During this fifteen days trip you will have long lasting memories of Vietnam. You will have a chance to be mesmerized by the outrageously stunning nature Vietnam has to offer; from North to South, East to West, metropolis to mountainous areas. After massacre and devastation, you can bear witness that Vietnam has risen beyond anyone’s wildest expectation. Self-confident and fast-developing, Vietnam has proven a nation, not a war, in the eyes of the universe
As you touch down at Ho Chi Minh City, you will be welcomed by a buzz of energy. A walk along the busy streets of this busy city brings close to you a reflection of the French architecture and crumbled walls as a result of the devastation that once was. Take a boat ride along the Mekong river as you explore the culture of the riverside communities to the floating markets of Cai Be and Cai Rang, savor the tasty fresh sea foods showered with herbs and later shop for unique fruits and sea foods.
Take a flight to Danang, a gradually growing city with gleaming new building, then to the old town of Hanoi. Discover its colonial elegance and admire the affection, resilience and pride of its inhabitants. Later take a tour to My Son, set in a lush jungle valley, a huddle of abandoned and ruined Hindu temples.
Enjoy a drive to Hue and take a tour around city then later in the evening, delve in a sumptuous at the infamous Royal Dinner. Take a tour to the Paradise and Phong Nha caves and explore the colossal stalactites and stalagmites. And these aren’t enough. Another tour to Halong Bay, designated world heritage site, gets you exploring more and more caves and a deeper understanding of their existence and uniqueness.
Destinations: Ho Chi Minh - Cu Chi - Mekong Delta - Hoi An - My Son - Hue - Dong Hoi - DMZ Phong Nha - Hanoi - Halong Bay & Departure
Highlights: Cao Dai & Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong delta, My Son holy land, Royal dinner in Hue and Halong bay cruise.
Vietnam heritage tour - 15 days from Ho Chi Minh in brief:
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh arrival
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh city tour & Cu Chi tunnels
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh – Ben Tre – Can Tho
Day 4: Can Tho – Cai Rang floating market – Flight to Danang – Hoi An
Day 5: Hoi An – My Son – Hoi An
Day 6: Hoi An free day
Day 7: Hoi An – Drive to Hue
Day 8: Hue city & cyclo tour
Day 9: Hue – Phong Nha - Vinh Moc Tunnels
Day 10: Paradise Cave & Phong Nha Caves
Day 11: Phong Nha – Dong Hoi – Flight to Hanoi
Day 12: Hanoi special tour - Train Street
Day 13: Hanoi – Halong bay – Overnight on board
Day 14: Halong bay - Hanoi - Street food tour
Day 15: Hanoi departure
This Vietnam tour includes the most famous World Heritage Sites in Vietnam from South to North. You will be surprised by the incredible preservation in Hoi An Ancient Town - the old trading port on the coastal plain of Quang Nam Province famous for its old buildings with special architecture mixed from Vietnam, China, French and Japan. The heritage tour continues to Hue - Ancient Capital with visits to Royal Citadel, King’s tombs, temple of literature and pagodas. From Hue, take a beautiful drive to Phong Nha National Park featured with Phong Nha Cave – 7,729 metres in length and containing 14 grottoes as well as a 13,969 metre underground river. Our last heritage site is Halong bay that includes 1969 islands of various sizes and shapes.
TOUR ITINERARY
Please contact us at info@vivutravel.com to get tailor-made itinerary and price
NOTE: The above tour prices are estimated per person & applied for group of 2 persons! Depending on your favorite hotels, traveling dates & group sizes, the tour prices will be updated! Please contact us at info@vivutravel.com for further information!
It is worth to travel to Vietnam once in your lifetime as it will be really more different and interesting than just reading in the books, learning in the movies and hearing from the others. Vietnam is now far beyond your imagination with modern and dynamic cities, exotic and marvelous landscapes, famous natural and cultural World Heritage Sites. With efforts from our experienced travel consultants, it will be so quick and easy to plan your Vietnam tour packages.
Welcomed at Tan Son Nhat airport (Ho Chi Minh) by our experienced English speaking guide and driver and listen to a brief introduction about your beautiful Vietnam tour when we are on the way to hotel for check-in. (check-in time: 14:00).
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.
On this full-day program, you’ll depart Ho Chi Minh City at 08:00 for a pleasant drive through the countryside to Cu Chi Tunnels.
Before entering the tunnels you’ll see a short introductory video about their construction. Spend the next hour exploring the tunnel maze. Also on display are various mantraps, the remains of an American tank, and numerous bomb craters created by 500-pound bombs dropped by B52 bombers.
Afterwards, you’ll head back to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving at around 13:00.
