Mai Chau is located about 160km from Hanoi. The valley offers stunning sceneries with emerald green mountains & paddy fields, and distinctive cultures of ethnic minority. The next destination is Moon Garden – the best homestay in Vietnam. You can immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere in the outskirt of Hanoi and participate in many interesting activities to get a deeper perception of Vietnamese rural life.
Destinations: Mai Chau Valley, Moon Garden Homestay, Ky Son Village, Duong Lam Ancient Village
Highlights: Visit Mai Chau Valley, discover unique culture of Thai Ethnic minority in Mai Chau, experience local life in Ky Son & Duong Lam villages, try local activities such as worshipping, fishing, cooking, farming
Brief itinerary:
Day 1: Hanoi - Mai Chau Valley
Day 2: Mai Chau - Moon Garden Homestay
Day 3: Moon Garden Homestay - Hanoi
This trip offers amazing opportunities to visit countryside areas and discover daily life of local people. You take a first visit to Mai Chau Valley - home of Thai Ethnic minority with unique lifestyle. Then stay at Moon Garden Homestay - one of the best homestays in Vietnam, visit to nearby villages, explore local daily life and experience local activities.
ITINERARY
Please contact us at info@vivutravel.com for booking
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!
This morning, our private guide and driver will pick you at your hotel and depart for Mai Chau. We drive on a beautiful and hilly road to Mai Chau. On half way, Optional, stop for visiting Hoa Binh Hydro Power Station – The biggest power station in Vietnam. You will arrive at Mai Chau around noon. Have lunch and relax.
In the afternoon, we will go trekking for 2 hours to visit Lac & Poom Coong villages here you will have chance to see “Tho Cam” - a unique product of Thai people. See the houses on stilts and sink deep in Thai’s customs by enjoying a traditional music show and taste “Ruou Can” – special local wine. Overnight in the home of Thai hill tribe (Ban Lac village).
Mai Chau, the heart of a beautiful valley that is a world away from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi. The modern village is an unappealing sprawl, but as you emerge on the rice fields and rural living it is transformed into a real paradise. It’s a stunning area and a great Vietnam Tour to do!!!
Free exploration of Ban Lac village. After lunch, drive to Ky Son (Moon Garden Homestay).
Arrive at the lodge "Moon Garden" in Ky Son village in the afternoon. A local drink will be available in welcome. Free time to explore the Country and the village Ky Son. Meanwhile perfumed water for the shower, you can drink and eat local products such as sweet potatoes or corn, peanut, cassava ... offered by the owner of the house depending on the season.
18h00: Traditional herbal bath scented (lemon, grapefruit leaves and Huong Nhu).
19h30: Dinner by candlelight.
20.30: Observing the special worship of the Buddha and "Spa" Foot: The feet soaked in hot water with ginger, salt and herbs Ngai Cuu before bedtime.
7:00: Gymnastics Yijinjing with traditional family
7:30: Breakfast, then you will participate in the ceremony of burning votive papers for the dead.
8:30: Bike rides with local guide through the paths of the campaign Thac Thang village to discover the tomb of King Ngo Quyen, the temple of King Phung Hung, the ancient village of Duong Lam Pagoda and Mia. Back home.
11h00: You are participating in cooking classes.
12:30: Lunch
13h30: "Spa" of the hand (you dip your fingers in a scented water for a little massage of the hand). Free time to relax on the hammocks in the garden, take pictures with traditional dress, or walk around freely in contact with people until you Say goodbye. Back to Hanoi with visit to famous Duong Lam ancient village and Mia Pagoda. Arrive in Hanoi at around 16:00. End of an beautiful Vietnam tour.
How do I get to Hanoi?
There is an airport close to Hanoi city called the Noi Bai airport. Airport taxi is available that costs around $10 and 30 minutes to get to City Center (Old Quarter of Hanoi). Local buses and airlines buses are many, it costs from $0.40 to $2, but it takes an hours or longer.
Hanoi has a train station connecting with China, the Center and the South of Vietnam. Train travel is a great option for budget travelers or for those who want to experience the train in Vietnam.
Can I drink tap water in hanoi?
It is not recommended to drink the tap water straight from the sink in Hanoi. Always drink bottled, boiled, purified, or pasteurized water. You can however boil the tap water with an electric kettle as it will then be safe enough to drink.
Will I be able to access the internet in Hanoi?
Internet cafés are extremely common in Hanoi. Most coffee shops, restaurants and even some shops offer free wifi. All hotels should have wifi, and you can even purchase a sim card for your international phone at a low price.
When is the best time to visit Hanoi?
Vietnam is separated into 3 parts, the North, South and Center. Hanoi is located in the North of Vietnam so it is characterized by the tropical monsoon climate. This means that there are four distinguished seasons in Hanoi each year. The hot and rainy seasons often last from May through August. It is known as the “summer months” and it is quite hot in Hanoi during this time. February through April is known to be rainy and have high humidity. Another season is September through December in which the climate is slightly cool and dry. There is autumn sunlight during this time as well.
It may not be the prime months to travel during February through April, but the positives are that there will be less crowds and cheaper pricing. It is a bit better weather to visit Hanoi in May through August, but still pretty hot. September to December is probably the best time for you to travel to Hanoi due to the weather, but be ready to spend a bit more and experience greater crowds as well.
Are credit cards accepted widely in Hanoi?
