Name: South East Asia Adventure Family Holiday
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 5 (7 reviews)

South East Asia Adventure Family Holiday Trip Notes

Ways to Travel: Family Group, Private Group Adventures
Destination: Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam
Programmes: Family
Activity Level:
3 out of 7 - Moderate
15 Days: Flight Inclusive
14 Days: Land Only
Ages: 9+
Trip Code: FIJ
Carbon Footprint: 21kg CO2e

Trip Overview

Enjoy an action-packed family journey across Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand

This exciting family adventure in Southeast Asia takes us through three countries with divergent histories and strikingly different cultures. Journey from the frenetic streets of Ho Chi Minh City to the tranquillity of rural Cambodia and visit the magnificent shimmering palaces and temples of Bangkok. Pass through a spectacular patchwork of waterways in the Mekong Delta, take a cyclo (rickshaw) tour of Phnom Penh and relax on a tropical island with white-sand beaches before arriving at the magnificent temple complex of Angkor, which we explore by bicycle. We end our adventure in Bangkok, sampling fresh street food and visiting an enormous reclining golden Buddha.

At a Glance

12 nights in comfortable hotels and one night in a homestay
Travel by private minibus, bike and boat

Highlights

Sample delicious, varied cuisine and master chopsticks skills
Spend a night in a village homestay
Cruise the waterways of the Mekong Delta by dugout boat
Crawl through the Cu Chi war tunnels
Discover the fruit and pepper plantations of rural Cambodia
Take a cycling tour of the Angkor temple complex
Marvel at Bangkok’s huge reclining Buddha

Is This Trip for You?

This trip is graded Activity Level 3 (Moderate). It is designed for nine to 12-year-olds, but is also suitable for 13 to 16-year-olds.

Our Family Activity Levels are aimed at children in the primary or ‘Designed for’ age group. We are confident it is also suitable for those in the ‘Also for’ age range; however, please note if your child is in this secondary category, they may find it a little easier. Please see the Family Activity Levels on our website for further information.

When grading our trips, we consider multiple factors, such as the pace, the level of activity involved, the amount of time a family will spend travelling, and the weather.

This trip is designed to visit the best parts of Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand using a mixture of private buses and boats. There is a lot to see in the time you are here, but it is paced so it doesn’t feel too rushed.

Travel time is kept to a minimum and most transfers are no longer than three to four hours. There are a few longer drives (seven to eight hours) but there is plenty of time for sightseeing and the trip has numerous stops where we spend two or more nights.

While choosing this trip, please note that some of the accommodation will be basic but is clean and tidy. The swimming pools may not be up to Western standards.

Local people and other Asian tourists may want to take photos of themselves with your children particularly if they are young, blonde and have blue eyes, you should be prepared for them to do this without asking permission first. You should also be prepared for lots of traffic in the bigger cities, such as Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok, where you have to relearn crossing the street!

Group

Generally, we use different staff and vehicles for each country. For this trip, there is a Vietnamese leader to start, followed by a Cambodian leader in Cambodia, then a Thai leader in Thailand.

Adult min age: 9

Min group size: 6

Max group size: 18

Itinerary

South East Asia Adventure Family Holiday

Land Only

Start City: Ho Chi Minh City
End City: Bangkok

Land Only Itinerary

Arrive in the heat, hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City. Still commonly known as Saigon, it is an exciting, absorbing city where scooters pack the streets and temples stand alongside modern developments. Our hotel is in the heart of this incredible city. A welcome group meeting is held later this afternoon with your leader followed by an optional group dinner.

Accommodation: Huong Sen Hotel (or similar)

We depart early to beat the traffic as we head to the Cu Chi tunnels, located two hours outside the city. Used by the Viet Cong, the network covers three levels and approximately 150mi (240km) of tunnels. Exploring Cu Chi gives us an indication of the tenacity of the Vietnamese people and the conditions that both Vietnamese and American troops had to endure. Originally the tunnels were very narrow but some have been widened to allow visitors to explore the system. We can crawl through them and are introduced to life below ground as we visit makeshift kitchens, bedrooms and even an underground hospital. People with claustrophobia may prefer to stay outside in the sunshine.

