Useful information for visitors to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia
AIRPORT TAX
- VIETNAM International Flights: 12 USD (14 USD if from Hanoi)
Domestic Flights: None
- CAMBODIA International Flights: 20 USD from Phnom Penh/15 USD from Siem Reap
Domestic Flights: 5 USD from all airports
- LAOS International Flights: 10 USD
Domestic Flights: 1 USD
CLOTHING
Comfortable lightweight clothing in natural fabrics such as cotton is most suitable for travelling in Vietnam, , Cambodia & Laos. The dress code is fairly casual as in most parts of the tropics but it is advisable to cover arms and legs in the evenings against biting insects. A lightweight raincoat is a good idea in the rainy season. During the winter months warm clothing is needed for visiting the north of Vietnam and Laos. Visitors to Buddhist countries should not wear shorts, short skirts or other skimpy clothing when visiting religious buildings and shoes should be removed before entering a private home.
ELECTRICITY
VIETNAM Mainly 220V but in some areas 110V is also used.CAMBODIA 220VLAOS 220V in the towns and 110V in country areas.
FOOD
VIETNAM:
The cuisine of Vietnam comes as a pleasant surprise to many visitors and is definitely a part of the Vietnam experience not to be missed. one of the characteristics of Vietnamese food is that it is always fresh being bought the same morning straight from the market. Food is usually prepared with a minimum of oil and served with the ubiquitous fish sauce called nuoc mam. Typical Vietnamese dishes you can expect to try include pho, a type of rice noodle soup eaten for breakfast, cha gio, deep-fried spring rolls and goi ngo sen, a delicious salad made with lotus stems, shrimps and peanuts. Due to the strong Buddhist influence in Vietnam, vegetarian food is widely available.
CAMBODIA:
As in many Asian countries, the staple food of the Cambodian diet is rice. This is usually served with dried, salted fish, chicken, beef or pork. Fish is often fresh from Tonle Sap Lake and is eaten with a spicy peanut sauce called tuk trey. Popular dishes include sam chruk, a roll of sticky rice stuffed with soya bean and chopped pork, and amok, a soup of boneless fish with coconut and spices.
LAOS:
Lao cuisine has many similarities to Thai with lots of aromatic herbs and spices such as lemon grass, chillies, ginger and tamarind used to flavour dishes. Sticky rice, kao niao, is the main ingredient in Lao cuisine,
food usually served with fermented fish and a fish sauce similar to that used in Vietnamese cuisine called nam pa. Chicken and pork dishes are also popular but beef is expensive in comparison. Soups served with noodles, bamboo shoots and fresh vegetables can be found everywhere.
HEALTH
No vaccinations are required except for yellow fever if you are coming from an area where the disease is present. However visitors should be inoculated against typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A & B, tetanus and polio. Malaria is present in most of the region and it is advisable to take precautions especially if travelling off the beaten track. Medical facilities are rather limited in all countries and it is essential to take out a good medical insurance policy before travelling in case evacuation is needed.
HOURS OF BUSINESS
VIETNAM
Offices are usually open from Monday to Friday from 07:30 or 08:00 until 17:00 or 18:00 and often close for lunch between 11:30 and 13:00. Some offices also open Saturday morning. Shops open early and close any time between 18:00 and 22:00. Most shops are open 7 days a week.
CAMBODIA
Offices are usually open from Monday to Friday from 07:30 or 08:00 until 17:00 or 18:00 and often close for lunch between 12:00 and 14:00. Shops open early and close any time between 18:00 and 22:00. Most shops are open 7 days a week.
LAOS
Offices are usually open from Monday to Friday from 08:00 until 16:00 and often close for lunch between 12:00 and 14:00. Shops open from Monday to Saturday between 09:00 and 17:00 and some also open on Sunday.
LANGUAGE
VIETNAM
Because Vietnamese has six different tones, it is a difficult language for most foreigners to speak despite the fact that the Roman alphabet is used in modern Vietnamese. The same word can have six different meanings depending on the tone used to pronounce it. In the cities and larger towns English is becoming popular and is now spoken by many younger people while some of the older generation still speak fluent French. Russian and Chinese are also spoken by some people.
