Language
Overview
The official language is Dzongkha. Due to the remoteness of many villages, the most diverse dialects have been preserved. Sharchop Kha, the northern dialect, is the most common. Nepali is also spoken. English has been taught in schools since 1964 and is therefore widely spoken.
Public Holidays
02/02/2022 Day of Offerings
02/21/2022 Birthday of His Majesty the Fifth King
05/02/2022 Birthday of the third Druk Gyalpo
06/14/2022 Siddhartha Gautama’s Parinirvana
07/10/2022 Birthday of Guru Rinpoche
01.08.2022 Drukpa Tshezhi (First Sermon of the Lord Buddha)
05.10.2022 Thimphu Tsechu
11/01/2022 Coronation day of the fifth Druk Gyalpo
11/11/2022 Birthday of the fourth Druk Gyalpo
12/17/2022 National holiday
Source: Top-mba-universities.com
All Buddhist holidays and the Hindu festival of Dussera are also celebrated. Buddhist and Hindu holidays follow the lunar calendar and local astrological observations.
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be brought into Bhutan duty-free: 2 liters of spirits; 100ml perfume. Personal effects and gifts up to a value of NU 10,000 less imported goods from the above allowance category. Upon entry, a customs declaration must be filled out, which must be kept until departure. All private items brought in, including plants and soil, must be noted on this form.
Prohibited Imports
animal products, narcotics, weapons and ammunition. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Prohibited Exports
Antiques, animal products, narcotics, guns and ammunition.
Export Regulations
Old, used items may only be exported with a certificate certifying that they are not antiques. Further information is available from Bhutan Customs.
Contact addresses
Embassy of the Kingdom of Bhutan
(Also responsible for Germany.)
Avenue Jules César 70
Brussels
Belgium
+32 (0)2 761 95 70. Embassy of the Kingdom of Bhutan
(With visa issue.)
(Also responsible for Austria. Honorary consulates in Vienna and Bregenz. )
Chemin du Champ d’Anier 17-19
Geneva
Switzerland
+41 (0)22 799 08 90.
Mon-Fri 09.00-13.00 and 14.00-17.00.
Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Bhutan
(Without issuing a visa.)
Bahnhofsplatz 4
Bietigheim-Bissingen
Germany
+49 (0)172 88 20 608.
Mon-Fri 08.00-12.00 and Mon, Tue, Thu 14.00-18.00.
Business
Business etiquette
Very few foreign businessmen come to Bhutan – prior appointment is required in any case. Tropical suits are appropriate. October and November are best for business trips. Business Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.
Business contacts
Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry PO Box 147, Doebhum Lam – Chubachu, Thimphu, Bhutan Tel. +975 (0)2 32 27 42, +975 (0)2 032 42 54. Website: www. bcci.org.bt
Communication
Phone
International direct dialing limited to major cities. All other calls must be registered with the long-distance exchange. The national telephone company is called Bhutan Telecom (Internet: www.telecom.net.bt/).
Internet
According to Abbreviationfinder.org, the only Internet provider is currently DrukNet (Internet: www.druknet.bt). Bhutan Telecom plans to become an internet provider as well. There are four internet cafes in Thimpu.
Post office
Airmail shipments to Bhutan take up to two weeks to arrive. Shipments to Europe take 7-10 days. However, the stamps have a high collector’s value and are often removed from the envelope, which can significantly delay delivery.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly for the current frequencies (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
