{"id":611,"date":"2016-09-07T14:54:04","date_gmt":"2016-09-07T21:54:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lenkatraveler.com\/blog\/?p=611"},"modified":"2017-01-20T10:55:14","modified_gmt":"2017-01-20T17:55:14","slug":"get-ready-for-indochina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lenkatraveler.com\/?p=611","title":{"rendered":"Get ready for Indochina!"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Siem<\/a>
LenkaTravelers in Seim Reap, Cambodia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

Entry Visas<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vietnam:<\/em>\u00a0$25 p\/p, payable\u00a0in USD cash<\/em> at the point of entry + 1 passport photo p\/p. Our tour operator\u00a0in Vietnam has\u00a0issued the Pre-Approval Letters<\/em>\u00a0(free of charge) to\u00a0enable us to get\u00a0the visas as\u00a0we arrive in Hanoi.\u00a0As you\u00a0get ready to leave for Vietnam, print\u00a0out the Pre-Approval Letter and the Visa Application\u00a0(Lenka Traveler will send\u00a0a copy of both), fill out the Visa Application, and bring both\u00a0documents, photo and cash to the Hanoi Airport.<\/p>\n

Cambodia:<\/em>\u00a0$30 p\/p, payable\u00a0in USD cash<\/em> at the point of entry\u00a0+ 1 passport photo p\/p.<\/p>\n

Laos:<\/em>\u00a0$36 p\/p, payable\u00a0in USD cash<\/em> at the point of entry\u00a0+ 1 passport photo p\/p.<\/p>\n

Passports<\/em>: Make sure that there are enough empty pages for the visa stamps \/ full page inserts.<\/p>\n

Vaccinations<\/strong><\/p>\n

Officially there are no vaccinations required to enter Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. As always,\u00a0ask\u00a0your travel MD\u00a0for his \/ her recommendations before embarking on the trip.<\/p>\n

Currency<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vietnam:<\/em> The currency is called Vietnam Dong (VND). The Sept 2016 exchange rate is $1 = 22,327 VND.\u00a0Mind your change – the 100,000 and 10,000 VND notes look similar; while the 20,000 and the 500,000 are both blue.\u00a0Take your time to count the zeroes!<\/p>\n

Cambodia:<\/em> The currency is called Riel (KHR).\u00a0The current exchange rate is $1 = 4,115\u00a0KHR. Given this\u00a0economy’s dependence on international assistance, the locals prefer to trade in USD cash.<\/p>\n

Laos:<\/em> The currency is called Kip (KIP).\u00a0The current exchange rate is $1 =\u00a08,110 KIP.<\/p>\n

Credit Cards \/ ATM \/ Cash<\/strong><\/p>\n

Credit Cards are widely accepted in the big cities, high-end hotels, restaurants and\u00a0shops, however the CC’s use may entail up to\u00a03% surcharge. The American Express cards\u00a0are the least accepted CC’s, in our opinion.\u00a0The ATM service is reasonably reliable in most cities and the ATM’s\u00a0require 4-digit PIN’s. Important –\u00a0ask\u00a0your bank about its\u00a0fees for the CC \/ ATM international use and currency conversion.<\/p>\n

Bring cash when heading into the countryside, markets, etc. Have\u00a0plenty of\u00a0small USD bills<\/em> for tips and miscellaneous purchases.<\/p>\n

How much cash to bring?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most of our major\u00a0expenses (hotels, tours, most transportation, many meals, etc.) have already been prepaid. This leaves\u00a0such expenses as visa fees, shopping, drinks, tips, some restaurants, etc. A\u00a0good rule of thumb is to bring $1,000 USD cash per person. Ensure that your banknotes\u00a0are clean, undamaged and come in different denominations (for ease of getting change, etc.).<\/p>\n

Communications<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Internet \/ WiFi service is available free of charge\u00a0in most restaurants and hotels.\u00a0In the\u00a0places less frequented by tourists, there might be limited internet\u00a0access, but you can find an Internet Caf\u00e9, where you will get on-line.\u00a0The internet speed has been improved recently, but it can be slow \/\u00a0unreliable, especially in remote areas.<\/p>\n

