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. As a result, you can skip the process of obtaining a tourist visa from the Vietnamese Embassy and can simply take care of the procedures online. Please note that you can only apply for the E-Visa within 4 weeks of your arrival date.
Check the confirmation box at the bottom and click on “next”
Follow the instructions
Here is some information you will need to complete the process:
Passport details
Passport photo in PDF (Size Minimum 10 KB, Maximum 300 KB)
A recent photo: forward facing selfie with a neutral background should work (you will need to upload this to the system): minimum size 350 pixels, size no larger than 1MB.
Arrival details
Dates of the trip / arrival and departure dates
Entry / Exit checkpoints (Tan Son Nhat Int Airport / Noi Bai Int Airport)
Name and address of the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City (Intended temporary residential address) – Alagon Hotel & Spa (Address: 1291 Lý Tự Trọng, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam). Phone: +84 28 3828-2888
Payment method
*You only need to fill up the fields marked with an asterisk (*). These are the mandatory fields required for your application.
*Important: Please ensure your visa includes your middle name (if applicable) to avoid issues with airline boarding or entry into the country.
*Important: Once your visa is issued, you MUST print out a copy of your E-Visa approval email. You will need this to check in for your flight and at immigration in the Ho Chi Minh airport. Please also send us a copy of your visa to team@wanderingearl.com
Airport Arrival
Please follow the below instructions upon arrival at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport:
After exiting the plane, walk through the terminal building to the immigration inspection.
Once through immigration, follow the signs and go to the luggage area. Collect your luggage from the correct carousel and then pass through the customs inspection.
After you exit the baggage/customs area, you’ll enter the Arrivals Hall. Please head for the main exit of the Arrivals Hall and walk outside. Once outside you will find a driver with a sign that says “The Women’s Travel Tribe”.
If you are unable to find your driver, please contact your tour leader, Sakai, at +1 (510) 806-5488, or our local contact, Phuong, at +84 986-443-242.
Please note: When arriving into Vietnam, you are sometimes required to fill out a landing card or tell the immigration officer where you will be staying in Ho Chi Minh City. Here are the details:
Alagon Hotel & Spa (Address: 1291 Lý Tự Trọng, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam)
Arrival / Departure Airport
Please note that the arrival airport for this tour is the Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City and the departure airport is the Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi.
WhatsApp Group
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.
Tour Leader
Your tour leader for this adventure is Sakai Naismith. Backed by over 20 years of travel experience and a decade as a tour leader, Sakai has an in-depth understanding and passion for exploration. He’s not only a veteran in global travel, but he was also based in Southeast Asia for many years, making him the perfect leader for this tour. Sakai will introduce himself and share more details about himself and the trip when we create the WhatsApp group chat approximately 2 weeks prior to the tour.
*Our tour leader will be there to ensure the trip runs smoothly and our local guides are there to share the wonders of their country!
Local currency
The local currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). The current exchange rate is $1 USD = 25,415 VND
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
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 are already included.
Staying Connected
Vietnam has generally 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.
