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Vietnam – the Country

Vietnam is not a war, but a country. After the liberalization and re-unification, it becomes an attractive spot for tourism. From North to South, you can feel differences in topography, history, cultures, and people. Lying on the Indochina Peninsula - the country borders on China, Laos, Cambodia with a long coastline of 3,300 km, land area of 331,689 square kilometres. Due to long standing history, it has highly well-developed civilization flourished since the time of Hung Kings and over 2,000 years of culture.
Besides various terrains including natural forest, rolling mountains, immense plains, long coast, roughing hills... The traditional custom and culture, normal life-style and recent war relics have been all the attractions towards tourism. You can enjoy many magnificent places such as Halong Bay with wonderful grottoes, Hanoi with historical scenic monuments, the national park of Cuc Phuong and Cat Ba with many extinct flora and fauna, the historical old capital of Hoa Lu, Hue with ancient architectures of temples, Danang with immense mountain areas, Nha Trang beach with sparkling white sand, Dalat with quaint highland fresh weather, Hochiminh City - renowned Saigon with its underground Cu Chi Tunnel and the scenic Mekong Delta. All in all, travel to Vietnam is one of the most fascinating place to visit in Asia.

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Hanoi– the City

Hanoi, capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is among the most alluring cities in South-East Asia. This elegant capital in the north of Vietnam is renowned for its historical attractions and charming landscapes. It’s a city of lakes, shaded boulevards, embassies, and holy shrines dedicated to the late, great Ho Chi Minh. Most foreigners find Hanoi to be slow-paced, pleasant and even charming. Some have called it the Paris of the Orient.
What better place than the national capital to witness all the growth, progress, foibles and follies of Vietnam’s new economic reforms ?

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Transportation

Hanoi’s Noi Bai airport is about 35 km north of the city and the journey there can take from 45 minutes to an hour.
Airport Taxi charges US$10 for a private sedan to or from Noi Bai airport.
There are several companies in Hanoi offering metered taxi services. All charge similar rates. Flagfall is US$1, which takes you 2km; every km thereafter costs between US$0.45 and US$0.60. In Hanoi, you can also hire one of the countless cyclo or motorbike drivers. A ride in the city centre, depending on the traject and the length, should be discussed with the driver but should not exceed US$ 1.

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Passport and Visa

A valid passport and a visa are required of all foreigners visiting Vietnam. Visas are issued by Vietnamese embassies and consulates. The Ministry will help with the issue of visas, which are most easily issued prior to travel by the Vietnamese Embassy in the country concerned.
For delegates from countries with no Embassy, visas will be prepared for issue on arrival, although prior application will still be essential. In all cases, applicants for visas must submit outline personal information (name, date/place of birth, nationality, passport details, profession, purpose and dates of visit, etc.) and pay a fee.

You can fill your Visa Application Form online

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Time

Hanoi is 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

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Currency

The Dong is the currency in Vietnam. The US dollar acts as virtually a second local currency, and some institutions, such as hotels, normally quote their prices in dollars. Vietnamese law requires that all transactions be in dong, though in practise most people will accept dollars.
100 US dollars are currently over 1,550,000 dong.

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Climate and Clothing

Remember that Vietnam is a tropical country. Most of the year it is warm and humid. If you are not used to tropical weather, be prepared to shower and change your clothes two or three times a day. Practically every hotel in Vietnam has a laundry service, which is usually quite inexpensive.

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Simultaneous translation

Simultaneous translation into English, French, Spanish and Vietnamese will be provided at symposia, workshops and General Assembly, while translation into English and Spanish will be offered at EC meetings.

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