Vietnam Sapa tour by road - 16 days from Hanoi

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (G)
Hanoi is one of the top ten Vietnam holiday destinations where you can see the overview of Vietnam. Upon your arrival at the airport, Holidaytoindochina's private tour guide and driver will meet you with our welcome sign board then transfer you to the hotel (old quarter's area). Check in if the room is available (check in time at 14:00) before your tour guide does the briefing of the tour and give you some helpful information during your stay in Hanoi. Free at leisure and overnight in Hanoi.
Accommodation:
• 3 star hotel: Medallion Hotel /Deluxe
• 4 star hotel: Golden Silk Hotel /Deluxe 
• 5 star hotel: Melia Hotel /Deluxe 

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B, L) (G) 
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam with a long background of history and culture. Besides historical destinations, Hanoi is well-known for its beautiful lakes with the image of local Tai Chi in the early morning, tree-line boulevards, funny street vendors & special street food cuisine.
08:30 Pick up at your hotel and transfer to visit Ho Chi Minh complex with first stop at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum – a large memorial to the national hero - President Ho Chi Minh who led the country to independence and reunification. The Mausoleum is located at Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh President read the Declaration of Independence on 02nd Sep 1945 establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Then take a short walk to the Presidential Palace & House on Stilt. Near from Ho Chi Minh complex, One Pillar Pagoda – symbol of Vietnam with unique architecture of lotus flower is a must-see destination for all Vietnam tours. Our next stop will be the Temple of Literature which is the first university in Vietnam. It was constructed in 1070, first to honor Confucius and nowadays to celebrate the doctorates and high rank scholars of Vietnam.
Have lunch at a local restaurant and continue our Hanoi city tour to the Museum of Ethnology offering an insight into the 54 different ethnic groups of Vietnam. It introduces Vietnamese traditional ways of life from religious events to the symbolic rituals as well as displays a variety of Vietnamese homes as full-scale replicas outside. End the day with a short cyclo ride around the old streets observing daily life of Hanoian, take exotic photos of Hanoi traffic and enjoy a fantastic water puppet show. Overnight in Hanoi.
Accommodation:
• 3 star hotel: Medallion Hotel /Deluxe
• 4 star hotel: Golden Silk Hotel /Deluxe 
• 5 star hotel: Melia Hotel /Deluxe 

Day 3: Hanoi - Drive to Sapa (B, L) (G)
08:30: Our tour guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and take a 3.5 hour drive on a very nice national highway to Sapa, passing beautiful sceneries on both sides of the road including countryside areas, rice fields and mountains.
14:30: Arrive at your hotel in Sapa, check-in your hotel and take a short rest.
16:00 Take a glimpse of Sapa town and you will have chance to see Sapa Stone Church and old streets.
Have dinner at a local restaurant (on your own) and overnight in Sapa.
Accomodation:
• 3 star hotel: Sapa View/ Deluxe 
• 4 star hotel: U Sapa Resort / Superior 
• 5 star hotel: Victoria Sapa Resort / Superior

Day 4: Sapa - Hang Da - Hau Thao - Giang Ta Chai - Bamboo Forest - Ta Van (B, L, D) (G)
Today, our beautiful trekking tour will start at 08:30 at your hotel for a short drive out of Sapa town to Hang Da Church. On the way, we can stop at some view points to enjoy the panorama view of the whole Muong Hoa Valley.
09:00 Arrive at Hang Da Church, take a short visit around the church as this church is serving for nearly 1000 local ethnic people. Next to the church is a small beautiful ethnic village where is intact and stays away from modern society.
09:30  Continue your trekking route to Hau Thao village where you will see the stunning view of Muong Hoa valley. Discover the daily life of the Black Hmong minority and their traditional customs and costume as soon as you arrive at the village.
Trek ahead to Pho village then down the hill to Giang Ta Chai village of Giay people.
Have lunch in Giang Ta Chai Village before starting the trek by climbing the mountain on a small trail near the waterfall. Stop for a while to take photos on top of the waterfall. The trek will lead you through the bamboo forest to Ta Van village of Giay people which is praised as one of the most beautiful and fantastic trekking routes in Sapa.
Arrive in Ta Van village, check-in your homestay and overnight there.
Accommodation: Ta Van Homestay

