovina Brussels Bulgaria Cappadocia Cotswolds Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Dublin Edinburgh Estonia Faroe Islands Finland Florence France French Alps French Riviera - Cote d'Azur Galway Germany Glasgow Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Istanbul Italy Lake Baikal Lake District Latvia Liechtenstein Lisbon Lithuania Loire Valley London Luxembourg Macedonia Malta Moldova Monaco Moscow Munich Norway Paris Poland Portugal Prague Provence Romania Rome Russia Serbia and Montenegro Slovakia Slovenia Sochi Spain St. Petersburg Stockholm Sweden Swiss Alps Switzerland The Netherlands Turkey Tuscany Ukraine United Kingdom Venice Vienna Europe Articles and Guidebooks From tips & tricks to rants & raves. Read the best sources and the most up-to-date reviews... "Take a two-city break," Sep 25, 2005 , timesonline.co.uk / Times Newspapers Ltd. "Europe Round-Up," TravelIntelligence.net "European Fast Train Destinations," TravelIntelligence.net Read all Europe reviews Europe Traveler Forums Travelers like you give candid advice on hotels and much more. Join the Discussion Best Way to See Europe??? (1 replies, 5:48 pm, yesterday) Pavlus Travel or affordabletravel.com (1 replies, 11:40 am, yesterday) New Years Eve in Munich (6 replies, 10:27 am, yesterday) Read all Europe discussions Post a new Europe topic Share Your Travel Savvy Epiphany: Spain or Italy? (no replies, 5:58 pm, yesterday) New Years in Munich (no replies, 12:45 pm, yesterday) European car hire/lease (no replies, 11:24 pm, Dec 09, 2005) Browse all Europe discussions About TripAdvisor TripAdvisor provides unbiased reviews, articles, recommendations and opinions on Europe vacations. 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Europe Travel

Europe Europe: EuroRegion.Net Your Region Listed! EuroRegion.Net Directory is looking for voluntary editors. Join our team, apply now! Submit your European page into EuroRegion.Net. Site tools Bookmark Us! Make EuroRegion Your Homepage Link to EuroRegion Explore Europe, Travel Europe! Tip of the week : Wooden Churches - Slovakia more.. Slovakia as a whole holds a unique treasury of various cultural sites representing various ages and architectural periods. Welcome to the united Europe , the region of the new century. The continent with heritage of acient cultures and unique nature, and recently outcoming single European market with more than 300 mil. citizens - happy, new made Europeans .. This site is dedicated to the idea of the united Europe ,but doesn't concern about the politics a lot. We pointed our attention to the European society and its culture, nature and commerce of the whole new "old continent". Indeed, not only information on the European Union is covered here - any European information can be found throughout our pages. These pages were created without the financial support of listed organizations, and are an independent source of information. Sub categories: Business and Economy Our business section covers information on the European financial and stock exchange markets, Euro currency, real estate and jobs in Europe, business student references. History Europe, history of history of European peoples and cultures from prehistoric times to the present. Maps, documents, genealogy, formation of European Union and much more. Maps Political, relief and road maps of the European continent, countries and regions. Regional All the information on Europe sorted by its geographical location: countries, regions, cities .. Transport Looking for travel schedules, airport, bus, train, taxi, or cableways .. or just fascinated by Eurostar? Travel Destinations Countries, regional information, places to visit, sights to see, favourite journeys, travel tips, where to party ..the best of Europe. Related pages: Travel Dictionaries Buy electronic pocket talkingdictionaries and translators for morethan 20 languages. Business translations Translation services. EuroTrip Backpacking, student and independent European travel - in depth. Editor: administrator © 2001-2003 EuroRegion Network, Strasbourg | Amsterdam | Slovakia | Bratislava | Malta | Rome © Translations by Business Translations

South America Travel Forum

