1. Requirements on epidemic prevention and control for people on entry:

• Regarding testing, people entering by air: must have negative test results for SARS-CoV-2 (except for children under 2 years old) before leaving the country within 72 hours if using RT method -PCR/RT-LAMP or within 24 hours if the rapid antigen test method for SARS-CoV-2 virus is used and certified by the competent authority of the country performing the test.
• For people entering by other routes (road, waterway, railway) must have the same test as required at the point above. In case there is no negative test result for SARS-CoV-2 as specified at point a) above, a SARS-CoV-2 test must be performed within the first 24 hours (by RT-PCR/RT method). -LAMP or rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 virus) since entry. If the test results are negative, they are allowed to leave the accommodation and take measures to prevent and control the epidemic as prescribed. If the test result is positive, it must be reported immediately to the local health authority for instructions on timely handling.
• Children under 2 years old who are not required to be tested for SARS-CoV-2, have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 or have never been infected with SARS-CoV-2 are allowed to enter and participate in activities outside the accommodation with their parents.

2. For the medical declaration and medical quarantine at the border gate:

• People on entry must make a medical declaration before entering and use the medical declaration application (PC-COVID) during their stay in Vietnam according to regulations.
• At the border gate if you have symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection (fever; cough; sore throat; runny nose, stuffy nose; body aches, fatigue, chills; decrease or loss of taste; decrease or loss of sense of smell; pain); , headache; diarrhea; difficulty breathing; respiratory infection…) should immediately notify the health agency at the border gate to take medical measures as prescribed.
• Monitor health and apply preventive measures against COVID-19:
• Within 10 days from the date of entry: self-monitor, if there are symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection (fever; cough; sore throat; runny nose, stuffy nose; body aches, fatigue, chills; decreased or lost taste; decreased or lost sense of smell; pain, headache; diarrhea; difficulty breathing; respiratory inflammation…) must immediately notify the nearest medical authority for instructions. , timely management; take preventive measures: regularly wear a mask, disinfect hands with an antiseptic solution.

For those who have not tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 before leaving the country: during the process of moving from the entry border to the place of residence, do not stop and park along the way; Avoid close contact with people around.

Cambodia Entry Policy for International Tourists valid from Mar 17, 2022

Cambodia government has made the following decisions valid from 17 Mar 2022:

1. All travelers, who are coming to Cambodia are not required to provide a PCR Test result within 72 hours of their arrival.
2. No longer required to do Antigen Rapid Test upon arrival.
3. Visa on arrival once again available for all international travelers, including by air, sea and land.

Despite the change of requirements as stated in point 1 and 2 above, the Ministry of Health encourages all passengers to do self-test. In addition, all passengers must present a Covid-19 vaccination certificate upon arrival in Cambodia.

Passengers who have not been vaccinated with Covid-19 will need to do 14 days quarantine.

Vietnam Entry Policy for International Tourists valid from May 15, 2022

In light of the recent COVID-19 outbreak, Vietnam has imposed several travel restrictions on those entering the country. As of May 15, 2022, Vietnam had confirmed 10,695,036 cases of COVID-19 with 43,065 deaths, though 9,349,592 of the patients, had recovered.

Those planning to travel to Vietnam should be aware of the latest restrictions currently in place:

1. Vietnam dropped COVID-19 testing requirements for all international arrivals from May 15 as per Official Dispatch No. 416/CD-TTg after a significant decrease in the number of cases.
2. Vietnam suspended the medical declaration requirement for all international arrivals from April 27 as COVID-19 cases dropped nationwide. Medical declarations for domestic travel have also been suspended.
3. Tourists entering Vietnam should also have medical or travel insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment with a minimum liability of US$10,000.
4. The e-visa government website link is now open for visa submissions.
5. Vietnam’s government on March 15 agreed to resume its visa exemption policy for 13 countries for up to 15 days regardless of the purpose of entry. This applies to citizens of Belarus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. The visa exemption policy had been in place prior to the pandemic. Further details on entry procedures are awaited from the government.

The post Travel Entry Update to Vietnam and Cambodia – Covid 19 Restrictions appeared first on Vietnam Tours - Indochina Tours.

First of all, Vietnam is a country with many wild natural landscapes, with a long coastline, from green terraced fields in Sapa to white sand beaches in Phu Quoc… Vietnam has attracted millions of international visitors to visit.