Day 5: Ta Van - Lao Chai - Y Linh Ho - Sapa (B, L) (G)
Have breakfast with local dishes prepared by our host. Then visit around Ta Van village for a while before going to Lao Chai village - the home of Black Hmong people. Enjoy the view of the largest rice terrace fields in Sapa. Tan Van & Lao Chai villages are famous as the best place to enjoy terraced rice fields.
Continue walking to Y Linh Ho village then up the main road where you will return Sapa town by car.
Check-in your hotel in Sapa and overnight there.
Accomodation:
• 3 star hotel: Sapa View/ Deluxe 
• 4 star hotel: U Sapa Resort / Superior 
• 5 star hotel: Victoria Sapa Resort / Superio

Day 6: Sapa Ethnic Market - Drive back to Hanoi (B, L) (G)
The markets in the Northern Vietnam are always the colorful meeting places for the hill tribes, spotlight for any Sapa Tours and of course, your unique Vietnam Tours experience. Minority people come down from the mountains to sell their products, or just for catching up on the latest news, gossip, drinking away troubles or seeking for lover. In the morning, drive to visit one of the areas weekly markets;
Market days:
Can Cau Market - Saturdays
Bac Ha Market or Muong Hum Market or Muong Khuong Market - Sundays
Cao Son Market - Wednesdays
Lung Khau Nhin Market - Thursdays
Coc Ly Market - Tuesdays
In the afternoon, drive back to Hanoi for overnight.
Accommodation:
• 3 star hotel: Medallion Hotel /Deluxe
• 4 star hotel: Golden Silk Hotel /Deluxe 
• 5 star hotel: Melia Hotel /Deluxe 

Day 7: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B, L, D) (G)
Pick up from the train station, this morning, we have already arranged a room in a mini hotel for you to have shower and breakfast. We continue your Vietnam tour at 8.00 A.M for the 3.5 hour drive (170 km) through the Red River Delta, which offers plenty of chances for taking photos of Vietnamese farmers tilling the vast green paddy fields. At half way, we'll have a visit to a handicraft workshop with fine clothes, embroidered paintings, stone statuettes and all kinds of gems mined in Vietnam such as star rubies or sapphires... Our destination is Halong bay – the most famous World Heritage Site in Vietnam, famous for its beautiful seascape, thousands of spectacular islands and islets jutting out from the sea, amazing caves with marvelous stalagmites and stalactites in different sizes and shapes.
Upon arrival, you'll be welcomed on board our luxury junk and treated with wine and fresh local seafood. As our junk gliding further into the tranquility of Ha Long Bay amid the towering mountain cliffs and on the emerald green water, you'll have relaxing time combining the fine tastes of the wine and the freshness of Ha Long Bay. During the cruise, we'll stop some times for visiting the amazing Sung Sot cave and the Ti Top white sand beach before anchoring for the night. Overnight on board the junk in the wild of Halong Bay.
Accommodation at:
• 3 star cruise: Oriental Sails/ Superior
• 4 star cruise: Indochina Sails /Superior 
• 5 star cruise: Indochina Junk - Dragon Legend Cruise/ Deluxe

Day 8: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Flight to Hue (Brunch) (G)
It is said that your Vietnam Tours will not be complete without a tour to Halong Bay and spending one night on romantic Halong Cruise. People describe Halong Bay as majestic and mysterious, inspiring and imperious and words alone cannot do justice to the natural wonder that is Halong Bay, a priceless collection of unfinished sculptures hewn from the hand of nature.
After breakfast, we'll take a little sampan to visit a secret lagoon of Ha Long Bay while the surrounding mountains are just waking up. After that our cruise takes us further into the Bay of Bai Tu Long traveling past the Human Head Island, the Turtle Island, and the Duck Islet... to the studio site where the famous Indochine film was shot. Around noon, our junk travels back to the harbor, pick up and drive back to International airport for flight to Hue where your tour guide is waiting for. Met and transfered to your hotel, check in and free at leisure. Overnight in Hue.
Accommodation at:
• 3 star hotel: Romance Hue/ Deluxe city view
• 4 star hotel: Imperial Hue/ Deluxe city view
• 5 star hotel: La Residence Hue/ Superior

Day 9: Hue City Tour (B, L) (G)
Hue was the capital of Vietnam during the feudal rule from 1802 to 1945 under the Nguyen dynasty and is commonly known as a place of many cultural heritages. Up to now, there is no place like Hue remaining a lot of originally historical vestiges.
Our guide will pick you up at your hotel in Hue city at 8:00 then drive to visit King Tu Duc and King Khai Dinh tomb, two of the most beautiful works of royal architecture of the Nguyen dynasty. After that, we'll drive back to the city center with stopovers at villages to learn how people here make conical hat and incense stick. Arriving to the city, we'll visit the unique Royal Arena where Tiger and Elephant fights were held by the Kings of the Nguyen Dynasty.
After lunch and short break at a local restaurant, we'll then continue our Hue day trip with an interesting visit to the Royal Citadel - one of the best places in Hue to experience the tradition, culture and rhythms of the Vietnamese Royal life in the past. The next attraction is Thien Mu Pagoda - a picturesque landscape on the bank of Perfume River, a perfect place to enjoy peaceful and serene atmosphere that also gives you chance to watch praying time of the monks here.
On the way back, we take the beautiful boat trip on romantic Perfume River, enjoy the sunset and relaxing time. Pick up after the boat trip and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Hue.
Accommodation at:
• 3 star hotel: Romance Hue/ Deluxe city view
• 4 star hotel: Imperial Hue/ Deluxe city view
• 5 star hotel: La Residence Hue/ Superior

