Combining historical temple visits, with cultural immersion and urban exploration, this tour is perfect to discover Cambodia differently. Experience the country's natural beauty along with the Khmer culture on this journey from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and Battambang.
Highlights of this tour
• Explore the amazing temples complex of Angkor and Angkor Thom
• Visit South Gate, Bayon, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King, Ta Phrom
• Visit Srah Srang and Prasat Kravan, go to Angkor Wat
• Reach the temple of Preah Khan
• Take to the temple of Banteay Srei, arrive at Sahasralina, the River of a Thousand Lingas
• Drive along the Sang Ker River to reach Wat Ek Phnom temple
• Visit Wat Phnom, a temple on the top of the only hill of Phnom Penh
• Discover Bokor National Park, the maritime National Park of Ream
• Happy day with Phnom Penh City Tours
Spirit of Cambodia tour in brief:
Day 1: Siem Reap arrival
Day 2: Siem Reap - Angkor Tour
Day 3: Siem Reap - Angkor Thom
Day 4: Siem Reap - Banteay Srei - Kbal Spean
Day 5: Siem Reap - Battambang
Day 6: Battambang - Phnom Penh Capital
Day 7: Phnom Penh - Kampong Cham
Day 8: Kampong Cham - Kampong Thom - Phnom Penh
Day 9: Phnom Penh - Kampot
Day 10: Bokor National Park
Day 11: Kam Pot - Sihanoukville
Day 12: Sihanoukville - Ream National Park - Phnom Penh
Day 13: Full day in Phnom Penh Capital
Day 14: Phnom Penh - Departure
On your first day in Cambodia, according to your arrival time, we will be pleased to give you some suggestions on what to do with your first day or afternoon in Cambodia. There is plenty of possibilities, such as a relaxing “blind massage”, a refreshing drink in a beautiful garden, a graphic introduction of the recent tragic history of Cambodia at the landmine museum, a visit of an NGO (non governmental organization) providing beautiful craft industry, or even a foretaste of the temples of Angkor with the visit of the Roluos group, unless you are just dreaming for a good reparative sleep after your long journey. In the evening, you will have a first group meeting with your local tour leader before going to a local restaurant for a welcome dinner.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Accommodation at:
Today, after breakfast, we will start our visit of the amazing temples complex of Angkor. We will begin to explore the complex of Angkor Thom. Our visit will begin with the South Gate, a beautiful introduction to Angkor Thom with well-restored statues of Asuras (demons) and gods lining the bridge. Inside the complex, we will stop at the famous Bayon, a pyramid temple decorated by about 200 gigantic carved heads. We will also visit the Royal Enclosure, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Then, we will visit Ta Prohm. The principal singularity of Ta Phrom is that it has not been cleared from the thick jungle, as the rest of the Angkor Complex has been. It looks nearly the same as in the descriptions of the first French explorers, shrouded in undergrowth and in the huge roots of old Banyan trees. We will have lunch at a local restaurant around the temples, and in the afternoon we will visit Srah Srang and Prasat Kravan before to go to Angkor Wat which is believed to be the biggest religious monument ever built in the world and certainly one of the most spectacular. Eventually, we will enjoy viewing the sunset from Phnom Bakheng.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Accommodation at:
We will have an early wake-up this morning hoping to catch the sunrise on Angkor Wat before having breakfast. Then we will pass through Angkor Thom to reach the temple of Preah Khan, a labyrinth of pavilions, halls and chapels in a vast area encloses by four walls. From there, we will visit the temples along the road which is called the great circuit, namely : Neak Pean, Ta Som, (both of them built during the reign of Jayavarman VII in the late 12th-century) East Mebon, Pre Rup (from the 10th-century) and Banteay Kdei (built by Jayavarman VII during the early 13th century). Then we will go for lunch (at Palm Village) before visiting the exhibition on the Tonle Sap located on the school for blind children directed by the NGO Krousar Thmey. They also provide massage services with professionally-trained blind masseurs at the school behind the exhibition centre. This is a perfect way to relax after the visit of the temples. This place is close to the Jayavarman VII Children’s hospital, a state-of-the-art hospital which provides free medical care to children. Like every hospital in Cambodia, the medical staff is always in need of blood to save lives. We will be able to stop there for the ones who would like to give blood. Afterwards, we will go back to the hotel. The rest of the afternoon will be free at leisure.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Accommodation at:
Today after breakfast, a 37 km drive northeast of Siem Reap will take us to the temple of Banteay Srei, founded in 967. While many of Angkor's temples are impressive because of their sheer size, Banteay Srei stands out by the quality of its craftsmanship. Then, we will drive to Phnom Kbal Spean. After a 30 mins walk in the forest, we will arrive at Sahasralina, the River of a Thousand Lingas. The remarkable 11th-century riverbed rock carvings display a gallery of gods and celestial beings. We will have lunch at Borey Sovann, set at the base of jungle mountains opposite the entrance to Kbal Spean. After lunch, we will visit Phnom Bok, one of three monuments built by Yasovarman on the hills dominating the plain of Angkor. A 20-30 min climb will reveal a limitless horizon, broken only to the north by the view of Phnom Kulen. Then a nice countryside road will take us to Chau Srei Vibol, a temple in ruin in a quiet location, and finally, we will visit Banteay Samre, one of the most complete complex at Angkor, restored with the method of the anastylosis.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Accommodation at:
