TRAVEL GUIDE IN VIETNAM

AIRLINES International: A variety of airlines flies directly into Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Danang is also an international airport with only few flights per a week. Domestic: Two domestic airlines are currently operating in Vietnam: Vietnam Airlines and Jetstar-Pacific Airlines (Jetstar-Pacific is a low-cost carrier (LCC) managed by Jetstar a sister company of Qantas Australia). Both are using a mixture of Boeing and Airbus planes and Vietnamese as well as foreign pilots. AIRPORT TAX

There is a departure tax on all international flights but this tax is already included in the price of your all airplane tickets.

ARRIVAL IN VIETNAM

· By Air

Consult your local travel agent for routings, fares and availability on flights to Vietnam. Discount websites and flight search engines may offer some good deals. Major airlines flying to Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi include: Vietnam Airlines, Air France, United Airlines, Lufthansa, Thai Airways, Qatar Airways, Bangkok Airways and many more. Major airlines flying to Danang International Airport include PB Air from Bangkok and Silk Air from Singapore.

· By Land

Vietnam shares a border with China in the north (three border crossings), Laos in the west (three border crossings) and Cambodia in the south-west (two border crossings).

· From China

Trains from Beijing to Hanoi pass by Nanning and Pinxiang in China and enter Vietnam at Dong Dang (north of Lang Son). There is also a road crossing know as Huu Nghi in Lang Son province. Trains coming from Kunming cross the border at Lao Cai, in northwest Vietnam. From Guangzhou, you will cross the border at Mong Cai, a few hours drive from Halong and its spectacular Bay.

· From Laos

If you travel from Laos by road via Savannakhet and Sepon, you will get to Vietnam by the Lao Bao (Vietnam) border crossing. This crossing links Laos to central Vietnam (Danang and Dong Ha). If you travel from Vientiane, you will cross Lak Sao before entering Vietnam by Cau Treo border crossing, in Ha Tinh Province (Vietnam). The Nam Can border crossing connects Nghe An Province (Vietnam) and Xieng Khuang Province (Laos).

· From Cambodia

If you travel from Phnom Penh by speedboat, you will enter Vietnam at Chau Doc, in the Mekong Delta area. If you arrive from Cambodia by road into Ho Chi Minh City, you will enter Vietnam at Moc Bai, which connects Vietnam's Tay Ninh Province with Cambodia's Svay Rieng Province.

Note: You cannot obtain a visa on arrival at land border-crossing points (with the exception of Moc Bai border crossing). If you enter Vietnam by land, you must obtain the visa before arrival. Refer to our VISA section below for more information.

ARRIVAL FORMALITIES

Upon arrival in Vietnam, all visitors must complete an entry/exit form including a customs declaration. It is important that your copy of this form is kept safe with your passport while in Vietnam and is presented to the customs and immigration officials on departure. In case you are obtaining your pre-arranged visa on arrival please proceed to the Visa counter. Please check the section VISAS below.

ATMs

ATMs for withdrawing Vietnamese Dong are available in major airports, hotels, towns and capitals of provinces throughout Vietnam. Most ATMs have an English language version. Ask your tour guide for help when you need to locate an ATM.

CLOTHING

Comfortable lightweight clothing in natural fabrics such as cotton is most suitable for travelling in Vietnam. 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 and umbrella are a good idea in the rainy season and an umbrella can also offer useful shade from the sun.

Evenings in the north and the center can be quite chilly so bring a sweater and a good jacket especially from November to February. Visitors should not wear shorts, short skirts or other revealing clothing when visiting pagodas and monasteries. Shoes must be removed before entering some religious building or a private home. It is therefore useful to wear shoes without too many laces and which can easily be taken off.

CREDIT CARDS

Most credit cards are accepted in Vietnam. VISA and MASTERCARD are the most widely accepted. JCB and AMERICAN EXPRESS are also accepted in some outlets. Not all hotels, commercial centers, shops and restaurants accept credit cards. Check with the cashier before making any purchases.

