2nd GLOBAL TENTMAKERS CONFERENCE in VIETNAM 2023 Conference Info Pack # 6 (FINAL)
Dear ITP Eagles, Partners, and Friends,
We are fast drawing closer to our Global Tentmakers Conference in Vietnam. The excitement level is rising fast. Some of us are already preparing things to bring on the trip . Our office staffs are also very busy preparing the conference materials, manuals, ID’s, backdrops, photo-wall, T-shirts, etc. … Everything that is happening generate wonderful anticipation on an event that we believe will tremendously bless us all. In over a week, we will see each other in the beautiful bustling city of SAIGON. We are so excited for this gathering, and we look forward to walking the streets of Saigon with you. Here’s more information to add to the five info packs …
1.DEADLINES
a. CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
Registration for the Vietnam conference will end on JULY 13 (Thursday) at 12 midnight. Our organizing team will need some time to prepare all the final documents and conference materials for distribution to all conference participants which include Names of participants, ID’s , T-shirts ,meal stubs etc.… before departing for Vietnam. They will have around two days to complete / compile all the documents and conference materials before their departure on the 17th of July.
b. “BY FAITH, I WILL BE HERE” FAITH EXERCISE
Deadline for our faith exercise – “By Faith, I will be in Vietnam” is on JULY 14. We are requesting all winners ( from 100 Likes to 2k Likes to submit a screen shot of their posting that shows the number of Likes ( including the Hearts) so we could prepare all the gifts for all winners. The first level winners are those who were able to accumulate 100 Likes, followed by 250Likes , 500Likes, 750 Likes, 1000 Likes, 1500 Likes and the top winners are those who reached 2000 Likes.
Please send your winning post to FB Msgr Katherine Merencillo or to our email : itph@ iteams.org. All prizes may be claimed on the day of our conference in Vietnam. All you need to show is a copy of your wining post on your mobile phone for verification. The prizes are non-transferable and can be claimed only by the winner in person at the conference. Those who are not at the venue during the conference will forfeit their winnings and unclaimed prizes will be distributed or raffled during the event. Those who won the top prize will even receive a special treat from Ptr Gani … his favorite Banh Mi and Ca Phe Sua Da.
c. RAMANA SAIGON HOTEL PACKAGE
Deadline for booking at the Ramana Saigon Hotel was set on July 7. We have already closed registration but should you so desire to avail of their package offering, they could still try to look for an available room. Should there be no room available anymore, they can offer a nearby hotel of the same class and same package offer.
2. PRE- DEPARTURE MEETINGS : There will be several Pre-Departure meetings which will all be held in an online Zoom platform. Our organizing team have divided all participants to around 5 groups. They have set up the groups based on their flight schedule. The purpose was to ensure that you’ll get to know each other even before you arrive at the airport. There are assigned IT staffs who will handle the meeting to coach you on immigration matters and to distribute all documents that may be required from you by our airport officials. Please do not ignore this meeting. It may spell worry free travel for you if you join the meeting or an airport nightmare experience if you don’t. Our immigration officers are notorious for off-loading or denying flight boarding even for legitimate travelers like us. If you would not be able to attend the briefing for whatever reason, please make sure to ask our office for copies of the conference and company documents that you must have on hand should the airport officials ask for proof of your participation in the event. We will have the documents sent via email or through FB messenger. You need to ask those who were able to attend the meeting to at least brief you on matters that were discussed. Based on our past experiences, those who were interrogated/ off loaded/ failed to board their flight .. were mostly the same people who were not able to attend the pre-departure meetings. Please don’t take this matter lightly.
Meeting schedule are as follows:
1) Group 1: Cebu Pacific July 17 flight
ZOOM MEETING DATE: July 11 @ 8pm
ZOOM MEETING ID: 843 2176 2234
ZOOM PASSCODE: 490 539
2) Group 2: Cebu Pacific July 18 flight
ZOOM MEETING DATE: July 12 @ 8pm
ZOOM MEETING ID: 842 5648 2240
ZOOM PASSCODE: 799 127
3) Group 3: Cebu Pacific July 19 flight
ZOOM MEETING DATE: July 13 @ 8pm
ZOOM MEETING ID: 878 7511 2136
ZOOM PASSCODE: 499 280
4) Group 4: Cebu Pacific July 20 flight. & Philippine Airlines July 18 – 20 flights
ZOOM MEETING DATE: July 13 @ 2pm
ZOOM MEETING ID: 885 8072 0657
ZOOM PASSCODE: 776 347
5) Group 5: CATHAY PACIFIC JULY 18 & 19 Flights
ZOOM MEETING DATE: July 15 @ 7pm
ZOOM MEETING ID: 820 9412 0448
ZOOM PASSCODE: 392 591
3. AIRPORT TAX: Please be reminded that there is a TRAVEL TAX of P1,620.00 required from Filipino nationals for international travels. You will have to pay that amount in the airport prior to check-in.
4. BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE: Your budget airline (Cebu Pacific or Air Asia) booking starts with the minimum baggage allowance of 7 kilos for hand carry alone. If you need to bring with you a check in baggage, you must pay for the check in baggage weight of your choice. You may go directly to your airlines website and order the additional baggage weight that you want.
5. BAGGAGE WEIGHT: Please weigh your baggage’s before heading to the airport. You need to make sure that you don’t go beyond the baggage weight limit that you paid for. The cost of extra weight when paid in the airport is a lot more expensive than on an online payment.
6. VIETNAM AIRPORT ASSISTANCE: We don’t have anyone at the airport to meet you on arrival. Please read the previous INFO PACKS for travel instructions to the city. Let me repeat … “NO AIRPORT ASSISTANCE”.
7. RAMANA HOTEL AIRPORT TRANSFER SERVCE: If you availed of the RAMANA SAIGON HOTEL package, they will provide the airport transfers. Someone will be at the airport to pick you up and bring you to Ramana Hotel. (Please read INFO PACK # 2 for more information)
8. OFFICIAL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION is on JULY 20 from 1 pm to 3 pm. Conference materials will be handed out to all participants. Registration area will be at the same venue where we will be holding our conference – the CAPELLA GALLERY HALL.
As soon as you receive the conference package, please don’t put on the T-shirt right away. It was intended for our GROUP PICTURE session on July 21st.
Our Vietnam team led by Ana Tuquero, Ptr John Duong and Bro Tan Le will be around to welcome you on registration day. During the registration, we will be doing photo and video shoots. After the registration, our Vietnamese hosts will be available to discuss matters related to the places to go to in the area, transportation, etc. …
9. CURRENCY EXCHANGE: As soon as you arrive SAIGON airport, we recommend that you have your money changed at any available Currency Exchange counter at the airport, to the local currency VND or VIETNAMESE DONG. You may also withdraw from the available ATM machines so you will have local currency to use for your travel and other expenses. The exchange rate as of July 10 is US$1 = Pesos 55.53 = VND 23,491.34. (Yes! Your P2,500 will make you an instant millionaire in Vietnam!)
10. MOBILE PHONE ROAMING: Please have your mobile phones activated for roaming service. You may inquire from your local telecommunication provider for roaming activation instructions. May we remind you that the cost of roaming calls and texts are so high that you may just consider using your phone to receive texts from the Phils. A simple one text message to the Phils may cost you around P15 or more depending on the Vietnamese carrier that your phone is using. You will not be charged for text messages that you receive.
11. DEPARTURE/ ARRIVAL FORMS (ONLINE or PAPER FORM): Address to write on your Phil. airport departure card and Vietnam arrival card –THE CAPELLA GALLERY HALL Convention Center in Ho Chi Minh City, No. 24, 3/2 Street , Ward 12, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Purpose for the visit is either TOUR or ATTEND CONFERENCE.
In the Phils, we have already adopted an online system (eTravel FORM) for departure and arrivals. Before departure, please ensure that you have completed the departure form by following these steps:
1. Go to eTravel official website. The official website is : https//etravel.gov.ph.
2. Start your registration
3. Provide your personal information
4. Enter your travel address and email
5. Submit your travel details
6. Accomplish the Health Declaration Form
7. Review the information you gave
8. Download your QR Code
12. COMMUNICATING DIRECTIONS : Please ALWAYS keep in your pockets the address of your hotel and the conference venue and emergency contact numbers or FB Messengers of our Vietnam missionaries. Hotel cards are available at the counter or the lobby area of any hotel. Please be reminded the pronunciation is different and the locals may not be able to understand you if you’ll just tell them where you want to go. So, always bring the hotel cards with you and present it to the driver when needed.
