Vietnam

Entry Regulations:
All Canadian citizens require a Canadian passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of your entry into the country. An entry visa is necessary to enter Vietnam prior to arrival. You will need to fill out an application form, 2 passport size photo and a copy of your passport to obtain an entry visa.

Please check with your country’s Foreign Affairs office to find out about entry requirements for non-Canadians and Americans.

Climate:
Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate with wet and dry seasons varying from north to south and with elevation changes. November-April is the dry season in the north, Central Highlands and south. Temperatures range from 14-33 degrees Celsius.

Currency:
The basic unit of currency is the Vietnamam Dong (VND). At present, the exchange rate is VND20,922 to C$1 and VND20,830 to US$1. As exchange rates fluctuate many times every day, this rate might not accurately reflect the rate during your trip. Please check exchange rates closer to your date of travel.

Electricity:
Vietnam uses both the 110 and 220 volt system.

Tip: This system may differ from the one you use at home. If it is different, please purchase an adaptor from a travel store near you, to take advantage of the power ports in your hotel room.

Language:
The official language is Vietnamese, tonal language with a mixture of Mon-Khmer, Thai and Chinese. French is still spoken among the older generation while English is more likely to be the second language of the younger generation.

Health Requirement:
No vaccination certificates are required unless coming from an infected area. For all health requirements and recommendations, travellers should check with their doctors for change in requirements.

Airport Facilities and Tax:
The international airports are Tan Son Nhat (Saigon) International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City and the Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. Departure taxes are formulated into the price of your airline ticket.

Shopping:
Vietnam is particularly known for its various styles of lacquer ware (mother of pearl inlay and duck shell) and its growing silk industry. Contemporary paintings and copies of masterpiece work are also widely available in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Extreme caution should be noted when buying goods. Any goods that are considered "antique" will be confiscated. It is illegal to export any item that might be considered "antique" from Vietnam.

Cuisine:
Traditional Vietnamese cuisine boasts 500 specialties varying from the famous spring rolls to tamarind crab. Meals are generally not spicy but make use of a wide array of interesting sauces. Ho Chi Minh City has an increasing selection of international restaurants including Italian, French, Indian, Japanese and Chinese.

For more information please visit:

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/report-en.asp?country=316000

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Cambodia

Entry Regulations:
All Canadian citizens require a Canadian passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of your entry into the country. Visas are mandatory for entry into Cambodia. Visas can be obtained upon arrival for a fee of US$20.00 along with one passport size photo.

Please check with your country’s Foreign Affairs office to find out about entry requirements for non-Canadians and Americans.

Climate:
Cambodia has a tropical monsoon climate. March to May is very hot with occasional rain; June to October is the monsoon season that can be both humid and hot with average temperatures of 27 degrees Celsius and humidity of up to 90%; November to March is the cooler dry season with temperatures averaging 17-27 degrees Celsius.

Currency:
The basic unit of currency is the Cambodia Riel (KHR). At present, the exchange rate is KHR4,006 to C$1 and KHR4,024 to US$1. As exchange rates fluctuate many times every day, this rate might not accurately reflect the rate during your trip. Please check exchange rates closer to your date of travel.

Electricity:
The current used in Cambodia is the 220V, 50-cycle system.

Tip: This system may differ from the one you use at home. If it is different, please purchase an adaptor from a travel store near you, to take advantage of the power ports in your hotel room.

Language:
The official language is Khmer. French was widely spoken prior to 1975, but is today succeeded by English. Other spoken languages include Chinese, Vietnamese and Russian.

Health Requirement:
No vaccinations are required to enter Cambodia. However, visitors are advised to have an up-to-date inoculation for cholera, hepatitis A and B, malaria, typhoid and tuberculosis. Malaria is prevalent in most remote regions of Cambodia and it is best to consult with your doctor on the best preventive measures.

Airport Facilities and Tax:
The main airports are Pochentong International Airport in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap Airport in Siem Reap. Departure tax is US$25.00 for international departures and US$6.00 for domestic departures payable at the airport.

Shopping:
The renowned Central Market (New Market) is one of the largest and busiest markets in Phnom Penh and is most popular for locals and foreigners. The Toul Tom Pong Market (Russian Market) is the city's best source of object dart. The Olympic market, owned by one of Cambodia's most powerful tycoon, is where a great deal of wholesaling is done.

Cuisine:
Rice and fish are the basic food items among the Khmer people. Other dishes cooked with pork, chicken and beef are also the main diets. Chinese and western menus are commonly available in the capital of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville.

For more information please visit:

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/report-en.asp?country=46000

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Thailand

Entry Regulations: 
All Canadian citizens require a Canadian passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of your entry into the country. A visa is not required for stays of up to 30 days. Visitors must be in possession of a return or on-ward ticket and may be asked for proof of sufficient funds for your stay.

