Practical information (items in alphabetical order)

Accommodation

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Sheraton Sai Gon Hotel. For details, please visit the Accommodation page.

Accompanying Persons' Program

As in previous years, tourist information on tours, visits, excursions and activities will be available during the whole week near the registration desk. Accompanying Persons are therefore encouraged to make use of this information, and to plan their own schedule. The Sheraton Hotel is located in the city center.

Accompanying persons are welcome to attend the Receptions on the Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and are also welcome to participate in the visit on the Thursday.

We kindly ask you to let us know (on your registration form) whether your Accompanying Person will attend the Receptions and the visit.

Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City

Tan Son Nhat International Airport, the largest International Airport in Viet Nam, is located in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Sai Gon) which is about 15 km from the city center (District 1). The Airport offers direct flights to many countries worldwide.

The Sheraton Sai Gon Hotel (the meeting venue) is located right in the city center about 20 minutes from the Airport. It is very easy and convenient to get to the Hotel and city center from the Airport:

  • a taxi costs approximately 250 000 VND one way;
  • private shuttle bus services between the Airport and the Sheraton Hotel are operated by the Hotel (cost approximately 1 000 000 VND) and by Hoabinh Tourist Travel Agency (cost approximately 417 000 VND). At the Airport, shuttle drivers will wait in front of the Arrivals Terminal with a name board. At the Hotel, shuttle drivers will wait at Reception for the return journey back to the Airport. Please contact the hotel directly to arrange transport.

Climate

The annual average temperature in Viet Nam is 27 °C. The hottest month is April and the coolest is December, but it is warm all year.

Ho Chi Minh city has a tropical wet and dry climate, with an average humidity of 75 %. The year is divided into two distinct seasons. The rainy season, with an average rainfall of about 1 800 mm annually (about 150 rainy days per year), usually begins in May and ends in late November. The dry season lasts from December to April. The highest temperature sometimes reaches 39 °C around noon in late April, while the lowest may fall below 16 °C in the early mornings of late December into early January.

Currency, Banking, Credit cards

The currency in Viet Nam is the Viet Nam Dong (VND). The current exchange rate may be found here.

Visitors may change foreign currency at the airport, at banks, at exchange bureaux or at most hotels. The easiest currencies to exchange are Euros, US Dollars and Pounds Sterling.

Travelers cheques are accepted in some places. Most hotels, travel agencies and restaurants accept major credit cards. Most banks are equipped to process credit card cash withdrawals.

There are no restrictions concerning the amount of foreign currency that may be brought into Viet Nam but if the amount exceeds 5 000 USD then this should be reported to customs on arrival at the airport.

Electricity

The electrical power supply in Viet Nam is 220-240 V AC, 50 Hz (two-pin flat and/or round plug).

Socket

Internet access

There will be free wifi internet access in the Sheraton Hotel lobby, in all guest rooms, and in the meeting room. Two PCs with internet access will be available in the meeting room for the duration of the CIML Meeting.

Languages

The official language in Viet Nam is Vietnamese. English is also used widely in hotels, restaurants and shopping centers. However, most taxi drivers only speak a little English therefore be sure to write down the address of your destination.

The CIML Meeting will be conducted in English and it is planned that simultaneous interpretation into and from French will be provided.

Lunch and refreshment breaks

Lunch and refreshments will be served on the days indicated on the Schedule.

Meeting documents

Delegates should please note that (as usual) no paper documents will be available for the CIML Meeting; all the CIML Meeting documents will be made available for download via the CIML Meeting Agenda page.

Receptions

There will be two Receptions:

  • an OIML Reception on the Tuesday evening, and
  • a local reception by Viet Nam STAMEQ on the Thursday evening.

More information will be given during the week of the meetings.

Time zone

The standard time zone is GMT/UTC +7 hours. Local time, and various other information concerning Ho Chi Minh City (and indeed all other cities in the world) can be found at the World Time and Date web site.

Tipping

Tipping is not compulsory in Viet Nam although guides, drivers, waiters and hotel staff can be tipped at your discretion if you feel the level of service provided warrants a tip. Generally, 10 % is the amount given as a tip.

Transportation

  • Roads: Ho Chi Minh City is 1 730 km from Hanoi, 99 km from Tay Ninh, 30 km from Bien Hoa (Dong Nai), 70 km from My Tho, 125 km from Vung Tau, 168 km from Can Tho, 308 km from Dalat, and 375 km from Buon Ma Thuot. National Highway 13 connects Viet Nam with the rest of Indochina.
  • Train: Thong Nhat express train connects Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, via many provinces in Viet Nam.