GENERAL INFORMATION
 
1. Meeting venue  
   
The 17th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) will be hosted by the National Assembly of Lao PDR at Don Chan Palace Hotel, Vientiane Capital from 11-15 January 2009.

All meetings of the APPF-17 will take place at Don Chan Palace, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR.
 
 
 
Don Chan Palace
Address:
Unit 6 Piawat Village, Sisattanak District, Vientiane, Lao PDR
Tel:
(856-21) 244 288
Fax:
(856-21) 244 111-2
Website:
http://www.donchanpalacelaopdr.com
 
 
2. Registration and information service		  
 
Delegates are kindly requested to register for the meeting no later than 30 November 2008. Registration forms can be sent to the following address:

 
 
The Lao National APPF-17 Secretariat
Office of the National Assembly of Lao PDR / Foreign Affairs Department
P.O. Box 662, Vientiane, Lao PDR
Tel/Fax: (856-21) 413515
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.na.gov.la/appf17
 
 
All delegates and accompanying persons are kindly requested to register as soon as possible upon arrival.

A Registration Information Desk will be set up in Don Chan Palace from 14.00-18.00 on Saturday 10th January 2009 and from 08.00-18.00 on 11th -15th January 2009. Program and all relevant conference materials will be distributed for delegates at the desk.

All theme papers, draft resolutions and written comments from member countries should be forwarded by participating delegations to the 17th Annual Meeting Secretariat no later than 30 November 2008

 
  REGISTRATION FORM                (Download) [Doc. format]
HOTEL RESERVATION FORM     (Download) [Doc. format]		  
 
3. Identity badges		  
 
For security purposes, delegates, accompanying persons, and members of the Secretariat Organizing Committee are requested to wear their identity badges visibly at all times, both during the meeting and at all official receptions.

Various identity badges are referred to the following:

Identities
Color
Delegate
Blue
Accompanying Person
Pink
Secretary/Advisor
Green
Diplomatic Corps
Purple
APPF Secretariat
Orange
Security
Red
Press
Grey
Guest
Yellow
 
  4. Accommodation and hotel reservation  
 
Expenses related to the meeting, official reception and meals specified in the programme of activities will be covered by the host country.

Costs such as meals outside the meeting framework, accommodation and other services (mini-bar, laundry, international phone calls, telex, fax, etc…) will be borne by participating delegates.

The following selected hotels’ information are available for delegates’ preference in a respective way

Name of Hotel Room Category Occupancy Rate US $
DON CHAN PALACE
Tel: (856 21) 244 288
Fax: (856 21) 244 111-2
Web: www.donchanpalacelaopdr.com		 Classic (City View)  Single
75
 Double
85
Superior (River View)  Single
85
 Double
95
Deluxe Suite Single / Double
200
Executive Suite Single / Double
300
President Suite  
2000
NOVOTEL VIENTIANE
Tel: 85621213570
Fax: 85621213572
Web: www.visit-laos.com		 Standard Room  Single
80
 Double
86
Superior Room  Single
86
 Double
93
Executive Room  Single
146
 Double
158
Suite Single
169
 Suite Double 
182


Preliminary block bookings have been made for the meeting at the hotels listed above respectively. Please send the enclosed hotel reservation form to the Meeting Secretariat at the National Assembly in Lao PDR (see contact details above). We urge you to make your reservations as early as possible by following the “first come first serve” principle, but no later than 30 November 2008.

In the event of cancellation please notify the Meeting Secretariat in Lao PDR. Note that cancellation at short notice may result in a charge according to the hotel’s cancellation policy.

  
  5. Arrival and departure  
 
In order to ensure an efficient welcome service at Wattay International Airport, Vientiane, all delegates are kindly requested to include details of arrival and departure (date, time, flight number) on the hotel reservation form sent to the Meeting Secretariat in Lao PDR by 30 November 2008.


 
  6. Visas  
  Delegates from ASEAN countries do not require a visa to enter Lao PDR. Delegates from other countries are kindly requested to obtain a visa in advance from the nearest Lao Embassy or Consulate. In case there is no Lao Embassy or Consulate, delegates may email a scanned copy of their passport to the Meeting Secretariat in Lao PDR by 30 November 2008 in order to arrange for visa on arrival. In addition, they need to bring along two 4 x 6 centimetre photographs.

  
  7. List of embassies  
  Please refer to the website of Lao PDR’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a comprehensive listing of Lao embassies located in foreign countries concerned: http://www.mofa.gov.la

  
  8. Transportation  
  Transportation will be provided, on arrival and departure, between Wattay International Airport, Vientiane, and designated hotel for delegates who have given arrival details, and for official functions during the conference.

  
  9. Language  
  The Meeting will be held in English. Delegates and speakers are requested to arrange for their own interpretation if required. Delegations needing translation booth are kindly requested to submit prior notice to the APPF-17 Secretariat in due course.

  
  10. Hospitality information
• Climate		  
  In January, the weather is usually very pleasant; dry and sunny with an average temperature of 20°c-25°c.  
  • Foreign exchange  
  The official currency of the Lao PDR is the Lao Kip. Currency exchange facilities are available at the hotels chosen for the Meeting, international airports, and in many locations around the city. Travellers cheques in major currencies can be cashed at banks. Cash can be withdrawn from banks using Visa and MasterCard over the counter and at a limited number of ATMs in the centre of the city. Credit cards are accepted in major hotels and a limited number of restaurants and shops.

  
  11. Press center  
  The Press Center located in Don Chan Palace will begin its operation on 15 January 2008 with the aim of assisting members of the press to cover the conference. Journalists wishing to cover the 17th Annual Meeting of APPF are kindly requested to register in advance with the APPF-17 Secretariat.

  
  12. Medical service  
  First-aid medical services will be operated at Don Chan Palace during the conference.

  
  13. Bilateral meeting room  
  Delegations having the need for bilateral meeting rooms are kindly requested to contact the 17th APPF Secretariat for proper arrangement.

  
 

For further information please contact:

  
 

Meeting Secretariat in Lao PDR
C/o Mr. Khemphone Anothay
National Assembly of Lao PDR
P.O. Box 662, Vientiane, Lao PDR
Email: [email protected]
Tel: + 856 21 413507, 413515
Fax: + 856 21 413547, 413 515

  
     
  Click here Download Registration Form  
  Click here Download Hotel Reservation Form