Top Ten Safe Travel Security Tips

1) Carry of copy of your passport with you while in country.

2) Travel in large groups rather than alone.

3) Choose a safe and secure hotel rather than a cheap one.

4) Remember to leave contact information (i.e., email address or phone number) with family and friends so they can get in touch with you abroad.

5) Refrain from carrying large bags while touring.

6) Contact the police immediately and report it if you are victimized.

7) Be aware of your surroundings and avoid social distractions (e.g., cell phones and mp3 players)

8) Surrender your valuables if confronted by thieves. They can be replaced.

9) Be extra careful when using public transportation abroad. If possible avoid using crowded buses.

10) Get sound security advice by contacting your embassy or consulate and speaking with someone in the security office.

Money & Travel

What credit cards do I need to take with me?
Take your major credit cards, such as, Visa, Master Card and American Express.

Make sure they are really credit cards and not just debit cards with a credit card company’s logo on them. Many locations require a credit card and will not accept a debit card, so they may have limited use on your travel.

Leave all your local store credit cards in a secure location at home; there will be no need to carry them with you.

Why should I contact my credit card companies before I leave?

You want to notify them of your trip. They may delay you if they are unaware you are traveling. The unfamiliar spending patterns might cause them to suspect that the card is being used fraudulently and delay your approvals.

They will be able to explain many of the services that they can provide while you are on your trip.

How can my credit card company help prepare me for my trip?

You can arrange to pay bills that will come due while you are gone.

They will be aware that you will be making charges from another country.

They will be able to give you an idea of how acceptable their credit card is in that particular country.

They can verify acceptance at certain foreign locations.

They’ll be able to see if your PIN number will work in the countries you are visiting. They can also issue you another PIN number if your current PIN is unacceptable to the foreign bank’s system.

They can explain cash advance, ATM, foreign purchase and foreign exchange rate policies and fees.

They can explain any services they offer, such as, extra insurance for your rental car, luggage or purchases. Make sure the coverage offered extends outside the United States and will be valid in all the countries where you’ll be traveling. Also, be sure to note any other exceptions.

They may need to give you another phone number to call in case you need to reach them. The 800 number listed on the back of your card may not work from foreign locations.

You can find out if they charge a currency conversion fee, so you can find the most economical card on which to place your foreign purchases.

Should I use my ATM card while traveling?

Yes, you’ll have access to cash during your trip so you won’t have to take as much cash with you and using your ATM card can also be a good way to get cash in foreign countries.

The ATM will issue money in local currency.

You should exchange at the bank’s wholesale exchange rate. You may still want to shop around to different banks since some will charge a high usage fee for their ATMs. Although, even high ATM fees may be less than others will charge for currency exchanges.

Don't wait until you're out of money to go to an ATM, the machines can run out of money or break down.

What should I know about using travelers checks?

If the particular brand of travelers checks are accepted in the country you’ll be visiting.

How widely they are accepted within the countries you’ll be visiting.

Any fees for purchasing and using the travelers checks.

The travelers check company’s loss, replacement and refund policies.

How can I protect my travelers checks while traveling?

Take the same precautions you would to protect your cash. Be sure to learn and follow the procedures required if you lose your travelers checks. You’ll also need to make copies of your travelers checks before you go and keep separate from them the following information.

The serial numbers of the travelers checks.

The denomination of the travelers checks.

The date and location of their purchase.

The phone number to call to report them missing.

Vietnam Travel Tips

Geography

Land area : 330,991 km2 Population : More than 78 million On the world map, Vietnam lies at the center of South East Asia making an S-shaped stretch of land on the East side of the Indochina peninsula, facing the Eastern Sea ( South China Sea) on the Pacific Ocean. Vietnam's coastline is more than 3,260 kms in length or almost twice that of the country from North to South, a natural endowment that gives it a great tourism potential. Vietnam has common borders with many countries: to the North with China, East and Southeast with Laos and Cambodia. Other neighboring countries include Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Brunei. The topography is very diverse with mountain ranges, rivers, forest, sea, highland, deltas, etc. Although it is a country that is located entirely in the tropical region, it has areas that enjoy conditions of temperate zone like Sa Pa or Da Lat, which has been dubbed Switzerland of South East Asia by passionate travelers.

