In four months, IPhO 2008 will open in Hanoi, Vietnam. To date, 80 countries and territories have confirmed their participation in the IPhO 2008.
On behalf of the IPhO 2008 Organizing Committee, we would like to thank you for your swift registration to participate in IPhO 2008.
1. CONFIRMATION OF PARTICIPATION TO DATE
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Albania
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Argentina
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Armenia
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Australia
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Austria
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Belarus
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Belgium
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Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Brazil
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Bulgaria
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Cambodia
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Canada
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Chile*
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China
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Colombia
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Croatia
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Cuba
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Cyprus
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Czech Republic
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Denmark
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El Salvador*
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Estonia
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Finland
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France
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Georgia
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Germany
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Ghana
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Greece
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Hong Kong
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Hungary
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Iceland
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India
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Indonesia
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Iran
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Ireland
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Israel
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Italy
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Japan
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Kazakhstan
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Korea, Republic of
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Kuwait
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Kyrgyzstan
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Laos
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Latvia
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Liechtenstein
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Lithuania
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Macau
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Macedonia
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Malaysia
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Mexico
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Moldova
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The Netherlands
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Nigeria
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Norway
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Pakistan
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Philippines
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Poland
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Portugal
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Puerto Rico***
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Romania
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Russian Federation
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Saudi Arabia
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Serbia
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Slovakia
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Slovenia
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Spain
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Sri Lanka
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Suriname
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Singapore
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Sweden
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Switzerland
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Syria **
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Taiwan
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Tajikistan
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Thailand
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Turkey
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Turkmenistan
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UK
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USA
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Vietnam
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* Countries participating for the first time ever as a team
** Observer
*** Guest team
2. OFFICIAL INVITATION
The Organizing Committee has sent the official invitation letter to Minister of Education or the Equivalent of each country to participate in IPhO 2008. A copy of the invitation letter has also been sent by email to the contact person of each participating team. If you have not received these letters, please contact us.
3. REGISTRATION FORM
Online registration is available on the IPhO 2008 website: http://www.ipho2008.hnue.edu.vn, which will be active from 20 April, 2008. We will send a USERNAME, PASSWORD and instructions by email to the contact person of each country. The contact person will register for each participating individual from his/her respective country. The deadline for registration is 10 June, 2008. So please select your team members ahead of this deadline.
4. VISA
Entry visas are required for all foreigners wishing to come to Vietnam, except for citizens of countries which have a bilateral agreement on visa exemption with Vietnam. For detailed information, please check on the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: http://www.mofa.gov.vn
In order to obtain a visa, please contact the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in your country. In case there is no Vietnamese Embassy or Foreign Affairs representative offices in your country, please contact the Vietnamese Embassy in any country. It is important to note that your passport is valid for at least 6 months on the date of application.
5. FEES AND PAYMENT
All participating countries are encouraged to contribute a voluntary fee of US $ 3,500 (for leaders and students). Observers and visitors have to pay the official fees, i.e. US $ 1,200 for each observer and US $ 1,100 for each visitor.
All payments can be made upon arrival in Vietnam in Euros or US dollars or transferred to the IPhO 2008 Organizing Committee account (in US dollars). Please write your exact country name when you make your bank transfer to the IPhO 2008 Organizing Committee account. Bank commission or service charges should be paid by the payer at the bank.
Account:
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Account name
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General Department for Education Testing and quality Accreditation (GDETA)
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Bank name
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Vietcombank
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Address
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78 Nguyen Du street, Hanoi, Vietnam
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Swift Code
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BFTVVNVX002
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Account number
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0021371513311
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Payments are made by bank transfer to the Organizing Committee account, please submit the payment receipt to the IPhO 2008 Secretariat on arrival in Vietnam.
6. ACCOMMODATION
Contestants, leaders, observers and visitors will stay at three or four- star hotels in Hanoi. The rooms are double. If leaders, observers and visitors do not wish to share a room, there is an additional charge of US$450 for 9 nights of the official period.
If you plan to arrive in Vietnam earlier than 20 July, 2008 or to leave Vietnam later than 29 July, 2008, please let us know well in advance. We can arrange for your accommodation. The price for a room at four- star hotels in Hanoi is about US $90 -120/twin/night.
7. COMPUTER AND FONT
Computers and printers will be provided at the International Board room. Each team will also be given a personal desktop computer installed with Microsoft Word 2003, Windows XP. Keyboards for common languages will be made available. However, if you have a specific keyboard requirement, please let the Organizing Committee know as soon as possible.
The Organizing Committee encourages leaders to bring their own laptop installed with appropriate font and USB port. The translation of the problems should be converted into PDF file for printing. If you do not bring your laptop, please give us your language tools (enclosed a test print of your font for comparation) so that the IPhO 2008 Organizing Committee’s technicians can install it for you in advance.
Electric power is 220 volts/ 50Hz in Vietnam.
8. ARRIVAL IN VIETNAM
The most convenient way to Hanoi is by air through Noibai International Airport which is located 45 kilometers, northwest of Hanoi. The Organizing Committee will meet you and your delegates and provide you with transportation to the hotels by bus. It takes about one hour from the airport to the hotels.
9. INFORMATION AND IPhO 2008 WEBSITE
Information about the weather, exchange rate, mobile phone services in Vietnam and other necessary information can be found at our website: http://www.ipho2008.hnue.edu.vn
If you have any further questions or enquiries, please feel free to contact:
Dr. Le Nguyen Huong Trinh (Ms)
IPhO 2008 Secretariat,
International Office,
Hanoi National University of Education,
136, Xuanthuy,
Caugiay,
Hanoi, Vietnam.
Fax: +84.4.868.4996/ +84.4.868.4997
Tel: +84.4.868.4995
Mobile phone: +84.904.121.906
Email: ipho2008@hnue.edu.vn;
ipho2008@moet.gov.vn;
ipho2008@gmail.com
Yours sincerely
Prof. Dr. Sc. Banh Tien Long
Standing Vice Minister of Education and Training
Chairman of the IPhO 2008 Organizing Committee