Day 10: Hue – Drive to Hoi An (B, L) (G)
After breakfast, we continue this beautiful Vietnam holiday with private car transfer to Hoi An (145km, it takes you about 3 hours). During the way, we will pass villages and rice paddies then stop for photos at Lang Co Beach travelling over the picturesque Hai Van Pass to Danang where you might want to stop for a nice swim at the white sandy beach of Danang then visit Marble Mountains, a fairy land with a dreamlike scenery, pagodas, grottoes before coming to Hoi An for check in your hotel. Free at leisure and overnight in Hoi An.
Accommodation at:
• 3 star hotel: Ancient House/Sup
• 4 star hotel: River beach resort/Deluxe
• 5 star hotel: Palm Garden Resort/Sup Garden View 

Day 11: Hoi An Biking Tour (B, L) (G)
Spend a day leisurely cycling though the scenic countryside of Vietnam, far from the traffic the motor scooters, and the noises the city. You will cross the islands on the Song Thu river delta using local transportation, including ferries and floating bridges...
This tour will take you on a visit to artisans making bricks according to age-old. You will discover how wooden river boats are made and learn the secret of weaving the colorful straw Hoi An sleeping mats. Try the renowned Vietnamese basket boats. You will spend the day with first-hand contact with one of the rural inhabitant of the region, far from the usual tourist circuits. At lunchtime you will be invited into a local home for a traditional Vietnamese meal, and learn their customs and traditions. After you have relaxed for a while under the shade of a mango tree, you will begin your return towards Hoi An, which will take about an hour. Overnight in Hoi An.
Accommodation:
• 3 star hotel: Ancient House/Sup
• 4 star hotel: River beach resort/Deluxe
• 5 star hotel: Palm Garden Resort/Sup Garden View 

Day 12: Hoi An free day (B)
At leisure. Relax on the private beach, by the resort pool or optional is to rent a bicycle to ride into Hoi An to explore the picturesque central of town with its restored 18th century merchants’ houses. Hoi An also boasts some of the best silk shops, art galleries and handicraft shops in Vietnam as well as dozens of excellent restaurants serving the delicious local specialities. Overnight in Hoi An.
Opt1: Hoi An Cooking Class (US$ 58/pax)
Visit Hoi An’s coful market, and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and learn about all the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later. On arrival, we explore the cooking school’s herb garden, before learning about some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s well-known dishes. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours – the Red Bridge chefs first demonstrate each dish before we prepare the same dish ourselves. 
Opt 2: Hoi An – My Son – Hoi An (47 USD): 
Visit to My Son Holy land in the morning, once the spiritual capital of Champa Kingdom that dominated South East Asia for nearly a thousand years and occupied most of the central parts of Vietnam from 2nd century to 16th century with very rich in history and culture. In the afternoon, drive back to Hoi An with visit the former merchants' homes, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, Phuc Kien Pagoda and the colourful riverside market. Overnight in a Hoi An hotel.
Accommodation at:
• 3 star hotel: Ancient House/Sup
• 4 star hotel: River beach resort/Deluxe
• 5 star hotel: Palm Garden Resort/Sup Garden View

Day 13: Hoi An – Danang – Flight to Ho Chi Minh City (B) (G)
It is always hard to say goodbye to Hoi An, but there are a lot of things to see for your Vietnam holiday in the coming destinations in the south. After breakfast, our tour guide and driver take you to Danang for your flight to Ho Chi Minh, the most exciting city of Vietnam. Warmly welcomed by your private tour guide and transferred to your hotel for check in (if the room is available, check in time at 14h00). Free at leisure and overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Note: Your hotel is centrally located and easy to visit the War Remnants, History Museum, the former Presidential Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall on your own.
Optional tour:  Book Ho Chi Minh Vespa Tour (USD$75/pax)
Experience as local people with a Vespa and escorted by a driver, visiting the city landmarks that give you a view of the city unlike anything on your Vietnam tour. Take a peek at the history, the streets and the sights that most visitors never even hear about or see. You will pass through the Chinese district of Saigon, stop to see a sweet smelling flower market and visit a breathtaking yet hidden Buddhist pagoda, Saigon Opera House & Post Office which were designed by Gustave Eiffel. 
Accommodation:
• 3 star hotel: Sunland Hotel / Deluxe 
• 4 star hotel: Liberty Central Hotel / Deluxe 
• 5 star hotel: Rex Hotel / West Wing – Premium
Note: Your hotel is centrally located and easy to visit the War Remnants, History Museum, the former Presidential Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall on your own.

