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Telephone
Vi那tNam is putting considerable effort into
modernization and expansion of its telecommunication system, but its performance continues to lag behind that of its
more modern neighbours. |
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Domestic: All provincial exchanges are digitalized and connected to Ha Noi,
Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City by fibre-optic cable or microwave radio relay networks; since 1991, main lines in use
have been substantially increased and the use of mobile telephones is growing rapidly. |
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Telephones - main lines in use: |
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2.6 million (2000) |
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Hand (Cell) telephones
There are presently 3 cellular systems two
of which use the universal GSM low band standard and a third, new, system that employs CDMA technology. |
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The two GSM systems (Mobifone and Vinafone) share facilities and have
coverage in centres throughout the country, the third has coverage in Da Nang and parts of Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh
City/SaiGon. |
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Telephones - mobile cellular: |
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730,155 (2000) |
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Local, Direct Distance Dialling (DDD) and International Direct Distance Dialling (IDDD)
is available and reliable. In 2001 the government introduced a ＆171＊ VoIP (Voice over InterNet Protocol) service, which
permits calls to all countries in the world at a cost of USD$1.30 per minute. |
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International: |
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Satellite earth stations - 2 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) |
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InterNet
Service is available through
several state-owned ISP providers. There are no private InterNet service providers presently in Vi那tNam. Service is
generally good but more expensive and slower than in the West. |
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A new high-speed InterNet service has become available in
Ho Chi Minh City/SaiGon supplied through SingTel of Singapore. |
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The SRV has erected firewalls to prevent access to what it
considers politically and/or morally incorrect foreign web sites although they are not nearly as extensive as firewalls
in China. E-mails are vulnerable to monitoring since all service providers work through the state-owned system.
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InterNet country code: |
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.vn |
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InterNet Service Providers (ISPs): |
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5 (2000) |
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InterNet users: |
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400,000 (2002) |
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Broadcasting
There are only governmental broadcasting authorities in Vi那tNam -
national and provincial. The national Voice of Vi那tNam broadcasts domestically, regionally and internationally (from
rented air time in Canada and the UK) using AM, FM and shortwave technologies as well as satellite channels. |
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Vi那tNam has also installed television transmitters in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Vientiane,
Laos which has VOV rebroadcasts as well as providing separate channels for use by the host governments. |
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Radio broadcast stations: |
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AM 65
FM 7
Shortwave 29 (1999) |
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Radios: |
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8.2 million (1997) |
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Television broadcast stations: |
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At least 7 (plus 13 repeaters) (1998)
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Televisions: |
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3.57 million (1997) |
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Cable television systems: |
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There are several cities equipped with cable television systems that carry both domestic
and overseas broadcasts as well as InterNet services.
There are, unfortunately, 'technical interruptions' that occur from time time to time
determined solely upon content. Line filters disallow service of certain stations on cable feeds to
Vi那tnamese subscribers. |
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Satellite television systems: |
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Satellite receivers may be installed, by permit from the local
Peoples Committee, for viewing by Foreigners in their homes, as well as other venues predominantly serving Foreigner
trade. |
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External broadcasters
Many external broadcasts
can be received without risk of jamming (Vi那tNam has some 500 kilowatt monsters used for this purpose). US religious
organisations have established large wattage transmitters in the Philippines targeting Vi那tNam in Vi那tnamese and some
ethnic/Montagnard languages. This causes great concern for the government. |
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BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: |
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BBC: 3.915, 6.195, 9.740, 15.28 MHz
Voice of America: 6.160,
9.760, 15.16, 17.82 MHz
These change from time to time depending upon seasons. |
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General Info » Food |
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Local open-air markets sell a variety of fresh meat, poultry, fish and seafood. If cooked
properly there should be no health problems. However, the local beef is usually not of good quality. Open-air markets
also sell a variety of fresh fruit and produce either grown locally or imported from the cooler mountain regions near
Da Lat or from Ho Chi Minh City/SaiGon, China or Thailand. |
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Most other basic foodstuffs, including imported fish, seafood and meats, are available in
the western-style supermarkets and delicatessens. |
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Full-cream fresh milk is available. Long life UHT milk (whole, low fat and skim), powdered
milk, butter and imported cheeses are readily available. |
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Seldom will you find a wide selection of products available at one location. Thus, from
time to time, you will need to shop around before you find a certain item on your shopping list. |
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General Info » Sports |
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Tennis. There are plenty of tennis courts in Ha Noi, but the demand
still exceeds the supply unless you are able to play during the week in the daytime. |
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Most courts are in good condition and adequately-maintained. Court surfaces
are either hard or carpeted. There are, unfortunately, no indoor tennis facilities. |
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Court fees vary between $3 and $5 during the day, with evening hours
(5:00-10:00 p.m.) at double rates. If you provide the string, you can get your racquet re-strung in Ha Noi for $1.00.
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Most Vi那tnamese tennis coaches will charge $10/hour. Major hotels, the Van
Phuc Diplomatic Compound and a couple of Embassy housing compounds have tennis courts. |
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Golf. About 35km west of Ha Noi is Kings Island - a scenic 18-hole
golf course. The golf club is situated at the base of Ba Vi National Park and is surrounded by historic temples and
pagodas, natural caves, waterfalls, hiking trails, hot springs, and ethnic minority villages. |
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A new Highway #11 makes it about an hour＊s drive from Ha Noi. Facilities
include a fully-stocked pro shop with golf club and shoe rentals, and a clubhouse which serves both Asian and Western
food. Membership fee is USD$15,000. Green fees for non-members are USD$70 during the week and USD$100 on the weekends.
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Swimming. Most of the larger hotels
and service apartments have swimming pools. The schools do not. |
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Avid swimmers usually join a health club with swimming privileges included
in the package. One of the larger hotels in the city has the only indoor swimming pool with a retractable roof. |
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Bowling. There are three large
bowling centers. One is located in a hotel just across from the Embassy (24 lanes) and another within walking distance.
A game will cost USD$3.00. Bowling shoes rent for USD$1.00. |
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Volley Ball. The American Club has
an outdoor volleyball court, which can be scheduled for use, and regular groups get together on Sunday afternoons at
the Club. |
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Health Clubs. Virtually every hotel
has an exercise room with state-of-the-art equipment, showers, saunas, and whirlpools. Annual fees range from
USD$550-2000. Most also offer massages and reflexology at a reasonable fee. |
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Hash House Harriers and Ultimate Frisbee also have regular activities in Ha
Noi. |
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