To go to the conference venue , please have this address printed out and show to the taxi or motorbike driver :
Address to present to driver:
THE CAPPELLA GALLERY HALL
24 Đ. 3 Tháng 2, Phường 12, Quận 10,
Thành phố, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
13. SECURITY: SAIGON is a relatively safe place, but one can never be sure. It is better careful and safe than be sorry. When going out specially at night, please try to go in groups. PLEASE …NO LONE RANGER or solo flyer!!!! We need to be able to always monitor each other’s activities and whereabouts. Always go out with a group and inform others of your plans. We would like each one to assist in policing your own ranks. Just like in every main city of the world, there are bad elements (pickpockets, snatchers etc..) that are out to prey on unsuspecting visitors. Please be extra vigilant and always protect your belongings. Of all items in your possession, please make sure to secure the most important item … your PASSPORT.
14. HEALTH: You may bring personal medications for those on maintenance and also for emergency cases – antihistamines for allergy, paracetamols for fever and pain etc .. Our office will also bring some so in any case you feel the need to take some, please don’t hesitate to ask from any of our conference staffs. We are bringing also RT/PCR Test kits, Blood Pressure gauge and other medical instruments etc. in case a need arises.
15. ELECTRIC ADAPTERS : The electrical outlets in VIETNAM have two vertical slots , like the one we use in the Phils, 220 volts. There is no need for an adapter if you are coming from the Philippines but please make sure that whatever unit you plan to plug in can run on 220 volts. Most mobile phone chargers run on worldwide voltage so there won’t be any problem. But those who will be using hair dryers etc, we advise that you check if it can run properly on that voltage level. . If you are from another country, you may need to have an adapter to convert to standard American/ Philippine type plug to use the outlets. If you could not purchase or borrow one while in the country, they are available at the airport stores or you can purchase cheaper ones in the Saigon markets.
16. MEMORY CARD & BATTERY PACK: With all the beautiful sights and ministry site that you will be visiting, you might need to bring an extra SD card(s) just to be sure that you don’t wind up with a camera that you could no longer use just because of lack of memory space. A battery pack will also be as important to ensure that you will be able to capture all special moments, people and places.
17. T-SHIRTS: Our staffs have taken your individual sizes and will distribute the shirts at registration time. The T-shirts are given FREE to all registered conference participants. – one per participant. Please don’t wear it on the first day. We would like all participants to wear the T Shirts on the second day when we will have our Group Picture time.
18. JOSHUA RISING YOUTH GROUP: Our youth have set their itineraries and activities while in Vietnam. The person leading the charge for our youth group is Sis Abby Abuan and assisted by other IT office staff. Should you want to get info on their ministry, please don’t hesitate to approach any of them. They will gladly share to you what their goals are for the youth and explain activities that they designed to move forward to their target goals.
19. GLOBAL INTERCESSORS will be in Vietnam at the beginning and end of the conference and events to ensure that all of us will be covered with prayers. They are led by Ptra Rosanna Sadogio. Should you be interested to know their plans and activities while in Vietnam, please do not hesitate to approach Ptra Rose or any of the Global Intercessors.
20. ACCESS 2 PROGRAM: Our designated evaluators together with field missionaries present at the conference will meet with the whole group to discuss the group arrangements and the itinerary for Access 2 program. Those who are not part of the training group have the full freedom to determine where they would like to go and what they would like to do after the conference. We will have group meetings to discuss options available. For those who are traveling alone, we will be happy connect you to a group, so you will be able to join them in their city tours.
21. HOTEL CHECK IN and CHECK OUT: I noticed that some hotels in Vietnam have a check in time of 2pm!!! That means they will allow you to use the room ONLY starting at that time. Check out normally is at 12pm but some hotels require you to leave your room at around 11:30 am. PLEASE check out the times so that you won’t be billed extra .
22. HOTEL DEPOSITS: Some of hotels ask for a certain amount for deposit. They ask for it as a guarantee that should something is stolen or destroyed in the room they will be able to demand it from your deposit. Most often, the excitement of going back home makes you check out without asking for the deposit to be returned, I noticed that some hotels don’t remind their guests of their deposits unless it is demanded from them. They must have a good reason for it.
23. INTERNET/ WIFI: Internet service is pretty good in Ho Chi Minh City. Your Phil phone provider offer a daily use service that cost somewhere close to P500 per full day of use. If you want to have an internet service that you could use together with the group that you are with, we recommend that you purchase from the airport or in stores in the city, a SIM card with an internet load and use your phone as a mobile hot spot for others to connect to. We tried to avail of rental pocket wifi’s , similar to what we got in Taiwan , but we could not find any on the airport.