Here are some useful Vietnam Travel Advice when travelling in Vietnam

Pass the road – Vietnam Travel Advice

To overcome this tough challenge, slowly merge into the car under the road, keep a steady speed, don’t hesitate, don’t stop, don’t text by phone or view the map when crossing the street. The vehicles will automatically adjust to you.Vehicles in the heart of major cities in Vietnam are mainly motorbikes, taxis, buses … For the first time to Vietnam, visitors can use the vehicles mentioned above. However, if you like to discover by yourselves, should rent a motorbike package at hotels and motels. Motorbike rental prices are usually not too expensive, ranging from 150 – 200,000 VND/day.

Be careful with dog and cat meat – Vietnam Travel Advice

You will be very easy to eat without noticing. If you love cute cats and dogs as well as consider them as an indispensable best friend, please learn Vietnamese before for these 2 words to be able to distinguish. Dog and cat meat are two popular dishes in Vietnam. Although there was a law that didn’t consume cat meat in 1997, it still appeared a lot. People also smuggle cats from China and Laos to Vietnam. In the menu, cat meat is called “tiger tiger”.

Vietnamese currency – Vietnam Travel Advice

The exchange rate between US dollar and Vietnamese currency is about 23,300.Traveling in Vietnam, foreign visitors do not necessarily need to convert cash to Vietnam dong. Stores still accept exchange in USD. Also to be advantageous in many situations,  visitors should remember to change to Vietnamese currency.

Foreign visitors must try to pay attention to the number to tip correctly. The bills in Vietnam have many zeros. Due to lack of experience, visitors often get confused between 10,000 and 100,000 sheets. The trick is to remember the color of each currency to avoid confusion.

Pronounced the word “pho”

This is a delicious dish everywhere. You should try to learn the correct pronunciation to avoid misunderstandings when ordering.

Prepare seasonal items – Vietnam Travel Advice

Vietnam belongs to a tropical monsoon climate. Summer is very hot, you should prepare personal items such as umbrellas, sunscreen or sunglasses. And the winter in the North is usually very cold, don’t forget to bring a thick coat. Therefore, the luggage to bring to Vietnam, there are enough costumes to match the weather here to protect your health. You should also see the weather forecast before you leave and bring an umbrella to prevent rain.

Ask taxi prices, tour guides first – Vietnam Travel Advice

If your group has 3 people, the price may be equal or cheaper than buying a tour in group. When organizing your own tour or having your private tour, you can decide when to leave the hotel, where to eat, where to go, when to return to the hotel… and with a group tour, you cannot do this.

Careful cheat taxi – Vietnam Travel Advice

At the airport there are many taxi scams. You should book a taxi at the hotel to avoid overcharging. They will come to the airport to pick you up to reduce risks and unnecessary costs. You do not have to pay tolls, so if the driver asks you to pay, you should refuse immediately. Vietnamese drivers often do not follow traffic laws. Ask the driver not to talk on the phone while driving as they can drive the wrong way and this may make your schedule longer. At the same time, listening to the phone while driving can be dangerous due to complicated traffic in many cities.

Passport valid at least 6 months – Vietnam Travel Advice

You need to make sure your passport is valid for 6 months after you arrive in Vietnam. Customs officers in Vietnam are very strict in this.

There are many ways to apply for a visa – Vietnam Travel Advice

You can send your passport by post to the Vietnamese embassy in Washington DC, and it takes about 1 month to get a visa. You can also apply for a visa when you arrive, but you need a visa approval letter through an entry visa service for about $50.

Buy Vietnamese phone sim when you arrive – Vietnam Travel Tips

As soon as the plane lands in Vietnam, you should buy a phone sim at the airport to contact relatives and friends, inform them of the location you are going to travel.

When you use up all the money in your account, you buy recharge cards at roadside grocery stores at any point in cities. Besides, you can use chat applications like skype, Viber, Zalo by connecting to free Wifi. However, remember to turn off the roaming service before using Wi-Fi.

Street food – Vietnam Travel Tips

Street food in Vietnam is not always clean. However, the tourists rated the food very delicious and very cheap. Vegetarians are welcome in Vietnam because when coming to Vietnam, vegetarians will be lost in paradise. There are many attractive menus for vegetarian dishes here. Food is not only delicious but also cheap.

Be careful with personal belongings – Vietnam Travel Tips

Guests should keep personal belongings carefully, not leave them in dormitory rooms (dorm). If you take a bus, you should also be careful with your phone and wallet.

What is the facts about Vietnam?

The country is not too poor – Vietnam Travel Tips

Most Western travelers who have never been to Vietnam know that this is a distant country on the other side of the globe with yellow and black haired people. Severe wars in the past made most of them think the whole country was still very poor and needy. This also means an increase in crime and robbery.

