“Everyone in Vietnam seems to be learning English. Standards are relatively high considering the country has only been open for just over a decade. Most young people and many of those working in the tourist industry speak sufficient English to communicate at a basic level. You’ll find more and better English-speakers in the south – a legacy of the American presence – but even here don’t expect to find English spoken at small restaurants, in markets or anywhere off the tourist trail. For such situations it will help to have a basic phrasebook.

People over 60 years old, especially in the north, speak wonderfully old-fashioned French. Other northerners might speak Russian or German, depending where they were sent to be educated or as “”guest workers”".

If you’re having real difficulties communicating, it sometimes helps to write things down in English. As a last resort, someone will probably go and find an English speaker to help sort things out.

Though you will certainly be able to get by in English, it’s worth learning a few Vietnamese phrases before you go. The pronunciation is a bit tricky, but otherwise Vietnamese is not a particularly complicated language. A few standard phrases (such as hello, thank you, how much is it? and goodbye) always go down well. It will also help if you learn the numbers, though this can be circumvented by asking people to write down prices, times etc.

Should I take my money to Vietnam in cash or travellers’ cheques?

Vietnam’s official currency is the dong, which can not be purchased outside Vietnam. The main banks in Hanoi and HCMC can handle a fairly broad range of currencies nowadays, but the dollar is still the most widely accepted. I therefore recommend taking a combination of US$ cash and US$ travellers’ cheques, with the bulk in travellers’ cheques for safety. American Express, Visa and Thomas Cook cheques are the most recognised brands.

It’s a good idea to arrive with at least some small denomination dollar bills ($1s, $5s and $10s) to get you from the airport into town and to a bank. Even if they’re open, the airport exchange desks offer unfavourable rates. If you do bring dollars cash into Vietnam, make sure they are not badly tattered as they may be refused.”

China has an unrivalled allure for many visitors around the world who visit this country for diverse reasons. As a country with a long history and rich traditions and cultures, there are multiple opportunities for visitors to explore its many facets such as the food, music, natural and historical landmarks, and many others.The prearranged China tour would be the best choice for the travelers first visit to experience the exoticism of China. Prearranged tours means that you will have some professional tour operators to help with the travel arrangements like booking hotels, customizing the tours in China. In this way, the tour operators and tour guides not only give knowledgeable information about the tourists attractions where you will visit, but also you can acquainted with the locals very well along the trip.

When you’re planning a China tour, it would be best if you choose an tour package that includes as much as possible. Finding hotels, looking for the right restaurant and arranging the transportation are all tedious work that best left for your tour agent to work out. The China tour package covers all hotels, city transportation, and most of your meals would make the China trip easier. And as well, it would be great if the tour package including the best airfare deals from your country to China. Then you will be free and leisure on this trip.

When on the China tour, the accommodations will be the most important to you after a full day sightseeing, as you maybe very tired. The tour packages that offer 4 star or 5 star hotels for your choice, which would make you fully relax and enjoy the trip. And the 4 Star or 5 Star hotels would offer you standard or luxury accommodation that you feel very comfortable.

The China cities and tourists attractions you see and the local Chinese you meet during the trip will lead you to good memory in your life. The capital city of Beijing in China, could offer you a great place to begin with any of your China tour. Beijing has plenty of cultural and historical remains throughout the world, Great Wall, Forbidden City and Summer Palace, are the places you never to miss.

Xian, Once was one of the greatest cities in the world, the signs of human habitation date back to 6000 years, is known for the Terra-cotta Warriors. Also, Xian is regarded as one of the birthplaces of the ancient civilization in the Yellow River Basin area of China. This booming city attracts more and more visits traveling to China.

No China tour is perfect without touring the wonderful scenery of Guilin, where rivers and karst peaks covered in lush greenery. If asked which of China’s natural scenery is the best to see, most Chinese people are certainly to point out to the beautiful scenery of the Guilin area, as the ancient Chinese saying goes: Guilin’s attractions top China.

Your China tour trip will bring you good memories everlasting. Finding a right China tour operator and tour package would assure you a safe and smooth trip. And good luck for your trip.

ChinaTourOnline.com is a professional and trustworthy Chinese travel agency based in China specializing in a full spectrum of China travel packages. They have been serving their customers for more than 20 years. Since the launch of its website at the end of 2008, China Tour Online has already offered tour service to thousands (and counting) of satisfied travelers. Their expertise is private China tour packages that can be tailored to accommodate your specific travel needs. Travel to China in 2010 and enjoy the super value a Chinese tour operator can offer!