South America Travel Forum on the Travoogle.com - Worldwide Travel Forum ~ probably the Web's favorite travel search engine ~ By participating in these forums you can earn free advertising! Click here for details. FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in South America Travel Forum Moderators: aaron , paul , Trev , axxiom , Dan , Red Tape , sunshine82 , Eurapart , georgep , GregW Users browsing this forum: None Goto page 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 Next Forum Index - South America Travel Forum Mark all topics read Topics Replies Author Views Last Post Sticky: [ Poll ] And the nominations for the South America Expert 2005 are... 3 aaron 526 Thu Dec 15, 2005 8:29 am thowra Sticky: A word of warning about advertising... 1 aaron 4222 Fri Apr 25, 2003 5:59 pm aaron need a place to stay in Rio? 1 locaindc 28 Wed Dec 28, 2005 1:07 am Red Tape i want to teach english in argentina, chile 2 Pete_ 637 Mon Dec 26, 2005 6:25 am andando Spanish courses 8 bwlamas 2146 Mon Dec 26, 2005 6:05 am andando South america.. backpacking.. language.. [ Goto page: 1 , 2 ] 17 Ryit 3731 Mon Dec 26, 2005 5:59 am andando Argentina 9 rjackf 927 Mon Dec 26, 2005 5:53 am andando Studies and accommodation in BA needed 3 hihihi 771 Mon Dec 26, 2005 1:02 am andando The safest and most dangerous countries in South America 12 JohnBoy1984 1500 Sat Dec 24, 2005 2:03 am adult-vacations [ Poll ] CYCLING SOUTH AMERICA 3 stuntmanjeff 1042 Thu Dec 15, 2005 8:49 am thowra Brazil: Low Fares and Mini-Air Pass for the Northeast 0 lagoaemar 194 Sun Dec 11, 2005 5:24 pm lagoaemar Lnaguages spoken in Argentina 3 Sidesplitter 413 Sat Dec 03, 2005 12:29 pm Sidesplitter Street Art in Buenos Aires, Argentina 0 frassinetti 175 Fri Dec 02, 2005 1:47 pm frassinetti Brazil: New low-tariff flight companies 0 lagoaemar 269 Tue Nov 22, 2005 1:32 am lagoaemar CCUSA's Work Brazil Scheme 1 beeee 251 Fri Nov 18, 2005 11:25 am beeee Sao Paulo - Looking for budget accomodation in 27th Nov... 0 carley 209 Thu Nov 17, 2005 8:13 pm carley Flights from Rio to Salvador 1 southam 454 Wed Nov 09, 2005 9:40 am paul Saquarema - Rio de Janeiro - Brasil 1 PHForever 325 Wed Nov 09, 2005 9:28 am paul Train / trip from Buenos Aires to Rio de jeneiro??? 1 southam 381 Tue Nov 08, 2005 1:11 pm Sidesplitter amazon jungle trek 4 spiderman2099uk 673 Mon Nov 07, 2005 9:57 pm spiderman2099uk Machu Picchu voted No.1 wonder of the world 0 paul 444 Fri Nov 04, 2005 10:59 am paul Brazil: Flight Rio - Salvador for 225 Reais 0 lagoaemar 495 Tue Nov 01, 2005 1:08 am lagoaemar Welcome to Per 1 Conociendo Per 513 Mon Oct 31, 2005 11:06 pm Sidesplitter Traveling To Paraguay 0 cbj 432 Mon Oct 31, 2005 12:35 am cbj Sex tourism in Brazil 10 aaron 12774 Fri Oct 28, 2005 11:06 pm paul Brazil trip concerns 2 Nigel_UK 983 Sat Oct 22, 2005 12:57 am Larry Aiello brazil first timer 3 lewis377 1028 Thu Oct 13, 2005 11:41 am Sidesplitter Teaching in Cuenca, Ecuador 0 Alyssabeth123 460 Wed Oct 12, 2005 11:11 pm Alyssabeth123 Learn Spanish in Cuzco Peru. 1 aqmaster 592 Tue Oct 11, 2005 3:16 pm paul Two way radios in South America 1 Wayne 670 Sun Oct 09, 2005 4:29 pm Sidesplitter Getting Married at the iguazu falls 3 J-Ro 1012 Tue Oct 04, 2005 8:24 pm Sidesplitter volunteer bolivia 1 pratzki 650 Mon Oct 03, 2005 6:20 pm Red Tape A few questions about Peru 0 gardkarlsen 632 Wed Sep 28, 2005 8:12 pm gardkarlsen Travelling to Buenos Aires 1 shahzad 694 Wed Sep 28, 2005 8:18 am paul Flights to Buenos Aires....Budget a Go Go?? 4 massivebigtoe 1061 Tue Sep 27, 2005 2:01 pm paul Lone female traveller 9 niamh 2406 Sun Sep 25, 2005 11:17 pm whereshegoes South America October 2005 9 jamy25 1667 Fri Sep 23, 2005 11:38 am Sidesplitter Going to Quito, want to teach English, need help. 4 Pete_ 1246 Tue Sep 20, 2005 2:50 pm Sidesplitter Volunteering 1 buttmunch 696 Mon Sep 12, 2005 8:42 am paul Spanish Language Schools Santiago 0 Glen 449 Sat Sep 03, 2005 11:22 am Glen South America in Sept 5 Joshila 2389 Thu Aug 25, 2005 7:50 pm sandy Love motel for pets 0 paul 620 Mon Aug 22, 2005 10:13 am paul My family offer accommodation at home in Lima - Peru 0 peruexplorer 599 Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:25 am peruexplorer Special Offers - Alternative to Brazil Airpass 0 lagoaemar 936 Sun Aug 07, 2005 12:40 am lagoaemar Warning against VARIG flights 0 lagoaemar 952 Sat Aug 06, 2005 10:34 pm lagoaemar Weather in Chile in July? 2 chapter11studios 1059 Fri Aug 05, 2005 2:23 pm chapter11studios Hilton hotel in Buenos Aires 0 paul 736 Thu Aug 04, 2005 8:32 am paul Have you been to the 'Valley of the Moon' in Chile? 4 chapter11studios 1225 Sun Jul 31, 2005 10:50 am Ginirover Florianopolis / Floripa - Brazil 1 redsand 1759 Sat Jul 30, 2005 6:40 pm ElPerroGrande Anywhere good between Rio and BA? 2 gazthornton 1057 Sat Jul 30, 2005 6:26 pm ElPerroGrande Display topics from previous: All Topics 1 Day 7 Days 2 Weeks 1 Month 3 Months 6 Months 1 Year Forum Index - South America Travel Forum All times are GMT Goto page 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 Next Page 1 of 7 Jump to: Select a forum CHECK-IN DESK ---------------- Introductions Forum General Chat Forum Travel News Forum ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES ---------------- Africa Travel Forum Asia Travel Forum Caribbean Travel Forum Central America and Mexico Travel Forum Europe - Eastern Europe Travel Forum Europe - Western Europe Travel Forum - UK & Ireland Europe - Western Europe Travel Forum - France, Spain and the rest... 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Asia Travel to assist