Bear in mind that in some places a surcharge usually applies for credit card purchases: VISA and MasterCard approx 2.2%, JCB: 2.75% surcharge, American Express: 4% surcharge.

Note: Surcharges can change without prior notice. Check the percentage charged before you buy.

ELECTRICITY

Vietnam mainly uses 220V but in some areas, 110V is also used. A mixture of flat and round 2-pin outlets are used throughout the country. It is recommended to bring a universal plug adaptor.

ENTERTAINMENT

There are plenty of entertainment options in Vietnam and restaurants/bars and nightclubs open until late at night/early in the morning. A wide variety of restaurants are on offer with everything from Vietnamese, Asian, Italian, French cuisine, etc. to fast food.

FOOD

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.

HEALTH

No vaccinations are mandatory 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 traveling off the beaten track. Medical facilities are limited and it is essential to take out a good medical insurance policy before traveling in case evacuation is needed.

Consult your doctor for up-to-date information and prescriptions for vaccinations, anti-malarial tablets and any reasonably foreseeable illnesses whilst traveling in Vietnam. Some vaccination courses may need time to be completed. If you plan to take anti-malarial tablets, you usually need to start one week before arrival. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements (including a spare pair of glasses).

For additional information you can also consult the following sites:

· www.who.int/ith/en

· wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationVietnam.aspx

· http://www.tmb.ie/exodus/index.asp

· http://www.pasteur.fr/sante HOURS OF BUSINESS

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.

INTERNET

Major hotels have Business Centers with PCs connected to the Internet. Some of them have wireless broadband access in rooms or public areas. Cybercaf's are available everywhere and are easily found in major towns and cities. Prices are reasonable, usually below US$1 per hour. In many Internet caf's, you can buy pre-paid international phone cards to dial from a computer to a landline or mobile phone worldwide. Most Internet caf's are equipped with webcams, headsets and microphones.

LANGUAGE

The national language of Vietnam is Vietnamese. In big cities and in places with many tourists, people will speak basic English. The younger generation will be more adept at speaking English, while the older generation still speaks some French. 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. Russian and Chinese are also spoken by some people.

MONEY

The currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). US Dollars and Euros are accepted in many hotels, restaurants and shops. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 05:00 and some on Saturday morning. In the major cities there are some exchange offices open long hours near places frequented by tourists and most hotels will change US Dollars and Euros at very reasonable rates.

For everyday expenses, we recommend carrying a mix of US Dollars and VND in cash. For larger items or when the exchange rate works in your favor, use US Dollars. For cyclos, local food stalls and small purchases, it's best to use VND. In either case, make sure you always have a stock of small notes so that you don't have to worry about change.

Current exchange rate (JULY 08) - 1 USD = 16,796.50 VND. 1 Euro = 26,445.90 VN

You receive a slightly better exchange rate for $100 and $50 notes than for smaller denominations.

Vietnamese Dongs come in the following forms:

· Bank notes: 200; 500; 1,000; 2,000; 5,000; 10,000; 20.000; 50,000; 100,000; 500,000.

· Coins: 200; 500 (silver) and 1,000; 2,000; 5,000 (gold) PHOTOGRAPHY

Normal print films are available in Vietnam as well as professional quality films (like slide films). Digital photos can easily be downloaded and loaded onto a CD-Rom in case you run out of memory.

POSTAL MAIL

Postcards are sold at all main tourist sites and stamps are available from post offices and some hotel reception desks. A postcard to Europe costs VND 9,000 (0.5 USD) to send and can take up to two weeks to reach the country of destination.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

** The actual dates vary from year to year according to the lunar calendar. Officially a three-day holiday but many businesses close down for a full week. This is the busiest time of the year for travelling in Vietnam and hotels, flights and trains are often full. RELIGION Buddhism is the dominant religion in Vietnam usually combined with elements of Confucianism and Taoism. About 10% of the country's population is Catholic and there are also communities of Protestants and Muslims. Vietnam is also home to a unique religion called Cao Dai, a religious cocktail of all the world's major faiths. SAFETY

Vietnam is a safe country to visit. As a global rule, never leave your belongings unattended and always maintain eye contact or a firm grip on cameras and shoulder bags. Avoid cyclos late at night and choose reliable metered taxi companies (they are really cheap and air-conditioned).

