Exploring Vietnam & Cambodia tour is designed to include the main tourist attractions and the less visited places of Vietnam and Cambodia. This family tour package expect a great adventure for your family to explore the new things of life! Your tour is an individual tour with a flexible schedule. There is no other traveler on the tour. You will have a private English speaking tour guide and a private air-conditioned vehicle at each destination.
Exploring Vietnam & Cambodia - 21 days from HCMC in brief
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh - Arrival
Day 2 : Ho Chi Minh - Tay Ninh - Cu Chi Tunnels - Ho Chi Minh
Day 3 : Ho Chi Minh - My Tho - Ben Tren - Can Tho
Day 4 : Can Tho - Cai Rang Floating Market - Chau Doc
Day 5 : Chau Doc Tour
Day 6 : Chau Doc - Speed boat to Phnom penh
Day 7 : Phnom penh - Flight to Siem Reap
Day 8 : Siem Reap - Angkor Tour
Day 9 : Siem Reap - Angkor Tour
Day 10 : Tonle Sap Lake - Flight to Hanoi
Day 11 : Hanoi - City tour - Laocai - overnight on train
Day 12 : Laocai - Coloful market - Sapa
Day 13 : Sapa - Lao Chai - Ta Van - Giang Ta Chai Village - Sapa
Day 14: Sapa - Silver Waterfall - Ta Phin Village - Lao Cai - Overnight on train
Day 15: Hanoi - Halong Cruise
Day 16: Halong cruise - Hanoi - Flight to Hue
Day 17: Hue city tour
Day 18: Hue - Driver to Hoi An
Day 19: Hoi An Free day
Day 20: Hoi An Free day
Day 21: Hoi An - Danang - Flight to Ho Chi Minh
The arrival or departure gate of your Vietnam family holiday, Ho Chi Minh City, formerly named Saigon, is the largest and most exciting city in Vietnam where you have the chance to encounter with exotic food, French colonial architecture, memories of war and many interesting things to do during your Vietnam tour here.
Upon your arrival, your private tour guide and driver greet you with the welcome board then escort you to your hotel (check in time at 14.pm, but you can check in if the room is available). We choose the hotel which is centrally located and convenient for you to take a free walk around if you have time.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Accommodation at:
After breakfast, we invite you a very popular Vietnam tour to Tay Ninh to see the Great Holy See Temple, built in 1926, is considered one of the most striking structures in all of South-East Asia. It is the headquarters of the unique Cao Dai sect, a religion with a hybrid of Buddhism, Christianity & Confucianism. Above the entrance is the all-seeing holy eye – symbol of the sect. Visitors will attend the midday ceremony’s extravaganza to witness the daily mass held by the Cao Dai followers which is a fantastic experience. After lunch, proceed to Cu Chi to explore the amazing site where Viet Cong hid during the War. It is now a popular spot for both Vietnamese & foreign tourists - the network of over 200km of tunnels became legendary when they played a vital role in the War. In their heyday, the tunnels were functioning underground cities including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers & kitchens. There is plenty of evidence of the fierce battle that took place here during the 1960s when Cu Chi was a "Free Target Zone". Visitors can watch a short introductory video showing how the tunnels were constructed before entering the tunnels. Spend the next hour exploring the tunnels. Afterwards, enjoy tea, cassava (guerrilla’s food in war time).
Return to SaiGon.
Accommodation at:
Your Vietnam tour to Mekong Delta begins early at 7.40am, when you bus picks you up and you travel to My Tho. Upon arrival, you will be transferred into a Wooden Motor Boat, which will take you to the spectacular Unicorn Island. Here, you can experience quiet local villages and rural people working the rice fields. Make sure to snap some pictures of the exotic fisherman's port with its iconic stilt houses.
After a snack of some local tropical fruits, we'll head on to Turtle Island. Here you can get into a smaller row boat to experience a more local view of the river. We'll take you to a bee farm here where you can sample some of the tasty treats and listen to local folk music. If your sweet tooth hasn't been satisfied enough, we'll head to a coconut candy store, where you can see how local people make these great handcrafted treats and items from the coconuts around.
We spend the night tonight in Can Tho.
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Want to explore Mekong in depth and see a real Vietnam during your Vietnam holiday? Chau Doc will be the next stop. Depart early, ideally at around 6.00pm, to travel by boat to the fruit gardens in Can Tho and the floating market at Cai Rang. Then drive to Sa Dec, a romantic and charming little Mekong town, for a walk through the lively and authentic local market before a visit to the house of ‘The Lover’ of the famous love story written by French novelist Marguerite Duras. The family house of ‘The Lover’ in this apparently autobiographical novel has been lovingly and faithfully restored and you will lunch here.
