22nd MEETING OF THE ASEAN COMMITTEE ON DISASTER
MANAGEMENT (ACDM-22) AND 2nd MEETING OF THE CONFERENCE OF
THE PARTIES (COP-2) TO THE ASEAN AGREEMENT ON DISASTER
MANAGEMENT AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE (AADMER)
28-31 MAY 2013, HA NOI, VIETNAM
GENERAL INFORMATION
1. Date and Venue
Viet Nam warmly welcomes all delegates of the 22nd Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on
Disaster Management (ACDM-22) and the Second Meeting of the Conference of the Parties
(COP-2) to the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response
(AADMER). The meetings will be held on 28-31 May 2013 at Sheraton Hotel in Ha Noi, Viet Nam.
The hotel’s address is
Sheraton Hanoi Hotel
K5, 11 Xuan Dieu Street
Tay Ho District, Hanoi, Viet Nam
Tel: (84) 4 3719 9000 Fax: (84) 4 3719 9001
Website: www.sheraton.com/hanoi
2. Tentative Programme:
Monday, 27 May 2013
Arrival of ACDM Delegates
Time
Agenda Item
Remarks
Tuesday, 28 May 2013: 22nd Meeting of the ACDM (Closed Sessions)
08:30 – 09:00
Registration
09:00 – 09.15
Welcome Remarks by Host Country (Viet Nam) – 7.5’
Opening Remarks by ACDM Chair (Thailand) – 7.5’
09:15 – 09:30
Agenda Item 1: Adoption of the Agenda – 15’
09:30 – 09:40
Agenda Item 2: Business Arrangements - 10’
09:40 – 10:00
Agenda Item 3: Election of the ACDM Chairman and Vice
Chairman – 20’
Handover of ACDM Chairmanship and Priorities for 2013-2014
(Thailand as Outgoing Chair and Viet Nam as Incoming Chair)
10:00 – 10:30
General Information for 22nd ACDM Meeting and COP 2 to AADMER
Ballroom
Song Hong 1&2
Page 1 of 13
Time
Agenda Item
10:30 – 10:45
Photo Session and Refreshment
10:45 – 11:00
Decisions of Relevant ASEAN Meetings (ASEAN Secretariat)
Remarks
Agenda Item 6: Implementation of the AADMER
6.1.
11:00 – 12:00
12:00 – 13:00
Progress Update by Working Groups and Lead Shepherd
Countries
 Working Group on Risk Assessment, Early Warning
and Monitoring (Cambodia & Philippines) – 10’
 Working Group on Prevention and Mitigation (Lao
PDR & Thailand) -10’
 Working Group on Preparedness and Response
(Malaysia & Singapore) – 10’
 Working Group on Recovery (Indonesia & Myanmar)
– 10’
 Institutionalisation of AADMER (ACDM Chair/ ASEAN
Secretariat) – 10’
 Partnership & Resource Mobilisation (ACDM Chair/
ASEAN Secretariat) – 10’
Ballroom
Song Hong 1&2
Oven D’or
Restaurant
Lunch
6.1.
13:00 – 13:40
Progress Update by Working Groups and Lead Shepherd
Countries (continued)
 Outreach and Mainstreaming (Thailand) - 10’
 Training Knowledge and Management (Singapore) –
10’
 Information Management and Communication
Technology (Singapore) – 10’
 Monitoring and Evaluation (ASEAN Secretariat) - 10’
Agenda Item 6: Implementation of the AADMER (continued)
6.2.
13:40 – 14:45
6.3.
6.4.
14:45 – 15:00
AADMER Work Programme Phase 1 Accomplishment
Report (ASEAN Secretariat) – 30’
Preparation for the Second AADMER Partnership
Conference (ASEAN Secretariat) – 20’
Status and Utilisation of the ASEAN Disaster
Management and Emergency Relief (ADMER) Fund
(ASEAN Secretariat & AHA Centre) – 15’
Refreshment
Ballroom
Song Hong 1&2
Ballroom
Song Hong 1&2
Ballroom Flyer
Agenda Item 7: Operationalisation of the AHA Centre
15:00 – 17:00
7.1.
7.2.
