Details
Frequently Asked Questions
Please read our general
FAQs, where you can find essential information that applies to all of our programs.
Resources to Learn & Teach about Vietnam and Cambodia
Visit our
recommended reading page to see the list of books GEEO recommends reading before your program (this is not required reading). We also have
lesson plans and
Pinterest boards that may be useful for you as you learn about your destination and prepare to bring lessons back to your classroom.
Terms and Conditions
It is very important for you to visit our
Terms and Conditions page before signing up for this program.
GEEO Program Confirmation Process
Most GEEO programs are officially confirmed to run once 4 participants have registered. If at least 8 people sign up by our designated deadline, the program will run as a private GEEO trip. Should enrollment fall between 4 and 8, the trip will still take place, but it may transition into a
shared departure with our partner tour operator, G Adventures. In this scenario, the itinerary, dates, and pricing for those who have already registered will remain unchanged, although additional travelers from outside GEEO may join the trip.A large majority of GEEO programs remain private for just educators, retired educators, and their guests. We encourage you to sign up for any program that interests you, and we’ll keep you updated throughout the process—first when 4 participants have registered and again once 8 people have signed up. As always, we recommend exercising caution when making non-refundable travel arrangements (for example, booking flights with flexible change or cancellation policies) until your program is confirmed to run.
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be submitted to GEEO in written form by emailing your request for cancellation to
travel@geeo.org. If you do not receive a confirmation that we have received your written cancellation request, please call us at 1-877-600-0105. Verbal cancellation requests will not be honored.
- If you cancel 60 days or more prior to the start of your program, all payments will be refunded excluding your $350 deposit, which is kept on file for future use and never expires. (Exception for participants who receive grants from our university partners: To address disruption caused by cancellation from grant recipients, deposits paid by grant recipients are forfeited upon cancellation.)
- If you cancel between 30 and 59 days prior to the start of your program, you will receive a 50% refund and your deposit will be kept on file for future use and will never expire.
- If you cancel within 30 days prior to the start of your program, you will receive no refund, but your deposit will be kept on file for future use and will never expire.
Trip Notes & Expectations
Before you decide to travel with GEEO, it is important that you read all of the information about the program contained on this page. Our programs are quite adventurous, and we find that clients who read the trip details in full are happier with their experiences.
- ACCOMMODATION: The purpose of the accommodation is to provide a safe, well-located place for you to sleep. Sometimes you will be pleasantly surprised, but do not expect luxury, however, as our priority is keeping our programs as affordable as possible. Sometimes the accommodation is not air-conditioned.
- 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.
- ACTIVITY LEVEL: This trip includes light walking and hiking that is suitable for most fitness levels. The heat and humidity are the biggest physical challenges. Make sure you stay hydrated! Please make sure you have thoroughly read the itinerary and can handle the group activities, which sometimes include day hikes with your daypacks. We recommend always carrying snacks with you as meals can sometimes be far apart.
- GROUP LEADER: Please make sure you understand the role of your tour leader on this trip. All GEEO/G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of G Adventure's group leaders, which they refer to as Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to our local friends. Our itineraries often have plenty of free time to explore on your own. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting – we think it’s the best of both worlds.
Single Travelers
Half of GEEO’s participants travel by themselves, so please don’t worry if you do not have a travel companion for your trip. Our program fee is for one traveler in double-occupancy accommodation, and GEEO can find you a roommate of the same gender if you do not have a travel companion. Most of our programs have a “My Own Room” option, also known as a “Single Supplement,” which is an extra fee that you can pay to have a room to yourself. You will only incur an additional charge if you specifically request a single room. To see the price for the “My Own Room” option, please find your program on our
extra services page. If you want to room alone, please email
travel@geeo.org to request a single room.
Emergency Contacts
Should you need to contact G Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call their local G Adventures office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information so they may return your call and assist you 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
Please
read this article on GEEO’s blog for our staff’s suggestions on the best gear to pack for your upcoming travels. You must be prepared to carry your own bags and be comfortable carrying them up and down stairs, on and off transportation, and to hotels. As a rule, we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 minutes with your bags, which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 22-30 lb. Most travelers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size. No XXL bags please! A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person plus a daypack per person.
There may be a weight restriction for the internal flight on this tour. Each passenger is allowed to carry one checked bag with a maximum weight of 15 kg (33 lbs). Additional bags or excess weight charges may apply. These charges are the responsibility of the passengers.
