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Q 01 How can I
get more information?
You can tell us more about your
requirement. We can provide you with comprehensive, useful and
most up to date information by fax or email. Our friendly and
professional staff have in depth local knowledge and experience
of the trips 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.
Q 02 How fit do I have to be?
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 sign up for special interest trip,
family vacation please do let us know. We take pride in tailor
made holiday and able to come up with interesting program.
Q 03 When is the best time to travel Vietnam?
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.
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.
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.
Q 04 What level of comfort can I expect?
It may vary from one trip to another pending on what trip you
are following. On all our trekking trips we stay overnight at
local family in hilly and mountainous area. All your gear will
carried , your meals are prepared. Of course we will use also
comfortable hotel with local quaint whenever available. On beach
escape and touring holidays we stay in local hotels with fully
supported staffs and amenities. All you have to do is enjoy
yourself.
Q 05 What the accommodation like?
Hotels range from budget to five-star. While Deluxe properties
are located only in the major cities, the charm, and quaint
local family run accommodations with varying levels of private
facilities can be found through out the country. Discovery
Indochina constantly stays abreast of hotel developments in
order to offer our clients the best available and most preferred
lodging.
Q 06 How safe is it?
Above all, your 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.
Q 07 What about travel insurance?
Travel insurance is compulsory for any participant. It is
advised that all travelers should have travel insurance covered
before your departure. This will be really helpful in case of
medical emergency evacuation. It is with go safe. The
travel insurance will cover against Hospital and Medical
expenses, the cover relates to 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. You can consult some of the
travel insurer
Q 08 Do I need to have some vaccine shots before the trip?
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. Also
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, Siemriep
and Luangprabang are lower that those found in western
countries.
Q 09 What about the food?
Your good 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 genius cooks who ensure high standards of hygiene and who
serve a sensible combination of local and Western dishes. . We
also cater for vegetarians, and none-seafood individuals.
Whereas sometimes you have to choose your own meals, eat only
the well cooked food at decent hotels and restaurants. While
snacks may be offered for sale else where, 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).
Q 10 Who is my guide?
Positive feedback from our clients validates our policy of
employing local people as guide. Our guides are open-minded,
qualified and enthusiastic young people 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.
Q 11 What about Responsible Travel?
We are highly committed in the friendly environment operation.
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.
Q 12 Can I organize my own group?
Our website is just the starting point. If the specified trips
are not suitable, or you don't want to follow the same
itinerary, we would be 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!
Q 13 What is included in my trip?
Pending on specific trip our inclusions may vary from trip to
trip, as an indication 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; other
specific arrangement for special interest tours.
Q 14 Are children charged the full room rate?
Rates are normally reduced for children under the age of 12
years.
Q 15 Are there any hidden cost or extra charges?
Good question! Most of our tours include all transport, meals,
accommodation and much of arrangement and service you will need
in the tour the cost is a little to spend. Read though the
inclusion, exclusion portion and you will find more specific
about it. Compare our quality, inclusions and daily rates our
holidays offer good value for money.
Q 16 What is the local money called? Can I use
credit cards and travelers check?
Currency
Vietnamese - Dong
Cambodian- Riel
Laos - Kip
Credit Cards
n Viet Nam credit cards are accepted at most hotels and
better restaurants and shops. In Cambodia and Laos credit cards
are accepted in major hotels.
Travelers Checks
n Viet Nam, Cambodia and Laos, traveler's checks are
accepted on a limited basis and may be difficult to change. In
Myanmar, they are generally not accepted.
ATM Machines
In Viet Nam: Available in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh
City and most city Haiphong, Halong, Hue, Hoian, Nhatrang,
Vungtau, Dalat. In Cambodia, Laos presently none available. US
dollars, preferably crisp clean bills, are accepted almost
everywhere in all of the countries listed above.
Q 17 How can I make a booking?
Booking can be actually made on line. Once you are interested in
the trip, you then can go ahead and sign up the tour by sending
us by fax the completed reservation form so that we could
process your booking. In case you won't find any option that
matches your expectation or you want to follow your own
itinerary, then do not hesitate to fill the customized trip form
and forward it to us. We will work it out and tailor your trip
to just what you long for.
Q 18 How can I apply for a visa?
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).
Q 19 How often do you cancel a trip?
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 60 days prior to trip departure. No charge, however
100$US deposit is non-refundable.
* 14 days before arrival: 10% charge
* 13-7 days before arrival: 40% charge
* 6-3 days before arrival: 60% charge
* Within 2 days before arrival: 100% charge.
Q 20 More Question?
Please do
contact us
and let us know your question or concern, we
will get back to as soon as possible.
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