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Capital: Kralendijk

Time zone: GMT – 4

Telephone services: Country Code: 599
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Police 11, Ambulance 14. All services – 5997 8004

Tourist information: Caribbean Tourism Organisation, 42 Westminster Gardens, Artillery Row, London SW1P 1RR Tel: (020) 7222 4335 Fax: (020) 7222 4335.

Passport information: Valid Passport required by all. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact Embassy before departure.

Visa information: Nationals of Australia, Canada the USA and Japan are allowed to stay for 14 days without a visa providing they have proof of return or onward tickets. Nationals of Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Spain and the UK are allowed to stay for 90 days without a visa providing they have a return or onward ticket. NOTE: Enquire at the Ministers office at the Hague for a complete up to date list of regulations regarding individual countries.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age coming from an infected area.

Food & drink: Water is considered drinkable, normal precautions should be observed with food

Currency: Netherlands Antilles Guilder or Florin (NAG) = 100 cents
NOTE: Import and export of local currency is limited to NAG 200.
Credit cards are accepted in large establishments. Travellers cheques in US currency is the most welcomed.
ATM availability: 10 locations approximately.

Cost of living: Generally inexpensive goods, especially perfume, jewellery and alcohol

Languages: Dutch. Papiamento, English and Spanish are also spoken

Weather: Hot throughout the year with cooling sea winds. Wet season Oct to Dec.

Electricity: 127 volts AC 50 Hz.

Post: 4 – 6 days.

Transport: ROAD: Reasonably good but a 4-wheel drive may be required for extensive tourism of the island. CAR HIRE: Firms are located at the airport and large hotels. DOCUMENTATION: A valid national licence will be sufficient but drivers must be 23 years or older. TAXI: A good taxi service exists on the island

Special information: Beachwear is only suitable for the beach or poolside. Most bars and restaurants outside the two main hotel resorts are closed by midnight.

Capital: Sana’a

Time zone: GMT + 3

Telephone services: Country Code: 967
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Not present.

Tourist information: Yemen Tourist Company, PO Box 1526, Sana’a, Republic of Yemen Tel: (1) 330 039

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure.

Visa information: Visa required by all except nationals of Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE and other holders of re-entry permits.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists in the falciparum form throughout the year. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from all travellers over 1 year of age coming from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Cholera, Bilharzia, Rabies

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: Yemeni Riyal is preferred (YR) = 100 fils Yemeni Dinar is also in circulation. NOTE: Import and export of local currency is limited to YAR 5000 or equivalent Diners Club and Amex are widely accepted. Travellers cheques can be exchanged in most banks and hotels. US dollars are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: Unavailable

Cost of living: If you conform to traditional Yemeni lifestyle you can live relatively cheaply but if you want to purchase western food and enjoy en-suite facilities this will be expensive. All accommodation has to be booked in advance.

Languages: Arabic and English.

Weather: Climate varies according to altitude. Highland are warmer in the summer. During the winter (Oct to Mar) the nights can be very cold in the mountains. Temperatures in the summer can be very high. The best time to visit is Oct to Apr.

Electricity: 220/230 volts AC, 50 Hz.

Post: Airmail to Western Europe from Sana’a takes about 4 days, mail to and from other towns may take longer.

Transport: SEA: Local ferries connect ports. ROAD: The road network is mainly limited to desert track. Use of 4-wheel drive vehicles with a guide is recommended. BUS: There are regular intercity bus services. TAXI: Sharing taxis is the cheapest form of transport between cities. Fares should be negotiated before hand. CAR HIRE: Available in main towns. DOCUMENTATION: An IDP is required.

Special information: NOTE: EXTREME RISK: – FCO advise against any travel to the Yemen at present. The rest of this advice applies when the situation improves – the potential for instability is likely to remain. The risk of random kidnapping remains. Travellers to Yemen should register with their local Embassy. Beachwear and shorts should be confined to the beach / pool. Smoking is forbidden in public during Ramadan. Where possible travel in organised groups with well-established tour agents. Armed theft of vehicles is common. There remains some danger from mines laid during the civil war in the Southern and Eastern Governances. Off-road travel is not recommended. Respect local sensitivities regarding religious sites.