The afternoon is free for exploration and there are several interesting things to see and do – the Saigon River, Ben Thanh Market, Reunification Palace and Notre Dame Cathedral are all within easy walking distance. There is also time to visit the War Remnants Museum with an interesting (if a little gruesome) photographic record of the Vietnam/American War.

Accommodation: Huong Sen Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, we leave the busy city for the rice bowl of Vietnam: the Mekong Delta. We’ll be struck by the fertility of the land; fruit, vegetables, rice, fish farms, duck farms, there is cottage industry everywhere, all fuelled by the amazing network of waterways. We visit the interesting Cai Be floating market to see local industry in action. Recently, Cai Be is becoming less crowded and smaller as fruit trading is mostly now done by trucks. However, this is still a great opportunity to see a local market and traditional trade conducted on a smaller scale.

A short boat ride then takes us from Vinh Long to our island homestay. The evening is tranquil as we have dinner at the homestay and enjoy Delta hospitality. We spend the night sleeping at a simple guesthouse built in the style of a local house. Bedding, a mosquito net and a small towel are provided. We have the chance to try local dishes cooked by our hosts for the night.

Accommodation: Mekong Guest House Homestay (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast at the homestay, we transfer by boat back to Vinh Long then to Cai Rang floating market, one of the biggest in the Delta; the colour and fragrance of the market is sure to be remembered! We then continue to Chau Doc; close to Cambodia, it is an important trading town due to its border position and has a spot in the foothills of the picturesque Sam Mountain. An optional trip to the mountain provides wonderful views of the Mekong Delta and Cambodia.

Accommodation: Chau Pho Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast, we leave Chau Doc for the Xa Xia/Ha Tien border, where we see a change of pace as we cross into rural Cambodia. We then travel to the picturesque riverside town of Kampot (approximate transfer time excluding immigration process is 3hr to 3hr 30min). Along the way, we stop at La Plantation pepper farm in the Kampot province. Upon arrival in Kampot, we check into our centrally located hotel, our base for the next two nights. Afterwards, the group takes an orientation walk along the Kampot River and there is the option to enjoy a sunset river cruise before an optional group dinner.

Accommodation: Twin Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, we drive (approximately 25 minutes) to the resort town of Kep and first stop for a short visit to Kep Mountain in the national park for wonderful coastal views. The town still bears the scars of civil war with the ghost-like remains of old villas. After, the group jumps on a boat for the short trip to Koh Tonsai (Rabbit Island). Palm tree fringed with a small beach, this island is the perfect place to swim in warm water or relax on the sand for the day. Alternatively, you may wish to spend the day relaxing on Kep beach instead and enjoying your pick of the day’s catch from one of the seafront seafood shacks. Your tour leader can advise locally about both options.

Accommodation: Twin Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, if we didn’t do it yesterday, we journey to the countryside surrounding Kep to see rural Cambodia. In the afternoon, we travel from our seaside home to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, which sits on the confluence of the Mekong, Tonle Sap and Tonle Bassac rivers. To get our bearings, we take a sunset cyclo (bicycle rickshaw) trip. We finish with dinner at a local restaurant along the banks of the river offering traditional Khmer cuisine.

Accommodation: Cardamom Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we visit the Royal Palace grounds, where we see the Silver Pagoda, one of the most holy temples in Cambodia and home to an impressive collection of gold, diamonds and other precious stones along with many traditional musical instruments.

The rest of the day is free for your family to explore. Some family-friendly activities include a visit to the local markets or public gardens, about which your leader can provide details. Close by is the National Museum, which is set in a traditional Khmer building and displays a range of ancient artefacts, plus more modern pieces, and where kids can feed the fish!

Adults in the group may also want to confront Cambodia’s recent tragic past with a visit to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a school that served as a Khmer Rouge torture centre. It will not be suitable for the younger family members. Your group leader can make recommendations and assist with bookings.