Travel Information of Vietnam Travel Information of Vietnam Map of Vietnam (50 KB) General Information | Climate & Weather Conditions | People and Culture Local Customs | Currency | Things to Know | Visas & Passport | Customs Regulations Travel to the Country | Travel within the Country | Sightseeing | Dining and Drinking Entertainment | Useful Phrases 1. GENERAL INFORMATION Vietnam borders with China in the north, Laos and Kampuchea in the West, and the Pacific Ocean in the east. Its lies in the centre of South-East Asia. Vietnam's territory stretches from Lung Cu village (Ha Tuyen province) in the north to Rach Tau hamlet (Minh Hai province) in the south. It is a S-shaped pennisula, with thousands of off-shore islands and archipelagoes; the biggest of which are the Hoang SA (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelagoes. Vietnam's mainland covers 331,689 square kilometres . According to archaeological discoveries made at Do Mountain, it is believed that life in Vietnam began as far back as 300,000 years ago. Officially, the history of Vietnam stretches back 4,000 years when it was founded by the Hung Kings. It was then named Van Lang. When speaking upon the history of Vietnam, it is important to note the large role played by the French in Vietnam. It began in 1858, when the French took over Danang in southern Vietnam. Over time, more and more territory was won over by the French. It wasn't until 1954, when the French surrendered to to the Viet Minh, ending the French Indochina War, that the French colonial control in Vietnam ended. The immediate image in the minds of most people at the mention of Vietnam is that of the war fought against the United States some twenty years ago. Most people think of the country only in terms of the American conflict in Indochina. The war ended nearly twenty years ago, and today, despite lingering signs of past American involvement, the situation in Vietnam is markedly different. People have finally begun to look at the country from another perspective, now that travelers and tourists from the West are being welcomed into what was once a forbidden country. It may take a bit more effort and tenacity to plan an excursion into Vietnam than it would for another Southeast Asian country, but Vietnam has much to offer in terms of culture and sights. Top 2. WEATHER CONDITIONS The weather in the southern part of Vietnam is tropical. It is monsoonal in the north, bringing a hot, rainy season from mid-May to mid-September and a warm, dry season from mid-October to mid-March. Occasional typhoons from May to January bring extensive flooding to the middle regions of Vietnam. Top 3. PEOPLE AND CULTURE The vast majority of the population is Vietnamese with minute percentages of Chinese. The Viet culture originated on the delta of the Red River and the Ma River where the Viet people cultivated paddy fields. They led a simple farming life in small villages, usually living around a communal house. Today the people living in the countryside follow this lifestyle. The Viet people are influenced by Confucianism, in particular the principle of respect for their elders. In spite of the immense suffering of the Vietnamese and the somewhat ruined state of the country, they are generally warm and friendly, and surprisingly, the Vietnamese bear little if any resentment or bitterness toward Americans. Children in the streets will commonly greet visitors with the name Lien Xo, which means Russian, but they will easily be corrected if you respond, "Hello!" or "Good morning" and explain you are an American, European or Australian, etc. Ethnic Groups: The country is predominantly 85-90% Vietnamese, 3% Chinese, ethnic minorities include Muong, Thai, Meo, Khmer, Man, Cham, and other mountain tribes. Languages: Vietnamese is the official language; French, Chinese, English, Khmer and tribal dialects (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian) are also spoken. Religion: Buddhist, Confucian, Taoist, Roman Catholic, indigenous beliefs, Islamic and Protestant. Top 4. LOCAL CUSTOMS Be firm, yet diplomatic when dealing with officials who will often be very rigid. In the case of misunderstanding, patience is the best policy. Small gifts such as cigarette lighters, pens, foreign cigarettes, liquor, perfume and even shampoo are greatly appreciated by anyone you wish to make friends with in Vietnam. Out of politeness, always ask permission before taking photos of people. The same rule of thumb also applies to photos taken in places of worship. Permission will almost always be granted. A gentle handshake