Capital: Belgrade

Time zone: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 during the summer)

Telephone services: Country Code: 381
Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 92. Fire – 93. Ambulance – 94.

Tourist information: Ministry of Commerce and Tourism. Nemanjina 22. 11000 Belgrade. Yugoslavia Tel: (11) 658 755 Fax (11) 642 148.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return ticket required. NOTE: Due to the current political situation in Yugoslavia requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact the relevant authority such as the Embassy or Foreign and Commonwealth Office for up to date information.

Visa information: Most foreign nationals require visas except for citizens from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Italy. Hungary and San Marino.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination Required.
Other Health Risks: Rabies.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink.

Currency: New Yugoslav Dinar (Yu D) = 100 paras
Exchange: German DM and US Dollars are the only currencies of value in the ex-Yugoslav Republics.

Travellers cheques and credit cards are not accepted.

ATM availability: Unavailable.

Cost of living: Relatively cheap when compared with Western Europe. Limited commodities available outside Belgrade. Accommodation is sparse as a consequence of the civil war.

Languages: Serb-Croat. Albanian and Hungarian are also spoken in the autonomous regions of Kosovo and Vojvodina respectively.

Weather: Serbia has a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. Montenegro is mainly the same but with Alpine conditions in the mountains.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz.

Post: Postal services between the former Yugoslav republics have been suspended. Postal services within Serbia are reasonable.

Transport: RAIL: Internal rail services are generally poor often overbooked, and unreliable. ROAD: NOTE: Petrol stations may suffer shortages of fuel although the offer of hard CURRENCY may make otherwise rationed fuel available. Spare parts are difficult to obtain. COACH: Good, efficient services are used to connect towns. DOCUMENTATION: Full national driving licence is accepted. Insurance and ‘green card’ are also necessary.

Special information: HIGH RISK: The situation in Yugoslavia is calm at present but the FCO advise caution. Foreign nationals should still not visit Kosovo. For further information see the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Those who intend to travel should ensure they have Deutschmark currency to pay for fuel and tolls.

Capital: Port Vila

Time zone: GMT + 12

Telephone services: Country Code: 678
Outgoing Code: Calls must be made through the International operator

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 22 222, Ambulance – 22 100, Fire – 22 333, Doctor – 22 826

Tourist information: Tourism Council of the South Pacific, 375 Upper Richmond Road West, London SW14 7NX Tel: (0181) 392 1838 Fax: (0181) 878 0998

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Must be valid for at least 4 months beyond period of stay. Return Ticket Required. Regulations may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure

Visa information: Visa required by all except the following for visits up to 30 days, providing they are bona fide tourists in possession of confirmed onward travel documents. Nationals of Great Britain, Australia, Canada, USA, EU countries, Japan, French overseas departments and territories, all commonwealth countries, Cameroon, China, Cuba, Fiji, South Korea, Federated states of Micronesia, Marshall Islands Norway, Pakistan, Palau, Philippines, Switzerland, Taiwan (China), and Thailand

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists in the Falciparum variety in most parts of the country, throughout the year, which has been reported as being highly resistant to chloroquine

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink

Currency: Vatu (V) = 100 centimes
Exchange: Facilities are available at the airport and trade banks
Credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted. Australian dollars are the preferred currency in travellers cheques
ATM availability: Unavailable

Cost of living: There are three international standard resorts, which are expensive, as well as smaller resorts and conventional hotel-style accommodation, which are affordable. Moderately priced self-contained apartments and bungalows are available around Port Villa on the main island. Usual services are inexpensive

Languages: Bislama (Pidgin English). French and English are widely spoken. There are many (local dialects totally over 100).

Weather: Hot and Humid. Wet season: Nov – Feb

Electricity: 220 volts AC 50 Hz. Australian type flat 3 pin plugs are used

Post: 7 days

Transport: FLIGHTS: The government’s airline operates domestic flights, private airlines also operate domestic flights. SEA: Inter Island ferries operate from Port Vila and Espiritu Santo to the northern and southern islands. ROAD: BUS: Limited bus service. CAR HIRE: Major car hire operators have offices in Port Vila. DOCUMENTATION: A national driving licence is acceptable

Special information: Traditional customs should be respected. Beachwear should be confined to the pool/beach side. Consumption of alcohol is not permitted outside licensed premises

Capital: Hanoi

Time zone: GMT + 7

Telephone services: Country Code: 84
Outgoing Code: International calls must be made though the operator.

Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 13, Fire – 14, Ambulance – 15.

Tourist information: Vietnam Tourism, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Tel: (4) 829 4253.

Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.

Visa information: Visa required by all. Must be obtained prior to arrival. Must state your intended entry and exit ports correctly.

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Exists in certain areas in the Falciparum variety which has been reported being highly resistant to chloroquine. Take care not to be bitten by mosquitoes.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required for travellers arriving from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Cholera, Dengue Fever, Japanese encephalitis, Plague, Rabies, TB, Typhoid in the Mekong Delta area. Comprehensive mediacl insurance is advised.

Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.

Currency: New Dong (D) = 100 hao.
Exchange: US$ is the most favoured currency.
Limited acceptance of MasterCard and Visa. American Express and Thomas Cook travellers cheques are accepted at hotels and banks. US dollars are the preferred currency.
ATM availability: 3 locations.

Cost of living: Caters for all budgets.

Languages: Vietnamese, French, Russian, English, Chinese.

Weather: Tropical. May – Oct = Tropical Monsoons. The remainder of the year is dry.

Electricity: 110/220 Volts AC 50 Hz

Post: Very slow usually taking up to 3 weeks Correspondence should be taken to the Post office individually, to minimise theft and tampering.

Transport: FLIGHTS: Regular services operate between the main cities. RAIL: Longer distance trains are more reliable than shorter routes. ROAD: Reasonable road network but driving can be hair raising. DOCUMENTATION: An IDP and test taken in Vietnam is required. BUS: Services are poor and over crowded.

Special information: Some parts of the country are closed to visitors. Unexploded mines/munitions are a hazard in some areas. Exercise caution if travelling in border areas. Be vigilant for street theft particularly of spectacles – it is advisable to keep them on a cord around the neck. Drug smuggling carries the death penalty. Comprehensive mediacl and travel insurance is essential. Avoid wearing shorts. Footwear should be removed when entering Buddhist Pagodas. Vietnamese people should not be touched on the head. PHOTOGRAPHY: Restrictions apply at ports, airports and harbours.

Capital: Oranjestad

Time zone: GMT – 4

Telephone services: Country Code: 599 Outgoing Code: 00

Emergency telephone numbers: All services – 599 382211

Tourist information: Caribbean Tourism, same as Aruba

Passport information: Valid passport required by all except nationals of: Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and The Netherlands holding an Identity card. The USA holding voter’s registration cards or birth certificate, and alien residents of the USA with an Alien Registration card. Canada with proof of citizenship. San Marino holding a national ID card or a passport not expired by more than 5 years. Brazil, Mexico, Trinidad, and Tobago and Venezuela with a national ID card. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact embassy before departure

Visa information: Up to date visa requirements can be obtained from the Office of the Minister Plenipotentiary of the Netherlands Antilles

Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from all travellers over 6 months of age coming from infected areas

Food & drink: Water is considered drinkable, normal precautions should be observed with food

Currency: Netherlands Antilles Guilder or Florin (NAG) = 100 cents NOTE: Import and export of local currency is restricted to NAG 200.
Visa and MasterCard are accepted in large establishments. Travellers cheques, preferably in US dollars are accepted.
ATM availability: 10 locations approximately

Cost of living: Despite the island’s small size it has a variety of restaurants and accommodation at moderate prices

Languages: English is the official language. Papiamento, French and Spanish are also spoken

Weather: Hot climate with cooling sea breezes

Electricity: 110/220 volts AC 60 Hz

Post: 4 – 6 days

Transport: ROAD: A very small island with very few roads. The whole island can be walked around in a few hours. CAR HIRE and TAXI: Companies operate in Oranjestad. DOCUMENTATION: National licence is sufficient

Special information: Twice a year sea turtles clamber onto the volcanic black sand to lay their eggs, and giant land crabs hunt on the beaches every night