This morning we will take a regular speedboat departing from Siem Reap at 7:00 am. During the 4-6 hours trip, crossing the Tonle Sap Lake then reaching the Stung Sang Ker river, you will enjoy the wonderful landscape and the floating villages as well as the daily life along the river. At arrival in Battambang and after check in at the hotel, we will go for lunch at the White Rose. This local restaurant has a huge selection of delicious fruit-shakes. In the afternoon, we will drive 11 km along the Sang Ker River to reach Wat Ek Phnom temple (built by Suryavarman I in the 11th century). On the way back we will stop at the NGO Phare Ponleu Selpak, an artistic, cultural, educational and social center.
Overnight at Battambang.
Accommodation at:
Early in the morning, we will leave Battambang by public local bus to the capital city of Phnom Penh. The journey going through the provinces of Pursat and Kampong Chhnang will last about 6 hours and will enable you to get an idea of the local life and to share a friendly moment with the people. The lunch stop may not present the best food of Cambodia, but is always a lively moment, which will probably give you at first a disconcerting impression of disorder, although in the end, everybody get his meal. After arrival in the early afternoon and transfer to the hotel by tuk-tuk, we will begin the exploration of the capital city with an orientation tour. We will visit Wat Phnom, a temple on the top of the only hill (27 meters high) of Phnom Penh.. It is the place from where the city takes its name, as Phnom means hill in Khmer language. Tonight before dinner we will enjoyed a drink on the roof top of FCC restaurant, a nice spot to enjoy a whole view of Phnom Penh. Dinner at the restaurant Friends which is a non-profit restaurant run by street youth in training. All proceeds go to the organization Mith Samlanh and the food is delicious.
Overnight at Phnom Penh.
Accommodation at:
After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive out of Phnom Penh to Kampong Cham, the third largest town of Cambodia, located on the banks of the mighty Mekong River, North of Phnom Penh. We will visit Wat Nokor. a temple built from sandstone and laterite in the 11th century with a small contemporary Wat located within its walls, and Phnom Pros and Phnom Srei (“Man and Woman Hill”). After check-in will have lunch at Hao An restaurant. In the afternoon we will ride bicycles to the Koh Pean Island to meet children of these poor villages and give them some school supplies, toothbrushes, food and little joy. On the way, you will be able to see the activities of the locals at the paddy field and inside the village. This type of real life experience in Cambodia will allow you to share some vibrant moments with people. During the dry season, we will reach the island by crossing the bamboo bridge (which is rebuilt every year) and during the wet season, a ferry will take us to other side.
Overnight in Kampong Cham.
Accommodation at:
Today, after breakfast, we will drive to Kampong Thom Province, East of Kampong Cham. A two and a half hours drive through a beautiful countryside will take us to Sambor Prei Kuk. This is the setting of the most impressive group of pre-Angkorian monuments anywhere in Cambodia. There are more than 100 small temples, scattered through the forest. In the afternoon we will drive to Phnom Penh. On the way back, we will stop at the village Skun. If you are still hungry and looking for a dessert, you will get the chance to taste the local specialities, the delicious famous fried spiders (Tarantula called A ping in Khmer). Never try, never know, that’s our motto! We will arrive in Phnom Penh at the evening.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Accommodation at:
After breakfast, we will leave Phnom Penh and drive to the South. The final goal of this day will be the small town of Kampot, four hours by bus from Phnom Penh, but we will stop for visits on the way. First, we will stop at Phnom Tamao wildlife sanctuary. This zoo was established to preserve and rescue rare and endangered local species from poachers and smugglers. Phnom Tamao is home to 70 Sun bears and Asiatic bears that have been rescued with the help of the NGO Free the Bears which aim is to protect, preserve and enrich the lives of bears and those who live alongside them throughout the world. Afterward, we will also stop at the two temples of Tonle Bati, an important worshipping place and a popular local weekend picnic site where we will have our picnic lunch. We will continue to Kampot where we will relax at Epic Arts Café. This Café belongs to the NGO Epic Arts which trains disabled people to do arts performance in order to allow them to regain some self-confidence and respect. Later in the afternoon, we will take a boat on the Prek Kampong Bay River, which runs along the city for a sunset river cruise. Passing through a Cham village, this journey will lead us to the rapids at Tekchhou, a pleasant place very popular with the locals on weekends.
