F.A.Q. - Vietnam - Mekong Delta Bicycle/Limestone Landscapes Tours
How do I get to Vietnam? – There are modern international airports in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) & Hanoi. Flights to both of these are frequent, usually via stopovers in the Asian travel hubs, such as Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul & Tokyo. If you are traveling from Australia or New Zealand, Jetstar offer a direct option via Sydney. Vietnam Airlines run a modern & efficient fleet & are expanding their international network plus they are a great option for internal travel within Vietnam.
 What will the weather be like? - From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh is some 1600 km which gives some indication of the size of the country. As a result the weather in Vietnam varies according to distinct climatic zones and there are no good or bad seasons to visit Vietnam. When one climate zone is wet and cold another is dry and warm.
From November to March is the dry season in the Mekong Delta, there is little rain & humidity is lower than other times of the year. Daytime temperatures will be around 30 degrees but getting hotter towards late March.
The North of Vietnam experiences cool, damp winters between November and April with temperatures in Hanoi falling to around 15°C. The summer months from May to October are hot and dry. A pleasant time to visit is spring (March-April) or autumn (September - October).
Pre & Post Tour Packages – Most people combine their cycle tour in Vietnam with further travel in this amazing country. We are experts at putting together packages based around your cycle tour with us. We can provide simple options such as pre & post tour lodgings in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, to full travel packages including flights, guides and transport.
Options include:
Halong Bay – 3,000 limestone islands, one of the natural wonders of the world
Hoi An – historic trading centre known for its international influences & wonderful tailors
Hue – historic capital of Vietnam & home to the amazing Citadel
Phu Quoc – tropical island in the Gulf of Thailand, think a quiet version of Ko Samui
Mui Ne/Phan Thiet – beautiful beach on the China sea, wind surfing capital
Dalat – a cool highland retreat Vietnam style
Sapa – hill tribes & mountain country
Nha Trang – lively beach resort with off-shore islandsPlease contact us for a no obligation quote
What about vaccinations?
There are no compulsory vaccinations required but you should at least have up to date Tetanus & another vaccination to consider is Hepatitis B. Malaria is a not a major problem in the the Mekong Delta, most people do not take the pills as they can make you sick, they prefer to cover up, use bug spray & nets when needed. We do not offer ourselves as providing the definitive answer on vaccinations for Vietnam, the best person to talk to is your GP who can give you up to date advice relevant to your personal health situation.
Special Departures - For bookings outside of our scheduled series, drop us a line and we will advise of the potential for a special departure. We have hosted many private groups on our Vietnam tours, ranging from mother and daughter tours to cycle clubs from Australia & the USA.
 What if I don't want to bike it all? - Our air conditioned support wagons will always be close at hand if you feel like a break from cycling. Our guides will co-ordinate with you if you only want to cycle a certain distance & will identify for you which are the best cycling sections.
What are the bikes like? - We support Vietnamese industry so use locally sourced bikes with 24 speed gears and added accessories such as western saddles for your comfort. Bicycles are the workhorse of Vietnam & you should ask your guides to explain why bikes are credited with winning the Vietnam war. The bikes have an upright riding position (we add bar-ends to enable you ride in a forward position if you wish) & are heavier & slower than the latest high tech western bikes. However you will find the locals will really appreciate you riding with them as opposed to flying past on an imported bike.
Can I give something back to the Vietnamese? -By being in Vietnam as a tourist you are supporting the local economy & people. However we have one suggestion for you to give something back to the locals. Bicycle helmets are not legally required in Vietnam, are hard to get there & as a consequence are little used. Helmets are compulsory on our tour however & you must bring your own. As a gesture of support to the local people we suggest that you bring an old helmet or buy a cheap one back home & gift it to a local Vietnamese cyclist at the end of your tour. At Adventure South we encourage responsible tourism, and your gift may save someone's life. It will also significantly help towards educating the Vietnamese people about cycle safety.
What is the Max/Min Group size? - To provide our tours with a high degree of personalized experiences our maximum group size is set at 12 clients. Groups larger than this are possible with adaptations to the standard operational procedures so contact us for details and a price.
Our minimum group is two! Yes, we can offer these tours with only you and your partner if you wish. Please note:
- Mekong Delta 2011/2012 tours will be confirmed at the advertised price of NZD $1,995 with a minimum of 3 people
- bookings for only 2 people can be confirmed at NZD $2,338 p.p.
- Limestone Landscapes 2011/2012 tours will be confirmed at the advertised price of NZD $2,395 p.p. with a minimum of 3 people
- bookings for only 2 people can be confirmed at NZD $2,732 p.p.
What should I wear when cycling? - Suntan lotion, sunglasses, padded cycling shorts, sturdy shoes or sandals, a loose shirt & a helmet (compulsory) A sweat band or bandana under your helmet, & cycling gloves add to your comfort. We recommend that women do not wear skimpy crop top style clothing when cycling so as to avoid giving offense.
What should I wear when not cycling? - Casual clothes are the norm in Vietnam, however if you want to visit some of the more up-market nightclubs or restaurants in Ho Chi Minh city you should have one tidy outfit. In some temples or pagodas it is required for men to wear long trousers & women to wear a long skirt or sarong.