Instruments of Notification and Member States
Contributions for the AHA Centre Fund (ASEAN
Secretariat) – 10’
Progress Update on the Operationalisation of AHA
Centre (AHA Centre) – 30’
General Information for 22nd ACDM Meeting and COP 2 to AADMER
Ballroom
Song Hong 1&2
Page 2 of 13
Time
Agenda Item
7.3.
7.4.
7.5.
7.6.
Remarks
AHA Centre’s Executive Programme (AHA Centre) – 20’
Draft Host Country Agreement between the AHA Centre
and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia (AHA
Centre & Indonesia) – 20’
Draft Financial Rules and Regulations of AHA Centre
(AHA Centre) – 20’
Draft Staff Rules and regulations of AHA Centre (AHA
Centre) – 20’
17:00
Meeting adjourned
19:00
Welcome Dinner – Hosted by Viet Nam
Sen Tay Ho
Restaurant
Wednesday, 29 May 2013: 22nd Meeting of the ACDM (continued)
09:00 – 09:15
Agenda Item 8: Review on ASEAN Regional Disaster
Emergency Response Simulation Exercise 2013 (Viet Nam) –
15’
Agenda Item 9: Developing Synergy Across ASEAN, EAS, ARF,
ADMM, and ADMM Plus
09:15 – 09:30
9.1.
09:30 – 10:00
9.2.
10:00 – 10:30
9.3.
10:30 – 10:45
Refreshment
10:45 – 11:15
Agenda Item 10: Reactivation of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting
on Disaster Management -30’
11:15 – 11:45
Agenda Item 11: Draft ASEAN Declaration on Disaster
Management for Submission to the 23rd ASEAN Summit,
October 2013, Brunei Darussalam – 30’
11:45 – 12:00
Agenda Item 12: ASEAN Day for Disaster Management 2013 –
15’
12:00 – 13:00
Lunch
13:00 – 13:45
Agenda Item 13: Preparation for the Second Meeting of the COP
to AADMER – 45’
13:45 – 14:15
Agenda Item 14: Calendar of Meetings and Events – 30’
14:15 – 15:00
Agenda Item 15: Other Matters – 45’
15:00 – 15:15
Agenda Item 16: Dates and Venue of Next Meeting – 15’
Ballroom
Song Hong 1&2
Draft SOP for the Utilisation of Military Assets for
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief under the
Framework of AADMER (Singapore) – 15’
Updates on Relevant Simulation Exercises in 2013 (ARF
DiREx in Thailand, ADMM Plus Exercise in Brunei
Darussalam and Table Top Exercise in Indonesia) – 30’
Promoting Synergy with Other Relevant Mechanisms
(ASEAN Secretariat) – 30’
General Information for 22nd ACDM Meeting and COP 2 to AADMER
Ballroom Foyer
Ballroom
Song Hong 1&2
Oven D’or
Restaurant
Ballroom
Song Hong 1&2
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Time
Agenda Item
15:15 – 16:30
Refreshment
16:30 – 17:00
Agenda Item 17: Consideration and Adoption of the 22nd ACDM
Meeting – 30’
17:00 – 17:15
Closing Remarks (ACDM Chair: Viet Nam) – 15’
Time
Remarks
Ballroom Foyer
Agenda Item
Remarks
Thursday, 30 May 2013: 2nd Meeting of the COP to AADMER
08:30 – 09:00
Registration
08.45
Arrival of Prime Minister H.E. Nguyen Tan Dzung of Viet Nam
08.45 – 09.00
Courtesy Call to H.E. Nguyen Tan Dzung
09:00 – 09:30
Agenda Item 1: Opening of the Meeting
- Introduction: H.E. Cao Duc Phat, Minister, Ministry for
Agriculture and Rural Development, Government of Viet
Nam
- Opening Speech by H.E. Nguyen Tan Dzung, Prime
Minister of Viet Nam
09:30 – 10:00
Photo Session and Refreshment
10:00 – 10:15
Agenda Item 2: Election of Chairman
10:15 – 10:25
Agenda Item 3: Adoption of the Agenda
10:25 – 10:30
Agenda Item 4: Business Arrangements
10:30 – 11:00
Agenda Item 5: Decisions of ASEAN Leaders on Disaster
Management (ASEAN Secretariat) - 30’
11:00 – 12:00
12:00 – 13:30
13:30 – 14:00
14:00 – 14:30
14:30 – 14:45
In front of Ballroom
All VIPs are
expected to be in
the VIP Room