is the most appropriate manner of greeting. Be very discrete about giving anything to beggars frequently encountered in Ho Chi Minh City. If anyone is seen giving handouts to a beggar, he or she may end up being pursued by a mob of other beggars. This does not help create a good image for foreigners; it gives them instead the reputation of being easy to hit up for money. Beware of pickpockets. Keep your ID and passport in a safe place and carry only photocopies of those items. Remove your shoes before entering Buddhist pagodas. Small donations placed in the boxes found in temples are appreciated. It is acceptable to keep your shoes on within Chinese pagodas. Never let the soles of your feet face other people or any sacred monument, such as a statue of Buddha. Top 5. CURRENCY The Dong (D) is the official currency in Vietnam. Exchange rate is approximatley 1 USD = 15,000 Dong (Sep 01) Bank notes currently in circulation are in denominations of 100 / 200 / 500 / 1,000 / 2,000 / 5,000 / 10,000 / 20,000 and 50,000 Dong Notes under 200 Dong have little value and are rarely used. The U.S. dollar is more or less a second currency in Vietnam. Other foreign currencies are not readily accepted. A large supply of US$1, US$5 and US$10 are almost essential for tipping, for small expenses and for hotel bills. U.S. money is so common that change will frequently be given in dollars. You may bring in an unlimited amount of foreign currency as long as it is declared on the forms provided by customs officers. Foreign currency can be exchanged for dong at your hotel or at the State Bank of Vietnam. Top 6. THINGS TO KNOW Population: About 78 Million People Capital: Hanoi Flag: The flag of Vietman is red with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center. Shop Hours: Shops run from 7 or 8am to 11 or 11:30pm. Some are open from 1 or 2pm to 4 or 5pm. Bank Hours: Most banks are opened from 7am or 8am to 11am or 11:30am Some are open from 1pm or 2pm to 4pm or 5pm. Holidays January 1 Solar New Year's Day January/February Tet (Tet Nguyen Dan). The most important Vietnamese annual festival. This marks the new lunar year and the advent of spring. This is a three-day holiday, usually at the end of January or the beginning of February (according to the solar calendar) February 3 Anniversary of the Foundation of the Communist Party of Vietnam April 30 Liberation Day, the day on which Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) fell to Hanoi in 1975. This holiday is commemorated nationwide. May 1 Labour Day May 19 Birthday of President Ho Chi Minh September 2 National Day of Vietnam Time: +7:00, Vietnam is 11 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and 14 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time. Tipping: Tipping is not customary in Vietnam, but it is enormously appreciated. A 5-10% tip for a meal is a very small amount of money, but to the average Vietnamese, it could easily equal a day's wages. Avoid tipping too much, as it will set a precedent for others. Restaurants: Government-run restaurants catering to tourists add a 10% service charge to the bill. Porters: Porters, if they are available, can be tipped with American coins. Hotel maids: Government-run hotels catering to tourists charge an automatic 10% service fee. Taxis: Generous tips are not necessary. A small gratuity, however, is expected by cab drivers. Top 7. VISAS AND PASSPORT Passports and visas are required for entry into Vietnam. The best place to obtain a visa for Vietnam is Bangkok. The visa will specify where you will be arriving and where you will be leaving, in addition to how long you can stay. Formerly, tours had to be booked to obtain a visa, but this is no longer the situation. Potential visitors to Vietnam must fill out three applications for entry and exit visas, accompanied by three passport photos 4cm x 6cm. One of the applications must be sent to the most convenient diplomatic or consular mission of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The other two applications/photos are carried with you and handed in at the first point of entry. If you require Asia Travel to assist you in the application, please send an email with the following information to:asiatrav@asiatravel.com: Surname and first name Date and place of birth Nationality Present place of residence Profession Time and point of entry and exit Some Embassies of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Australia 6 Timbarra Crescent O'Malley ACT 2603 Tel (062) 866059 France 62, rue Boileau 75016 Paris Tel 4524-5063 or 4527-6255 Mexico Sierra Ventana 255 11000 Mexico, DF Tel 540-1612 Thailand 83/1 Wireless Road Bankok Tel (02) 251-7201 United Kingdom 12-14 Victoria Road London W8 5RD Tel 937-1912 Top 8. CUSTOMS REGULATIONS Duty-Free Items Visitors