CAMBODIA
Cambodia's national language is called Khmer and unlike the other languages of the region is not a tonal language. The written script originated in southern India. As in other former French colonies the educated older generation often speak very good French while the younger generation prefer English. Outside the major centres of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap most people speak only Khmer.
LAOS
The national language of Laos is Lao, which is closely related to Thai and is spoken in many different dialects. Lao, like Thai, is a tonal language. French is still spoken by many government officials and educated members of the older generation but Thai and English are popular with younger people.
MONEY
VIETNAM
The currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong although US Dollars are accepted in many hotels, restaurants and shops. Banks are open Monday to Friday and some are open Saturday morning. In the major cities there are bureaux de change and most hotels will change US Dollars although for other currencies it is usually necessary to visit a bank. Travellers cheques can be exchanged at banks and some exchange bureaux but can be difficult to change outside of the major cities. Visa Card and Mastercard are now accepted in many hotels, restaurants and shops but US Dollars cash are still the most reliable form of money to carry. There are some ATM machines appearing now in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
CAMBODIA
The currency of Cambodia is called the Riel. There is however no need to change your currency into Riels as in common with most Asian countries US Dollars are accepted in many places and are used to pay for airline tickets, airport taxes, visa fees, hotel and restaurant bills. Banks are open Monday to Friday and Saturday morning, closing for lunch between 10:30 and 14:00. In the major cities there are bureaux de change and most hotels will change US Dollars although for other currencies it is usually necessary to visit a bank. Travellers cheques can be exchanged at banks and some hotels but can be difficult to change outside of the major cities. Visa Card and Mastercard are now accepted in many hotels, restaurants and shops in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. However, as in Vietnam, US Dollars cash are still the most reliable form of money to carry.
LAOS
The Kip is the currency unit of Laos. US Dollars and Thai Baht are also accepted in many places and are certainly more convenient to carry than great wads of the local currency. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 15:00. Travellers cheques can be exchanged at banks and some hotels in the major cities. Visa Card and Mastercard are now accepted at the larger hotels in Vientiane and Luang Prabang.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
VIETNAM
January 1st New Year's Day January/February
Tet or Vietnamese New Year. The actual dates vary from year to year according to the lunar calendar. Officially three days holiday but many businesses closedown for a full week. This is the busiest time of the year for travelling in Vietnam and hotels, flights and trains are often full.
- April 30th Liberation of Saigon
- DayMay 1 International Labour Day
- September 2nd National Day
CAMBODIA
- January 1 New Year's Day
- January 7 Vietnamese Liberation Day
- March 8 Women's Day
- April Khmer New Year (three days in mid-April)
- April 26 Visak Bochea Day
- April 30 Royal Ploughing Ceremony
- May 1 Labour Day
- June 1 Children's Day
- June 18 Queen's Birthday
- September 24 Constitution Day
- October 6-7 Pchoum Benh's Day
- October 23 Paris Peace Accords
- November 1 King Sihanouk's Birthday
- November 9 Independence Day
- November Water Festival (three days in mid-November)
- December 10 Human Rights Day
Cambodia Buddhism was reinstated as the national religion in the late 1980s having been banned, like all religions, under the reign of the Khmer Rouges. Nearly 95% of the population today are Buddhists with the remainder made up of Catholics, Muslims and Cao Dai followers.
LAOS
As in the neighbouring countries of Thailand, and Cambodia Theravada Buddhism is the dominant religion and saffron-robed monks are a common sight in Laos. There are also a small number of Catholics and Protestants
SHOPPING
VIETNAM
Souvenirs to look out for in Vietnam include lacquerware, silk, conical hats, woodcarvings, hill tribe fabrics and handicrafts, embroidery, marble, ceramics, silver jewellery, antique watches and paintings. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have the best choice when it comes to shopping but Hoi An in the centre of Vietnam is also a very good place to hunt for bargains.
CAMBODIA
Cambodia is known for good silverware, textiles, wooden sculpture and stone carvings. The two main centres of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are the best places to look for souvenirs. A uniquely Cambodian souvenir that many visitors like to take home is the checked scarf made of cotton or silk called the krama.