Overnight in Kampot.
Accommodation at:
After breakfast we will drive to Bokor Hill Station. This site is located on a 1000 meters high plateau of steaming jungle, shy wildlife and abandoned buildings. The specific climate of the site, often shrouded in fog and clouds, completes the mysterious atmosphere of this ghost-town. In addition, the view of the coast from the top is really spectacular. We will spend a full day in this eccentric and surprising site with a picnic lunch near the Popokvil waterfalls. After a day on the bumpy roads of Bokor, you will be perhaps tempted by a shiatsu-style massage or a foot massage at “Seeing Hands 5 Massage” or “Kampot Massage by the Blind”, two places offering massages by seeing-impaired masseurs and masseuses.
Overnight in Kampot.
Accommodation at:
We will begin the day with an early breakfast before leaving Kampot to Sihanoukville. Sihanoukville is Cambodia’s leading beach resort. There are white-sand beaches around the headland, unspoilt islands off the coast and the popular Khal Chhay waterfall near town. As we will arrive there at noon time, we will first go for lunch to Starfish Bakery Café from the Starfish Project which assists disabled families and individuals to becoming independent through housing, community and water projects, and medical assistance. Starfish Project will also be able to provide for you a relaxing moment with their experienced blind masseurs, or give you the opportunity to keep in touch with your family and friends with their Internet Centre. Afterwards, you will have a whole free afternoon to explore the beaches.
Overnight at Sihanoukville.
Accommodation at:
Accommodation at:
This morning, after breakfast, we will drive about 16 kilometers to the Choeng Ek killing fields and the Tuol Sleng genocide Museum - a mass gravesite and a former high school converted to a detention and torture centre by the Khmers Rouges when they came to power in 1975. Choeung Ek also serves as a memorial to those killed under the Khmers Rouges rule. In the afternoon, we will visit the Royal Palace situated on the site of the former citadel. Besides the Royal Residence (closed to the public), the Throne Hall or Vinichhay Temple (the place where kings are enthroned) and the Chan Chaya Pavillon (where traditional dances took place), it includes Wat Preah Keo, better known as the Silver Pagoda. This amazing place, which floor is covered with 5000 silver plates, houses the Preah Keo or emerald Buddha, made of Baccarat crystal. In front stands a 90 kg golden Buddha studded with 9584 diamonds. After this, we will walk about 10 minutes to the National Museum. Built around a central courtyard, the galleries, arranged chronologically, present a collection of Khmer art, mostly sculptures. Then we will go for our farewell dinner in one of the numerous restaurants of the capital city.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Accommodation at:
This is departure day so no activities are planned. Check-out will be at noon and you are free to leave at any time. Indochinavalue thanks you so much for traveling with us. We hope you had a beautiful Cambodia holiday. All the best, goodbye and see you again!
END OF SERVICE
Accommodation at:
• All transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
• Accommodation in twin/double sharing (triple room, extra bed, interconnecting room... are on request)
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
• English speaking guide (French, Spanish, Russian, Italian Speaking tour guides are available and on request)
• Entrance fees to indicated sights and activities as stated
• Train tickets (if mentioned)
• Boat trips (if mentioned)
• Bottled mineral water during touring days
• International air tickets.
• Airport’s departure tax.
• Visas arrangement.
• International FLIGHTS
• Tips
• Drinks
• Other meals
• Insurance
• Personal expenses
• Expenses for any optional tours or activities during free time
Tour guide
Tour guides who worK with us are well-paid, experienced with a university background, eager to exchange our cultures and lifestyles ... with travelers, and have a great passion for their country and understand the personal touch. In some parts such as Sapa, we may use local tour guides who come from the ethnic hilltribes like H'Mong or Red Dao as they know about their land much better than anyone else and this is also the way that Indochinavalue helps the local people a better life.