VIP Room
(Song Da Room)
Ballroom
Song Hong 1, 2&3
Ballroom
Song Hong 1, 2&3
Agenda Item 6: Report by the Chair of the ASEAN Committee on
Disaster Management (ACDM)
 For COP Heads of Delegates: Hemispheres
Lunch
Restaurant
 For Other Delegates: Oven D’or Restaurant
Agenda Item 7: Other Matters
Agenda Item 8: Consideration and Adoption of the Chairman’s
Statement
Agenda Item 9: Date and Venue of the Third Meeting of the
Conference of the Parties
14:45 – 15:00
Agenda Item 10: Consideration and Adoption of the Report
15:00 – 15:30
Agenda Item 11: Closure of the Meeting
General Information for 22nd ACDM Meeting and COP 2 to AADMER
Ballroom
Song Hong 1, 2&3
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Time
Agenda Item
Remarks
Thursday, 30 May 2013: 2nd Meeting of the COP to AADMER
15:30- 15:45
Refreshment
15:30 – 16:00
Press Conference
19:00
Gala Dinner at Sheraton Hotel
Time
COP Chair and SG
of ASEAN
Ballroom
Song Hong 1, 2&3
Agenda Item
Remarks
Friday, 31 May 2013: Field Visit
07:30 – 19:00
Visit Ha Long Bay – A World Heritage
Saturday, 01 June 2013
Departure of Delegates
For General information, please contact:
Ms. Dinh Thi Thanh Huyen
Deputy-Head, Global Integration and Investment Division
International Cooperation Department, MARD
Cell phone: 0979153479
Email:cop2meeting@gmail.com or huyendtt.htqt@mard.gov.vn
3. Registration for participants:
Participants are requested to register at the Registration Desk in front of Ballroom from afternoon
of 27 May 201.
Contact:
Tran Thuy Dung (Ms) and Nguyen Thi Phuong Thanh (Ms)
Programme Officer
International Cooperation Department, MARD
Telephone: (84-4) 37344764 / Fax: (84-4) 37330752
Cell phone: 0975040203
E-mail: cop2meeting@gmail.com
4. Arrangements for accommodation:
The accommodation for COP and ACDM Leaders, and the Secretary-General of ASEAN will be
covered by the host country, as follows:
-
Accommodation for COP Leaders: on 29-31 May 2013
-
Accommodation for ACDM Leaders: on 27-31 May 2013
Hotel accommodation has been reserved for delegates attending the ACDM-22 and COP-2 at
the Sheraton Hanoi Hotel. More hotel options are also offered to participants for their choice:
General Information for 22nd ACDM Meeting and COP 2 to AADMER
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Sheraton Hanoi Hotel (5 stars hotel)
K5, 11 Xuan Dieu Street, Tay Ho, Ha Noi
Website: www.sheraton.com/hanoi
Paloma Hotel (3 stars)
70 Xuan Dieu, Tay Ho, Ha Noi
www.hanoipalomahotel.com
 Single Room
US$ 120 ++
 Double Room
US$ 135 ++
(The rates are subject to 5% service charge and
10% Gov. tax)
All rooms are inclusive of buffet breakfast
 Deluxe (9 rooms)
US$ 45 ++
 Deluxe River View (5 rooms) US$ 60 ++
 Deluxe Lake View (4 rooms) US$ 70 ++
(The rates are subject to 5% service charge and
and 10% Gov. tax).
Add US$5 for double room
All rooms are inclusive of a la cart breakfast
The quantity of rooms are limited and first come
first serve
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will arrange the booking for all delegates
participating in the meetings:
Contact:
Ms. Nguyen Thuy Linh,
Programme Officer
International Cooperation Department, MARD
E-mail: cop2meting@gmail.com
Cell phone: 0962170353
5. Transportation
Delegates will be met on arrival at Noi Bai International Airport.
Delegates will also be sent off to Noi Bai International Airport for their departure.
Liaison Officers will be assigned to each delegation to assist the delegates on arrival and
departure.