SHOPPING

Souvenirs to look out for in Vietnam include lacquerware, silk, conical hats, woodcarvings, hill tribe fabrics and handicrafts, embroidery, marble, ceramics, silver jewelry, antique watches and paintings. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have the best choice when it comes to shopping but Hoi An in the center of Vietnam is also a very good place to hunt for bargains.

TELEPHONE

If you have worldwide coverage, you can bring your own mobile phone and use it to make domestic or international calls. Check with your mobile phone provider for the costs before using it abroad - it may be expensive.

Most hotels now have IDD phones in rooms and it is possible to send faxes from hotels and post offices although these services are expensive. It may not always be possible to make international calls in remote areas.

TIME

Vietnam is GMT + 7 and does not operate daylight-saving system.

TIPPING

Tipping for good service is not expected but is always appreciated in a country where the average annual income is quite low compared to Europe for example. It is customary to tip tour guides and drivers at the end of a tour. Hotel and station porters should also be tipped. Do not let guide talk you into tipping more than you plan to. It is totally up to you who you tip, when and how much

TRANSPORTATION

Vietnamese law does not allow foreigners to rent and drive a car. It is highly advisable to rent a car with a driver who knows the roads and can speak Vietnamese in case of any problems. Traffic and roads conditions may be very different to what you are used to. Generally drivers do not speak English although you might get lucky.

TRAVELLERS' CHEQUES

Banks such as CitiBank, ANZ Bank. HSBC and Vietcombank can change your Travellers' Cheques for VND or US Dollars but a commission applies (1% to 2%). Very few shops, hotels or restaurants accept Travellers' cheques.

Note: Travellers' cheques can be difficult to change outside of major cities.

VISAS

All travelers must have a passport valid for 6 months after their planned exit from Vietnam. Most visitors to Vietnam require a visa to enter the country.

Nationals from Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland traveling to Vietnam and staying for 15 days or less no longer need to apply for entry visas, provided that their passports are valid for at least three months and they can show their return ticket. Those who wish to stay longer than 15 days will need to apply for a visa.

Tourists holding Thai, Indonesian, Lao, Malaysian and Singaporean passports do not need a visa for a visit up to 30 days. Philippines passport holders do not need a visa for a visit up to 21 days. Japanese and South Korean passport holders do not need a visa for a visit up to 15 days.

A tourist visa is a single entry visa which means that if you exit Vietnam, you will require a new tourist visa to re-enter. A visa requested as a multi-entry at embassies abroad is often issued as a single entry; please double-check your visa stamp in passport to prevent any misunderstanding. Multiple entry visas can be arranged on arrival on request.

There are 2 ways to obtain a visa:

· Case 1: Visa before arrival

Bring the "approval letter," your passport and two recent passport-sized photos to the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate. The person collecting the visa must also complete two application forms at the embassy or consulate. A visa stamping fee is charged by the Vietnamese embassy or consulate. Fees vary from one country to another. Exotissimo Travel charges a service fee to obtain your "approval letter' from the Vietnamese Immigration Department if you do not book other services with us.

· Case 2: Pre-arranged Visa on arrival at HAN, HCMC or DNG International Airports and Moc Bai

Please bring "Visa pick-up upon arrival approval letter" with you and show it at airline check-in counter otherwise you will not be allowed to board. On arrival in Vietnam, proceed to the Visa on Arrival counter. You will be asked to fill one more form, give 2 photos and pay USd25/person in cash before the visa is stamped into your passport and before going through passport control.

Before departure, prepare some bank notes in USD to clear visa stamping fees on arrival. On arrival, Exotissimo Travel charges a service fee of USD 10 per applicant to obtain your "visa picking up upon arrival approval letter" from the Vietnamese Immigration Department.

