Brunei offers its visitors a wide choice of hotels and other forms of accommodation. Tourism industry of Brunei is thus becoming a major growth factor for the economy of the country.
Language
There are a multitude of languages spoken in Brunei. The official language of the state of Brunei is Melayu Brunei. This came into force on 29 September 1959, with the signing of Brunei 1959 Constitution.
English is also widely used as a business and working language. It is also the language of instruction in secondary and tertiary education. Other languages spoken in Brunei include the Chinese, Indian and Native languages spoken by the minority ethnic groups.
Food and drink
Bruneian food is similar to Malay cuisine. Often quite spicy, favourites include satay, broiled fish, BBQ chicken and a variety of rice dishes. Some of the tastiest Bruneian delicacies are available at open-air markets such as Pasar Malam Gadong and Taman Selera in the capital. Restaurants in hotels, shopping centres and downtown BSB serve Chinese, Indian and European food.
Specialities:
• Daging masak lada hitam (spicy beef with potato beans).
• Udang sambal serai bersantan (prawns with chilli and coconut milk).
• Serondeng padang (chicken fried with garlic wrapped in pandan leaves).
• Ambuyat (goo made from ground sago tree pith, dipped in sauce).
• Kelupis (sticky rice steamed in a leaf).
Climate
Currency
The ringgit Brunei (Malay) or the Brunei dollar (English, currency code: BND), has been the currency of the Sultanate of Brunei since 1967. It is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively B$ to distinguish it from other dollar-dominated currencies, It is divided into 100 sen (Malay) or cents (English).
The Brunei dollar is managed together with the Singapore dollar at a 1:1 ratio by Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). (Singapore is one of Brunei's major trading partners. )
