Useful Information – INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TESOL

Conference Venue

SEAMEO Regional Training Center (SEAMEO RETRAC)
35 Le Thanh Ton, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

(Please click the picture to see the location on Google Maps)

Accommodation

Star	Hotels	Contact information	Room rates	Notes
5	Caravelle Saigon	Address: 19 – 23 Lam Son Square, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Website: www.caravellehotel.com Email: hotel@caravellehotel.com Tel.: (+84-8) 3823 4999	175 USD (Click here for details)	Daily international buffet breakfast (s) at Restaurant Nineteen (Ground Floor) High-speed Internet access (Wi-Fi & Cabled) in guestroom & throughout the Hotel
5	Sheraton Saigon	Address: 88 Dong Khoi Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Website: www.sheratonsaigon.com Tel.: (+84-8) 3827 2828	175 USD (Click here for details)	Included tax and service charge, substantial buffet breakfast, internet, upscale Mineral water, tea and coffee in the room and gym
5	Rex	Address: 141 Nguyen Hue St., Dist. 1, HCMC Website: www.rexhotelvietnam.com Email: rexhotel@rex.com.vn Tel.: (+84-8) 3829 2185	140++ USD (Click here for details)	Must be confirmed by SEAMEO staff
4	Continental	Address: 132-134 Dong Khoi St., Dist. 1, HCMC Website: www.continentalsaigon.com Email: continentalhotel@vnn.vn Tel.: (+84-8) 3829 9201	85 USD-150 USD (Click here for details)	10% Off the best available Corporate Rates Late check-out until 18:00 (subject to the room availability) Book 21 days in advance: 15% off best available rates.
4	Kim Đô	Address: 133 Nguyen Hue St., Dist. 1, HCMC Website: www.kimdohotel.com Email: hotel@royalhotelsaigon.com hotel@kimdohotel.com Tel.: (+84-8) 3822 5914 \| 3822 5915	93 USD
4	Northern Saigon	Address: 11A Thi Sach Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Website: saigon.northernhotel.com.vn Email: reservation@northernhotel.com.vn Tel.: (+84-8) 3825 1751	75-100 USD (Click here for details)	Included tax and service charge, substantial buffet breakfast, internet, upscale Mineral water, tea and coffee in the room and gym
3	Bông Sen	Address: 117-123 Dong Khoi St., Dist. 1, HCMC Website: bongsenhotel.com Email: reservation@bongsenhotel.com Tel.: (+848) 3829 1516	82 USD	Breakfast included VAT 10% Included
3	Hương Sen	Address: 66-70 Dong Khoi St., Dist. 1, HCMC Website: www.huongsenhotel.com.vn Email: huongsen@hcm.vnn.vn reservation@huongsenhotel.com.vn Tel.: (+84-8) 3829 1415	75 USD	Breakfast included VAT 10% Included
3	Asian	Address: 146-150 Dong Khoi, Dist. 1, HCMC Website: www.asianhotelhcmvn.com Email: asianhotel@vietnamtourism-hcmc.com.vn Tel.: (+84-8) 3829 6979	50 USD	Breakfast included
3	Asian Ruby Luxury	Address: 26 Thi Sach Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Website: www.asianrubyhotel.com Email: info@asianrubyhotel.com Tel.: (+84-8) 3827 2838 – 39	48 USD-96 USD (Click here for details)	Welcome drink on the arrival dateFree wireless internet in room Complimentary 02 bottles of mineral, tea and coffee
3	Lan Lan 1	Address: 73-75 Thu Khoa Huan St., Dist. 1, HCMC Website: www.lanlanhotel.com.vn Email: sales1@lanlanhotel.com.vn Tel.: (+84-8) 3823 6789	49 USD	Breakfast included + 10 % VAT if request for invoice
