Buzz
Turkmenistan, situated in Central Asia, unfolds as a mysterious haven for intrepid travelers. Once a part of the former Soviet Union, this locale remains elusive due to its scarce information.
Visa Guidelines
Presently, Turkmenistan ranks among the top 10 countries with the lowest international tourist influx, welcoming just about 9,000 visitors annually. This nation adopts a 'closed-door' policy towards foreign tourists with its challenging visa regulations.
Turkmenistan boasts 24 consular offices worldwide, with no consulates in Southeast Asian countries. The nearest nation in Asia where Vietnamese passport holders can apply is China. If you choose the Silk Road route, consider obtaining visas from countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, India, Syria, Pakistan, and Turkey.
Turkmenistan's consular services always demand an invitation letter from individuals or organizations within the country. Therefore, the easiest route is to enlist the services of a travel agency to procure the invitation letter. You can submit your application directly at air or land border checkpoints to receive your visa. The entrance fee is $12, payable before submitting your passport at the visa processing counter. The visa fee for Vietnamese citizens is $55, with an additional $2 service fee for the bank (payment must be made through a bank at the border checkpoint area).
Discover embassy locations near Vietnam in Turkmenistan:
– Beijing, China: Kings Garden Villa D-1 18 Xiaoyun Road, Beijing, China; phone: (+86) (10) 6532 6975; email: [email protected]
– Tehran, Iran: No 34, Barati Street, Vatanpour Street Dr. Lavasani, Tehran, Iran; phone: (+98) 21 2220 6731 / (+98) 21 2220 6306; email: [email protected]
– New Delhi, India: C-11, West End Colony New Delhi 110021 India; phone: (+91) 11-2467 6527; email: [email protected] / [email protected]
– Dushanbe, Tajikistan: Akhunbabaeva, Dushanbe, Tajikistan; phone: (+992) 372 242 660 / (+992) 372 241 162; email: [email protected]
Health Advisory
Ensure you purchase health insurance when traveling to Turkmenistan. The medical facilities here are less effective due to a lack of modern medical equipment. Healthcare centers and leading doctors are primarily concentrated in the capital, Ashgabat.
Typhoid and Hepatitis A are prevalent diseases in this country. Make sure to get vaccinated before your visit. Consume boiled, filtered, or bottled water. Avoid ice and unpasteurized milk.
During summer, temperatures can soar up to 50°C in the shade. Stay hydrated and use sunscreen.
The local ambulance service has a limited quantity (3) in case of emergencies. However, the emergency hotlines may only speak Russian or Turkmen. Contact a medical assistance insurance company promptly.
Local Customs
Possession and use of illicit drugs are illegal. If caught, you could face a lengthy prison sentence. Same-sex relations are illegal and punishable by imprisonment.
Turkmenistan remains sensitive to relationships between foreign men and local women. Foreigners engaging in such relationships may face fines and deportation from Turkmenistan.
Some areas prohibit photography. Ensure to check before taking pictures near sensitive locations such as airports, military bases, police stations, government buildings, embassies, Teke & Nga markets in Ashgabat, and more.
Smoking is prohibited in certain public places.
Currency
The currency in Turkmenistan is the Manat. International ATMs are scarce. Visa cards are accepted in some major hotels and can be used to withdraw cash at Vnesheconom Bank in the capital, Ashgabat. MasterCards can be used at Senagat Bank in Ashgabat. US dollars are widely accepted in major hotels and some other tourist facilities. It's advisable to carry USD for convenience. Other currencies are rarely used in Turkmenistan.
Security
Turkmenistan boasts a robust security system, minimizing theft and street crime in this secretive nation. Police and military maintain tight control in major cities, borders, and tourist attractions.
However, female travelers should avoid venturing out at night, as encounters with inebriated Turkmen gentlemen may occur. It's also advisable not to participate in protests or large gatherings for safety reasons.
Travel Insights
In some regions, especially those bordering Afghanistan and Iran, you may occasionally need special permits for exploration. Meanwhile, in the capital Ashgabat, Turkmenbashi's Caspian Gate, and cities along the ancient Silk Road like Merv, Nusay, Yzmykshir, tourists can explore easily.
You can rent a self-drive vehicle with an international driving license.
Roads in Turkmenistan are in poor condition, particularly the stretch from the Iran border to the city of Mary. Exercise caution, especially when driving at night, as the lighting system is limited, and traffic signs are scarce. Fasten your seatbelt, as roads may include high-speed stretches and sand dunes in the desert.
Move around the city using officially licensed yellow taxis. Although they have meters, drivers often charge foreign passengers a flat fee of approximately 5-10 Manat. Airport taxis are more expensive, and drivers typically don't speak English.
The railway system in Turkmenistan is not as advanced as neighboring Iran or Uzbekistan.
Utilize domestic flights if time is limited. With abundant gas resources, airfare is relatively inexpensive. Purchase tickets through travel agencies or queue directly at the airport, even for same-day departures. The Ashgabat International Airport is centrally located.
State-owned telecom company Altyn Asyr in Turkmenistan offers mobile services but lacks regional roaming and has low network quality. Roaming fees are exorbitant. Opt for a local SIM card to save on costs, as Turkmenistan uses the Russian service provider MTS since 2012.
Hotels
Due to limited foreign tourism, accommodation options in Turkmenistan are scarce, primarily ranging from 3 to 5-star hotels in major cities like Ashgabat, Mary, Turkmenabat, or Dashoguz. Guests are mostly from Russia, Iran, and neighboring Central Asian countries. Western backpackers often travel from Iran to Turkmenistan by road, with some using bicycles. Guesthouses are rare. The average cost for a night in a 3-star hotel room is around 50 USD.
Attractions
Turkmenistan boasts unique architectural masterpieces from a golden era. The modern territory holds numerous significant architectural sites, remnants of the Silk Road network spanning this Central Asian country. Nowadays, one of the tourism highlights is the 'Silk Road Exploration in Turkmenistan,' offering cultural, architectural, and religious wonders. Ancient Silk Road routes are scattered between major Turkmen cities like Ashgabat, Mary, Turkmenabat, Dashoguz, and Balkanabat.
Ancient city of Nisa: Located 18 km from the current capital Ashgabat, it's considered the capital of the Parthian dynasty, ruled by King Arsaces I from the 1st to the 3rd century BCE.
Parau – a medieval settlement from the 12th century with Parau-bibi and Parau-ata.
Dekhistan – a historical area in the west of Turkmenistan, includes the grand Mashat tombs with the Shir-Kabir mausoleum (10th century) and the ruins of the Missirian city from the 10th to 15th centuries.
Abiverd, a medieval city with remnants of a fortress, a mosque, and buildings from the 10th to 18th centuries.
Sarakhs, an ancient settlement with a fortress and the tombs of Abul-Fazl and Yarty-Gummez.
Merv, one of the major archaeological complexes in Central Asia and a crucial historical preservation site in Turkmenistan. An important Silk Road location.
Dayakhaty, a 11th-century merchant caravan station near Turkmenabat.
Tasharvat, a merchant caravan station 38 km from Balkanabat. It's a rectangular fortress with a stone wall and a dilapidated house behind it.
Seyitdzhemaledin Mosque, a masterpiece of 15th-century Islamic architecture.
The 'Gates of Hell' in the Karakum Desert.
The serene city of Mary.
The capital, Ashgabat, adorned with numerous unique modern architectural marvels.
Source: Zing News
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourNovember 2, 2015
