Southeast Asia – What to Expect (Private Tour)

It’s time to get excited!

Get ready to dive into Southeast Asia, where vibrant cities and peaceful beaches await. The following information is designed to help you prepare for this adventure. Please read the page carefully and let us know if you have any questions at all.

Entry Requirements

Passport Information

You will need a passport to travel to Thailand and Vietnam. Your passport should be valid until at least June 2024 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.

Visa Information

➜ Thailand – Citizens of the USA 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.

➜ Vietnam – US citizens may now easily obtain an E-Visa for Vietnam. 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.

Here are the steps:

1. Visit this official Vietnamese government website – https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/web/guest/khai-thi-thuc-dien-tu/cap-thi-thuc-dien-tu
2. Confirm the terms and conditions and click “next“
3. Follow the instructions

Here is some information you will need to complete the process:

• Passport details
• Headshot photograph (straight looking without glasses, white background)
• Arrival details – (Thai Smile Airways flight WE564 from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi to Hanoi on November 10th, 2023)
• Dates of the trip / arrival and departure dates
• Name and address of the hotel in Hanoi – Hanoi Emerald Waters Hotel & Spa (Address: 47 P. Lò Sũ, Lý Thái Tổ, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam)
• Name of hosting organization: Self (add your address, phone, and purpose)
• Allowed entry through checkpoint: Noi Bai International Airport (HAN)
• Exit through checkpoint: Noi Bai International Airport (HAN)

Airport Arrival & Pickup

Once you arrive at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport:

• Upon disembarking the airplane, follow the signs to immigration.
• Once at the immigration area, join the line for “Foreigners”. (Do NOT enter the line for “visa on arrival”.) Please note that the line/wait at immigration can take up to an hour.
• After immigration, find the correct luggage carousel in order to collect your luggage.
• Follow the signs to “Exit” which will take you through the customs inspection.
• After you exit the baggage/customs area (through a sliding door), you’ll enter the Arrivals Hall.
• Please walk to Door #3.
• You will see many people in this area with signs waiting for passengers to arrive. Your driver will be waiting for you in this group of people with a sign that has your names on it.

In case you cannot find your representative upon arrival, please call or send a WhatsApp message to Derek Baron at +1 (912) 289-5602

Additional Immunizations

Neither Thailand nor Vietnam require any immunizations to enter the country. However, as is the case when traveling to any country, it is always good to speak with a medical professional about what immunizations might be right for you and to ensure you are up-to-date with standard immunizations such as Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Tetanus.

Country Information

What Should You Expect?

Gear up for a 16-day adventure across Southeast Asia where you’ll dive into the dynamic local life and stunning scenery of Thailand and Vietnam, two of the region’s must-visit spots.

Accommodations and Transportation

During this trip you’ll be staying at a variety of 4* and 5* hotels, beach resorts and a 1-night boat cruise. All accommodations will be comfortable and include private bathrooms.

Traveling around both countries, you’ll use private vans and shared shuttle services for some activities. You’ll also have a flight from Bangkok to Krabi and from Phuket to Hanoi, as well as a couple of ferry rides.

Facts About Thailand

➜ Population: 71.6 million people
➜ Religion: The predominant religion is Buddhism, practiced by about 93% of the population. There are also small minorities of Muslims, Christians, and Hindus.
➜ Languages: Central Thai (Siamese) is the official language of Thailand. While English is commonly understood in tourist areas, it is less frequently spoken in local communities.
➜ History: Thailand boasts a rich history with its ancient kingdoms of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya. Over the years, it’s the only Southeast Asian nation never colonized by European powers.
➜ Politics: Thailand is a constitutional monarchy under the reign of King Maha Vajiralongkorn. While the country operates with a parliamentary system, the King’s influence is extensive, highlighting the unique blend of tradition and modernity in Thai governance.

Food and Water

Tap water is not ideal for drinking in either country and you should always drink bottled water. Brushing your teeth with tap water is okay but many travelers choose to brush with bottled water instead.

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.

Money

➜ Thailand: The local currency in Thailand is the Thai Baht (THB) The current exchange rate is $1 USD = 34.80 THB.