Chauffeur-driven cars will be provided to all Leadersof COP, the Secretary-General of ASEAN,
and all ACDM.
A chauffeur-driven vehicle will also be provided for each country delegation.
Contact:
Mr. Tran Viet Cuong
Programme Officer
International Cooperation Department, MARD
E-mail: cop2meting@gmail.com
Cell phone: 0962170353
6. Identification Passes
Delegates, Secretariat and other staff servicing the Meetings will be issued with Identification
passes, which they are required to wear at all times during the Meetings. Delegates are
requested to co-operate by displaying at all time their identification passes on entry into the
Meeting venue and other related events at all times.
The various categories of security passes are distinguishable by colours:
Red
-
COP Leaders, Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN
Blue
-
ACDM Focal Points, Head of Delegate from the ASEAN Secretariat and
Executive Director of AHA Centre
General Information for 22nd ACDM Meeting and COP 2 to AADMER
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Yellow
-
Delegates
Pink
-
Supporting staff and Organising Committee
Grey
-
Security
For any related information or requests on this aspect, please contact:
Ms. Nguyen Thuy Linh,
Programme Officer
International Cooperation Department, MARD
E-mail: cop2meting@gmail.com Cell phone: 0962170353
7. Secretarial Services
The Secretariat Room is located in the Song Lo Room (same floor with Meeting Room)
Photocopying and other secretarial services will be made available to delegates wherever
possible. Requests should be made through the Liaison Officers or directly to the officer at the
Information Desk.
Stationery will be distributed to delegates during the Meetings. Additional requirements can be
obtained from the Information Desk.
The Organizer also arranges one Common Room in the Song Thao Room where all delegates
can access the internet and work with computers and printers.
8. Bilateral Meeting Room
Bilateral Meeting Room is located is the Business Centre Boardroom. It will be made available
for bilateral meetings upon request. Delegates can channel their requests to their Liaison Officers
who will assist with the arrangements.
9. Dining
Breakfast is included in the room charge. Lunch will be provided by host country on 28-31 May
2013.
All delegates are invited to the welcome reception on 28 May 2013 and Gala Dinner on 30 May
2013.
10. Medical Services
Medical services are available 24 hours in the Room No.507, Sheraton Hotel. In case of an
emergency, please contact:
Mr. Pham Ngoc Mau
Cell Phone: 0913505727
11. Internet Service
Based on the information we get from the hotel, each room will be provided free of charge with
internet user account and password for use everywhere inside the hotel during their stay. The
organiser provides internet user accounts and passwords for using in secretariat room and
meeting room.
General Information for 22nd ACDM Meeting and COP 2 to AADMER
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12. Weather
The temperature in Ha Noi for the duration of the Meetings should be around 25 and 30 degree
centigrade which is very nice.
13. Dress Code
The dress code for all meetings will be formal, unless otherwise will be stated.
14. Field visit
The organiser will arrange a visit to Ha Long Bay – a World Heritage on 31 May 2013.
All delegates are invited to join the trip. Please complete the form and send to the Registration
Desk or convey through the LOs.
Information about Ha Long Bay:
Ha Long Bay is located in the northeastern part of Vietnam and constitutes part of the western
bank of Bac Bo Gulf, including the sea area of Ha Long City and Cam Pha Town and part of Van
Don island district
The islands in Ha Long Bay are mainly limestone and schist islands most lying in the two main
areas: the southeastern part of Bái Tử Long Bay and southwestern part of Hạ Long Bay. These
islands represent the most ancient images of a geographical site having a tectonic age of from
250 million to 280 million years. They are the result of many times of rising and lowering
processes of the continent to form a karst. The process of nearly full erosion and weathering of
the karst created the unique Hạ Long Bay in the world. In a not very large area, thousands of
islands with different forms look like glittering emeralds attached to the blue scarf of a virgin. The
area where many stone islands concentrate has spectacular scenes and world-famous caves
and is the center of Ha Long Bay Natural Heritage, including HaLong Bay and a part of Bái Tu
Long Bay.
The area is recognized as the World Natural Heritage that is the area of 434 sq. km with 775
islands. It looks like a giant triangle with Ðầu Gỗ Island (in the west), Ba Hầm Lake (in the south)
and Cống Tây Island (in the east) as its three angle points. The nearby area is the buffer area
and areas classified as national beauty spots in 1962 by the Ministry of Culture and Information.
