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

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

We require a minimum of 6 participants for most GEEO programs. We officially confirm that a program will run once at least 8 people have signed up, which provides a margin for individual cancellations. Nearly all GEEO programs ultimately meet this enrollment quota, and in the rare event that a program does not meet the minimum requirement and GEEO cancels the program, we will work with you to find a suitable alternative or provide a refund of your deposit if you prefer. We encourage you to sign up for any program that interests you, and we will notify the entire group once 6 people are booked and again once 8 people are booked. We always emphasize the importance of exercising caution when making non-refundable travel arrangements, especially given the unpredictable nature of travel. For example, we typically recommend booking flights with flexible change/cancellation policies.

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 departure, all your program fee payments will be refunded besides your $350 deposit which is kept on file for future use
• If you cancel between 30 and 59 days prior to departure, you will receive a 50% refund and your deposit is kept on file for future use
• If you cancel within 30 days of departure, you will receive no refund, but your deposit is kept on file for future use

Trip Notes

1. In some major cities in Vietnam, many hotel rooms do not have windows.
2. 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 20 kg (44lbs). Additional bags or excess weight charges may apply. These charges are the responsibility of the passengers.

Group Leader Description

All GEEO/G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of G Adventure’s group leaders, which they refer to as Chief Experience Officers (CEOs). 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.

Fitness 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!

Accommodation and Rooming

Accommodation for family trips have been chosen to give the best location and facilities for your family. They may vary depending on the location and destination, but designed to give the most comfortable experience while traveling. You and your family will generally be sharing rooms on a twin or triple-share basis. These rooms will be either adjoining or located in close proximity to each other. For the Halong junk boat, only two triples are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Families will be roomed together and not with other families everywhere we stay. If you have any special hotel requests at the time of booking, let us know and we will do what we can to accommodate them. 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. Please note that if you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single accommodation for all nights except Dau 3 (overnight boat), Day 4 (overnight train), and Day 10 (homestay).

Joining Instructions

Day 1 is an arrival day, and no activities have been planned. Upon arrival to the city on Day 1, or earlier if you have booked pre-accommodation with us, please make your way to the joining hotel. Please note: Check-in time will be in the afternoon. Once you arrive at the hotel, look for a note at reception from your tour leader. This note will give the details of your Welcome Meeting on Day 1, usually between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., during which you will get a chance to meet your tour leader and other travelers, as well as learn more about how the tour will run. If you don’t see a note, please ask reception for details. If you miss the Welcome Meeting, your tour leader will leave a note at reception for you with any information you may need and with instructions for the next morning. When you arrive at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, you have a choice of an airport transfer, a taxi, or Vietnam Airlines shuttle bus to get you into the city. The airport is 35 km outside of the city, and the drive should take between 40-50 minutes, depending on traffic. The airport taxis are a safe and convenient way to arrive at your hotel. The cost is approximately $17 USD and is paid directly to your driver when you get to the hotel. The other option is to take the Vietnam Airlines shuttle bus, which drops everyone at the Vietnam Airlines office downtown. The cost of the tickets is 45,000 Dong (approx. $3 USD). From the Vietnam Airline office, there are taxis that can take you to your hotel with the meter on for about $2-4 USD. WARNING: Please be wary of illegal taxi drivers. They will try to coax you away from the main airport taxi services and then charge an exorbitant price, either in U.S. Dollars or by getting you to change money into Vietnamese Dong before you understand the exchange rate and thus charge you at least twice the going rate. Unfortunately, there have been cases in Vietnam of people misrepresenting themselves as G Adventures representatives at both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh airports. We recommend that you do not take advantage of any offers of “help” at the airport and rather just organize a meter taxi for yourself to our starting point hotel. If you have a pre-booked transfer, please look for the G Adventures representative, who will be holding a G Adventures sign at the arrival halls. Please check carefully once you exit the baggage hall as there seem to be hundreds of people waiting outside in the arrival area. Please check that your driver knows your name and the hotel to which you are going. If in doubt, ask them to ring their manager to confirm your transfer. If you are experiencing complications with your AIRPORT TRANSFER in Vietnam that was booked through G Adventures please call: +84 88 844 9969 If you are unable to locate our G Adventures representative, please wait up to 30 minutes, call our local staff on our emergency number, or take a taxi to the starting point hotel.

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. Alice Emergency number: +84 90 430 5130 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. Health & Safety

• N95/KN95 Face masks (at least a few just in case there is an outbreak within your group)
• Hand sanitizer
• Quick Covid Test/Antigen Tests (at least 3)

Suggested Checklist

• Light windproof/waterproof jacket or umbrella
• Sun hat
• Personal 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
• Watch or alarm clock
• Clothes for religious sites – knees and shoulders must be covered
• Toiletries – your hotels will have soap and shampoo
• Camera
• 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 Checklist

• Lightweight silk sleep sheet
• Travel pillow
• Money belt
• Waterproof camera/phone bag (if you want to take pictures while kayaking in Halong Bay)
• Water bottle
• Phone/tablet for internet – most hotels have WiFi
• Chargers for electronics as well 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

Document Checklist

• Passport (with photocopies)
• Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
• Travel insurance ID card
• Flight itinerary/boarding pass(es)
• USD/EUR cash
• 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 here. U.S. citizens must apply for a single-entry tourist visa to enter 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.

Money Exchange

The local currency in Vietnam is the dong (VND). 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 tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on 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. Tipping is also one of the most direct ways that you can have a positive economic impact within the local community. 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. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from $1-2 USD per person per day, depending on the quality and length of the service. Ask your tour leader for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. At the end of your program, if you felt your G Adventures tour leader did an outstanding job, a tip would be appreciated. The amount is entirely your personal preference, but as a guideline, $20-25 USD per person per week would be appropriate.

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 (http://www.passporthealthusa.com/), 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 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 Ho Chi Minh City. 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 Ho Chi Minh City any time on the final day of the program, or stay later 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 uses a combination of both American and European outlets, known as type A and type C plugs. The voltage is 220-240 Volts. (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.

Expectations

Before you decide to travel with GEEO, it is important that you read all of the information about the program you are considering. Remember, our programs are quite adventurous.

• The purpose of the accommodation is to provide a safe place for you to sleep. Sometimes you will be pleasantly surprised, but do not expect luxury. Sometimes the accommodation is not air-conditioned.
• 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.
• You must be able to easily carry or roll your luggage, so do not over-pack.
• Many of our programs occur in locations where it is very hot during the day. 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. Meals can sometimes be far apart.
• Please make sure you understand the role of your tour leader on this trip as they are not the traditional “guide” you may be expecting. While our trips are educational, they aren’t study/lecture trips. We want you to learn through exploring, and much of your experience will be based on how active you choose to be in acquiring knowledge and interacting with locals.

Hopefully this is the kind of adventure you are interested in!

Itinerary Disclaimer

While it is our intention to adhere to the routes described on our website, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable, to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The information on our website is a general guide to the tour and region, and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Weather

Vietnam’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!” “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.” “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). 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.”