November 10th – 23rd, 2024
Your exciting journey to Vietnam is on the horizon, and it’s sure to be a trip to remember. Please read the following document carefully as it contains important information to help you prepare for the adventure ahead. If you have any questions at all, simply let us know!
You will need a passport to travel to Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia (for those joining our pre-trip or post-trip extensions). Your passport should be valid until at least June 2025 and it should have 2 full empty pages.
If you don’t have empty pages, please contact us and we will send you instructions for getting a new passport in time for the tour.
➜ Vietnam – Most travelers to Vietnam need a visa, however,citizens of the USA, Australia, New Zealand, and most European countries may easily obtain an “E-Visa” online. The process is very easy, takes about 15 minutes and costs approximately $25 USD. You should apply for your E-Visa 30 days prior to the tour. We will send out the detailed instructions to obtain the visa through the official government website once the dates get closer.
➜ Thailand – For those joining our Thailand pre-trip extension, citizens of the USA, some EU countries, Canada, and Australia are allowed to enter Thailand without a visa for stays of less than 30 days. As a result, no preparations are needed and you don’t need to obtain a tourist visa for this country.
➜ Cambodia – For those joining our Cambodia post-trip extension, citizensof the USA, Australia, New Zealand, and most European countries can conveniently obtain a visa upon arrival. This means you won’t need to go through the process of getting a tourist visa from the Cambodian Embassy beforehand. Please remember to bring $36 USD in exact change and 3 passport-size photos (colored, with a white background, and a 2″ x 2″ size) so we can secure your visa as soon as we arrive.
For participants going only to Vietnam
Note: You can arrive in Vietnam a few days earlier or depart a few days later if you wish. We can arrange extra accommodations for you.
For the participants going to Thailand and Vietnam
Note: You can arrive in Thailand a few days earlier and depart from Vietnam a few days later if you wish. We can arrange extra accommodations for you.
For the participants going to Vietnam and Cambodia
Note: You can arrive in Vietnam a few days earlier if you wish. We can arrange extra accommodations for you.
For the participants going to Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia
Note: You can arrive in Thailand a few days earlier if you wish. We can arrange extra accommodations for you.
You will soon receive a travel arrangements form asking for your arrival details so that we can arrange your airport transfer and any extra accommodations you may need.
If you plan to remain in Vietnam or head to any nearby countries after the tour, we can offer advice about where to go and what to do. We’d be happy to assist in any way we can as we are very familiar with this region of the world!
Currently neither Vietnam, Thailand, nor Cambodia require any specific immunizations to enter their countries. However, it is always worthwhile to consult with a healthcare professional about any optional vaccinations that might be beneficial for you during the tour. These may include Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Typhoid, Cholera, Yellow Fever, Malaria and Meningitis.
Get ready to embark on an exciting 14-day adventure across Vietnam, a captivating country where history and modernity intertwine, and nature’s allure remains largely untouched. From the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City to the peaceful ambiance of Bai Tu Long Bay, our journey promises to be as memorable as it is genuine. We’ll wander through the historic charm of Hoi An, uncover the ancient imperial wonders of Hue, and sail on a traditional junk boat in the less-traveled waters of Bai Tu Long Bay.
Vietnam’s heartbeat is unique, resonating through its vibrant markets and cozy cafes filled with lively chatter. During our trip we’ll engage with local artisans, learn phrases in Vietnamese, and savor recipes passed down through generations. This tour will immerse us in the local lifestyle, from the rhythm of the cities to the tranquility of the countryside, it’ll all be about the authentic day-to-day moments that make Vietnam truly unforgettable.
So get ready for a trip that shows off the country’s natural beauty and dives into a culture known for its strength and resilience. This trip will be about more than sightseeing, it’ll be about engaging your senses, thinking in new ways, and making memories that will last a lifetime. Vietnam is more than a destination – it’s an experience that will welcome you with open arms.
During our trip, we’ll be staying in comfortable and convenient 4* hotels and a cruising boat on Vietnam’s most beautiful bay. All rooms have a private bathroom and air conditioning.
During the trip, we’ll get around the country using a combination of comfortable vans and a couple of short domestic flights. For those joining our extensions, we will also have one short flight from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City and one flight from Hanoi to Siem Reap.
Tap water in Vietnam, Thailand or Cambodia is not ideal for drinking and you should always drink bottled water. It’s also best to use bottled water to brush your teeth.
All of the food provided during the tour will be completely safe to consume. Fruits and vegetables are always washed in filtered water, so the chances of getting a stomach bug are slim. Street food at popular markets and food stalls is also safe to eat. We would only suggest avoiding street food from vendors where the food appears to have been sitting out for a long time. Most street food is cooked fresh though, so this should rarely be an issue.
➜ Vietnam: Vietnamese Dong (VND) – $1 USD = 25,455 VND.
➜ Thailand: Thai Baht (THB) – $1 USD = 37 THB.
➜ Cambodia: Cambodian Riel (KHR) – $1 USD = 4,104 KHR.
In terms of spending money, you should estimate an average of $15 – $25 USD per person per day for all of your needs. This would be for meals that are not included in the tour, basic purchases (laundry service, snacks, etc) as well as any activities you choose to do on your own.
As for exchanging money, the best method is via ATM machines which can be found in all cities. If using an ATM is not an option, or the fees are too high, simply bring USD or Euros to exchange at money exchange offices that are located in all of the big cities.
*Credit cards are commonly accepted in cities, hotels, and larger establishments. However, it’s important to note that in smaller local restaurants and traditional stores, cash remains the preferred payment method. Hence, it’s a good idea to have some cash on hand, especially in rural areas where card acceptance might be limited.
