Useful Information

Yes, just give us at least 60 days' notice in order to allow another traveller to take your spot.

The Vietnam Intro 12 Day tour finishes in Ho Chi Minh City. You’re free to leave at any time on Day 12, as there are no planned activities. If you’re heading home, we can help organise a taxi to the airport - it’s about a 30-minute ride and costs around £15 or $20.

Rooms are pre-arranged and usually shared between two people. If you’re travelling as a couple and need a double bed, let your group leader know in advance so it can be arranged.

Head to the NATIC Travel transfer counter in the arrivals hall after collecting your bags. Look for the counter with an INTRO sign. Check in with the staff there, and they’ll contact your driver. You’ll then be taken to the hotel, which is about a 45-minute drive.

Backpacks are preferred and will be more convenient for you for when we are catching a sleeper bus but suitcases work, too. You’ll never have to carry your luggage for too long at any one time. Try to find something that’s easily accessible and waterproof if possible. Bring a smaller daypack for short trips throughout the tour.

We recommend the following: - 1 pair of long trousers - 1 light but waterproof jacket (Nothing too thick!) - Simple padlock to lock up your belongings - 1 long sleeved top - 1 electrical converter (to avoid blowing out that hairdryer or beard trimmer) - Shoes that are suitable for hiking - Waterproof shoes if you have them - Shoes that are easily removed. (Upon entering temples and many buildings you will be expected to remove your shoes as a sign of respect. The easier, the better.) - Swimwear - A camera is highly suggested to remember your experience! - Insect repellent - Sunscreen. Lots of sunscreen And of course, the usual: passport, spending money, adventurous curiosity, positive attitude, etc!

Yes! After placing your deposit, you can pay off the tour in instalments at your own pace. The final balance is due at least 30 days before your tour starts.

Your deposit secures your place on the tour. This holds your spot on the tour up until 60 days before your tour is set to begin when the remaining balance is due in full. If payment is not received by this point, your spot on the tour will be cancelled and the spot will be offered to another potential group member. The remaining balance is displayed in your account. Several reminders will go out before this date to remind you of when your payment is due!

It depends on your nationality and how long you plan to stay. Here are the main options:

Option 1: If you're from a visa-exempt country, you can enter Vietnam without a visa for up to 90 days (exact duration depends on your passport).
Option 2: If you're not from a visa-exempt country or you plan to stay longer than 15 days, you’ll need to apply for a one-month e-visa. Allow 5 to 7 days for processing. You can apply here.
Important: If you’re doing a Vietnam and Cambodia combo trip, the border crossing you’ll use is called Moc Bai – Bavet. This may need to be included in your e-visa application.

Once your tour is booked and confirmed, you can begin searching for flights. After booking your flight, log in to your account and enter your flight details under the ‘Flight Details’ section.

Airport transfer is included in the cost of the tour. If you book an extra night of accommodation through us, the transfer will also be included for that night. However, if you book your own accommodation elsewhere, airport transfer is only available on Day 1 of your tour.

Vietnam is a very long country. In order to see all that this incredible place has to offer, the tour travels over 1,500 km from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. When booking a flight, you can often change the arrival and departure locations. There are also very affordable domestic flights that you can book to fly back out of Hanoi when the tour finishes. Again, don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions about the best way to go about booking your flights!

Please book your arriving flights into Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi! You have a couple of options for your departing flights. We break down the options in this short article.

We recommend arriving before 4 pm on day 1 of your tour. Check in at the hotel on day 1 is at 2 pm with early check-in available subject to hotel vacancy. You are free to use the hotel facilities and leave your bags in a secure place if you arrive early before checking in. On departure, we suggest leaving after 10 am in order to enjoy a final breakfast with the group but if you can find a cheaper flight early in the day, that's no problem at all! Just let us know your flight details in the ‘Login’ area. If your flight arrives before the starting date, we can arrange extra accommodation which includes hotel transfer.

Your accommodation will be clean, comfortable and offer western toilets at all times - though experiencing a squat toilet is something everyone who visits Vietnam should experience at least once! You will be sleeping in twin, triple and dormitory rooms, paired up randomly. We attempt to put people in same sex rooms as much as possible and can accommodate that in each location upon request. Couples will be always paired together. Hot showers and AC is provided on most days. You will sleep on a sleeper bus - surprisingly comfortable aside from the honking - on day 6 and 15.

We will take you to the airport in Ho Chi Minh City or you have the choice to go back to the hotel. We will arrange this once we receive your flight itinerary. At the hotel, you have free use of the storage room if you want to spend some more time exploring the city before you depart. Or we can give you advice on what else to do in Vietnam if you plan to stay longer. Our Thailand tour is a great place to start.

For group tours, your place will be confirmed when 6 or more people have signed up and at least four weeks (28 days) prior to the start of your tour.

For volunteer or private bookings, please wait 2-3 working days.

We will refund you the total amount if the tour is cancelled. Typically, group tours are confirmed six months before departure.

Once you’ve booked your flights, log in to the Manage My Booking area of our website and enter your flight arrival details. If you’re arriving early, we can still arrange your airport transfer. If you also need extra nights of accommodation, let us know early so we can confirm availability and pricing.

International flights are not included in the price of any tour and will need to be booked separately. You’re free to book your own flights or book here.

Please wait for a confirmation email; this will provide information about when we recommend arriving and to depart. We recommend using Sky Scanner to arrange your flights.

We will provide you with airport transfer information 1-week before the tour/program begins.

Yes. This is your own time to explore Vietnam as you please. If you want to stay back at the hotel to relax or want to explore a bit on your own, just let the tour guide/tour coordinator know.

Yes, the dress code is seen as a show of respect to the culture, temple and monks that often live in the temples. Men should wear long pants and no cut-off sleeves. Women should wear trousers, a long skirt, or dress that extends fully below the knees and covers their shoulders - the knees should be fully covered. Tank tops and low cut shirts should also be avoided by both genders.

You will eat mostly Vietnamese food, which is usually rice or noodle-based dishes. They also happen to be some of our favorite meal selections on the planet! Breakfasts are typically Western dishes. If you just need to satisfy that craving for a pizza or burger, we get that! Western food is usually available everywhere on the tour. As the tour explores different areas of Vietnam, you will have the opportunity to taste the various styles of cuisine from around the country - such as the Hoi An speciality Cao lầu! Vegetarian and non-vegetarian options will also be provided.

Vegetarians will be happy to know that Vietnam is very accommodating for vegetarians. Your tour guide can instruct any kitchen to create a Vietnamese dish without meat which they will often substitute with freshly-made tofu.

Yes and so delicious! If you see Vietnamese eating it then that’s the best indication that the food is safe. Tip: Eat where the locals eat; the longer the queue the more delicious you can assume the food will be. Sharing a meal is a celebrated part of Vietnamese culture and we recommend giving it a try with your new mates. Bahn-mi which you will find on nearly every street corner in the country will likely become one of your go-to meals. But as with anything, use caution. If something looks or smells suspect, better to leave it alone. And never drink from the tap! We thought we had to mention this in case the idea ever crosses your mind!

No problem at all - just make sure to arrive at the hotel for the starting date of the tour! We can arrange early night’s accommodation at the hotel and airport transfer or provide easy-to-use directions for getting from the airport in Hanoi to the Old Quarter - including our hotel - where most of the accommodation is located.