LAOS
The best buys in Laos are ethnic minority handicrafts and textiles. The Lao sarong or pha sin made from silk or cotton is popular souvenir. Other souvenirs to look out for include silverware, in particular from Luang Prabang, and wood carvings.
TELECOMUNICATIONS
Most hotels now have IDD phones in rooms and it is possible to send faxes from hotels and post offices although be warned these services are expensive in all four countries. Away from the major cities it may not always be possible to make international calls. Internet cafes are becoming popular in the major cities in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos and many travellers now prefer to keep in touch by e-mail. Postcards can be bought at all the main tourist sites and stamps are available from post offices and some hotel reception desk.
TIPPING
Tipping for good service is not expected but is always appreciated in these developing nations. It is customary, though not compulsory, to tip tour guides and drivers at the end of a tour. Hotel and station porters should also be tipped a small amount for their troubles.
VISA
VIETNAM
All visitors are required to have a valid visa to enter Vietnam. A one-month tourist visa is usually sufficient for most visitors though it is possible to arrange 3-month and 6-month multiple entry visas for regular visitors. All visitors must obtain visa approval from the Vietnamese Immigration Department before a visa is issued. can arrange for a visa authorisation to be sent to the Vietnamese embassy or consulate where the visa is to be collected once the following information has been forwarded: full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number and sex. This information should be forwarded at least one month before departure. one copy of the visa authorisation will be sent to the embassy or consulate where the visa is to be collected and a second will be forwarded to the person collecting the visa. A fee is payable to for the visa authorisation and to the embassy or consulate for the visa stamping. The person collecting the visa must complete two application forms and hand these in with two passport photos when collecting the visa. In situations where it is more convenient is also authorised to issue visas on arrival at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, Danang International Airport in Danang and Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. The same authorisation procedure and a minimum of 5 working days notice is still required. In emergency cases can arrange a visa on arrival if notice of 2 working days is given. on entering Vietnam all visitors must complete a entry/exit form including a customs declaration (white/yellow colour). It is important that the bottom copy (yellow sheet) of this form is kept safe with your passport while in Vietnam and is presented to the customs and immigration officials on departure.
CAMBODIA
Visas for a stay of up to 28 days are issued on arrival at Pochentong Airport in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap Airport. The cost is 20 USD and requires the filling in of an application form and two passport photos. Visas can now also be obtained at the land entry points from Thailand at Koh Kong and at Poipet
LAOS
Like Vietnam, approval is required for visas to Laos and this should be applied for at least 5 working days prior to departure. However, it is now also possible to collect visas on arrival at Vientiane International Airport, Luang Prabang International Airport, Paksé International Airport and the Friendship Bridge between Laos and Thailand without prior authorisation. This costs 30 USD and requires the filling in of an application form and two passport photos.
WEATHER
VIETNAM
Hanoi and the north of Vietnam have a distinct winter and summer season with the mainly dry winter lasting from November through to April with average temperatures of 18-20 oC. Summer lasts from May to October and is hot and humid with temperatures around 30 oC.
Hue and Danang in the centre of the country have very hot, dry weather from February to August with temperatures reaching the mid 30s Celsius, but can experience some quite heavy rainfall between September and January.
Ho Chi Minh City and the south have a hot, dry season from December till April with average temperatures around 28 oC and a rainy season lasting from May through till November. It rarely rains for long periods even in the rainy season with most rain coming in short, heavy bursts.
CAMBODIA
Cambodia has two monsoons, the southwest monsoon from May to October brings heavy rains and the northwest monsoon from November to April spreads dry weather throughout the country. Temperatures vary from around 24 oC-35 oC with the coolest period between November and January and the hottest from February to April.
LAOS
The rainy season in Laos lasts from May through to October with hot and humid weather in the 30s Celsius. The dry season begins in November with cool temperatures of 10-20 oC giving way to hot and dry weather from April through to May when the temperature can reach the high 30s Celsius.
WATER
It is not advisable to drink tap water in Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos but bottled mineral is safe and available everywhere. Ice in drinks is generally OK in good standard hotels and restaurants but it is best to avoid it on street stalls or in country areas.
BenThanh Tourist |