Tour guide is one of the most inportant factors to a successful holiday. Indochinavalue understands that a good tour guide needs not only good knowledge on history, culture, good English, French... but also needs to have general requirements and follow our guidelines as below:
1 - Licensed at least for 4 years with work experience.
2 - Guiding does require more than just hanging out in the sun. Guides must be friendly and good with people, organized enough to keep groups or people on schedule, quick on their feet and ready for the inevitable snafus that arises.
3 - Must be an honest broker of their services and able to take criticism.
4 - Should be qualified at some level in health, health care or first aid.
5 - Able to relate to people from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds.
6 - Clear speech and good hearing.
7 - Must not be a alcoholic or No-alcohol during working time or anytime when on tour.
8 - Tour guide is a nurse to take care of visitors, a boss to keep the right itinerary, a teacher to give information, an ambassador to introduce our country, an entertainer because Indochinavalue's clients want to be entertained in extend, a friend...
9 - Must be on time every time. Being late or delay is unacceptable.
10 - Check flight tickets, train tickets, meals, weather... to make sure things are in order and inform local office if any changes that might effect the tour.
11 - Solve problems with care when there is dissatisfy. Argument should be averted by courtesy.
Transport
Kind of vehicle (offered on tour) depends on the size of your group size or your requirements.To ensure your comfort, all cars feature air conditioning and enough room inside. Drivers are local, with years of experience, taking you to your destination quickly and safely.
1 - Our drivers are professional and reliable with at least 5 years of experience, driving safely.
2 - Our drivers are not allowed to hear cell-phone or smoke, chat, drink when driving.
3 - Our drivers must be friendly, helpful with good behavior and attitude.
4 - Our drivers are not allowed to take you to shops unless you ask for.
2 Stars from: US$35 -> US$40
The 2 star hotels are good for budget travelers and sometimes, we have no choice but stay in a guesthouse, mini hotel, 2 star hotel in the remote and mountainous areas. Basically, 2 star hotels will offer good size and clean guest rooms with AC, TV, hot water, shower and private bathrooms
3 Stars from: US$40 -> US$80
The 3 star hotels are good for many travelers because they offer basic needs for a comfortable stay, good size and clean guest rooms with Free access high speed Internet, Welcome baskets and drinking water, Telephone with international dialing, Electronic safe box in room, Hairdryer, Coffee and Tea, Wake-up service, AC, TV, hot water, shower and private bathrooms. On-site restaurants with breakfast included and lunch or dinner at your own pick up. A small fitness center, spa and swimming pool can be expected.
4 Stars from: US$80 -> US$130
Offering a wide range of comfortable boutique hotels are available with shopping, dining andentertainment facilities nearby. Featuring quality service, fully furnished rooms, restaurants, fitness center with spa (and swimming pool in most cases), the hotels are expected to offer an above-average accommodation experience.
5 Stars from: US$130 -> US$200 –> US$ 300
Offering an extensive range of facilities for an excellent experience. Multiple restaurants on siteand a wide range of choice for buffet breakfast, good size of swimming pool, fitness center and concierge service round out the experience.
The restaurants we will take you for lunch or dinner are all designated tourist restaurants approved by local tourist administration bureau. They have very good sanitary conditions and the food is prepared fresh and clean.
Note: If you have any special dietary needs, just let your travel consultant know when booking.
Breakfast:
Breakfast is included at all hotels and is buffet breakfast with Asian and Western food.
Lunch:
Lunches (if included) are usually set menu at handpicked local restaurant with comfortable dining environment where you can rest assure to taste the local flavor. All restaurants are carefully selected and highly recommended.
Dinner:
Dinners are only included if you stay overnight in a homestay with a local family, on cruise inHalong Bay, Mekong Delta or at some special occasions such as welcome dinner, farewell dinner or on requested. So dinners are at your own choice and arrangement, but our tour guides will always give you good suggestions based on your preferences.
If allergic to some food
We suggest you to list any food or ingredients that you are allergic to and let our travel consultant know. Then your travel consultant will mark them in the guide’s itinerary, so that our guides in different cities can make some preparations and arrangements in advance.
Do our guide and driver join the meal with us?