Even some of the older American tourists who came to Vietnam for the first time worry about the previous war. As a reason for them to be discriminated against by indigenous people. Contrary to these visualizations, visitors from the other half of the globe are often surprised by a modern and innovative country and friendly people when they coming to Vietnam.

Vietnamese people often use English – Vietnam Travel Tips

Many Western travelers share a surprise when they know the popularity of English in Vietnam. Because of geographical as well as culture and language differences, many Western tourists often think it will be very difficult to communicate in Vietnam. In fact, most of them expressed their surprise about the popularity of English when traveling to this country. Many foreign tourists also told their stories of meeting indigenous people while walking on the Sword Lake with an open and confident attitude.

Stay away from street vendors – Vietnam Travel Tips

Western tourists are often considered as the favorite objects or “good prey” of street vendors in big streets. Before coming to this S-shaped land, they were often advised to stay away from peddlers who always pull and invite, and be absolutely careful with accessories such as cameras, phones and wallets.

Service prices may be super expensive – Vietnam Travel Tips

In almost any areas with large numbers of tourists in Vietnam, many shops sell both different prices. For example, in Hoi An, you can easily buy flip flops for 50,000 VND if you are Vietnamese. But with blue-eyed blonde, the price could be twice expensive.

Western travelers often share this problem and many bargaining tips. The most common way is carefully asking the price before using the service or buying the product. You should use some value websites about evaluating services thoroughly.

Be ware of being cheated with language differences – Vietnam Travel Tips

Many Western tourists were mistaken between 15,000 VND and 50,000 VND (fifteen thousand dong and fifty thousand dong). Many people complained about the situation when asking for a coconut or shoe shine service, the seller replied “15,000 VND” to quickly agree. But when they open the wallet and make the payment, they are dumbfounded because they are asked for 50,000 VND. The secret is to show the denomination notes to the seller, which are in accordance with the agreed amount before using the service.

Do not be discouraged by falling motorbikes – Vietnam Travel Tips

Despite suffering painful injuries due to falling motorbikes, Western tourists still enjoy driving this vehicle when traveling to Vietnam. Almost of them likes to explore this land on a motorbike. However, due to the unfamiliar road, not much experience handling the situation, many people have to suffer from bandages or limbs limping for a while after a trip to Sa Pa or visiting Mui Ne because of falling, rubbing car. Although they assess the level of driving by motorbike is extremely danger, most of them still expressed that driving a motorbike is an unforgettable experience and still want to continue testing when coming to Vietnam.

Vietnam is large and has many beautiful scenes – Vietnam Travel Tips

Before coming to Vietnam, some Western tourists used to think that this land was very small, still poor and not much beautiful. The fact is not like that. Throughout Vietnam, you will encounter countless beautiful scenes and it is best to spend about 3 weeks to go. If you have only about 1-2 weeks, you should gather only one area like the North or the South of Vietnam and spend the full time exploring and experiencing.

Things should do in Vietnam – Planning a trip to Vietnam

• Always carry a full bottle of water with you because traveling in the hot sun makes you tired and tired. If you drink tea, coffee or alcohol, drink more water.
• Before leaving the hotel, bring the hotel business card with you as it will make it easier for you to return to your hotel.
• You should bring some toilet paper or tissue in your bag because you will not know when you will need it.
• Vietnam is a very conservative country in dressing up. Although in big cities, it is more comfortable to dress, you should wear appropriate clothes, not only to adapt to the weather but also help you be more friendly with the locals.
• Should send money, airline tickets, passports and other valuable jewelry in the hotel’s depository area.
• When entering someone’s home, always remember to remove and leave your sandals (shoes) in front of the door before entering the house.
• When you want to talk about a photo of someone in your home, you need to get permission from the owner. If the homeowner expresses the disagreement, you should not arbitrarily discuss the subject.
• When crossing the road in Hanoi, especially in Ho Chi Minh City, pay attention to vehicles on both sides and go slowly.
• Taste at least one street food.
• See the traditional water puppet show in Hanoi.

Things should not to do in Vietnam – Planning a trip to Vietnam

• Do not wear clothes, skirts, dresses too short or too revealing into churches or temples. Because there is always a dress code in these sanctuaries.
• When traveling to villages of ethnic minorities, you should not invite them to candy, or things contain high sugar, or a bottle of water. Because you may be mistaken for having bad intentions with local people here. If you want to learn about history or customs, you should not arbitrarily find out, but ask a guide or villager to arrange for you.
• Do not directly give money to ethnic minorities, instead donate local charities or give them a small gift, such as a pen.
• Do not lie down or sit, but your feet turn towards the altar of the homeowner. That is one of the persistent things of Vietnamese people.
• Do not bring lots of money or valuable things with you when you go out, as you may be pocketed or robbed.
• Do not try to take pictures where there is a ban and the area is not allowed to take photo.

