Vietnam
Vietnamese is the official language; English is generally favoured as a second. Chinese and Khmer and numerous other local languages are also spoken in places.
Vietnamese New Dông (approx. VND 26,131 to £1). The US Dollar is the most favoured foreign currency and we recommend taking some US Dollars travellers cheques and money in small denominations. British currency can usually be changed in the larger cities. There is a charge for changing money in banks. Travellers Cheques are widely accepted in hotels and banks.
Buddhism is the major religion in Vietnam. In the far north Hoa Hao and Cao Daism are among the indigenous religions along with groups that have animist beliefs. Ancestor worship is an important influence in Vietnamese culture. Other religions are Christianity and Islam.
Capital Hanoi
Government Communist Party-dominated constitutional republic.
Currency Dong (VND)
Area total: 332,000 km² (127 243 sq. mi.)
Population : (2016) 92.6 million
Language Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a second language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer, mountain area languages.
Literacy: 91%
Religion Buddhism
Electricity 220V/50Hz (European & US plugs)
Dialling Code +84
Internet TLD vn, vnm
Time Zone UTC +7
Laos
Some suggestions for reading prior to the tour include Dervla Murphy: One foot in Laos/Thailand. Christopher Robbins: The Ravens: The Men Who Flew In The Secret War In Laos. The most thrilling read of all the books on America's secret war in Laos.
Capital Vientiane
Government Communist state
Currency Kip (LAK)
Area total: 236,800 km2
Water: 6,000 km2
Land: 230,800 km2
Population 6,521,998 (July 2007 est.)
Language Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages
Religion Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including various Christian denominations 1.5%)
Electricity 220V/50Hz (European & US plugs)
Dialling Code +856
Internet TLD .la
Time Zone UTC +7
Thailand
Capital: Bangkok
Government: constitutional monarchy
Currency: Thai baht (THB)
Area total: 513,120 km2
Land: 510,890 km2
Water: 2,230 km2
Population:66,720,153 (2011 est.)
Language: Thai (official), minority languages
Religion: Buddhism (mainly Theravada), Islam in the south
Electricity: 220V/50Hz (American and/or European plug)
Dialling Code: +66
Internet:TLD .th
Time Zone UTC +7