The tour guides and driver will be at the same restaurants with you, but they will only join themeal when you invite. Sometimes the drivers are shy to join as they usually eat fast and could not understand English talk around the table, so the guide will be with you more often.
Street food tour:
Street foods in Vietnam are very delicious and should you want to taste the specialities of each Vietnam holiday destination, we can arrange a street food tour for you. Please contact us at info@indochinavalue.com for a detailed tour itinerary and quotation.
How to request a tour package?
To request for a free tour itinerary and quotation, you can just fill out the tour inquiry form at www.indochinavalue.com or send us an email at info@indochinavalue.com then give us as much information as possible. One of our experienced travel consultants will get back to you shortly. All changes will be made (free of charge) until the your tour package meets your needs and personal interests.
How to book a tour package?
As soon as you agree on our proposal, please send us your full name, international flightinformation (if you have) and your special requirements. We will make reservations and arrange everything then confirm back to you when all done.
Payment
- Deposit is a "must". We request 30% of the tour cost. You can pay by wire transfer, creditcards, western union, onepay (online)
- Balance can be made before your arrival or on arrival in cash or by credit cards.
Changes
Changes are possible at the last minutes. However, if changes caused extra costs, you willhave to pay for. (For examples, hotels, flights, cruises...)
Cancellation
In case of cancellation, we will not apply any charge if we are not charged by the third partiessuch as hotels, cruises, flights, trains...We will recalculate the costs and resend you the money as soon as possible.
Tipping
Thanks you Tipping is not mandatory but it is expected in
Tipping is not mandatory but it is expected in many circumstances for service. You can tip your driver/tour guide more or less or nothing. All depends on the services you receive.
Suggested tips:
- US$10 – US$ 15 per day for tour guide
- US$7 – US$ 10 per day for driver
- US$1 – US$ 3 per meal for waiter or waitress
- US$2 – US$ 5 for short boat trips/ cyclo/ tuktuk (1 – 2) hours
Note: Please check with your travel consultant before coming and your tour guide if you are to tip someone on tour.
What you get when booking a private tour with Indochinavalue?
1. Private guide, driver and vehicle are for your exclusive use; no matter you are individually,or in a family or friends group. The tour is run exclusively for you without strangers.
2. Every itinerary can be customized to meet your specific interests/ wishes, that is, you can choose your favored hotels, sightseeing spots, the tour length, means of transportation, budget, etc. All are free of charge.
3. Start the tour on any date you want.
4. Escort you from start to finish. All private transfers during the tour are offered, including airport/ train station transfer, hotel-attractions round trip transfer.
5. The sightseeing during the tour could be based on your own timetable and pace. Flexible to change at your short notice.
6. Considerate care and assistance, such as the old, the disabled or families with small kids and children.
7. You can save time and money when traveling with us or your wants meet you budget.
How do I get a visa?
Vietnam Visa On Arrival is available for help. It is legitimated and supported by the VietnameseImmigration Department. We recommend that you choose visa upon arrival, as picking up visa at the Vietnam int'l airport/ border is quite simple, easy, no additional charges and no fail.
Please provide the following information for us to apply for your visa:
1) Full name on passport
2) Passport number
3) Date of birth
4) Nationality
5) Date of arrival
6) Date of issue
7) Date of expire
8) Please make sure that your passport is still valid for 6 months.
Can I use credit cards in Vietnam?
Major credit cards such as Master Card, Visa, Diner's Card, American Express and JCB can beused to purchase goods in large shopping malls and stores in the big and medium cities, to pay for hotel rooms and for meals in some of the fancier restaurants, and to buy plane tickets with them.
Note:
- You can use US dollar, Euro in all big cities or at major tourist sites, airports.
- If you are to travel to those small cities or even remote rural areas, only cash in Dong can be used.
Do I need to bring my medical record with me?
Yes, we suggest you take your medical record with you in case that you need it in the event ofan emergency, and please also take with you your doctor's name, address and phone number, emergency contact name and phone number, and your insurance company's name, address and phone number.
Note: You can buy medicines everywhere in Vietnam so do not need to bring medicines from home.
When I finish my tour in Vietnam, if I still have some local money, what can I do?
Upon leaving Vietnam, if you still have some local money, you can change them back to foreign currency with your passport and the exchange memos given by the banks or money exchange counters. So please keep those exchange memos well whenever you change money.
What should we bring along on our trip to Vietnam?
It is best to travel light in Vietnam. Onemedium sized bag and a day pack will provide more than enough room to carry everything you'll need, and enough space for the things you'll buy in Vietnam.