In the afternoon your Ho Chi Minh City tour begins with a visit to Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office, fine examples of classical French colonial architecture.
See the Reunification Palace, one of the city’s most important buildings. Here on 30 April 1975 the American War officially ended when tank number 843 of the North Vietnamese Army crashed through the gates of what was at the time the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam.
Formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes, the War Remnants Museum features poignant displays of the futility of war. The courtyard outside contains the spoils of war, namely rusting jets, tanks, and cannons captured from the American military machine.
Visit the bustling Ben Thanh Market, which is very popular with tourists, primarily due to its central location. It has a wide selection of goods ranging from fake Nike shoes to beautiful silk ao dais, the traditional costume for women.
The tour ends at approximately 18:00 and you’ll be transferred back to your hotel. Note that you have the option of staying on at Ben Thanh Market and making your own way back to the hotel.
Around 08:00, our tour guide picks you up at your hotel lobby, then driving 90Km (2hrs) to Ben Tre. The boat will cruise along the Ham Luong river (a branch of the Mekong) and stop off at various local workplaces including a brick works, a coconut processing workshop and a mat weaving house. The boat will then stop at a quiet village where you can have a short walk to experience real Delta village life and take a bicycle ride through dense coconut plantations. Continue to Can Tho – the heart of Mekong Delta in Vietnam.
Check in on your arrival, free at leisure and overnight in a Can Tho hotel.
In the morning, we make the boat cruise to see the Cai Rang floating market (the nicest one with heaps of rowing boats), truly highlights of any Vietnam Tours where you will enjoy the beautiful scenery and see the daily activities of the locals who live along the Mekong canals and later, you will roam through the village to visit a rice husking mill, a rice noodles making shop which are nice chances to discover the daily life of Vietnamese people in Mekong Delta. Around noon, transfer back to the airport for flight to Da Nang.
Upon your arrival at Da Nang airport, pick up and transfer to Hoian for check-in.
Overnight in Hoian.
After breakfast at hotel, we invite you to visit My Son holy land, once the spiritual capital of Champa Kingdom that dominated South East Asia for nearly a thousand years and occupied most of the central parts of Vietnam from 2nd century to 16th century with very rich in history and culture.
Drive back to Hoian for relax and overnight in Hoian.
Hoi An Ancient Town -the highlight of any tour to Vietnam that no Vietnam Tours maker would skip, is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site.
Day free at leisure to cycle through rice paddies in the countryside of Hoi An ancient town, shop for souvenirs among the antique shops and art galleries, or just sit at sidewalk cafes and soak up the atmosphere of this quaint town. Or relax on the white sandy beach of the famous Cua Dai Beach. Overnight in a Hoi An hotel.
OPTIONAL TOURS:
1/ Hoi An cooking class: Visit Hoi An’s colorful market, and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and learn about all the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later. On arrival, we explore the cooking school’s herb garden, before learning about some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s well-known dishes. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours – the Red Bridge chefs first demonstrate each dish before we prepare the same dish ourselves.
2/ Tra Que vegetable village tour: Take a beautiful bicycle ride from your hotel to Tra Que vegetable village. Upon your arrival, enjoy cold towels & welcome drink before starting your farming tour using Vietnamese traditional hat and farmer’s clothes and taking part in farming activities such as: picking up seaweed, digging, land boarding, making beds and watering. After farming tour, soak foot, relax by some herb in Tra Que vegetable garden and enjoy a light food. We will also visit to the rice paper making village where you will be introduced and learnt how to wash the rice, soak the rice and grind the rice by traditional methods. At the end of your trip, join an interesting cooking class
After breakfast, leave Hoi An for Hue, the last imperial capital of Vietnam, well-known for magnificent architecture, pagodas and royal tombs laid in small villages and surrounding hills and one of the most popular cities for all the Vietnam Tours.
En route have a look at the famous Danang Beach and visit Cham Museum which contains the finest collection of Cham sculpture in the world.
This morning, you will have an amazing cyclo ride through the most beautiful sites in Hue. Cyclo is definitely an authentic way to discover this peaceful and ancient city. Not only foreign tourists but also locals would love to spend time sitting on the cyclo to feel the pace of life while passing streets, shops, houses, old citadel, river, bridge and you can feel like you are really a part of it. First, you will pass Trang Tien Bridge crossing Perfume River. Then, ride to Dong Ba market – a busy & colorful market located right in the center of Hue city. Next, visit the old capital city (Imperial Citadel) of Vietnam ruled by the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945 so you can better understand the beauty of Vietnamese Royal architecture and culture.
