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Vietnam Heritage Tour 12 Days
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• Get back to the past as you tour around the capital of Vietnam: drive through the French quarter, riding the cyclo on Hanoi Old Quarter's 36 streets and enjoy Vietnamese traditional music

• Rowing boats to explore the World Heritage of Tam Coc Ninh Binh

• Overnight cruise with full activities such as Sunset Time, Happy Hour and cooking class on Ha Long Bay

• Walking tour in World's Cultural Heritage of Hoi An Ancient Town

• Boat ride in Mekong Delta, where you can observe all of the busy trading activities of local traders with several kinds of agricultural products

Itinerary

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Day 1
Arrival Hanoi

Meal Provided: No Meal

Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport, you will be privately transferred to the hotel.

This afternoon, drive through Colonial Hanoi, seeing the Opera House and other local sights. Go inside the infamous Hoa Lo Prison museum (“Hanoi Hilton”), where Senator John McCain and Douglas “Pete” Wilson were once imprisoned, and continue to visit the Temple of Literature (Vietnamese name is Quoc Tu Giam) – Vietnam's first University, which was built in 1070 in honor of Confucius, his followers, and Chu Van An, a moral figure in Vietnamese education.

Next enjoy a cyclo tour through Hanoi's Old Quarter, a network of narrow alleys and shophouses also known as “The 36 Streets.” This is a wonderful place to watch the local life, and peruse items from fabrics to crafts to exotic medicines.

Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese water puppet - Water puppetry - " puppets that dance on water"- is a tradition that dates back as far as the 11th century when it originated in the villages of the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam.

Stay overnight in Hanoi

No Meal

Day 2
Hanoi - Tam Coc - Bich Dong Pagoda - Hoa Lu Ancient Temple

Meal provided: Breakfast

This morning, traveled to Ninh Binh province. On arrival, enjoy a 2-hour excursion by small boat along the Ngo Dong River, beginning at the village of Van Lam and proceeding through a scenic landscape dominated by rice fields and karst towers. The route includes floating through Tam Coc - the three natural grottos (Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba), the largest of which is 125m long with its ceiling about 2m high above the water. The boats are typically rowed by one or two local women who also sell embroidered goods. 

Then, take a bicycle (~4-5km) around Tam Coc to discover Thai Vy temple and Bich Dong pagoda - a cave pagoda - which was built in the 15th century.

Afternoon, drive to visit Hoa Lu temple– The ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries. Enjoying the 11th & 17th-century architecture style, old sculpture – carving on wood & stone depicting the daily lives, dreams, and wishes for peace, good life, etc. Back to Hanoi.

Stay overnight in Hanoi

Breakfast

Day 3
Hanoi – Halong by Shuttle bus /Night on cruise
Meal provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

07.30-08.00: You will be picked up at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter and transferred to Ha Long (For guests booking Limousine Bus or shuttle bus only).

11:30-12:00 Upon arrival, you will enjoy a warm welcome by our cruise staff in the waiting lounge and complete check-in procedure.

12:00   Upon boarding, our crew welcome you with a refreshing drink and cold towel before checking into your cabin. The vessel leaves Tuan Chau Marina, taking you on an exciting journey to discover the beauty of Ha Long Bay. Along the way, you can enjoy the view of some of the most beautiful spots in Ha Long and admire the grandeur of the Bay with thousands of limestone islands while the vessel heads to Luon Cave and Titop island.

Enjoy your lunch at our luxurious restaurant on board while the vessel cruises toward Luon Cave and Titop island.

14.30: Return to your room and prepare for swimming activities at Titop Island.

Visit Titop Island and hike to the top for stunning views of Ha Long Bay, or have a fun swim in the clear blue water.

16h00: The cruise will take you to Luon cave area, you will participate in kayaking or rafting here around the thousand-year-old rock formations. 

17.30-18.00 Back on board, you will participate in Sunset party & cooking class while the vessel cruises toward the shore. You can enjoy relaxing moments while sipping a cup of traditional Vietnamese tea or coffee on the sundeck amid wonderful scenery and beautiful sunset. Ha Long Bay is calm during the day, but when the sun goes down, the Bay becomes even more tranquil and peaceful.

You will be instructed to make delicious traditional Vietnamese floating rice cake by our chef and then enjoy the floating rice cake made on your own.

17.30-18.30 Happy hour - BUY 2 DRINKS GET 1 FOR FREE

19.30    Outdoor dinner. Enjoy a romantic dinner outdoors (if the weather is favorable) or restaurant.

21.30    After dinner, you will enjoy a peaceful view of the Bay at night on the deck. You can also participate in evening activities such as massage (subject to additional charge), herbal foot bath in your room (free of charge), Bamboo dancing, fashion show traditional customes “Footsteps of Heritage” and some drinks at Sky Bar while admiring breathtaking view of the Bay at night and squid fishing.

