FAQs
What's the weather gonna be like?
• Vietnam is hot. Thin cotton/silk/rayon clothes are best, open and airy. Open shoes are cooler than laced shoes but laces shoes are good for bike riding or hiking through ruins or waling around Sapa where it’s a bit colder. Pants, especially jeans can be unbearable in the South, consider shorts or skirts. Jeans are hard to dry once washed (usually dried on a line) and are heavy, so best to avoid. It rains, it's the tropics. It is warm rain, rarely for a long period and easily dealt with by sidestepping for a moment and grabbing a coffee somewhere. Umbrellas and ponchos are sold everywhere - life goes on, so does travel. Evenings on the DaLat trip can be cool, as can the Autumn trips to Hoi An at evenings down by the river - toting along a layer is advised. In this case cool can mean around 70 degrees. Visiting Sapa in winter time is the coldest part of our offerings, can get down to 40s but usually 50s - good to pack layering items: a pair of long johns, a scarf, a compressible puffy down coat. We will definitely have the ability for excellent beach-time on all trips. Each trip has it’s own expectations and you’ll be fully briefed well before departure time. PRO TIP: if we do have rain, flip flops can be worn in the puddles, shoes not so much.
What's the toilet situation?
• Western flush toilets are what's to be expected, but it's still possible to encounter a squat toilet when out on the town or in remote areas. Toilet paper doesn't get flushed in either, there's a waste bin in the corner to use.
Pharmacies?
• You can procure all basic medicines and toiletries at local shops, like nail clippers, ear buds, immodium and motion sickness pills - though those are also easy things to bring from home. We recommend bringing your own feminine hygiene products as variety and quality vary. You can procure antibiotics easily over-the-counter if need be and most pharmacists will diagnose ailments on the spot. If you take any prescription meds, be sure and bring enough and keep in the original bottle with your printed prescription on the outside. PRO TIP: bring double amount of vital medications - leave half in your luggage, carry half in your day bag.
Can I drink the water?
• Potable, filtered drinking water is served at all breakfasts and available throughout the day by bottle, but don't drink the tap water, it's for washing only. Sure, you can wash your toothbrush with it and allow it to dry, but don’t guzzle from the tap. PRO TIP: Go green and bring a bottle from home if you'd like, you can refill it at the hotel before heading out, however all plastic bottles are also recycled everywhere we go.
Are any vaccinations required to travel to Vietnam?
• There are no special requirements for entry but it's recommended you familiarize yourself with where you are on your basic travel shots. Please discuss your travel plans with your local health department for more information.
LGBTQ+ friendly?
• We are LGBTQ+ friendly and certainly expect our trip participants to be too. We've known Vietnam and Cambodia to be very accepting of foreign visitors and all the diversity that western travelers bring with them. SE Asia is definitely a part of the world where we won’t experience any problems based on an individual’s orientation.
How's the internet & cell service?
• Honestly, better than at home. Vietnam and Cambodia have fast, reliable internet and 3G and 4G networks in all the places we’ll be traveling. Every restaurant and cafe and shop will have its own wifi signal and passwords are freely shared.
Will I be able to use my phone?
• Definitely bring your phone for your camera. Regarding having cell service - some travelers have international plans, otherwise you could either use your carrier-locked phone with wifi only or have an additional phone with a local sim and number (which we provide on loan). If you have an unlocked phone, you can purchase a local sim and number too, but we really recommend just borrowing our phone included in your trip. We lend sturdy iPhones pre-loaded with a local phone number and cell service and all the handy apps you’ll need.
Power outlets & adapters?
• Most standard plug-in devices will work just fine in Vietnam and Cambodia, but an adapter may be necessary. You can ask for one at your hotel desk or pick one up on the street for a buck once we arrive, easy peasy. Leave your hair dryer at home, they're available in the hotel rooms.
Are there ATMs around?
• ATMs exist everywhere. There's a $2 or $3 fee with each transaction and the maximum you can pull out is usually about 2mil Vietnamese dong, or about $90 USD. ATMs dispense local currency although it shows up on your bank records as USD. Be sure and tell your bank you're going overseas so they free up your card for use while away as some banks may place a restriction on your card otherwise. PRO TIP: bring some cash, crisp $100 bills with no damage or writing on them. We can exchange them as we go for the best rates.
What're some basic costs?
• This common question helps put basic costs in to perspective:
*** A liter of drinking water: 20-30 cents.
*** A cold beer at a sit-down place: $1-$2, up to $3 at a some locations.
*** A massage: about $15/hour plus up to 33% tip.
*** Street food: $2/3.
*** Restaurant meal: $4/7.
*** Taxi ride: $5-10 to cross town or go to the beach, $2/3 local.
*** Fresh fruit: about half (or less) of what you'd pay at home.
*** Prescription eyeglasses (made to order): about a third of the price at home.
*** Custom suit in Hoi An": depends on material, most are low $100 range
*** Postcard to USA: about a buck, takes 2/3 weeks
*** One of those conical hats the Vietnamese wear (non la): about $1.50
*** Folding umbrella bought street-side: $4
*** A cup of coffee in a cafe: $1 to $2, often comes with tea & water
*** Photo of a baby water buffalo: free