	Sophia	Address: 36-38 Thai Van Lung St., Dist. 1, HCMC Website: www.sophiahotelvietnam.com Email: info@sohpiahotelvietnam.com reservation@sophiahotelvietnam.com Tel.: (+84-8) 3825 6972	42 USD	Breakfast included + 10 % VAT if request for invoice
	Thiên Xuân	Address: 108-110 Le Thanh Ton St., Dist. 1, HCMC Website: http://thien-xuan-hotel.ho-chi-minh-city-hotels.com/en/ Tel.: (+84-8) 3822 9160 \| 3824 5680	40 USD	Breakfast included VAT 10% Included
	Spring	Address: 44-46 Le Thanh Ton St., Dist. 1, HCMC Website: www.springhotelvietnam.com Email: springhotel@hcm.vnn.vn Tel.: (+84-8) 3829 7362	40 USD (Click here for details)	Breakfast included VAT 10% Included
	Lan Lan 2	Address: 46 Thu Khoa Huan St., Dist. 1, HCMC Website: www.lanlanhotel.com.vn Email: sales2@lanlanhotel.com.vn Tel.: (+84-8) 3822 7926	39 USD	Breakfast included + 10 % VAT if request for invoice
	Kelly	Address: 42-44 Thu Khoa Huan St., Dist. 1, HCMC Website: kellyhotel.com.vn Email: info@kellyhotel.com.vn reservation@kellyhotel.com.vn Tel.: (+84-8) 3823 3364	40 USD	Breakfast included VAT 10% Included
	Nhật Hạ 2	Address: 149 – 151 Ly Tu Trong St., Dist. 1, HCMC Websie: www.nhatha2-hotel.com Email: info@nhatha2-hotel.com booking@nhatha2-hotel.com Tel.: (08) 3822 8871	33–67 USD	Breakfast included VAT 10% Included
	Hong Vina	Address: 40 – 42 Hai Ba Trung, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Email: hongvinahbt@gmail.com Tel.: (+84) 3827 2152 \| 3827 2153	30-75 USD	10% VAT + 5% service charge included Buffet breakfast included
	Hồ Sen	Address: 4B-4C Thi Sach St., Dist. 1, HCMC Website: www.hosenhotel.com.vn Email: info@hosenhotel.com.vn reservation@bongsenhotel.com Tel.: (+84-8) 3823 2281 \| 3823 2285	35 USD	Breakfast included VAT 10% Included
	NY Kim Phượng	Address: 22 Hai Ba Trung St., Dist. 1, HCMC Email: Zenlapaz.hotel@gmail.com Tel.: (+84-8) 3824 4290 \| 3823 1390	30 USD	Breakfast included VAT 10% Included
	Hà Hiển	Address: 145-147 Ly Tu Trong St., Dist. 1, HCMC Website: www.hahienhotel.com.vn Email: hahienhotel@hahienhotel.com.vn Tel.: (+84-8) 3823 4363	35 USD	Breakfast included + 10 % VAT if request for invoice
	Đông Đô	Address: 329-331 Nguyen Thai Binh St., HCMC Website: khachsandongdo.com Email: info@khachsandongdo.com Tel.: (+84-8) 3811 8833 – (+84) 912 912 007	30 USD	Breakfast included VAT 10% Included
	Ngọc Minh	Address: 18 Đông Du St., Dist. 1, HCMC Website: ngocminhhotels.com Email: info@ngocminhhotels.com Tel.: (+84-8) 3822 8808 \| 3822 8889	30–35 USD	30 USD: without breakfast 35 USD: with breakfast 10 % VAT if request for invoice
	Ellyse Nga Khanh	Address: 100 Ly Tu Trong St., Dist. 1, HCMC Website: www.ellysengakhanhhotel.com.vn Email: ngakhanhhotel@gmail.com sales@ellysengakhanhhotel.com.vn Tel.: (+84-8) 3823 2693 \| 3827 5987	26 USD	Breakfast included VAT 10% Included
	Time Door	Address: 278 Le Thanh Ton St., Dist. 1, HCMC Website: timedoor.vn Email: timedoorhotel278@yahoo.com.vn Tel.: (+84-8) 3521 0140	20 USD	Breakfast not included VAT 10% Included
	Boss 3	Address: 4 Pho Duc Chinh St., Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, Dist. 1, HCMC Website: www.boss3.bosshotelsaigon.com Email: bosshotel3@yahoo.com Tel.: (+84-8) 3914 1688	26 USD	Breakfast not included VAT 10% Included
	Nhà Khách Những người có công	Address: 168 Hai Ba Trung St., District 1, HCMC Tel.: (+84-8) 3823 2134	20 USD	Breakfast not included + 10 % VAT if request for invoice