After lunch, drive from Sa Dec to Chau Doc, arriving at Chau Doc at around 5.00pm.
Overnight in Chau Doc.
Accommodation at:
Depart at around 8.00am for the Chau Doc River Life tour. Cruise along the Mekong on a traditional sampan and discover the role of this immense river in local trading when you visit a floating market.
Gain an unique insight into the history and culture of the Muslim Chams with your visit to a Cham village. The Kingdom of Champa encompassed an area of modern-day Vietnam from Hue in the centre to the Mekong Delta in the south from the 7th to 18th centuries. See traditional Cham stilt homes and a local mosque to understand more about this ages-old culture.
Continue your river cruise with visits to floating fish farms and local houses. Experience a cruise through the Vinh Te Canal, an 87 km long canal which stretches from Chau Doc to the east Sea at Ha Tien. Completed in 1824, the canal was built using the labour of 80,000 Vietnamese and Cambodian workers and is a vital piece in Vietnam’s transportation network. The canal is also geopolitically important since it shadows the border between Vietnam and Cambodia.
Lunch at a local restaurant in Chau Doc and then depart at 2.00pm for the drive to Tra Su Nature Reserve, an ecological haven for over 100 species of water bird and colonies of bats. This protected forest nature reserve abounds with flora and fauna. Enjoy a walk through the deep forest, cruise by small boat amongst half-submerged trees and experience the stillness and serenity of this unspoilt natural environment. Your expert guide will help to locate and identify bird, animal and plant life and give you an insight into the ecology of this undisturbed reserve.
On the way to Tra Su Nature Reserve, you’ll visit a Khmer village to see sugar being produced by hand from palm trees. The Khmer (Cambodian) minority in the Mekong Delta favours work with palm trees because all parts of the tree – stem, trunk, leaves and flowers – can be used in some way. Return to Chau Doc around 5.00pm.
Overnight at Chau Doc.
Accommodation at:
After breakfast, you can drive back to Ho Chi Minh City or take the boat to Phnom Penh.
After breakfast, we take the speed boat to Phnom Penh where you will be greeted by your professional friendly English Speaking Tour guide on your arrival at boat pier from Chau Doc and transfer for Lunch.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Royal Palace and 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 visit the National Museum where present a collection of Khmer art, mostly sculptures.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
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After breakfast, we will drive 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. Afternoon transfer to airport for flight to Siem Reap at 15:20 -16:05. Pick up and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
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Today breakfast, then we will visit Angkor Thom beginning with the portal South Gate. Angkor Thom is located in the middle of Angkor. We also visit Bayon, Baphoun, elephant terrace and the Terrace of leper king, then visit Ta Prohm, the Jungle Temple. Afternoon we will discover the beautiful temple of Angkor Wat, classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, with its soaring towers and its extraordinary bas-reliefs. It is one of the most extraordinary monuments ever conceived by the human spirit, built in the 12th century in honour of Vishnu. Angkor Wat, formed a rectangle of 1500 metres by 1300, covers an area of almost 200 hectares to include the supervision of watersheds ditches 190 metres wide. Within these, the wall encloses an area of 1025 meters on 800, or 82 hectares is the largest monumental Group of Angkor.
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This morning after breakfast, we drive through the countryside to reach the magnificent Banteay Srei temple–the Citadel of women. This Hindu temple, dating back to the 10th century, has three central towers each decorated with superbly intricate carvings and reliefs of male and female divinities, Then on the way back we stop to visit the Cambodian Landmine museum and Rehabilitation Centre to get some more experiences about the past time in Cambodia during the civil war. Afternoon we going to explore the Grand circuit as Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Ta som and Mebon temples.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Accommodation at:
This morning after breakfast at the hotel, we will enjoyTonle Sap Lake, Asia’s largest inland lake also the biggest harvest fresh water fish in the world, which swells to ten times its normal size during the wet season; here we have a two-hours boat trip observing how local people go about their daily lives in the floating village, during the boat trip we stop to visit a bird garden and a fishing farm, and also see floating school and a local market will also prove a rewarding experience for today.