Suggested (click to expand)
- Light windproof/waterproof jacket or umbrella/poncho
- Sun hat
- Quick-drying clothing for hot weather (t-shirts, shorts, etc.)
- Daypack – you will not bring your big luggage to Halong Bay, which instead will be kept at our Hanoi hotel; a normal book bag is fine for this
- Sturdy walking shoes
- Sport sandals or flip-flops
- Sunblock
- Sunglasses
- Electrolyte powder packets or tablets - one per day
- Watch or alarm clock (or use your phone)
- Clothes for religious sites – knees and shoulders must be covered (pants and shirts). At Angkor Wat, pants (not skirts) are required to go up the steep steps, and your shirt must have sleeves (i.e., no shawls)
- Toiletries – your hotels will have soap and shampoo
- Camera (or use your phone)
- First-aid kit, including: lip salve, aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine, Dramamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, electrolyte powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking
Optional (click to expand)
- Travel pillow
- Light weight silk sleep sheet
- Money belt
- Waterproof camera/phone bag (if you want to take pictures while kayaking in Halong Bay)
- Water bottle w/ filter (e.g., Sawyer Squeeze)
- Phone/tablet for internet – most hotels have WiFi
- Chargers for electronics as well as converters/adapters, if needed
- AirTags or Tile trackers
- Packing cubes
- Earplugs
- Snacks – packing a few granola bars is a good idea; you can buy snacks when you get there too, so don’t go crazy here
- Ziplock bags for wet clothing
- Reading/writing material
- Hand sanitizer/baby wipes
Documents (click to expand)
- Passport (with photocopies)
- Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
- Travel insurance ID card
- Flight itinerary/boarding pass(es)
- USD/EUR cash – must be in good condition
- Credit/debit card
- G Adventures vouchers
- GEEO Classroom action plans for your group – this is sent a few days before departure
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
All GEEO programs require that the participant have a valid passport. Please see our general
FAQ for information on obtaining a passport. As with all of our trips, we try to provide the most accurate information we can, but governments sometimes change visa rules. It is your responsibility to double check the information we provide below by searching
the U.S. State Department's International Travel Guidance.
PASSPORT
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in each country visited on this tour. Make sure it has at least three blank pages for entry and exit stamps.
VISA
Vietnam
U.S. citizens must apply for a tourist visa to enter Vietnam.
Please review our visa guidance for Vietnam. You have until about two weeks before departure to complete an online application for an e-visa, but we suggest applying at your earliest convenience. You can use
Sherpa ($45 USD) or apply for an e-visa through
the Embassy of Vietnam ($25 USD). The e-visa processing time is 3 business days. Approximately three months prior to your program's start date, GEEO will provide the information you need for the e-visa application, including the temporary residential address in Vietnam and entry and exit checkpoints.
For more detailed instructions on completing the e-visa application, please refer to our
Vietnam Tourist Visa Application Guidance.
Cambodia
U.S. citizens need a visa to travel to Cambodia.
Please review our visa guidance for Cambodia. There are two options for obtaining your visa: 1) You can
apply for an e-visa through the official Cambodian government website, or 2) you can get a
visa on arrival at the
Bavet (Svay Rieng) border crossing.
Approximately three months before your trip, GEEO will provide the address of your first hotel in Cambodia, which you will need if you apply for an e-visa. The e-visa application will not permit you to submit an application earlier than 60 days before your intended arrival date. Keep in mind that even if you obtain an e-visa in advance, you might still have to wait at the border crossing if anyone in the group chooses the visa-on-arrival option. If you apply for a visa on arrival, you will need
two passport-style photographs (4cm by 6cm).
Thailand
U.S. citizens do not need a visa for stays in Thailand of less than 30 days.
Non-American participants should check with their government and local embassy to find out if they need a visa.
Money Exchange
The local currencies are the Vietnamese dong (VND), the Cambodian riel (KHR), and the Thai baht (THB). As currency exchange rates fluctuate, we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com.
We recommend that you obtain cash from ATMs while traveling; they will dispense the local currency. We do, however, recommend that you bring at least $200 USD in cash for emergency use or in case you have trouble with the ATMs. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops, but you may be charged an international transaction fee; ask your financial institution about their international fees. Please note that if you are carrying U.S. dollars, the bills should be in good condition (i.e., not torn, wrinkled, or marked on in any way) and dated recently. Be sure to carry lots of small bills ($1, $5, $10).
