HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS GUIDE TO INDOCHINA - Trailfinders

HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS
GUIDE TO INDOCHINA
Trailfinders prides itself on the first hand knowledge that we can pass on to our clients. We want
you to benefit from our experience and have as carefree a holiday as possible so please take a
few moments before you go to read through our “Holiday Essentials”. If you know what to expect
in advance it will allow you to pack and plan accordingly thus ensuring you have an enjoyable
trip. We suggest you take this guide with you in your hand luggage since it has useful contact
numbers and information you might need. The first part of this guide is common to the region and
followed by details specific to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
Indochina is one of Asia’s most beguiling regions, renowned for its ancient temples, grand French
colonial architecture, colourful markets and stunning scenery. Your trip has been planned to
maximise your enjoyment and you will have the support of our local representatives at each
destination.

V is a & Im m u n is a t io n s
Please refer to the Essential Information on your booking confirmation for important details of visa
requirements and immunisation recommendations. The Trailfinders Visa Service and Travel Clinic
can provide further information and advice.
Trailfinders Visa Service – in the UK please call 020 7368 1504 or visit trailfinders.com/visas
and in Ireland call 01 8814949 or visit trailfinders.ie/visas. Enjoy a discount off our service
charge as a valued Trailfinders client.
Trailfinders Travel Clinic – receive a discount of 20% off immunisations when you book your
travel with Trailfinders. Our clinic is based at 194 Kensington High Street, London W8 7RG and
no appointment is required. In the UK please call 020 7938 3999 or visit
trailfinders.com/services.

In s u r a n ce
At Trailfinders we believe that comprehensive travel insurance is an essential part of your travel
package. Please contact your travel consultant for a personalised quote. Regardless of whether or
not you choose Trailfinders Travel Insurance, please ensure you are comprehensively covered for
the duration of your holiday.

It in er a r y & Gu id es
At each destination/city you will be met on arrival by one of our local representatives who will
accompany you to your hotel and brief you on your itinerary. Where your arrangements include
a private car and driver for your sightseeing you will be accompanied by an English speaking
guide. If you are flying between destinations as part of your tour you will generally have a
different guide in each area.
The guide will be aware of the itinerary planned for that day but there is flexibility so you can
start earlier or late, skip sites, cut visits short or linger longer depending on your mood and you
can discuss with your guide the impact this will have on subsequent visits. You cannot add or
substitute places since the sightseeing tour will have been planned and costed according to the
original itinerary. In the very unlikely event that your guide is not understanding or adhering to
your wishes please call our local representative listed at the bottom of this document.

R oa d Tr a v el
Road travel is a great way to see the countryside and will give you a real flavour of how the
locals live. Driving distances can be long and some roads are poorly maintained, but please be
assured your driver will be familiar with local conditions and is trained to drive with due care and
attention. Journey times are listed within your itinerary, these are approximate and based on the
average travel time for a particular route.
There may be occasions when you want to take a taxi during your free time. Ask your guide or
hotel concierge for assistance. Cyclos or tuk tuks can be hailed in the street but negotiate a price
before getting in. Avoid these late at night and choose a reliable metered taxi company instead.

Air Tr a v el
When transiting via an airport in Indochina it is likely that the flights will be unconnected therefore
at the transit airport you will need to collect your luggage, pass through immigration if necessary,
and then check in for your next flight. Please check the situation with your guide or airline check-in
staff. Internal flights are sometimes subject to short notice delays and cancellations which are
beyond our control, however we will do all possible to minimise the inconvenience should delays
occur.

B oa t Tr a v el
Indochina offers many opportunities to travel by boat and these experiences are often a real
highlight. The size, standard and type of boat will vary depending on your specific itinerary.
For all cruises where you stay on board overnight, the boats will offer very stable cruising and
cabins will vary from simply clean and comfortable to luxurious depending on your choice of
cabin and boat. Please note that access may be by a narrow or steep ramp or ladder and there
will be stairs between decks, so check with your consultant if you have any mobility concerns.
Always take care while onboard and in particular when embarking and disembarking, and do
ask for assistance from the crew if necessary.

