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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
I should bring only cash or if I should bring travelers
checks as well as cash
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 45 days prior to trip departure. No
charge, however 100$US deposit is non-refundable.
* 30-45 days before arrival: 10% charge
* 15-29 days before arrival: 40% charge
* 3-14 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. |