PM : we will have time to go shopping arround the Old Market in the French quater area. Old Market has handicrafts local made, palm sugars as well as many other things from Cambodian products. Then transfer you to Siem Reap International Airport for departure flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, our private Vietnam Tour Guide and driver will welcome your Vietnam Holiday, pick up and transfer to the hotel for check in. Hanoi, a city where the exotic chic of old Asia blends with the dynamic face of new Asia. Where the medieval and modern co-exist. A city with a blend of Parisian grace and Asian pace, an architectural museum piece evolving in harmony with its history, rather than bulldozing through like many of the region’s capitals. Hanoi is where imagination becomes reality.
Free at leisure. Overnight in a Hanoi hotel.
Accommodation at:
Hanoi is one of the most interesting cities to visit during your Vietnam holiday and today we spend a full day exploring the charming Hanoi City. The first stop is Ho Chi Minh Complex containing the mausoleum of the nation's founder Ho Chi Minh (closed in Monday & Friday), the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We continue our visit to the Temple of Literture, then first university of Vietnam and end this morning city tour with a visit to the Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple, which are some major highlights set by the beautiful West Lake. Have lunch at a local restaurant
After that we visit the Museum of Ethnology (you can change to visit Museum of History, Museum of Military, Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Women or Hilton Prison) then drive back to the town center to tale a walk along narrow streets of the diverse Ancient Quarter, the characterized by numerous narrow streets, which date from the 15th century, each one bears a name that reflects the business once conducted there. Examples of which are Silk Street, Rice Street, Paper Street, Jeweler’s Street and so on. This area now houses a variety of different other shops. Sit down and enjoy a glass of draught beer at the corner of Ta Hien street.
We will stop at the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake. In front of this lake is the famous water puppet show at theatre where we will see a fantastic performance.
Have dinner at local restaurant and take a shower at a mini hotel before we transfer you to the train station for overnight train to Lao Cai (the city where we the train stops and it takes 45 minutes by car from Lao Cai – Sapa).
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Sapa touris definitely the spotlight of any Vietnam tour package and upon your arrival at Lao Cai train station, your private tour guide and driver will meet you with the welcome sign. This early morning, we have arranged a mini hotel for you to have shower and breakfast before driving to visit one of the below colourful markets where the ethnic groups gather to trade their local products, to meet friends to chat or drink away the troubles of life...The market is special occasion for you to experience a different but interesting culture, way of living...
Market days:
Tuesdays: Coc Ly Market(after the market we make boat trip along Chay River to enjoy beautiful landscapes and visit some local villages on the way before driving to Sapa)
Wednesdays: Cao Son Market
Thursdays: Lung Khau Nhin Market
Saturdays: Can Cau Market (On the way back we can visit the palace of the H'Mong King, walk to Ban Pho village in Bac Ha or make the boat trip on Chay River)
Sundays: Bac Ha Market, Muong Khuong Market or Muong Hum Market.
After the market, we drive back to Lao Cai for a stop to visit Thuong temple where you can learn a bit more about Vietnamese religion and take some memorable photos at Vietnam – China border gate. Continue to Sapa, check in and free at leisure. Another beautiful day of your Vietnam tour ended with joy and fun.
Overnight in Sapa.
Accommodation at:
Sapa is the dream Vietnam holiday destination for many people even the Vietnamese. There are 5 different ethnic groups in Sapa including the Tay, Day, Xa Pho, H'Mong, Red Dao to live together that make Sapa tour a great place to explore. Again, Fansipan is the highest peak of Vietnam – a life trip for adventurers, the villages by the side of Hoang Lien mountain range create picturesque sceneries, and terrace rice fields and valleys on its foot considered as the world's most beautiful heritage.
Today, we drive to Lao Chai village of the H'Mong minority and start to walk down the amazing Muong Hoa valley to experience their life and take wonderful photos. During the trip, you can visit some of the local family on the way, learn how to plant rice, how to make rice wine, how to make cloth, how is their wedding or funeral tradition.... Continue to Ta Van village of the Day people where we stop in a local family to try some tea, have picnic lunch before trekking to Giang Ta Chai village of the Red Dao minority where you are picked you by our private vehicle back to Sapa. (We can arrange this Sapa tour flexibly for you. Depend on you wish, we will take a long or short trek).
Overnight in Sapa.
Accommodation at:
After breakfast, our Sapa tour drives you to Silver Waterfall – one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Vietnam with more than 100 meters high, white water poured down the stream . The scenery along the way is nice with the pine forest and the 'su su' spreading over the hills. After cooling yourself in the waters and scenery we drive a little bit more to visit the "Heaven Gate" where "earth meets heaven". Time to enjoy beautiful sceneries of the mountains and valleys. Back to Sapa to rest (check out at 12:00). Free time at leisure until we pick you up for the last visit to Ta Phin village of the Red Dao minority then continue to Lao Cai train station for an overnight train to Hanoi. We do hope that you have enjoyed your Vietnam tour in Sapa and wish to welcome you back.