Please check with your country’s Foreign Affairs office to find out about entry requirements for non-Canadians and Americans.

Climate: 
Thailand is generally very hot, particularly between March and May. The monsoon season runs from June to October, when the climate is still hot and humid with torrential rains. The best time for traveling is November to February (cool season), although the southern islands are best from June to September.

Currency:
The Thai Bhat (THB) is the basic unit of currency. At present, the rate of exchange is THB31.23 for C$1 and THB29.88 to US$1. As exchange rates fluctuate each day, please check the current exchange rate near your date of travel.

Electricity:
The current used in Thailand is the 220V, 50-cycle system.

Tip: This system may differ from the one you use at home. If it is different, please purchase an adaptor from a travel store near you, to take advantage of the power ports in your hotel room.

Language:
The official language is Thai. English is widely spoken, especially in establishments catering for tourists.

Health Requirement:
Vaccination certificates are not required of Canadian or American tourists unless they have visited a country where an infection/disease is endemic. If you are from another part of the world, please check with a travel medicine professional for more information on possible requirements.

Airport Facilities and Tax:
The international airport in Bangkok is Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Other airports are in Chiang Mai, Phuket and Koh Samui; The departure tax is formulated into your airline ticket.

Shopping:
Thailand is one of the best places in Asia for bargain hunting and visitors will be spoilt for choice with the huge, glitzy shopping malls, department stores, small shops and bustling street markets. Both Bangkok and Chiang Mai have excellent night markets. Good buys include Thai silks and cottons, leather goods, batiks, silver and gold, precious and semiprecious stones (in particular rubies and sapphires are indigenous to Thailand), pearls, dolls, masks, painted umbrellas, lacquer ware, pewter ware, bamboo and wood artifacts and bronze ware. The weekend market at Chatuchuk in Bangkok is a regular cornucopia with hundreds of stalls stocking items ranging from genuine antiques to fighting fish. Tailor-made clothes are also good value and can be made in a matter of days, yet the standard is very high.

Cuisine:
Thai cuisine is distinctive, thanks to liberal use of spicy ingredients. It combines the best of Chinese and Indian culinary traditions while retaining its own very special character. International food in restaurants and food-shops are abundant.

For more information please visit:

www.tourismthailand.org

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/report-en.asp?country=290000

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Laos

Entry Regulations:
lAl Canadian citizens require a Canadian passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of your entry into the country. A tourist visa is required to enter Laos and is valid for up to 30 days. Entry visa’s can also be obtainable at the airport for a fee of US$35 for American citizens and US$42 for Canadian citizens.  Two passport size photo's are also required.

Please check with your country’s Foreign Affairs office to find out about entry requirements for non-Canadians and Americans.

Climate:
The climate of Laos is tropical, with a wet monsoon season between May and October, and a dry season from November to April. Very heavy rainfall can be expected in July and August. Temperatures are constantly high all year round.

Currency: 
The Laos Kips (LAK)is the basic unit of currency. At present, the exchange rate is 7,980 Kips for C$1 and 8,467 Kips to US$1. As exchange rates fluctuate each day, please check the current exchange rate near your date of travel.

Electricity:
The current used in Laos is the 220V, 50-cycle system.

Tip: This system may differ from the one you use at home. If it is different, please purchase an adaptor from a travel store near you, to take advantage of the power ports in your hotel room.

Language:
Lao is the official language. There are varying dialects throughout the country and many of the ethnic minority groups do not speak Lao at all. Other languages used are French, English, Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese.

Health Requirement:
No vaccinations are required to enter Laos. However, visitors are advised to have an up-to-date inoculation for cholera, hepatitis A and B, malaria, typhoid and tuberculosis. Visitors are advised to consult with their physician before traveling.

Medical care in Laos is not up to North American standards. Facilities are often crowded and rudimentary. Medical evacuation to Thailand may need to occur.

Airport Facilities and Tax:
The main international airport is Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, the capital and Luang Prabang International Airport. The departure tax is equivalent to US$5.00 payable in US$, Thai Baht or Kips at the airport.

Shopping:
Laos is a treasure trove of exquisite handicrafts and antiques. Many small jewelry and handicraft shops dot the city and the main shopping center, the Talat Sao, houses a hear-spinning array of woven textiles, antiques and gold and silver items. A visit to Luang Prabang is a must for those interested in purchasing Lao textiles.

Cuisine:
Lao food typically consists of glutinous rice and is commonly served with communal dishes of meat, fish, chicken and vegetables. Vientiane boasts some of the best restaurants in Indochina including French, Lao, Indian and Italian cuisine.

For more information please visit:

www.laoembassy.com/

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/report-en.asp?country=157000