Tipping
It is customary in Southeast Asia to leave a small tip for service providers, such as waiters, if you are pleased with the service. Tipping is an expected, though not compulsory, component of this program and an expression of satisfaction with the people who assist you on your trip. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels.
There will be opportunities during the trip to tip your local guides or drivers. You may do this individually, or your tour leader may offer to collect the money and give a tip on behalf of the group. Ask your tour leader for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and expectations. Also, at the end of your program, if you felt your G Adventures tour leader did an outstanding job, a tip would be appreciated. Tipping amounts are entirely your personal preference, but as a guideline:
- Service providers/Waiters: 10% of the bill
- Local guides and drivers: $1-2 USD per person per day
- Tour Guide (CEO): $20-25 USD per person per week
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
We find the best prices for flights are often available around 90-120 days before departure, but of course this varies greatly from route to route and year to year.
You should wait until this trip is confirmed before you book non-refundable flights. GEEO and G Adventures bear no responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed.
This program begins in Hanoi and ends in Bangkok. Please double-check our itinerary for the date by which you must arrive in Hanoi. You may want to arrive in Hanoi 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 Bangkok any time on the final day of the program, or stay longer to see more of the city.
Plugs and Converters
There are two components to provide external power to your device: adapters and transformers (also called electrical converters). The adapter is for your device's plug, adapting the prongs on a standard U.S. two- to three-pronged power cord to fit the local outlets. The transformer/converter changes the local voltage to the voltage used in the U.S.
Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand use a combination of both American and European outlets, known as type A and type C plugs. In all three countries, the voltage is 220-240V. (Standard U.S. electrical outlets are 120V.) Most new devices, including phones and laptops, are made to work with the different voltage rates, but some devices, like hair dryers, may only work on the U.S. standard of 120V. Check your device's plug or manual to see what voltage range it requires. Most transformer blocks will have an “Input” line that defines its voltage capacity; for example, “Input: 100-240V” means that it will work with voltages between 100V to 240V. If your device can’t handle the higher voltage, you’ll need to purchase a transformer/converter. You can find world transformers/converters online or at many retail stores in the travel section.
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
“Don’t have any expectations about ANYTHING. It’s Vietnam – it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s crowded, it’s hot. It’s got good food, inexpensive gifts, great sites. Keep an open mind!”
“You MUST be able to carry your own luggage on this trip.”
“I would recommend a cooking lesson at the ‘Little Hanoi’ cooking school. It is amazing and the instructor ‘Tin’ is a culinary artist. Our guide recommended it to us… and it was phenomenal. One of the highlights of the trip and we stumbled into it on the last day. It’s run by a small family, and Tin is their head chef.”
"Hoi An also has eyeglass makers so if you bring you prescription, you can get several fun pairs of custom prescription glasses at great prices."
"Bring electrolytes in tablet form, not powder. The Mini Sawyer Squeeze was the BEST item I brought. We were able to filter water all of the time and not have to be on the search for a store. For Vietnam, remember to have small change for the bathroom, and it's good to have your own toilet paper on-hand."
"Skip the raincoat—use a lightweight poncho instead. Bring a plastic bag to put your passport in for when it rains."
“Make it clear for the Vietnam trip that you should have two bags, one large bag and one backpack big enough for overnight trips. This was not clear to those in my group, and some people did not feel prepared. “
“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. “
“Looking back at the website, I do see that it says that there are tailors that can make anything overnight in Hoi An, but I didn’t see this and wasn’t as prepared as I could have been to have stuff made (knowing what I wanted, getting measurements from others for gifts, etc.) maybe this could be highlighted more…”
“I think it is already in there, but 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.”
“When you get to Vietnam with your visa letter, you do not get in line like everyone else. There is a window (not well identified) where you go to actually get the Visa in your passport, then wait in line.”
"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."
Costs
Please keep in mind that this trip offers some free time to pursue activities that interest you. Make sure you look over all of the optional activities and note these additional costs when deciding whether you can afford this program. The prices below are rough estimates for budgeting your trip.
- Tour Company Fee: See our price in the top right corner
- Optional Activities: $200 USD
- International Airfare from the United States: Roughly $1,000-2,000 USD
If you require assistance searching for international flights, we would be happy to help you.