Itinerary
October 26th: Ho Chi Minh City / Arrival day
Airport transfers
Orientation meeting
Welcome dinner at one of the city’s excellent restaurants
➜ Accommodation: Alagon Hotel & Spa ➜ Included meals: Dinner
October 27th: Ho Chi Minh City
Full-day tour of Ho Chi Minh City on board a traditional three-wheel bicycle taxi, including several different neighborhoods, temples, markets and more
Sampling of some of the best Southern Vietnamese cuisine along the way
Evening acrobatics show at the city’s opera house
➜ Accommodation: Alagon Hotel & Spa ➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
October 28th: Ho Chi Minh City➜Da Nang ➜Hoi An
Morning 1.5 hour flight to Danang
Transfer to Hoi An, a charming UNESCO World Heritage town with an enchanting mix of Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese cultural influences
Venture out for lunch at one of the town’s famous traditional cafes
Orientation tour of Hoi An’s charming streets
Group dinner featuring the distinctive flavors and aromas of Hoi An’s cuisine
Full-day walking tour of Hoi An, spotlighting the timeless feel of a well-preserved merchant house, the unique blend of Chinese and French architectural influences and the simple elegance of the Japanese Bridge
Silk weaving demonstration, where we’ll learn about the entire production of silk from silkworm to dress
Traditional cooking class where you’ll learn how to cook some of the best age-old Vietnamese recipes, followed by a delightful group lunch featuring the fresh and flavorful dishes you’ve made come to life
Free afternoon at leisure to enjoy Hoi An’s historic streets
3-hour drive to Hue over the Hai Van Pass, including a few stops along the way
Freshly prepared lunch along the way
Sunset visit to the Thien Mu Pagoda to observe it against the orange-colored sky with the serene Perfume River flowing beneath
Group dinner
➜ Accommodation: White Lotus Hotel ➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
November 1st: Hue
Full-day tour of Hue to learn about the history, culture and architecture of this grand city, including the magnificent citadel, the forbidden Purple City and the immaculate mausoleums and pagodas scattered throughout
Late-afternoon dinner cruise down the Perfume River on a dragon boat to witness the changing colors of the sunset with the spectacular riverside scenery as a background
➜ Accommodation: White Lotus Hotel ➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
November 2nd: Hue➜ Hanoi ➜ Mai Chau Valley
Morning drive to the Hue International Airport
Quick flight to Hanoi, followed by a quick lunch at a local restaurant
3.5-hour scenic drive to the beautiful Mai Chau Valley, known for its tribal customs, craftwork and stunning landscapes
Free evening at leisure to relax and enjoy the surrounding views
Home-made dinner at our resort
➜ Accommodation: Mai Chau Mountain View Resort ➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
November 3rd: Mai Chau Valley
Half-day tour of Mai Chau, including visits to welcoming local communities, learn about their culture and have a chance to walk through the terraced countryside to experience the peaceful lifestyle of the valley
Free afternoon to explore town on your own, do some shopping at the famous markets or enjoy the surrounding nature.
Another home-cooked dinner at our local resort
➜ Accommodation: Mai Chau Mountain View Resort ➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
November 4th: Mai Chau Valley➜Hanoi
Leisurely morning to keep enjoying the picturesque surroundings
Late morning 3.5-hour drive back to Hanoi
Optional group lunch upon arrival
Orientation walk and Northern Vietnam dinner at one of our favorite restaurants
➜ Accommodation: Oriental Suites Hotel & Spa ➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
November 5th: Hanoi➜ Ha Long Bay
2.5-hour drive to visit one of the most gorgeous natural destinations in Vietnam – Ha Long and Bai Tu Long Bays
Board our traditional junk boat and settle in with a fresh seafood lunch
Visit hidden caves and lagoons, swim in the emerald water and watch the sunset
Dinner onboard
➜ Accommodation: Signature Cruises ➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
November 6th: Ha Long Bay➜ Hanoi
Optional morning kayak adventure through a nearby lagoon
Visit to a floating fish farm to learn about the traditional way of life of the local fishermen
2.5-hour drive back to Hanoi
Group dinner
➜ Accommodation: Oriental Suites Hotel & Spa ➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
November 7th: Hanoi
Full-day walking tour of Hanoi, where you’ll experience the Old Quarters, some of the city’s hidden corners, as well as a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Bach Ma Temple
Group lunch at Hanoi’s largest indoor market
Egg-coffee tasting
Farewell dinner, capping off the trip with one last taste of Vietnamese cuisine
➜ Accommodation: Oriental Suites Hotel & Spa ➜ Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
November 8th:Hanoi / Departure day
You will be picked up at the hotel by a private driver who will take you to the airport for your departing flight
➜ Included meals: Breakfast
What’s Included?
Expert tour leader
Small group (maximum 12 participants)
Accommodation (13 nights – 4* hotels and a cruising boat)
Breakfast every day, 7 lunches and 10 dinners
Transportation in Vietnam (vans, internal flights and a overnight cruising boat)
Local English-speaking guides throughout the trip
All mentioned activities and entrance fees
All airport transfers
What’s Not Included?
Flights to/from Vietnam
Passport/visa fees
Meals and activities not mentioned
Travel insurance (mandatory)
Gratuities
That’s all for now! If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to send us an email at team@wanderingearl.com.
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