Private Vietnam Tours & Luxury Vacations

Most visitors to Vietnam need a visa to enter the country. Visas are exempted for the citizens of the countries with a bilateral visa exemption agreement with Vietnam, including Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Laos.There are three ways to obtain an Vietnam Visa: 

1. Vietnam E-Visa. This is the easiest way to obtain your Vietnam Visa. Only scanned copies of your passport and separate passport photos are required. Please refer to this link for details. 

2. Visa on arrival: Requires an invitation letter prior to arrival. 

3. At your local Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate. Please refer to the Vietnam Embassy website for details.

• New New Year’s Day – Jan 1st
• Vietnamese New Year / Tet (4 days) – Feb. 12, 2021
• Saigon Liberation Day – Apr 30th
• International Labor Day – May 1st
• Ho Chi Minh’s birthday – May 19th
• National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – Sep 2nd

The departure tax for international passengers is already included in the ticket price.

On Domestic flights, passengers are allowed 44 pounds of luggage per person. On International flights, passengers are allowed two pieces of checked luggage. Excess luggage fees will be charged if you check more than the stated allowances, and these charges are your responsibility.  At most major airports, baggage carts are available for your luggage, usually for a small additional fee.

Vietnam has diversified weather and climate due to its long shape. It is located in both a tropical and a temperate zone. It is characterized by strong monsoon influences, but has a considerable amount of sun, a high rate of rainfall, and high humidity. Regions located near the tropics and in the mountainous regions are endowed with a temperate climate. The annual average temperature ranges from 22ºC to 27ºC. In Hanoi, the average temperature is 23ºC, in Ho Chi Minh City it is 26ºC, and in Hue it is 25ºC. There are two distinguishable seasons. The cold season occurs from November to April and the hot season from May to October. The difference in temperature between the two seasons in southern Vietnam is almost unnoticeable, averaging 3ºC. The most noticeable variations are found in the northern provinces where differences of 12ºC have been observed. There are essentially four distinct seasons, which are most evident in the northern provinces. Clothing requirements will depend on the time of the year you’re traveling and to which Vietnam destination.

International Direct Dialing (IDD) service is provided at all hotels featured in your Vietnam Tour with us. SIM Cards for your mobile phones are also widely available. You may also check with your mobile service provider if an international plan may be available. 

Internet Access will be available at all hotels although charges may apply. Wifi is widely available in public areas including restaurants and hotel lobby. Mobile Apps such as WhatsApp, Skype and Facebook Messenger provide free/cheap and convenient ways to stay connected. 

Most hotels provide postal services for documents and small packages. 

The currency of Vietnam is the dong (VND). The current exchange rate of US$1= aprox. 22,000 (April 2020). Throughout the country, American dollars are widely accepted but travelers are advised to obtain local currency either at hotels or at ATM machines. It is important to note ATM transaction fees can be quite expensive, ranging between $5 to $8 depending on your bank. 

Major credit cards are now accepted in most tourist destinations and many banks can organise cash advances for Visa and MasterCard, usually at a rate of 3% commission. 

Passengers are required to fulfill entry and customs form when entering Vietnam. A new form (CHY2000) is currently used for entry and exit procedure. In cases of re-entry or re-exit without any must-be-declared items, you simply submit the copy of your entry and customs form (yellow paper) or make a new one. Cross (x) and fill the first up to the sixteenth boxes in the form. You must submit this form to customs and immigration officers. To save your time, in the entry and customs form, you should clearly note down: 1. Camera, recorder and other electric equipment not for personal use; 2. Jewelry (especially gold) and precious stones not for personal use; 3. Foreign currency (cash, coin and tourist cheques): over US$ 3,000 or other foreign currency of the same value, or over VND 5  million in cash; 4. Video-tapes will be checked and returned in several days; 5. Gold (over 300 g): If more than 300 g, you are required to deposit and re-export the surplus; 6. Other commodities out of duty-free luggage. 

Voltage in Vietnam is 220 volts although most portable electronic devices such as phones, laptops and cameras do not require an electrical converter. However, we do suggest bringing a set of adapters that can change the shape of the plug prongs. 

Nearly all hotels featured in our Vietnam tour packages  provide hair dryers and other amenities expected in international standard 4 and 5-star hotels.

Breakfasts are always included throughout your Vietnam vacation with us. They are typical buffet style with a large spread of local and Western cuisines. 

You should not drink from tap water in Vietnam. Bottled water is inexpensive and readily available throughout. Ice at international hotels is safe.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers arriving from infected areas. A cholera vaccination certificate is not an official condition of entry to Vietnam. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Vaccination against typhoid is advised. 

Malaria risk exists, predominantly in the falciparum form, throughout the year everywhere except urban areas, the Red River delta and the coastal plains of Central Vietnam. The risk is highest in the three central highlands provinces of Dak Lak, Gia Lai and Kon Tum, as well as the southern provinces of Ca Mau, Bac Lieu and Tay Ninh.

Japanese encephalitis is a risk in Hanoi and in rural areas. A vaccine is available and travelers are advised to consult their doctor prior to departure. Hepatitis A, B and E occur; precautions should be taken. Dengue fever can be epidemic and filariasis is endemic in some rural areas. Typhoid fever, amoebic and bacillary dysentry can occur. Trachoma and plague occur rarely.

Diagnoses of avian influenza have once again increased since December 2004, although the number infected is still minimal. All visitors are advised against close contact, and under-cooked consumption of, poultry.

For more details and most up to date information on Vietnam travel, please visit the U.S. Center of Disease Control (C.D.C). 

Tipping at restaurants and for taxi drivers is not customary in Vietnam, but is appreciated. A 5-10% tip for a meal in a good restaurant may equal a day’s wages.

For your private transfers and sightseeing included in your Vietnam vacation package, we recommend tipping between $10-$15 per person per full day of service. This amount is to be split between the guide and driver at a 2:1 ration. You may, of course, adjust this amount up or down depending on the level of service you received.

Our Vietnam tours include arrangements for domestic air and ground transportation , and are handled by our ground operator.  Since our Vietnam tours are always private, all ground transportation, airport transfers and sightseeing will be provided by private car and guide.

Taxis are readily available in tourist cities and quite inexpensive. In addition to public transport services, motorbikes, cyclos, bicycles and other vehicles are common in Vietnam.

Climate is generally warm, humid and wet in Southern Vietnam. Light cotton clothing is highly recommended and be sure to pack a light waterproof jacket. North Vietnam has Southern Mediterranean type climate; temperatures vary depending on the time of year of travel and destination.

Other essential items include: Valid Passport. Copy of Your Airline Ticket. Your Medicines. Departure documents. Camera(s) and portable electronic devices such as tablets, mobile phones or laptops. Sunscreen/Tan lotion.  Pocket size Kleenex. Extra luggage locks/keys. Folding Umbrella.  Comfortable walking shoes.