VBT07: Grand Vietnam Tour on a budget - 16 days from Hanoi

Destinations: Hanoi - Sapa - Halong Bay - Hue - Hoi An - My Son - Ho Chi Minh - Cu Chi - Mekong Delta

Highlights: Ho Chi Minh bustling city with beautiful French Corner, Mekong Delta with mightly river ways, Hoi An Ancient Town with peaceful atmosphere and old buildings, Hue Royal Citadel, Hanoi Capital City, Halong Bay

Grand Vietnam tour on a Budget in brief:

Day 1: Hanoi arrival
Day 2: Hanoi city tour - Night train to Lao Cai / Sapa
Day 3: Lao Cai - Sapa
Day 4: Sapa - Lao Chai & Ta Van hill tribe villages - Sapa
Day 5: Sapa free day
Day 6: Hanoi - Halong Bay - Overnight on board
Day 7: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Flight to Hue
Day 8: Hue city tour
Day 9: Hue - Drive to Hoi An
Day 10: My Son half day tour
Day 11: Hoi An - Danang - Flight to Ho Chi Minh
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh city tour
Day 13: Ho Chi Minh - Cao Dai temple & Cu Chi tunnels - Ho Chi Minh
Day 14: Ho Chi Minh - Cai Be floating market - Can Tho
Day 15: Can Tho - Cai Rang floating market - Ho Chi Minh
Day 16: Ho Chi Minh departure

Looking for a beautiful Vietnam holiday? Have a tight budget, or simply want to join a group tour and make new friends on the way?

 

 TOUR ITINERARY

Please contact us at info@vivutravel.com for booking and more information

  • Tour Class

  • 3 Star Hotel
  • 4 Star Hotel
  • 5 Star Hotel
  •  

    High Season

  •  

    (Jan 1 - Apr 30 & Oct 1 - Dec 31)

  • 3 Star HotelFrom $
  • 4 Star HotelFrom $
  • 5 Star HotelFrom $
  •  

    Low season

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    (May 1 - Sep 9)

  • 3 Star HotelFrom $
  • 4 Star HotelFrom $
  • 5 Star HotelFrom $

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!

Hanoi arrival

Vietnam tops list of the most attractive destinations and tours of Vietnam are diversified. Moreover, your travel in Vietnam organised by Vivutravel, will definitely be the best holiday ever. Upon arrival, our private Vietnam Tourguide and driver will welcome your Vietnam Holiday, pick up and transfer to the hotel for check in. Hanoi, a city where the exotic chic of old Asia blends with the dynamic face of new Asia. Where the medieval and modern co-exist. A city with a blend of Parisian grace and Asian pace, an architectural museum piece evolving in harmony with its history, rather than bulldozing through like many of the region’s capitals. Hanoi is where imagination becomes reality.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 01

Hanoi city tour – Night train to Sapa ( Breakfast, Lunch)

AM: 08:00-08:30 Our guide & driver will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter. Then visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum. Enjoy the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho's final resting-place. Just next door is Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts. Lying to one side of the Mausoleum is the One Pillar Pagoda; founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049 the structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Continue to visit the Quan Thanh Temple (Taoist - dating from the Ly Dynasty) and Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda on West lake (One of the oldest in Vietnam). Lunch.

PM: After lunch proceed to visit the Literature Temple and Quoc Tu Giam. Vietnam’s first university constructed in 1070, it’s gardens and well-preserved architecture offers a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Then visit Bat Trang pottery village. After that, we will take you past Hoan Kiem Lake to see the peaceful waters and visit Ngoc Son temple. For the end of the tour, visit by coach trip along the Hanoi Old Quarter and enjoy water puppet show.

Note:

+ On Monday and Friday morning~ Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ethnic museums are closed – Bat Trang pottery village will be arranged as substitution.

+ On Saturday and Sunday~ enjoy the water puppet show in Museum of Ethnology and 01 hour visiting the Old Quarter by Cyclo.

In the evening, pick up and transfer to Hanoi railway station for overnight on train.

