Where is Hue located?
Hue is a city 700km from Hanoi, and is located almost exactly in the center of the east Vietnamese coast line. It is only 8km from the South China Sea, and has a river running through it. Hue is fully surrounded by a wall, due to the city being filled with many artifacts.

How do I get to Hue from Hanoi?
There are a few ways to get from Hanoi to Hue, by bus, train and plane. Flights are quite cheap and will only take around 1 hour, but by car it is 700km and 1 hours. The bus will cost anywhere from 300,000-450,000 dong which is $12-22 usd. Make sure to arrive 1 hour early with your ticket to insure you will be able to take the bus and your seat won’t be given away. For train travel, it will take 14 hours but may be a bit more comfortable as there are great sleeper trains. These trains are available in a large range of prices and classes. From 450,000- 800,000 dong which is $16-40 usd. There are luxury options as well which can be booked online for maximum convenience.

What should I eat in Hue?
There are over 1000 types of local dishes in Hue. Some of them include: bun bo hue, nem lui, com hen, bun thit nuong and che. Try them all and see what interests you!

What is there to do in Hue?
Hue is a city filled with so many incredible activities such as:

●    The Imperial palace: Surrounded by the imperial enclosure, the imperial palace is surrounded by walls 6 meters high and 2.5km long. Included within these walls are the old emperor’s residence, different temples, and palaces. Unfortunately there used to be much more available to see here, but this area was bombed during both the French and American wars so only 20 out of the original 148 buildings exist now. You can take around ½ of a day to explore this area. The cost to enter is 150,000 dong, and the hours of operation are from 7am-530pm, but open until 10pm during high season which is April-September.

●    To Mieu temple complex: This is a beautifully restored complex boats a beautiful buddhist temple.

●    Tombs: There are multiple tombs for your enjoyment in Hue. The tombs of Minh Mang, Tu Duc, and Khai Dinh are interesting, beautiful and historical.

●    Tu Hieu pagoda: This pagoda is in a beautiful natural setting. Surrounded by pine trees, now 70 monks live here and chant every morning before the sun rises as well as three other times per day. If you would like to go view the chanting you can view this at 430am, 10am, 12 noon, 4pm or 7pm.

●    Nam Giao Esplanade: This was once the most important site for religious activity in Vietnam. There used to be animal sacrifices for different Buddhist gods. This tourist attraction has English captions so you will be able to follow along and understand the history.

What is there to do at night in Hue?
At night time, there are many wonderful and exciting activities to do in Hue such as:

●    Dong Ba market: One very popular activities is to head to the Dong Ba Market. At the Dong Ba market you will find tons of different types of local food to try.

●    Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street night market: Night markets in Asia are extremely popular, and Vietnam is no exception to this rule. This night market is right next to the Perfume river. There are many beautiful views to be had as you walk through the night market, eat local food and snacks, then view local handicrafts being sold.

●    View the Truong Tien bridge: At night the Truong Tien bridge is a site to see. The entire bridge is lit up in rainbow colors. One fun thing to do is to pick up a local coffee and drink it while walking along the bridge.

●    Take a cruise on the Perfume river: If you enjoy music then this will be a very fun activity for you. Listen to local music from around 100 years ago. This was the music used to entertain the royal family. Enjoy this while cruising the perfume rive through Hue.

●    Take a stroll or have a party on walking street: For those who enjoy a bit of a party, going out on the roads of Vo Thi Sau will be a fun nighttime activity. There are many local bars to hop around to until the early hours of the morning.

Will I be able to access the internet in Hue?
Wifi is readily accessible in many parts of Vietnam, and Hue is no exception. Wifi is usually free, but when it is not there are internet cafes that can charge between 3000-8000 dong per hour. It is also easy and quite cheap to purchase a sim card that you will be able to use throughout Vietnam, even in many rural areas.

When is the best time of year to visit Hue?
There are two many seasons to visit Hue in, the wet and the dry season. There is a mountain range which keeps the moisture in during the rainy season, and makes it quite humid. These mountains also keep the heat in during the dry months, so generally it is quite warm in Hue. Most of the time it is good to keep a raincoat, as the weather is quite unpredictable.

Wet season: The wet season occurs from September to March. The weather will be a bit more humid but also a bit more cold. Expect there to be sun after a large amount of rainfall. Try to avoid the typhoon season which is from September to December as there is flash floods and a lot of rain. One positive of traveling during this time is that prices are a lot cheaper. I you do decide to travel during this time, try to bring a raincoat or small umbrella at all times as you never know when the rain will fall.

Dry season: Essentially the best time to visit Hue is from January through April. The rain is not as intense and the weather is quite nice, between 20-24 degrees celsius. There are also many festivals during this time such as the Lunar New Year (either in January or February), and Hue Festival in April. The actual dry season begins March through August. One negative aspect of traveling around this time is that the temperatures are very high and there are many more tourists. The prices also go up as this is considered high season, and you will definitely need to book in advance. But if you prefer nice weather then this is the time to visit. The temperature can range anywhere from 30-40 degrees at its maximum. Make sure to bring a big bottle of water everywhere you go to avoid hydration. Sunscreen is also very important, and still have a raincoat in case of sudden downpours.

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.