Tr a in Tr a v el
Travelling by train in Vietnam offers the chance to experience a more local means of transport.
We offer the overnight train journeys between Hanoi and Lao Cai for Sapa in the north and we
book only private rail carriages which are linked to a Vietnam Railways locomotive. These
carriages offer a higher level of comfort and cleanliness than the public train, however cannot be
compared to European rail services. Due to old tracks, journeys can be bumpy and noisy and
subject to frequent stops.
On arrival at the station your guide will assist you to find your berth. All passengers have an
assigned sleeping berth in an air-conditioned 4 berth compartment and each compartment is
separated from the carriageway by a door. Bedding is provided but you may wish to take your
own sleeping bag liner. Western style toilets are available in each carriage but you should take
your own toilet paper. Most trains do not offer a meal service so we suggest you eat before
boarding the train and travel with your own snacks and plenty of bottled water.
Trains are generally safe to travel on and you are unlikely to have any problems. However theft
of luggage is not unheard of so for peace of mind you might like to travel with a bicycle lock that
you can use to secure your entire luggage to the overheard racks or side of the bed. For all
overnight train journeys you should take anything you will need during the journey in a separate
bag for easy access (toiletries, eye mask, ear plugs, sleep wear). Depending on your itinerary
and the size of your luggage you may also wish to pack a smaller bag for your trip to Sapa and
leave your main luggage at your Hanoi hotel.

Tr a v ellin g Wit h Ch ild r en
If you are travelling with young children please speak to your consultant about infant seats. It is
generally accepted that children aged 5 years and under do not have a good concept of danger.
Children must be supervised at all times, especially when near any type of pool, when on a boat
or near water in general.

Wh a t To Ta k e Wit h Y o u
Casual dress is acceptable everywhere, however when visiting religious buildings (including the
temples of Angkor in Cambodia) both men and women must wear clothing that covers the
shoulders and knees and should remove shoes, socks and hats when entering the main temple
building. Please note scarves draped over the shoulders are not sufficient at Angkor (where you
are liable to be refused admission if not dressed correctly) and full length trousers are required for
certain sites (your guide will advise). Warmer clothing may be necessary at certain times of year
and in some destinations (please see climate sections below).

Socia l Gr a ces & Cu s t o m s
The traditional greeting throughout the region is to press your hands together in front of your
body and bow slightly, although the Western custom of shaking hands is becoming more usual.
A few customs are also common to all 3 countries: remove your shoes when entering a home,
never leave chopsticks vertically in a rice bowl and always try to smile! When visiting temples,
knees and shoulders should be covered and shoes removed. Topless and nude sunbathing is
prohibited.
You should always ask permission before taking anyone’s photograph.

Sh op p in g
Bargaining is a way of life in Indochina and whenever a fixed price is not shown the shopkeeper
will start with a high price which you are expected to haggle down to a fair price. The process is
normally very good natured and can be a lot of fun, and a smile goes a long way. Your guide
will be able to give you an indication of a fair price for goods.
Unfortunately much as we discourage guides from taking you to local shops/workshops during
your tour unless specifically asked by you, this is all part of tourism in Indochina. However please
do not feel under any pressure to visit these shops and politely but firmly tell your guide if you don’t
want to stop or just spend a few minutes having a very quick look around. If you have any issues
with a guide please contact our local representative at the time so the situation can be rectified.
Please see individual shopping sections below for popular handicrafts and souvenirs.

Sa f et y
Indochina is a reasonably safe travel destination and crime against tourists is very rare, however
it’s sensible to take basic precautions against petty theft as you would anywhere. Keep your money
and documents close to you, keep photocopies of your passport and travel documents elsewhere
in your luggage, use the hotel safes and don’t put all your money in one place.

V IETNAM

Clim a t e
There is good weather somewhere in Vietnam all year round! The north has a distinct summer
and winter while the south benefits from sunshine and warm weather year round with wet and
dry seasons. The central region is more variable and the hilly areas of the far north and Central
Highlands will always be cooler than the coast.
December to March brings a cool, mainly dry winter to the north. Hanoi sees average
temperatures of 18-20°C but it can drop to the low 10s at times, while the mountainous far north
can be bitterly cold with snow possible. The further south you go, the milder the weather. Hue's
rains continue until January and it sees chilly winds and overcast skies through to March. Over
the mountain ridge, Hoi An and Danang are cool with rough seas December to February making
the area less appealing to those attracted by beach relaxation. The south experiences its dry
season December to April with hot, sunny days. April is generally a great time to travel
throughout the country.