24. TOUR MAP: HO CHOI MINH CITY is a beautiful city with so many amazing sites to visit. Travel within the city is easy with the train stations situated where the important tour sites are located. A map in your hand always will be very useful. Please go back to our previous INFO PACKS for good suggestions on what to do while in Saigon.
25. WEATHER: Weather in Vietnam is similar to ours in the Philippines. The average day would be rainy on the month of July with a temperature average of 29C . Unlike in the Philippines, Vietnam actually have 4 seasons. You may bring a foldable umbrella but please make sure to put it in your checked in baggage or you may just opt to buy one in Saigon. They are pretty cheap there.
26. PRAYER & INTERCESSION: Please pray for the success of our Vietnam conference. Let’s believe that GOD will do something amazing and unforgettable at our conference. Let’s all join hands in our commitment to honor and glorify the LORD before all men in all the nations of the world. Let there be nothing but praises and thanksgiving to our Master and King all throughout the conference.
27. CROSSING THE STREETS OF SAIGON: Assuming that you'll be ok for you are used to crossing busy streets in Manila with a big volume of motorcycles everywhere, might be something that you'll eventually regret. The traffic in Saigon is unique ... uniquely dangerous for the untrained. The driving culture is somewhat more chaotic than even in Manila. There are important things to remember when you cross the streets of Saigon for your safety and well being ... (I am not trying to be dramatic nor am I exaggerating!)
Tip # 1; COMMIT ..,The most important rule on crossing the road in Saigon is TO KEEP GOING. Once you step out to cross the road, you must commit to the crossing . DO NOT VACILLATE. DO NOT STEP BACK !!!! DO NOT TURN BACK !!! Even though you feel you want to run back, that would be more dangerous than moving ahead to the other side.
Tip # 2 WALK AT AN EVEN PACE . It might seem that you would want to run across the road or dart through the scooters. That will be a big mistake. You just need to walk at a brisk even pace IN A STRAIGHT LINE. Don't be scared when the scooters coming toward you don't seem to be slowing down - they will just move around you knowing that you'll just move forward. So, if you suddenly stepped back (thinking that you are moving away from a potential accident) then that will just confuse the drivers and may bump you directly.
Tip # 3 Pray at all times .. specially when crossing the streets of Saigon. :)
Tip # 4 Enjoy fully the SAIGON experience.
28. VERY IMPORTANT … (a repeat reminder !!)
a. Please check your passport’s EXPIRATION DATE. If it shows a date that falls within 6 months’ period, your passport is no longer valid for travel. You will not be allowed to leave by our immigration officials in the Philippines nor will you be allowed to enter Vietnam if the date falls in that period on the course of your travel.
b. If you are an active government employee, you are required by law to secure a TRAVEL PERMIT. You will not be allowed to leave the country if you don’t present that document to our immigration officers.
c. Those who have not booked your RETURN TICKETS yet, please make sure that you’ll have one ready before you leave for the conference. Our immigration officers will not allow you to depart the country without proof that you possess a return ticket. You may book your ticket to the place of your last planned destination.
d. SAFEGUARD your passports to the maximum. Please have it photocopied and bring the copy with you always.
e. WARNING: If someone approaches you at the airport and asks for help in checking in their baggage and/or requests if they could include some items with your own with the excuse that they have no money to pay for the extra baggage allowance… DO NOT ENTERTAIN THEM. You might be used to transport illegal items. You will be held fully responsible for your own belongings. Please always be on the side of caution.
f. CHECK FLIGHT TIMES : We had instances in the past where some of our missionaries missed their flights due to confusion in flight times. Those who have flights in the early morning, need to know that you must be at the airport the day before your flight time. If you go to the airport on the date listed on your booking, the possibility is that you have made a mistake and the flight might have left already early in the morning of that date. You will need pay for a new ticket, which is always expensive, to get a flight back.
28. COURTESY: May we remind all conference participants that the office teams and staffs who will be assisting you will be doing it from the generosity of their own hearts. The best response that you could give is to show gratitude and appreciation. Please take note that a good number of you will be there to be trained and evaluated and not the other way around. Our field team and conference staffs will expect courtesy and humility from all.
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This is the FINAL INFO PACK. You may want to print out all info packs (#’s 1-6) and bring with you as reference in case you need guidance. We pray for God’s favor and protection for all the conference participants ENJOY the conference and all of God’s blessings!!
MAY THE LORD BE GREATLY HONORED IN EVERYTHING THAT WILL HAPPEN IN OUR MISSIONS EVENT IN VIETNAM!
SO EXCITED !!!
Ptr. Gani Sison
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