Day 02

Lao Cai – Sapa ( Breakfast)

Arrive in the early morning in the border town of Lao Cai where it's a short transfer to Sapa by shuttle bus (Vivutravel arranges in advance). In the terraced hills and mountains of this area, the monotony of the expansive green landscape is enlivened by the colours of its hill tribe population. It is here you will find hands stained with colour from fabric dyes and shades of blue, red and green intricately embroidered and stitched into jackets, waistcoats, pants, skirts, caps, purses and leggings.

Upon your arrival, have breakfast at your hotel (Check in if the room is available,a nd early check in on request, you pay extra). Today is free for you to explore Sapa on your own. Within  walking distance, you can visit Sapa market market where Red Dao, Black & Flower H'Mong, Tay and other ethnic minority people converge from the surrounding countryside to sell their silverware and handicrafts, and to buy provisions, or walk to Cat Cat village, Ham Rong Mountain.

Overnight in Sapa.

Day 03

Sapa – Lao Chai & Ta Van hill tribe villages – Sapa ( Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast, you will join a group tour (with unknow tourists) to trek down the most beautiful valley of Sapa (Muong Hoa Valley) and visit to Lao Chai and Ta Van village of the Black H'mong and the Day people. It is here where you can enjoy fresh air, amazing scenery of the imposing Hoang Lien Son mountain range, enjoy the world's most beautiful terraced rice fields, visit some local family on the way and learn unique culture and lifestyles of these ethnic groups. Back to Sapa by joined bus, free at leisure for the rest of the day.

Overnight in Sapa.

Day 04

Sapa free day – Night train back to Hanoi ( Breakfast)

Free day at leisure. At around 05 pm, we arrange the shuttle bus for your trip back to Lao Cai and wait for the overnight train to Hanoi.

Note: If It is Sunday, Bac Ha Market tour is on request: US$ 20 per person (Joined tour)

Day 05

Hanoi – Halong bay – Overnight on board ( Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Arrive in Hanoi in the early morning, hotel taxi pick you up and transfer to a mini-hotel for having breakfast and taking a short rest.

08h00 – 08h30 Pick-up at hotel and start the 3 hour-and-a-half drive to Halong Bay

12h00 – 12h30 Embark on Oriental Sails followed by cruise briefing

13h00 – 15h30 Savor a delectable lunch as Oriental Sails cruise further along the limestone islands of Fighting Cock, Turtle Island …

15h30 – 17h30 Visit Amazing Cave(Sung Sot Cave) and kayak along the hidden parts of the bay

17h30 – 19h00 Go swimming, snap photos or just relax as the sun starts to set

19h00 Dinner is served. Socialize with other guests or just laze around.

Overnight on board.

Day 06

Halong bay – Hanoi – Flight to Hue ( Breakfast, Lunch)

06h30 – 07h00 Start your day with swimming, exercise or photo

07h00 – 11h00 Have breakfast at sunrise. Visit Ti Top Island, cruise to Ba Hang Fishing Village, pass Dog Rock and Incense Burner, and then head back to the Harbor

Have lunch around 11h00

12h00 – 16h30 Transfer back to Hanoi and trip finishes at the hotel around 16h30.

18:00    Private car & guide see off at Hanoi airport for flight to Hue. Upon your arrival at Hue airport, private car & guide pick up and transfer to hotel for checking in.

Overnight in Hue.

Day 07

Hue city tour ( Breakfast, Lunch)

08:00 Pick up you at your hotel and then take a full day to discover Hue: visit Emperor Khai Dinh stomb, Performing Programs Of VO KINH VAN AN - Vietnam Traditional cungfu and Emperor Tu Duc ’s stomb. Stop on the way to see how conical hats and incense sticks are made. Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit Imperial capital during Nguyen Dynasty, An Hien Garden House and the seven – storey Thien Mu Pagoda on the riverbank. Return by boat on the gentle Perfume River .

17:00 Arrive in your hotel.

Day 08

Hue – Drive to Hoi An ( Breakfast)

After breakfast, we drive to Hoi An,  a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries whose architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years and for sure, Hoi An is a wonderful destination for all kinds of Vietnam Tours. This scenic drive passes through the fishing village of Lang Co before climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds. Along the way, stop in Danang to visit the Cham Museum which contains the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world.

Upon arrival in Hoi An, free to take walking tour of the Hoi An ancient town centre. Overnight in a Hoi An hotel.

