XVII Vietnam School of Physics (VSOP)

Huế, 18-24 July 2011

PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION

Entrance Visa to Vietnam

To enter Vietnam, foreigners may need an entry visa. Citizens of the ASEAN countries, Russia, P.R. China, R. Korea and Japan may not need an entrance visa for a short visit (please, inquire at your local Vietnamese consulates (http://www.mofa.gov.vn/en/bng_vietnam/dscqdd/ns050119142406).

In case you need an entrance visa for a short visit, you may use the "Vietnam Visa online Service" to obtain "Vietnam visa on arrival". It is convenient and without any help of Local organizers.

If you need a help from Local organizers, please complete the VISA FORM and return it to the secretariat at least 2 weeks before the departure day.

Transportion

People coming from abroad can go to Hue via international airports in Hanoi or Ho-Chi-Minh city or Danang from where they can fly to Hue (Phu Bai airport) or travel to Hue by train or bus.

An one-way train seating ticket costs about 400 000 VND (20 USD) from Hanoi or 600 000 VND (30 USD) from HCM city.

The rail station of Hue is upto 2 km from the school hotel (Park View hotel):

Park View hotel
9 Ngo Quyen street, Hue
Phone: (84-54) 3837 382
Fax: (84-54) 3837 381
Email: info@parkviewhotelhue.com

To go from Phu Bai airport (Hue) to hotels in the city center and vice versa, the best way is to take a taxi from the taxi companies specializing in transportation service between Phu Bai airport and Hue City:

These taxis stand just at the terminal exit and are indicated by the corresponding company name and you need just to show the address of your hotel to the taxi driver. To avoid troubles, we recommend you to take only taxis of these companies and do not follow invitation of strange people to other taxis.

A taxi course from Phu Bai airport to the city-center takes about 25 minutes, and the price for a taxi with up to 4 passengers from Phu Bai to any places in Hue center is 10USD (or 200,000 VND) so please prepare in advance some cash in USD or Vietnam dong. !

Climate

Located in the Central part of Vietnam with two sub-regions, coastal lowlands and central highlands, Hue has a climate of monsoon tropical area. In general, there are two distinguished seasons: the dry season (from March to August) with the average temperature from 27degree celsius to 29degree celsius and the rainy season (from August to January the next year) with the average temperature of 19,7 degree celsius. The dry season is characterized with temperatures varying from about 20 to almost 40 degrees celsius. The rainy season usually have a lower temperature with the mercury dipping down to 19 degree celsius and the lowest temperature during these seasons is recorded around 8 degree celsius.

In July, it is sunny and hot. The temperature is usually over 30 degree celsius and it can reach its highest point at 39 degree celsius. Therefore, it is advised to prepare cotton clothing, hat and suncreen when coming to Hue in July. Typhoons usually occur from August to October every year.

Vietnam currency

Vietnam currency is the dong (abbreviated VND). At present, bank notes and coins in circulation are: Bank notes: 1000 VND, 2000 VND, 5000 VND, 10,000 VND, 20,000 VND, 50,000 VND, 100,000 VND, 200,000 VND and 500,000 VND. Coins: 200VND, 500VND, 1000 VND, 2000 VND, 5000 VND.

Exchange rate: 1USD ~ 20,540 VND (on 12/05/2011).
Click here to inquire today exchange rates
(http://www.vietcombank.com.vn/en/Exchange%20Rate.asp)

Traveller's cheques can be exchanged for VND only at authorised exchange banks. Credit cards (American Express, Visa, Mastercard) can be used in banks, travel agencies, hotels, major restaurants and ATM of large banks. US currency is exchanged for Vietnamese dong and treasury notes in banks, exchange bureaus, hotels, and jewellery shops with the daily changed rate.