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels & Ho Chi Minh city half day (B) (G)
Morning pick up from the hotel for Cu Chi Tunnels tour arrival in Cu Chi, we visit the incredible underground tunnel network of approximately 200 kilometres hand-constructed by Vietnamese guerillas during the long struggle for independence where you will understand more about the Vietnam War or American War, a must see Vietnam Tour for any tourists to learn about Vietnam past and present days. Afternoon drive back to Ho Chi Minh visit the War Remnants and the former Presidential Palace. From there, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office and Ben Thanh Market.
Accommodation:
• 3 star hotel: Sunland Hotel / Deluxe 
• 4 star hotel: Liberty Central Hotel / Deluxe 
• 5 star hotel: Rex Hotel / West Wing – Premium

Day 15: Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta Tour to Ben Tre - Ham Luong - Ho Chi Minh (B, L) (G)
Around 08:00 Tour guide pick you up in your hotel lobby, then driving 90Km (2hrs) to Ben Tre. The boat will cruise along the Ham Luong River (a branch of the Mekong) and stop off at various local workplaces including a brick works, a salt refinery, a coconut processing workshop and a mat weaving house. The boat will then stop at a quiet village where you can have a short walk to experience real Delta village life, boarding your Xe Loi (a kind of motorized rickshaw) and stopping at a riverside restaurant for a delicious and filling lunch, featuring such local specialties as elephant-ear fish and river shrimp.
After lunch, it’s time to board a sampan for a relaxing trip along narrow canals. You will back to the river to board your boat. Then, we will head back to Saigon and arrive at your hotel at around 17:00.
Accommodation:
• 3 star hotel: Sunland Hotel / Deluxe 
• 4 star hotel: Liberty Central Hotel / Deluxe 
• 5 star hotel: Rex Hotel / West Wing – Premium

Day 16: Ho Chi Minh City Departure (B)
It is free day until we take you back to Ho Chi Minh airport for your departure flight home or to the next holiday destination. Holidaytoindochina.com would like to thank you so much for your traveling with us. We hope you had a great Vietnam tour and wish to welcome you back.

END OF SERVICE

Inclusion:
• All transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
• Accommodation as indicated
• Flight tickets: Hanoi - Hue & Danang - HCMC (Economy class)
• English speaking guide (Other languages on request)
• Entrance fees to indicated sights and activities as indicated
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Bottled mineral water during touring days
Exclusion:
• Drinks
• Other meals
• Insurance
• Personal expenses
• Expenses for any optional tours or activities during free time

If you do not know how to plan your Vietnam tour and Indochina holiday, please read our FAQ's below to get some information or send us an email at info@holidaytoindochina.com and one of our experienced travel consultants will be ready and happy to answer your questions as well as organise your amazing holiday in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and combination.

How to plan my Vietnam tour/Indochina holiday with you?
1. Send us an inquiry by submiting one of our online forms (Click). Tell us as much information as possible. For example;

• Please tell us how many people will be traveling with you, date of birth, if you have children, please tell us how old is/are the kid(s).
• 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, just give us your travel plan and ideas.
• 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, and please let us know if you are a Vegetarian, the food you can eat or cant not, if you want local food in local restautants or western food in tourist restantant...?
• Actually, you do not have to send us all information, but the more we know, the better we plan your Vietnam tour.

2. After we receive your enquiry, one of our professional Vietnam travel consultants reply and send you the suggested tour itinerary as soon as possible.

3. If you accept the suggested tour itinerary (you may modify it till you are satisfied with), 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 to proceed to book Vietnam tour/Indochina holiday with you?

• When you decide to book your Vietnam tour/Indochina holiday with us, please send us your full name (name on passport) for hotel and domestic flight reservations, and your international flight details (in and out) for airport transfers.