Viewed from above, Hạ Long Bay looks like an extremely vivid huge drawing. This is a wonderful
and skilful masterpiece of the Creation and of nature that turns thousands of dumb soulless
stone islands into fantastic sculptural and artistic works of various graceful shapes, both familiar
and strange to human beings. Thousands of islands emerging uneven in the fanciful waves look
strong and magnificent but also mild and vivid. Amidst these islands we feel as if we were astray
in a petrified legendary world. There are many names given to islands according to their shapes
General Information for 22nd ACDM Meeting and COP 2 to AADMER
Page 8 of 13
and forms. This one looks like somebody heading toward the shore: Hòn Ðầu Người (Human
Head Island); that one looks like a dragon hovering above the sea surface: Hòn Rông (Dragon
Island); another looks like an old man sitting fishing: Hòn Lã Vọng; some look like big sails
struggling amidst the wind to set off for the sea: Hòn Cánh Buồm (Sail Island); then two islands
look like a pair of chicken lovingly playing with each other above the sea: Hòn Trống Mái (Male
and Female Chicken Island); and amid the vast sea stands an island like a big incense burner
like a ritual offering to Heaven: Hòn Lư Hương (Incense Burner Island). All are so real that
people are taken aback by them. Those stone islands have experienced unpredictable changes
over time and they take different shapes from different angles of view. Here, we come to realize
that they are not dumb inanimate things but are vivid and soulful.
Inside the stone islands are various breath-taking caves, such as Thiên Cung, Ðầu Gỗ, Sửng
Sốt, Trinh Nữ, Tam Cung and others. These are really magnificent palaces of the Creation on
earth. Long ago, Hạ Long Bay has been called by the great national poet Nguyễn Trãi:“a wonder
of the earth erected towards the high sky”. Many men of letters from all over the world have been
taken aback at the grandiose scenery of Hạ Long. They seem to get puzzled and incompetent as
their treasure of vocabulary is not rich enough to depict the splendor of this place.
Ha Long Bay is also attached to glorious pages of Vietnamese history, with famous sites such as
Van Ðon, a bustling trade port in the 12th century, charming Bai Tho Mountain, and not very far
away from here is the Bạch Đằng River which witnessed two famous naval battles of the Viêt’s
ancestors against invaders. Also, Ha Long is one of the cradles of human kind with the glorious
Hạ Long culture in the late Neolithic age, discovered at such archeological sites as Ðong Mang,
Xích Tho, Soi Nhu and Thoi Gieng.
Hạ Long is also home to great biodiversity with typical eco-systems like mangrove forest, coral
and tropical forest. It is also home to thousands of plants and animals of numerous species, for
example shrimp, fish and squid. Some species are particularly rare and can be found nowhere
else.
With such special values, at the 18th Session of UNESCO’s Council of World Heritage held on
17 December 1994 in Thailand, Hạ Long Bay was officially placed on the list of the World Natural
Heritage. In 2000, UNESCO recognized it as the World Heritage for the second time for its
geographical and geomorphologic values. This confirms the global premier value of Hạ Long
Bay.