Climate

Vietnam is located in the tropical zone characterized by sunshine, high rainfall, humidity and monsoon. Most mountainous regions are temperate. The annual average temperature is from 22ºC to 27ºC with two distinguished seasons in general: the cold and dry one from November to April and the other hot and wet from May to October. Especially the North has four distinct seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. The best time to visit the country is from October to April.

Currency

The Vietnamese currency is Dong (VND). Banknotes in circulation are 100 Dong, 200 Dong, 500 Dong, 1,000 Dong, 2,000 Dong, 5,000 Dong, 10,000 Dong, 20,000 Dong, 50,000 Dong and 100,000 Dong recently issued by The State Bank of Vietnam. The rate of exchange is approximately 1 USD = 14,950 dong. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at the bank, exchange bureau or hotel reception desk. Travelers' cheque and most of Credit cards are accepted in the major cities.

Visa

The entry visas are obtainable from the nearest Vietnamese Embassy, a travel agent or upon arrival. The validity of tourist visas is about one month and could be extended. Photo, passport and personal data required should be given.

Local Transportation

Bus, train, taxi, cyclo, taxi-motor "Xe Om", Xe Lam ( like Tuk Tuk in Thailand ) and car, motor & bike for rent are available in the major cities.

Emergency Call

Police: 113. Fire Brigade: 114. First Aid: 115.

Healcare Centers

HANOI : Vietnam International Hospital, Phuong Mai road - Tel: 5740740 (24 hour emergency clinic). International SOS: 24 hour alarm center and medical emergency teams. 31 Hai Ba Trung. Tel: 9340555. Fax: 9340556. Medex: A1 Van Phuc, Suite 109-112, Kim Ma. Tel: 8430748. Fax: 8461750 (24 hour emergency: 090401919) HCMC : Alain Carpentier Foundation - IMC - Heart Institute : 520 Nguyen Tri Phuong, Dist.10 (24 hour emergency : 8654025 Out & In Patient services - Western doctors). Colombia Asia Saigon : 8 Alexandere de Rhodes, Dist.1. Tel: 8238455. International SOS : 65 Nguyen Du, Dist.1. Tel: 8298424, 8298520 (24 hour emergency) . Fax: 8298551.

Airport

The following are airports for international flights`arrival in and departure from Vietnam. Airport tax is payable: 10 USD for international flights . 02 USD for domestic flights at main airports and 01 USD at others. City Name of Airport Distance ( km ) Airport Tax ( USD ) Taxi ( USD) Dom. Inter. HANOI NOI BAI 35 02 10 10 HCMC TAN SON NHAT 05 02 10 05 DANANG DANANG 05 02 10 05 HUE PHU BAI 14 01 08

Electricity

Electric current in Vietnam is 220 volts at 50 Hertz but outlets of 110 volts at 50 hertz are somewhere also available. Today, most outlets are flat pins. The rest are round pins.

Post and Telecommunication

Vietnamese postal system offers you most telecommunications services. At present, telecommunications fee in Vietnam is said to be the most expensive in all over the world. But the situation is changing overtime. Otherwise, you could find herein some special services such as: EMS ( Express Mail Service ), DHL Worldwide Express, Freight Forwarders... Email & Internet : Thank to the technology, E-mail and Internet services are available in most hotels and posts in Vietnam. An other place where you could find the same service is Cafe Internet in the street of major cities. Normally the post will charge you 100 VND per minute for internet service ( about 0.006 USD ) but it could be 150 VND ( 0.009 USD ) or more in the hotel or Cafe Internet. Evident, isn't it ? Telephone Box & Telephone Card : Telephone box is the cheapest way for you to call home . You can find telephone box at post offices or in the street of major cities. Telephone cards are on sales at GPO, shops, restaurants, book stores... Mobile phone : In Vietnam, GMS ( Global Mobilephone System ) is presently operated by two main suppliers: VINAPHONE and MOBIFONE so your mobile phone could be used here by roaming service. These suppliers offer also VINA and MOBI Pre-Paid Card service. The best way for you to use mobile phone in the country is to rent a mobile phone and buy a pre-paid card. It is easy to rent a mobile phone at your hotel or at a Mobile Phone Service Center in the street. According to Officials, CDMA will be operated from January 2002 and replace GMS time over time. Time : Like Thailand, Vietnamese timing zone is seven hours ahead of GMT/UTC. So close to the equator, Vietnam has no daylight saving time (summer time ).