In the afternoon, continue the trip by car to King Ming Mang and King Khai Dinh tombs which are the most beautiful works of royal architecture of the Nguyen dynasty. King Minh Mang Tomb lies on the west bank of Perfume River, is the most majestic of all Nguyen Dynasty royal tombs thanks to its perfect combination of manmade and natural beauty of Hue, where architecture fits harmoniously into the surrounding landscape. King Khai Dinh Tomb is actually the smallest tomb of all King's Tombs in Hue, however, it is also the most costly one. The tomb was started building in 1920 and it takes 11 years to be completed. The truth is that the rulers had to raise national tax to 30% in order to complete the tomb. The prominent features of Khai Dinh tomb is about the intermingling of oriental and occidental, roman and gothic, ancient and modern.
After that, have short stop at Thien Mu Pagoda – one of the most popular attractions in Hue. It is located on the banks of poetic Perfume River with typical traditional architecture of Hue pagodas and famous for the event that buddhist monk from this temple, Thich Quang Duc, burn himself to death for anti-government protest in 1963. Finally, take a beautiful dragon boat trip along Perfume River back to the city center.
Overnight in Hue.
We will pick you up from your hotel in Hue city to drive to Quang Tri where is the DMZ located. We will get chance to visit the war relics; we stop at the frame of church; continue driving to Cua Tung beach and Vinh Moc tunnels where there are many long tunnels used as the house of the people here during the war. You will go under the tunnels to see how they are.
Then, drive back to visit Hien Luong bridge and Ben Hai River where can be considered as the DMZ during the war in Vietnam before having lunch at Doc Mieu Fire base.
We will then follow the Ho Chi Minh trail to Phong Nha cave. This is the real trail with its mind blowing-lost of jungle.
Overnight in Dong Hoi.
08:00 After breakfast, our car and tour guide will pick you up and transfer to visit Paradise Cave.
09:40 Arrive Paradise cave, golf car will take you to the cave entrance (located in the park's core zone). Paradise Cave discovered by scientists of the British Caving Research Association in 2005, has the length of 31km, the longest dry cave in Asia. With naturally primitive features Thien Duong Cave looks like a landscape painting, making it very attractive to visitors. According to spelunkers, the deeper one journeys into the cave, the more one feels the wells of heavenly clarity all around. There are a series of white crystal stalactites resembling glass pillars and many other spectacular formations.
12:00 Go back to Phong Nha village for having lunch
13:30 On boat to to go to Phong Nha cave which is not only a natural legacy of the world or a wonder of the country Vietnam, but also a relic system of the historic street Ho Chi Minh which collaborates with Xuan Son Ferry in order to create a route supporting for the battleground of the South Vietnam during US War. Today, this place has become the first section of Ho Chi Minh trails. Therefore, coming to Phong Nha means you are visiting this legendary trails.
17:00 Go back to Dong Hoi City for overnight.
After breakfast, we depart to airport to get the flight to Hanoi. You will be welcomed upon your arrival at Noi Bai airport (Hanoi) by our experienced English speaking tour guide and driver before transferring to your hotel for check-in.
If you have chance to stay in Hanoi at the weekend, it is worth to join the interesting night market near Hoan Kiem Lake, featured with walking streets, beautiful red lanterns, local street foods and Vietnamese styled souvenirs.
After a short rest, your tour guide will come to pick you up at your hotel and you will have a cyclo ride around the Old Quarter to observe the daily life of Hanoian, as well as see how locals manage in the incredible traffic.
Start your interesting and fantastic street food & night walking tour (the walking tour will be much more fantastic at the weekend from Friday night to Sunday as many Old Streets will blocked for pedestrians).
At first, the street food tour starts at one of Hanoi’s largest market, Dong Xuan market. In every corner, you can easily find various types of products, from dried food to pork, beef, seafood, from fruits to cakes, candies & fashion stuff. Our tour guide will give you full introductions of Vietnamese food culture with prominent ingredients as well as famous local dishes.
Next, you will try one of the most delicious foods in Hanoi, Banh Cuon at a local restaurant. There, you can easily watch how our master chefs cook and prepare the dish. Banh Cuon is made from a first layer of steamed fermented rice batter and a second layer of minced wood ear mushroom, minced pork, minced shallots that are all rolled together. It is served with dipping sauce consisting of Cha Lua (Vietnamese pork sausage), sliced cucumber, carrot, bean sporuts and fish sauce.
From there, continue our walking tour to the heart of the Old Quarter, wandering around street stalls, passing ancient house & pagodas.
Our next stop is a Grilled Pork Street Stall where small pork pieces are are flame grilled over hot coals. You can also have grilled pork with bread & vegetable that is really a Vietnam specialty and even considered one of the world best hamburgers.