➜ Vietnam: The local currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND) The current exchange rate is $1 USD = 23,730 VND.

In terms of spending money, you should estimate an average of $35 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 and towns in both countries.

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 big cities.

*Credit cards are accepted in larger restaurants and many shops in both countries. However, in smaller local restaurants, traditional stores, street food stalls, and in the countryside, cash is usually the main payment method.

*USD are generally not accepted for purchases. Most transactions must be made with local currency.

Tipping

Tipping in Thailand and Vietnam is not as common as in the West but in some cases it is expected and/or 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
➜ Your drivers and local guides – We suggest a tip of $10 USD per person per day for each local driver and guide, depending on your satisfaction with their services

Safety

Both Thailand and Vietnam are very safe countries. 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 – Always keep an eye on your stuff and avoid putting a wallet or phone in your back pocket. Keep your purse or shoulder bag on your front hip and make sure the zippers are zipped on your backpack. Simple as that! You can also leave valuables in your room while out and about each day as the hotels we use are all very safe.

➜ Scams – Most ‘scams’ in both Thailand and Vietnam are nothing major. For instance, some taxis might try to overcharge, so it’s best to always opt for Grab, the Southeast Asian version of Uber. If you decide to take a tuktuk, always negotiate the price beforehand to prevent overcharging. Another common scam is when an older woman approaches you offering you a “free” pastry, only to demand payment after you’ve accepted. Outside temples, when you’re not accompanied by a guide, you might be approached with offers to visit a “tsunami temple” (which doesn’t exist) or be told that a temple is closed, which often leads to an unnecessarily costly tuktuk journey. Always trust your instincts, if something feels off it’s best to decline and move on.

Weather

During this trip, you can expect relatively consistent weather. November is a favorable time to explore this part of the world, characterized by pleasant temperatures without extreme heat and minimal rainfall. Here are the average temperatures of each destination we will visit:

➜ Bangkok: 90F/32C high – 75F/24C low
➜ Koh Phi Phi Islands: 88F/31C high – 75F/24C low
➜ Phuket: 90F/32C high – 77F/25C low
➜ Hanoi: 79F/26C high – 66F/19C low
➜ Ha Long Bay: 77F/25C high – 66F/19C low

Clothing and Packing

In both Thailand and Vietnam, 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 always purchase a sarong to wrap around your legs outside of some temples to ensure you’re dressed appropriately.

➜ Laundry – Laundry service will be available in most of your hotels. When available, it costs approximately $15 USD per load.

We recommend packing the following items:

Additional Information

Cameras/Drones

You may bring your camera bodies and lenses into both Thailand and Vietnam as a tourist.

➜ Thailand – Although highly regulated, you may bring your drone into Thailand. To do so, you must first register at the NBTC registration portal, providing a copy of your passport, photographs of the drone and controller serial numbers and a copy of the drone insurance policy, which must include a 1 million THB coverage. After receiving approval, you must then register at the CAAT online drone registration portal 15 business days prior to arrival. Please note that the drone must not exceed 25 kg (55 lbs) and you must follow all of the current regulations.

➜ Vietnam – You may also bring your drone into Vietnam. However, to do so, you must apply for a permit at least two weeks in advance at the Operations Bureau of the General Command Post of the Ministry of Defense by filling this document and sending it to banbientap@moj.gov.vn. Please note that your drone must not exceed 11 kg (26 lbs) and you must follow the current regulations at all times.

Outlet Adapters

Electrical sockets in Thailand and Vietnam are compatible with both types A and B plug types (commonly used in the United States), as well as type C plug types (commonly used in Europe). As a result, you won’t need to worry about bringing any additional adapters to charge your devices.

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.

Staying Connected

Thailand has generally strong internet throughout the country and all of our accommodations will have WiFi. However, Vietnam’s strong internet is not quite widespread. While all of the accommodations have WiFi, the connection can be poor at times. 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.

If you wish to have a data connection on your phone throughout the tour, the easiest way 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.

You can also set up local SIM cards upon arrival at the airport. 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.

That’s it for now and we hope you are continuing to get more and more excited about this incredible adventure!

If you have any questions about anything, please reach out to team@wanderingearl.com