Film and Photography

It is so easy to find in Vietnam popular color print film brands including Kodak, Fuji, Konica, AFGA. Western-made slide film, batteries and spare parts for cameras are also available. You can develop your roll at any Photo Processing Shop by the latest Japanese one hour color printing equipment. One thing to keep in mind: recheck your roll store before going to visit somewhere and buy more film immediately in the street if it is not enough film for you to take photo because you will be charged by sellers at tourist spots at an extremely expensive price when buying film these.

Business Hours

Office hour is from 07h30 to 12h00 and 13h00 to 16h30 and working days from Monday to Friday. Some offices are open on Saturday until noon. Museums are usually closed on Monday but you can visit temples and pagodas every day. Opening hour for most shops is at about 08h00 till 18h00. In busy streets, shops are closed later at night.

Public Holidays

The following are vietnamese official public holidays : 01 January : New Year`s Day Late January to mid-February: Vietnamese Lunar New Year ( 04 days off ). 03 February : Vietnamese Communist Party Foundation. 30 April : Saigon Liberation Day 01 May : International Workers`Day. 19 May : Birthday of the president Ho Chi Minh. 02 September : National Day.

Food

Every day, Vietnamese people eat rice by bowl and chopsticks as western people eat bread by knife, fork and dish. There is a wide range of sauces, snacks, soups, noodles, desserts and tropical fruits. Travelling to Vietnam is a good time to taste these delicious dishes. Otherwise vegetarian food, dietary dishes and western menu are also available at restaurant.

Drinks

At some hotels in Vietnam, water are potable but you can not drink it from public water system in the street. There are too many kind of drinks such as: coffee, tea, mineral water, fruit juices, soft drinks, alcohol, wine, champagne and liquor... The most suitable for you while travelling is the mineral water sealed in plastic bottles ( well-known marks like La vie - Vittel France... ). At leisure, you can drink coffee and Vietnamese green tea or coconut milk, coca-cola, Pepsi. If you like alcoholic drinks, you should taste local beer 333 and Hanoi Beer or local alcohols made from rice. Otherwise if you are curious or adventurous to try a little bit of snake wine or the like. It said to be more powerful for men. Frozen drinks usually are better than drinks with ice.

Accommodation

In the whole country, there are enough kind of accommodation for your choice from dormitories, camping, guest houses, mini-hotels to luxurious hotels. On the other hand, a system of houses, apartments and residences for rent are also available. If you want to be more independent and come back to the nature, camping in jungle is at your disposition or you want to discover the local life, you can share and pass the night at a house of local inhabitant in some remote areas.

Entertainment

Cinemas, opera house, theatres, discos, karaoke ( sing along ), pubs, video games, video parlours, sport clubs, fitness centers and other recreations are available for you in major cities.

Information provided by Vietnam Tourism Board.

Brunei Travel Trips

Travel International

AIR : Brunei’s national airline is Royal Brunei Airlines (BI); it flies to Abu Dhabi, Bali, Bangkok, Beijing, Brisbane (four times a week), Calcutta, Darwin (twice weekly), Dubai, Frankfurt/M, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Jeddah, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur (daily), Kuching, Kuwait, London (daily), Manila, Perth (three times a week), Singapore, Surabaya and Taipei. Air carriers to Brunei include: Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways International.

Approximate flight times : From Brunei to London is 17 hours, to Los Angeles is 18 hours 30 minutes including stopover in Hong Kong, to New York is 23 hours 20 minutes including stopover in Hong Kong, to Singapore is 2 hours and to Sydney is 12 hours 40 minutes including stopover in Perth.

