Indochina Travel Destinations

What should I expect?

Vietnam is a nation of captivating diversity. From north to south you will find authentic’ Asia – in the fertile plains of the Mekong Delta, majestic mountains in the north, classical pagodas and temples, bustling cities and street markets, and the faded elegance of the French colonial era. You will also encounter a nation rich in culture, tradition and history, and people with a refreshing warmth and friendliness unequaled in Southeast Asia; a people who have put the war-torn past behind them and are clearly focused on a bright future.

The travel industry in Vietnam is growing at a rapid pace. While the freshness and novelty of travel within Vietnam is still evident, major cities now offer facilities and services at Western standards. Travelling in the more remote areas of Vietnam will, however, involve bumpy roads, noisy trains, and overnight stays in clean but basic accommodation.

Do I need a visa?

To enter Vietnam you will require a passport (with at least six-months remaining validity) and a tourist visa. This visa must be obtained prior to arrival. A combined entry/exit and baggage declaration form will be issued to you prior to arrival and this must be retained until your departure from Vietnam. Please ensure this document is kept in a safe place while you are in Vietnam. It is your responsibility to ensure all visa and entry requirements are met prior to your arrival in Vietnam.

Please Note:

All Vietnam visas are SINGLE ENTRY unless you have specifically requested MULTIPLE ENTRY and this is stamped into your passport. Please ensure you have a multiple entry visa if you are entering Vietnam twice. The status of a tourist visa cannot be changed from SINGLE ENTRY to MULTIPLE ENTRY once you have arrived in Vietnam.

A Responsible Travel Indochina:

Travel Indochina practices a thorough, realistic responsible travel policy. We believe that travel should entail an exchange of knowledge and perspectives, a sharing of wealth, and a genuine appreciation of Asia’s beautiful natural environments. This philosophy underpins the heart and soul of our style of travel. Refer to the responsible travel pages on this site for more information about our responsible travel policy, and guidance on what you can do to be a responsible traveller.

Money:

The official unit of currency in Vietnam is the dong (VND). For current exchange rates please visit http://www.xe.com

You are able to bring your home currency in cash or traveller’s cheques (AUD, GBP, CAD or USD). All international currency, with the exception of USD, must be changed into the local currency, VND. Most hotels change traveller’s cheques and cash at reasonable rates. Credit cards can be used in a number shops and restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Hoi An and Hanoi; however, they are not widely accepted outside these cities.

Climate:

Vietnam spans several climatic zones, resulting in substantial weather condition variations between the north and the south. Average temperatures year-round range from 20 to 35 degrees Celsius. There is no particularly good or bad time to visit Vietnam.

In Southern Vietnam tropical conditions prevail, and there are two seasons – the wet season lasts from May to November and the dry season from December to April. The wet is characterised by high humidity levels and a refreshing afternoon downpour. Humidity in the south during the months of June and July ranges between 75% and 85%. The hottest months are from March to May.

Central Vietnam is usually dry from May to October and wet from December to February. October and November occasionally see unstable weather conditions and flooding.

Northern Vietnam also experiences two seasons, though conditions can change dramatically throughout the day. The winter months from November to April are usually cold and humid. The months of December and January can be particularly cool with temperatures as low as 8 degrees Celsius. Temperatures can drop to 0 degrees Celsius in Sapa (in the highlands near the Chinese border) in winter. Summer, from May to October, can be quite hot and wet with regular downpours and occasional typhoons. The hottest months are July and August.

Health & Fitness:

Travellers to Vietnam should take precautions as they would elsewhere in Asia. Western medical facilities are available in the major cities. In remote areas of Vietnam, medical facilities are basic. Some of the diseases known to exist in Vietnam include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tuberculosis, Japanese encephalitis, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, rabies and HIV/AIDS. We recommend you take adequate preventative measures to minimise your risk of exposure to these health risks. We are a travel company and we are not qualified to provide detailed medical information appropriate to your individual needs; we recommend you consult with your local doctor or a specialist travel medical centre for up-to-date health information on vaccinations and medicine for your trip at least one month prior to departure.

Health:

Travellers to Vietnam should take precautions as they would elsewhere in Asia. There are now a number of international standard medical care facilities available in Ho Chi Minh Cityand Hanoi. Outside these cities, medical care facilities are more basic. We strongly recommend you consult your preferred doctor for the most up-to-date health advice at least one month prior to travel.
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Tipping Policy:

If you are happy with the services provided by your guides and drivers, a tip is appropriate. While it may not be customary in all cultures, tipping inspires great service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across Travel Indochina destinations. As a general guide in these destinations, on Small Group or Special Group Journeys, please allow $3USD to $4USD per day per traveller for each of your local guide, driver and tour leader.  If your tour is private, please allow around $5USD per day per traveller for each of your local guide and driver.  Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip. Should you be dissatisfied with the services provided by your local guide or driver please let us know.