may import 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco, 1 liter of wine, 1 liter of liquor and an unlimited amount of film. Commercial goods and items of high value being taken out of Vietnam require export permits from the Customs Service. Antiques may be confiscated permanently. No local currency may be taken out of the country. The Customs Service Headquarters 21 Ton Duc Thang St. Ho Chi Minh City Tel 90095 Top 9. TRAVEL TO THE COUNTRY Airports Noi Bai International Airport H anoi Tan Son Nhat Airport Ho Chi Minh City Fares are significantly lower for those flying to Ho Chi Minh City. Although flights are available from the capitals of most Southeast Asian countries as well as from Sydney and Melbourne, the best place is from Bangkok as visas are easiest to obtain there. Airlines Vietnam Airlines (International) 116-118 Nguyen Hue Blvd. Ho Chi Minh City Tel (08) 292118 Vietnam Airlines (Domestic) 27b Nguyen Dinh Chieu St. Ho Chi Minh City Tel (08) 299980 Air France Dong Khoi and Le Loi St. (Caravelle Hotel) Ho Chi Minh City Tel (08) 241278 Aeroflot 4H Le Loi St. Ho Chi Minh City Tel (08) 93489 Thai Airways 116 Nguyen Hue Blvd. Ho Chi Minh City Tel (08) 292118 Philippine Airlines Ho Chi Minh City Tel (08) 292200 MAS 116 Nguyen Hue Blvd. Ho Chi Minh City Tel (08) 30695 Trains There are currently no train lines running between Vietnam and its neighboring countries. Buses Traveling by road from Cambodia is a slow and expensive alternative to flying. It is highly advisable that travelers fly in instead. Ships and Ferries There are no official passenger services. Travelers may be able to ride on a cargo ship to Ho Chi Minh City, Danang or Haiphong from Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Singapore and France. Check with the local shipping and travel agencies for rates and availability. A ferry service runs from Cambodia to Chau Doc in the Mekong Delta. Top 10. TRAVEL WITHIN THE COUNTRY Cars Car rentals are currently not in existence. Cabs, which are unmarked cars without meters, can typically be rented for the day for US$30 to US$40. Trains The Vietnamese railway system runs from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi along the coast and links with Haiphong and the regions further north. Odd-numbered trains travel South, and even-numbered trains travel north. The fastest trains take at least 36 hours from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. Reservations should be made a day or more in advance. The major setback to the railways is that tourists are charged many times more than Vietnamese people in the form of an outrageously high surcharge. For long distance traveling, it is best to fly. Buses The bus system runs almost everywhere within the country, with stations built around the country dividing the territory into regions. Buses tend to be slow and unreliable. Top 11. SIGHTSEEING Ho Chi Minh City This is the largest city in Vietnam. It is the industrial, commercial and cultural center of the country. The central city area is still called Saigon. WAR CRIME MUSEUM This museum exhibit crimes committed by the Americans during the war. Photographs of the famous My Lai massacre, human embryos, genetically deformed babies and innocent civilians being tortured can be seen on display. An array of US armored vehicles, artillery pieces, bombs and infantry weapons are displayed in the courtyard. You can also see a guillotine used by the French to de itate troublemakers in the riots of the 1920s and a model of the famous tiger cages used by the South Vietnamese to house VC prisoners on Con Son island. The War Crime Museum basically reveals a different side of the stories about wars - the innocent victims of modern warfare. HISTORICAL MUSEUM Built in 1929 by the Societe des Etudes Indochinioses, it was formerly named Blanchard dels Brosse. A big statute of President HoChiMinh stands in the main lounge of the museum. The museum has an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the primitive age, bronze age, the Tran dynasty and the Le Dynasty. Take a look at the array of musical instrument especially the special monocord of the one string musical instruments. There are many valuable relics taken from Cambodia's Angkor Wat. REUNIFICATION PALACE In 1868, the Norodom Palace (original name) was built for the French Governor-General of Indochina. A striking modern architecture was built when the original buildings were damaged by bombs. Rebuilt in 1962, it comprises of a ground floor, 3 main floors, two mezzanines and a terrace for helicopter landing. The palace includes many tastefully decorated rooms such as the reception room, the cabinet reference room, the study rooms, the credentials presentation room and the banquet room. It also has a basement with a network of