International airports : Bandar Seri Begawan (BWN) is 11km (7 miles) south of the city. Airport facilities include a bank, bureaux de change, car hire (Avis, Hertz and National Car Systems), duty-free shops, post office, restaurants and shops. Taxi services are available to the city with surcharges after 2200. Lower rates are charged by taxis leaving from the airport car park.

Departure tax : Br$5 for flights to Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines or Singapore; Br$12 for all other destinations.

SEA : Ports at Muara and Kuala Belait are the entry points for sea cargo. There are passenger services between Singapore and Muara port. Ships and water taxis run a service between Bandar Seri Begawan and the Malay city of Labuan (Sabah).

ROAD : There are access roads into Brunei from Sarawak at various locations, although some are unpaved.

Travel Internal

AIR : There are no internal air services.

SEA/RIVER : There are water taxi services to Kampong Ayer, with stations at Jalan Kianggeh and Jalan McArthur. Water taxis are the most common form of transport in Kampong Ayer, Brunei’s renowned water village. Fares are negotiable. Regular water taxi and boat services also ply between Bandar Seri Begawan and Bangar (in Temburong), Limbang (in Sarawak), Labuan and some towns in the Malaysian state of Sabah.

ROAD : There are approximately 1800km (1080 miles) of roads in the country; the best-developed road network is in the Brunei-Muara district, including a coastal highway which runs from Muara to Jerudong and then on to Tutong. Traffic drives on the left. Bus : Services operate to Seria (91km (57 miles) from Bandar Seri Begawan), Kuala Belait (16km (10 miles) from Seria), Tutong (48km (30 miles) from Bandar Seri Begawan) and Muara (27km (17 miles) from Bandar Seri Begawan). There is a bus station in the town centre and the city bus system is well maintained and inexpensive. Car hire : Self-drive or chauffeur-driven cars are available at the airport and major hotels. It is important to specify whether an air conditioned car is required. Documentation : An International Driving Permit is required to hire a car. A temporary licence to drive in Brunei is available on presentation of a valid driving licence from the visitor’s country of origin.

URBAN : Taxis are available in Bandar Seri Begawan. Fares are usually metered; if not they should be agreed before the journey. There is a 50 per cent surcharge after 2300. Tipping is not necessary.

History and Government

History : In ancient times, Brunei was a powerful trading nation controlling most of Borneo and part of the Philippines archipelago, with extensive connections throughout South-East Asia. The country was occupied briefly by the Spanish during the late 16th century. Part of the Spanish colonial mission was always the vigorous dissemination of Catholicism - in the previous century, Islam had been adopted in Brunei as the principal religion. In the mid-19th century, Brunei came under British influence when the seafarer, James Brooke, was granted control of the Sarawak region (now part of Malaysia) in return for protection against pirates. The island of Labuan was also ceded to Britain, thereby reducing Brunei to its current borders.

In 1888, Britain declared ‘North Borneo’ to be a British Protectorate, under which the territory was governed by a British resident, with purely nominal powers available to the Sultan. This arrangement continued - apart from a period of Japanese occupation between 1941-1945 - until Brunei’s transition to independence began in 1959. That year, a new Anglo-Brunei agreement was signed, under which the UK assumed responsibility for defence and foreign affairs but passed control of all other matters to the Sultan. Three years later, the North Borneo Liberation Army instigated rebellions, during which a state of emergency was declared. As a result, the Sultan assumed the power to rule by decree. Since then, with the benefit of its vast oil wealth, Brunei has undergone steady, if somewhat unequal, development. The country is in many respects comparable to the Gulf sheikhdoms - small, exceedingly wealthy and more or less surrounded by larger, poorer nations.

