FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Answers to our most frequently asked questions can be found here. If you can't find the answer you're looking for just contact us.
WHEN SHOULD I BOOK VIETNAMINTRO?
You can book with us right up until before you leave. However groups fill up fast, so it's best to book as early as possible to avoid disappointment. You can secure your place by paying a $200 deposit.
DO MANY PEOPLE TRAVEL ALONE?
Yes. Lots of people who go to Vietnam are travelling solo. But by doing VietnamIntro you'll be part of a group, so it's a great way to meet people and make friends!
WHAT HAPPENS IF I ARRIVE BEFORE MY VIETNAMINTRO START DATE?
It’s a good idea to try and arrive on the actual VietnamIntro start date. There's no activities on the first day, so you can arrive at any time. If you do arrive early we'll still pick you up from the airport and will book you into the hostel from the day you arrive. Extra nights will be approximately $10 per night and can be paid for on arrival.
DO I NEED A VISA TO ENTER VIETNAM?
It’s important to check your visa requirements before entering Vietnam. Depending on your nationality and how long you’re planning on staying in Vietnam there are a few options: Option 1: Some nationalities including the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway can enter Vietnam without a visa for a maximum of 15 days. If you want to stay longer than 15 days then you can apply for a 30-day visa online here: evisa Option 2: If you’re not from one of the countries listed above then you’ll need to apply for a one month visa at a Vietnamese Consulate nearest to you before you arrive. This requires submitting an application form along with your passport, passport photos and paying a fee which starts at $60USD for a single entry one month visa. Please allow at least 2 weeks processing time for this visa. Option 3: Another option is to apply for a Visa Invitation Letter that is emailed to you, which you then print and bring with you to Vietnam. This letter allows you to fly into Vietnam and pick up your Visa on Arrival (VOA) at the airport. This VOA is for one month and is at a cost of $25USD for a single entry and $50USD for a multiple entry and needs to be paid in USD cash on arrival in Vietnam. There are a variety of websites that will provide you this Visa Invitation letter such as www.myvietnamvisa.com. They will require you to submit an online application form and pay a fee of approx. $20USD. Please allow at least 4-5 working days processing time for the Visa Invitation Letter. A VOA is not available to those arriving into Vietnam overland. If you plan on arriving overland you’ll need to go with Option 1 or 2. Please note that while the above information is currently accurate, visa rules can often change so it’s always best to double check before departing. If you’re unsure of your visa requirements or need any help just contact us.
CAN I CHAT TO MY GROUP BEFORE I ARRIVE?
Yes. We will send you an invite to a private Facebook Group a month before your start date so you can start getting to know your group.
WHERE DOES VIETNAMINTRO FINISH AND WHERE DO I GO FROM THERE?
VietnamIntro finishes in Ho Chi Minh City in the south of Vietnam. We fly into Ho Chi Minh City on day 9, so if you're on the 9 day trip we recommend adding an extra night in Ho Chi Minh and flying out on day 10 at the earliest. Your Group Leader can organise any extra nights for you in Vietnam. If you’re staying on longer in Vietnam or elsewhere in South East Asia then don’t worry, your VietnamIntro Group Leader will help you organise all of your onward travel.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT VIETNAM?
It’s always a good time to go travelling in Vietnam. Most months of the year you will experience both sunshine and possibly some rain. It’s usually quite hot and humid most of the time, but it can occasionally get cold, especially in the north of Vietnam so it’s always best to bring a couple of warm layers with your summer clothing.
IF I'VE ALREADY BOOKED MY FLIGHT CAN I STILL BOOK VIETNAMINTRO?
Yes. As long as you're in Hanoi on one of the start dates you can book with us.
DO I NEED TO BOOK MY FLIGHT BEFORE I BOOK VIETNAMINTRO?
No. You can book VietnamIntro and then book your flight. Try and arrive on the actual start date as we spend plenty of time in Hanoi as part of the trip already. Also, there are no activities on the start date, so you can arrive anytime and you won’t miss a thing!
CAN I ARRIVE IN VIETNAM ON A ONE-WAY TICKET?
Depending on which airline you fly with or who you meet at Immigration when you land, there's a small chance that you might need to show proof of a ticket out of Vietnam. If you don't have a return ticket or onward flight already booked you can always wait to see if you are asked and then buy a cheap flight or bus ticket out of the country, even if you're not planning on using it.
HOW MUCH MONEY WILL I NEED?
All of your activities, accommodation, transport and some meals are included with VietnamIntro, so you’ll just need money for some meals, drinks, shopping and any onward travel. We recommend you bring at least $250 spending money for VietnamIntro.
WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO ACCESS MY MONEY?
It's best to take a Visa or Mastercard debit or credit card, or a travel money card with you. With a back up PIN protected card to keep elsewhere (e.g. with your passport) in case you lose the primary one. There are ATM's and money exchanges available throughout Vietnam so it's easy to get access to cash. Traveller’s cheques are not recommended as they are not accepted everywhere and carrying large amounts of cash is not recommended.
We also recommend bringing around a hundred or so US Dollars with you as well. As they are widely accepted in Vietnam.
DO I NEED A SLEEPING BAG?
All hostels in Vietnam provide bedding so there's no need to bring a sleeping bag with you.
BACKPACK OR SUITCASE? AND HOW MUCH SHOULD I BRING?
We recommend bringing a backpack and packing light! 10-20kgs of stuff should be plenty. And because it's usually quite hot in Vietnam dragging a 30kg suitcase around isn't much fun!
WILL I GET BY WITHOUT KNOWING THE LANGUAGE?
Yes. The majority of locals in tourist areas speak English. We recommend learning a few key words such as ‘hello’, ‘thank you’ and ‘how much’ to help you get by. We can teach you these and more.
IS VIETNAM A DANGEROUS PLACE TO VISIT?
No. Vietnam is generally a safe place. With our help, some common sense and respect for the local culture you’ll be ok.
DO I NEED INJECTIONS BEFORE I GO TO VIETNAM?
There are no mandatory injections for Vietnam and the areas VietnamIntro go to are very low risk. Therefore people often don’t bother with injections. However some travellers do get injections to protect against Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Tetanus. For more info see your doctor or check out this link.
WILL I GET SICK WHILST IN VIETNAM?
Yes – if you drink out of the tap, eat food that hasn’t been cooked properly, get bitten by a stray dog because you teased it, or drink too much alcohol. Otherwise you’ll be fine. If you get sick we’ll be there to help you.