If you visit Hanoi or other regions in Vietnam, credit cards can be, but are not always accepted. The main places that would accept credit cards are big shopping centers, big restaurants, touristic places and hotels. It would be more convenient to come prepared with cash. You can pull money out of ATMs or exchange money in many banks and currency exchange offices in Hanoi.
Is tipping expected in restaurants in Hanoi?
Specifically in the country of Vietnam, tipping is not usually expected. But as a foreigner coming to a country in which the people are not highly paid, it would be nice to tip at least 10% for a job well done or good service. It may not be much to you but it could greatly improve the amount that a waiter or hotel worker makes in one day.
Which are the best places in Hanoi for nightlife?
If you are into clubs, bars or pubs, Hanoi has a few options.
-Le Pub Xuan Dieu Hanoi is located in Xuan Dieu, which is part of trendy Tay Ho. (9 Xuan Dieu Str, Tay Ho Dist, Hanoi )
- SBB also Known as “Special Belgian Beer is for beer lovers. (16 To Hien Thanh, Hanoi).
- Sunset bar is a relaxed bar near the West lake. It has a modern feel with woven couches and comfortable daybeds helping you to relax after a long day of walking around. (1A Nghi Tam St, Intercontinental Hotel, West Lake).
What is the best mode of transportation to go around in the Old Quarters?
The best mode of transportation to explore the Old Quarter of Hanoi would be electric cars and they are everywhere in Hanoi’s streets. This is great for a group or if you have old or young members of your party. If you are all in good shape and have 4 or less people, you can hire a cycle (xich lo), ride a bicycle, or even walk all over!
What is the traffic situation in Hanoi?
There are many kinds of vehicles on Hanoi’s roads, especially scooters. It can feel a bit chaotic at first, but it is part of the charm in Hanoi. A rule of thumb is not to wait for a break in the flow of scooters (it may never come), but instead walk out with intent and people will simply avoid you. You will get the hang of it as you are there for a day or so.
What festivals or holidays occur in Hanoi?
There are a number of different festivals that occur annually in Vietnam.
-The Mid-Autumn Festival is an official harvest festival of Vietnam. It is held on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar, during a full moon, which is in September or early October in the Gregorian calendar, within 15 days to the autumnal equinox. You will experience fascinating and special cultural activities. A common food item that can be served is moon cake. This holiday takes place, different days each year, and in 2019 it is September 13, but will be on October 1 in 2020.
-Vietnamese Independence Day is on September 2nd annually to celebrate the independence day of Vietnam.
-Vietnamese New Year is held January 25 2020, and February 12, 2021. This is a 3 day event where families come together to celebrate the new year, and the vietnamese people believe that the spirits of deceased relatives come back to the earth to celebrate with them.
-Co Loa festival occurs in February of each year. There are wrestling and parades throughout Hanoi.
-Dong festival occurs in March and is the celebration held in the Gia Lam district with beautiful water puppet shows.
-Le Mat festival also occurs in March and commemorates Hoang Duc Trung.
-The Chem temple festival occurs in June. The different activities include, dragon boats flowing on the red river as well as kite flying festivities. This will take place nearby Thuy Phuong in the Tu Lien district.
-In August the Do son buffalo festival takes place but this does have buffalo fighting, so this may not be a festival you want to bring your children to. This takes place a few hours outside of Hanoi in Hai phong.
Can I eat street food in Hanoi?
Yes street food is safe to eat in Hanoi and all of Vietnam. The most important thing to do is to pick somewhere that looks somewhat clean. Often the street food is fresher and tastier than in a restaurant. A good rule of thumb is to select a place with a long line, or one that is busy with locals during normal eating hours. You can choose to take probiotics before your trip just as a precaution.
What should I eat in Hanoi?
Hanoi is very well known for budget eateries and amazing food. There are many foods that you can find even just on the street in Hanoi. West Lake Shrimp Pancake is a delicacy. Hanoi noodle, better known as pho, is one of the famous traditional foods that is eating around the world. It is a way to partake in the food culture of Hanoi. “Pho cuon” also known as rolled pho and is another favorite cuisine of Vietnamese from Hanoi. One famous restaurant to find pho cuon is called Ngu Xa.
Another thing you must try in Hanoi is the famous coffee. The most impressive form of coffee in Hanoi is egg coffee. Egg coffee is very popular and tastes incredible. A tourist once commented that “the egg coffee is definitely unique and must try, even for non-coffee lovers”(TripAdvisor). A few famous places to try egg coffee are:
Giảng cafe: No.106 Yen Phu Street (near West Lake)
No.39 Nguyen Huu Huan Street (near the Old Quarter)
Đinh cafe: No.13 Dinh Tien Hoang Street (has lake view of the Sword Lake)
Where can I go shopping in Hanoi?
The best thing about shopping in Hanoi is that you can do so by walking everywhere. Many of the streets are dedicated to specific trades, especially in the old quarters. Hang Gai street is where you can find hand made silk while Hang Bac street has silver. The largest market in Hanoi is the Dong Xuan market and Quang Ba is the largest flower market.
Is Hanoi safe to walk around at night alone, as a family or as a single woman?
Hanoi is an extremely safe city. As with anywhere in the world, exercise caution if you are extremely intoxicated, or wandering around in dark alleyways. But in general, there is an extremely low rate of crime, and nothing to worry about in terms of danger.
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.
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.
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