The government of the country rests in the exclusive hands of His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, 29th in the dynasty, 35 years on the throne and certainly one of the world’s richest individuals. Sultan Bolkiah (for short) took over in 1967, following the abdication of his father, Sultan Omar, who remained chief adviser to the new ruler. Political activity in his realm is kept on a very short leash. After toying with orthodox politics, the government invoked the concept of Melayu Islam Beraja (Malay Islamic Monarchy) as a state ideology at the end of the 1980s; Islam consequently has become a steadily stronger influence in the life of the country. Electoral politics have generally been an anathema to the Sultan. Political parties, specifically the National Democratic Party and the National Solidarity Party, were allowed to operate openly for a brief period in the 1980s and again in the mid-1990s, although were ultimately suppressed. The Sultan’s intention to maintain the leading role of the dynasty was reflected by an official announcement in August 1998, stating that his eldest son, Prince al-Muhtadee Billah, will succeed him as Sultan upon his death or retirement. However, the image of the dynasty has been somewhat damaged by revelations of the profligate and debauched lifestyle of the Sultan’s brother, Prince Jefri, who has since been declared bankrupt.

Abroad, Brunei pursued a more active foreign policy during the last decade, joining the Non-Aligned Movement and establishing diplomatic relations with China, Vietnam, Iran and Myanmar. A military cooperation agreement was signed with the USA, supplementing that with the UK. Brunei hosted an ASEAN summit in July 2002, which agreed co-operative measures in the field of counter-terrorism among member states. Brunei is also involved in the search for a settlement of the awkward and potentially dangerous dispute over the Spratly Islands, the South China Sea archipelago claimed by six countries, including Brunei itself and China. Relations with Malaysia have improved since the resolution of various long-running border disputes.

Government : Brunei is a traditional Islamic monarchy, with supreme political power vested in the Sultan. He is advised by the Privy Council, the Religious Council, the Council of Cabinet Ministers and the Council of Succession.

Safe Travel -01

How can I protect my safety while traveling abroad?
Do the research so you’ll know the particular risks you face.

Know the local laws and abide by them.

Register your whereabouts with the U.S. Embassy if you are staying longer than two weeks or are in a particularly dangerous area.

Dress conservatively and try to blend in. If you are in an area with groups of people hostile to the United States, and there are many, avoid clothing or other items that openly label you as a U.S. citizen. You might be safer if they think you are a Canadian.

Take care when choosing your hotel and transportation providers.

If you haven’t left your valuables at home, leave them in your hotel’s safe.

Don’t draw attention to yourself, avoid wearing flashy jewelry and don’t display large amounts of cash. Carry only enough cash to make it through the day and leave the rest in the hotel’s safe.

Avoid traveling alone.

Be careful about sharing your traveling plans with strangers.

Stick to the main roads and avoid taking shortcuts down narrow alleys and/or poorly lit streets.

Always be aware of what is going on around you.

Only use taxis, tours and other transportation services with official markings. Only select transportation from official pickup points at transportation hubs.

Be very careful if you are asked to sell or part with your personal items. Many countries have restrictions on items foreigners can sell or give away and you can get into serious trouble for violating those laws.

Never accept gifts or packages from unknown parties.

Don’t accept items from locals to carry out of the country and deliver or mail to someone they know.

Approach any "special deals" with caution, especially if you have to go off the beaten path to get them.

Know the laws about exchanging money. Only use official exchange facilities since this is another area that can get you into trouble fast.

Where can I find information on issues that will effect my safety while I’m traveling?
travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html - The U.S. State Department’s Travel Warning and Consular Information web page. This site contains detailed information on foreign countries’ entry requirements, safety, crime, medical facilities, traffic and aviation safety, customs, criminal penalties, and special issue information. It also includes contact information and web links to foreign Embassies and Consulate offices.

www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/ - The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency’s country listing section of the CIA’s World Factbook web page. This site contains extremely detailed information on foreign countries. Much of this information would be useful to the business traveler, but it also includes information that would be helpful to the tourist.

How can I avoid being the victim of a pickpocket?

• Don’t travel in narrow alleys or poorly lit streets.
• When possible, avoid having crowds of people surrounding you.
• Carry a dummy wallet and put your money in your front pocket.
• Place a rubber band around your wallet, it will make it much more difficult to remove from your pocket without your knowledge.
• Carry your purse under your arm.
• Carry your money under your clothes.