tunnels connecting to the telecom centre and war room and one of the longest tunnels which stretch all the way to the Revolutionary Museum. The grounds outside contain one of the first tanks to burst through the gates of the palace to signify the end of the Vietnam War as well as the fighter plane which dropped further bombs towards the end of the war. Independence Palace was renamed the Unification Palace to denote the spirit and strong will for national independence and reunification Ben Thanh Market The Ben Thanh Market, formerly the main railway terminal, is the largest of the markets scattered throughout the city. A wide variety of goods are available, from imported electronics to imported perfumes. Notre Dame Cathedral This Catholic church was constructed in 1883 and is located near the Tu Do (Dong Khoi) Street, the former red-light district. Presidential Palace This building is now called the Reunification Hall. The center was built as a modern administration center and is where the war and the American involvement in Vietnam ended in April 1975, with tanks invading the compound. Guided tours will take visitors through the various rooms within the complex. Cholon Ho Chi Minh City's Chinatown. Sights include the Binh Tay Market, the An Quang Pagoda (District 5) and the scenic Thien Hau Temple. Vinh Nghiem Pagoda A modern Japanese-style Buddhist temple, easily one of the largest and most impressive in Ho Chi Minh City. Tay Ninh Cu Chi Tunnels An extensive network of nearly 200 miles (322mi) of Viet Cong tunnels used in the French Indochina war and American war. The tunnels have complete facilities, from kitchens to printing presses and even street signs, all of which were used to aid the NLF (National Liberation Front) military. Tours involve a description of the tunnels, after which tourists are allowed to crawl about the maze. Located in Tay Ninh (suburb of Ho Chi Minh City), 24 miles (39km) northwest of central Ho Chi Minh City. CAO DAI TEMPLE Cao Daism seeks to create the ultimate religion by fusing Buddhist, Taoist, Confucianist and Catholic beliefs into a synthesis of its own. Witness the solemn ceremony of the unique religion - Caodaism at Caodai Holly See at its noon tide prayer service with followers dressed in red, blue, yellow and white robes. There is the divine eye above the altar, the religion's official symbol. The temple has nine levels which signify the nine steps to heaven, each level marked by a pair of multicoloured dragons. MEKONG DELTA One of the world's largest delta, the Delta Region is formed by the various tributaries of the mighty Mekong River which begins its journey to the sea in Tibet and winds its way for 4500 km through China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Southern Vietnam. The vietnamese name for the Mekong is Cuu Long which means "nine dragons" and this is represented by the nine exit points of the Mekong River as it flows into the sea. The land of the Mekong Delta is renowned for its richness. Known as Vietnam's breadbasket, it produces enough rice to feed the entire country with a sizeable surplus leftover. Take a sampan ride that meanders through small villages and experience the simple lives of the Mekong people Vung Tau Beach Located at the mouth of the Saigon River is the popular Vung Tau beach resort. Pineapple Beach is probably the most pleasant, with its villas and generally tranquil atmosphere. The temples are a definite must-see. The Niet Ban Tinh Xa is the largest temple in Vietnam. Tourist accommodations are available at the Hoa Binh Hotel, as well as the Thang Loi, Thang Thai and Tho Nguyet. Nha Trang The central region near Nha Trang features some of the most beautiful beaches in Asia. The ocean waters are transparent, and the sands immaculate, attracting more and more visitors in recent times. Tours cover the Cham Ponagar complex, the north tower of which was built in 817 A.D. Ruins of the long-deceased Champa still stand as a testament to this once prominent kingdom. Dalat The mountain resort among the Central Highlands has scenic surroundings as well as remnants of the French colonial era. The Ethnic Minority Museum is certainly worth visiting for those interested in the costumes, gongs, ornaments and other artifacts collected by locals from the Lam Dong province. As another point of interest, there is even an old abandoned nuclear power plant. Danang City Known as Tourane under the French, Danang is a seaport of endless stretches of unspoiled sandy beach midway between Ha Noi to the north and Ho Chi Minh City to the South. The city was also the center of civilization of the Champa Kingdom, a kingdom which flourished In the area as early as the 2nd century A.D. Appealing stone sculptures (from the 4th-14th centuries) of Vishnu , Shiva and other