Day 09

My Son half day tour ( Breakfast, Lunch)

07:50 - 08:10 Pick up at hotel. Transfer to My Son Holy Land

09:15: Arrive at My Son forest. Take a walking tour to visit the legendary complex of Champa royal worshipping towers and temples. Enjoy Champa musical performance.

12:30: Have lunch with local food

15:00: Send-off guest at hotel.

Day 10

Hoi An – Danang – Flight to Ho Chi Minh ( Breakfast)

Free at leisure until we pick you up and transfer you to the airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh. Upon your arrival at Ho Chi Minh airport, pick up and transfer to hotel for checking in.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Day 11

Ho Chi Minh city tour ( Breakfast, Lunch)

08:00-08:30AM. Pick up at your hotel. We will visit War Crime Museum (This museum tells the story of war from the Vietnamese perspective. Exhibits include photographs, machinery, and weapons that depict the harsh realities of war). Continue Thien Hau Temple (One of the most important pagodas in the city, this richly decorated temple is dedicated to Thien Hau, the Goddess of the Sea and patron of sailors. She is said to travel over the oceans on a mat and ride the clouds to wherever she desires).  China town (Settled in the late 18th century, this labyrinthine section of Ho Chi Minh City bustles with restaurants, temples, exotic stores, and markets) and Binh Tay market (This is the main marketplace in China Town, where a great deal of wholesale trading occurs. Experience the commotion of this integral part of the city's daily business). Then we have a lunch at restaurant.

Afternoon: We visit Reunification Hall which was the residence of the President Ngo Dinh Diem of the former South Vietnam until 1975 (1960s - Apr 1975s). You will see many interesting things: formal meeting rooms, private bedrooms, war situation rooms 10 meter beneath earth’s level. This address today still holds many important functions in HCMC. We have guide who speaks your language (English speaking tour guide) to tell you important historical facts about this building and some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral (Located in the heart of the city, this cathedral was built by the French in the late 1877s. A large statue of the Virgin Mary greets you as you walk into this neo-Romanesque cathedral, adorned by two tall spires flanking either side).

General Post Office ( Designed by Gustav Eiffel, the Post Office is a testament to the French presence in the late 1800s. The look and feel of this grand building is like an elegant railway station).

City Hall (Find out why this is one of the most photographed buildings in Ho Chi Minh City. Constructed in the early 1900s, City Hall is a beautiful example of French colonial architecture).

Day 12

Cai Dai temple – Cu Chi tunnels ( Breakfast, Lunch)

You might have wonderd if VN has a religion of its own. The answer is yes, and its name is Cao Dai. CaoDaiists believe that, before God existed, there was the Tao which was nameless, formless, and unchanging. Then, a Big Bang occurred, out of which God was born. The universe could not yet be formed and to do so, God created yin and yang....

08:15 - 08:30 Our driver will pick you up at your hotel, take our tour to Tay Ninh - a province 95 kms South East of HCMC, close to Cambodia border. The Cao Dai Temple is like a Walt Disney fantasia of the East. Its exterior is decorated with multi-colored dragons of all shapes and sizes competing for space with a number of swastikas. Above the main entrance is the all-seeing holy eye, the symbol of the Cao Dai sect. The interior is just as engaging as statues of Jesus Christ, Buddha and the Hindu god, Brahma, stand side by side.

At about 13.00 pm, after lunch, will leave Tay Ninh and travel to Cu Chi. Once in Vietnam, you must visit this spot. This is where guerilla warfare optimized and exemplified. You’ll learn the clever design of the tunnels and the strategic use of trap doors. Even with B-52 bombers dropping 30-ton loads of explosive, turning the jungle into a pockmarked moonscape, 30 thousand American troops failed to conquered the area! You’ll have a chance to crawl around a portion of the 121 km long, multiple-layered tunnel. You’ll learn how thousands of guerillas managed to stay underground many days at a time, also their great technique to conceal smoke from their cooking. There’re a lot more to enjoy, even a chance to fire real AK bullets…

Day 13

Ho Chi Minh – Cai Be floating market – Can Tho ( Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

07.30 – 07:45AM: Pick up & start to Mekong Delta Tour

10.30am: Arrive in Cai Be, you’ll board a motorized boat that takes you to the floating market and spend time there for an interaction that you’ll see no where else in the world.

