Country Information

Capital: Charlotte Amalie

Time zone: GMT – 4

Telephone services: Country Code: 1 340
Outgoing Code: 011

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 911

Tourist information: US Virgin Islands Division of Tourism, Molasses House, Clove Hitch Quay, Plantation Wharf, York Place, London SW11 3TW. Tel: (020) 7978 5262 Fax: (020) 7924 3171.

Passport information: See the USA entry

Visa information: See the USA entry

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended

Food & drink: Water is considered drinkable, normal precautions should be observed with food

Currency: US Dollar (US$) = 100 cents
All major credit cards and travellers cheques, preferably in US dollars are accepted All credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques in US dollars are acceptable
ATM availability: 10 locations approximately

Cost of living: Expensive, especially in the tourist centres. However, luxury items up to $1200 are cheaper, as they are duty-free

Languages: English, Spanish, Creole is widely spoken

Weather: Hot climate with cool winds. Aug – Oct is the wettest period

Electricity: 120 volts AC, 60 Hz

Post: Up to 1 week

Transport: SEA: Ferries operate services between islands. ROAD: Well-maintained roads connect all main towns but not much else. TAXI: Available on all the islands. They follow set routes and their prices are published. CAR HIRE: There are international agencies operating at the airport and in the main towns. DOCUMENTATION: A national licence is acceptable

Special information: The islands have more hotels per square mile than any other in the Caribbean

Capital: Hanoi

Time zone: GMT + 7

Telephone services: Country Code: 84
Outgoing Code: International calls must be made though the operator.

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 13, Fire – 14, Ambulance – 15.

Tourist information: Vietnam Tourism, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Tel: (4) 829 4253.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visa required by all. Must be obtained prior to arrival. Must state your intended entry and exit ports correctly.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Exists in certain areas in the Falciparum variety which has been reported being highly resistant to chloroquine. Take care not to be bitten by mosquitoes.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required for travellers arriving from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Cholera, Dengue Fever, Japanese encephalitis, Plague, Rabies, TB, Typhoid in the Mekong Delta area. Comprehensive mediacl insurance is advised.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: New Dong (D) = 100 hao.
Exchange: US$ is the most favoured currency.
Limited acceptance of MasterCard and Visa. American Express and Thomas Cook travellers cheques are accepted at hotels and banks. US dollars are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: 3 locations.

Cost of living: Caters for all budgets.

Languages: Vietnamese, French, Russian, English, Chinese.

Weather: Tropical. May – Oct = Tropical Monsoons. The remainder of the year is dry.

Electricity: 110/220 Volts AC 50 Hz

Post: Very slow usually taking up to 3 weeks Correspondence should be taken to the Post office individually, to minimise theft and tampering.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Regular services operate between the main cities. RAIL: Longer distance trains are more reliable than shorter routes. ROAD: Reasonable road network but driving can be hair raising. DOCUMENTATION: An IDP and test taken in Vietnam is required. BUS: Services are poor and over crowded.

Special information: Some parts of the country are closed to visitors. Unexploded mines/munitions are a hazard in some areas. Exercise caution if travelling in border areas. Be vigilant for street theft particularly of spectacles – it is advisable to keep them on a cord around the neck. Drug smuggling carries the death penalty. Comprehensive mediacl and travel insurance is essential. Avoid wearing shorts. Footwear should be removed when entering Buddhist Pagodas. Vietnamese people should not be touched on the head. PHOTOGRAPHY: Restrictions apply at ports, airports and harbours.