It’s then our time for dessert after some main dishes and fresh fruits should not be missed!!! However, it is not only fresh fruits but all of the stuff will be mixed with condensed milk and crushed ice.
One another try should be the egg coffee, served at a quiet and ancient café shop, hidden behind buildings and busy streets. Cold Beer may be a better choice if coffee is not your style.
Finally, end the trip with Hanoi most famous ice-cream where locals really enjoy.
Ranked among the world's best destinations, Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam with more than 1000 years of history and culture. Hanoi is also well-known for its beautiful lakes with the image of local Tai Chi in the early morning, tree-line boulevards, flowers on bicycles and delicious dishes.
05:30 Wake up early and be ready for an amazing morning trip around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter - the symbols of Hanoi city and Hanoian. You will be surprised by seeing local Hanoians doing morning exercises around Hoan Kiem Lake as they are so natural practicing such strange Tai Chi in their own ways. Let’s see the way they do and join with them! From Hoan Kiem Lake, take a look at the Old Quarter as it is the only time in day you can enjoy quiet atmosphere.
07:00 Have breakfast with Pho - the most famous and popular dish in Vietnam in general and Hanoi in particular.
08:00: Pick up and transfer to visit the Museum of Ethnology - an insight into the 54 different ethnic groups living in Vietnam. It is here you will learn about the cultural diversity of different ethnic groups from religious events to the symbolic rituals as well as display of a variety of Vietnamese homes as full-scale replicas outside.
Continue to the Temple of Literature which is the first university in Vietnam. It was constructed in 1070, first to honor Confucius and nowadays to celebrate the doctorates and ranked scholars of Vietnam.
Have lunch at local restaurant.
Then, you will have an amazing trip to the Train Street (best time to be there is around 2pm as there is a train leaving at 02:30pm and another arrival at 03:30pm) to take fantastic pictures of incoming train as well as see how locals live on both sides of the railway. A little bit far from the hustle, bustle and narrow old streets, Train street is where the trains just hurl through the residential area in mere feed away from local lives. Enjoy a cup of coffee at Train Track Coffee Shop while watching the trains pass.
Next, visit Ho Chi Minh complex with first stop at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside) –a large memorial pays homage to the national hero - President Ho Chi Minh who led the country to independence and reunification. The Mausoleum is located at Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh President read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945 establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Then take a short walk to the Presidential Palace and house on stilts.
Near from Ho Chi Minh complex, we visit to the One Pillar Pagoda (special with unique architecture of lotus flower) - a must-see place for tourists to Hanoi.
Finally, enjoy a fantastic water puppet show.
Overnight in Hanoi.
We start at 9.00 A.M for the 2.5 hour drive (150 km) through national highway to Halong Bay – the most famous World Heritage Site in Vietnam, famous for its beautiful seascape, thousands of spectacular islands and islets jutting out from the sea, amazing caves with marvelous stalagmites and stalactites in different sizes and shapes.
11:30 – 12:00 Upon arrival, you'll be welcomed on board our luxury junk and treated with wine and fresh local seafood. As our junk gliding further into the tranquility of Ha Long Bay amid the towering mountain cliffs and on the emerald green water, you'll have relaxing time combining the fine tastes of the wine and the freshness of Ha Long Bay. During the cruise, we'll stop some times for visiting the amazing Sung Sot cave and the Ti Top white sand beach before anchoring for the night. Overnight on board the junk in the wild of Halong Bay.
It is said that your Vietnam Tours will not be complete without a tour to Halong Bay and spending one night on romantic Halong Cruise. People describe Halong Bay as majestic and mysterious, inspiring and imperious and words alone cannot do justice to the natural wonder that is Halong Bay, a priceless collection of unfinished sculptures hewn from the hand of nature.
After breakfast, we'll take a little sampan to visit a secret lagoon of Ha Long Bay while the surrounding mountains are just waking up. After that our cruise takes us further into the Bay of Bai Tu Long traveling past the Human Head Island, the Turtle Island, and the Duck Islet... to the studio site where the famous Indochine film was shot. Around noon, our junk travels back to the harbor, pick up and drive back to Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Free time at leisure for you to wrap up your memorable Vietnam Holiday until Vivutravel's private guide and driver will transfer you back to Noi Bai airport for your departure flight with the sincere thanks for your travel to Vietnam and with Vivutravel. We hope that you have enjoyed your Vietnam trip and look forward to welcoming you back for your next Vietnam Tours, goodbye and see you again!!!
* What about Cancellation policy?