Safety & Security:

Vietnam is generally regarded as a safe destination by world standards, but usual commonsense safety precautions should be adhered to. In recent years petty street crime in large cities has risen. We recommend you take taxis rather than cyclos at night; taxis in Vietnam are numerous, metered and inexpensive. Always carry a hotel card so you can show your driver where you want to go.

Throughout your stay, always keep a photocopy of your passport, airline tickets and credit card numbers, and a detailed record of your traveller’s cheques. You should leave valuables in hotel safety deposit boxes wherever possible. In busier towns, such as Ho Chi Minh Cityand Hanoi, we recommend you wear as little jewellery as possible, and that when on the street your spending money is kept close to your body in a secure place.

Hotels:

Most hotels will have private, Western-style bathrooms, hot water, air-conditioning, satellite television, IDD telephones, laundry and other facilities. Many have swimming pools. Coffee and tea making facilities are generally not available. Where possible we will endeavour at your request to accommodate couples in double rooms. Please note that on occasion during your journey, this may not be possible and a twin room will be provided.

Our “Vietnam Grand Adventure,” “North Unveiled,” “Trails of Vietnam” and “Inside Vietnam and Cambodia” Small Group Journeys involve some overnight stops in remote areas where accommodation is clean and comfortable, but quite basic.

Transport:

On the road we generally use late-model Toyota Coaster or Hyundai air-conditioned buses with either 25-40 seats, depending on the size of the group. These vehicles are designed with excellent viewing windows and a high roof. Modern sedan cars and minibuses are used for transporting smaller numbers of people. Some tours include domestic flights. Vietnam Airlines operates a modern fleet, however schedules frequently change and this can result in alterations to your tour programme.

Tour Leaders/Guides:

Providing your group reaches a minimum of seven passengers, a Western tour leader will guide you on your entire journey through Vietnam. All our tour leaders have an in-depth knowledge of Vietnam and an enthusiasm for the country that is contagious. Your tour leader is your link with Vietnam and is there to ensure the smooth running of the trip. Your tour leader will try, wherever practicable, to cater for your individual interests. Local English-speaking guides also accompany you on your tour. They impart local information about history, customs and culture that can only come from living in the area. Generally you will have a different local guide for each city or region you visit, so local guides are usually only with your group for 1 to 2 days.

Shopping:

Vietnam is fast becoming known as a “shopper’s paradise.” Ceramics, lacquerware, bamboo, silk and embroidery are just some of the good buys on offer. Many travellers also have clothes tailored due to the low prices.

Group Dynamics:

Our Small Group Journeys provide you with a good balance of group activity and personal discovery. Travellers need to be aware of certain personal responsibilities when travelling with a group. Simple things like being ready at agreed times and keeping to schedule will ensure the smooth running of the programme. Furthermore, the traditions and culture of the country you are visiting should be respected. Correct behaviour includes wearing the appropriate dress when visiting religious sites, and refraining from making comments or acting in a manner that would be viewed as unacceptable by your fellow group members or by the local people in the country you are visiting. Please ask your tour leader for further clarification of the issues mentioned above.

Language

The Vietnamese language is derived from Latin characters with a range of tones. English is widely-spoken throughout the country, especially in tourist areas.

When is the best time to travel to Vietnam?

Year-round! Travellers should note that Vietnam is especially hot and humid (highs of 35 – 38 degrees Celsius) between June and September, and the north tends to be cool and often misty from December to February (15 – 20 degrees Celsius). The wet season (May to October) does not usually obstruct travel as rain is normally confined to an hour or two each day. The wet season is the hottest and most humid period of the year. Central Vietnam occasionally experiences unstable weather in October and November.

Transport

For road journeys, air-conditioned Toyota Coaster buses are used. These are modern, spacious, comfortable, well-maintained, and safe vehicles – perfect for small group travel. In cities, towns and villages you will use a combination of cyclos (Vietnamese tri-shaw), boats, bicycles (optional) and your own two feet. Some tours include domestic flights on Vietnam Airlines. Most flights are on modern Airbus 320 or Fokker 70. Some tours also involve a 15-hour rail trip on the Reunification Express between Hanoi and Hue.

Food

Vietnamese cuisine is fresh and tasty and one of the many highlights of a visit to the country. We don’t include the majority of meals in our Small Group Journeys because the diversity of options is astounding. Besides, food in Asia is a bargain! Join your leader at a local hidden gem and discover a regional delicacy, or set off to a noodle stall on your own. We will give you thorough restaurant run-downs throughout your journey (and there is generally always the option to ‘go Western’). Vegetarians are well-looked-after in Vietnam.

Costs

Allow approximately $20USD per person for day-to-day living. Vietnam is a country that offers great value for your money. For around $20USD you will be able to buy lunch and dinner at good local restaurants (your breakfast is always included), as well as refreshments during the day. High end and Western restaurants will cost more.

Language

English is well-understood and widely spoken by our guides and hotel staff. English is also spoken in most restaurants, shops and, to a lesser extent, by taxi and cyclo drivers.