Important Info

Trip Notes & Expectations

ACCOMMODATION

Our program fees are based on double-occupancy accommodation (see “Single Travelers” below if you do not have a travel companion and would be interested in a private room). Our accommodations are selected for safety, cleanliness, and convenient locations. While they are comfortable and well-suited for group travel, they are generally simple rather than luxury properties in order to keep the program affordable.

In some major cities in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand, hotel rooms may not have windows, and not all accommodations are air-conditioned. We recommend bringing a small travel fan or cooling towel to help stay comfortable. In addition, some shared rooms may have limited privacy (open bathroom designs are common in Southeast Asia).

TRANSPORTATION

We use a mix of transportation that gets our guests from location to location safely. Sometimes you will have full days and nights of transportation as our trips tend to cover a lot of ground. The transportation will often be an adventure in itself. Motion sickness is common on winding mountain roads – consider bringing Dramamine, ginger pills or patches.

HEAT & COMFORT

On very hot days, air conditioning on transport may not be able to keep up. In some hotels, A/C may be weak, not functioning well, or not available at all. To stay comfortable, plan to dress in light, breathable clothing, drink plenty of water, and consider bringing a travel fan or cooling towel. You may also want to bring electrolyte supplements and buy (on site) a UV umbrella for sun/rain protection.

ACTIVITY LEVEL & PACE

This program involves light walking and hiking that is suitable for most fitness levels, and is not considered physically challenging. While it’s not physically strenuous, expect to be on the go, exploring the cities and ancient sites on foot, which may involve some uneven surfaces and stairs. The pace is a well-judged balance, with a mix of included activities and free time.

The heat and humidity are the biggest physical challenges, and some activities may need to be shortened due to extreme temperatures. Expect early morning departures (7-8am) most days. Make sure you stay hydrated, and we recommend always carrying snacks with you as meals can sometimes be far apart.

CASH & TIPPING

While credit cards are accepted at many hotels and large shops, cash is essential for most purchases. This includes tips, buying souvenirs from local vendors, and paying for small items.

The U.S. dollar is widely used in Cambodia, but it must be in excellent condition. Bring a supply of new, crisp U.S. bills (especially $1s, $5s, and $10s) with no tears, folds, or markings, as vendors will often refuse bills in poor condition. In Vietnam and Thailand, local currency is preferred. We recommend using ATMs to withdraw Vietnamese dong and Thai baht as needed.

GROUP LEADER

All GEEO programs are led by a G Adventures Chief Experience Officer (CEO), whose role is to take the hassle out of travel and help you get the most from your trip. They’ll share information about the places you visit, suggest activities and restaurants, and introduce you to our local friends. While not traditional guides, CEOs have broad knowledge of the region’s history, culture, and daily life. On some excursions, local guides are used for deeper insight.

Single Travelers

Traveling solo? You’re in good company—about half of our participants do the same.

Shared room by default. The program fee covers one person in a twin room. We’ll pair you with a roommate of the same gender if you don’t have a travel companion.

Want a private room? Most trips offer a “My Own Room” (single-supplement) upgrade. Check the price in the Add-Ons & Budgeting section, then email [email protected] to reserve it. You pay the single-supplement only if you request it.

Emergency Contacts

If you need urgent help during your trip, call the local G Adventures office first. If no one answers, leave a detailed message with your name and contact information so they can return your call as soon as possible.

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS:
G Adventures Local Representative (Vietnam)
Ms. Thuan
Emergency number: +84 88 844 9969

After office hours Emergencies:
From outside Thailand +66 (0) 92 338 9222
From within Thailand (0) 92 338 9222

If for any reason you are unable to reach the G Adventures local office, please call the numbers listed below to connect with their Sales team, who will happily assist you.
Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100
Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000
Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000
Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618
Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307
Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999

Packing List

See our blog post of staff-recommended gear to help you pack for your upcoming travels. You must be able to carry your own luggage—up stairs, on and off of transport, and during 15 to 20 minute walks. Bring one small or medium backpack or rolling bag (22-30lb) and one daypack for daily items. Space is limited on transportation, so oversized bags cannot travel.

Internal Flight Restrictions: Each passenger is allowed one checked bag (max 15 kg/33 lbs). Additional bags or excess weight charges may apply, and are the responsibility of the traveler.

As you prepare your packing list, we recommend checking average weather conditions for your destination.

*Laundry: Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge, or you can ask your tour leader where the nearest laundromat is located. In case you want to do your own laundry, we suggest you bring your own non-polluting/biodegradable soap.

Passports and Visas

Travelers are responsible for securing all required travel documents and meeting the entry requirements for every country on their itinerary, including applicable transit/layover countries.

• Read GEEO’s detailed entry guidance with screenshots and offical links:
• → Vietnam Instructions | → Cambodia Instructions |→ Thailand Instructions

PASSPORT
All travelers must have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your trip dates with enough blank pages for stamps. Need to apply or renew? Start here.

ENTRY/VISA REQUIREMENTS
Visa rules change frequently—always verify the latest requirements on the U.S. State Department Country Information Pages. Non-U.S. passport holders should verify requirements with your country’s official government resources. You can also use Sherpa, a third-party service and trusted G Adventures partner to look up the latest requirements.

PROOF OF EXITING VIETNAM
Important thing to note for our travelers arriving in Vietnam, and travelling onwards to neighboring countries (i.e., Cambodia & Thailand). When you are checking onto your international flight heading to Vietnam, you will often be asked by airline ticket counter personnel to provide proof of exit from Vietnam.

