Air Travel

Airport timetables of Greece." CaptainChris Greek Air Travel News Airline News Greek Airlines Air Travel News Travel Tips Traveller's Tales Travel surveys Photo section Thessaloniki Airport timetable CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE COMMERCIAL WEB SITE OF CaptainChris C.2000 VirageNet A CaptainChris creation GREEK AIRLINE NEWS Philoxenia2000 Tourist Trade Fair November 2 to 5 in Thessaloniki, Greece at the Helexpo centre. In 10000sq meters, 530 stands from 16 countries with Turkey taking part for the first time. Aegean Airlines and Cronus Airlines had very good representation at the fair with good looking and informative stands. Cronus had several tickets that could be won in a simple competition. Olympic Airways had for the second year the best stand, they had a competition to, with several domestic tickets to be won, but the big attraction was a flight simulator on which you could try to take-off and land at Osaka's Kansai airport, with a choice of All Nippon 737, 767, 777 or 747 aircraft's. Axon Airlines, Galaxy Airways, Alitalia, Crossair and CSA Czech Airlines had a stand of their own, while several airlines were represented by their general sales agents or the tourist bureaus of their countries. Virgin Atlantic was present for the first time in Philoxenia, the airline was placed in a small part of the Aegean Airlines stand. Cyprus Airways, also present with their own stand every year, had a competition for a 4-day holiday in Cyprus for three pairs. Axon Airlines Axon Airlines has ordered four 50 seat Embraer ERJ145s. Deliveries are to take place during 2001. Axon is to return to Rome with a twice daily ERJ145 service next spring, while launching two new destinations to be operated with the new regional jets. Lyon and Strasbourg in France. Olympic Airways Group Olympic Airways has increased the number of domestic operated in Greece with the addition of one daily return from Athens to Thessaloniki, Chania, Kavala and Kerkyra, while at the same time upgraded ATR72 flights to 737-200 four times a week to Lemnos and once daily to Ioannina. On its international network the carrier added two flights per week from Athens to Istanbul now totalling at nine per week. Flights to Milan have been reduced to two, down from three, for the winter months. The airline discontinues flights to Riyadh, while increasing frequencies to the other remaining Saudi Arabia destination, Jeddah from two to five per week. A weekly service to Brussels has been added now totalling 11 flights a week. Olympic Aviation, the regional subsidiary of Olympic has upgraded the twice weekly service between Thessaloniki and Istanbul, Turkey from ATR72 to Boeing 717 aircraft, the regional carrier also launched a once weekly service between Heraklio and Larnaca, Cyprus. 11 Boeing 737-200 and 3 Airbus A300-605R have been fully refurbished, and now work starts on 13 Boeing 737-400s which should be completed by March of 2001. The refurbishment consists of changing the colours and materials used on carpeting, wallpaper, the plastic and foam rubber on passenger seats, seatbelts, wall coverings and flight attendants seats. All entranceways and other surfaces of the cabin have been upgraded. Cutting edge technology materials have been used with special aesthetic specifications. Part of the refurbishment is the installation of new Business Class seats in the Boeing 737 -200, -300 and -400 aircraft family. Convertible Leather seats that convert from a 3-3 layout to a more comfortable 2-3 layout and 35inches of seat pitch giving increased personal space. A spacious drinks table now separates two seats from each other. The seats also have footrests, adjustable headrests and backs that recline at a greater angle than before. Olympic Aviation is to add a third Boeing 717 aircraft this January. This aircraft is to based in Thessaloniki, where two more 717s are based and operated to Munich, Stuttgart, Istanbul, Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Paris and Larnaca. The third aircraft is to be used for the launch of new services to Rome and Tel Aviv. The carrier is also evaluating the possibility to re-launch services from Thessaloniki to Belgrade, Yugoslavia and launching new routes to Skopje, Macedonia and Sofia, Bulgaria. Higher costs because of the strong US Dollar and the continuing rise in fuel prices forced the carrier to rise its fares for the second time in one year by 10% on domestic routes only. Galaxy Airways Galaxy Airways is operating this winter with a single Boeing 737-500, while the carriers 737-400 is being returned to its lessor. The airline plans to lease two Boeing 737-400s at the beginning of next year and to add frequencies on existing routes. Galaxy discontinues flights from Preveza for the current winter season. Aegean Airlines Aegean Airlines is to add two ATR72-500s next spring to allow for the increasing of frequencies on some routes and to launch new destinations. Mykonos, Kos and Zakinthos are under consideration. The airline is to replace its three ATR72-100 with a similar number of upgraded ATR72-500 when the leases of these aircraft expire in two years time. The carrier is in talks with both SkyTeam and the Star Alliance with a possibility in joining either one of these alliances. Higher costs because of the strong US Dollar and the continuing rise in fuel prices forced the carrier to increased its fares by 12%. Cronus Airlines Cronus Airlines announced that by the summer of 2001 the company will add two more Boeing 737 aircrafts, one -300 and one -700, to its fleet of 6. 