Healthy Travel

How can I protect my health when I travel?
If you have any food allergies, learn the names of those foods in the languages used in the countries you’ll be visiting. This way you’ll be better equipped to stay on the look out for them.

Find out what types of diseases are common to the area you’ll be visiting and take actions to prevent your exposure to those diseases.

Find out what types of vaccinations you will need to enter the country, there may also be medications you’ll need to take before, during and even after your trip. Get your vaccinations early in case you have a reaction and need some recovery time.

You should consider a dental appointment if you haven’t had a check up in a while.

Be careful what you eat and drink.

Carry complete health information with you on your trip.

Where can I find information that will help keep me healthy while traveling?
www.cdc.gov/travel/ - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travel Information web page. This site contains updated information and articles on diseases. It also includes guidelines for travel to areas that have suffered a recent natural disaster. The most valuable section of the site is the destinations section. This area of the site contains detailed specific information on diseases common to particular regions of the world, along with the recommended precautions and vaccines advised to avoid those diseases.

www.who.int/ith/ - The World Health Organization's Geographical distribution of potential health hazards to travelers web page. This site contains information, divided by regions of the globe, on potential health hazards for travelers within that region.

How can I protect myself from traveler’s diarrhea while traveling abroad?

• When you are traveling abroad, don’t forget that drinking another country’s water can be dangerous.
• Stick with bottled or boiled water and carbonated soft drinks.
• Remember that the ice in your drink turns into water, so order them with out ice.
• Wipe off the tops of cans before you drink from them, or better yet, bring some straws to use for drinking.
• Avoid raw foods, as they can also be a good way to get sick.
• Only brush your teeth with bottled water and keep your mouth shut when you’re in the shower, even an accidental spray can get you sick.

A Few Tips for Travel while Pregnant

Stiff and swollen feet, ankles, and legs are a problem for many passengers on long trips, and especially so for pregnant women. These tips should help you to cope with the problem:

• Wear maternity support hose. You should put on stockings before you get out of bed and keep them on all day. Lie on your back as you pull them on. This will ensure that you start the day right.

• Keep hydrated. Avoid coffee, tea, and pop. Instead, drink water or juice.

• Wear comfortable shoes that have expandable gussets or Velcro-type closures that you can easily loosen.

• Get up and take a short walk down the aisle about once every half hour. This is easiest on a plane if you prebook an aisle seat.

• Elevate your feet whenever possible.

• Every few minutes, lift each leg off the floor as you sit and rotate your foot at the ankle in both directions; then point your toes forward and back a few times. The pumping action will help to keep blood and fluids from pooling in your legs.

Flying While Pregnant - If you plan to take a plane trip while pregnant, discuss it with your doctor first. Barring any problems or complications, your doctor will probably let you go - except in the very early stages (when miscarriages are more likely to occur) or in the later stages (when you may be more likely to go into labor). Most airlines have regulations regarding how late into a pregnancy you may travel. Check before you fly to avoid disappointment. It is probably not a good idea to travel anywhere that requires prior immunization. Avoiding the introduction or ingestion of foreign substances during pregnancy (including alcohol and nicotine) is the safest route to a healthy baby. Try to book a seat with comfort in mind: A seat near the bathroom will facilitate more frequent bladder emptying. An aisle seat will make it easier to get up for quick walks (and trips to the washroom) Bulkhead seats have the most legroom. First class seats will be most comfortable - if you can afford the expenditure.

Medical Certification is Important - Don't forget to get a medical certificate from your doctor before travelling, confirming that it is ok for you to travel at this stage.

Pass the Time in Tranquility - To kill time during a long trip, take your walkman or iPod with soothing music, chanting, prayers, or some nice baby development books. These will give you and your unborn baby immense happiness and peace.

Pay Attention to Nutrition - Always carry your own food while travelling. Home prepared food is best for the frequent nutrition required at this stage. Avoid packing junk food or anything purchased readymade from the market. Try carrying fresh fruits and juice tins or tetra packs, as they are easy to carry and nutritious.