Serving the expat community for over 20 years

CAMBODIA

BRIEF OVERVIEW:
• Main Language: Khmer
• Main Religion: Buddhism (Theravada)
• Population: 14.8 million (UN, 2005)
• Ethnic Group: Khmer, Vietnamese and Chinese minorities
• Monetary Unit: 1 Riel = 100 Sen
• Climate: tropical humid climate: rainy (monsoon) season (May to November) and dry season (December to April)
• Capital: Phnom Penh
• Major Cities: Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Koh Kong
• Area: 181,035 sq km (69,898 sq miles); Water: 2.5%
• Border countries: Laos 541 km, Thailand 803 km, Vietnam 1,228 km
• Coastline: 443 km
• Independence: 9 November 1953
• GNI per capita: US $380 (World Bank)
• Major Exports: garments, fisheries products, rubber
• Major Export Trading Countries: United States, Germany, UK, Singapore, Japan
• Major Imports: petroleum products, construction materials, vehicles and motorcycles, clothing
• Major Import Trading Countries: Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, South Korea
• Internet domain: .kh
• International dialling code: +855
• Electricity: 220V AC 50 Hz
• Driving: Right hand side; International Driving Permit required
• Direct Flights: from Bangkok, Taipei, Hong Kong, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Vientiane, Kuala Lumpur, and Guangzhou

MYANMAR

General Information
• The country code is +95, and the internet access code is .mm.
• Time Zone = MMT (UTC+6:30)
• International airports are in Yangon and Mandalay.
• The country is divided into states, divisions, townships, wards and villages.
• Business hours are usually from 9am to 5pm for private companies and 9:30-4:30 for government offices. Working days are from Monday through Friday. Public holidays are also included.
• Major credit cards are not widely accepted. Cash is always more convenient. National currency is Kyat.
• Electricity is 200 volts AC, 50Hz.
• Taxis are available everywhere. There are over 250 bus lines running through Yangon every day. For exclusive transport, there are car rental services.
• Domestic highway bus terminals are Aung-Yadanar and Sawbwargyi-Gone, both about 10 miles from downtown Yangon.
• Common local unit of weight is peiktha (viss), which equals to 3.6 pounds.
• Most common unit of measure is feet and inches.
• Clothing should be light, casual cotton wear, sandals or slippers are best for summer.
• A cardigan or light jacket for winter and quick drying clothes and an umbrella during the rainy season.

Link: http://www.myanmars.net/myanmar/facts-about-myanmar.htm

LAO

ABOUT LAO
• Climate
Laos has a warm and tropical climate with two seasons: the rainy season from the beginning of May to the end of September and the dry season from October to April. The average temperature is 29 degrees centigrade. Maximum temperature can reach up to 40 degrees centigrade. Temperatures can drop to as low as 15 degrees or even lower in mountains. Generally, tourists are recommended to visit Laos during the months of November to March because these are cool months and rainfall is lower than other periods.

• Language
The official language used in Laos is the Lao language. However, the usage of the language can differ from north to south. English, French and Russian are spoken in business or by some senior government officials. Many shopkeepers can understand basic English and French.

• Electricity & Water
Laos uses 220 volt (50 Hz) electricity for use with either two-pronged round or flat plugs. It is not recommended to drink directly from taps since this water is not very clean. However, purified water is available throughout the country.

• Currency
Lao national currency is Kip. There has been some devaluation of Lao Kip in the past few years. There are exchange booths available throughout town. Major credit cards are also accepted in large shops. You can also withdraw cash by using your credit cards, but it has to be done at a bank, since there are no automatic teller machines in Laos just yet.

• Communication Facilities
Public phones are available in Vientiane and other major cities. You can also go to the Lao Telecom office to call and fax overseas. Phone cards are widely available in most convenience stores. There are a number of Internet cafes in Vientiane and other major cities. So you can be sure that you can always keep in touch with your family and friends.

Link: http://www.muonglao.com/about.html

VIETNAM

• Mainland Territory: 331,211.6 sq. km
• Population: 85,789.6 thousand inhabitants (Apr. 2009)
• National Capital: Hanoi

Lying on the eastern part of the Indochinese peninsula, Vietnam is a strip of land shaped like the letter “S”. China borders it to the north, Laos and Cambodia to the west, the East Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the east and south.
The country’s total length from north to south is 1,650km. Its width, stretching from east to west, is 600km at the widest point in the north, 400km in the south, and 50km at the narrowest part, in the centre, in Quang Binh Province. The coastline is 3,260km long and the inland border is 4,510km.
Latitude: 102º 08' - 109º 28' east
Longitude: 8º 02' - 23º 23' north

Vietnam is also a transport junction from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.

• Climate: Vietnam lies in the tropics and monsoon region
• Topography: Three quarters of Vietnam's territory consist of mountains and hills
• Administrative Units: Vietnam is divided into 63 provinces and cities

Link: http://www.vietnamtourism.com/e_pages/country/overview.asp