Get ready for Indochina!

Siem Reap
LenkaTravelers in Seim Reap, Cambodia

Here are a few tips for the LenkaTraveler group’s trip to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos (December 2016 – January 2017):

Entry Visas

Vietnam: $25 p/p, payable in USD cash at the point of entry + 1 passport photo p/p. Our tour operator in Vietnam has issued the Pre-Approval Letters (free of charge) to enable us to get the visas as we arrive in Hanoi. As you get ready to leave for Vietnam, print out the Pre-Approval Letter and the Visa Application (Lenka Traveler will send a copy of both), fill out the Visa Application, and bring both documents, photo and cash to the Hanoi Airport.

Cambodia: $30 p/p, payable in USD cash at the point of entry + 1 passport photo p/p.

Laos: $36 p/p, payable in USD cash at the point of entry + 1 passport photo p/p.

Passports: Make sure that there are enough empty pages for the visa stamps / full page inserts.

Vaccinations

Officially there are no vaccinations required to enter Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. As always, ask your travel MD for his / her recommendations before embarking on the trip.

Currency

Vietnam: The currency is called Vietnam Dong (VND). The Sept 2016 exchange rate is $1 = 22,327 VND. Mind your change – the 100,000 and 10,000 VND notes look similar; while the 20,000 and the 500,000 are both blue. Take your time to count the zeroes!

Cambodia: The currency is called Riel (KHR). The current exchange rate is $1 = 4,115 KHR. Given this economy’s dependence on international assistance, the locals prefer to trade in USD cash.

Laos: The currency is called Kip (KIP). The current exchange rate is $1 = 8,110 KIP.

Credit Cards / ATM / Cash

Credit Cards are widely accepted in the big cities, high-end hotels, restaurants and shops, however the CC’s use may entail up to 3% surcharge. The American Express cards are the least accepted CC’s, in our opinion. The ATM service is reasonably reliable in most cities and the ATM’s require 4-digit PIN’s. Important – ask your bank about its fees for the CC / ATM international use and currency conversion.

Bring cash when heading into the countryside, markets, etc. Have plenty of small USD bills for tips and miscellaneous purchases.

How much cash to bring?

Most of our major expenses (hotels, tours, most transportation, many meals, etc.) have already been prepaid. This leaves such expenses as visa fees, shopping, drinks, tips, some restaurants, etc. A good rule of thumb is to bring $1,000 USD cash per person. Ensure that your banknotes are clean, undamaged and come in different denominations (for ease of getting change, etc.).

Communications

The Internet / WiFi service is available free of charge in most restaurants and hotels. In the places less frequented by tourists, there might be limited internet access, but you can find an Internet Café, where you will get on-line. The internet speed has been improved recently, but it can be slow / unreliable, especially in remote areas.

The US mobile phones are operational in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. The 3G / 4G services are also available, especially in large cities. Important – ask your mobile service provider about their voice and data “roaming” charges for these countries.

You can also purchase a local SIM card and use it in an unlocked GSM mobile phone.

Electricity

Voltage: 220V – 230V, Frequency: 50 Hz Bring the international electrical plug adaptors to recharge your electronic devices. The local power plugs and sockets are mostly two-pin European style (rounded) or three-pin British style (both rounded and flat), but you may also encounter other types.

Bargaining

Bargaining is recommended when prices are not posted and it is widely practiced in markets and at street stalls. The fine art of bargaining is to be reasonable and respectful to the real value of the object as well as to the salesperson. Never pay more than you think an item is worth and don’t be afraid to shop around from one vendor to the next. A good rule of thumb for bargaining is to pay half of the asking price. Do not bargain if the prices are posted up or the items are ticketed unless you see the prices are too expensive. Don’t touch anything without deciding you will buy it, because the seller will think you want it and force you to buy it even if you don’t like it.

Dress Code / The Weather

Dress comfortably and use layers for a variety of weather conditions. It will be cool and humid in N. Vietnam and hot and humid in S. Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Opt for a thin cargo pant or capri-length pantinstead of jeans, which are too hot for the tropics. As always, check the weather forecast a few days before leaving home and be prepared for some rain.

Pay special attention to your footwear – we will be doing a lot of walking on uneven ground, stairs and climbing in / out of the boats. Remember that you will be required to remove your footwear before entering places of worship.

Keep in mind that we will be visiting a number of temples, monasteries and places of worship. It is required that people wear modest clothing during these visits, i.e. short skirts / shorts (above the knees) and uncovered shoulders are not allowed.

Please remember that we will be celebrating the New Year’s Gala while in Hoi An (Central Vietnam). It may be appropriate to wear something festive for this occasion.

Tipping

The tips for our guides and drivers are not included in the tour price. The recommended rate for tipping the guides’ is $5 – $7 p/p per day and the drivers’ is $2 – $3 p/p per day. We estimate that the total amount for tips will be about $150 p/p for someone who will be visiting all three countries during this trip.

Crossing Streets

Always keep looking to the left and right and walk slowly – drivers will be gauging your speed and will adjust their speed accordingly! Try and cross streets together with other people as a group. Make eye contact with oncoming motorbikes and check that they see you so that they can avoid you. Be prepared for the “zebra” crossings to be ignored and for motor vehicles to expect you as a pedestrian to give way to them.

Taking People’s Photographs

It is always a good idea to ask people’s permission before taking their photo’s, especially from a close range. In some places (mostly in Cambodia) the locals will demand money if they see you taking their photographs. Do not approach monks and start snapping photos right in front of them. It would be best to stand across the street (use a telephoto lens) and let them go about their business.

Take a look at the photos taken during our last trip in 2010: Vietnam and Cambodia.

Donations / Gifts

As usual, our tour will include personal encounters with the local people in their villages, schools, homes, etc. We recommend that you bring simple school / art supplies to give to the kids. Also, the local women may appreciate getting inexpensive cosmetics, small bottles of shampoo, toothpaste / brushes, etc. Do not give any money directly to the minority people and children, who may be aggressively begging on the streets.

Luggage Restrictions

Our group will be taking 5 “internal” flights during the trip: Hanoi => Danang => Ho Chi Ming City => Cambodia => Laos => Hanoi. These flights allow each passenger to check in one piece of luggage up to 20 kg and to bring a reasonably small carry-on.

Stay Hydrated and Bug Free

It will be hot and humid on most of our tours. Therefore, be prepared to carry a few water bottles (don’t drink the tap water!), a wet towel, wear a hat and use bug repellent.

Keep on Traveling!

LenkaTraveler
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