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 you are required to send the deposit which is about 30% of the total tour cost (can be less). You can pay by credit cards (via onepay gateway, pay online), wire/bank transfer, western union. The deposit is used to pay the flight tickets, hotels, train tickets in advance.
• Balance: You can pay the outstanding balance 2 weeks before your arrival, or you can pay us on your arrival in Vietnam by credit cards, cash (AUD, USD, EUROS, VND...)
• More about credit card payment 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.

Note: Before coming, please make sure you have all travel documents such as; confirmed tour, invoice, flight tickets..., especially the visa to Vietnam and Indochina is done.

What about tipping?

• The tour guides and drivers expect tips, but it is not mandatory. You can tip more or less, or nothing that depends on the serviced provided. We recommend that you trip the tour guides; US$ 10 - 15  per day anddrivers: US$ 7-10 per day. Tipping at restaurants, tuk tuk, cyclo, taxi..., our tour guides will give you the advice.

Do you offer any discounts?
Yes, we offer discounts for;

•  Family with kids and children < 12 years old
•  Disable people
•  People of old ages (> 65 years old)
•  Repeated clients who have the second trip with us
•  Travel in big group of friends, families (the more people, the cheaper the price is)
•  We offer big discounts in low season (May - September)

Is there any charge if i change my travel dates, tour itinerary, hotels...?

• We are happy to work on your requests, and will not charge you any money for all extra work. However, if it is too urgent and the date is too close, the hotels or airlines may charge 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/Indochina from October to April which is peak season, we recommend that 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 can accept urgent booking, just 1-2 days before arrival. Things are possible at Holiday to Indochina.

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, Holiday to Indochina will refund you.

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 (male/female)
• 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

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 $45 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 change our money into Vietnam currency?

• We advise you to stop in any Vietnamese bank during the tour (Our tour guides will take you to the bank), you can exchange money at your hotel, but the exchange rate is a bit lower than the bank's exchange rate.

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.

Private Guide & Transfer
Holidaytoindochina offers private tour packages across Vietnam and Indochina; During the tour, you will have a private tour guide, private driver, and an air-conditioned vehicle escorting you at every destination you travel across Indochina. This will provide you with maximized personal care, security, and flexibility.

Tour Guide:
Holidaytoindochina does understand that a good tour guide will make your Indochina 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. At every departure, you’ll be escorted & assisted until you have checked in and passed through the security checkpoint. All of our tour guides in Vietnam and other Indochina area are locals. Knowing the area well, they are good at guiding you around and telling background stories of the tour sites, as well as showing you the secret spots for best photos. 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

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...

Holidaytoindochina's requirements for a good tour guide:

•  5 years of experience working as a tour guide
•  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.
•  Must be an honest broker of their services and able to take criticism.
• Should be qualified at some level in health, health care or first aid.
•  Able to relate to people from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds.
• Clear speech and good hearing.
• Must not be a alcoholic or No-alcohol during working time or anytime when on tour.
• 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
• Must be on time every time. Being late or delay is unacceptable.
• 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.
• Solve problems with care when there is dissatisfy. Argument should be averted by courtesy.
• 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:
Holidaytoindochina 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.

Holidaytoindochina's requirements for a driver:

• Our drivers must have good driving skills 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.

Vietnam Sapa tour by road - 16 days  from Hanoi

RELATED VIDEOS:

• VIDEO HANOI CITY TOUR: http://holidaytoindochina.com/indochina-travel-video/vietnam-travel-video/hanoi-city-tour-with-holidaytoindochina-com.html
• VIDEO HALONG BAY: http://holidaytoindochina.com/indochina-travel-video/vietnam-travel-video/halong-bay.html
• VIDEO THE SUNSET IN HALONG BAY: http://holidaytoindochina.com/indochina-travel-video/vietnam-travel-video/sunset-in-halong-bay.html
• VIDEO HOI AN TOUR:  http://holidaytoindochina.com/indochina-travel-video/vietnam-travel-video/hoi-an-my-son-beach.html
• VIDEO HUE CITY TOUR: http://holidaytoindochina.com/indochina-travel-video/vietnam-travel-video/hue-city-tour.html
• VIDEO MEKONG DELTA TOUR: http://holidaytoindochina.com/indochina-travel-video/vietnam-travel-video/mekong-delta-tours.html
• VIDEO HO CHI MINH CITY TOUR : http://holidaytoindochina.com/indochina-travel-video/vietnam-travel-video/ho-chi-minh-city-tour-full-day.html  
• VIDEO SAPA TOUR : http://holidaytoindochina.com/indochina-travel-video/vietnam-travel-video/things-to-do-in-sapa.html
• VIDEO CU CHI TUNNELS : http://holidaytoindochina.com/indochina-travel-video/vietnam-travel-video/cu-chi-tunnels.html