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The top attraction and a must for any Vietnam tour package, Ha Long Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin, includes some 1,600 islands and islets, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Because of their precipitous nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by a human presence. The site's outstanding scenic beauty is complemented by its great biological interest.
This early morning, upon your arrival back in Hanoi, we have arranged a mini hotel for you to have shower and breakfast. Today, your Vietnam Tour will give you an unique experience to the spectacular bay – Halong. It is a three-hour drive to famous Ha Long Bay, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is one of Vietnam's most spectacular natural wonders. Views of sailing junks navigating past over 3000 limestone islands and rocky outcrops jutting out of the bay are nothing short of spectacular. We travel to Bai Chay (Halong City West) where we board a boat for an exploration of the bay, enjoying a seafood lunch and dinner (non-seafood also available), as well as spending a night on board. We visit one cave in the area and, in the warmer months, there is a chance to enjoy a swim. Conditions may be somewhat more communal compared to staying in a hotel, however it is a wonderful experience to be spending a night on the bay – weather permitting, the views at sunset are incredible. Bedding and towels are provided. All boats used by Peregrine have twin-share cabins with en suite facilities and air-conditioning. There may also be the chance to do some kayaking (optional and extra cost involved) on Halong Bay.
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Do not forget to get up early to enjoy the sunrise from the sea. This morning, you can join Ta Chi class on sundeck. Continue cruising before getting back to the pier where your guide and driver are waiting for the drive back to Hanoi. Stop on the way at "Yen Duc" village to experience the living space of the Vietnamese and if you have time, let visit Con Son pagoda to learn more about Vietnamese history and culture. Transfer to Hanoi airport for the short flight to Hue, one of the top destinations in your Vietnam tour. Upon your arrival, meet your tour guide and private transfer to your hotel. Check in and free at leisure.
Overnight in Hue.
Accommodation at:
The highlight of your Vietnam travel, Hue city is well - known as a place of many cultural heritages. Up to now, there is no place in Vietnam like Hue remaining a lot of originally historical vestiges..
Today, Hue city tour will guide you through the bustling streets, natural landscape and unique architecture including the perfume river, tombs, pagodas and many temples, hat making village, all of which have become major tourist attractions for visitors from all over the world.
Morning: Pick up at your hotel 7:30am by private vehicle and visit:
1. Minh Mạng Tomb
2. Khai Dinh Tomb
3. Traditional Martial Art Van An
4. Tu Duc Tomb
5. Conicat Hat & Incense Making Village
Noon: Buffet lunch (50 traditional foods, Asia & Western foods).
Afternoon:Continue to visit the Citadel and Thien Mu Pagoda then get on the boat for a sight -seeing trip along the Perfume River. Back to town at 4:30 pm.
Overnight in Hue.
Accommodation at:
After breakfast, another great day of your Vietnam holiday drives you to Hoi An. The exciting part will be Hai Van Pass which is one of the most scenic hillside roads in Vietnam. When braving the steep winding roads of a paved mountain pass, you will have a chance to discover peace, quiet and history along the way then have break at Lang Co bay which is 42.5km in length and has been officially a member of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays Club. In Danang, let spend time visiting the Cham Museum, the largest collection of Cham sculpture and artwork in the world and Marble Mountain, a famous religious site before Hoi An. On arrival, check in and free at leisure.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Accommodation at:
At leisure. Relax by the resort pool or optional is to rent a bicycle to ride into Hoi An to explore the picturesque central of town with its restored 18th century merchants’ houses. Hoi An also boasts some of the best silk shops, art galleries and handicraft shops in Vietnam as well as dozens of excellent restaurants serving the delicious local specialities.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Accommodation at:
At leisure. Relax by the resort pool or optional is to rent a bicycle to ride into Hoi An to explore the picturesque central of town with its restored 18th century merchants’ houses. Hoi An also boasts some of the best silk shops, art galleries and handicraft shops in Vietnam as well as dozens of excellent restaurants serving the delicious local specialities.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Accommodation at:
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)
• 4 Flight tickets: Phnompenh - Siem Reap, Siem - Hanoi, Hanoi - Hue ; Danang - HCMC (Economy class)
• 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
• Boat trips (if mentioned)
• Bottled mineral water during touring days
• 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 inTipping 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:
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