Accommodation
We stay in a variety of accommodations. All hotels are based on 3.5 / 4 Star Classic or Superior Rooms. The hotels have a check in time of 2pm and a check out time of 12pm. Early check-in and late-check out can be arranged at a surcharge. All accommodation is based on Twin / Double share rooms. You can request a Single room for a Single Supplement. 

Meals
All meals are included as per itinerary - B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner.

Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate. Broadly speaking, the weather in Vietnam is dictated by two monsoon seasons - the southwest monsoon from April to September and the northeast monsoon from October to late March or early April. While people often equate monsoons with rain, that is only partly the case in Vietnam as there are a number of regional variations that affect the rain. What is worth remembering though is the southwest monsoon is hot and the northeast monsoon cool.

The southwest monsoon primarily effects Southern Vietnam - warming up the Mekong Delta through Saigon and all along the coastal strip as far north as between Qui Nhon and Da Nang. It also influences the Central Highlands region.

The northeast monsoon effects the north bringing lower temperatures to Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sapa and the the coastal strip as far south as around Hue.

Temperatures only drop to what could only be considered cool in Hanoi, the mountainous north and the Central Highlands (in the evening). For the majority of the country, the temperature swings between the mid 20s to low 30s year-round.

The northern reaches of Central Vietnam see rain from August through to January, with the heaviest falls reserved for September and October which is also typhoon season. The southern coastal region, as far north as between Nha Trang and Qui Nhon, sees the rain start later, Novemberish, but still dropping off in January.

Vietnam: The official currency is Dong. The Dong is non-convertible and at the time of writing trades at approximately 15,580 to USD1. The US dollar, preferably crisp clean bills, is widely accepted among major shops and restaurants. Travelers checks can be cashed at authorized foreign exchange outlets and banks and require presentation of passport. There is normally a 2 to 5 percent transaction fee for cashing Travelers checks. Visa and Master card are becoming more accepted in many of the bigger hotels and restaurants, especially in the larger cities. Make sure that the Vietnamese notes you receive are not torn, this because many shops and restaurants will not accept them. Also try not to change too much money at one time, as you will end up with a large wad of notes. The largest denomination is currently 500,000 dong (approx. US$ 33). The government introduced new 500,000 and 50,000 notes made from plastic (like Australian dollars), rather than the regular paper notes. In 2004 Vietnam introduced coins for smaller transactions. These are in the form of 200; 1,000 and 5,000 Dong. Other paper denominations include 5,000; 10,000 and 20,000, 50,000, 100000, 200000. Most are clearly identifiable by color. There are a number of international banks operating in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with 24hour cash withdrawal facilities, including ANZ Bank in Hanoi and the HSBC in Ho Chi Minh City. Here cash can be withdrawn on Visa and Master cards as well as other cards such as Cirrus.

We can book pre-tour accommodation at the departure hotel for you if you provide us with your arrival details. You will need to pay for your room upon arrival.

Arrival and departure transfers are included if arriving on the day before Day 1 or Day 1 and departing on Day  16.  If arriving or departing before / after these days, transfers can be arranged as follows: *Rates subject to change

Hanoi:
USD30.00 each way/ vehicle - 1 to 2 passengers
USD35.00 each way / vehicle - 3 to 4 passengers
USD38.00 each way / vehicle - 5 to 8 passengers
USD49.00 each way / vehicle - 9 to 16 passengers