4 737-300 and 2 737-400s. The constantly expanding flight schedule of Cronus Airlines includes as from November 20 a new domestic destination, Mytilene which is to be served twice daily from Athens. New routes from Kavala are also launched and include a daily service to Athens, a second weekly flight to Stuttgart and a service to Cologne. Within the context of the continuous efforts made for the improvement of the services provided by the carrier, Cronus Club, a new business class has been launched. Passengers enjoy more space, priority on reservations, priority check-in and luggage collection, special transport service to the airport, weight allowance of 30Kgs, exquisite food served in flight! Soon special Airport lounges will be offered to Cronus Club passengers waiting for their flight in Athens, Heraklio, Thessaloniki and all international destinations. The airline is refurbishing the cabins of all its aircrafts and by March of 2001 all will have comfortable leather seats with leg room increased to 32 inches in Economy and 34 in Cronus Club, where the new seats will convert from 3-3 to 2-3 giving more elbow space to passengers. Cyprus Airways Cyprus Airways has announced that from next March it will add a fourth daily service between Larnaca and Athens and upgrade its three weekly flights to Thessaloniki to a daily operation. The carrier is soon to decide on a replacement aircraft for its four Airbus A310s. The A330-200 and the new Boeing 767-400 are more favourable. Cyprus Airways is also to add two or three 50-70 seat regional jets to its fleet in the near future to operate short haul routes to Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman, Damascus, Cairo and Rhodes. CSA-Czech Airlines CSA Czech Airlines which is the latest member of the SkyTeam Alliance announced that from next spring will operate a daily schedule from Prague to Athens, while its, until now, seasonal twice weekly flights to Thessaloniki will be operated year-round from next year. The carrier is also to replace its two Airbus A310s in the near future with the Boeing 767-400 being favoured as a convenient replacement. Crossair/Sabena Swissair subsidiary Crossair, is to double its frequencies between Zurich and Thessaloniki next spring with the addition of a mid day departure from Zurich and an afternoon departure from Thessaloniki. The carrier expressed the need for a more frequent schedule after experiencing very high load factors this last summer season. The current early morning departure from Thessaloniki connects in Zurich with Swissair's European and Intercontinental network and many passengers use this convenient service. Swissair's other subsidiary Sabena is to add a third daily service between Brussels and Athens. This new flight will depart Brussels in the evening and Athens early in the morning allowing easy connections to be made in Brussels to several destinations in America. Alitalia Alitalia, is continuing its second daily service from Thessaloniki to Milan citing increased demand especially for passengers wishing to transfer in Milan to Alitalia's European and International network. The airline previously used to operate this second daily flight only during the high summer season. In other Alitalia news, the airline has cut back on many flights citing low load factors and increased costs from strong US Dollar and increasing fuel prices. Flights to Bangkok, Sydney, Addis Ababa and Nairobi have been withdrawn, while cut-backs have been made to its short haul network also. Continental Airlines Continental Airlines announced that it is hoping to launch a daily service between New York Newark and Athens next Spring with brand new Boeing 767-400 equipment. The service will be operated with a smaller 767-200 in the winter months. British Airways British Airways Manager for Greece and Cyprus Mr. Vassilis Dallaris said that the airline plans to discontinue its daily service from London Gatwick to Athens currently operated by Boeing 737-400 aircraft and instead add a third daily 767 service from London Heathrow. This flight will depart Heathrow early in the morning and from Athens in the afternoon. These changes are to be made to satisfying increased demand for travel between Athens and London. While the competition is high with five airlines operating on the route, (British Airways, Olympic Airways, Cronus Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and