15. List of Liaison Officers
Name
Contact details
Country
Position
Ms. Vu Thi Hong Hanh
0973558196
Coordinator
Ms. Nguyen Thi Nguyet
Minh
0945292188
Coordinator
Mr. Nguyen Duc Hoang
0916256246
hoanga10tp@gmail.com
Brunei
Darussalam
LO for Leader
098 3383848
vuha0982@gmail.com
Brunei
Darussalam
LO for the delegation
01689119101
trunghieu231188@gmail.com
Cambodia
LO for Leader
Ms. Vu Thanh Ha
Mr. Nguyen Trung Hieu
General Information for 22nd ACDM Meeting and COP 2 to AADMER
Page 9 of 13
Ms. Do Anh Quynh
0987755116
quynhda268@gmail.com
Cambodia
LO for the delegation
Mr. Vu Phuong Nam
091 2013119
namvu.iwrp@gmail.com
Indonesia
LO for Leader
Mr. Nguyen Duy Du
0947045577
nguyenduydu@gmail.com
Indonesia
LO for the delegation
Mr. Nguyen Sy Nguyen
0913001569
geniwrp@yahoo.com
Lao PDR
LO for Leader
Mr. Hoang Duc Vinh
0906682672
vinhhd37@gmail.com
Lao PDR
LO for the delegation
Mr. Bui Khuong Duy
0936515541
duybk298@gmail.com
Malaysia
LO for Leader
0972881707
sonatwru1988@gmail.com
Malaysia
LO for the delegation
0988913568
tienkscd@yahoo.com
Myanmar
LO for Leader
Ms. Cao Thị Phuong Thao
0985312347
thao.caothiphuong@gmail.com
Myanmar
LO for the delegation
Mr. Dang Duc Cuong
0972354181
dangcuongcpo@yahoo.com.vn
Philippines
LO for Leader
0975851667
nttrung118@gmail.com
Philippines
LO for the delegation
0973953766
ngotuanmanh_hpc@yahoo.com.vn
Singapore
LO for Leader
Mr. Tran Viet Anh
0903409193
mr.tranvietanh@gmail.com
Singapore
LO for the delegation
Mr. Le Trong Phan
0914334065
letrongphan1110@gmail.com
Thailand
LO for Leader
Mr. Phung Tien Hoan
0989240446
hoanphung.cpo@gmail.com
Thailand
LO for the delegation
Ms. Bui Ngọc Huong
0989041084
buingochuong84@gmail.com
ASEAN
Secretariat
LO for the
Secretary-General
0942480666
phamthanhloan154@ yahoo.com
ASEAN
Secretariat
LO for the delegation
0975719590
lenand90@gmail.com
AHA Centre
LO for the delegation
Mr. Nguyen Thien Son
Mr. Nguyen Hoang Tien
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Trung
Mr. Ngo Tuan Mạnh
Ms. Pham Thanh Loan
Ms. Le Thi Ngoc Anh
Ms. Ly Thi Minh Phuong
0979917619
minhphuongcece@gmail.com
Backup
Ms. Ngo Thi Thanh Nga
0983101494
ngovu11@gmail.com
Backup
General Information for 22nd ACDM Meeting and COP 2 to AADMER
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16. List of Liaison Officers
Name
Contact details
Country
Position
Mr. Nguyen Quang Du
0903232401
Coordinator
Mr. Phung Van Loi
0982898558
Brunei
Darussalam
LO for Leader
Mr. Le Tai Huong
0912573164
Cambodia
LO for Leader
Mr. Bui Minh Dien
09130002618
Indonesia
LO for Leader
Mr. Vu Van Han
0989204261
Lao PDR
LO for Leader
Mr. Vu Kim Chung
0913316269
Malaysia
LO for Leader
Mr. Vu Chi Cong
0983213284
Myanmar
LO for Leader
Mr. Nguyen Manh Quyen
0904305492
Philippines
LO for Leader
Mr. Tran Quoc Truong
0912643144
Singapore
LO for Leader
Mr. Hoang Van Doan
0986506539
Thailand
LO for Leader
Mr. Le Ngoc Lam
0912713386
ASEAN
Secretariat
LO for the
Secretary-General
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT VIET NAM
Location
Lying on the eastern part of the Indochinese peninsula, Vietnam is a strip of land shaped like the
letter “S”. China borders it to the north, Laos and Cambodia to the west, the East Sea to the east
and the Pacific Ocean to the east and south.
The country’s total length from north to south is 1,650km. Its width, stretching from east to west,
is 600km at the widest point in the north, 400km in the south, and 50km at the narrowest part, in
the centre, in Quang Binh Province. The coastline is 3,260km long and the inland border is
4,510km.
Latitude: 102º 08' - 109º 28' east
Longitude: 8º 02' - 23º 23' north
Vietnam is also a transport junction from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
Mainland Territory: 331,211.6 sq. km
Population: approx. 85,789.6 thousand inhabitants (Apr. 2009)
General Information for 22nd ACDM Meeting and COP 2 to AADMER
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Administrative Units: Vietnam is divided into 63 provinces and cities
Topography: Three quarters of Vietnam's territory consist of mountains and hills
Climate
Vietnam is located in both a tropical and a temperate zone. It is characterized by strong monsoon
influences, but has a considerable amount of sun, a high rate of rainfall, and high humidity.