 What are the roads like? - All the roads we cycle on are sealed, although there will be some rougher sections with potholes etc. The Vietnamese are rapidly improving their roading infrastructure so you will encounter some construction. There are over 70 million people in Vietnam, a country the size of NZ, so although we have chosen quieter roads for this tour it is hard to get away from people & you will still be with some traffic. Such traffic will include bicycles, motor bikes, rickshaws, buffalo carts & motorized vehicles and buses/trucks. Traffic is heavier in the towns & cities, and on certain sections on days one & two but the tour is designed that if you are uncomfortable about biking in the urban areas or on busier sections of road you can use the support vehicle.
What does full sag support mean? - This means that there is room for everybody aboard our air conditioned support vehicles and your support vehicles will never be too far away.
What about the language? - Our guides all speak English & will be close at hand to interpret for you. Apart from isolated rural areas, basic English is widely spoken, especially among the younger people & most service staff will speak some English. It is however very important that you speak slowly to be understood.
Can I drink the water? We recommend that you do not drink any tap water in Vietnam. Bottled water is everywhere & cheap. Ice made from purified water is becoming readily available & your guides will advise you as to its safety. You will be well supplied with cold bottled water when cycling but if you feel you need to add electrolytes or powder supplements you will need to bring your own.
What is the food like? - We choose our restaurants for their local character, great cuisine and hygiene standards. Meals are eaten Asian style with the sharing of dishes among the group, being able to use chopsticks is an advantage but not essential. Meals are based around rice with several courses, including lots of fresh vegetables & seafood. Our meals are slightly Westernized in that they are not too spicy & we do not put local Mekong delicacies like Rat or Snake on the menu (unless you are brave & want to try them?) On many days breakfasts are a highlight, showing the French influence with baguettes, cheeses & yoghurt readily available - you will enjoy the local coffee. Note - on some cycling days we are in very isolated areas so we have little choice for lunch venues.
 What is the accommodation like? - Our lodgings are carefully chosen & of a high standard. Our rural hotels are the best available in the towns, and in the larger cities we choose good three star hotels in the best locations. On the Mekong Delta tour the Victoria Hotels in Chau Doc & Can Tho are extremely luxurious and the Hon Trem resort has great ocean views.
On the Limestone Landscapes we feature two night stays in Ninh Binh & Cuc Phoung and one night at the Luxurious Mai Chau Lodge. We have one night staying in the traditional long-house in Mai Chau that has communal sleeping & shared bathrooms. All other accommodation is based on shared twin or double rooms, (if you want a single room you must pay the single supplement) & have air conditioners & private bathrooms with western toilets.
What about the money? - The local currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND), the approximate conversion rate in May 2011 is VND 16,370 to NZ $1; VND 21,900 to AUD $1; VND 33.380 to
one GBP; VND 29,100 to one Euro; VND 20,570 to US $1. US dollars are widely accepted throughout Vietnam (it is possible to travel throughout Vietnam solely on US dollars). US dollars can be changed anywhere; banks, exchange bureaus & major hotels will change other currencies.
Banking hours are 8.00am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday and 8.00am to noon on Saturdays. You will need to allow enough money for meals not included, drinks, shopping and additional sightseeing. There are ATM machines in Ho Chi Minh City & other major tourist centres. We advise you to carry some US dollars, small notes are good for tips & minor purchases, but larger notes attract a better conversion rate. Major credit cards are accepted at many places.
What about the money?
Should I tip? - Tipping is common in Vietnam but not compulsory, only tip if you have had good service. As a general rule US $1 (10>20,000VND) is a good amount for porters, wait staff, taxi drivers etc. If you are happy with the service our local drivers & guides have given you we encourage you to tip them at the end of your tour, but please remember there is a class structure among Vietnamese working society, guides should be tipped at a higher rate than drivers. We suggest drivers are tipped at US $1>2 per day & guides at a higher rate. Again, we emphasis that you should only tip if you are happy with the service provided.
 A question for the women - What about the shopping? - The shopping is fantastic, there are bargains galore & an abundance of local crafts & souvenirs. There is a great range of clothing & tailor made outfits are very cheap. You don't even need to bring an extra bag as you can buy good luggage at a reasonable price. Always carefully check the quality of your purchases & be prepared to haggle, as a general rule two thirds of the initial asking price is a good settlement. Also please remember that often you are bargaining with very poor people who are not trying to rip you off but partake in normal business, sometimes it is better to accept with good grace that you are paying a slightly higher "Western" price.
A question for the men - What about the beer? - The Vietnamese love their beer, you can buy imported beers but there are some very good cheaper local beers. Vietnamese beer is generally a lighter lager style & is drunk with ice (it's an acquired taste & actually very good in a hot climate!) Your guides will advise you of the suitability of the ice.
Is it safe? - Vietnam is very safe to travel in, tourism is a very important part of the economy & the authorities crack down heavily on people who transgress against foreigners. However there are a lot of poor people in the country & it pays to take the usual precautions with your valuables when traveling in a foreign country.
What about travel insurance? - We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive private travel insurance. You should take out travel insurance whenever you travel overseas, plans do change, accidents do happen, & belongings go missing, Vietnam is no different from anywhere else in this respect, travel insurance is just commonsense no matter where you go! In Vietnam this is even more important as the local public liability laws do not cover foreigners so your travel insurance should be comprehensive.
Any more questions? - Contact us here at Adventure South by sending us an email to guide@advsouth.co.nz
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