For both cases we can facilitate the visa application and obtain the necessary visa approval from the Vietnamese Immigration Department. We need the following details from all applicants:

· Full name as it appears in your passport

· Date of birth DD/MM/YY

· Gender

· Passport number

· Issue date and expiry date of your passport

· Place of issue (e.g. Paris, France)

· Case 1: Location where you collect the visa, e.g. Vietnam embassy in Paris.

· Case 2: Arrival date and flight number (e.g. 24th of March 2006 by Vietnam Airlines flight VN532) and Port of entry (e.g. Ho Chi Minh City, Tan Son Nhat airport)

The approval process usually takes about 5 working days.

We will send you the official document issued by the Vietnamese Immigration department. In Case 1 it is an "Approval letter", in case 2 it is a "Visa pick-up upon arrival approval letter".

Note: All the above information may change without prior notice. It is still your responsibility to double-check whether or not you are subject to a tourist visa for Vietnam.

TRAVEL GUIDE IN THAILAND

TRAVEL GUIDE IN LAOS

AIRLINES International: The national carrier Lao Airlines, as well as Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways and Vietnam Airlines serves the international airports at Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Domestic: Lao Airlines serves the domestic routes and connects the capital city Vientiane to major destinations in the country. AIRPORT TAX

An international departure tax of USD 10 is payable by all travellers leaving Laos. It is not included in the price of your flight ticket and must be purchased at the airport before departure. There is also a domestic airport tax of 5,000 Lao kips per flight ticket.

Note: You can purchase your international departure tax in USD but domestic airport tax must be paid in Lao kips. Tax is subject to change without prior notice. Check with your Exotissimo guide for updates.

ARRIVAL IN LAOS

· By Air

There are still few direct flights from Europe or other countries to Laos. The most frequent connections are from Bangkok (Thailand). Exotissimo Travel will generally not be able to offer you attractive intercontinental fares - you will be better off consulting your local travel agent or searching the internet. However, we do offer attractive regional flight arrangements once you are already in Asia.

The two main international airports are Wattay International Airport in Vientiane and Luang Prabang International Airport. The smaller Pakse Airport serves the international flight to/and Siem Reap.

· By Land

Laos shares borders with Myanmar and China to the north, Thailand to the west, Cambodia to the south and Vietnam to the east.

ARRIVAL FORMALITIES

Upon arrival in Thailand, all visitors must complete an entry/exit form including a customs declaration. It is important that your copy of this form is kept safe with your passport while in Thailand and is presented to the customs and immigration officials on departure. In case you are obtaining your pre-arranged visa on arrival please proceed to the Visa counter and read the visa section below.

ATMs

There are now quite a few ATMs in Vientiane. ATMs are increasingly being installed in Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and other cities. MasterCard, Maestro and a few others are generally accepted.

CLOTHING

Comfortable lightweight clothing in natural fabrics such as cotton is most suitable for travelling in 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. Warm clothing is needed for visiting the northern Laos during the winter months from November to February. Visitors to Laos should not wear shorts, short skirts or other skimpy clothing when visiting religious buildings and shoes should be removed before entering a private home.

CREDIT CARDS

The use of credit cards is still not widespread in Laos. Most upscale hotels and some large-ticket item shops will accept them, but few restaurants and bars will accept them.

ELECTRICITY

Lao uses 220V (50 cycles per second) but the plugs are not standardised. It is recommended to bring a universal plug adaptor.

ENTERTAINMENT

There is not much in the way of western style entertainment in Laos but Vientiane and Luang Prabang have good restaurants and quite a few bars and nightclubs. In the rest of the country, entertainment is mainly confined to the hotels and mainly tourist-orientated restaurants.

FOOD

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, or kao niao, is the main ingredient in Lao cuisine, 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 parts of Southeast Asia and it is advisable to take precautions especially if travelling off the beaten track. Medical facilities are rather limited in Laos but you can easily find good medical facilities in the main Thai towns and along the Thai-Lao borders. It is essential to take out a good medical insurance policy before travelling in case evacuation is needed (usually to Bangkok or Singapore).

HOURS OF BUSINESS

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.

