Classic Vietnam & Cambodia

Frequently asked questions

• Do I need to have any vaccinations?

  Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and may change at any time. You should take health advice from your GP or local travel clinic about your specific needs as early as possible and ensure that vaccinations or preventative measures are taken early enough (which may be a month or more prior to departure) to be fully effective by the date of travel.

  We also suggest referring to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website, https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice  and the NHS Travel Vaccinations website, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/travel-vaccinations/

• Will I need a visa to enter Vietnam?

  From 15th August 2023, British Nationals may enter Vietnam for up to 45 days without needing to apply for a visa.

  For more information on passport information and entry requirements please visit the Government Passport Office website www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/passports and the Foreign Office website: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

  Please note entry requirements may change and it is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of all necessary travel, passport, visa and other entry requirements before departure. All costs incurred in obtaining such documentation must be paid by you. We regret we cannot accept any liability if you are refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to obtain and carry all required documentation.

• Do I need to renew my passport?

  A valid ten-year British passport is required for all holidays, valid for a minimum of 6 months after your return date to the UK. If you are not currently in possession of a valid passport, please make sure you leave plenty of time before your holiday to apply for this document. Our recommendation is that you should apply at least three months before your holiday.

• What are the entry requirements for Vietnam?

  The following information on entry requirements, passports and visas is for British citizens only. Holders of a British Subject passport, non-British citizens and holders of a passport endorsed in any way should check immigration requirements with the relevant embassy or consulate of the country to be visited, as should clients with dual nationality or renounced citizenship.

• How much should I tip in Vietnam?

  Unlike the UK, tipping is very much a way of life in most Asian countries and we have included a number of gratuities into your tour. Tipping for your Tour Manager, local guides and drivers are not included.

  Tipping remains discretionary, however, if you are happy with the service you have received, we would suggest the following amounts.

  UK Tour Manager: £3.00 – £5.00 per person per day

  Local Tour Manager: $4.00 USD per person per day

  Vietnam Local Guide: $3.00 USD per person per day

  Driver: $2.00 USD per person per day

  • In restaurants, tip 5–10% tip for good service.
  • At a bar, you can round up your bill or leave loose change. 
  • If you have a massage or visit a spa, it is good practice to tip $5 – $10 USD in Vietnam, or 10%–20% of your bill in Cambodia. 
  • For taxi drivers, round up the fare. For cyclo (rickshaw) drivers, add a few dollars as a tip.

  Mekong Navigator Cruise
  The majority of gratuities are included for your Mekong Navigator cruise. This includes the ship managers, dining, sailors and housekeeping staff. Should you wish, additional tips can be offered at the end of the cruise. Tips for any on-shore excursions utilising tuk-tuks etc are not included. We recommend $1-$2 USD per person.

  AuCo & Le Regina Legend Cruises
  Gratuities are shared among the cruise team and a tip box is usually located by the front desk. We recommend around $5 USD per person.

  Indochina Private Tours / All Holiday Extensions

  Local Guide: $10.00 USD per person per day

  Driver: $5.00 USD per person per day

• What will the weather be like?

  As the country is long and thin, it has three distinct climatic areas.

  North Vietnam (Hanoi, Halong Bay &NinhBinh)

  Hanoi and North Vietnam has distinct winter and summer seasons. The cool but mostly dry winter lasts from November to April when temperatures average 17-22°C. Summer lasts from May to October when it is hot and humid and the region experiences its highest rainfall. July to September are often the wettest months of the year.

  Central Vietnam (Hoi An, Danang, Hue)

  Central Vietnam’s summer season lasts from January until the end of August. The weather is hot and dry, with temperatures between 21°C and 35°C. Conditions between September and December are much wetter, although temperatures remain balmy. Hue is often cooler than Hoi An, especially early in the year.

  South Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta)

  Southern Vietnam’s hot and dry season starts in November and finishes at the end of April, with temperatures often reaching 30°C. Rain falls between May and early November, but the weather still remains warm, usually between 25°C and 32°C. Throughout much of the wet season rainfall is generally heavy but short lasting, often occurring in a mid-afternoon heavy downpour.

  We recommend checking up-to-date weather forecasts before you travel.

• What clothing should I take to Vietnam?

  Dress for our tours is generally relaxed and informal during the day, dressing to suit the weather conditions and the activity you are undertaking. It’s likely there will be occasions when exploring you’ll be walking on uneven surfaces, so we recommend sturdy and comfortable walking shoes. Wearing layers of clothing means it’s much easier to deal with potentially varied weather conditions and it’s always advisable to carry a waterproof. Any included evening dinners are also informal, with smart casual dress being the norm. We would also recommend taking good insect repellent, a high factor sun-screen lotion and a hat for protection from the sun.

  Mekong Cruise

  The dress code on board our Mekong cruise is relaxed and casual, with no requirement for formal attire.

• What is the currency?

  Vietnamese dong

• Is there a time difference?

  Vietnam GMT +7 hrs.

• Will I need a visa to enter Cambodia?

  On The Very Best of Vietnam & Cambodia tour, if your border crossing between Vietnam and Cambodia is made whilst on the RV Pandaw cruise, your Cambodian visa will be processed on board and you do not need to apply before you leave the UK. The cost of the tourist visa is currently USD $35.00 and must be paid in US dollars cash. You will also be required to provide one passport photo and should arrange to have this taken before you leave the UK. Please note that e-visas are not accepted at the river border.

  When travelling on our tours that arrive in Cambodia via a flight, we recommend that you apply in advance for your visa, either at the Royal Embassy of Cambodia or by applying for an e-visa here: https://www.evisa.gov.kh/. The cost of a tourist e-visa is currently USD 30.00.

  For all Cambodia tours, in addition to obtaining your visa, you are required to submit a Cambodia e-Arrival within 7 days prior to your entry into Cambodia, here: Cambodia e-Arrival. On completion, please download or print your e-Arrival QR code ready to show on arrival at Cambodian immigration, along with your visa. Your passport will no longer be stamped for entry or exit in Cambodia; instead, a v-Pass will be issued to you by email or can be accessed via the Cambodia e-Arrival website. The v-Pass must be kept accessible during your stay in Cambodia, for verification on request.

  For more information on passport information and entry requirements please visit the Government Passport Office website www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/passports and the Foreign Office website: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

  Please note entry requirements may change and it is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of all necessary travel, passport, visa and other entry requirements before departure. All costs incurred in obtaining such documentation must be paid by you. We regret we cannot accept any liability if you are refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to obtain and carry all required documentation.