Vietnam Odyssey 21 Days

Price & Inclusions

Private Tour

Number of pax	2	4	Other group size
Price/Adult	$2,744	$2,248	Contact Us

Price and group size options are for reference only. Our sales expert will send you and detailed itinerary with best price after customization

VIETNAM

What is the weather like in Vietnam?
In general, Vietnam has a tropical climate with average annual temperatures ranging from 22ºC (72ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF). There are two distinct seasons: wet and dry. From April to October, most of the country is affected by south-western monsoons. The rains, which tend to be concentrated in the late afternoons, provide welcome relief to the heat. Travel to very remote areas may be affected by the rains, but overall they should not interfere with your trip.

Packing for a trip to Vietnam can be challenging, as the climate can vary depending on when and where you go. When the weather isn’t ideal in one area, it’s great in another. While Hanoi is cold enough to warrant a coat from December to February, this is an excellent time to visit Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta. Although the temperatures are consistent year round, various parts of the country, at certain times of the year, can be affected by unpredictable storms which may cause flooding.

Northern Vietnam (Hanoi, Ninh binh, Halong bay, Sapa, Quang Binh)
The north is defined by four seasons with a cold winter and hot summer. The temperature can range from 5ºC (41ºF) in winter up to 35ºC (95ºF) in the summer. From April to October, it is generally warm and humid with average temperature around 31ºC (90 ºF) and heaviest rainfall between July and August. The average temperature during the cold season (December to February) is 20ºC (68ºF). However, in the mountainous regions in the far north such as Sapa, the temperature can at times drop below zero (32ºF). The loveliest time of the year to visit is from September to December when there’s a good chance of clear skies and low humidity.

Central Vietnam (Hue, Danang, Hoian)
The average high temperature in the central region is 30ºC (86ºF). Heavy storms and highest amount of rainfall occurs from October to December and is prone to flooding. The best time to enjoy the beach weather and cultural sightseeing is between February to August.

Southern Vietnam (Ho chi minh city – other name: called Saigon, Mekong delta, Dalat..)
The south has a dry and rainy season. The highest amount of rainfall is from June to October with 80% average humidity. The average high temperature year round is 32ºC (90ºF). The central highland town of Dalat has a year-round temperate of 18ºC to 21ºC (64ºF to 70ºF) earning it the epithet “City of Eternal Spring”. Beach destinations such as Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, and Phu Quoc Island are warm and sunny most of the year. However, the rainy season varies for each destination: Nha Trang (October to December); Phan Thiet (July to November); and Phu Quoc (June to September).

COMMUNICATIONS

How can I use a local mobile phone service?
Mobile phone service is available across in South East Asia, except Myanmar where the GSM network does not support the global network. Ask your guide to bring you to a local phone shop to purchase a SIM card to obtain a local number and prepaid credit. Please make sure your phone set is compatible to the local network. Coverage in rural areas, especially in the Angkor temple areas (Cambodia) is inconsistent.

How can I get in touch with my family, workplace and friends?
Telephone:
Most hotels now have IDD phones in rooms. If you have worldwide coverage, you can bring your own mobile phone and use it to make domestic or international calls. Check with your mobile phone provider for the costs before using it abroad as it may be expensive.

Internet:
Major hotels these days have wireless broadband access in rooms or public areas. Cyber cafes are popular and are easily found in major towns and cities. In many Internet cafes, you can buy pre-paid international phone cards to dial from a computer to a landline or mobile phone worldwide. Most Internet cafes are equipped with webcams, headsets and microphones suitable for Skype conversations.

ACCOMMODATION

How are 5 star hotels rated in South East Asia?
To quote a standard 5-star property, people usually base on flawless guest service, professional staff, accommodation with impressive interior design and immaculate furnishings, and additional services such as a spa, swimming pool, and health club. However, there remains no international standard to define a five-star hotel as each country uses its own criteria to rate hotels. It is fair to say that it is possible to judge different-starred hotels in relation to one another within the same country as at least they are subject to the same criteria.

Do most major hotels have a non-smoking room type?
The non-smoking definition in most countries does not necessarily mean it is smoke-free. While most reputable five-star hotels have non-smoking rooms, some lower-grade hotels consider non-smoking as simply removing the ashtray.

If my departure flight is later than the regular check-out time, can I keep my hotel room until departure?
Generally not, although it depends on the hotel occupancy that day. It is recommended to speak with hotel reception and they will advise if they can offer a complimentary late checkout. Otherwise, most hotels implement a 50% charge for any late check out before 6.00 pm and one full night charge for later than 6.00 pm. This policy varies for each hotel.

FOOD

Could we order special dishes? Do we have a special diet?
For vegetarians/vegans, you will have no problem. Most allergies are easy to accommodate. Halal food is only available in the major cities and Kosher food is not readily available. For specific requirements, please contact us in advance. Is food spicy in Southeast Asia?

Is food spicy in Southeast Asia?
In some cases, food in Southeast Asia can be very spicy. For example, a Lao “laab” salad. However, most of the time, guests in restaurants are able to order the food according to their desired level of spiciness. In even more cases, food is not spicy at all and is served with spicy condiments which you can mix with your food as much or as little as you like.