In case of cancellation, we will not impose any charges if we are not being charged and possible to get refund from our suppliers but if our suppliers apply charges for cancellation, you will have to pay those charges that apply. Cancellation policies vary, depending upon the type of service, the time of year, and the reason for cancellation. We will pass on to you all details of any cancellation policy with our transparent reply upon demand.
General cancellation charges that applied by travel services in Vietnam and Indochina.
- Domestic flights: 25% of the fares
- 3 star hotels, no charge if you cancel 5 -7 days before your arrival. (FIT)
- 4 star hotels, no charge if you cancel 10 - 15 days before your arrival (FIT)
- 5 stars hotels, no charge if you cancel 15 - 20 days before your arrival (FIT)
However, in peak season, we may have to pay the hotels one month before your arrival to secure the booking, and in this case, the cancellation policy will be based on the hotels' cancellation plolicies.
* Can we get refund?
For the unused services, Vivutravel will refund you the money.
ABOUT VIVUTRAVEL
Vivutravel is a local, trustworthy and professional Vietnam tour operator, offering a wide range of Vietnam and Indochina tour packages to the most exciting destinations at most competitive price. Our Business License Number is 0104000493 and our International Tour Operator License Number is 01 – 258. We are very pleased to be a member of Vietnam Administration of Tourism with financial guarantee – a deposit of 1.000,000,000 million Vietnam Dong (US$ 50,000) in a bank of Vietnam. Besides that, we are also official members of VISTA (Vietnam Society of Travel Agents), PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) and higky recommended on Tripadvisor.
Are you planning your Vietnam Holiday, but not sure how to arrange the trip? Getting lost in many tour options? Being sick of searching...? Just leave your troubles behind to read our Vietnam travel guide and send us your requests. Your private travel consultant at Vivutravel will help you design a perfectly suggested tour itinerary and quote which are tailor made to suit your wishes and budget.
* How to plan my Vietnam tour with you?
1. Send us an inquiry by submitting one of our online tour inquiry forms (Click). Tell us as much information as possible. For examples;
- Please tell us how many people will be traveling with you?
- Please tell us your preferred hotels, level of hotel (3, 4 or 5 stars), type of hotel, type of room...
- Please tell us your type of travel, length of travel and activities that you are interested in. For example; Family with kids, Couple's vacation, Honeymoon, Friends, Shopping, Sightseeing, Leisure and Relaxing, Cuisine & Cooking, Kayaking, Caves & Grottoes, Fishing, Swimming, Hiking, Minority, Adventure & Discovery...
- Please tell us where and what you want to visit. If you do not know much about Vietnam and Indochina, just give us your travel plan and ideas and we will create a suggested tour for you.
- Most of our tour guides are English speaking tour guides, but if you want another language like French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Chinese... we can always arrange. Please tell us what you do you expect from your guides, for example; you want a guide with sense of humor? Good knowledge in history & culture? Male/Female guide? Talkative/untalkative? Young/Old guide?
- Please advise if you want breakfast included only or also lunch and dinner. Please let us know if you are a vegetarian, the food you can eat or can't? If you want local food in local restaurants or western food in tourist restaurant...? Actually, you do not have to send us all information, but the more we know, the better we plan your holiday.
2. After having received your inquiry, one of our professional Vietnam travel consultants will email and give you a proposal.
3. If you accept the proposal (you may modify it till you are satisfied with it), we will calculate the tour cost and send you the tour price. If you accept it, please confirm that you would like to book it.
* How Travel Experts at Vivutravel Service you?
"Highest Standards of Quality and Honesty" is the core value of each specialized team at Vivutravel.
Everyone in our company is working hard for only one goal, which is to ensure the highest level of service, luxury, and attention to detail from the minute you begin planning your trip, to the day you return home.
1-on-1 Travel Consultant
After sending us an inquiry, one of our travel consultants will get back to you within 0.5~23.5 hrs. In the next few days, he/she will be working closely with you to formulate a customized tour plan, as well as providing professional suggestions based on your travel interests, time, and budget.
Beside, he/she will keep in contact with you during your entire tour in Vietnam and Indochina, continually checking if everything is going well as planned.
* How to proceed to book Vietnam and Indochina tour with you?
When you decide to book your Vietnam and Indochina holiday with us, please send us your full names (name on passport) for hotel and domestic flight reservations, and your international flight details in and out Vietnam/Indochina for airport transfers / pick up & see off.
* How to pay the deposit and the balance?
Deposit: When the booking is completely confirmed, we will send you confirmation details including confirmed itinerary, invoice, voucher then deposit request of about 30% of the total tour cost (can be less). You can pay by credit cards (via onepay gateway, pay online), make wire transfer, western union. The deposit is used to pay the flight tickets, hotels, train tickets in advance.