INTERNET

Major hotels throughout Laos have Business Centres with PCs connected to the Internet. Some have wireless broadband access. Check with reception for fares and facilities. Cyber cafes are easily found in major towns and cities and prices are reasonable. In many Internet cafes, you can buy pre-paid international phone cards to dial from a computer to landlines or mobile phones worldwide. Most Internet cafes are equipped with webcams, headsets and microphones.

LANGUAGE

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

The kip is the currency unit of Laos and are presently in distributions of 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 kip. US dollars, Euros 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. In Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Pakse, you can find some ATMs to withdraw money (lao kips). Visa Card and MasterCard are now accepted at the larger hotels in Vientiane and Luang Prabang.

Note:

• Most hotels will change USD and Euros at a reasonable exchange rate.
• Shall you want to pay a bill expressed in Lao Kips with USD, ask for the exchange rate or ask your Exotissimo Travel guide for assistance.

For everyday expenses, we recommend carrying a mix of US dollars and kips. For larger items or when the exchange rate works in your favour, use US dollars. For tuk tuks, local food stalls and small purchases, it's best to use kips. Make sure you always have a stock of small notes so that you don't have to worry about change especially in the countryside.

The BCEL Bank can change American Express Travellers' Cheques for Lao kips or US dollars in cash. Note that a 3 % or 5% commission is charged. Very few shops, hotels or restaurants accept Travellers' Cheques.

Note: Travellers' Cheques can be difficult to change outside of the major cities.

POSTAL MAIL

Postcards are sold at all main tourist sites and stamps are available from post offices and some hotel reception desks. A postcard to Europe costs about 6,500 kips and takes 10 days to two weeks to reach its destination.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

RELIGION As in the neighbouring countries of Thailand, Myanmar 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. SAFETY

Laos is generally a safe country. Nevertheless and as a global rule, never leave your belongings unattended and always maintain eye contact or a firm grip on cameras and shoulder bags. In some tourist sites you may encounter some insistent souvenir sellers. A polite but firm "No, thank you" usually will suffice.

SHOPPING

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.

TELEPHONE

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 Laos. Away from the major cities it may not always be possible to make international calls. If you have worldwide coverage, you can bring your mobile phone and use it to make domestic or international calls. Check with your mobile phone provider for the fares before using it abroad though as it may cost you an arm and a leg.

TIME

Laos is GMT + 7 and does not operate daylight-saving system.

TIPPING

Tipping for good service is not expected but is always appreciated in Laos. 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.

TRANSPORTATION

Lao laws do not allow foreigners to rent and drive a car themselves. It is highly advisable to rent a car with an experienced driver who knows the area and can speak Lao in case of any problems. Traffic conditions may vary dramatically from what you are used to.

In Laos, drivers are only drivers. Tour guides must be licensed by the National Tourism Authority. Exotissimo Travel Laos employ arguably the best tour guides in Laos and we specialise in arranging tours with private driver and tour guide.

VISAS

Approval is no longer required for visas to Laos. Foreign tourists are generally admitted into Laos for 15 days with a visa on arrival (obtained at most border check points) without prior authorisation or for 30 days with a visa issued at a Laotian embassy. This costs 30 USD and requires the filling in of an application form and two passport photos. An additional 1 USD/pax can be charged if you arrive on Saturday or Sunday.

TRAVEL GUIDE IN CAMBODIA

AIRLINES (DOMESTIC)

We use Siem Reap Airways, a daughter-company of Bangkok Airways. This airline uses French-Italian ATR turboprop planes (Avions de Transports Regionaux), a type of plane well suited for the local conditions, airports and distances. The configuration is 70-seats (ATR 72) in rows of 4 seats with a middle aisle. Entry-exit is at the back of the plane. Standard One-class configuration. Some flights of Siem Reap Airways between Phnom and Siem Reap are operated with an Airbus A 320-200 (162 seats) or a Boeing 717-200 (125 seats).

At the moment there is no other airline operating between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

AIRLINES (INTERNATIONAL)

The following airlines currently fly into Cambodia: Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Air Asia, China Airways, EVA Air, Malaysia Airlines, Silk Air, Korean Air, China Southern, Dragon Air, Vietnam Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Lao Air, Jetstar Asia, Shanghai Air and Angkor Airways.

