FAQs - Asiatravelland

* What you mean by NET on your tour price?
Net price is the selling price. It is the right amount that you have to pay without commissions or discounts from this price.

If you pay by credit card or traveler’s cheque, there will be a surcharge on this net price.

You make a deposit by Credit Card and the rest in Cash when you are in Viet Nam so that you can save money on bank transfers and credit card charges, etc.

** Do I pay a change fee?
In most cases, early changes will not result in a fee, but each travel supplier or service provider will have different contract terms with us. Please inquire directly for the change or cancellation policy for any particular tour.

If we charge you a fee, in all cases, it is to pay back to hotels and other service suppliers of your bookings as we have to cancel your service arrangement with them and we are charged by them.

*** What does a 'Vietnam Package Tour' mean?
Package tour usually include local tour guides, transfers, ground transportations, hotels, accommodations, entrance fees, travel permits and meals as programm.

**** Does Asia Travel Land offer group tours or just private tours? How is group tour size ?

We offer both group tours and private tours all over Viet Nam. Private tours for individuals, for groups of friends, families, schools, businesses, etc, private tours are just for you or your own group.
We also have group tours, like Hue city tours, Halong cruising & kayaking,Sapa tours, cruise on MeKong river... different people take part in the tour, you share the tour with them, and your time depend on the others.
A group tour about 10 people.

How to book a tour with Asia Travel Land in Viet Nam?
There are four steps to book a package tour
Step 1 :Send an email with tour details or submit the booking form on the website
Step 2 :Exchange emails with our sales staff to get the tour program and hotels to your request.
Step 3 :Payment by credit card or bank transfer will generate a confirmation tour voucher by email or fax
Step 4 :On arrival in Vietnam you will be met by your guide and driver to begin your tour program.
Note: The reservation is validated only if you have received a confirmation of Adventure Tours upon your payment of deposit.

1/ Where is Vietnam location ?
Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South China Sea, alongside China, Laos, and Cambodia
Region: Southeast Asia Capital: Hanoi
Coordinates: 21° 2" North, 105° 50" East

2/ How to go to Vietnam ?
Vietnam currently has three international airports: Noi Bai serving Hanoi in the north, Danang International Airport serving the central provinces and Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City serving the south.
Available flights to Bangkok, Singapore, Paris, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Sydney, Berlin, Jakarta, Manila, Taipei, Guangzhou, Kunming, Vientiane, Amsterdam, Moscow, Frankfurt, Kuala Lumpur, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Dubai, Osaka, Kaohsiung, and Phnom Penh.
Traveling by air - 3 international airport Hanoi ( Noibai airport) - Danang airport in the central - Hochiminh city ( Tan San Nhat airport )
There are 1 heliports in Viet Nam.
ROAD
From Cambodia: There is a road crossing at Moc Bai (Tay Ninh province 80km from Saigon) connecting Phnom Penh in Cambodia with Saigon. The new crossing into Cambodia via Chau Doc (245 km from Saigon) is passable either by boat or road.
From Laos: There is a road crossing at Lao Bao in Quang Tri Province, about 160km north of Hue, connecting Savannakhet with Central Vietnam. Another road into Vietnam is via Cau Treo, Ha Tinh Province.
From China: There are 03 roads crossing at Ha Khau (Lao Cai Province), Dong Dang (Lang Son Province) and Mong Cai (Quang Ninh Province).
Traveling by water
There are 17,702 Km of waterways in Viet Nam. The most important ports and harbours are in Da Nang, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City.
Travel by boat from Pnompenh Cambodia to ChauDoc town in Vietnam on the Mekong river.
Getting There by Rail
It is possible to cross into China by rail from Lao Cai to Kunming in the Yunnan province of China or through Lang Son to Nanning. There are trains from Beijing-Dong Dang-Hanoi and back.