EasyJet) and recent increased flights from Olympic Airways, the British carrier has managed to maintain its position on the market. In a question if British Airways plans to re-launch flights to Thessaloniki Mr. Dallaris said that he has proposed to the London Headquarters a daily nonstop flight which should depart from London in the evening staying overnight in Thessaloniki and depart in the morning for London allowing transit passengers from Greece to the USA and Canada to connect in either Heathrow or Gatwick. A decision is to be made soon. JAT-Yugoslav Airlines JAT-Yugoslav Airlines has ordered 8 Airbus A319 aircraft and is considering ordering a similar number of Airbus A320 aircrafts to replace its current fleet of 6 Boeing 727-200 and 7 Boeing 737-300s. The airline is also to decide on a replacement for its McDonnell Douglas DC10-30 long-haul aircraft now used only for a twice weekly service between Belgrade and Beijing. The Airbus A330-200 or -300 is favoured by the carrier and a need for two or three examples is being discussed. The airline wants to upgrade its flights to both Athens and Thessaloniki to a daily service, currently operated twice weekly with a 737-300 aircraft on a BEG-ATH-SKG-BEG routing. Iberia Iberia Airlines of Spain, plan to add a second daily service between Madrid and Athens from next Spring. This will be in addition to its daily Madrid-Barcelona-Athens service. The airline also intents to add Thessaloniki to its network with a daily service from Madrid. Maersk Air Maersk Air of Denmark, which has experienced high load factors this summer season with its daily Copenhagen-Athens 737-500 service, has launched a four weekly service to Cairo, Egypt and a trice weekly service to Istanbul, Turkey with Boeing 737-500 equipment. The airline is to change to a larger capacity 737-700 aircraft for its Athens schedule next spring and is evaluating the possibility of launching a service to Larnaca, Cyprus. Athens Airport Charges Many airlines have expressed their concern about the fact that landing and handling fees at the new Athens Airport E. Venizelos, which is to open next March, will be higher 100-200% compared with the current fees charged at Hellinikon Ariport. The airport company says that service levels at the new site will be better and the fees charged will be compatible with other airports in the region. The Greek Transport Minister Mr. Christos Verelis said that Greek tax payers have invested a lot of money into the project and they should get back their moneys as soon as possible. Istanbul Airport in Turkey, which has just opened a new state-of-the-art terminal is charging 10% lower than the current Athens Airport and authorities are more efficient with traffic rights. Istanbul has no plans to increase its tariffs. Larnaca Airport which is also expanding and upgrading its facilities charges the same as the current Athens Airport and has no plans to increase rates. It seems that the new Athens airport will have double or triple the fees charged by neighbouring airport hubs. Vernicos Aviation Vernicos Yachts Shipping SA announced the full takeover of KAL Aviation SA, a Greek airline company, for 2.1 billion drachmas, signalling its expansion into the airline industry. The new company, to be named Vernicos Aviation (VER-AVIA), is expected to present a turnover of 1.25 billion drachmas and net profits of 100 million drachmas this year, with a forecast for a turnover of 1.65 billion and net profit of 300 million drachmas in 2001. KAL Aviation is the largest private light cargo airline in Greece, servicing the country's islands and has recently acquired a self-handling licence for the the new Athens airport at Spata. A Vernicos Yachts statement said the takeover was in the framework of a strategic plan of the company to transform into a holding company, covering sea tourism, air transport and shipping activities. The company plans to expand its aviation activities in the Middle East and the Balkans. The new company employs 60 people and has a fleet of four airplanes servicing 13 domestic destinations daily (including Larnaca, Cyprus). It has acquired traffic rights for flights to Tirana, Albania, and Belgrade, Serbia. Professor Christos Papageorgiou, a former Olympic Airways' chairman, was appointed president of Vernicos Aviation. Cretan Airways Konstantinos Badouvas, former Air Greece founder and chairman, announced that the new airline will finally launch operations December 1st with two 70 seat ATR72 aircraft's. The airline awaits its certificate and operations licence from the Greek CAA which has been delayed two times until now, Mr. Badouvas said to the "Patris" newspaper. The airline has started requiting personnel that is been trained to the highest standards. The two aircraft's have been painted and delivered to the airline's hub in Heraklio. First routes served by Cretan Airways will be Heraklio-Athens, Heraklio-Thessaloniki, Heraklio-Rhodes and Chania-Athens.