Kindly note that participants will be responsible for covering all accommodation fees and expenses including items consumed in the hotel room, personal calls and usage of business center. To avoid unnecessary expenses, please check on the rates with the front desk hotel staff before making any phone calls. You may also purchase an international pre-paid telephone cards which are available in any convenient stores outside the hotel.

All personal valuables brought by the participants to the event are the responsibility of the participants. A suitcase that can be locked is recommended for cameras, laptop computers or other valuable items you may wish to bring. Participants may also deposit valuable items in the hotel’s safety deposit box, which is available in the hotel rooms.

Laundry service is available in the hotel. Please check the prices at the reception desk.

Public Transportation

Yellow Bus 109: Costs: For a 1-way trip, it costs VND 20,000 or (USD $1) and VND 12,000 if you don’t go all the way to the city center. There’s no extra charge for luggage.
	Yellow Bus 49: Costs: a 1-way trip costs VND 40,000 (USD $2). The bus will drop you off directly at your hotel in the city. There is no extra charge for luggage.
Routes: for both Yellow Bus 109 & Yellow Bus 49 The bus routes go via Tan Son Nhat Airport’s international terminal – domestic terminal – Truong Son – Tran Quoc Hoan – Hoang Van Thu – Nguyen Van Troi – Nam Ky Khoi Nghia – Le Duan – Cong Xa Paris – Dong Khoi – Dong Du – Hai Ba Trung – Ton Due Thang – Ham Nghi – Ben Thanh – Pham Ngu Lao – Nguyen Trai – Le Lai – Nguyen Huu Canh – Cach Mang Thang 8 – Dien Bien Phu – Nam Ky Khoi Nghia – Nguyen Van Troi – Phan Dinh Giot – Truong Son – International terminal
Green Bus 152 Costs: For a 1-way trip it costs VND 5,000 (USD $0.25), and additional luggage is another $0.25 per piece. This green bus has more stops than the yellow buses, and the condition is older.
Routes for Green Bus 152: Tan Son Nhat Airport – Ngo Sy Lien School, Super Bow Supermarket- Tran Quoc Hoan – Lang Cha Ca – Phạm Van Hai – Mien Dong Museum- Quan khu 7 Gas Station – Nguyen Trọng Tuyen – Train Station Gate – Phu Nhuan Cultural Center- Tran Huy Lieu – Vinh Nghiem Pagoda – Tran Quoc Toan – Paster Institue – Đien Bien Phu – Coop Mart Nguyen Dinh Chieu – Truong Dinh – Nguyen Thị Dieu – Trong Dong – New world Hotel- Ben Thanh B – Ernst Thalmann School – Tran Hung Dạo Apartment – Hung Dạo Cinema- Dental & Facial Hospital – Tran Dinh Xu – Samco Company- Nanci Market- Duong Ba Trac School – Rạch Ong School – Roundabout at Him Lam Bridge – Trung Son residence

For personal trips, please refer to the following options of transportation:

♦Taxi:(Strongly recommended) There is a variety of taxi companies operating in Ho Chi Minh City. Vinasun Taxi can be contacted at 08 3827 2727, Mai Linh Taxi 08 3838 3838, Grabcar

♦“Xe om” (Mototaxi) or Grab bike:These are the most common form of transport. “Xe om” or Grab bike provides faster transportation during traffic jams. Many “xe om” drivers speak basic English. Fares should always be negotiated before proceeding. Be prepared for an adventurous ride as safety is not the primary concern of most “xe om” drivers! It is likely to cost 40,000 – 50,000 VND from city hotels to the conference venue.

♦Buses: There are a lot of public buses operating within the city of Ho Chi Minh. Buses that go to the forum venue are 44, 03 and 19.

Other handy bus routes:

Route 38– New World Hotel (The stop 8 is in Nguyen Thi Nghia) near Ben Thanh Market to Damsen Water Park (Last Stop)

Routes 35 – Ben Thanh Market to the Jade Emperor Pagoda. Get off at stop 29 at 87 Dien Ben Phu just before Victoria Healthcare. Cross the road and walk down the other side of the street (against the traffic) until you reach Mai Thi Luu and turn left.

Route 18– Ben Thanh Market to Saigon Zoo. Get off at stop 13 on Le Duan, at Sofitel Plaza. Walk straight up the street to reach the main entrance.

Route 1– Ben Thanh Market to Cholon (District 5 – China Town)

Route 102– Ben Thanh Market to District 4 – Dragon House Wharfand the Ho Chi Minh Museum. The bus stop is on the corner of Pham Hong Thai and Le Lai street rather than the actual Ben Thanh bus station.The museum is about a 450m walk from stop 5, (first stop over the canal). Walk straight towards the river. Cross over Nguyen That Tan and turn left.

Routes 65will get you close to the Saigon Train Station from Ben Thanh Market, but you’ll still have a little bit of a walk. Get off at stop 10 or 11 on Cach Mang Thang Tam.

♦Other transport options: In addition, other transport options are available and very convenient for use. You may download the applications of these options here”

Grab:https://www.grab.com/vn/en/taxi/

Go-Viet:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goviet.app&hl=en

Exchange rate

Foreign currencies are not accepted in most shops, so it is best for you to change your foreign currency to the local currency, which is Vietnam Dong.

The foreign exchange rate is approximately USD 1.00 = VND 23,250 (27 Feb, 2019). The rate is subject to market fluctuations so please check it again prior to your departure date. If you come to Vietnam with some foreign cash, you can exchange it for VND upon arrival at the international airport, banks or currency exchange establishments.

Credit cards are accepted by hotels and some shops, however, cash is also necessary. There are now a number of ATMs accepting international cards. Please note that most ATMs charge a fee of approximately US$ 4 for use of international cards. Most HSBC and TechCom ATMs allow a per transaction maximum withdrawal of 5 million to 6 million VND. Other ATMs allow around 2 million VND.

If you need really large sums of cash, Western Union is the best way to go. It is less expensive and more hassle-free than bank wire transfers, and there are hundreds of locations within Ho Chi Minh City alone. Depending on the amount, you may pay less in a Western Union transaction fee than on international cash advance fees through your bank or credit card.

Climate and Attire

The weather in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam at the time of the Conference should be warm and humid in the daily temperature range of 25-34^oC. Light clothing will be necessary for outdoors but it is worth noting that the Conference’s venue are fully air-conditioned, therefore it is advisable that you pack appropriate clothing for your attendance. You may wear your national dress or formal attire (suit) during the Conference. However, this is optional but all participants, speakers and guests are requested to dress up formally for the event. Please also note that rain is expected at this time in Vietnam and an umbrella will be useful.