Central America Travel

Adventure Travel with the Green Tortoise Bus Company Reservations & General Info Trips, Dates & Prices Links, Photos & Chat Boards Green Tortoise Hostels Company Info Search Home Page & Site Info Hello! The menu links at top will not work because you either have Style Sheets turned off in your preferences, or you are using a very old web browser version. Please move around the site by using the site directory at the bottom of this page. Please consider upgrading to a more recent version of your browser if necessary. - GT Webmaster The above menus will not work because you have Javascript turned off. Please use the site directory page or Adventures & Destinations clickable map to move around the site. plus, check out our brand new Gold Coast Loop ! About us Featured Adventure Trips Subscribe to our newsletter Request a print catalog Featured trip: Burning Man Festival -- Sign our Guest Map ... show us where you're from! new! Site map Chat room new! -- Green Tortoise Adventure Travel began over 30 years ago, with one sturdy bus and the realization that beautiful places, great food, and sociable people were the only essentials for gratifying travel experiences. Since then, over 500,000 people have traveled with us, including many repeat riders from all over the world. Enjoy the beauty, excitement, and inspiration of North and Central America aboard our " stretch-out-and-sleep " coaches. Our sleeper coaches are unique, with names and lots of character. Our happy passengers sleep lying down on converted platforms and bunk beds. In the morning, we arrive somewhere incredible! By day we swim, explore caves, climb mountains, raft downstream, stand under waterfalls, walk through forests, build camp-fires, visit towns, meet people, or just plain take it easy. You're welcome to join the adventure, friends and fun. The settings are the best national parks, beaches, deserts, forests, hot springs, mountains, and waterfalls. There's nothing else like the Green Tortoise—even a short ride on the Green Tortoise is a vacation . . . the longer trips will become lifelong memories. Above: "...What Now?" Black Rock Desert, NV. ©1997 Mike K . Used by permission. Arches Nat'l Park photo: ©2000 Sacha Schrier. Used by permission. We occasionally send out information about new trips, specials and other information by email to people who request it, via our newsletter group on YahooGroups. To receive these newsletters, you can subscribe to our YahooGroups list by submitting your email address here: You can also subscribe by simply sending a blank email to GreenTortoiseNewsletter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com , then reply to the confirmation email they send. Your email address will be kept completely confidential and only used for our periodic mailings. It will not ever be sold or given away, in accordance with YahooGroups' privacy policy . (Note: If you have a Hotmail account, you need to add GreenTortoiseNewsletter@yahoogroups.com to your Mailing Lists on your Options screen in Hotmail so the newsletters don't go into your Junk Mail folder.) About our catalog... Our full-color catalog contains the same information as this website. If you would like to order a free copy or have one sent to a friend, please use our online catalog request form or call us . Don't trust computers! Your intrepid webmaster does his best to keep our website updated with the most current information available - but in this ever-changing world in which we live in, you can never be too sure. All information on this website is subject to change without notice - please call us to confirm anything you read here before you make travel plans based on it! Even a short ride on the Green Tortoise is a vacation, and the longer adventures will become life-long memories. As we like to say, the Green Tortoise is Back to top Site map Terms and conditions Reservations/general info: tortoise greentortoise.com Technical/internet-related issues: webmaster greentortoise.com ©2003 Green Tortoise Adventure Travel Adventure Travel home - text-only version Hello! You are seeing the site directory below because you either have Javascript and Style Sheets turned off in your preferences, or you are using a very old web browser version (probably either Internet Explorer 3, or Netscape 4.74 or earlier.) You can continue to use the site like this if you wish, but please consider either turning these features on if they are off, or downloading more up-to-date web browser versions. Site Directory Reservations & General Info How to Make A Reservation This is it! Before you reserve How to make your reservation Reservation form Cancellations, credit card policy & fee, general copy of release Cancellantion policy Credit card policy General release form (html or PDF) Yes, we do Charters ! Charter information and online quote request form Traveling by Tortoise : about our food and sleeper coaches About our food About our sleeper coaches Why NOT Green Tortoise Is our style of travel for you? Read me! Frequently asked questions Our Frequent Crawler club : repeat riders get free trips Children riding the Tortoise: Our policies and advice on child passengers Our policy on children Thoughts about traveling on Green Tortoise with a young child, by a parent of a young Tortoise traveler Directions to our office, departure points and hostels Our Address, phone number and email Directions to our San Francisco Office and Hostel, and to our San Francisco bus departures Directions to our Seattle hostel Trips, Dates & Prices All Trip dates and fares listed by Trip name All Trip dates and fares month-by-month listing of departure dates Adventures & Destinations clickable map Alaskan Expedition Alaska Loop Burning Man Festival Best Of The West Canyons Of The West Cross Country Northern Crossing eastbound Cross Country Northern Dream westbound Cross Country Southern Crossing eastbound Cross Country Southern Dream westbound Death Valley National Park Hostel Hopper round-trip shuttle to LA, Las Vegas, Yosemite, and San Francisco -- Mardi Gras National Parks Loop Northeast Loop Northern Pioneer Northwest Loop Pacific Trek Southeast Loop Southwest Loop Western Trail Yosemite National Park Three day Yosemite trips (June thru October) Two day weekend trips (April thru September) Baja Beach Daze / Whale Watching Baja Beach Daze 9 or 15 day adventure trips Baja Beach Whale Watching adventure trip Baja Beach "Fly In" trip Costa Rica (Costa Rica Loop / Costa-Nica / Panama Carnaval) Costa Rica Loop adventure trip Costa Rica/Nicaragua Loop adventure trip Carnaval trip: Costa Rica/Panama Gold Coast Loop Maya Dream Weeks : Yucatan Explorer, Caribbean Cruiser, Jungle Boogie, La Ruta Maya, Tropical Trek, and The Whole Enchilada Maya Trail Pyramids & Playas new! Southern Migration San Francisco to Cancun Check out our current Featured Adventure Trips Last Minute Specials Tell us what you thought! Links, Photos & Chat Boards Fellow Travelers : other sites about Green Tortoise, by passengers and friends Our online Photo Gallery Link to us! free link graphics and text for your web pages Pleased to meetcha! Meet our drivers, naturalists and office staff Meet our drivers Meet our naturalists Meet our office staff Friends Of The Tortoise: Other links of interest to Green Tortoise travelers Tortoise2Tortoise A community bulletin board Tortoise Tales Now it's your turn to talk! Our GuestMap : show us where you're from, and meet our other website visitors! new! Hostels Green Tortoise San Francisco Guesthouse home page Green Tortoise Seattle Hostel home page Online Booking information reserve your hostel bed from our website Company Info Green Tortoise Adventure Travel 494 Broadway San Francisco, CA 94133 USA US (outside SF Bay area) and Canada: 1-800-TORTOISE (1-800-867-8647) Bay Area & Worldwide: 415-956-7500 email: tortoise greentortoise com Website & technical issues only: webmaster greentortoise com San Francisco Hostel: 415-834-1000 Email: hostel greentortoise com Seattle Green Tortoise Hostel : 1-888-4-A-Hostel Email: info greentortoise net Employment Opportunities with our company Join a legend! 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FRANCE TRAVEL & TOURS:

