General information on countries Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos

Vietnam is located in the continental Southeast Asia, the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Laos and Cambodia are the western neighboring countries, China, the northern. Through all three countries that represent the actual Indochina, runs the Mekong River, the lifeline of the continental Southeast Asia. Coming from the Tibetan highlands of China, it flows in the so-called "Golden Triangle" is a piece of a border river between Myanmar (Burma), Thailand and Laos.

Time difference

The time difference with Germany is + 6 hours (summer time + 5 hours).

Tips

Tipping is not expected in Indochina, but appreciated. If you want your tour guides give a tip for good service, should take about U.S. $ 2-3 per guest per day trip (for your driver about U.S. $ 1-2).

Health Requirements

For entry to any vaccinations are made mandatory. As for any other travel in a tropical area vaccination against hepatitis, typhoid, polio and malaria prophylaxis / standby is recommended. For more information, please contact you with the Tropical Institute. Also recommended are a well-stocked pharmacy and a travel health insurance. The medical care is not very good in Laos and Cambodia, Vietnam well in the larger cities.
 

GENERAL COUNTRY INFORMATIONS ABOUT VIETNAM

Size, language and population

Vietnam is in area and population, about as big as Germany with a coastline of more than 3,000 miles and thousands of islands. It is home to 54 nations with their own languages and in some cases own writings. The largest ethnic minority, accounting for about 85% of the total population are the Viet. The official language and script of the country is Vietnamese. Knowledge of foreign languages in Vietnam are very common, especially in places the big cities and tourist-oriented. A few older people speak French, the younger ones distributed in English. Vietnamese, who were trained in Germany or have worked there for a long time master, also the German language.

Climate

In northern Vietnam, there is a sub-tropical and temperate climate. The average temperatures from November to April 13 to 17 ° C in summer, however, at 29 ° C. From April through September, it can rain frequently.

The South is characterized by tropical climate and the alternation of wet and dry seasons. In the rainy season from May to November, there are brief but fruitful showers. The hottest months of the dry season is April, with up to 34 ° C. The average temperature in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) is an annual average at 27 ° C.

The meteorological divide between the two zones, the cloud pass in central Vietnam, which is a combination of North and South with less rain and higher temperatures in the southern and larger temperature differences in the northern part. The temperatures are from November to April 20 to 24 ° C, in summer 30-35 ° C. It rains, especially in the months of September to November / December.

Entry requirements

For entry to Vietnam need a passport German citizen of the Federal Republic of Germany, which must still be valid at least six months after the end of travel. The entry is possible only with a valid visa. For the application, contact the Vietnamese Embassy in Berlin a sample application that you have filled out and accompanied with a photo to submit with your passport and a visa fee.

Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Germany
Elsenstraße 3, D-12435 Berlin
Tel: +49 (0)30-536 30 108, Fax: +49 (0)30-536 30 200
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website: http://www.vietnambotschaft.org
 

Asia Sky Tours gladly done all visa matters for you on request. For short-term trips to issue an express visa in Germany or on arrival at the airport is possible. For your visa upon arrival you will need a confirmation number, you must first apply in Germany to Asia Sky Tours. Without this number, you may not fly to Vietnam. When issuing the visa on the spot you should take along two passport photos.

Currency / Cash

The official currency in Vietnam is Dong. One euro is about 25,000 Vietnamese Dong (as Mai2010:). It may also be paid with U.S. dollars. We would always recommend a payment in local currency. Banks and bureaux de change exchange travelers checks (long process) and cash (€ and U.S. $). In the larger cities and hotels, and money can be paid by credit or debit card are withdrawn from vending machines with credit cards such as Visa Card, American Express or MasterCard. ATMs, which can be withdrawn with a debit card are not yet so widespread.

GENERAL COUNTRY INFORMATIONS ABOUT CAMBODIA

Size, language and population

Cambodia's coast in the south by the Gulf of Thailand borders, is little more than half the size of Vietnam and has 14 million inhabitants, one-seventh of the population of Vietnam. The Khmer are the largest ethnic group, in addition, there is the Vietnamese and the Cham and a few small ethnic group. The official language is Khmer, English is well understood in the centers.

Climate

The temperatures are stable throughout the year and between 30 and 34 ° C. From May / June / July to October is rainy season, can rise in the monsoon the Mekong River until it comes back to its banks and the Tonle Sap River makes it to alter its direction and the Tonle Sap lake to be filled. In the dry November to April, it rarely rains, if at all. Warmest month is April.

Entry requirements

To enter Cambodia German citizens need a passport must be valid even after at least six months journey end. The entry is possible only with a valid visa.

In an entry to Cambodia by air is a prior procurement of a visa is not required. A visa with a validity of one month may be requested upon arrival at the airports in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, even at some border crossings. What is needed is a better (two) passport photo and U.S. $ 20 (April 2010).

Visa applications and further information at the:
Embassy of the Kingdom of Cambodia
Benjamin Vogel Dorfstrasse 2, D-13187 Berlin
Tel: +49 (0)30 - 48 63 79 01, Fax: +49 (0)30-48 63 79 73
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: http://www.kambodscha-botschaft.de

Currency / Cash

The official currency in Cambodia is Riel. Common is a payment in U.S. dollars. Traveler's checks can exchanged at banks in larger cities and money can be withdrawn with credit cards.

GENERAL COUNTRY INFORMATIONS ABOUT LAOS

Size, language and population

Laos, the only landlocked South-East Asia - with a port in Vietnam, with a size of Vietnam's good seven tenths and a population of more than six million people (7.6% of the population of Vietnam) populated in comparison thin. The ethnic composition is disputed and is specified with about 50 ethnic groups, which represent the Lao People's probably the largest group, in addition to Thai. The official spoken and written language of the country is Lao, but is not spoken by all residents. French is a former colonial language still important, but is increasingly being replaced by English.

Climate

The tropical climate in Laos is heavily influenced by the monsoons, which may come from the large differences in height to large temperature fluctuations. From late May to October monsoon brings rain and temperatures around 27 ° C, while bringing the country from November to February monsoon dry and cooler weather, with temperatures 20 ° C and less width. March, April and early May are hot and humid.

Entry requirements

To enter Laos German citizens need a passport must be valid at least six months even after the end of travel. The entry is possible only with a valid visa.

Visas can be obtained from the Embassy. An issuing visas for entry is possible at international airports and costs U.S. $ 30 and one or two passport photos. For more information, see the:

Embassy of the Democratic People's Republic of Laos
Bismarck Allee 2a, D-14193 Berlin
Tel: +49 (0)30 - 89 06 06 47, Fax: +49 (0)30-89 06 06 48

Currency / Cash

The official currency in Laos is Kip. Commonly, the payment in U.S. dollars. Traveler's checks can exchanged at banks in larger cities and money can be withdrawn with credit cards.