Capital: Port Vila

Time zone: GMT + 12

Telephone services: Country Code: 678
Outgoing Code: Calls must be made through the International operator

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 22 222, Ambulance – 22 100, Fire – 22 333, Doctor – 22 826

Tourist information: Tourism Council of the South Pacific, 375 Upper Richmond Road West, London SW14 7NX Tel: (0181) 392 1838 Fax: (0181) 878 0998

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Must be valid for at least 4 months beyond period of stay. Return Ticket Required. Regulations may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure

Visa information: Visa required by all except the following for visits up to 30 days, providing they are bona fide tourists in possession of confirmed onward travel documents. Nationals of Great Britain, Australia, Canada, USA, EU countries, Japan, French overseas departments and territories, all commonwealth countries, Cameroon, China, Cuba, Fiji, South Korea, Federated states of Micronesia, Marshall Islands Norway, Pakistan, Palau, Philippines, Switzerland, Taiwan (China), and Thailand

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists in the Falciparum variety in most parts of the country, throughout the year, which has been reported as being highly resistant to chloroquine

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink

Currency: Vatu (V) = 100 centimes
Exchange: Facilities are available at the airport and trade banks
Credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted. Australian dollars are the preferred currency in travellers cheques
ATM availability: Unavailable

Cost of living: There are three international standard resorts, which are expensive, as well as smaller resorts and conventional hotel-style accommodation, which are affordable. Moderately priced self-contained apartments and bungalows are available around Port Villa on the main island. Usual services are inexpensive

Languages: Bislama (Pidgin English). French and English are widely spoken. There are many (local dialects totally over 100).

Weather: Hot and Humid. Wet season: Nov – Feb

Electricity: 220 volts AC 50 Hz. Australian type flat 3 pin plugs are used

Post: 7 days

Transport: FLIGHTS: The government’s airline operates domestic flights, private airlines also operate domestic flights. SEA: Inter Island ferries operate from Port Vila and Espiritu Santo to the northern and southern islands. ROAD: BUS: Limited bus service. CAR HIRE: Major car hire operators have offices in Port Vila. DOCUMENTATION: A national driving licence is acceptable

Special information: Traditional customs should be respected. Beachwear should be confined to the pool/beach side. Consumption of alcohol is not permitted outside licensed premises

Capital: Port of Spain

Time zone: GMT – 4

Telephone services: Country Code: 1 868 Outgoing Code: 01

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 999, Ambulance/Fire – 990

Tourist information: Trinidad and Tobago Tourist Office, TIDCO’s UK representatives, Morris-Kevan International, International House, 47 Chase Side, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 6NB Tel: (020) 8342 0225 or (0800) 960 057 Fax: (020) 8367 9949 or 623 3848.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visa required by all except: Nationals of EU countries for stays not exceeding 3 months. Nationals of Canada and the USA for stays not exceeding 3 months. Nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Colombia, Cyprus, Dominica, French Guiana, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Iceland, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Malawi; Malaysia, Malta, Martinique, Mauritius, Nauru, Netherlands Antilles, Norway, Pakistan, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & The Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tonga, Turkey, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Western Samoa, Zambia and Zimbabwe for stays not exceeding 3 months. Nationals of Venezuela arriving from Venezuela for stays not exceeding 14 days.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age coming from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Rabies, Dengue Fever.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink.

Currency: Trinidad & Tobago Dollar (TT$) = 100 cents Exchange: Foreign currency can only be exchanged at authorised banks and some hotels. NOTE: The export of local currency is limited to the amount declared on arrival.
Both credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted. Any international currency is acceptable.
ATM availability: Over 100 locations.

Cost of living: Caters for all types of traveller whatever their budget.

Languages: English. French, Spanish, Hindi and Chinese are also spoken.

Weather: Tropical climate with cooling trade winds. Hottest June – Oct.

Electricity: 115-220 volts Ac 60 Hz. Continental two pin plugs are standard although variations may occur.

Post: Up to 2 weeks

Transport: SEA: A regular passenger service operates between Port of Spain and Tobago. ROAD: The network of roads between major towns is good but traffic around Port of Spain can be difficult. BUS: Services operate in most town, although they are cheap they can become crowded. TAXI: Official Taxis can be identified by ‘H’ symbol. Some taxi fares are fixed rate but others aren’t so it is advisable to find out the price before undertaking the journey. CAR HIRE: Available from the city or hotels. DOCUMENTATION: National driving licences are valid for 3 months. NOTE: Travel documents stating date of entrance to Tobago should be carried when driving.

