Airport Tax

International flights, US$14; Children under two exempt. Airport tax for domestic flights is included in the ticket price.

Baggage Claim

Keep your baggage claim stickers (stuck on to your tickets) in order to get your luggage out of the airport.


Tourist Visas & Passports

Tourist visas are generally valid for 30 days. All nationalities require a Vietnamese entry visa before arriving on the tour, except for residents of Thailand, Malaysia and Philippines. Costs are between $60 to $100 USD and you should allow 3 weeks for visa processing. When your passport is returned to you or your travel agent from the Vietnamese embassy, one application form with photo will be returned along with it. Keep the form, as you will be required to hand it at immigration upon arrival in Vietnam. If you misplace this form, you can complete a new form upon arrival – there are photo booths at the airport. You must keep each and every custom and immigration forms, as you will need them to exit Vietnam. Bring extra passport photos with you. Passports must be valid 6 months beyond the end of the trip. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of the correct visas for your holiday. ILV Travel Co-op cannot accept responsibility if you are refused entry to a country because you lack the correct visa documentation.

Landing Visas...........................................................................................

Tourist single entry visa can be obtained at Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Hanoi International airports. To get a landing visa, you must send all personal information to ILV Travel Co-op at least 10 days prior to your arrival. ILV Travel Co-op will provide you with an invitation letter. Required are your full name, passport number, nationality, sex and date of birth. ILV Travel Co-op will send you an approved letter issued by the Vietnamese Immigration Office stating that you can obtain a landing visa upon arrival. It is a legal and simple operation. The cost is between $60 and $80 USD and includes the invitation letter, visa, administration and telecommunication fees.

Customs...............................................................................................................................................................

On the yellow and white Customs Forms you are expected to declare: Cameras, camcorders, and other electronic equipment not for personal use; Jewelry not for personal use; Currency over US$3,000; Video tapes (they may be kept for a few days and screened). Vietnam Customs Inspection at airports permits to bring 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, two 250g of tobacco, 2L of liquor, gifts worth up to 50 USD, luggage and personal effects. Totally restricted are: opium, weapons, explosives and materials unsuitable to the Vietnamese society.

Entry/Exit Forms..........................................................................................................................................

Don’t lose the Entry/Exit Form; you’ll need it when leaving the country.

Flight Information.........................................................................................................................................

For Vietnam Airlines flights, in Hanoi call (04) 934 9660, in Ho Chi Minh City call (08) 832 0320. For other flights, call their airline office in Vietnam.

Lost and Found..................................................................................................................................................

Noi Bai Airport: (04) 884-0008 or 886-5013; Tan Son Nhat Airport: (08) 844-6665, ext. 7461

Business Hours..................................................................................................................................................

Government offices and museums open early, around 8am, and close between 4pm and 5pm. Avoid doing business from 11.30am to 2pm, when people are either at lunch or napping.

Health....................................................................................................................................................................

There are no specific health requirements for entry into Vietnam. However, you should consult your doctor for up-to-date information and prescriptions for vaccinations, anti-malarial requirements and any reasonably foreseeable illnesses while traveling in Vietnam. We recommend that you carry a first-aid kit as well as any medical requirements (spare pair of glasses, contact lenses, etc). Be prepared.
We recommend the services of International SOS for all the medical requirements of our travelers when traveling in Vietnam. International SOS’s 24-hour clinics have expatriate doctors and specialists, and can be found at the following locations:

Hanoi – 31 Hai Ba Trung Street., Clinic Tel: (04) 934-0666,
24-hr Emergency Hotline: (04) 934-0666

Ho Chi Minh – 65 Nguyen Du Street, District 1,
Clinic Tel: (08) 829-8424, 24-hr Emergency Hotline: (08) 829-8520.

Medical Help
 

Electricity

Vietnam uses 220V electricity nationwide. In the South, outlets are often US-style flat pins. In the North, many outlets fit round pins. As the electrical current varies, use a surge protector when running sensitive electronic equipment like laptops.

Hotels & Registration ..........................................................

There is a wide range of accommodation available, at least in Vietnam’s major cities. Hanoi and HCM City feature a choice of five-star hotels, while guesthouses and mini-hotels offer no-frills rooms for under US$10. As hotels and private hosts must register your presence with the police; you’ll be expected to hand over your passport, along with your visa number and your yellow form.

Safety....................................................................................................................................................................

While Vietnam is one of the safest countries in Asia, you should take care with your possessions. Secure your valuables, documents and credit cards in your hotel’s safe. Beware of pickpockets, purse-snatchers and mobile phone thieves, especially in Ho Chi Minh City. If you do choose to drive a motorbike or ride a bicycle, always wear a helmet.

