Preparing for your trip
Visiting Asia, here is some travel information you should consider when you are preparing your trip to Asia.
Please consult your doctor about the inoculations and anti-malaria precautions required for the different countries in South East Asia. In general cover against polio, cholera, typhoid, tetanus, malaria, hepatitis A and meningitis is recommended (though not mandatory). Vaccination against yellow fever is essential if visiting from an infected area. This is not required if travelling from the UK.
Malaria exists in many areas of South East Asia. You should seek medical advice concerning malaria tablets before you travel. The safest preventative is not to get bitten. Easy ways to avoid bites are to use an insect repellent against mosquitoes and to wear long sleeve tops and trousers at night, you can also spray your room with before going to sleep this will kill all the mosquitoes in your room.
You should definitely take a hat and sun block cream when visiting sights and spending time outin the sun even when there are clouds. This is a good piece of travel information when in Asia as sunburn is so common and very uncomfortable.
For further guidance, see Health Advice for Travellers information issued by the Department of Health.
Confrontations from offended people are rare, so please do your best to behave and dress correctly as visitors in their country.
In and around religious sites and buildings, shoes and socks or stockings must always be removed and shoulders and knees should be covered, do not attempt to touch people on the head even children as in the Buddhist religion the head is the most scared part of the body and the feet the most unholy so also do not look at someone and point at your feet, or point your feet at anything. If in a temple you should tuck your feet underneath you and women should never touch a monk or pass something to him directly.
From the quality minibuses, buses in and ferries in Thailand, the dirt roads in Cambodia and Laos, to the sleeper trains in Vietnam, there are ample ways of travelling overland or within Asia.
There are two main seasons in Asia the dry season and the monsoon season. Rain is mainly between May and November when rainfall comes in short heavy bursts normally in the afternoon. The peak season for the rains is from July and early September when Typhoons can also arrive although they are not common. From November to April the weather is generally dry and not so hot or humid. In northern Laos and Vietnam January to February can be quite cool with occasional drizzle.
With rain normally occurring in short spells you can travel all year round and travel in the rainy season has advantages with cheaper air tickets and hotel rooms.
It is recommended that if visiting various countries in South East Asia you take, traveller cheques, a credit card and some a small amount of $US dollars. See the relevant countries for travel information on banks, ATMs and money exchange below is a list of countries and there corresponding currency.
| Cambodia: |
Riel (KHR) |
| Indonesia: |
Rupiah (IDR) |
| Laos: |
Kip (LAK) |
| Malaysia: |
Ringgit (MYR) |
| Myanmar: |
Kyat (MMK) |
| Thailand: |
Baht (THB) |
| Singapore: |
Dollar (SGD) |
| Vietnam: |
Dong (VND) |
Myanmar
GMT + 6 hr 30 mins6 hours and 30 minutes ahead of GMT
Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos
GMT + 7 hrs
Thailand
GMT + 7 hrs
Malaysia and Singapore
GMT + 8 hrs
Indonesia
Divided into three time zones 7, 8 and 9 hours ahead of GMT.
GMT + 7 hrs: Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan Barat and Kalimantan Tengah
GMT + 8 hrs: Bali, Lombok, Nusa Tenggara islands, Sulawesi and South & East Kalimantan
GMT + 9 hrs: Irian and Jaya
The electric voltage throughout the region is 220 volts. Most British electrical appliances work well in here but a universal adaptor is needed.
A passport, valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of return from your destination, duly endorsed with the pertinent visa, is required for travel to countries in South East Asia.
Visas are required and should be obtained in advance for Vietnam and Myanmar. Visas for Cambodia, Laos and Indonesia can be obtained on arrival at the international airports. For travel to Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore UK passport holders do not require a visa.
Please use the forms to obtain the visas directly from the concerned embassies or contact them for more travel information to Asia, or contact us if you would like us to arrange a Visa for you.
The Vietnam Embassy
Address: 12-14 Victoria Road, London W8 5RD
Tel: +44 (0)20 7937 1912
Fax: +44 (0)20 7937 3222
Email: consular@vietnamembassy.org.uk
Web: Vietnam Embassy
Forms: Vietnam visa information (including forms)
The Embassy of the Union of Myanmar
Address: 19A, Charles Street, London W1J 5DX
Tel: +44 (0)20 7499 4340
Email: memblondon@asl.com
The Royal Embassy of Cambodia
Address: Wellington Building, 28-32 Wellington Road,
St John's Wood, London NW8 9SP
Tel: +44 (0)20 7483 9063
Tel: +44 (0)20 7483 9064 (Consular Section)
Fax: +44 (0)20 7483 9061
Web: The Royal Embassy of Cambodia
Forms: Cambodia Visa Information
The Royal Thai Embassy
Address: 29-30 Queen's Gate, London, SW7 5JB
Tel: +44 (0)20 7225 5500, 7589 2944
Fax: +44 (0)20 7823 7492
Email: csinfo@thaiembassyuk.org.uk
Web: The Royal Thai Embassy
The Embassy of the Peoples' Democratic Republic of Laos
Please note there is currently no Laos Embassy in the UK for information the closest Embassy in Paris.
Address: 74, Ave Raymond-Poincare, 75116, Paris
Tel: +33 145 53 02 98
Fax: +33 147 27 57 89
Email: ambalaoparis@wanadoo.fr
Web: Embassy of Laos PDR
Foreign & Commonwealth Office (For advice and more information)
Address: Travel Advice Unit
Consular Directorate
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Old Admiralty Building
London
SW1A 2PA
Tel: +44 (0)870 606 0290
Email: consular.fco@gtnet.gov.uk
Website: Foreign & Commonwealth Office
ATOL: Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (Consumer Protection)
The UK's largest Air Travel and protection scheme for your package holiday. Xplore-Asia is ATOL registered our ATOL Number is 9236, for more travel information about consumer protection contact ATOL.
Address: Consumer Protection Group
Civil Aviation Authority
K3 CAA House
45-59 Kingsway
London WC2B 6TE
Tel: +44 (0)20 7453 6700
Website: ATOL
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