Those interested in travelling to Southeast Asia might find themselves with many questions. For our clients’ peace of mind, we have collected some of the most frequently-asked questions to Discovery Indochina.
From food to weather, transportation and accommodation, click on the drop-down sections below to find answers to your questions. If you cannot find an answer to your question here, feel free to visit our interactive Questions & Answers forum or contact us!
It is as simple as contacting us- via email, phone, or Facebook messenger! Our friendly and professional staff are knowledgeable about the services we offer, and can provide helpful advice and practical travel tips. They are pleased to help you or your travel agent select your holiday. This is one reason why most our passengers join us through personal referrals or have had a great experience with us before.
Our trips are first and foremost fun, educational and engaging and can be undertaken by anyone in good shape. All our trips are graded, thus helping you to choose a suitable trip. Bear in mind that our tour products have a wide range from easy touring to physically challenges, not to mention adventure trekking, sea kayaking and mountaineering trips. For those who would prefer a less active holiday, or otherwise have specific interests and concerns- such as a family trip- please do let us know. We take pride in tailored holiday packages and in being able to come up with itineraries for everyone.
Viet Nam
The climate in Ho Chi Minh City and elsewhere in the south is hottest and most humid in March and April. The dry season runs from November to April and the rainy season from May to October. In the north, the wet season is from May to September; December to March are the driest months.
The climate in Ho Chi Minh City and elsewhere in the south is hottest and most humid in March and April. The dry season runs from November to April and the rainy season from May to October. In the north, the wet season is from May to September; December to March are the driest months.
Cambodia
The climate is tropical with three seasons. The most pleasant being the dry season from November to February when temperatures are cooler. The hot season lasts from March to May with average temperatures in the high 90s. The monsoon season, which is both hot and humid, is from June to October. The wettest months are August to September.
The climate is tropical with three seasons. The most pleasant being the dry season from November to February when temperatures are cooler. The hot season lasts from March to May with average temperatures in the high 90s. The monsoon season, which is both hot and humid, is from June to October. The wettest months are August to September.
Laos
The rainy season lasts from May through October with hot and humid weather. The dry season begins in November with cool temperatures giving way to hot and dry weather from April through May when the temperature is very hot.
The rainy season lasts from May through October with hot and humid weather. The dry season begins in November with cool temperatures giving way to hot and dry weather from April through May when the temperature is very hot.
Comfort level is subjective, and varies from person to person, from one trip to another. On all our trekking trips we stay overnight at homestays in hilly and mountainous areas. All your gear will be carried, your meals are prepared. Of course, we will use also comfortable hotel with local charm whenever available. On beach and touring holidays we stay in local hotels with fully supported staff and amenities. All you have to do is enjoy yourself!
Hotels range from budget to five-star. While Deluxe properties are located only in the major cities, the quaint, charming family-run accommodations (with varying levels of private facilities) can be found throughout the country. Discovery Indochina constantly stays abreast of hotel developments in order to offer our clients the best available and most preferred lodging.
Your safety and well-being is of paramount importance on all our trips. Every aspect of your adventure is constantly reviewed by our local staff and our expert guides are fully conversant with the demands of traveling in remote and isolated regions. So to answer, we ensure that your trip is always as safe as possible!
Travel insurance is compulsory for any participant. Generally, it is advised that all travellers have travel insurance before any departure, in the case of medical emergencies or evacuation. Travel insurance will cover some Hospital and Medical expenses, as a consequence of accidents occurring to the bearer during the period of Insurance and/or unforeseen illnesses which arise during that period as well.
No vaccinations are officially required by the Vietnamese authorities, however immunization against cholera, hepatitis, typhoid, tetanus, polio and Japanese encephalitis is advised. Please consult your doctors for further medical advice. Plan to bring mosquito repellent. Wearing long-sleeved shirts and slacks from dusk onward and avoiding perfume is also recommended. In addition to an ample supply of any prescription drugs you are taking (and a prescription which can be filled in case your pills go missing), bring medicines for: Headaches, diarrhoea, constipation, insect bites, sore throats, eye drops, cuts, etc. Medical standards outside Hanoi and Saigon, Siem Riep and Luang Prabang are lower that those found in western countries.
Your health is a top priority on all our trips. We are therefore fully aware of the healthy appetites that build up when trekking, kayaking or touring and provide tasty and varied meals with plenty of fresh ingredients. All our food is prepared by talented cooks who ensure high standards of hygiene and who serve a sensible combination of local and Western dishes. We also cater to vegetarians, and non-seafood diets.
For the times when you have to choose your own meals (dependent on the itinerary) make sure to eat only thoroughly-cooked food at decent hotels and restaurants. While snacks may be offered for sale elsewhere, one never knows the condition under which they were prepared, nor the health of the food handlers. You may want to bring along dried fruits and other “comfort” for the bus ride ( there is a ” dining car” on the train which serves drinks and light meals).