Balance: You can pay the rest 2 weeks before your arrival, or you can pay us on your arrival in Vietnam by credit cards, cash (AUD, USD, EUROS, VND...)
* How to enjoy the tour?
Our job is to make your holiday a memorable experience. To make sure you will have a great time, there are something that we should share;
When you request the tour: Please let us know your personal interests so our travel consultants will design and include in the itinerary, or take notes for the hotels, tour guide, restaurants...
Before you come: One week before your arrival. we always send our clients an email to update about the weather and climate, booking status, and remind you to prepare/check the documents, visa...for the holiday.
When on tour: The tour is fixed, but you can always discuss with us if you want to make it more flexible. For example, you want to make some changes in the itinerary, restaurant (meals), tour guide... please just let us know, we will do the best for you.
Tour guide: Please let us know what do you expect from your tour guides and we will arrange the right ones for you.
* Can you buy the international flight tickets for us?
Yes, we do. However, we advise you to buy the flight tickets in and out Vietnam from your end as it is always cheaper than if booked in here.
* Do you offer any discounts?
Yes, we offer discounts for;
- Family with kids and children < 12 years old
- Disable people
- Old people (> 65 years old)
- Second trip with us
- Big group
* How can I pay you the money?
1) Credit card; (secure online payment gateway via Onepay)
ONEPAY - ONLINE PAYMENT GATEWAY (VISA, MASTERCARD, AMEX & JCB ACCEPTED)
Like PayPal, OnePAY is a payment gateway but specialized in Vietnam where the PayPal has not yet reached. This is a perfect and the first payment processor which gains reputation among clients about its efficiency and timely friendly support.
OnePAY in cooperation with biggest bank in Vietnam - Vietcombank which has been implemented this service among many tour operators in Vietnam.
OnePAY is approved by MasterCard for this payment collection on the behalf of us. OnePAY uses SSL Verisign® over internet transaction under 3D-Secure program by respective creditcard companies so you are free from worries your card information disclosed. OnePAY payment portal also meets standards of international financial system such as PCI DSS of PCI Security Standards Council, 3D-Secure of Visa, MasterCard and JCB.
2) Wire transfer (bank transfer)
3) Cash
4) Western union
5) Combination
* Is there any charge if i change my travel plan such as travel dates, tour itinerary, hotels,...?
We are happy to work on your requests, and will not charge you any money. However, if it is too urgent and the date is too close, the hotels or airlines may chare you some money, in this case we will let you know.
* What is the latest time that I can make my reservation?
We suggest you make reservations at least one month before the departure date. If you decide to travel to Vietnam in May, September or October which is peak season, we recommend you make the reservations two months (at least one) before your departure date. Late reservations can not be guaranteed for the availability of domestic flights, hotel rooms, etc.
However, we DO accept late reservations, things are possible at Vivutravel.
* What about Cancellation policy?
In case of cancellation, we will not impose any charges if we are not being charged and possible to get refund from our suppliers but if our suppliers apply charges for cancellation, you will have to pay those charges that apply. Cancellation policies vary, depending upon the type of service, the time of year, and the reason for cancellation. We will pass on to you all details of any cancellation policy with our transparent reply upon demand.
General cancellation charges that applied by travel services in Vietnam and Indochina.
- Domestic flights: 25% of the fares
- 3 star hotels, no charge if you cancel 5 -7 days before your arrival. (FIT)
- 4 star hotels, no charge if you cancel 10 - 15 days before your arrival (FIT)
- 5 stars hotels, no charge if you cancel 15 - 20 days before your arrival (FIT)
However, in peak season, we may have to pay the hotels one month before your arrival to secure the booking, and in this case, the cancellation policy will be based on the hotels' cancellation plolicies.
* Can we get refund?
For the unused services, Vivutravel will refund you the money.
* How do I get a visa?
Vietnam Visa - For those who would like to avoid the perhaps lengthening visa procedures with their local Vietnam's Embassies, the service of Vietnam Visa On Arrival is available for help. It is legitimated and supported by the Vietnamese Immigration Department. We recommend that you choose visa upon arrival, as picking up visa at the Vietnam int'l airport/border is quite simple, easy, no additional charges and no fail.
Steps to obtain Visa on arrival
a) Please provide the following information for us to apply for your visa.
1) Full name on passport
2) Passport number
3) Date of birth
4) Nationality
5) Date of arrival
6) Date of issue
7) Date of expire
8) Please make sure that your passport is still valid for 6 months
You can apply Vietnam visa online through our www.vietnamvisaprovider.com.
b) How long does it take?
