Yes you do. Travel insurance is mandatory for all guests and should be obtained at the time of booking. We suggest that your insurance policy includes coverage for cancellation, loss of luggage, personal liability, curtailment, and personal events (such as personal accident, death, medical expenses, and emergency evacuation). The recommended minimum coverage for each category is US$ 200,000.

We strongly advise acquiring personal insurance that provides coverage for risks both before and during your trip. This should encompass protection against cancellations, interruptions, or delays due to covered reasons.

While you are not required to share your travel insurance information, we highly recommend doing so, especially when traveling alone. This enables our team to promptly assist you with any issues that may arise during your trip.

We exclusively offer travel insurance covering incidents occurring during trips within Vietnam and the Indochina region. However, we advise clients to collaborate with their domestic insurance provider, as they are better equipped to offer comprehensive coverage for incidents outside of the Indochina region.

US dollars and Euros are both widely accepted in popular tourist areas, hotels, and some restaurants. However, it is advisable to also carry some cash in local currencies for small expenses. Many smaller shops, restaurants, and local markets may not accept foreign currencies or credit card payments, except in Cambodia, where US dollars are widely accepted even in small shops. You can pay in US dollars and receive change in riels.

VISA, Mastercard, JCB, and American Express (AMEX) cards are universally accepted in all countries. However, it’s important to note that smaller shops or restaurants may only accept cash or local bank transfers. To ensure you are prepared for any situation, consider carrying both cash and cards during your travels.

Currency exchange services are readily available in Indochina countries. You can exchange money before arriving at the airport, at the airport, at your hotel, or at the shops displaying a money exchange sign. We recommend exchanging a certain amount in your home country and bringing US Dollars and Euros to exchange further as needed. If your home currency is not USD or Euros, convert it to USD or Euros as these currencies are widely accepted in Asia and easier to convert back to your home currency. Please also note that in Laos, it is regulated that carrying Lao Kip (LAK) when leaving the country is not permitted. Therefore, we recommend exchanging enough LAK for your trip and converting it back to USD or Euros before the last day of your stay in Laos.

In general, yes. All destinations in Indochina are generally safe for travel. While petty scams and theft can occur as in other parts of the world, it’s advisable to always keep your belongings secure, either in a hotel safety box or with you. Avoid displaying valuable items such as expensive jewelry or luxury accessories unless necessary. Additionally, always choose trusted travel agencies to help organize your trip.

In general, yes, all destinations in Indochina are considered safe for solo travelers. In April 2024, the British magazine Time Out named Vietnam one of the world’s safest destinations for solo female travelers. While petty scams and theft may occur, as they do in other parts of the world, it’s advisable to always check your belongings and keep them secure, whether in a hotel safety box or with you. Avoid displaying too many valuable items such as expensive jewelry or luxury accessories unless necessary. Additionally, always opt for trusted travel agencies that can assist you in organizing tours.

Absolutely! While the infrastructure in Asia may not be as developed as in Western countries, and there might be some challenges for people with disabilities to participate in certain adventure activities, we at Chào Asia Travel are dedicated to finding the best ways to assist them. Our tours are entirely private and tailor-made, allowing us to craft itineraries and select hotels, local tour guides, and tour assistants with extensive experience in accommodating our guests during their travels. Additionally, we advise consulting with your doctor, practitioners, insurance companies, and relevant authorities (the Bureau of Consular Affairs or Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to ensure you are fully prepared for your extended trip to Asia.

Standard hotels in Indochina typically provide in-room safety boxes. However, in several hotels, hostels, or homestays, the provision of safety boxes cannot be guaranteed. If you would like to request safety boxes at all the hotels where you stay, please inform our advisor team at Chào Asia Travel.

No, there is no age limit for traveling to Asia. We welcome guests of all ages to visit Asia and Indochina. All travelers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian or an escort over the age of 18 appointed by their legal guardian. If you have any health concerns, please consult your doctor and family members before traveling. Please note that Asia has different time zones, weather conditions, and cuisines compared to Europe, the US, the Americas, or Australia, which can cause some discomfort during the first few days after arrival until your body adapts to the change. At Chào Asia Travel, we cater to clients with different travel styles suitable for various age groups: Traveling with Kids, Free & Easy, Classic Tours, Adventure Tours, Cultural Exploration Tours, and Travel for People Who Need Special Assistance. Please contact our team for further information.

Depending on your health status, you can bring the medicines recommended by your medical doctor. For first-time travelers to Asia or those who might not adapt well to rapid changes, it’s important to be aware that Asia has different time zones, weather conditions, and cuisines compared to your home country. We suggest that you carefully consult your doctors before traveling and purchase travel insurance that covers health issues during your vacation.

Our tour guides and team members are well-trained to handle such situations. We will immediately assist you in seeking the best medical support from a trusted hospital and ensuring that you can recover as soon as possible. We will also support you in making changes or canceling the trip accordingly. Travel insurance in this case is essential to cover all medical expenses and any extra costs for changing or canceling the tours. We recommend that you purchase proper travel insurance before traveling to avoid such unfortunate circumstances.

Please be aware that travel inherently involves adventure, and unexpected events may occur. To enhance your experience, we recommend preparing in advance by purchasing travel insurance, learning about the destinations and local cultures you plan to visit, and maintaining an open-minded attitude. Being ready to immerse yourself in the local culture will help make your trip more enjoyable.

During the trip, you are not obligated to participate in any activity you do not wish to. However, please note that no refunds or exchanges will be provided for accommodations, meals, sightseeing tours, transportation, or any other services included in the tour price that are not utilized. In force majeure situations, please refer to our Terms and Conditions Policy for more information.