The post Vietnam Travel Advice – Planning a trip to Vietnam appeared first on Vietnam Tours - Indochina Tours.

Each year, there are around 8000 Vietnamese festivals from every one of the regions, ethnics, and religions, ranging from the simple to the complex, from small festival to celebration. They bring you a chance to see more experience, more Vietnam’s culture and emerge yourself into the festive atmosphere with the locals. Vietnamese festivals  provide an authentic way to see the “real” Vietnam. We would like to introduce some best festivals for tourists as below.

Tet Holiday (Lunar New Year) – The biggest event for Vietnamese festivals

Let’s start at the top of Vietnamese festival. The full name for Tet is Tet Nguyen Dan, which is the most important to all Vietnamese people. This festival sometimes falls between late January or early February that when Spring arrives. After a year of hard-working, Tet maybe the only occasion for all family members to have happy moments together and paying respect to ancestors and grandparents. It is an important mark to forget about the past. Especially unlucky and unhappy things, start afresh, and await  good ones in the New Year.

Tet Ong Cong, Ong Tao (Gods and Goddess of Kitchen)

Before Tet, people prepare for Tet Ong Cong, Ong Tao (Gods and Goddess of Kitchen), which takes place on the 23rd of the last month in the lunar calendar. They prepare the traditional offerings and especially the carps to regale three gods and goddess of their kitchen. A week before Tet, their house is decorated with trees and flowers. Hoa Mai – Apricot Blossom (in the central and southern parts of Vietnam). Hoa Đào – peach flower (in the northern part of Vietnam) or Hoa Ban (in mountain areas). Especially, they spend more time to prepare for the altar with tray of five fruits, cakes, sweets, coffee, wine… Broken or old things will be repaired or replaced.  All preparations to welcome the New Year and to receive luck as well as fortune.

On the last day of the year, every member gathers around a grand banquet to enjoy the last meal of the year. At the first moment of New Year, the young often go out to watch the firework performance. While the elderly and adults stay at home making offerings for outdoor worshiping to the Gods and indoor one to the ancestors.

Vietnamese New Year – Tet Holidays

During the Tet festival, Vietnamese people often go to pagodas to pray for a new year of luck, health, and fortune to every family members. They also stay at home to welcome guests or friends, relatives and neighborhood houses. It is an occasion when everyone says good things about each other. And they give lucky money to young children and old people.

Wandering Souls Day

Trung Nguyen or The Vu Lan ceremony or Wandering Souls’ Day is the second largest Vietnamese festivals after Tet Holiday. It is the important event to all Vietnamese people.

Many Vietnamese believe that every person has two parts: the soul and the body. When a man dead, the soul leaves the body, but the soul will continue to live on. The soul can return to heaven, or reincarnate (as a person or things), or go to hell. On the 15th day of the 7th Lunar Month, souls are are freed and be  able to visit their families. If the souls don’t have home or relatives, they will wander on the streets, on on black clouds or over the rivers.

Wandering Soul Ceremony with monks

As Vietnamese people believe that the souls’ life after they die is the same to the time when still alive. They buy money and clothes made of votive papers for their ancestors. All are also burned at this time. Huge tables are prepared with offerings including meats and fruits. Besides, they also prepare more foods such as sticky rice cakes, vermicelli soup, and meat rolls for wandering souls, who have no home.

Perfume Pagoda Festival

Located at Huong Son Commune, My Duc District, Perfume Pagoda is the most famous Buddhist pilgrimage site in the North.  Therefore, Chua Huong Pagoda Festival is one of many traditional and well-known Vietnamese festivals. The festival is taken place from the 6th day of the 1st month to the end of the 3rd month of the lunar calendar in three places, Huong Tich pagoda, Tuyet Son, and Long Van.

Each year, this Vietnamese festival attracts hundred of thousands of Vietnamese or foreigners. People heading there pray for happiness and prosperity in the coming year. As well as seeing a magnificent land, a famous beauty spot in Vietnam.

Visitors going by boat on Yen stream to Perfume Pagoda Festival

While taking a boat along the Yến Stream, visitors will have a chance to  admire green rice paddles studded with jagged limestone mounts. You will forget the busy life to commune with nature, heave and earth. From the riverbank, pilgrims proceed on foot, up hundreds of stone steps and a switchback trail or take a cabin car  to reach the pagoda.

