Vanuatu Travel Guide

Vanuatu — Country and Tourist Information

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Country Facts

Location: Southwest Pacific.
Language: English and French are the official languages. Bislama (Pidgin English), the most widely used day-to-day language, is a Melanesian mixture of French and English. French and English are widely spoken and both English and French names exist for all towns. There are more than 115 local dialects.
Area: 12,190 sq km (4,707 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT + 11.
Electricity: 240 volts AC. Australian three-pin plugs are in use.
Population: 239,000 (2009).
Population Density: 19.6 per sq km.
Capital City: Port-Vila (Island of Efaté).
Government: Republic. Gained independence from the UK/France in 1980.
Head of State: President Iolu Abil since 2009.
Religion: Mostly Christian, including Presbyterian, Anglican, Roman Catholic and several other denominations.

Recent History

The island group of which Vanuatu is a part has been settled since BC 500. Up to and beyond the 13th century AD, it was at the heart of the empire of Tonga. During the 19th century, the islands making up Vanuatu (then called the New Hebrides) were settled by British and French missionaries, planters and traders. The UK and France eventually agreed on a condominium over the two islands.

After WWII, a complex power struggle began between the indigenous islanders and the dual colonial interests over the future political and economic course of the islands. The constitutional position was settled in 1977, at a conference between British, French and New Hebridean representatives in Paris, and the islands became fully independent in 1980.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +678. There are no area codes. For outgoing international calls dial 00 and then the country code and number. There are public telephones at airports and post offices. SIM cards and pre-paid phone cards can be purchased in local currency from the post office and some retail outlets. For emergency services, dial: 22333 for fire services; 22222 for police; 22100 for an ambulance.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with a few international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good. SIM cards can be purchased from TVL and the post office (and in-flight with Air Vanuatu) â€“ the cost for a SIM usually comes with the same amount in pre-paid phone credit.

Internet

There are several internet cafés in Port Vila and Luganville. Internet facilities are also available at some post offices. Most resorts offer internet access.

Media

Vanuatu provides locals and visitors news and entertainment through television, radio and newspapers in French, English and Bislama.

Post

Post offices are located on the main streets in Port Vila and Luganville, on Espiritu Santo. Airmail to Europe takes about seven days. There are novelty post offices at Hideaway Island (underwater with waterproof postcards) and at Mt Yasur, the active volcano on Tanna island (literally 'hot mail).Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1630.

Press

There are French and English newspapers (with some articles in Bislama). The Vanuatu Independent (L'Independant du Vanuatu) comes out weekly and the Vanuatu Daily Post daily. The Vanuatu Daily Post also publishes a bi-monthly newspaper for tourists called 'What To Do in Vanuatu'.

Radio

Radio Vanuatu runs a shortwave and mediumwave (AM) service, and the most popular commercial FM station is FM107. (www.fm107vanuatu.com)

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2011
2 Jun Ascension
24 Jul Children’s Day
30 Jul Independence Day
15 Aug Assumption
5 Oct Constitution Day
29 Nov Unity Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Family Day

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
21 Feb Father Lini Day
5 Mar Custom Chief’s Day
6 Apr Good Friday
9 Apr Easter Monday
1 May Labor Day
24 Jul Children’s Day
30 Jul Independence Day
15 Aug Assumption
5 Oct Constitution Day
29 Nov Unity Day
26 Dec Family Day

Contact Information

Vanuatu National Tourism Office

PO Box 209, Ground Floor, Pilioka House, Port-Vila, Vanuatu
Tel: 22515 or 22685.
Website: www.vanuatutourism.com

south-pacific.travel (South Pacific Tourism Organization) in Fiji

Street address: Level 3 FNPF Place, 343-359 Victoria Parade, Suva, Fiji
Postal address: PO Box 13119, Suva, Fiji
Tel: (679) 330 4177.
Website: www.south-pacific.travel