To Bring................................................................................................................................................................

Pack as lightly as possible (stay under 15-20kg). It is in your best interest, as you will have to carry your own luggage at all times. Leave some room for souvenirs.

Checklist.............................................................................................................................................................

Passport and visa, air tickets and vouchers
Travel insurance and health requirements documents
Travelers-checks, credit cards, cash, money belt
First-aid kit, day-pack, alarm clock, flashlight
Toiletries and lightweight towel
Insects repellent, hat, sun cream and sunglasses, refillable water bottle
Vietnam travel guide
Light raincoat (May to October)
Lightweight fleece sweater, windbreaker and trousers (November to February)

Currency.............................................................................................................................................................

The currency in Vietnam is the Dong (VND). The current exchange rate is around VND15,300 to the US dollar. US dollars remain widely accepted at hotels, but you should have local currency for use in taxis and shops. Credit card acceptance, especially for Visa, is spreading in higher-end hotels, restaurants and shops in big cities. For cash advances, usually at a rate of three-percent commission, go to ANZ Bank. Some traveler cafes provide cash advances at higher rates, their advantage being that they stay open late and on weekends. ANZ and Vietcombank have ATM machines that dispense only Dong. Do not accept torn or soiled bills as you may have trouble spending them. Never change money on the streets from hustlers.

Extra Money......................................................................................................................................................

Bring enough money for shopping and for additional sightseeing sites. Not inclusive are the phone calls and laundry. $15USD a day is about what you will need for miscellaneous. Carry enough money with you in case of emergencies.

Money Exchange............................................................................................................................................

When traveling in Vietnam, US currency (cash or travelers cheques) is probably the most convenient to have. US dollars can be used to buy goods and services along with the Vietnamese Dong. Any other major international currencies can be exchanged in large cities, as well as Visa and Master Card for cash advances. There are banks in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City that have Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) where you are able to withdraw Vietnamese Dong. Some hotels offer exchange services at a reasonable rate. It is not possible to exchange Vietnamese Dong outside Vietnam, so exchange or spend all your Dong before leaving the country.

Security................................................................................................................................................................

Pickpocket is a problem in large cities and crowded streets; be aware. It is actually quite safe when going out. Racism and violence is practically non-existent in Vietnam. Police 113 is newly set up for security and they are very effective.

 

 

Telecommunication.....................................................................................................................................

International and domestic, phone calls, faxes, internet and e-mail services are available in almost every hotels and internet cafes are on every street corners. International phone charges are steep in Vietnam and many hotels, especially up-market ones, add extra fees. Check the rates before dialing. One long-distance service offers a flat fee of US$1.30 per minute to 50 countries; dial 171 followed by the country code and number. Public phones require phone cards, which are available at Post Offices. To rent a mobile phone call 821 8465 in Hanoi and 824 2382 in Ho Chi Minh City. Faxes can be sent from hotels, business centers or post offices. Again rates vary.

Key Contacts.....................................................................................................................................................

Exit Code: 00
Operator: 110
Police: 113
Fire: 114
Assistance: 116
Information: 1080
Medical Aid: 115

 

 

Price Guide..........................................................................................................................................................
In Vietnam, be prepared to bargain. To give you an idea of where to start, we present the following suggested price list:
 

Brochure Validity..........................................................................................................................................

The priced listed on-line and in our brochure are based on the costs and exchange rates current at the time of printing and posting. I Love Vietnam Travel Co-op reserve the right to alter these prices at any time. For trips departing between 01 January 2004 and 31 December 2004 the land price of your trip is guaranteed when you have paid in full. For trips departing beyond 31 December 2004 prices are indicative only. The itineraries and dates on-line and in our brochure are applicable from 01 January 2004 until December 2004. Beyond 31 December 2004 dates and itineraries are also indication only. All information in given is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of printing and posting, but please note that changes to our trips can and do occur. ILV will make every effort to keep you informed of any changes, but cannot be held liable for any alterations made to the published itineraries. Please refer to this site for the most recent update to any trip.

Cancellation by the traveler (7-day-trips and less)........................................................

Lost of monies paid applies to all cancelled reservations.
The date of the trip cancellation is the date on which the written cancellation is received by ILV.

The loss of monies paid is as follows, per person:
  2 days or more prior to trip departure – Loss of deposit
  24 hours prior to trip departure – 50% of total booking
  Last minute cancellation (inside 24 hours) – 100% of total booking cost

Cancellation by the traveler (7-day-trips and more)......................................................