Gods of this Kingdom can still be found in the Cham museum located in the center of the city Towards the coast south of Danang are five large hills known as the Marble Mountain. Mysterious caves within the mountains shelter altars delicated to Buddha, Bodhisattvas and The different genies arising from the popular beliefs of the area's inhabitants. With its own international and domestic airport, Danang provides an ideal stopover based for excursions to the ancient town of Hoi An, the imperial city of Hue and My Son-site of the Ruins from the Cham civilization. Cham Ruins For those interested in seeing all that these fifteen towers have to offer, plan on spending a minimum of one day. These towers are located at My Son in the Duy Xuyen district. Cham Museum The Cham Museum built in 1915, expanded in 1935 , completed in 1936, is in a lovely setting And has large, open well lighted rooms with around 296 statues and artifacts of the Cham People dated back to the 7th century. Marble Mountains Consisting of five limestone peaks, about five (8km) miles south of town. They can be explored by following the paths leading to the peaks. Non Nuoc Beach China Beach, one the most wonderful beaches of Vietnam , was once an in country rest and Recreation centre for the US military during the Vietnam War. Hoi An Ancient Town Forty-five minutes by land south-east of Da Nang is the ancient town of Hoi An, which was one of the most important trading ports in Southeast Asia for merchants from China, Japan and afar for a couple of centuries ago. Originally a seaport in the Champa Kingdom, by the 15th century It had become a coastal town under the Tran dynasty. Also served as the hub of East-West c ultural exchange, Hoi An's ancient past is superbly preserved in its fascinating temples, pagoda, shop houses and home which make up the town's old quarter. Walking in the streets of this ancient town, one can observe the influence of the architecture, Sculpture and decorative styles of China and Japan and the skill of former Vietnamese architects Who have absorbed their influences and created something similar yet somehow uniquely different. HUE Hue, the imperial city, the citadel-city of Phu Xuan was originally built up during the end of 17th Century and became a political capital as well as the Imperial City of Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 till 2nd September 1945 when the Communist Party, leaded by President Ho Chi Minh had declared the Independent of the Nation and took over the power from the defeated Japanese Governor. Nowadays, this small & poetical city of 280.000 habitants becomes one of the main tourism site of Vietnam destination by its splendid tombs of the Nguyen emperors, several notable pagodas especially the Thien Mu Pagoda, the remains of Citadel as well as the romantic Perfume River where a cruise tour with Hue music performance in the moonlight was always provided since long time ago. Normally, visiting Hue within a day is a bit rush but still enough time to cover the main attractive sites such as The Citadel, The museum of antique, the tombs of Khai Dinh and Tu Duc emperors and a 02 hours cruise with stop over at Thien Mu pagoda. Citadel & Forbidden City This forbidden city of 10km. perimeter has 4 main entrance gates and well defended by kilometers of rampart was built in 1804 by the first emperor Nguyen Anh on a site chosen by geomancers and look likes a Chinese forbidden city in Beijin. Some parts of this forbidden city were totally destroyed during the war where now are under reconstruction providing UNESCO & Japanese non-government associations' fund. Lucky thing is most of the main area such as the citadel (the Imperial Enclosure), Flag Tower were remain intact where received hundred of visitors daily. The Museum of Antique (Imperial museum) This beautiful hall which house the Imperial Museum was built in 1845. The most precious artefacts were lost during the war (1954-1973) and the liberation day (1975) but ceramics, furniture and royal relics are remain until the present time. Khai Dinh Emperor's Tomb This is the final monument of the Nguyen Dynasty. The complex features ceiling murals, frescoes and a dragon staircase. Located on the slopes of the Chau E Mountain, six miles (10km) south of town. It takes almost 10 years (1920-1931) to finish this grandiose concrete tomb which is completely unlike the others tombs where there was a mixture of typical Vietnamese & French colonial architecture. After climbing 36 steps passing by rows of elephants, horses, civil & military mandarin you will be reached the main building where a full original artefacts are displayed to the public. Tu Duc Emperor's Tomb The most impressive of the tombs and pagodas at Hue. Located at the tributaries of the Perfume River, seven