r/Turkmenistan

whoever needs a speech to text model for turkmen language https://huggingface.co/derkar00/mms-tuk-script-latin-adapter

Doing a group tour in Turkmenistan soon. I'll have a full night and day in Ashgabat by myself before the tour starts.

a) I'm sure the tour guide has some idea on good money exchange options. But I'll need some cash for the first day for food, maybe transport. Can I get cash at the airport in Ashgabat, or at the hotel? How much would I need for a day, and exchange from EUR (easier) or USD (more difficult)?

b) (e)Sim: I read it's fairly difficult to get a simcard. wowesim seem to offer an esim for Turkmenistan, though I do wonder whether it will actually work, or will be blocked. Just need a bit of data every now and then, provided there's some. Any other options?

Agency says on the last day of the tour we will reach Ashgabat airport arnd 2pm, my flight won't be until 10pm. I asked if I can freely go around the city on my own, they didn't answer. If they drop me at the airport could I just go into the city by myself for a few hours?

Curious about how businesses in Turkmenistan are navigating social media marketing, especially given the unique internet landscape.

Ashgabat has some impressive modern development. How are local businesses - restaurants, shops, tourism operators - using social media despite connectivity challenges?

Turkmenistan has incredible but underexplored tourism potential - Darvaza Gas Crater, ancient Merv, Konye-Urgench, the Karakum Desert, Awaza. How are tourism businesses using social media to attract visitors?

The Turkmen diaspora in Turkey, Russia, and other countries is growing. Are businesses or entrepreneurs abroad using Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube to build brands connected to Turkmen culture?

VPN usage seems common. How does this affect social media marketing strategies? Which platforms are most accessible and popular?

Telegram seems important in the region. Are businesses using it for marketing and customer communication?

Turkmen textiles, carpets, and handicrafts have global appeal. Is anyone using social media to sell these internationally?

What's the real picture of digital marketing in Turkmenistan today?

Hello, some of you may know about the band Gunesh, and it turns out there was a de facto reunion of the band members headed by Michael Charyev in the early 2000s called Nurana, a lot of the band members of Gunesh were in it and from what i can gather it made similar music, they released 3 albums. But nowhere on the internet can i find anything by them except 1 song
would anyone just so happen to have more info on them? even better would be for someone to have their music and if so i would ask them to upload it, thanks in advance
https://www.discogs.com/artist/6663032-Nurana here you can see their albums

Are LOIs produced by diplomats deployed to Turkmenistan to invite their family members and friends free of all the rules of that tourism agencies need to adhere to? That is, people invited through this channel can pretty much organize their trip like they want it and move freely within Ashgabat?

Hi everyone, can some local Turkmen gals please advise about bridal henna. What are the traditional designs and placements usually? What are the customs around it? Any resources or photos would be highly appreciated. Thank you!