The cruise ship anchors for your peaceful night stay in quiet area 

Breakfast;Lunch;Dinner

Day 4
Halong - Hanoi
Meal provided: Breakfast, Brunch

Start your day with Tai Chi class on the sun deck.

06.30-07.00 Enjoy a light breakfast with coffee, tea, cakes and fruits, Pho Vietnam, egg station.

07:30    Explore Sung Sot Cave. This is one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Halong Bay. The cave has some unique rock formations that can't be found anywhere else. The road to the mouth of Sung Sot Cave is under the foliage. Walking through steep stone steps, visitors can have the feeling of climbing the mountain and experience the excitement of stepping into the sky.

08.30-09.30 Back on the ship, you can rest in your room, sunbathe on the sundeck, and take photos of Halong Bay.

09:30 Check-out.

Please place your luggage outside the cabin and leave your room key at the front desk. Our staff will transfer your baggage to the waiting area.

10.00 Enjoy an early lunch buffet at the restaurant on the 2nd floor and pay the bill if any.

11.00 Arrive at Tuan Chau Marina. Cycling to explore Tuan Chau Island (applied to customers using Bus) after checking out.

Return from Halong to your hotel in Hanoi by shuttle bus.


Our driver will take you to Hanoi Airport for your evening flight to Phong Nha (Quang Binh).


A driver will welcome you at Dong Hoi Airport and transfer you to the hotel.

Stay overnight in Quang Binh.

Breakfast;Brunch

Day 5
Phong Nha Cave - Thien Duong Cave

Meal provided: Breakfast

After breakfast, travel to Son River where we take a boat trip to the park and famed caves at Phong Nha–Ke Bang, one of the newest UNESCO-designated World Heritage Sites in Vietnam.

Enjoy your time exploring Phong Nha cave: from which the name of the whole system and the park is derived, is famous for its rock formations. This cave is 7729 meters long and contains 14 grottos, with a 13,969-meter long underground river. Scientists have surveyed 44.5 kilometers of grottos in this cave so far, but tourists can only penetrate to a distance of 1500 m.

Afternoon, transfer to visit Thien Duong (Heaven) cave, Vietnam's longest cave which is filled with magical and mysterious formations. The cave is discovered in 2005 by the British Cave Research Association. The cave is in the heart of a limestone mountain range and runs through the Phong Nha-Ke Bang conservation area. Inside the cave, visitors can see stunning stalagmites and stalactites which are thousands of years of existence.

Stay overnight in Quang Binh

Breakfast

Day 6
Quang Binh - DMZ - Hue

Meal provided: Breakfast

Leave Phong Nha for Hue via the DMZ area. The ride over DMZ area is suitable for those who want to learn about the severe Vietnam War and those who want to “make love not make war”.

Touring Hien Luong bridge & Ben Hai river – the 17th Parallel. From 1945 to 1975, the Ben Hai River served as the demarcation line between the North and South of Vietnam. The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) consisted of a 5 km north and south of the demarcation line. The Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone was established as a dividing line between North and South Vietnam as a result of the First Indochina War. During the Second Indochina War (popularly known as the Vietnam War), it became important as the battleground demarcation separating North Vietnamese territory from South Vietnamese territory.

The next stop is Vinh Moc Tunnels - the famous “Underground City”. The route is scenic after leaving the main highway passing through quaint villages and skirting along Cua Tung Beach. The Vinh Moc village story is a feat of humanity and resistance.  In order to escape heavy bombardment during the war, the villagers constructed approximately 2.8 km of underground tunnels which they used as a refuge to survive the bombings. Three hundred people lived intermittently in the tunnels from 1966 to 1971. Explore the tunnels and enjoy the beautiful sea view upon exit. Arrive at Hue in the late afternoon. Check-in the hotel.

Stay overnight in Hue.

Breakfast

Day 7
Hue - City Tour - Hoi An

Meal provided: Breakfast

Morning, transfer to visit the Royal Palace which has three perimeters of the rampart, namely from outside to inside: Kinh Thanh (Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel), and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel).

Then, visit King Tu Duc's tomb in a narrow valley in Duong Xuan Thuong village (currently Thuong Ba village, Thuy Xuan Commune, Hue City). It is one of the Nguyen dynasty's most beautiful works of royal architecture.

I am heading to Thuy Xuan Incense Village - a pretty village with green trees nestled at the foot of Vong Canh Hill and by the Perfume River.

A trip to Thien Mu Pagoda, an ancient pagoda in Hue City, can't be missed. Its pagoda has seven stories and is the tallest one in Vietnam. The temple is often the subject of folk rhymes about Hue, such as its iconic status and association with the city. It is regarded as the unofficial symbol of the former imperial capital. Transfer to Hoi An (~3 hours).