miles (11km) south of Hue, this complex has beautiful architecture, intricate decor and military statues. This majestic and serene tomb with lake view, grove of pines, temples, living house area is the most expensive tomb which was completely terminated after 5 years by thousands of labor-worker (1863-1868) for this intellectual-poet emperor. Minh Mang Emperor's Tomb The most impressive of the tombs and pagodas at Hue. Located at the tributaries of the Perfume River, seven miles (11km) south of Hue, this complex has beautiful architecture, intricate decor and military statues. Thien Mu Pagoda & Perfume River Cruise Unlike the typical boat used to provide in the past the present Hue cruise is providing a motorized boat which carry a 2 hours cruise along Perfume River including a 30 min stop over Thien Mu pagoda. This pagoda located on the hillock overlooking the Perfume River, built in 1844 by Thieu Tri emperor, 21m-high octagonal tower with seven-storey is one of the most famous structures in all over the country and become an unofficial symbol of Hue until now. Hanoi One Pillar Pagoda Built in the 11th century, this pagoda sits on a stone pillar in the middle of a pond. This is one of the more unusual structures in Vietnam. Lenin Park (Thong Nhat Park) Built over a former marsh, this park surrounds a large lake containing a statue of Lenin, often the object of jokes among the locals. The park itself is quite beautiful. Tran Nhan Tong Street. National Preserve of Cuc Phuong This national park is one of the last tropical primeval forest reserves on Earth. There are 64 species of fauna and thousands of species of flora, many of which are extinct everywhere else in the world. Bizarre and fascinating species of animals from flying lizards to monkeys dwell within the park's 61,000 acres. Caves and grottoes, where various artifacts have been discovered, are located in the mountains within. Ha Nam Ninh Province. It is located approximately 62 miles (100 Km.) southwest of Hanoi. Thu Le Park Located northwest of Hanoi in the Thu Le village. Haiphong Cat Ba This island is the largest in the Cat Ba archipelago. It is potentially one of the major beach destinations in Southeast Asia. This region has beautiful beaches and pristine waters. Within the mountains are caves and grottos. Located 36 miles (58km) east of Haiphong. Halong Bay One of Vietnam's most beautiful areas, Halong Bay has fascinating limestone formations, coves for nighttime excursions, sheer cliffs, grottoes, arches and scores of small islets. Top 12. DINING AND DRINKING Vietnamese food varies from region to region. Almost 500 traditional dishes have been recorded! Rice and noodles are staple foods, served with nearly all meals. The most popular dishes are nema rn (spring rolls), bn thang (noodles with sliced pork, eggs, shredded chicken and shrimp), shellfish steamed with ginger and sea crabs fried with salt. Among common ingredients used are: shark fin, duck, pork paste, fish, spices, fruits, vegetables, crab meat, lobster and oysters. Imported beer is available in Vietnam, although a number of domestic beers are brewed. Rice wine is very popular, and there are many brands available. There is a variety of fruit wines such as apricot, orange or lemon. Soft drinks are processed from the many varieties of tropical fruits available. Water from the tap should be avoided, even though it has already been filtered and sterilized at 10C. If you must drink it, boil the water first. Top 13. ENTERTAINMENT Vietnam is not the place to go for the latest in nightspots, but a number of large hotels have nightclubs and dance halls. Bars are fairly easy to find, even in smaller hotels. Try asking the locals for the current popular spots. Top 14. EMERGENCY NUMBERS Police: 03 Ho Chi Minh City Police Station 161 Nguyen Du, Quan 1 Tel 99398 or 97107 Open from 8am-11am and 1pm-4pm Hanoi Police Office for the Registration of Foreign Visitors 63 Tran Hung Dao, Hanoi All visitors must register with the police within 48 hours of arrival. If you are on a tour, this should have been taken care of (but check anyway). Fire Department: 08 First Aid: 05 International Dialing Access: Available at major tourist hotels and post offices Country Code: 84 City Codes: Hanoi: 04 / Ho Chi Minh: 08 When calling from within the same city, delete the city code from the number. When calling to another city from within Vietnam, use the entire city code. When calling from outside Vietnam, delete the first digit (0) from the city code. Top 16. USEFUL PHRASES Greetings - Chao ong (ba) How are you? - Ong (ba) co khoe khong? Fine, thanks - Cam on rat tot My name is ... - Tn ti l ... I don't understand - Ti khng hi Restaruant - nh hng Telephone - din thoai Hotel - khch san Top Asia Travel || Vietnam Hotels & Resorts