From May to August the north and the central coast have a good chance of clear skies and will
be hot and humid with temperatures around 30° in the north and to 35° and up in the centre. The
north will see some rain while the central region is mainly dry. Down in the south the rainy
season begins, bringing showers once or twice a day and slightly cooler temperatures.
After September the rains ease in the north bringing clearer skies and getting chillier towards
December. This period can bring heavy rainfall to Hue and Hoi An with November being the
wettest month, but between the rains there can be sunny days. From August to December the
north and central coast can encounter tropical storms and typhoons. In the south the rainy season
continues until November.

Food & Dr in k
Vietnam’s cuisine is a delight; characterised by an abundance of fresh local vegetables and
herbs, usually prepared with a minimum of oil and often served with the ubiquitous fish sauce,
nuoc mam. Typical Vietnamese dishes include pho, a type of rice noodle soup eaten for
breakfast, cha gio (nem in northern dialect), deep-fried spring rolls and goi ngo sen, a delicious
salad made with lotus stems, shrimps and peanuts. Due to the strong Buddhist influence in
Vietnam, vegetarian food is widely available especially in the south.
It is not recommended that you drink the tap water. Ice in drinks is generally OK in good
standard hotels and restaurants when made from purified water but it is best to avoid it on street
stalls or in country areas. Sealed bottled water, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices are widely
available.

L a n gu a ge
The national language of Vietnam is Vietnamese. In large cities and in places with many tourists,
people will speak basic English. If you take the time to learn a few simple words or phrases in
Vietnamese, the effort will be much appreciated.

Mon ey
Vietnamese Dong (VND) is the currency in Vietnam. Please check with your bank or ask your
travel consultant for an up to date exchange rate. There are ATMs in all but the smaller towns and
many hotels will provide a money changing facility. Visa and Mastercard credit cards are widely
accepted in hotels, larger shops and top end restaurants, however smaller shops and restaurants

may only accept cash. We recommend you obtain some small change for tips when exchanging
money.

Tip p in g
Tipping is customary, but not obligatory. You may feel you wish to tip your driver and guide at
the end of your tour if you have been satisfied with the service. We recommend an amount per
couple of US$ 15 (350,000 VND) per day for the guide and US$ 8 (180,000 VND) per day for
the driver. For cruises we suggest US$ 10 (225,000 VND) per cabin for 1 night cruises, US$ 14-
20 (320,000-450,000 VND) per cabin per night for longer cruises and US$5 (110,000 VND)
per boat for private cruises of 1-2 hours. Most hotels pool tips amongst all staff so consider
tipping upon departure porters should be tipped around US$ 1 (20,000 VND). Tips can be paid
in US Dollars or in Vietnamese Dong.

V iet n a m es e New Y ea r “ Tet ”
The Lunar New Year festival known as Tet is the most important period of the year in Vietnam
when people take time off to visit their families in the countryside. Being in Vietnam during Tet
offers an opportunity to observe the preparations and enjoy the public festivities taking place,
however be aware that travel will be affected. There is almost no activity in markets and shops,
some museums are closed and hotels and restaurants may be under-staffed, so in some cases the
quality of service may suffer. Flights and trains will be extremely busy and there will be long
queues to check in. The period affected generally lasts up to a fortnight including the key dates of
Tet and up to a week beforehand covering 29 Jan – 12 Feb 2019.

Sh op p in g
Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have the best choice when it comes to shopping but Hoi An in the
centre of Vietnam is also a very good place to hunt for bargains and a great place for tailor
shops who produce bespoke clothing.

Tim e
Vietnam is 7 hours ahead of GMT and does not observe daylight saving.

Elect r icit y
Vietnam mainly uses 220V but in some areas, 110V is also used. A mixture of flat and round 2
pin sockets (European style plugs) are used throughout the country. We recommend you take a
universal plug adaptor.

L oca l Co n t a ct Det a ils
In the event of any problem or concern please contact our representative on the office numbers
below or on the emergency contact numbers out of office hours. Please note if calling from a
landline within Vietnam or from a Vietnamese mobile phone please drop the country code 84
and replace with 0.