Traveling with pets can be complex, especially when crossing borders, as many countries have strict regulations or bans on bringing pets. Airlines and shipping lines also have their own pet transport policies, so it is essential to contact your carrier and relevant authorities (such as the Bureau of Consular Affairs or Ministry of Foreign Affairs) for specific details. Additionally, it’s crucial to plan for emergency cases where transporting pets back to your home country can be challenging. As a local travel agent, Chào Asia Travel will endeavor to accommodate your request to travel with pets. However, please be aware that not many transportation companies in Indochina have expertise in transporting pets for travel purposes, and some may refuse to transport both guests and pets in the same vehicle. You will be responsible for any related risks (to your pets, to other people, and to the service providers) when traveling with pets.

We specialize in private and tailor-made leisure trips, as well as MICE trips (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) to Indochina. If you are interested in volunteer trips within these countries, we recommend thoroughly researching the organization you plan to join. Ensure they have a proven track record in organizing such trips and receive positive reviews regarding successful and safe journeys. Additionally, consult the relevant authorities (such as the Bureau of Consular Affairs or Ministry of Foreign Affairs) for further advice.

Your tour guides are local experts who hold the “Tour Guides for International Tourists” certification issued by the local governments. All tour guides carry a tour guide ID card, allowing you to verify their credentials at any time. We work with highly experienced tour guides who are proficient in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, or German and have a proven track record.

Unless specified otherwise by the client, we will assign local tour guides for each city or region. For trips covering a large area from north to south, you will typically have a different tour guide in each region: one in the north, another in the center, and another in the south. During high seasons, when tour guides are fully booked 6-8 months in advance, we will inform our clients and adjust guide schedules to match your program. In some cases, this may require more than one tour guide for a tour in a single city or region.

Your final travel documents include a detailed itinerary that lists all booked hotels, cruises, flight details, and other services. These documents will be sent to you via email once payment is complete and your booking is confirmed. We will reconfirm all services via email 1 to 2 weeks before your arrival date and again on the first or second day of your trip to ensure there are no discrepancies between your itinerary and our records. Please keep your travel documents with you throughout your trip. If you notice any differences between the services provided and the travel documents, please contact our Chào Asia Travel team immediately for clarification and support.

• Requests such as a high floor at hotels or on a cruise, rooms on the same floor or adjacent to each other, or special details in the rooms cannot be confirmed in advance.
• Requests such as early check-in or late check-out can be guaranteed (with additional charge) if you book in advance and if the hotels have rooms available.
• Requests such as special diets like vegetarian food, no beef, no pork, or no seafood can also be guaranteed if you inform us at least 7 days in advance.
• Special notes such as honeymoon or anniversary should be provided to us at the time of booking to enjoy any special rewards offered by hotels (some hotels will require a wedding certificate).

Wi-Fi is widely available throughout Southeast Asia, except in some remote areas. Most hotels, resorts, and cruises offer Wi-Fi in rooms and common areas. However, Wi-Fi availability may be limited, scattered, or intermittent in certain areas such as on Ha Long Bay cruises or remote locations. To ensure you stay connected throughout your trip, we can arrange a Wi-Fi hotspot for you (additional fees will apply).

We categorize accommodations into 3-star, 4-star, 5-star, luxury, and boutique categories. Given that the hotel ranking system in Indochina is not well-developed, some hotels may not have official certification from the local government. In such cases, Chào Asia Travel uses its own specific criteria and experience to rate these properties. We also conduct regular inspections to ensure they are well-maintained and meet all health and safety requirements. When sending a quotation to clients, we provide the hotel name, website, and photos (if requested) so you can select accommodations that match your travel preferences. While we strive to provide the most accurate information about the accommodation, we cannot be held responsible for any discrepancies between the client and the property or for any misunderstandings on the client’s part.

Depending on the itinerary you choose, transportation may include local cars, coaches, vans, cruises, airlines, trains, and specific local options such as tuk-tuks, cyclos, scooters, jeeps, rowing boats or motorboats. Your safety is one of our top priorities; therefore, we exclusively work with local partners who meet our safety standards, employ experienced drivers with valid licenses (for land transportation) and provide life jackets (for water transportation). We also offer luxury transportation options upon request. Please note that transportation standards in Indochina may differ from those in developed countries and can vary between destinations. However, Chào Asia Travel is committed to providing the highest quality and safest transportation available for all our clients.

Typically, our drivers do not speak English, though some may have basic English skills. We recommend booking a tour guide to enhance your experience and gain deeper insights into the local culture and history. While it is possible to enjoy your trip independently without a tour guide, please be aware that communicating with the drivers might pose some challenges.

During our tours, we carefully select a variety of local restaurants that meet international standards. These may include locally owned establishments, social enterprise cafes, or restaurants operated by hotels. While we aim to showcase the best of our local cuisine, we understand that some clients may prefer fusion or Western-style food. Therefore, we incorporate a mix of local and Western dishes to ensure variety and enhance your culinary experience. You can always request to see the menu for each day in advance. If you have any dietary requirements or restrictions, please inform our team at the time of booking.

Certainly! We accept payments in US Dollars or Euros via PayPal or OnePay. For amounts exceeding US$ 1,000, we recommend using a bank transfer. Please note that all bank fees, including intermediary bank fees (if applicable), transaction fees, and exchange rate differences, will be paid by the sender.

• Group of 2–6 people: US$ 5 per person per day
• Group of 7–14 people: US$ 4 per person per day
• Group of 15 or more: US$ 3 per person per day

• Group of 2–6 people: US$ 2.5 per person per day
• Group of 7–14 people: US$ 2 per person per day
• Group of 15 or more: US$ 1.5 per person per day