What general food and water precautions should be followed in South East Asian countries?
The golden rule is: If you cannot peel it, boil it, or cook it - do not eat it. Generally, try to avoid fresh salads or raw vegetables as they may be washed with contaminated water, and avoid eating raw shellfish, raw crab, and cold-cooked meats. Across the countries, regardless of where you are staying, drink bottled water, and make sure the seal is not broken. Beware that ground-up ice, although manufactured with clean water, is open to contamination when it is transported as the large blocks come into contact with the ground. Ice cubes are generally considered safe.

VISA

Which countries require me to obtain a visa?
Most countries in South East Asia require you to obtain a visa. Please check carefully with your travel specialist regarding specific visa requirements for each country you plan to visit as the legislation does change frequently. Thailand offers a free visa on arrival to most nationalities. Other countries including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar offer a “visa-on-arrival” service that requires you to pay a fee at the airport, or you may prefer to obtain this in advance through the relevant embassy or a visa agent. For visa-on-arrival in Vietnam, you must submit some paperwork before you arrive. Please note there can be long queues on arrival at immigration counters.

What do I need to obtain a visa?
Please make sure your passport is valid for more than 6 months from the date of arrival in each country you are visiting. Please also remember to check that you have sufficient blank pages in your passport as most visas require a full page. There are varying costs of visas in each country and you are usually required to pay a USD fee to process the visa on arrival. Please check this amount before you arrive so that you can have the correct money available.

When I get the visa-on-arrival authorization letter, what should I do?
Once you receive the copy of the visa on arrival authorization letter, please recheck all relevant information including the entry date and passport information. Note down the entry date which must be exact as per the date of your arrival flight. Remember to bring this copy along to board the plane to your destination. If you forget, it could be problematic and you might have to fly to a neighboring country and wait for the new approval letter.

If my flight home from Cambodia has a stopover in Vietnam which I already visited before the Cambodia trip, will I need to get another Vietnam visa?
If your stopover does not involve leaving the airport area then a Vietnam visa is not required. But if it is a connecting flight with a couple of transit hours in between and you want to get to a city for other sightseeing or shopping, then a multi-entry visa is needed.

MONEY MATTERS & SHOPPING

Where can I find current exchange rates for local currency?
One currency website we recommend is www.xe.com. On arrival at your destination, you can find current local exchange rates easily at the hotel reception or at most local banks. The rates offered by the hotels are often favorable to the bank rate as they do not charge commissions.

Should I use Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and/or Traveler’s Cheques?
Credit Cards
In Vietnam and Cambodia, credit cards are widely accepted at most hotels and better restaurants and shops. In Laos, credit cards are accepted in major hotels in main cities like Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Yangon (only). Bear in mind that a surcharge usually applies for credit card purchases at 3% (Visa& Mastercard) or 4% (American Express).
Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) ATMs are now found widely across Southeast Asia, except for Myanmar. ATMs accept a wide variety of different card types and usually issue the local currency, except in Cambodia where it is USD. There is a maximum daily withdrawal limit, and this varies between different countries and banks up to from approx US$100 - US$400 per day. There will be a local fee for the ATM service, plus your own bank’s charges for foreign withdrawals and currency exchange.

Traveler’s Cheques
In Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, traveler's cheques are accepted on a limited basis and there is a fee for exchange in most cases.

Should I use USD, Euro, or the local currency?
In Vietnam, you must change money into local currency. However, the Vietnam Dong is not tradable outside Vietnam so you should only change a little at a time. In Cambodia, Laos & Myanmar, you can make larger purchases with USD but you will need some local currency for day-to-day small purchases like local restaurants, a bottle of water, souvenirs, etc. As a general rule across all countries, if shopping in the market or in a shop where you might bargain, you will probably get a better price in the local currency.

How do I bargain when buying things in Southeast Asia?
Bargaining is acceptable and common in small local shops and vendors in the market since they do not have fixed prices. You can start by discounting 50% of the offered price and slowly bargain upwards. The fixed price concept is applicable in international shops and department stores.

What is the best way to ship items home?
The vendor may be able to recommend a freight forwarder or shipping agent. If you choose to ship items home, we highly recommend that you buy shipping insurance and check the policy details including import tax in your country as shops will not be held responsible for damages or taxes incurred en route. It is better to be safe than sorry.

What is a reasonable amount to tip a tour guide or driver if I am happy with their service?
Tipping is not compulsory but it is greatly appreciated throughout Southeast Asia, especially in the service industry. For reference, we have provided a general guideline below.

Tour Guide/Drivers
If you are pleased with the services provided by your tour guide and driver, then a tip for their hard work will be very much appreciated. In general, we recommend around US$7 -10/day/traveler for guides and US$5-7/day/traveler for drivers if less than 4 people in a group. We recommend around US$5-10/day/traveler for guides and US$3-5/day/traveler for drivers if there are 5 people or more.

A tipping of 5-10% of the total bill in restaurants is appreciated. If you stay a couple of days in the same hotel, a tip to the maid service of $1-2/day is appreciated. For porters, US$1-2/time/room is acceptable.

Boat Cruise
If you travel on a local basic boat such as in the Mekong Delta, Nha Trang, Hue, Hoi An, etc., a suggested tip from US$5-10 per boat is appreciated - more or less depending on the group size and the trip's duration. For an overnight boat trip such as in Halong Bay or river cruises, the suggestion is $10 - $15 per person per night to cover all the boat crew.

Vietnam Odyssey 21 Days

Itinerary