France Travel, Tours & Travelguides FRANCE Places to Stay in France France Tours & Travel Attractions, Culture, and more... FRANCE HOME FRANCE TOURS & TRAVEL FRANCE SIGHT-SEEING, TOURS & TRAVEL France is one of the most popular destinations for travellers in Continental Europe, boasting dozens of major tourist attractions. The country is renowned for its gastronomy (particularly wines and cheeses), history, culture and fashion. FRANCE TRAVEL & TOURS: PARIS TOURS: Paris Sight-Seeing Tours , Day Trips from Paris , Paris at Night Tours , Paris Transfers , SOUTH OF FRANCE TOURS: Arles Tours , Avignon Tours , Nice Tours , PARIS SIGHT-SEEING, TOURS, CRUISES, DINNERS, SHOWS AND TRAVEL Paris Sight-Seeing Tours When you dream of Paris do you imagine the Eiffel Tower, gastronomic delights, the Louvre's artistic treasures and the legendary Notre-Dame Cathedral? If so, these tours combines them all, including a cruise on the Seine and much more ... PARIS SIGHTS, TOURS, CRUISES & MORE: Paris Sight-Seeing Tours , Day Trips from Paris , Paris at Night Tours , Paris Transfers , SOUTHERN FRANCE SIGHT-SEEING, TRAVEL AND TOURS Avignon Tours & Travel Avignon is known as the European city of culture! Plunge into the heart of the history of City of the Popes! Discover the legendary monuments of Saint Benezet Bridge (the famous Pont d'Avignon) and the Popes' Palace. Experience local wine tasting in the Popes' Palace cellar ... AVIGNON TOURS: Avignon Sight-Seeing Tours , Avignon Night Tours , Day Trips from Avignon , Arles Tours & Travel Important remains of Roman times in beautiful Arles include the ancient theater, the arena or amphitheater, and the Alyscamps. They have been listed as World Heritage Sites since 1981. The Church of St. Trophime, formerly a cathedral, is a major work of Romanesque architecture ... ARLES TOURS: Arles Sight-Seeing Tours , Day-Trips from Arles , Nice Tours & Travel Discover the history and the treasures of Nice . Experience the pleasures of so many great stops including Castle Park, Matisse Museum, the flower markets in Cours Saleya, the Roman Arena of Cimiez, Garibaldi districts and the famous Promenade des Anglais. Enjoy a tasting of la Socca ... NICE TOURS: Nice Sight-Seeing Tours , Day-Trips from Nice , Nice at Night , Click here for hotels and resorts in France FRANCE HOME FRANCE TOURS & TRAVEL QUICK LINKS FOR FRANCE TRAVEL: PARIS TOURS: Paris Sight-Seeing Tours , Day Trips from Paris , Paris at Night Tours , Paris Transfers , SOUTH OF FRANCE: Arles Tours , Avignon Tours , Nice Tours , Images of France DRESS CODE IN FRANCE Dress codes are fast disappearing all over the country but very few French people will wear short pants in the city. Nobody will tell you anything, you will just be labeled as a tourist. Generally speaking, business casual dress code is sufficient in cities and in all but the most formal occasions. Beaches and swimming pools (in hotels) are used for getting a tan. Taking off your bra will not usually bring a stir if you don't mind a bevy of oglers. Taking off the bottom part is reserved to designated nude beaches. People on beaches are usually not offended by a young boy or girl being dressed or undressed without covering. Most resort cities insist on your wearing a shirt when leaving the beach area. -- Top of Page | Places to Stay in France | Things to Do in France | Links | Site Map | Contact Us FRANCE Places to Stay in France France Tours & Travel Attractions, Culture, and more... France Travel Guides France Posters & Prints See Also: England Italy Spain

Russia Travel Guide @

russia travel vacation Russia Tourism Home World Tourism AfghanistanTourism - Albania Tourism - AlgeriaTourism - Andorra Tourism - AngolaTourism - Antigua and Barbuda Tourism - ArgentinaTourism - Armenia Tourism - AustraliaTourism - Austria Tourism - AzerbaijanTourism - Bahamas Tourism - BahrainTourism - Bangladesh Tourism - BarbadosTourism - Belarus Tourism - BelgiumTourism - Belize Tourism - BhutanTourism - Bolivia Tourism - Bosniaand Herzegovina Tourism - BotswanaTourism - Brazil Tourism - BritishVirgin Islands Tourism - BulgariaTourism - Cambodia Tourism - Canada Tourism - CaymanIslands Tourism - Chad Tourism - ChileTourism - China Tourism - ColombiaTourism - Comoros Tourism - CroatiaTourism - Cuba Tourism - CyprusTourism - Czech Republic Tourism - DominicaTourism - Dominican Republic Tourism - DenmarkTourism - Ecuador Tourism - EgyptTourism - El Salvador Tourism - EstoniaTourism - Ethiopia Tourism - FijiTourism - Finland Tourism - FranceTourism - Georgia Tourism - GermanyTourism - Ghana Tourism - GreeceTourism - Grenada Tourism - GuyanaTourism - Haiti Tourism - HondurasTourism - Hungary Tourism - IcelandTourism - India Tourism - IndonesiaTourism - Iraq Tourism - IranTourism - Ireland Tourism - IsraelTourism - Italy Tourism - IvoryCoast Tourism - JamaicaTourism - Japan Tourism - Jordan Tourism - KazakstanTourism - Kuwait Tourism - KyrgyzstanTourism - Laos Tourism - LatviaTourism - Lebanon Tourism - LibyaTourism - Lithuania Tourism - LuxembourgTourism - Madagascar Tourism - MaldivesTourism - Mauritania Tourism - MauritiusTourism - Mexico Tourism - MoldovaTourism - Mongolia Tourism - NepalTourism - Netherlands Tourism - NewZealand Tourism - Nicaragua Tourism - NigeriaTourism - North Korea Tourism - NorwayTourism - Oman Tourism - PakistanTourism - Panama Tourism - PapuaNew Guinea Tourism - Paraguay Tourism - PeruTourism - Philippines Tourism - PolandTourism - Portugal Tourism - QatarTourism - Romania Tourism - RussiaTourism - Saudi Arabia Tourism - SerbiaTourism - Seychelles Tourism - SingaporeTourism - Slovakia Tourism - SloveniaTourism - Somalia Tourism - SouthAfrica Tourism - South KoreaTourism - Spain Tourism - Sri Lanka Tourism - St.Kitts and Nevis Tourism - St. LuciaTourism - Sudan Tourism - Sweden Tourism - SwitzerlandTourism - Syria Tourism - TajikistanTourism - Thailand Tourism - Trinidadand Tobago Tourism - Turkey Tourism - TurkmenistanTourism - Turks and Caicos IslandsTourism - Uganda Tourism - United Arab Emirates Tourism - UnitedKingdom Tourism - United StatesTourism - Uruguay Tourism - Uzbekistan Tourism - VenezuelaTourism - Vietnam Tourism Due to the nature of the topic and the wide range of information available, in order to cover only a tiny bit of it properly, some of the websites included here may have a commercial element in addition to the excellent information they provide. Such inclusion does not constitute an endorsement of product or service by archaeolink.com. Sites are included for information value only. The number of sites available online for this topic is enormous. This site can not and does not index all travel resources for a country. These "tourism" pages are basically designed as a supplement to the Russia Social Studies links rather than for the avid business or pleasure traveler. For those of you for whom this "supplementary" material is not enough, the following does provide some idea of what is available online and will hopefully be a good starting point for a more serious search. IgoUgo: Russia Tourism, Things To Do In Russia __ You will find a series of journals written by real travelers giving their impressions and recommendations. - illustrated - From igougo.com - http://www.igougo.com/planning/journalRegion.asp?LocationID=269 Russia __ "Russia's political icons and ideologies may have tumbled but Churchill's 'riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma' remains an apt descriptive chestnut. Outsiders still have only a hazy grasp of daily life in Russia, and the unfolding effects of a deregulated market economy are surrounded by rumours of rampant crime and prostitution, relentless drug-trafficking, mile-long queues for nonexistent food and a general end-of-the-world aura." History, culture, statistics and more. - illustrated - From Lonely Planet - http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/russia/ Russia __ You will find important travel information for planning a trip to Russia. - From US Department of State - http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1006.html Russia tourism - Russia vacation reviews __ Wide ranging general interest page about Russian tourism including hotel recommendations, sights to see and things to do. - illustrated - From tripadvisor.com - http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g294459-Russia-Vacations.html Russia Travel Guide @ TravelNotes.org __ "...Russia, and its former union of soviet socialist republics, is still coming out of the cold. Find out more about Russia." - From TravelNotes.org - http://www.travelnotes.org/Europe/russia.htm The Russia Travel Official Guide __ You will find all you need to plan a business trip or vacation in Russia. - illustrated - From russia-travel.com - http://www.russia-travel.com/ Welcome to Russia __ Official travel guide to Russia. All you need to know to plan a trip to Russia for business or pleasure. From visa requirements till the time you wave good-by. - illustrated - From Russiatravel.com - http://www.russia-travel.com/ Web archaeolink.com Top of Page