Hue Festival

Hue Festival is one of the biggest festivals in Vietnam, celebrated in even years in order to honor Hue’s cultural heritages. Since 1992, each time of celebration always attract millions of visitors and thousands of artists from from all over the world.

Coming to Hue on this occasion, you can also enjoy art exhibitions, film screenings, acrobatics, puppetry, and street performances. You will never have any moment as there are some many activities in this Vietnamese festivals. Event activities including Hue Poetry Festival, Ao Dai Fashion Shows, dialogue of drums and percussion, human chess, boat racing, kite flying, and more.

Main performance in Hue Festival

Hoi An Lantern Festival

Lanterns, a “specialty”, are the unique symbol of local people in Hoi An. After the sun has sunk, lanterns are lit every night in Hoi An. This is the charm of Hoi An ancient streets.

Hoi An lantern festival is one of the most attractive Vietnamese festivals in the Centre. It takes place monthly, but the largest event is the first full moon of the lunar new year. Each street, shop, public place… is decorated with many different lanterns. People leave hundreds of lanterns into the river as an offering and to worship their ancestors as well as the God of the land. Coming to Hoi An these days, tourists absolutely go into a fairy tale country, a magic kingdom of lanterns.

Hung King Festival

The Hung King Temple Festival is one of the most important and sacred festivals of the Vietnamese people. It takes place yearly at King Hung Temple from the 8^th to 11^th day of the third lunar month. It’s an opportunity for every Vietnamese to honors the first King of Vietnam. Each year, not only Vietnamese people from all over the country but also Vietnamese people living abroad gather on Nghia Linh Mountain, Phu Tho Province to take part in this historical and meaningful festival.

The ceremony takes place over several days, but the 10^th day of the month is the most important. People prepare five-fruit trays including a pig, a goat, a cow, a couple of “chung” cakes and “day” cakes to sacrifice to Hung’s Kings. The main festival begin with a speech by a representative of government.  A procession starts at the foot of the mountain and stops at every small temples before reaching Upper Temple (“Den Thuong”). After hearing the sound of an old bronze drum, they conduct the incense-offering rite.

People preparing for Hung King Festival Ceremony

After that, a wide range of activities will be taken place such as performances of folk songs (Cheo, Quan Ho…). As well as games of “danh du” (bamboo swings), “nem con” (game of throwing a sacred ball through the ring), rice cooking competitions, lion dance, human chess, water puppet performance,  etc.

Mid-Autumn Festival – Vietnamese festivals for children

Besides the Tet Holiday, the Mid-Autumn festival is one of the most famous Vietnamese festivals. Held on the 15th day on the 8th lunar month,  this festival is a traditional celebration for Vietnamese children. This is an occasion for members of the family to visit together . The young generation express their gratitude to the old generation. The parents show their love for their children.

Before Mid-Autumn day, the adults prepare many gifts for children such as : masks, clothes, toys, lantern… On this day, streets have dense crowds and noisier by the roistering drum and music. The adults prepare many different foods  – moon cakes, candies, biscuits, jellies, and fruit, such as grapefruit,  bananas, apples, mango, etc.  Moon Cake is the symbol of the Mid-autumn festival. In the early days, there are only two traditional kinds including Banh Nuong (baked mooncake) and Banh Deo (sticky rice moon cake). Now, moon cake  has many new ingredients introduced from other cultures and  natural coloring from available fruits and vegetables.

Shops for Mid Autumn Festival in Hanoi Old Quarter

The most interesting on this day is dragon and lion dances performance. During and after the festival, most joyous in the days of 15th and 16th. The kids and their families follow the dancers and show their resplendent lanterns in the bustling crowd.

Lim Festival

The Lim festival, opening on January 13^th of first month of Lunar year, is the celebration of ‘Quan Ho’ singing. It was recognized as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO since 2009.

During festival, young men and women from other villages come to Lim hill, Lim pagoda together to sing. Their name are brothers and sisters groups or “lien anh” and “lien chi”. All of them wear traditional costumes, which are a feature of the singing with female dress in the four panel traditional dresses: ‘’au tu than’’, and hats, ‘’non quai thao’’. Except for singing, there are many traditional games including bamboo swings, wrestling, rice cooking and human chess.

Folk songs in Lim Festival

The post Vietnamese Festivals – Top 8 Vietnam Festivals and Events appeared first on Vietnam Tours - Indochina Tours.

What is the best time to find Vietnam Tour Package with airfare?