AIRPORT TAX

An international airport tax of 25 USD per person is payable in cash in when departing Cambodia on an international flight. Departure tax is 6 USD for all domestic flights.

CLOTHING

Comfortable lightweight clothing in natural fabrics such as cotton is most suitable for travelling in Cambodia. 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 and umbrella are a good idea in the rainy season and the umbrella can also offer useful shade from the sun.

Shoes (and socks!) must be removed before entering any religious building or private home. It is therefore useful to wear shoes without too many laces and which can easily be taken off. We provide small towels to clean your feet before putting back on your shoes.

ELECTRICITY

Cambodia uses 220V, and a mixture of flat 2-pin, round 2-pin or 3 pin plugs. It is recommended to bring a universal plug adaptor. Power outages are quite common but most hotels have their own generator.

ENTERTAINMENT

There is not much in the way of western style entertainment in Cambodia but Phnom Penh and Siem Reap have good restaurants and quite a few bars and nightclubs. In the rest of the country, entertainment is mainly confined to the hotels and mainly tourist-orientated restaurants.

FOOD

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.

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 Cambodia and it is advisable to take precautions especially if travelling off the beaten track. Please consult with your usual doctor or a doctor specialised in tropical countries before travelling.

HOURS OF BUSINESS

Offices are usually open from Monday to Friday from 07:30 or 08:00 until 17:00 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.

INSURANCE

Medical facilities are rather limited in Cambodia and it is essential to take out a good medical insurance policy before travelling. Such an insurance should absolutely cover the cost of an evacuation flight out of Cambodia (most of the time to Bangkok or Singapore) which is sometimes necessary either on a regular flight or on a special flight. For adventure tours such as cycling proof of purchase of a travel insurance policy will be required. In Siem Reap the Royal Angkor International Hospital (affiliated with the Bangkok Hospital Medical Center) has been fully operational since November 2007.

INTERNET

Internet access is available in most major cities in Cambodia. In Phnom Penh and Siem Reap there are many Internet cafes from which to stay in contact with your home. In outlying regions, many hotels provide Internet access.

LANGUAGE

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 speaks very good French while the younger generation prefers English. Outside the major centers of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap most people speak only Khmer.

MONEY

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 from 08:00 to 15:00 and Saturday morning until 12:00. ATM machines are close by on street corners throughout Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. In the major cities there are exchange bureaus and most hotels will change US dollars although for other currencies it is usually necessary to visit a bank. Traveller's 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.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Normal print films are available in Cambodia but professional quality films (like slide films) are very difficult to find and it is better to bring your own. In cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, digital photos can easily be downloaded and loaded onto a CD-ROM in case you run out of memory.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

RELIGION

Buddhism was reinstated as the national religion in the late 1980s having been banned, like all religions, under the reign of the Khmer Rouge. Nearly 95% of the population today are Buddhists with the remainder made up of Catholics, Muslims and Cao Dai followers.

SHOPPING

Cambodia is known for good silverware, textiles, wooden sculpture and stone carvings. The two main centers 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.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

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 and many travelers 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 desks.

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.

VISAS

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 at Poipet border and Koh Kong from Thailand and Bavet from Vietnam). Clients wishing to travel to Cambodia now have the option of applying for their visa online at www.mfaic.gov.kh. E-Visa was launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and involves an application form, payment by credit card and visa approval within three business days. Please note that the single entry tourist visas will be valid for three months from the date of issue for a visit of 30 days and are only applicable for visitors entering Siem Reap and Phnom Penh airports. Passports must be valid for at least six months. The e-Visa Website also allows users to check on the status of their online application.

WEATHER

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 24ºC-35ºC with the coolest period between November and January and the hottest from February to April.

WATER

It is not advisable to drink tap water but bottled mineral water is safe and available everywhere. All hotels provide a complimentary bottle of local mineral water per person in the room. Ice cubes 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. Some minor stomach problems are always possible when travelling in exotic countries. Bring a supply of your usual anti-diarrhea medicine.