We receive a lot of positive client feedback regarding our policy on employing local people as tour guides. Our guides are open-minded, qualified and enthusiastic young professionals who can accommodate your travel needs and provide you – the traveler, with first-hand knowledge of local history and culture. They are also curious about foreign culture and are keen to engage in cultural exchange with visitors. They are there to make your trip a success.
We are highly committed to environment-friendly operations. Our style of travel is ” environmentally, culturally and socially responsible – we call this “Responsible Travel”. It involves working closely with local people and, where possible, training local people as trip guide and staff about how to protect the environment and decisions that affect their future. This is our mission to conserve the areas we visit, keep them intact and unspoiled by tourism and bring positive benefits to local communities.
Our website is just the starting point. If the specified trips are not suitable, or you would like to follow your own itinerary, we are happy to come up with a program to suit your travel interests. This service is available to any individual, family or group. We regularly organize tailor-made holidays for families, groups of friends, schools, clubs, societies, associations and special interest groups. We’re happy to be of any assistance in planning and making your trip as you’ve ever wanted it to be!
Depending on the trip, what is included may vary. However, we include accommodation in clean, friendly located hotels with local character where possible on a double/ twin shared basis with daily breakfast; all transfers & transportation including boat ride, train journey if any; experienced English speaking guide; domestic flights where specified in the itinerary; food as stated in the trip; and lastly, all other specified arrangements for special interest tours.
Rates are normally reduced for children under the age of 12 years.
Good question! Most of our tours include all transportation, meals, and accommodation. Please read though the cost inclusion/exclusion portion of our tour information for more details. Compare our quality, inclusions and daily rates our holidays offer good value for money.
Currency:
Vietnam – Dong
Cambodia- Riel
Laos – Kip
Vietnam – Dong
Cambodia- Riel
Laos – Kip
Thailand – Baat
Myanmar – Kyat
Credit Cards:
Credit cards are accepted at most hotels, as well as upscale restaurants and most shops in Viet Nam. In Cambodia and Laos, credit cards are accepted in major hotels.
Credit cards are accepted at most hotels, as well as upscale restaurants and most shops in Viet Nam. In Cambodia and Laos, credit cards are accepted in major hotels.
Travellers Checks:
Viet Nam, Cambodia and Laos, traveller’s checks are accepted on a limited basis and may be difficult to change. In Myanmar, they are generally not accepted.
ATM Machines:
ATMS are available in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as in Haiphong, Halong, Hue, Hoi An, Nhatrang, Vungtau, and Dalat in Viet Nam. They are less accessible in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.
ATMS are available in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as in Haiphong, Halong, Hue, Hoi An, Nhatrang, Vungtau, and Dalat in Viet Nam. They are less accessible in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.
US dollars, preferably crisp, clean bills, are accepted almost everywhere in all of the countries listed above.
Bookings can be made online. Once you are interested in the trip, you can go ahead and sign up for the tour by sending us by fax the completed reservation form so that we can process your booking.
In the rare event that you do not see any tours to your liking- or if you would like to follow your own itinerary- then do not hesitate to fill the customized trip form and forward it to us. We will work together with you to tailor a trip to your interests.
Visitors must obtain visa approval prior to entry. We offer the visa approval service. The procedure can be summarized as follow:
(1) Passport details and arrival , departure dates are to send to us no later than 14 day prior to your departure. ( You can send by email, fax or snail mail; we need: full name as stated in passport, gender, date of birth, passport number, expiry date, nationality, arrival & departure date, place to receive your visa-please advise which Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate where your want to get your visa stamped)
(2) We then go ahead and submits these details to the Vietnamese Immigration Department.
(3) The Immigration Department will confirm us of visa approval and send it by fax/telex approval to the Embassy or Consulate in the country of visitors’ residence.
(4) We send you the approval document via email.
(5) You bring your passports & 2 passport sized photos to Vietnamese embassy to get the visa stamped ( stamp fee will be paid by yourselves).
(2) We then go ahead and submits these details to the Vietnamese Immigration Department.
(3) The Immigration Department will confirm us of visa approval and send it by fax/telex approval to the Embassy or Consulate in the country of visitors’ residence.
(4) We send you the approval document via email.
(5) You bring your passports & 2 passport sized photos to Vietnamese embassy to get the visa stamped ( stamp fee will be paid by yourselves).
As a general rule, unless otherwise stated, our policy is that all cancellation must be informed in writing either by email or fax. Cancellations will be charged as follows:
* More than 45 days prior to trip departure. No charge, however 100$US deposit is non-refundable.
* 30-45 days before arrival: 10% charge
* 15-29 days before arrival: 40% charge
* 3-14 days before arrival: 60% charge
* Within 2 days before arrival: 100% charge
* More than 45 days prior to trip departure. No charge, however 100$US deposit is non-refundable.
* 30-45 days before arrival: 10% charge
* 15-29 days before arrival: 40% charge
* 3-14 days before arrival: 60% charge
* Within 2 days before arrival: 100% charge