1. From Vietnam to LAOS
Hanoi - Vientiane: Vietnam Airlines, Lao Airlines (code share)
Hanoi - Luang Prabang: Vietnam Airlines, Lao Airlines
Sai Gon - Vientiane: Vietnam Airlines

2. From Vietnam to THAILAND
Hanoi - Bangkok: Vietnam Airlines, Thai Airways, Thai Air Asia, Nok Air, Air France, Lao Airlines (via Vientiane)
Sai Gon - Bangkok: Vietnam Airlines, Thai Airways, Thai Air Asia, Air France, Lufthansa, Bangkok Airways
Da Nang - Bangkok: PB Air

3. From Vietnam to CAMBODIA
Hanoi - Phnom Penh (via Vientiane): Vietnam Airlines, Lao Airlines
Hanoi - Siem Reap: Vietnam Airlines
Sai Gon - Siem Reap: Vietnam Airlines
Da Nang - Siem Reap: Silk Air (no opposite flight Siem Reap - Da Nang)

4. From Vietnam to MYANMAR
No direct flight. You must fly Hanoi - BKK, then connect your flight to Yangon on Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways or Air Asia. Another way is you fly to Chiang Mai, then connect your flight to Mandalay on Air Mandalay (once a week).

5. From Vietnam to MALAYSIA
Hanoi - LCCT in KL: Air Asia
Hanoi - KL int'l airport: Vietnam Airlines, Malaysia Airlines

6. From Vietnam to SINGAPORE
Hanoi - Singapore: Vietnam Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Tiger Airways
Sai Gon - Singapore: Vietnam Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Tiger Airways, Jet Star
Da Nang - Singapore: Tiger Airways
Singapore - Da Nang: Silk Air (on the way to Siem Reap)

7. From Vietnam to the PHILIPPINES
Hanoi - LCCT in KL - Clark: Air Asia
Sai Gon - Manila: Philippine Airline

8. From Vietnam to INDONESIA
Hanoi - LCCT in KL - Denpasar: Air Asia
Sai Gon - Singapore - Denpasar/Yogyakarta: Garuda Indonesia

9. From Vietnam to BRUNEI
Hanoi - LCCT in KL - BSB (capital): Air Asia
Sai Gon - BSB (capital): Royal Brunei Airlines

3/ What places to see in Vietnam ?

1. HANOI (many museums, lakes, parks, old French buildings. On 10 Oct 2010, Hanoi will celebrate the 1,000 year anniversary)
2. SAPA (mountain scenery, trekking to ethnic minority villages), BAC HA (Sunday morning market) CANCAU (Saturday morning market)
3. MAI CHAU - HOABINH (Thai ethnic minority villages)
4. SON LA – DIEN BIEN PHU (battle field where the French troops were defeated in 1954)
5. NINH BINH (rural life, caves, beautiful stone churches, Cuc Phuong national park)
6. HA LONG BAY (the world heritage, thousands of islands)
7. BA BE LAKE (240km from Hanoi, the largest lake in north VN)
8. PHONG NHA CAVE (the world heritage, near Dong Hoi, central VN)
9. HUE (the old capital of VN in the 19th century, visit the Imperial Citadel, tombs, cruise along the Perfume river)
10. DMZ (Vinh Moc tunnels, Ben Hai river - the place where Vietnam used to be divided into the North and the South for 21 years during American war, Khe Sanh combat base)
11. HOI AN (ancient streets, the world heritage)
12. MY SON (brick temples, the world heritage)
13. NHA TRANG (beaches, islands, scuba diving)
14. MUI NE near PHAN THIET (beaches, sand dunes)
15. DA LAT (highlands, cool weather, waterfalls and lakes)
16. CENTRAL HIGHLANDS (Gia Lai - Kon Tum - Dak Lak, special culture, best coffee)
17. SAI GON (the most developed city, night life)
18. MEKONG DELTA (floating villages & markets, nice beach in Ha Tien)
19. CU CHI TUNNELS (American War)
20. PHU QUOC ISLAND (beaches, fishing villages)