Special information: Attacks on travellers, especially in Trinidad around the Port of Spain have risen over recent years. Tobago the smaller of the two islands enjoys a relatively crime-free existence.

Capital: Funafuti

Time zone: GMT + 12

Telephone services: Country Code: 688.
Outgoing Code: Calls must be made through the international operator.

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present.

Tourist information: Ministry of Commerce and Natural Resources, Vaiaku, Funafuti, Tuvalu Tel/Fax: 20182.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket Required. Regulations may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the Embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visa not required by nationals of: Great Britain, Australia, Canada, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the UK provided they have sufficient proof of onward travel and funds to finance stays of up to 1 month. Nationals of: Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Cyprus, Dominica, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Iceland, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Nauru, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago; Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Western Samoa, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.

Food & drink: Water is considered drinkable, normal precautions should be observed with food.

Currency: Australian Dollar is used for transactions over one dollar but Tuvaluan (Dollar) Currency may also be used
Credit cards are not accepted although MasterCard is accepted by the national bank. Travellers cheques in Australian dollars can be cashed at the national bank only.
ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: There is only one main hotel which offers moderate facilities, whilst other guest houses offer basic accommodation. All are inexpensive. Commodities are scarce due an undeveloped tourist industry.

Languages: Tuvaluan and English are the main languages.

Weather: Hot and Humid with little variation throughout the year. Mar to Oct tends to be slightly cooler and therefore more pleasant. Nov – Feb is the wet season when the climate may be uncomfortable.

Electricity: 110 volts AC.

Post: Up to 10 days, but the service can be erratic.

Transport: SEA: The islands are served by passenger and cargo-vessels. ROAD: Mainly dirt tracks TAXIS: Limited. BIKES: Push and motor bikes can be hired hotels.

Special information: Men must wear shirts in public places. Sunday is regarded as a sacred day and should be respected along with local customs.

Capital: Taipei

Time zone: GMT + 8

Telephone services: Country Code: 886 Outgoing Code: 002

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 110 (Chinese only)

Tourist information: Taiwan Visitors Association, 5th Floor, 9 Minchuan East Road, Section 2, Taipei, Taiwan Tel: (2) 594 3261. Fax: (2) 594 3265.

Passport information: All travellers must have passports which must be valid for 6 months. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Required by all except nationals of: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the UK provided their stay does not excee d 14 days, they are holding a passport valid for at least 6 months and are of previous good character. If staying for more than 14 days and nationals of other EU countries do require a visa. Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the USA provided their stay does not exceed 14 days and they are holding a passport valid for at least 6 months and are of previous good character.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Not a problem.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from anyone arriving from an infected area.
Other Health Risks: Cholera, Rabies.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: New Taiwan Dollar (NT$) = 100 cents NOTE: Import and export of local currency is limited to NT$ 40000. All exchange receipts must be retained. Export of foreig n currency is limited to the equivalent of US$ 5000 for passengers leaving within 6 months of arrival.
Credit cards and travellers cheques are accepted in most hotels, shops and restaurants. US dollars are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: Over 1400 locations.

Cost of living: It is possible to live relatively cheaply by shopping at markets. Good quality, cheap, accommodation may be more difficult to find.

Languages: Mandarin (Chinese), English and Japanese

Weather: Subtropical climate with moderate temperatures in the North where there is a winter season. June – Oct is the typhoon season.

Electricity: 110 Volts Ac 60 Hz

Post: Up to 10 days.

Transport: ROAD: There is an adequate road system joining all major cities. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required. BUS: Local and long distance bus services operate. TAXI: There a re numerous taxis which are inexpensive – but beware of drivers. RAIL: Air-conditioned, electric trains run hourly.

Special information: Taiwan is sensitive to political discussions regarding neighbouring China, but is still heavily influenced by Chinese culture. However as a major economic force in the Pacific it has adopted western free-market practices.