Stay overnight in Hoi An.

Breakfast

Day 8
Hoi An - My Son Sanctuary - Ancient Town - Hoi An Memories Show

Meal provided: Breakfast

Take a coach trip to My Son, a cluster of abandoned and partially ruined Hindu Temples constructed between the 4th and the 14th century AD by the kings of Champa (Chiem Thanh in Vietnamese). The My Son temple complex is regarded as one of Southeast Asia's foremost Hindu temple complexes and is the only heritage site of this nature in Vietnam. It is often compared with other historical temple complexes in Southeast Asia, such as Borobudur of Java in Indonesia, Angkor Wat of Cambodia, Bagan of Myanmar, and Ayutthaya of Thailand. As of 1999, My Son has been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site.

 

Coming to Ancient Town, spend the left of the afternoon for a walking tour around this enchanting port town of Hoi an, follow the narrow lanes lined with centuries-old houses influenced by Chinese, Japanese, French, and European architecture and visit its numerous places of interest: the 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Phuc Kien Assembly Halls, the Tan Ky old house, the local market …

 

Around the town, you can see numerous art galleries and tailor shops. You are also free to get some made-to-order clothes if you like.

Participating in Lantern Making Workshop – a great activity for all ages to sit down for a few hours. It's time to make your own lantern to take home as a memory from Hoi An.

Evening,
enjoy the Hoi An Memories show:

Start: 19:30 – End: 20:45

Place: Hoi An Impress Theme Park

With the message: “A day in Hoi An - A hundred years of reminiscence”, Hoi An Memories is a really huge boat that will bring the audience to the ancient city port on the legendary Silk Road over the course of 400 years.

Be amazed by the world's largest outdoor show that features 500-plus performers!

 

Stay overnight in Hoi An

Breakfast

Day 9
Hoi An - Eco Tour & Cooking Class - Flight to Ho Chi Minh City

Meal provided: Breakfast, Lunch

Start your morning with a tour of the water coconut village and have an adventure on the bamboo basket boat.

We will stop at the colorful local market. Here you will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and learn about the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later. So make sure your camera is handy.

We continue to transfer to the vegetable village where the local farmer will show you their traditional gardening methods. At the village, we walk through the vegetable gardens where local farmers work in their fields, using the traditional methods of hundreds of years ago.

Then, we go to our home in order to prepare for our cooking class. We have a welcome drink for rest.

After that, we will go to the kitchen & work together with the professional chef. With the instructions of the chef, we will learn the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food.

Especially, you have a chance to experience how to decorate the dish in the Vietnamese way. This activity is great fun.

After the lesson, enjoy what you have cooked.

The tour ends at 1:00 p.m

Our menu:

  • Green papaya salad
  • Tam Huu (shrimp, pork, and herbs)
  •  Hoi An rice pancake

* Other special food on request.

Afternoon, you'll be transferred to the airport on time for your flight to HCMC (no guide).

Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Breakfast;Lunch

Day 10
Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnel - City Tour

Meal provided: Breakfast

Morning, continue our trip to visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long struggle for independence. The Cu Chi Tunnel system had been created a long time back, in 1948 to assist Viet Minh in the combat with French. And it was continuing built over 25 years later. It was an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers. In places, it housed up to 10,000 people who virtually lived underground for years.... getting married and giving birth. During the American War, the entire area of Cu Chi has designated a free fire zone and was heavily bombarded. Transfer to Saigon.


Afternoon, enjoy sightseeing at Reunification Palace formerly known as Independence Palace, built on the site of the former Norodom Palace, a landmark in Hochiminh City.

 

Continue to visit the Central Post Office which was constructed when Vietnam was part of French Indochina in the early 20th century. It has a neoclassical architectural style. It was designed and constructed by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel in harmony with the surrounding area. Today, the building is a tourist attraction. 


Right nearby, you can see Notre Dame Cathedral, a magnificent building located in the heart of the city and established by French colonists. This cathedral was constructed between 1863 and 1880. It has two bell towers, reaching a height of 58 meters (190 feet). 

Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Breakfast

Day 11
Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta Day Tour

Meal provided: Breakfast, Lunch

 

Our private tour guide and driver will pick you up at 7:30 am to head to Vinh Long province (about 110km from HCMC). We will start with a visit to Vinh Long market in the town. This is the best choice for you to take pictures of fish, shrimps, prawns, crabs, snakes, rice-field rats, tropical fruits, vegetables...

 

Welcoming you with fresh coconut, the boat of Mekong Travel will take you to visit the brick kilns where you can see how the local people create beautiful potteries from clay. Then, visit the local workshops where you can see how to make rice paper, coconut candy, pop-rice, and pop-corn. Enjoy some kinds of candies with a cup of hot tea.