4 / World heritage sites in Vietnam

UNESCO WORLD NATURAL HERITAGE SITES
1. Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh province - (recognized in December 1994)
Ha Long Bay is made of 1,969 islands of various sizes, 989 of which have been given names. There are 2 kinds of islands, limestone and schist, which are concentrated in 2 main zones: the South East (belonging to Bai Tu Long Bay) and the South West (belonging to Ha Long Bay). This densely concentrated zone of stone islands, world famous for its spectacular scenery of grottoes and caves.
2. Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh province - (recognized in July 2003)
Phong Nha - Ke Bang national park (200,000 ha) is one of the world's two largest limestone regions which includes beautiful limestone formations, grottoes and caves.
Phong Nha caves (over 30 caves and total discovered length of 100km) has the longest underground rivers, the largest caverns and passageways, the widest and prettiest sand banks, and the most astonishing rock formations in the world.

UNESCO WORLD CULTURAL HERITAGE SITES
3. Hue Imprerial City in central Vietnam (recognized in December 1993)
Hue served as Vietnam's political capital from 1802 to 1945 under the 13 emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Hue's attractions are the splendid toms of the Nguyen emperors, several notable pagodas and the remains of the Imperial Citadel.
4. Hoi An Ancient Town - 30km south of Da Nang city (recognized in December 1999)
The ancient town of Hoi An used to be occupied by early western traders and became one of the major trading centers of South East Asia in the 16th century. It has a distinct Chinese atmosphere with low, tile-roofed houses made of wood and narrow streets.
5. My Son Sanctuary - 69km southwest of Da Nang city (recognized in December 1999)
My Son used to be an imperial city during the Cham dynasty from the 4th to the 12th centuries. It is a large complex of religious relics that comprises more than 70 architectural towers of red brick which were built to reflect the divinity of the king.

INTANGIBLE HERITAGES (Unesco Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritages of Humanity)
6. The royal music in Hue - (recognized in November 2003).
7. The gong (Cong Chieng) in the Central Highlands - (recognized in November 2005).

5/ What is homestay tour in Vietnam mean ?
Homestay tours mean that you take part in the tours which you will eat, sleep and learn about living activities at residents’ homes. This kind of tour is for those who love nature and experience interesting things of simple life, like discovering, experiencing and learn about customs and practice of various cultures.

6/ Which places to do trekking tours in Vietnam ?
There are many places in Viet Nam that suitable for doing trekking tour, such as:
- Sapa Town 's picturesque mountains and colorful hill tribes, this is the best place to do trekking
- Pu Luong (near Hanoi) is famous for beauty and renowned biodiversity, stunning panoramas and beautiful rice paddies.
- Maichau - Hoabinh, on the bank of Ma River to experience the everyday life and culture of White Thai, Muong people
- Catba island near Halong bay - trekking from National park to Viethai village
- Cuc Phuong National Park in NinhBinh ( 130km from Hanoi ) , and relaxing with an overnight rest in a traditional stilt home.
- Cat Tien National park - 5hours drive from Hochiminh city
- Da Lat, in the Central highland of Vietnam.

7/ What will we bring when trekking in Vietnam ?
Passport: your passport must be valid for at least six months after your date of departure from Vietnam.
Trail shoes or even running shoes.
- Camera + Recording device and blank tapes
- Sunglasses with hard case
- Flashlight
- Extra batteries (for camera, tape recorder and flashlight)
- Eye glasses
- Aspirin, Tylenol, Aleve or something similar
- Personal medications (anything you normally take at home and any precautionary items such as migraine medications, if you are prone to that).
- Cold medicine
- Allergy medicine
- Anti-diarrhea medicine (e.g., Immodium and an antibiotic)
Warm jacket. Fiber fill or down should be adequate. This is especially necessary during winter from December to February in Sapa area
Payment methods
Credit card: For payment by credit card, 3% of expenses are charged by customer who has to fill in the form and make a copy of his credit card, then both documents must be faxed to our company.
The form and photocopy of your passport must be sent to which are regarded as the final and legal proof of your payment for Adventure tours.