There are lots of consumer goods in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, so do not worry about running out of something. If you do forget something you can easily find it here. Before you leave home complete the following checklist:
- Lightweight and quick dry clothing is most appropriate for the summer months, and warmer clothing for the winter months. As well, sun hat, swim suit, ultra lightweight rain jacket.
- Travel Documents: Passport, Visa, Travel Insurance, Air Tickets (you should scan them and email them to yourself in case you loose them).
- Health requirements, medications, and travel insurance arranged.
- Flashlight, alarm clock, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, small personal first aid kit, personal toiletries.
- Money: US dollars or travelers cheques and/ or credit card(s).
- Raincoat or umbrella, good hiking shoes are needed for all Footprint trekking trips.
- Camera with charger, extra batteries, and memory cards.
Are there any restrictions on the type of luggage that we bring? Domestic airlines have their weight restrictions. On most domestic and low-cost airlines You may only have one suitcase or backpack, with a maximum weight of 20kg, and one piece of hand luggage, with a maximum weight of (5 – 7)kg. An extra charge for overweight is applied.
There is no actual limit on our trips, but we would suggest you travel light with one suitcase or backpack and one small daypack or small bag which you can access during the day and carry items like your camera, drinking water, toilet paper, hat, sunscreen, etc.
It is essential that you have a lock for each piece of luggage. Without one, railway and airline staff and some hotels may refuse to handle it.
What is the best type of clothing we should bring?
Here is a short checklist of best type of clothing you should bring:
- Shorts and comfortable pants;
- Shirts, t-shirts and maybe some long sleeves shirts (for regions with mosquitos like the Mekong delta);
- Swim suits (for the beaches and Halong Bay);
- Good sandles as well as good shoes if trekking.
Nevertheless, it will really depend on where you travel to, when you plan on travelling, and what you plan on doing. Please note that the weather can be very cold during the winter in the Northern Vietnam (Nov to Mar) and quite cool in the central highlands (Dalat). You will need to bring a good jacket along for this time of the year, the avarage temperature is about 15 oC, but can get as cold as 3 oC.
Tip: Do not worry if you do not pack enough clothes or forget something because you can buy in Vietnam.
Shopping in Vietnam
Shopping in VietnamMany tourists can’t help but throw themselves
head-first into shopping while in Vietnam. Why? Probably the variety of quality goods and the tempting prices have a lot to do with it. Many low-budget travelers considered Vietnam a heavenly place because in many shopping situations they can bargain the prices down to as much as a third of the original cost.
The list of Vietnamese bargains is seemingly endless and features bespoke tailoring and the national dress, the 'ao dai' from high-quality silk and many other types of material and textiles while many shoppers cannot get enough of the local handicraft, art and jewelry.
How to bargain?
Bargain is not common in some countries, but in Vietnam it really is. In Vietnam, bargaining isalways worthwhile. Yet, it is not always due to the fact that the local have a great deal of time and very little money. Bargaining is part of Vietnamese culture as through bargaining people communicate with others, create and build up their relationship, not to mention a form of entertainment.
Rule - 1: It's like the monster ride at the amusement park. If you're not having fun, get off.
Rule - 2: Don't bargain with the first person who approaches you (i.e., when looking for a taxi at the airport.) In general the further you go from the center of action, the cheaper the price.
Rule - 3: Don't be afraid to use walking away as a bargaining tool. You can always come back.
Rule - 4: Don't let pride get in the way of coming back (or Rule #3 is useless).
Rule - 5: If you really want something and the price isn't coming down, give in gracefully. (It's that pride thing again.)
Rule - 6: Don't always assume you're getting ripped off just because you're in a third-world country. Sometimes the price they're asking is the real one.
Rule - 7: Bargaining is a time/ money tradeoff. If you're in a hurry, be prepared to pay for it.
Rule - 8: Ask (Vietnamese) fellow shoppers the price of an item before you begin bargaining.
Rule - 9: Always carry small bills. Otherwise all that work is likely to be for nothing.
Rule - 10: Always bargain in native currency. Conventional wisdom says anyone who has dollars can afford to spend them.
Rule - 11: If possible, keep going back to the same person until you've gotten to know him/ her. Most third world countries have a name for this kind of relationship. The deal is that you offer your business on a regular basis and the seller responds by saving you their best tomatoes
Rule - 12: No matter what your parents told you, when you're bargaining it's perfectly okay to lie
