SEAMEO RETRAC

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

1. Date

9-11 July 2014 (3 days)

2. Venue

International Hall, Building B
SEAMEO RETRAC
35 Le Thanh Ton St., District 1
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: (84-8) 38245618
Fax: (84-8) 38232175
E:  rpd@vnseameo.org
W: www.vnseameo.org

Click here to enlarge picture

3. Before coming

Please send the following files to our contact person email address tvthai@vnseameo.org after booking the air ticket:

  • A file of passport photo to make name tags and directory
  • Flight information for airport transportation arrangement

4. Airport transportation

Participants will be arriving at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Participants will be picked up at the airport by RETRAC staff (Please refer to item # 3 on flight information).

In case participants are missed at the airport, please refer to information about accommodation and public transportation below (Item #s 8 & 9) to manage to get to the hotel. Upon arriving in the hotel, please keep hotel receptionists informed that you attend SEAMEO RETRAC forum and ask them to call our contact person, Mr. Tran Van Thai (Tel: 01233662898) upon check-in.

On the date of departure, RETRAC will manage transportation to send off the participants from the hotel to the airport.

5. Registration

Registration will start from 0800 AM Wednesday, 9 July 2014. Participants will collect the name tags and forum materials at the registration. Participants are required to wear their name tags during the Forum.
For reimbursement purposes, please submit these documents at registration:

  • Photocopy of passport (front page with photo and personal information)
  • Air ticket / airport tax (if any)
  • Boarding pass
  • Receipt of air ticket

Participants are recommended to bring business cards for networking purposes.
Please note that all participants are requested to be on time.

6. Airfare and Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA)

RETRAC will bear the costs of round-trip, economy-class airfare from the country of origin to Ho Chi Minh City. Participants are requested to book their air tickets, and RETRAC will reimburse upon arrival. Please kindly send us the flight information and the cost of the air ticket before purchasing. The time of arrival will be at the participants’ choice; however, we strongly recommend that participants book their tickets such that the flight will arrive in the afternoon of July 8, 2014 and depart in the morning of July 12, 2014.  Otherwise, the participants are responsible for additional accommodation and expenditures.

DSA will be provided in Vietnam Dong to cover the cost of meals NOT provided during the meeting plus miscellaneous expenses related to the participants’ mission.

7. Passport, Visa and Travel/Health Insurance

Participants are responsible for ensuring that they are in possession of their passport with at least six months validity prior to the travel date.

Citizens from Southeast Asian countries DO NOT need a visa to enter Vietnam for short trips of less than 30 days (Myanmar citizens less than 14 days).

Participants are responsible for their travel/health insurance.

8. Accommodation

Each participant will be accommodated in a single room at Lan Lan 2 Hotel. RETRAC will cover the accommodation expenses for 4 nights only from July 8, 2014 to July 11, 2014. Check-in time will be after 14:00 (noon) on July 8, 2014; check-out time will be before 12:00 (noon) on July 12, 2014.

Kindly note that participants will be responsible to cover all extra expenses including items consumed in the hotel room, personal calls and usage of business center. To avoid unnecessary expenses, please check on the rates with the front desk hotel staff before making any phone calls. You may also purchase an international pre-paid telephone cards which are available in any convenient stores outside the hotel.

All personal valuables brought by the participants to the event are the responsibility of the participants. A suitcase that can be locked is recommended for cameras, laptop computers or other valuable items you may wish to bring. Participants may also deposit valuable items in the hotel’s safety deposit box, which is available in the hotel rooms.

Laundry service is available in the hotel.  Prices are available at the Front Office desk and costs are paid for by each individual.

Please print the address of Hotel so you can show to the taxi drivers if you are to take a taxi cab going to the hotel.

Vietnamese
Khách sạn Lan Lan 2, 44-46 Thủ Khoa Huân, Quận 1, TP. Hồ Chí Minh
ĐT: 848 3822 7926/27                                      Fax: 848 3822 7925
Email: sales2@lanlanhotel.com.vn           Website: http://lanlanhotel.com.vn/lanlan2

 English
Lan Lan 2 Hotel, 44-46 Thu Khoa Huan St. District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: (848) 3822 7926/27                                  Fax: (848) 3822 7925
Email: sales2@lanlanhotel.com.vn           Website: http://lanlanhotel.com.vn/lanlan2

Map of Lan Lan Hotel.PNG

9. Public Transportation

Local transportation will be arranged to take participants to the forum venue and bring them back to the hotel.
For personal trips, please refer to the following options of transportation:

  • Taxi: (Strongly recommended) There is a variety of taxi companies operating in Ho Chi Minh City. Vinasun Taxi can be contacted at 08 3827 2727, Mai Linh Taxi 08 3838 3838.
  • Cyclos: Cyclos are a slow but safe option. Most cyclo drivers do not speak English. Negotiate the fare before you proceed. Due to the long distances involved, cyclos are not recommended for transport to the forum venue.
  • Buses: There are a lot of public buses operating within the city of Ho Chi Minh. Buses that go to the forum venue are 44, 03 and 19.

10. Meals

Lunches and refreshments will be provided to all participants during the three-day forum.

11. Exchange rate

Foreign currencies are not accepted in most shops, so it is best for you to change your foreign currency to the local currency, which is Vietnam Dong. The current foreign exchange rate is approximately USD $1.00 = VND 21,000. Money may be exchanged upon arrival at the international airport or at the hotel or leading banks. These rates are subject to market fluctuations so please check them again prior to your departure date. Credit cards are accepted by hotels and some shops, however cash is also necessary. There are now a number of ATMs accepting international cards. Please note that most ATMs charge a fee of approximately US$4 for use of international cards.

12. Climate and Attire

The weather in Vietnam at the time of the forum should be warm and humid in the daily temperature range of 25-34oC. Light clothing will be necessary for outdoors but it is worth noting that the hotel and forum venue are fully air-conditioned, therefore it is advisable that you pack appropriate clothing for the meeting. You may wear your national dress or formal attire (suit) during the forum. However, this is optional but all participants, facilitators and guests are requested to dress up formally for the event. Please also note that rain is expected at this time in Vietnam and an umbrella will be useful.

13. Electricity

Electricity used in Vietnam is 220v-50Hz. The types of plug are A and C (as pictures below)

Description: File:A plug.jpg                      Description: File:Euro-Flachstecker 2.jpg

Useful websites for travelling, shopping, and entertainment

General Information: http://www.eng.hochiminhcity.gov.vn/Pages/default.aspx<
The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam: http://english.cinet.vn/  
Other useful websites for tourists are:
http://vietnamopentour.com.vn/blog/travel/vietnam-tours/hochiminh-city-tours/
http://www.hochiminhcitytravel.net/city-tours/
http://www.viator.com/Ho-Chi-Minh-City/d352-ttd
http://www.vietnamonline.com/destination/ho-chi-minh-city/ho-chi-minh-city-travel-index.html