It will take 2-3 days (Normal process), 01 day (Urgent process) to get the “Visa Approval Letter” which we will send you via mail. What you need is to print it out and take it along to get the stamp at airports/borders
c) Get the stamp
Upon arrival, you will need to fill in a certain form with your personal information, get the stamp and visa will be done. For this process, you will need to prepare 02 photos (4*6) and $25 USD each in cash which is stamping fee.
* Do our tour guides and drivers have meals with us?
The guide and the driver in each destination will dine at the same restaurant as yours. But, they will not join you unless you invite them.
* Where can I exchange our money into Vietnam currency?
We advise you to stop in any of a Vietnamese bank during the tour (Our tour guides will take you to the bank), you can also exchange money at your hotel, but the exchange rate is not really good.
* Can I use credit cards in Vietnam?
Major credit cards such as Master Card, Visa, Diner's Card, American Express and JCB can be used to purchase goods in large shopping malls and stores in the big and medium cities, to pay for hotel rooms and for meals in some of the fancier restaurants, and to buy plane tickets with them.
Note: If you are to travel to those small cities or even remote rural areas, only cash in Dong can be used.
* Do I need to bring my medical record with me?
Yes, we suggest you take your medical record with you in case that you need it in the event of an emergency, and please also take with you your doctor's name, address and phone number, emergency contact name and phone number, and your insurance company's name, address and phone number.
* When I finish my tour in Vietnam, if I still have some local money, what can I do?
Upon leaving Vietnam, if you still have some local money, you can change them back to foreign currency with your passport and the exchange memos given by the banks or money exchange counters. So please keep those exchange memos well whenever you change money.
* Tipping
Tipping is not compulsory, but expected by your tour guide and driver. We advise you to tip as below:
- US$10 - $15 per day for tour guide
- US$7 - US$10 per day for driver
Note:
- Tipping can be more or less or nothing that depends on how big is the group? And how do you enjoy our services?
- Other tipping for tuktuk, sampan boat, cyclo,... please check with your tour guide during the tour.
* Shopping
Vivutravel guarantees "no shopping tour", which means we protect you from the tourist shopping centers or traps. However, if you want to buy something, our travel consultants, tour guides will give you suggestions, advices and help you buy to avoid being overcharged.
Bargaining is a "Must" when buying something in Vietnam and Indochina.
Vivutravel believes that a good choice of accommodation will be the key factor for a successful holiday, and for many years of experience in tourism, we have created a list of the best hotels and resorts each destination that offer us both more benefits of competitive rates, early birds, guaranteed promotion and discounts with availability.
We pick the selected hotels for you as below:
Location: The hotels must be centrally – located, close to the main attractions and most convenient for you to enjoy your holiday.
Facility & Service Quality: Vivutravel only uses the hotels that are regularly and strictly inspected. The hotel must provide international standards and your every need is cared for by the hotel staff.
Variety in Choice: As Vivutravel offers different styles of tour such as honeymoon,, family, adventure, discovery, homestay,... so we will offer many styles and grades of hotels which are available for different budgets, tastes and culture backgrounds.
Hotel Information for planning your holiday and stay.
2 Stars - From US$35 - US$40:
We hardly use 2 star hotels for our clients but sometimes we have no choice if your trip is in the mountainous or remote areas. Basically, 2 star hotels will offer good size and clean guest rooms with AC, TV, hot water, shower and private bathrooms
3 Stars - From US$40 - US$80:
Offering basic needs for a comfortable stay, good size and clean guest rooms with Free access high speed Internet, Welcome baskets and drinking water, Telephone with international dialing, Electronic safe box in room, Hairdryer, Coffee and Tea, Wake-up service, AC, TV, hot water, shower and private bathrooms. On-site restaurants with breakfast included and lunch or dinner at your own pick up. A small fitness center, spa and swimming pool can be expected.
4 Stars - From from US$80 - US$130:
Offering a wide range of comfortable boutique hotels are available with shopping, dining and entertainment facilities nearby. Featuring quality service, fully furnished rooms, restaurants, fitness center with spa (and swimming pool in most cases), the hotels are expected to offer an above-average accommodation experience.
5 Stars - from US$130 - US$200 – US$ 300:
Offering an extensive range of facilities for an excellent accommodation experience. Multiple restaurants on site and a wide range of choice for buffet breakfast, good size of swimming pool, fitness center and concierge service round out the experience.
Tour guide and driver are Vivutravel's representatives and your travel companions during your travel in Vietnam and Indochina who take care of our travel services and make your holiday a memorable time. Understanding this, Vivutravel always selects the best tour guides and drivers for tours.