Travel season in Vietnam is separated into 2 distinctive seasons: low and high. Low season last from May to September, high season last from October to April next year. In the low season, Vietnam tour packages with airfares has a very good rates. Tour operators or travel agent usually discount from 5 to 10% of all tours. Moreover, travelers mostly get promotions from hotels, airlines and other service providers. Respectively, service quality is also good because they care not too many customers.

In the high season, temperature and climate in this period is very good for travel. Especially with Western tourists who are used to live in temperate zones. The problem is the time of rushing traveler flow to Vietnam. As the result, you will meet a lot of tourists in famous destinations such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh or Halong Bay. Besides, quality of service might be down because they have to serve too many persons.

Recommendation: travelling in May or September.

The recommended Vietnam Tour Package with airfare:

• Short Vietnam Tour Package with airfare
• Good Vietnam Tour Package with airfare in 10 days
• Vietnam Tour Package with airfare in 2 weeks

How to find the best international airfares to Vietnam?

Today, find and book a good airfare is very easy with travelers. Through Internet, it’s not difficult to find the best routes and rates. Tools for search airfares are popular currently like Expedia.com, Google Flights, Tripadvisor, Cheapoair.com, Kayak.com…

Other way is to go to Airline company website to book directly. For example, the flights from Sydney or Melbourne (Australia) to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam). You can go to Airasia.com, Vietnamairlines.com, Flyscoot.com… Sometimes, there are promo airfares with very good rates in airlines website. Usually, from 3 – 4 months according to departure date.

The third way is to book through local travel agents. Because they have strict relationship with many airlines, and can issue good airfares for travelers. Especially with people who are not familiar with Internet or technology.

The recommended airlines to Vietnam:

• The best airline in Vietnam
• The cheap airline in Vietnam
• The best airline in Southeast Asia
• The cheap airline in Southeast Asia

How to find the best domestic airfares rates in Vietnam?

For domestic flights in Vietnam, there are 2 big airlines to exploit most of air routes locally. They are Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air. Vietnam Airline is state-owned company, they focus on high income market with high service and rates. Vietjet Air is a cheap airline, they provide limited service with low rates. Sometimes, both airline has similar airfare rates in several routes. Beside that, some new small airlines also jump into Vietnam domestic airway like Jetstar Pacific, Bamboo Airways, Vinpearl Air…

Therefore, domestic airfares and Indochina airfares have multiple choice for travelers.

Some flight routes in Vietnam and Indochina usually have big promotions:

Domestic flights: Hanoi – Da Nang – Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh – Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh – Hanoi.

International flights: Hanoi – Siem Reap – Hanoi, Hanoi – Bangkok – Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh – Bangkok – Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi – Yangon – Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh – Yangon – Ho Chi Minh.

Travel Tips before searching for Vietnam Tour Package with airfare

Got exact and planned travel date before search

Because promotions and airfares only last in the period of time so you should have plan with exact date to find. Moreover, you should be looking for Vietnam Tour Package with airfare at least 3 months before departure.

Combination between Online Travel Agents and Tour Operators

Online Travel Agents (OTAs) will give you the best tools to find the best rates of flights and hotels. But OTAs almost do not provide packages or separate tours. Therefore, you should use Tour Operators to find a good packages. Especially local tour operators.

Separate international and domestic airfares

International airfares usually occupy a big percentage of budget. Especially with travelers who live far from Vietnam like Western customers. So you need to separate international airfares as a big percentage of budget (for example 30 – 50%) to guarantee a good trip.

Domestic airfares can be included in the packages because it occupies not too much for budget.

The post Vietnam Tour Package with Airfare – Tips and Travel Guide appeared first on Vietnam Tours - Indochina Tours.

Noi Bai International Airport – Vietnam Airport

This is the biggest airport in Vietnam, serve for Hanoi capital and most of other provinces in the north, replacement of Gia Lam airport and placed in Soc Son district, 15 km away from Hanoi center according to Nhat Tan bridge highway. This airport is managed and controlled by Airports Corporation of Vietnam. Noi Bai airport is the operation center of Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and Jestar Pacific.

Noi Bai airport stands the 2^nd position in Vietnam regarding guest quantity and capacity. New international terminal (T2), was launched in 2015, contribute to upgrade the capacity and service for the airport, especially for foreign travelers.

Tan Son Nhat International Airport – Vietnam Airport

This is the busiest airport in Vietnam, placed in the south of Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnamese biggest city and center of economy. Tan Son Nhat airport owns the biggest number of guest flow, around 30 million hits of guest in 2016. This airport was built in 1930 in Tan Son Nhat village, Go Vap district, 8 km far away from the center of Ho Chi Minh City toward the north. It is the core of transportation by air for the whole south of Vietnam. Currently, there are 5 domestic airlines and 43 international airlines use Tan Son Nhat airport for their flights.