The rowing boat will take you deeper into the countryside on smaller canals and to enjoy the peaceful time. It is so interesting to see traditional houses made of wood or palm tree leaves and see some activities of the local farmers with an opportunity to make contacts with them and see how they catch fish or pick up fruits by ancestral ways in Mekong Delta.

 

Then, we can walk in 15 minutes to visit the orchard & traditional house of the Ut Trinh family and have local lunch nearby her house we will enjoy some kinds of fruits and tea while listening to traditional music. Walk around the fruitful orchard to see a variety of tropical fruits…

 

One more thing to do on this trip is biking! It will be so amazing to bike on village paths to see the local farms, houses, monkey bridge, real life…

The cruise will end at Vinh Long city. Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City (about 1h30 driving).

Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Breakfast;Lunch

Day 12
Ho Chi Minh City - Departure
Meal provided: Breakfast

Today free at leisure until transfer to the Ho Chi Minh airport in time for your flight to the next destination. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey.

End of tour.

Breakfast

Price & Inclusions

Private Tour
Number of pax 2 4 Other group size
Price/Adult $1,292 $993 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

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Day 1: Arrival Hanoi

Tourist attractions

No tourist attractions

Optional Tour

No optional tour

Day 2: Hanoi - Tam Coc - Bich Dong Pagoda - Hoa Lu Ancient Temple

Tourist attractions

No tourist attractions

Optional Tour

No optional tour

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong by Shuttle bus /Night on cruise

Tourist attractions

No tourist attractions

Optional Tour

No optional tour

Day 4: Halong - Hanoi

Tourist attractions

No tourist attractions

Optional Tour

No optional tour

Day 5: Phong Nha Cave - Thien Duong Cave

Tourist attractions

No tourist attractions

Optional Tour

No optional tour

Day 6: Quang Binh - DMZ - Hue

Tourist attractions

No tourist attractions

Optional Tour

No optional tour

Day 7: Hue - City Tour - Hoi An

Tourist attractions

No tourist attractions

Optional Tour

No optional tour

Day 8: Hoi An - My Son Sanctuary - Ancient Town - Hoi An Memories Show

Tourist attractions

No tourist attractions

Optional Tour

No optional tour

Day 9: Hoi An - Eco Tour & Cooking Class - Flight to Ho Chi Minh City

Tourist attractions

No tourist attractions

Optional Tour

No optional tour

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnel - City Tour

Tourist attractions

No tourist attractions

Optional Tour

No optional tour

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta Day Tour

Tourist attractions

No tourist attractions

Optional Tour

No optional tour

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City - Departure

Tourist attractions

No tourist attractions

Optional Tour

No optional tour
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Customer reviews

Average rating
4.5
based on 20 reviews
Your rating

V

Great Tour

VietnamExplorer33 , Nov 2024

The Vietnam Heritage Tour was a great experience that provided a comprehensive look at Vietnam's rich heritage. The tour guides were friendly and knowledgeable, providing interesting insights into each destination. The accommodations were comfortable, and the meals were delicious. Overall, it was a well-organized tour that I would recommend to anyone interested in exploring Vietnam's history and culture.

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W

Unforgettable Adventure

WanderlustAdventurer11 , Aug 2024

The Vietnam Heritage Tour was an unforgettable adventure that exceeded all my expectations. From exploring the ancient ruins of My Son to cruising on the Mekong Delta, every moment was magical. The tour guides were friendly and knowledgeable, enriching the experience with their insights. The accommodations were comfortable, and the meals were delicious. I cannot recommend this tour enough.

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H

Excellent Experience

HistoryExplorer77 , Sep 2024

The Vietnam Heritage Tour was an excellent experience that provided a deep dive into Vietnam's rich heritage. The itinerary was well-planned, with visits to historical sites, cultural landmarks, and natural wonders. The tour guides were informative and friendly, adding depth to the journey. The accommodations were comfortable, and the meals were delicious. Highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in Vietnam.

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A

Spectacular Journey

AdventurerSeeker88 , Sep 2024

The Vietnam Heritage Tour was a spectacular journey through Vietnam's most iconic heritage sites. From exploring ancient temples to sampling local cuisine, every day was filled with exciting adventures. The tour guides were friendly and knowledgeable, making the experience even more enriching. The accommodations were comfortable, and the meals provided were delicious. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone.

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C

Impressive Tour

CultureEnthusiast22 , Sep 2024

The Vietnam Heritage Tour was an impressive experience that provided a comprehensive overview of Vietnam's rich heritage. The itinerary was well-organized, with visits to historical sites, cultural landmarks, and natural wonders. The tour guides were friendly and knowledgeable, enhancing the experience with their insights. The accommodations were comfortable, and the meals were delicious. Highly recommended.

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FAQs

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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