Pre Departure Information

Vietnam Pre-Departure Information: Questions Answered

Our Pre-departure Information helps you to get all you questions & concerns answered. A selection of our most frequently asked questions, prepared for travelers who booked tour with us.

Best Time To Go / Weather

Every month of the year there’s a destination in South East Asia you can visit for a private tours.

From November to April, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and west coasts of Thailand are the best places to visit. The weather is hot and sunny without being unbearable, and you can experience some of the area’s most famous festivals, especially throughout December and January.

See the tables bellow, or learn more about the best time to visit Vietnam.

Responsive Climate Table

Vietnam Climate: Hanoi

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Temp Min °C	13	14	17	20	23	26	26	26	24	22	18	15
Temp Max °C	20	21	23	28	32	33	33	32	31	29	26	22
Rainfall (mm)	18	28	38	81	196	239	323	343	254	99	43	20

Responsive Climate Table

Cambodia Climate: Siem Reap

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Temp Min °C	19	21	26	25	25	25	25	25	25	24	22	20
Temp Max °C	32	33	35	36	35	34	33	32	32	31	30	31
Rainfall (mm)	1	4	28	61	176	221	237	151	276	248	80	3

Responsive Climate Table

Laos Climate: Luang Prabag

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Temp Min °C	13	14	17	21	23	23	23	23	23	21	18	15
Temp Max °C	28	32	34	36	35	34	32	32	32	33	30	31
Rainfall (mm)	15	18	31	109	163	155	230	300	165	75	30	15

Responsive Climate Table

Thailand Climate: Bangkok

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Temp Min °C	22	24	26	27	27	27	27	26	25	25	23	21
Temp Max °C	32	32	32	34	33	33	32	32	32	32	30	31
Rainfall (mm)	10	28	30	72	190	152	155	188	320	230	58	10

How soon we receive booking confirmation?

Once you confirmed the tour you’re interested in to book, we send you deposit request and once we have received your deposit payment, we will send you a confirmation invoice within 24 hours.

Do you send us information about the destination we visit?

Of-Course! It is essential that you read the relevant Tour Dossier before booking, which you can find on the itinerary file we send it to you upon final confirmation.

If there are any particular challenges such as the length of time spent on your feet, journey times or accommodation standards, they will be explained in these concise trip notes.

Will i know about the hotels once i booked the tour?

Yes of course! From the very first email, you will know what hotels, which room category and even hotel address and website, you will be staying.

We book hotel of your choice, so the accommodations are exactly the one you’ve confirmed with us, means, you will be staying in the hotels we sent you, and, been confirmed by you prior booking.

Rest assured that all hotels used by VPT are regularly inspected by us to ensure that standards meet your needs. If you require an early check-in or late check-out for your arrival and departure days, please inform us.

How Do I Get My Visa?

When you finalize your booking, we will advise you on the latest visa requirements for your destination such as in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and or Thailand.

We can apply Vietnam visa for you before departure. Here is latest information about Vietnam visa

Do I Need Travel Insurance?

Your protection and safety are our main priority. That’s why having adequate travel insurance is a condition of booking with us for all the destinations you plan to travel to. Please arrange a travel insurance of your choice prior departure.

What Currency Should I Take?

We recommend you take Sterling or US dollars, or AUD, as they are easily exchanged. Also, make sure to take your credit/debit card, they are all accepted in Vietnam and neighboring countries with additional 3-5% charge on top of any purchase you make.

We do not recommend travellers cheques. Please ensure you have sufficient funds to pay for personal expenses such as drinks, snacks, souvenirs, additional tipping and optional extras. Check out Vietnamese Currency

What are the South East Asia's Public Holidays?

Vietnamese New Year known as TET, moves according to the lunar calendar, usually falling in late January or early February (We Will Inform If Your Trip is During this time). Celebration last up to ten days

New Year celebrations for Cambodia, Laos and Thailand are in mid-April every year. Some businesses may be closed and tourist sites may be busier.

How Fit Do I Need To Be?

Our range of Private tours is flexible and may better cater for individual needs. Any of our tours can be carefully adjusted to your needs.

Can Special Requests Be Arranged?

Sure – If you have any special requests such as dietary requirements, or if you wish to celebrate an event, please notify us at the time of booking and we will do everything possible to ensure your requests are met.

Is There a Dress Code?

The dress code is very relaxed; however, please note that clothing covering the arms and legs is more appropriate when visiting religious buildings such as temples and pagodas.

What Sort Of Vehicles Do You Use?

Air: Internal flights are based on economy class, with reputable airlines.

Road: Coaches with air conditioning are used on our tours for city sightseeing, short excursions to the countryside and longer transfers where necessary. On our private tours we use air-conditioned vehicles suitable for the size of the party.

River: Cruises or boats are used on tours which have a cruising element, from river cruising ships on the Irrawaddy and Mekong to comfortable, well-equipped sailing vessels on Halong Bay.

Are Meals Included?

Meals included in Private Tours are stated in the itinerary you receive and include several free evenings, offering flexibility for those who wish to explore local restaurants.

You will sample a range of local cuisine with occasional western meals, and meals are usually taken at local restaurants.

Will i be traveling with travelers from other countries?

No. Our tours are private basis – means you travel only with your own party, family or friends. A guide and driver will accompany you on the destination you visit. Some tours, such as Halong Bay, you will be joining other passengers who travel on same cruise ship – You will always have your own separate cabin on board the cruise vessel in Halong.

What hours of the day your tours operate?

You can start anytime you wish – Our tours are private and flexible, however, They generally start about 8.30am and end shortly after your evening meal (if meals included). Occasionally earlier starts are required to meet flight departures or to visit sights at the best time of day.

How Does the tipping works on your tours?

Tipping is expected in Southeast Asia. However this can often lead to awkwardness in knowing when it is appropriate to tip and how much, as well as ensuring you have a suitable amount of change available at the time.

Please feel free to tip restaurant staff, porters, or river guides if they performed a special service for you. 50.000 VND(~2 USD) would be highly appreciated

Also, the tipping for a tour guide & drive is suggested as following (you may pay them directly):

Group of: 1-5 persons: 5 USD/ person/day

Group of: 6-9 persons: 4 USD/ person/day

Group of: 10 persons & more: 3 USD/ person/day

Health & Safety

Your health, safety and well-being on holiday are of paramount importance to us. Our team carries out health and safety checks on accommodation we offer to book for you including all our transport and excursions; and works with our destination partners and suppliers towards improving health and safety standards throughout the tour.

All travellers should be aware that safety standards vary across the SE Asia we visit and may not match the standards we enjoy in the USA – UK or Australia.

Pre Departure Information

Vietnam Pre-Departure Information: Questions Answered

Best Time To Go / Weather

Vietnam Climate: Hanoi

Cambodia Climate: Siem Reap

Laos Climate: Luang Prabag

Thailand Climate: Bangkok

How soon we receive booking confirmation?

Do you send us information about the destination we visit?

Will i know about the hotels once i booked the tour?

How Do I Get My Visa?

Do I Need Travel Insurance?

What Currency Should I Take?

What are the South East Asia's Public Holidays?

How Fit Do I Need To Be?

Can Special Requests Be Arranged?

Is There a Dress Code?

What Sort Of Vehicles Do You Use?

Are Meals Included?

Will i be traveling with travelers from other countries?

What hours of the day your tours operate?

How Does the tipping works on your tours?

Health & Safety

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