• IATA code: SGN
• ICAO code: VVTS
• Number of runway: 2
• Length of runway: 3,000/3,800 m

Da Nang International Airport – Vietnam Airport

Da Nang International Airport was built in 1940 and it is the 3^rd biggest airport in Vietnam after Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat, located in Hai Chau province, 3 km away from Da Nang city center. This airport was managed by Airports Corporation of Vietnam under control of Ministry of Transportation.

At this time, there are 4 domestic airlines and 12 international airlines own flights to Da Nang International Airport including Asia Airlines, Korean Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Dragon Air, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, SilkAir, Lao Airlines, Air Macau and Vietnam Airlines.

Cam Ranh International Airport – Vietnam Airport

Cam Ranh airport was built by US military during Vietnam War to serve for their campaign in Vietnam. After the war, it continues to be used for military purpose until 2004 was changed to civil airport. Today, Cam Ranh airport is being used for flights in and out of Khanh Hoa province especially tourists who visit Nha Trang. It replaced for Nha Trang airport was placed inside the city and limited by area.

Cam Ranh international airport located in the center of Cam Ranh peninsula and belong to Cam Ranh city, Khanh Hoa province. It is distance of 35 km from Nha Trang city to the north.

Phu Bai International Airport (Hue) – Vietnam Airport

Phu Bai airport was built under French colonial period, French launched this airport to serve for Hue imperial citadel. It is placed in the south of Hue city, 15 km distance from Hue center. This airport is able to receive medium aircraft such as Airbus A320, Boeing 747.

According to decision from Prime Minister in 2007, Phu Bai airport become the 4th international airport in Vietnam. Following the plan to 2020, the airport is capable to receive 20 aircraft at the peak point and 5 million hits of customers per year.

Phu Quoc International Airport – Vietnam Airport

Phu Quoc airport is located in the south of Phu Quoc island, far away from the center around 10 km to the north, built in Duong To commune – Phu Quoc island – Kien Giang province.

The airport is investing to reach 4E level according to ICAO standard, it owns 45m x 3000m runway, the system of runway to the gate, air control tower, parking platform for A302-A321 aircraft with the area of 39,400 m²; terminal area is 24,325 m2; capacity of 2.65 million customers per year.

Vinh International Airport – Vietnam Airport

Vinh Airport is an international airport in Vietnam located in Vinh city – Nghe An province, far away from Vinh city with distance of 7 km. Currently, three domestic airlines including Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and Jestar Pacific are using this airport with 26 flights per day approximately. Vinh airport is controlled by Civil Air Bureau of Vietnam, its capacity reaches to receive 7 big aircraft at the same time such as Airbus A320, A321, ATR72 or similar.

Can Tho International Airport – Vietnam Airport

The old name of the airport is Tra Noc located in Binh Thuy – Can Tho city. This airport serves for Can Tho city and Mekong Delta area in the southwest of Vietnam. Can Tho is the gate and center of southwestern Vietnam, the connection between Saigon and other provinces in the south so the airport is essential for development here.

Can Tho airport was built by Republic of Vietnam government during Vietnam War. After the war, it was controlled by Vietnamese military until 2011, Can Tho airport changed its usage to civil air. Today, the airport is using for domestic and international flights to and out of Mekong Delta area.

Cai Bi International Airport – Airports in Vietnam

Cat Bi airport was established from the military base of France for Indochina war. In the airport, there are 200 aircraft usually in and out. After the war and liberation of Vietnam, it become civil airport. Today, it is planned to become international airport in Hai Phong to serve for domestic and international flights, backup for Noi Bai International Airport in urgent case.

Chu Lai International Airport – Airports in Vietnam

Chu Lai airport is located in Chu Lai economic zone in Quang Nam province in the central of Vietnam, placed in the line of transportation system between south and north of Vietnam including road, railway and airway. Near to Vietnam and Laos border and central highlight in the north, this area will connect trans Asia highway in the future. Today, Chu Lai airport is main power for development 2 economic zones Chu Lai and Dung Quat, associate social and economic development between Quang Nam, Quang Ngai with other area.