- Airport Transfers: $20-70
- Insurance: $79-200 USD
Please note: It is mandatory for all of our travelers to have Emergency Medical insurance that covers both emergency evacuation and repatriation to the sum of $200,000 USD. We also strongly recommend purchasing cancellation insurance as an add-on.
- Tipping: $65 USD for your tour leader; another $35 USD for local guides and drivers.
- Meals Not Listed in the Itinerary: $200-300 USD
- Visas: $25-45 USD for Vietnam + $30-45 USD for Cambodia
- Laundry, Drinks, Phone Calls, etc.: Make sure you budget for these types of expenses
- Souvenirs: Variable. At your personal discretion.
- Vaccines: Variable. Please consult with your primary care provider.
- Non-Educator Donation: $100 USD (suggested donation)
This is only for non-educator guests traveling with an educator on a GEEO trip. Educators and retired educators should not make this donation.
Optional Activities
Most optional activities are booked and paid for locally, sometimes in the local currency, and you do not have to decide in advance which ones you would like to sign up for. The prices listed are based on the latest information we have received from our participants and G Adventures. They are not guaranteed to be accurate. Please use them as a rough guide for budgeting your trip.
Booked In Advance
Please contact travel@geeo.org to book any of the following activities. They must be booked in advance of your departure.
Hue Motorbike Tour: $25 USD
Grab a helmet, hop on a motorbike driven by your experienced local guide, and get ready for a crash course in authentic Viet culture. Spend the next four hours exploring the stalls of a local market, making a Vietnamese conical hat, sipping on fresh green tea with a local family, learning to plow and make rice, and seeing the most iconic local sights. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Must be booked in Advance. Contact travel@geeo.org
Phare Circus: $18 USD
Enjoy a stellar performance by Phare, a unique and socially conscious circus that injects Cambodian culture and history into its inspiring shows. See acrobatics, contortion, and aerial arts melded with theatre, modern dance, and more. Take in stories of war, relationships, and discrimination, inspired by the real-life experiences of Phare’s creators and performers.
Must be booked in Advance. Contact travel@geeo.org
HANOI
Museum of Ethnology: $2 USD
Learn about Vietnam’s various ethnic groups on this visit to the Museum of Ethnology – considered to be the finest modern museum in Vietnam.
Temple of Literature: $1 USD
Visit this sprawling temple built to honor Confucius, sages, and scholars. Dedicated to learning, it housed the country’s first university in 1076. Explore its five courtyards, containing various gates, altars, sanctuaries, shrines, the stelae of doctors, and the Well of Heavenly Clarity.
Tran Quoc Pagoda Visit: Free admission
Visit one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam located on the eastern shore of Tay Ho. Learn about Tran Quoc's history from the 17th-century stela found on site. View it later in the day, if you can – the tall structure is striking against the setting sun.
Thăng Long Water Puppet Theatre Performance: $8 USD
Watch a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show with beautiful live music and intricate puppets dancing in a water stage.
Hanoi Foodie Culture Tour: $25 USD
Indulge your inner foodie with a street food tour through bustling Hanoi. Follow your guide through the back streets and markets of the city’s old quarter, sampling local fare along the way. Mingle with city natives and experienced street food artists alike, as you taste a variety of Hanoi faves like “nem ran” and “banh goi.” Stop at a street-side bar to savor a draught beer as Hanoians do. Cap off the tour at the Hanoi Food Culture restaurant, a G Values Fund Project, and try the city’s signature specialty coffee.
Fine Arts Museum: $1 USD
Women’s Museum: $1 USD
Army Museum: $1 USD
Taxi (to each museum): approx. $3 USD
HALONG BAY
Kayak Rental: $10 USD
Transfer from boat to kayak in this guided water tour, giving you the chance to get even closer to the stunning natural surroundings.
HUẾ
Bicycle Hire: $1 USD
HOI AN
Cooking Class: $30 USD
Take a cooking class to learn more about Vietnamese food and its distinct flavors. Tour the local market to buy fresh ingredients before preparing some popular regional dishes. Enjoy your creations when you're done!
Lantern Making Class: $16 USD
Colored lanterns are a symbol of Hoi An, where locals believe they bring happiness, luck, and wealth. Bring home a souvenir that you made yourself: Choose from a variety of different silks, and then work with your instructor to craft a bamboo frame and create your lantern, which will fold away neatly into your luggage.