In respect to this requirement, we encourage you to print out a copy of your tour vouchers, along with a PDF copy of your Tour Details from the webpage. These references, along with entry and exit details on travellers’ Vietnam visa, should be sufficient information.

Money Exchange

Currency: The local currencies are the Vietnamese dong (VND), the Cambodian riel (KHR), and the Thai baht (THB). However, the U.S. dollar (USD) is also widely accepted for most transactions in Cambodia. For current exchange rates, visit www.xe.com.

Credit/Debit Cards: Credit cards (especially Visa and Mastercard) are accepted at many hotels, shops, and restaurants, but not everywhere. Some vendors may also charge an international transaction fee, so check with your bank before you travel.

Cash: We highly recommend bringing a stash of small, crisp, and clean U.S. bills ($1s, $5s, and $10s) for use in Cambodia. Vendors there are very particular and will often refuse to accept any bill that is torn, worn, or marked. For all three countries, you will need local currency for small purchases, tipping, and in places that do not accept cards. You can withdraw cash from ATMs or exchange currency at local banks as you travel.

Emergency Funds: Bring at least $200 USD (or the equivalent in local currency) in cash for emergencies in case of ATM or card issues. Always carry more rather than less to avoid feeling short of funds while traveling.

For more advice, see our post, Smart Travel Finances: Your Guide to Money, ATMs, Fees, and Safety Abroad

Tipping

Tipping is optional but appreciated and goes a long way for the people who look after you on the trip. If you are happy with the service, use these ballpark amounts and adjust as you see fit (tip in the local currency where possible):

– Service providers/Waiters: 10% of the bill.
– Local guides and drivers: $1-2 USD per person per day.
– G Adventures tour leader (CEO): $20-25 USD per person per week. (We suggest pooling contributions in an envelope and presenting it as a group)

Tipping Kitty: On some trips, your CEO may suggest a “tipping kitty” where everyone contributes at the start of the tour, and the CEO uses that pooled amount to tip service providers for the group as a whole (not including your CEO). If your CEO doesn’t mention it and you’d like to use a kitty, we recommend asking about it early in the trip. Your CEO will advise the suggested amount and preferred currency for the kitty.

Vaccinations

GEEO cannot provide any medical advice, so it is very important to consult your doctor or a travel clinic about which vaccinations you will need for your trip. We recommend contacting Passport Health, which has travel clinics located throughout the United States. You can also check the CDC’s recommended vaccinations for your destination. Please take this seriously!

Flights

Wait for official trip confirmation via email from GEEO before booking your flights. Prices tend to be lowest 90–120 days out, but that window varies by route and year. Neither GEEO nor G Adventures bears responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed.

This program begins in Ho Chi Minh City and ends in Chiang Mai. Please double-check our itinerary for the date by which you must arrive in Hanoi. You may want to arrive in Ho Chi Minh City one or more days early in case you have flight disruptions. You can arrive at any time you choose, but try to make it in time for our 6:00 p.m. Welcome Meeting on Day 1. You can depart from Chiang Maiany time on the final day of the program, or stay longer to see more of the city.

Plugs and Converters

Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand use a combination of Type A and Type C outlets, and the voltage is 220-240V. To use your electronics safely, you’ll need to consider:

1. Adapter (plug shape)
Adapts your U.S. plug to fit another type of socket. See our recommended all-in-one travel adapter in our Gear Recommendations post.

2. Converter / transformer (voltage)
Steps the outlet voltage down to 120V for U.S. appliances that can’t handle higher voltage.

Check what you need: Look on your device’s plug or power brick. “Input: 100-240V” works worldwide—you only need a plug adapter. Any range narrower (e.g., “110-120V” or “Input: 120V”) means you need an adapter and a voltage converter to avoid damage. Converters are inexpensive and available online or in travel stores.

Weather

Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand’s wet season runs from around May to October. The wet season is characterized by a downpour for a few hours each day rather than all-day torrential downpours. The advantages of this season are lower temperatures, cleaner air, and smaller crowds. North Vietnam is typically dryer than South Vietnam during this time of the year.

Advice From Past Participants

Packing & Laundry: “There are plenty of opportunities to have your laundry done very inexpensively (about $1 USD per kilo), so only bring enough clothes for about a week to save space. Also, skip the raincoat—use a lightweight poncho instead. Bring a plastic bag to put your passport in for when it rains.”

Health & Comfort: “The heat and humidity were the biggest physical challenges. Bring electrolytes in tablet form, not powder, and a portable fan. The Mini Sawyer Squeeze was the BEST item I brought, as we were able to filter water all of the time and not have to be on the search for a store. Also, be prepared for motion sickness on the winding roads and consider bringing ginger pills or chews.”

Money & Shopping “I must emphasize the need for small bills ($1, $5, $10) and in excellent condition. I brought plenty with me, but many of my tour group members struggled to get change. Many of my group bought so many things they needed to buy a second suitcase.”

Useful Apps & Technology: “Download a currency converter app. Download Google Translate and all three languages of the countries (for use offline). If your phone supports it, download an e-sim card through Airalo. Download the “Grab” app and register your credit card in advance.”

Pacing: “Just be prepared for early mornings. We always had to be out the door by 7 or 8.”