European Vacation Rentals -

Europe Vacation Rentals Holiday Home Rentals in Europe at Global Home Exchange and Vacation Rentals home exchange home listings vacation rentals new & featured listings request information list your home European Vacation Rentals - Vacation Rentals in Europe Global Home Exchange and Vacation Home Rentals - A place to call home - A place to belong! Holiday HomeRentals in Europe EuropeVacation Rentals European holiday home rentalsand Europe luxury vacation home rentals. Bulgaria Troyan April to September Croatia Gorski Kotar Available all year England Central London Available all year Devon Available all year London November 2005 onwards London mid-June - September Wimbledon Available all year France Cannes Available all year Luberon July, August and first two weeks of September Nice Available all year Nice Available all year Paris Available all year Paris Available all year Paris Available all year Paris Available all year Pezenas Available all year Vailhauqus Summer Germany Siegen Available for the FIFA World Cup of Soccer and other dates Stuttgart Available from December 05 to July 06. Available for the FIFA World Cup of Soccer and other dates Greece Athens Central Available all year Athens Central Available all year Athens Schinias Available all year Limnos Beach Available all year Zakynthos Island May 2006 to October 2006 Ireland Dublin Ireland Available all year Limerick County Limerick Available all year Tralee County Kerry March, April, May, June, September Italy Abruzzo Available all year Bologna August 2006 Chianti Tuscany Available all year Este 30km from Padua Bed and Breakfast Available all year Florence Available all year Florence Available all year Lecce bed & breakfast Available all year Messina Available all year Milano Marittima Available all year Montagnola Senese Tuscany Available all year Ragusa Sicily Available all year Rome Available all year Rome Available all year Salerno Amalfi Available all year Salernno Available all year Salernno Bed and Breakfast Available all year Sarteano Tuscany Available all year Sciacca Sicily April 30 to October 31 2006 Siena Available all year Sirolo Riviera del Conero June July August 2006 Sorrento Coast Available all year Torino Winter Olympics vacation rental accommodation February and/or March 2006 Torino Winter Olympics vacation rental accommodation Feb 2006 Turin Italy Winter Olympics vacation rental accommodation Feb 2006 Turin Available all year and for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games Monaco Monte Carlo Available all year Monte Carlo Available all year Scotland Aberfoyle January 2006 onward Edinburgh Available all year Glasgow Available all year Spain Altea Alicante Available from January 1 to August 31 2006 Barcelona Available all year La Manga Available all year Lanzarote Canary Islands Available all year Costa del Sol Malaga Available all year Selville Available all year Villajoyosa Available all year Membership Promotion Our pre database very affordable promotional rate: 24 month listing only $20 Canadian or approximately $17 US, 14 Euros, 9 , 23 Au. That works out to less than $1 a month. There are no hidden fees, no taxes or any other charges. All listings are valid for 24 months Additional homes are half price for members wishing to list more than one home Members can win prizes and a scholarship that can be used by any member of your family from age 3 to 93. Expected launch date of our new data base is February 2006 or earlier Database driven website update This promotion ends after the launch of our new website Registeryour home View our growing collection of luxuryholiday & vacation home rentals throughout Europe and the worldwide. We feature luxury vacation rental homes, luxury villas, luxury apartments andhouses from around the world at LuxuryVacation Rentals Global Home Exchange & Vacation Rentals Global has been featured in the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal and many more worldwide publications

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