EXO Travel Vietnam
Open Mon - Fri 08.30 to 18.00 (Ho Chi Minh City & Hanoi October-May only - open Sat 08.30
to 12.00)
Ho Chi Minh City Office +84 28 39 95 9898
Hanoi Office +84 24 3828 2150
Danang Office (Central Vietnam including Hue & Hoi An) +84 23 6364 2558
24 hours emergency number: +84 9 1733 2246

CAMB ODIA

Clim a t e
Cambodia has two distinct seasons: wet June – October and dry November – May. Travelling
during the rainy season has its benefits as Angkor’s temples are quieter, floating villages at their
best and rice fields lush and green. The rains are usually in the afternoon and last 2-3 hours. The
dry season can be very dusty, but easier for walking through jungle terrain around the temples.
The temperature is fairly steady 30-35°C during the day, although November – January often has
cooler temperatures.

Food & Dr in k
The staple food of the Cambodian diet is rice, usually served with dried salted fish, chicken, beef
or pork. Fish is often fresh from Tonle Sap Lake and is eaten with a spicy peanut sauce called tuk
trey. Popular dishes include sam chruk, a roll of sticky rice stuffed with soya bean and chopped
pork, and amok, a soup of boneless fish with coconut and spices. We recommend that you avoid
drinking the tap water. Sealed bottled water, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices are widely
available.

L a n gu a ge
The national language of Cambodia is Khmer. Outside the major centres of Phnom Penh and
Siem Reap most people speak only Khmer but it is no problem to find somebody who is trained in
basic English. If you take the time to learn a few simple words or phrases in Khmer, the effort will
be much appreciated.

Mon ey
Riel (KHR) is the national currency in Cambodia however US dollars are the preferred currency
and accepted everywhere. Please note that ripped, torn or old US dollar bills will not be
accepted.
There are ATMs in all but the smaller towns that distribute US dollars and many hotels will
provide a money changing facility. Visa and Mastercard credit cards are widely accepted in
hotels, larger shops and top end restaurants, however smaller shops and restaurants may only
accept cash. We recommend you obtain some small change for tips and remork rides when
exchanging money.

Tip p in g
Tipping is customary, but not obligatory. You may feel you wish to tip your driver and guide at
the end of your tour if you have been satisfied with the service. We recommend an amount of
US$ 10-12 per day for the guide and US$ 8-12 for the driver (per couple). Most hotels pool tips
amongst all staff so consider tipping upon departure; porters should be tipped around US$ 1 per
item of luggage. Boat crew for any overnight cruises should be tipped around US$ 2 per person
or US$ 1 per person for cruises of 1 or 2 hours. Tips can be paid in US Dollars or the equivalent
amount in local currency.

Fes t iv a ls
Cambodia celebrates many festivals throughout the year, many of which are tied to the lunar
calendar so dates are tricky to predict. The most important festivals are Khmer New Year (14-16
Apr 18), King Norodom Sihamoni’s Birthday (13-15 May 18), the Royal Ploughing Ceremony (3
May 18), Pchum Ben Festival (8-10 Oct 18), the Commemoration Day of King Norodom

Sihanouk (15 Oct 18) and the Water Festival (21-23 Nov 18). 2019 dates for festivals are yet to
be confirmed by the government.
During festival periods many restaurants, museums and shops are closed and temples may be
more crowded than usual. Your guide will advise you on restaurants and shops that are open and
if your itinerary includes a restaurant that is closed at late notice then an alternative of a similar
standard will be arranged. Phnom Penh’s Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda may be closed at short
notice during the festivals above and also at other times by royal order. If this should happen
your guide will be flexible and try to reschedule your tour to fit in a visit if possible. The temples
of Angkor are very busy over festivals however your guide will do their best to avoid the crowds.

Tim e
Cambodia is 7 hours ahead of GMT and does not observe daylight saving.

Elect r icit y
Cambodia uses 220V and a mixture of flat 2 pin, round 2 pin or British/Irish style sockets can be
found. We recommend that you take a universal plug adaptor. Power outages are quite common
but most hotels have their own generator

L oca l Co n t a ct Det a ils
In the event of any problem or concern please contact our representative on the office numbers
below. These are also the emergency contact numbers and will be available 24 hours. Please
note if calling from a landline within Cambodia or from a Cambodian mobile phone please drop
the country code 855 and replace with 0.