Mỹ Sơn Ruins, including transport: $30 USD
Travel approximately one hour from Hoi An to arrive at My Son. Tour these Hindu temples built between the fourth and 14th centuries; the site is widely accepted as one of the most important Hindu temple complexes in Southeast Asia. Learn about the architectural style and history of a site that’s often compared to Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Bagan in Burma.
Thu Bon River Boat Trip: $12 USD
The Thu Bon River plays an important part in Hoi An's history and culture. Take a trip down the Thu Bon by riverboat for an alternative tour of the city.
HO CHI MINH CITY
Thien Hau Pagoda: Free
Visit the Thien Hau Pagoda, a beautiful temple in the Chinatown district of Ho Chi Minh City. Learn more about the customs associated with this 19th-century monument: It is dedicated to the goddess Thien Hau (the 'Lady of the Sea'), who is worshipped in Chinese communities throughout Asia by those who depend on the sea for their livelihoods.
Giac Vien Pagoda: Free
Find this hidden pagoda behind some small alleyways. It has been spared the over-restoration that has been done to so many other temples. Tour the inside of the 18th-century pagoda to see nearly one hundred carvings of divine beings.
Ben Thanh Market: Free
Wander this bustling market for more insight into Ho Chi Minh City. Pick up souvenirs, sample local cuisine, and experience local living. Learn a little history along the way; Ben Thanh started as a cluster of street vendors selling wares by the Saigon River and was formalized into a true market in 1859.
War Remnants Museum: $2 USD
Visit the War Remnants Museum, a gut-wrenching but worthwhile experience that includes three stories of exhibits and military hardware. Learn about the devastation that occurred in Saigon during the Vietnam War, a period that greatly contrasts the joy and liveliness of the Vietnamese people today.
Reunification Palace: $2 USD
Wander the historic halls of the Reunification Palace (Independence Palace), a landmark in Ho Chi Minh City. This former home of the South Vietnamese president during the Vietnam War became the location of the end of the war when a North Vietnamese tank pushed through the palace gates on April 30, 1975.
PHENOM PENH
National Museum: $10 USD
Visit Cambodia's largest museum of culture, history, and archaeology. Tour its buildings inspired by Khmer architecture – constructed in the early 1900s, they house one of the world's largest collections of Khmer art. Visits here are well worth your time.
The Silver Pagoda: $10 USD
Tour the Royal Palace complex to see the neighboring Silver Pagoda (aka the Temple of the Emerald Buddha). See the many magnificent treasures inside this beautiful vihara (Buddhist monastery), including its floor lined with more than 5,000 tiles of silver.
SIEM REAP
Tonle Sap Floating Village Tour: $22-26 USD
Tour the floating villages of Tonlé Sap. See what life is like living on a lake — rice planting, pig farming, and even attending churches and school, are all done on top of the water. (Please note: this activity runs seasonally.)
Angkor Museum: $12 USD
Learn about the story of Angkor and the Khmer empire at the interactive Angkor Museum. Explore the museum’s inspiring galleries and interactive technology, which bring Angkor’s past to life. Opt to rent an audioguide (5USD) for the full experience.
BANGKOK
Grand Palace: $15 USD
Visit the King’s official residence (made up of many buildings, halls, lawns, gardens, and courtyards) on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and see the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Jim Thompson’s House: $4 USD
Tour the Jim Thompson House, a Bangkok museum that was once the home of American businessman Jim Thompson, the “Legendary American of Thailand.” See his collection of Buddhist and secular art, amassed while building his silk company.
National Museum: $1.50 USD
See Thai artifacts on display from the Dvaravati, Srivijaya, Sukhothai, and Ayutthaya periods as well as other Southeast Asian collections.
Royal Barge Museum: $3.50 USD
Located along the Chao Phraya River, the museum is home to many ceremonial barges. The barges are only used for special occasions so this is a chance to catch a rare glimpse of their ornate decorations and symbolic features.
Wat Arun: $3 USD
Visit Wat Arun, a Buddhist temple and one of Thailand’s best-known landmarks. Tour inside to see its central prang (a Khmer-style tower) adorned with colorful porcelain.
Thai massage: $15-30 USD
Lie back and soothe aching muscles with a wonderful Thai massage. Affordable and amazing—don't miss out!