Regions located near the tropics and in the mountainous regions are endowed with a temperate
climate.
The monsoon climate also influences to the changes of the tropical humidity. In general, in
Vietnam there are two seasons, the cold season occurs from November to April and the hot
season from May to October. The difference in temperature between the two seasons in
southern is almost unnoticeable, averaging 3ºC. The most noticeable variations are found in the
northern where differences of 12ºC have been observed. There are essentially four distinct
seasons, which are most evident in the northern provinces (from Hai Van Pass toward to the
north): Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.
Every year there are 100 rainy days and the average rainfall is 1,500 to 2,000mm. The humidity
ranges around 80%. The sunny hours are 1,500 to 2,000 and the average solar radiation of
100kcal/cm2 in a year.
Capital
Hanoi comprises two different topographical features: the delta and the Middle Region of the
North. Most of the deltaic land lies on both sides of the Red River and its tributaries (Đuống, Đáy,
rivers, etc.). The Middle Region comprises Sóc Sơn district and a portion of Đông Anh district, a
prolongation of the Tam Đảo mountainous mass stretching towards the Delta which is 7-10
meters or sometimes even hundreds of meters above the sea level.
This is why Hanoi topography has an inclination in the direction North - South (from Sóc Sơn Đông Anh to Thanh Trì). Hanoi lies at the center of the triangular basin of the Red River. 50 km
from Hanoi to the North lies the tourist site of Tam Đảo, and the same distance to the South
West is Ba Vì.
In Hanoi region, the chain of Sóc Sơn (Sóc Mount) is a prolongation of the mountainous mass of
Tam Đảo, which culminates at a height of 308 meters. This chain has different appellations: Mã
Mount, or Temple (Đền) Mount (because there is a temple on the summit of the mountain, called
Sóc Temple, at the place of which Gióng Genius was deified, rising to the sky on his iron horse),
or Ve Linh Mount. Sóc Mount is situated in the commune of Phu Linh, Sóc Sơn district. Besides
these Hanoi has other hills and mountains rising above the flat ground: Sái Mount (Thuy Lam
commune, Đông Anh district), Phuc Tuong Mount (Co Bi commune, Gia Lam district) and at the
center of Hanoi, above the area of the old Botanical Garden stands the Nung Mount, also called
Long Đo or Khan Mount, giving more picturesqueness to the configuration of Thăng Long.
In Hanoi there are four distinct seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. But it is able to
be divided into two main seasons: the rainy season from May to September (it’s hot, heavy rain),
and the dry season from October to April (it’s cold, little rainfall). The annual average temperature
is 23.2oC, but in winter the average temperature is 17.2oC. The lowest temperature ever
recorded was 2.7oC in 1955. The average summer temperature is 29.2oC, with the highest ever
recorded being 42.8oC in 1926. On average, there are 114 rainy days a year with around
1,800mm of rainfall.
Currency
Viet Nam’s unit of currency is the Viet Nam Đồng (VND). Major foreign currencies are
exchangeable at Vietcombank and other Vietnamese Banks/Branches, ANZ Bank, Citi Bank and
Indovina Bank. The exchange rate (as of 15 April 2013 is US$1 ~ VND 20,950. Major credit
cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, JCB) and most traveler’s checks are
accepted. ATM machines that dispense VND are widely available.
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Electricity and Water Supply
The standard electricity supply in Viet Nam is 220 Volts, 50 Hz, AC. Most plugs are two-pin with
rounded pins, except in international-standard hotels. Drinking tap water and un-boiled water is
not recommended.
Phone Services
Local phone services are reliable. Both GSM and CDMA mobile phone systems are in operation
although the former is more popular. SIM cards are readily available for GSM mobile phones and
can be bought in any convenience stores, post offices or hotels. Local calls from a prepaid
mobile phone cost about 10 US cents/minute.
Time
Viet Nam’s standard time zone is GMT +7 hours.
Tourism
Information on tourism and other information can be found on the following websites:
http://www.vn-tourism.com
http://www.vietnamtourism.com
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