Apart from 10 international airports, Vietnam has 11 domestic airports which serve for civil purpose includes:

• Con Dao airport
• Phu Cat airport – Binh Dinh province
• Ca Mau airport
• Buon Ma Thuot airport
• Dien Bien Phu airport
• Pleiku airport
• Rach Gia airport
• Lien Khuong airport – Da Lat – Lam Dong province
• Tuy Hoa airport
• Dong Hoi airport
• Tho Xuan airport – Thanh Hoa

For more information to advise, please refer to:

• Holidays in Vietnam
• Best time to visit Vietnam
• Vietnam itinerary 2 weeks
• Vietnam beaches
• Vaccinations for Vietnam
• Vietnam Tours 2017

The post Vietnam Airport – Top 10 Vietnam Airports – Airports in Vietnam appeared first on Vietnam Tours - Indochina Tours.

Vaccinations for Vietnam – Popular diseases

Vaccination for Japanese encephalitis to travel Vietnam

One of the first popular infection is Japanese encephalitis, people usually miss that this disease only appear in Japan but Vietnam and Indonesia is the places to be infected easily in fact. Reason of this disease is mosquito live in rice fields. Vaccination for Japanese encephalitis is effective as 80% within 10 days before arrival.

Vaccination for rabies to travel Vietnam

A very dangerous disease in Vietnam is easily infected called rabies. The rate of homeless and stray cats or dogs in Vietnam is very high, additionally cats and dogs in Vietnam are able to be infected because wrong adoption and not clean environment. Many travel insurance companies, travel agents or healthcare organizations recommend getting far away from mammals in Vietnam and vaccinated before traveling to villages.

Vaccination for malaria to travel Vietnam

Other popular disease is malaria, pathogenic reason is malaria mosquito. Visitors are advised to use anti-mosquito medicine before travel to forests or villages, especially at night or sunset and using malaria vaccination before arriving in Vietnam.

Vaccinations for Vietnam – Highly recommended diseases

Vaccination for Hepatitis A to visit Vietnam

According to WHO (World Health Organization), Vietnam is a big epidemic situation related to hygiene and food safety – Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A virus is transmitted to body through not clean food or water. Vaccination is essential before arrival in Vietnam.

Vaccination for cholera to visit Vietnam

Vietnam placed in the list of 40 countries owns cholera in the world. Over 40% of international visitors get diarrhea due to this virus. For protection, you must not drink unspoiled water and food. Please note that water from taps in Vietnam is not disinfected, do not drink water when bathing, use clean water when brushing teeth and do not drink water with ice in the pavement because it can be made from unclean water. Do not swim in the unclean lakes or rivers. Vaccination for cholera can against other diarrhea viruses.

Vaccination for tuberculosis to visit Vietnam

Vietnam is one of the countries has tuberculosis, most of Vietnamese people catched or catching tuberculosis disease with death number is 20,000 persons per year. Inoculation against tuberculosis is compulsory before arriving in Vietnam.

Vaccination for petechial fever to visit Vietnam

Petechial fever appears all year round in Vietnam, but the peak of epidemic is autumn. You should vaccinate petechial fever when to travel at this time.

Vaccinations for Vietnam – Recommended diseases

Vaccination for tetanus to go to Vietnam

Tetanus virus penetrates into injury or wound and grow increasingly to become infected nest that causes tetanus disease. Tetanus disease possesses a very high rate of death (25 – 90%). Vietnam is easy infected environment because hygiene is not safe. Tetanus virus usually appears in sandy soil, dust, mammal and bird feces, sewers etc. Vaccination for tetanus is essential before arrival in Vietnam.

Vaccination for bird flu to go to Vietnam

H5N1 virus is bird flu virus group with high rate of infection. In 1997, bloom of H5N1 virus infects and kills million of poultry. From December 2003 to May 2009, there are 258 people death from 423 persons infected H5N1 virus in 15 countries, mostly in Asia. In Vietnam, there are 56 death from 111 infected persons from 2003. Level of food safety in Vietnam is not high, recommendation is to limit usage of food from birds (chicken, turkey, duck…), especially in countryside.

Vaccination for typhoid to go to Vietnam

Typhoid is mostly infected through digestion, commonly in areas own low standard of hygiene, sometimes bloomed to epidemic. In the developing countries, yearly infected rate varies from 198/100.000 (Vietnam) to 980/100.000 (India) in the recent 5 years. This disease appears by seasons accordingly, focus on hot and months in the year. In Vietnam, it frequently occurs in the south, you should vaccinate typhoid before traveling to Vietnam.

For more information for plan to Vietnam, please refer to below items:

• Best time to visit Vietnam
• Vietnam Tours 2017
• Holidays in Vietnam
• Vietnam Beaches

The post Vaccinations for Vietnam – What vaccinations do I need for Vietnam appeared first on Vietnam Tours - Indochina Tours.