*While US dollars are somewhat accepted in the cities and tourist spots, it’s always better to carry Vietnamese Dongs for better exchange rates and to prevent potential overcharges.
Tipping in Vietnam is not as common as in the West but in some cases it is appreciated. Here’s a general guideline:
➜ Restaurants – 5% – 10% if a service charge is not already added to the bill
➜ Hotel staff – $1 – $2 USD if someone helps you with luggage or anything else
➜ Our drivers – Your tour leader will collect tips for our drivers during the tour. This will be approximately $50 USD per person in total
➜ Tour leader – If you wish to tip your tour leader, they will always be greatly appreciative
*Tips for local guides and waitstaff at included meals during the Vietnam tour are already included.
Vietnam is a very safe destinations with friendly people and few real concerns. The chances of anything happening are very slim as long as you use the same common sense you would use at home.
➜ Watch your stuff – When wandering around crowded areas, it’s always a good idea to keep your wallet and phone in your front pocket or secured in a purse or backpack. The purse, backpack or shoulder bag should be hanging by your front hip, with zippers fastened. Keep in mind that when out and about each day, you may leave valuables in your room as the hotels we use are all very safe.
➜ Scams – While rare, local scams can occur. For instance, taxi drivers may attempt to overcharge you, so it’s advisable to always use Grab, the version of Uber in Southeast Asia. When using a tuktuk, always negotiate the fare upfront to avoid unexpected charges. Outside of some temples, when you’re not accompanied by a guide, you might be approached with offers to visit a temple (which doesn’t exist) or be told that a temple is closed, which often leads to an unnecessarily costly tuktuk journey. Additionally, be aware that some women may offer you a piece of bread as a “gift” and then try to charge you for it. Always trust your instincts, and if something feels off, it’s best to simply decline and continue.
During this trip, we can expect relatively consistent weather. November is an ideal time to visit Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia, characterized by pleasant temperatures without extreme heat and minimal rainfall. Here are the average temperatures of each destination we will visit:
In Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia locals typically wear clothes similar to what you’d see in the West. As a result, you can wear whatever you’re comfortable in. However, when visiting temples and sacred places, it is required to cover your legs and wear shirts with at least short sleeves. You can purchase a sarong to wrap around your legs outside of some temples to ensure you’re dressed appropriately.
➜ Laundry – Laundry will be available at of our accommodations in the major cities and at local laundromats that offer same day service for around $10 per load.
We recommend packing the following items:
The most important thing is that you don’t overpack as moving around Vietnam with your luggage can be tiresome and the less stuff you have, the more thankful you’ll be once the tour begins.
If you have any questions about other items you were thinking about bringing or not bringing, just send us an email and we’ll be happy to let you know if such an item is necessary for this trip.
➜ Luggage For this tour we will take one inner flight from Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang and one from Hue to Hanoi. For each flight you’re allowed one checked bag of up to 44 lbs (20 kg), one carry-on of up to 22 lbs (10 kg) (max size 22″x14″x9″), plus one small personal item that fits under the seat. For those joining our pre-trip and post-trip extensions, the same luggage restrictions apply for our flights from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City and from Hanoi to Siem Reap.
You may bring your camera bodies and lenses into Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia as a tourist.
Although highly regulated, you may bring your drone into Vietnam. To do so, you must first register at the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) (page only available in Vietnamese). During registration, you’ll be required to provide specific details about your drone. Additionally, you’ll need to secure a daily permit that can cost between $350 to $700 USD per day, depending on the type of drone. Alongside this, a film permit from the Foreign Press Center of Vietnam is also mandatory.
Electrical sockets in Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia work with type A plugs (commonly used in the United States), as well as type C and F plugs (commonly used in Europe). In addition, Cambodia also utilizes type G plugs, which are commonly used in the United Kingdom. Therefore, if your devices have plugs from the US or Europe, you won’t need to purchase a separate adapter for Vietnam and Thailand. However, if you are planning to join the post-trip extension in Cambodia, we recommend obtaining a universal adapter to accommodate type G sockets.
As for electricity, check your chargers to see if they say 110 – 230V If they do, you will not have any problems charging your device while on the tour.
Both Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia generally have strong internet connection in the main cities and all of our accommodations will have WiFi. However, you can expect weaker connections in rural areas, with occasional poor connectivity. In general, the internet access will work and you’ll be able to do whatever you need to do online, but it might take longer than normal with the potentially spotty connection.
The easiest way to stay connected during the tour will be to purchase an E–SIM before the trip, as this will allow you to stay connected from the moment you land at the airport.
We can also set up local SIM cards upon arrival for those who wish. Just make sure you have a GSM-enabled unlocked phone in order to use a foreign SIM card.
Another option is to activate your home network’s ‘international plan’ which will allow you to continue using your phone as you would at home, with access to a data connection, for a fee that usually ranges from $5 – $10 per day.
Yes! Most days will include time together as well as free time for you to enjoy the destination at your own pace. With that said, your tour leader will always be available to offer personal recommendations and suggestions as to things you might want to do or see, places to eat and other interesting activities that you might want to check out when there is free time.
We will set up a WhatsApp chat 2 weeks prior to the start of the tour that will include all of the participants as well as your tour leader. This will allow everyone to get to know each other in advance, ask questions and communicate with your tour leader both before and during the tour. It will be very useful for you to have WhatsApp available to you during the tour as this will be the main method of communication.
That’s it for now and we hope you are continuing to get more and more excited about this incredible adventure, just as we are!
If you have any questions about anything, please reach out to team@wanderingearl.com