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Argentina Travel

Argentina Travel Guide and Destination Overview on Concierge.com Destinations USA + Canada > Europe > Caribbean > Latin America > Asia > Australia + Pacific > Middle East + Africa > See All > Ideas Beach + Island > Cruise > Culinary Travel > Global Style > Luxury > Romantic > Ski + Adventure > See All > Best Of Gold List > Readers' Choice Awards > Hot List Hotels > Hot List Tables > Hot List Nights > Ski Resorts > Top Spas > Gourmet Guide > See All > Tools Destination Finder > Hotel Finder > Forums > Travel Tips > Currency Converter > Maps > Photos > Weather > See All > Deals Booking > Travel Deals > See All > Destinations | Latin America | Latin America Condé Nast Traveler Read Condé Nast Traveler Subscribe to Condé Nast Traveler Articles > Lists > Travel Tips > Great Drives > Room With a View > Where Are You? Contest > Word Trips Contest > Subscribe > See All > forums argentina Buenos Aires Old-world elegance—magnificent... more Intro Map Fact Sheet Photos Why Go? 2 a.m. in Buenos Aires means the night's still young The best beef this side of Kobe Explore the Yungas Rainforest or Patagonia's peaks All argentina Guides Buenos Aires Buenos Aires Deals Parkland Intimacy in the Unspoiled Argentine Patagonia Victorian Influence in an Intimate Costa Rican Hideaway from CondéNast Traveler August 2005 Sixth Annual List: World's Most Amazing Travel Specialists The Perrin Rolodex of Champions: With their blend... May 2005 7 Best Places To Beat The Weak Dollar: Buenos Aires Why cut corners on the Continent when you can... From our Forums Share opinions, advice, and travel tales about Argentina Information may have changed since date of publication. Please confirm details with individual establishments before planning your trip. Subscribe Now And Save 78%! Subscribe Enter to win the Condé Nast Traveler Greek Paradise Sweepstakes Enter to win HOT TIPS Site Map | Contact Us | Contributors | Newsletters | Subscription Services | Press Center | Advertising Visit Our Sister Sites Concierge / Epicurious / Men.Style.com / Style.com / Allure / Architectural Digest / Cargo / Domino Glamour / House & Garden / Lucky / Self / Teen Vogue / The New Yorker / Vanity Fair / YM Subscribe to a magazine: View Special Offers View All Titles - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Allure Architectural Digest Bon Appétit Bride's Cargo Condé Nast Traveler Details Domino Elegant Bride Glamour Golf Digest Golf For Women Golf World Gourmet GQ House & Garden Jane Lucky Modern Bride Self Teen Vogue The New Yorker Vanity Fair Vogue W Wired Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy . Concierge.com © 2005 CondéNet Inc. All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of CondéNet Inc. For more information, please contact us . CHOOSE A DESTINATION Amalfi Coast Amsterdam Angkor Anguilla Antigua Antwerp Aspen Athens Atlanta Avignon Bahamas Baja California Balearic Islands Bali Bangkok Barbados Barcelona Bath Beijing Belize Bequia Berlin Bermuda Big Island Bologna Bombay Bordeaux Boston British Virgin Islands Brooklyn Brussels Budapest Buenos Aires Cairo Canadian Rockies Cancún Cape Town Capri Central Coast Chamonix Charleston Chicago Cilento Coast Colonial Williamsburg Copenhagen Costa Rica Côte d'Azur Cozumel Cyclades Dallas + Fort Worth Delhi Devon + Cornwall Dresden Dublin Dubrovnik Ecuador Edinburgh Fernie Alpine Resort Fez Fiji Florence Fort Lauderdale Fort Myers + Naples French Polynesia Garden Route Glasgow Goa Granada Great Barrier Reef Grenada Gulf Islands Hamburg Hamptons Hanoi Ho Chi Minh City Hong Kong Ionian Islands Israel Istanbul Italian Lakes Jackson Jamaica Kauai Kenya Key West Lake District Lanai Laos Las Vegas Lisbon Ljubljana Loire Valley London Los Angeles Luxor Madeira Madrid Malaysia Marrakesh Marseille Martha's Vineyard Maui Megève Melbourne Memphis + Graceland Mexico City Miami Milan Montréal Moscow Munich Mustique N. CA Wine Country New York City New Zealand Norfolk Northern Vermont Oahu Orlando + Disney World Oslo Pacific Coast Palm Beach Palm Springs Panama Paris Park City Peloponnese Peru Philadelphia Phoenix + Scottsdale Porto Prague Provence Puerto Rico Puglia Québec Rhodes Rio de Janeiro Rome Salzburg San Diego San Francisco San Miguel de Allende Santa Barbara Santa Fe Seattle Seville Shanghai Sicily St. Barths St. Lucia St. Moritz St. Petersburg Stockholm Sydney Tallinn Telluride Tokyo Toledo Toronto Trinidad + Tobago Turks + Caicos Tuscany U.S. Virgin Islands Vail Valencia Vancouver Venice Vienna Vieques Warsaw Washington D.C. Weimar Yucatán Zanzibar Zurich

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

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