Private Guide & Transfer
Vivutravel's tour packages are private and tailor made so during your travel with us, you will have a private tour guide, private driver, and an air-conditioned vehicle escorting you at every destination you travel to. This will provide you with maximized personal care, security, and flexibility.
Tour Guide:
We do understand that a good tour guide will make your holiday a beautiful time and tour guides who work with us are well-paid, experienced with a university background, eager to exchange our culture, lifestyle, knowledge...with travelers, and have a great passion for their country and understand the personal touch.
Note: In Sapa or some mountainous areas, we may use local tour guides who come from the ethnic groups like H'Mong, or Red Dao as they know better than anyone else about their land, culture, customs and habits... and this is also the way that Vivutravel helps the local people a better life.
Vivutravel's requirements for a tour guide:
1 - Licensed at least for 4 years with working experience.
2 - Guiding does require more than just hanging out in the sun. Guides must be friendly and good with people, organized enough to keep groups or people on schedule, quick on their feet and ready for the inevitable snafus that arises.
3 - Must be an honest broker of their services and able to take criticism.
4 - Should be qualified at some level in health, health care or first aid.
5 - Able to relate to people from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds.
6 - Clear speech and good hearing.
7 - Must not be a alcoholic or No-alcohol during working time or anytime when on tour.
8 - Tour guide is a nurse to take care of visitors, a boss to keep the right itinerary, a teacher to give information, an ambassador to introduce our country, an entertainer
9 - Must be on time every time. Being late or delay is unacceptable.
10 - Check flight tickets, train tickets, meals, weather... to make sure things are in order and inform local office if any changes that might effect the tour.
11 - Solve problems with care when there is dissatisfy. Argument should be averted by courtesy.
12 - If any change of itinerary is needed for unexpected reasons, your private tour guides will be more than accommodating in suggesting alternatives to ensure that you always have a wonderful experience.
Transportation:
Vivutravel guarantees to offer the best means of transport during your holiday in Vietnam and Indochina. The safety, comfort and security of our customers come first. We use only the latest modern cars, vans, coaches and all our drivers are full time workers, government licensed in the tourism industry with at least 5 years driving experience. We are fully in control of our quality and service as we own our vehicles.
Vivutravel's requirements for a tour driver.
- Our drivers must be good drivers with at least 5 years of experience
- Our drivers must keep the vehicles clean,
- Our drivers are not allowed to hear cell-phone or smoke, chat, drink when driving.
- Our drivers must be friendly, helpful.
- Our drivers are not allowed to take you to shops unless you ask for.
- Your vehicle in each destination is air conditioned, insured, clean, and regularly maintained.
Tipping
Tipping is not compulsory, but expected by your tour guide and driver. We advise you to tip as below:
- US$10 - $15 per day for tour guide
- US$7 - US$10 per day for driver
- Tipping can be more or less or nothing that depends on how big is the group? And how do you enjoy our services?
- Other tipping for tuktuk, sampan boat, cyclo,... please check with your tour guide during the tour.
Indochina holiday to Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand offers you some of the world's best food and it is really the highlight of your travel. Vivutravel tends to include meals where necessary and when special. Other meals are at your own choices.
Breakfast:
Breakfast is included at all hotels and is buffet breakfast with Asian and Western food.
Lunch
Lunches (if included) are usually set menu at handpicked local restaurant with comfortable dining environment where you can rest assure to taste the local flavor. All restaurants are carefully selected and highly recommended.
If allergic to some food
We suggest you to list any food or ingredients that you are allergic to and let our travel consultant know. Then your travel consultant will mark them in the guide’s itinerary, so that our reservation's team and tour guides in different cities can make some preparations and arrangements in advance.
Dinner
Dinners are only included if you stay overnight in a homestay, overnight on cruise in Halong Bay, Mekong Delta or at some special occasions such as welcome dinner, farewell dinner or on requested. So dinners are at your own choice and arrangement, but Vivutravel's tour guide will always give you good suggestions based on your preferences.
This is private tour with a flexible schedule. There is no other traveler on the tour. You will have a private English speaking tour guide and a private air-conditioned vehicle in each destination. This is sample tour and can always be personalized to meet your personal needs and travel budget.
Planning the tour:
Prompt response in 0.5-10 hours
Supported by private travel consultant
Unlimited changes, no charge
Our guarantee:
Quality service and affordable price with added value
Use of excellent local guides
Use of well-selected hotels
Use of comfortable vehicles
Worry-free & one-stop service
Excellent customer care
Methods of payment:
Deposit 30% in advance after the tour is confirmed
Balance paid on arrival in cash, credit cards, traveler's cheque
Online and secure payment by bank transfer or credit cards