EXO Travel Cambodia
Office hours: Mon - Fri 08.30 to 18.00 (Phnom Penh only - Sat 08.30 to 12.00)
The numbers below are available 24 hours & 7 days a week.
Phnom Penh Office +855 81 90 80 97
Siem Reap Office (& the west) + 855 81 90 70 97

L AOS

Clim a t e
Lao has a monsoon climate featuring a dry and a wet season. The dry season runs November –
May with a cooler period December – January. At its coldest daytime temperatures can drop
below 10ºC, and mornings can feel chilly particularly if you are travelling by boat. Overnight
temperatures of around 0ºC are occasionally experienced during this time, so bring suitable
warm clothing. During the hot period of the dry season, March – May, temperatures can reach
the high 30s. In the north of the country from March to May wildfires and slash and burn
agriculture cause a haze which means that many viewpoints will be obscured. Wet season
months vary according to location: in Vientiane it’s May – September; in Luang Prabang August
is far wetter than any other month. Generally speaking, the monsoon season produces torrential
rain that lasts for short periods of time. Laos is sunny year round and we highly recommend
bringing sun screen.

Food & Dr in k
Lao cuisine has many similarities to Thai with lots of aromatic herbs and spices such as
lemongrass, chillies, ginger and tamarind used to flavour dishes. Sticky rice, or kao niao, is the
main ingredient in Lao cuisine, usually served with fermented fish and a fish sauce similar to that
used in Vietnamese cuisine called nam pa. Chicken and pork dishes are also popular but beef is
expensive in comparison. Soups served with noodles, bamboo shoots and fresh vegetables can
be found everywhere. We recommend that you avoid drinking the tap water. Sealed bottled
water, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices are widely available.

L a n gu a ge
The national language of Laos is Lao, which is spoken in many different dialects. In Luang
Prabang and Vientiane, English is widely spoken and French is still spoken by many government
officials and educated members of the older generation.

Mon ey
The kip (LAK) is the currency unit of Laos. US dollars and Thai baht are also accepted in many
places. In Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Pakse and other major towns you can find ATMs but they
will only distribute Lao kip. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at the larger hotels in Vientiane
and Luang Prabang. Banks, hotels and jewellery shops often offer currency exchange. Very few
shops, hotels or restaurants accept travellers’ cheques and they can be difficult to exchange
outside of the main cities. We recommend carrying a mix of US dollars and kip, with a stock of
small notes. For tuk tuks, local food stalls and small purchases, it’s best to use kip; for larger items
or when the exchange rate works in your favour, use US dollars.

Tip p in g
Tipping is customary in Laos and encourages good service, but it is not obligatory. If you wish to
tip your driver and guide at the end of your tour we recommend an amount of US$ 12-15 per
day for the guide and US$ 4-5 for the driver (per couple). Most hotels pool tips amongst all staff
so consider tipping upon departure; porters should be tipped around US$ 1. Boat crew for any
overnight cruises should be tipped around US$ 4 per person or US$ 2 per person for cruises of
1 or 2 hours. Tips can be paid in US Dollars or the equivalent amount in local currency.

Fes t iv a ls
Laos is a land of festivals and celebrations, most of which are based in the Buddhist faith and tied
to the lunar calendar so dates are tricky to predict. During festival periods many restaurants,
museums and shops are closed and temples may be more crowded. Laos’s biggest festival is Lao
New Year (Pi Mai) from14-16 April 2018 & 2019, a period of celebration that involves large
water fights that might be impossible to avoid – so protect your valuables! During Pi Mai
otherwise peaceful towns come alive with loud music and most restaurants will be closed while
owners enjoy the celebrations.

Tim e
Laos is 7 hours ahead of GMT and does not observe daylight saving.

Elect r icit y
Laos uses a mix of 220V and 110V. Power outlets usually feature 2 pin round or flat sockets
however there is no set standard and some sockets accept both types. We recommend that you
take a universal plug adaptor.

L oca l Co n t a ct Det a ils
In the event of any problem or concern please contact our representative on the office numbers
below or on the emergency contact numbers out of office hours. Please note if calling from a
landline within Laos or from a Lao mobile phone please drop the country code 856 and replace
with 0.

EXO Travel Laos
Open Monday - Friday 08.30 to 18.00
Vientiane Office +856 21 454 640
Luang Prabang Office +856 71 252 879
Pakse Office +856 31 252 501
24 hours emergency contacts (mobiles):
Vientiane Office – Mr Bounmark Phimmasene +856 20 222 44 506
Luang Prabang Office - Mr Phoutasak Ophaso +856 20 555 71 122
Luang Prabang Office +856 20 55 570 089

688 690 691 – 29/03/2018