Next, then on foot to reach a coconut candy, a crispy rice cake factories (served free with premium hot tea) and you might buy coconut candy and handcrafted items from coconut trees of Mekong Delta for souvenir.

When you feel it's enough for the serenity, let's get back to the large motor boat for something different in An Binh Island. It is well-known fresh fruits whole year. On the way , we have a chance to look the sightseeing 2 long sides river and find out the life of rural people in Mekong Delta.

The time now should be around 12 noon. Time for lunch! Let's go to the local people's house for that (in the seasonable fruits garden).

After lunch, we are divided into many groups and get on small row boats. During this 20 minutes trip, your boat will zigzag thru a maze of shadow canals to enjoy the fresh air along the canal and beautiful water coconut tree scenery. Then we will ride bicycles and roaming through a village about 20 minutes to check out our natural landscape with quite and peace villages or we can relax on a hammock for a short rest in Mekong Delta.

The next stop is Vinh Long City from An Binh Island (35 minutes by boat), we will land on a marketplace and walk around to see how and what the poor rural people of Vietnam sell in Vinh Long City. You are encouraged to interact with the vendors and see how friendly and respectful they are. You might also buy many interesting things for very little amount of money. We spend about ½ hr here and then board our bus/private car and travel to Can Tho.

Overnight in Can Tho.

Day 14

Can Tho – Cai Rang floating market – Ho Chi Minh ( Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast, around 7:15 am, we board a boat and travel for about 40 minutes to get to our first spectacular landscape ---- Cai Rang floating market...

This is the largest of its type in the whole Mekong delta. During this visit, you'll have a chance to board a merchant boat that sells pineapples which come from Can Tho City.

After that, we continue on our riverine route for 5-7 minutes and then on foot for about 5 minutes to reach a noodle and a rice paper factories.

The next stop is a rice processing factory where you'll learn the many steps that transform "rice with a brown cover" to the delicious and beautiful rice grain that we consume daily.

The time now should be around 12 noon. Time for lunch! Let's go back to Can Tho for that.

We end our sightseeing trip at downtown Can Tho. On the way back to Saigon by bus/private car, we'll have a stop at an interesting point to rest and also have photographs.

Finish trip in Ho Chi Minh at 19.00 pm.

Day 15

Ho Chi Minh departure ( Breakfast)

Free time at leisure for you to wrap up your memorable Vietnam Holiday until Vivutravel's private guide will see you off at the airport 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!!

Day 16

Inclusion:

  • 2 Economy Domestic flights: Hanoi - Hue,Danang - Ho Chi Minh
  • Hotel accommodation (Check-in time: 14h00, Check-out time: 12h00)
  • Return train tickets Hanoi - Lao Cai - Hanoi
  • Private car/mini van
  • All entrance fees
  • Boat Trip in Halong, Hue, Mekong Delta
  • English speaking guides (Except for free days)
  • Meals as per program
  • Visa approval letter to Vietnam (Except for $25 usd per person as stamping fee at the airport)

Exclusion:

  • Early check-in & late check-out
  • International flight in/ out Vietnam
  • Tips
  • Drinks
  • Personal Expenses
  • Insurance

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;

Pata http://www.patamanager.org/Members/8088
Asta http://www.travelsense.org/vivutravel
Tripadvisor http://www.tripadvisor.com/vivutravel

vivutravel team in hanoi

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 guides 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 guide 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.

vietnam tour

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.

vivutravel vietnam tour

* 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, train tickets, no charge if you cancel 3-5 days before your arrival. (FIT)
- 4 star hotels, 7 - 10 days before your arrival (FIT)
- 5 stars hotelS, 10 - 15 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.

vietnam tour
* 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.

Download the form that you will need to fill your personal information at airport/border here

* 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 change 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 change 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.

vivutravel travel consultant team

* 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.

vietnam hotel

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.

vivutravel tour guidevietnam tour guide

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.

vivutravel driver and busvivutravel car

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.

vietnam hotel

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.

vietnam travelvietnam holidays

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.

Your rate:
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Enquiry
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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