The US mobile phones are\u00a0operational in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. The\u00a03G \/\u00a04G services are also available, especially in large cities. Important –\u00a0ask\u00a0your mobile service provider about their voice and data “roaming” charges for these countries.<\/p>\n

You can also purchase\u00a0a local SIM card and use it in an unlocked GSM mobile phone.<\/p>\n

Electricity<\/strong><\/p>\n

Voltage:<\/em>\u00a0220V – 230V,\u00a0Frequency:<\/em>\u00a050 Hz\u00a0Bring the\u00a0international electrical plug adaptors to recharge your electronic\u00a0devices. The local power plugs and sockets are mostly two-pin European style (rounded) or\u00a0three-pin British style (both rounded and flat), but you may also encounter other types.<\/p>\n

Bargaining<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bargaining is recommended when prices are not posted and it is widely practiced in markets and at street stalls.\u00a0The 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\u00a0is 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.\u00a0Don’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.<\/p>\n

Dress Code \/ The Weather<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dress comfortably and use\u00a0layers for a variety of weather conditions. It will be cool and humid in N. Vietnam and hot and\u00a0humid in S. Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.\u00a0Opt for a thin cargo pant or capri-length pantinstead of jeans, which are too hot for the tropics.\u00a0As always, check the weather forecast a few days before leaving home\u00a0and be prepared for some rain.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0that you will be required to remove your footwear\u00a0before entering places of worship.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that we will be visiting a number of\u00a0temples, 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\u00a0not allowed.<\/p>\n

Please remember that we will be celebrating the\u00a0New Year’s Gala while in Hoi An (Central Vietnam). It may be appropriate to wear something festive for this occasion.<\/p>\n

Tipping<\/strong><\/p>\n

The tips for our guides and drivers are not<\/em> included in the tour price. The recommended rate\u00a0for tipping the guides’ is $5 – $7 p\/p per day and the\u00a0drivers’\u00a0is $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.<\/p>\n

Crossing Streets<\/b><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Taking People’s Photographs<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is always a good idea to ask people’s permission before taking their photo’s, especially from a close\u00a0range. In some places (mostly in Cambodia) the locals\u00a0will demand\u00a0money 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\u00a0telephoto lens) and let them go about their business.<\/p>\n

Take a look at the photos taken during our last trip in 2010: Vietnam<\/a>\u00a0and Cambodia<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Donations \/ Gifts<\/strong><\/p>\n

As usual, our tour will include personal encounters with the local people in their villages, schools, homes, etc. We recommend that you bring\u00a0simple\u00a0school \/ art supplies to give\u00a0to the kids. Also, the local women may appreciate getting\u00a0inexpensive cosmetics, small bottles of shampoo, toothpaste \/ brushes, etc. Do not\u00a0give any money directly to the minority people\u00a0and children, who may be aggressively begging on the streets.<\/p>\n

Luggage Restrictions<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our group will be taking 5\u00a0“internal” flights during the trip: Hanoi => Danang => Ho Chi Ming City => Cambodia => Laos => Hanoi. These flights allow\u00a0each passenger to check in one piece of luggage up to\u00a020 kg and to bring a reasonably small carry-on.<\/p>\n

Stay Hydrated and\u00a0Bug Free<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u00a0bug repellent.<\/p>\n

Keep on Traveling!<\/p>\n

LenkaTraveler
\nwww.facebook.com\/LenkaTraveler<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Here are a few tips for the LenkaTraveler group’s trip to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos (December 2016 – January 2017): Entry Visas Vietnam:\u00a0$25 p\/p, payable\u00a0in USD cash at the point of entry + 1 passport photo p\/p. Our tour operator\u00a0in…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":687,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25,14],"tags":[28],"class_list":["post-611","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-asia","category-travel-guide","tag-vietnam"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lenkatraveler.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/611","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lenkatraveler.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lenkatraveler.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lenkatraveler.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lenkatraveler.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=611"}],"version-history":[{"count":38,"href":"https:\/\/lenkatraveler.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/611\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":735,"href":"https:\/\/lenkatraveler.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/611\/revisions\/735"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lenkatraveler.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/687"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lenkatraveler.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=611"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lenkatraveler.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=611"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lenkatraveler.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=611"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}