Lost of monies paid applies to all cancelled reservations. The date of the trip cancellation is the date on which the written cancellation is received by ILV. The loss of monies paid is as follows, per person:
  60 days or more prior to trip departure – Loss of deposit
  Between 30 and 59 days prior to trip departure – 50% of total booking
  Less than 30 days prior to departure – 100% of total booking cost

No refunds will be made if you voluntarily leave a trip for any reason after the trip has begun. Refunds will be at the discretion of ILV if you are involuntarily forced to leave the trip for any reason. No refunds will be made for any accommodation, transport, sightseeing, meals or services not utilized. Please note that these conditions are subject to change and different loss of monies paid may apply to airline tickets.

Cancellation by I Love Vietnam Travel Co-op.......................................................................

ILV Travel Co-op reserves the right to cancel any trip departure before it is guaranteed to run. A trip is guaranteed to run once it has the minimum travelers required for a trip. If ILV Travel Co-op cancels a group trip, departure which, is guaranteed to run we will refund the trip price, plus entitled to take an alternative trip of the same value without charge. Also, ILV Travel Co-op reserves the right to cancel any trip, including a guaranteed trip, prior to departure due to reasons outside its control i.e.: natural disasters or political instability). In such a case, ILV will refund the trip price only.

 

 

Booking................................................................................................................................................................

To book a trip you pay a non-refundable deposit of $ 200 USD per person for trips running for more than 7 days, and a non-refundable deposit of $ 50 USD per person for trips running less than 7 days. No deposit necessary for trips less than 2 days, but full payment is required in time of booking.

Final Payment.................................................................................................................................................

For trips running more than 7 days, you must make your final payment no less than 60 days prior to departure – or we may consider your booking canceled.

Documents.......................................................................................................................................................

ILV Travel Co-op will issue your documentation upon receipt of final payment and all details: passport number, date of birth, nationality and any pre-existing medical conditions.

Booking Amendments.............................................................................................................................

All amendment and cancellation fees apply to trips within this brochure only. A cancellation on a trip in this brochure and a new booking on a trip in any other brochure constitute a cancellation.
If you wish to change your booking in any way, the following fees will apply:

Changes to trip bookings for trips running more than 7 days
if the booking amendment request is received by ILV 60 days or more prior to your original trip’s departure – USD $ 80 per person;
if the booking amendment request is received by ILV less than 60 days prior to your original trip departure date – charges as per cancellation fees
if there has been any change in the price of the trip you change your booking to since the time of your original reservation, the new trip price will apply to the new reservation
These fees are in addition to any charges levied by hotels, ground operators or airlines.

Changes to any other arrangements made in conjunction with your trip booking (i.e.: hotels, transfers, etc.)
Amendments to any other arrangements made in conjunction with your trip reservation will incur a USD $ 40 per booking administration fee per booking if the change can be made.

Insurance............................................................................................................................................................

Travel insurance is compulsory for all ILV Travel Co-op travelers. Your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, medical expenses, emergency repatriation and personal liability. We also recommend, it covers cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.

Responsibility.................................................................................................................................................

When booking on a ILV Travel Co-op trip you understand that ILV run trip holidays in Asia. The standards of accommodation; transport; hygiene; telecommunication facilities; level of infrastructure development and medical facilities; are not the same that you are used to at home, or would find on a conventional holiday. This type of holiday inherently involves a high level of personal risk, which you agree to fully assume.

You understand that during the course of the trip certain events may occur, including, but not limited to, accident or illness in remote places without medical facilities, political instability and the forces of nature. You agree to assume all risks associated with the journey to the maximum extent permitted by law.

You acknowledge that travel on a ILV Travel Co-op trip requires a degree of flexibility, and understand that the trip's route, accommodation and modes of transport are subject to change without prior notice due to local circumstances. Should ILV Travel Co-op deem it advisable to amend an itinerary for any reason, it may do so by shortening, varying or re-routing any trip. These changes are binding and additional expenses will be charged to you if the reason for any alteration is outside ILV ‘s control.

While traveling with ILV you agree to accept the authority of the leader or local operator at all times. You are aware that travel within a group may involve compromise to accommodate the diverse desires and physical abilities of group members. You understand that ILV reserves the right to decline, accept, or retain any person as a member of the group at any time.

You acknowledge that ILV Travel Co-op contract with a network of companies, government agencies and individuals throughout Asia, to assist in the running of its tours. To the best of ILV Travel Co-op’s knowledge, these third parties are qualified to perform the duties they are contracted to perform.

However ILV will not be held reliable for any injury, damage, loss, delay or irregularity that may occur due to the behavior of these third parties. ILV will not accept responsibility or liability for any traveler who contravenes any law or regulation of any country visited. No employee, servant or agent of ILV has authority to vary these conditions.