As the payment has been made, we will draw up a confirmation which is handed out to the customer when he is arrived in Vietnam.
How to make the payment ? do you accept the Visa or travellers check ?
You can make payment by cash, bank transfer, credit card ( Visa, Master and American Express ). It's inconvenient for us to accept travellers check as we only receive the money in our bank account after serveral months.
Money Transfer: Payment by money transfer service of Western Union (Applied if you are not in Vietnam)
You can choose many of bank agents of Western Union in your country or do it online to transfer money to our company. Please follow the guide of http://www.westernunion.com
After that, please send us the bank code of this transaction by fax/ mail, then if it is approved, we will send you the confirmation. (Bank charge may apply. This, if any, will be settled by client)
How can I book a domestic airline flight?
In order to book a domestic tickets within Vietnam , please select the destination city, arrival city, the dates and whether it is one-way or a return ticket. Then, please select from the available price and schedule options and proceed to bookings.

Currently, we cannot check availability of these flights online. To inquire about a flight, please either book the flight with payment information and we will wait to charge you until after the flight has been confirmed, or inquire online with customer service at
How can I book a hotel room?
Select the hotel in which you would like to stay, email or call us with your requests as well as any special requests and we will make recommendations. We will confirm the availability of the hotel to you.
How do I book and pay for a tour?
Once you have found a tour that you would like to book, please click on “ Book now” and fill in your booking details such as the dates you would like to go, number of people, any special requests. Once we confirm the availability, we will send you an email to confirm and a link for secure online credit card payment.
If you would like to pay by a method other than credit card (cash or bank transfer), please inquire with us directly.
How can I pay ?
Customers within Vietnam:
For customers within Vietnam, we accept payment by cash, credit card and bank transfer.
Cash: We can receive cash payment either advance in our office or in person upon delivery.
Bank transfer: Bank transfers can be made from a bank account within Vietnam. We will provide you our banking details at the time of confirmation of the booking.
Credit Card: We can accept payment by credit card in advance by online payment link or at the time of delivery by imprint method. We will inform you in advance of purchase of any credit card fees that may apply.

Customers outside Vietnam:
For customers outside Vietnam who purchase services prior to arrival in Vietnam, we can only accept payment by credit card and Western Union; we cannot accept cash at the time of a later delivery.
Credit Card: You can purchase directly on our website, or we can provide you with a secure link after the services have been confirmed. In both ways, we will only proceed with the payment after reconfirming with you. For your protection, for a large purchase amount of 400USD and above, we will need you to send us a legal identification (e.g. passport, drivers license) and your credit card scan copies before charging your credit card. We will inform you in advance of purchase of any credit card fees that may apply.
Bank transfer: Bank transfers can be made from your bank account abroad. We will provide you with our banking details at the time of confirmation of the booking.
Western Union: We can accept payment through any banks worldwide using Western Union service. We will send you our receipt details and then will need the control number from you in order to finalize the receipt of payment.
What is your cancellation policy?
In case of cancellation, we will not impose any charges if we are not being charged and possible to get refund from our suppliers but if our suppliers apply charges for cancellation, you will have to pay those charges that apply. Cancellation policies vary, depending upon the type of service, the time of year, and the reason for cancellation. We will pass on to you all details of any cancellation policy with our transparent reply upon demand.
Can the driver speak English and act as a guide?
Our driver can speak a little Enghlish, so that on the way he can understand your request. In Vietnam, drivers are just drivers. Tour guides need to be licensed by the National Tourism Authority.

***How about tourist guide?
Our local tourist guide are full licensed by Ministry of Tourism who are friendly and experienced, support you adequently knowledge of the tourist places. You will be please because of their professionalism, personality and outstanding knowledge, their ability to communicate their culture clearly and in an amusing and educational manner will make the experience, even more enjoyable

General FAQs