Accommodation: Cardamom Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Travel by private air-conditioned bus (approximately seven hours) to Siem Reap. The trip is a

great opportunity to see the real Cambodia, as we make several stops at points of interest along the way. We also see the cottage industry at Santuk Silk Farm, which is a valuable source of employment in a poor rural community (Santuk is closed on some important Khmer holidays). We also stop at Sambor Prei Kuk, the most impressive group of pre-Angkorian monuments in Cambodia with some of the oldest structures in the country.

After, we have a traditional Khmer lunch at a community restaurant before continuing our journey to the small town of Siem Reap, gateway to the Unesco-listed Angkor complex. We get a sneak preview of the site with sunset at the temples.

Accommodation: Angkor Holiday Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

We leave early this morning and take a fun bike ride around the Angkorian ruins. It is an easy ride on flat trails and roads but for non-cyclists there is the option to jump onto a local remork – motor-rickshaw. The ride today is approximately 18.5mi (30km).

On the bicycle, we can avoid some of the crowds and get a unique perspective on this amazing site. We take the backroads along the river through villages and into the Angkor park before cycling along the wall of the ancient city of Angkor Thom. With a moat on one side and thick jungle on the other, we rarely see another visitor. We might also like to stop along the way to see the monkeys that gather on the temple ruins.

We finish our day with a visit to Angkor Wat, one of the most architecturally and photographically impressive sites in the temple complex.

Tonight, we visit Phare, The Cambodian Circus, the country’s spectacular answer to Cirque Du Soleil. The performers typically come from vulnerable households and have gained international recognition through their practice. Expect modern Khmer tales that mix theatre, music, dance, acrobatics, juggling, aerial acts and contortion.

Accommodation: Angkor Holiday Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

Today is a free day for exploration and your group leader can make suggestions and organise transport.

If you didn’t manage to fit it in yesterday, you might like to visit the jungle temple of Ta Prohm (Angkor pass required).

Another option is to journey into the countryside. Around one hour out of town is the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB), housed at the base of Kbal Spien Mountain. It has a collection of animals saved from trafficking, including gibbons, monkeys, anteaters, snakes, greater and lesser adjutant (Cambodia’s version of Big Bird), eagles, prehistoric water monitors and turtles. You pass through rural villages on the way where you can sample palm sugar candy as it is made.

On the way back to town, you might like to visit the exquisite Banteay Srey (Citadel of the Women) (Angkor pass required). The small temple displays some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art carved into the pinkish coloured sandstone.

For those who would like a more active day, there is the option of ziplining in the nearby canopy of Angkor Park. Flying through the jungle after climbing up from one of the canopy platforms is a real adrenaline rush!

There is also the choice of visiting the floating village on nearby Tonle Sap Lake.

Accommodation: Angkor Holiday Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

It’s a long drive from Siem Reap to Bangkok (approximately 10 hours including stops for a border crossing and lunch); however, we break up the journey many times at local points of interest. We stop at a stone carving village where many of the inhabitants carve religious and decorative statues of all sizes from sandstone and marble. Ganesh, the elephant-headed god of beginnings and wisdom, plus Buddhist and Angkorian-style statues line the road in this town. After the border crossing, we take a break and have our first taste of Thai food at a local restaurant before continuing onto Bangkok, the capital. Famous for tuk tuks, khlong boats and incredible street food, Bangkok is an assault on the senses and provides a real contrast to sleepy Cambodia.

Accommodation: Royal Princess Larn Luang Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, a short walk from our hotel takes us to the Chao Phraya River, where we meet a longtail boat to journey along the khlongs (canals) of old Bangkok. Please be advised there may be a possibility of larger groups being accommodated in a bigger boat. Afterwards, we pay a visit to Wat Pho, home to the largest reclining Buddha in the country and keeper of the magic behind Thai massages. In the afternoon, we have free time to explore. Why not pay a visit to the magnificent Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, wander to the bustling Khao San Road, pick up last-minute souvenirs, enjoy delicious street food or explore colourful Chinatown?

Accommodation: Royal Princess Larn Luang Hotel (or similar)

Meals included: Breakfast

The tour ends in Bangkok this morning and we bid our farewells. If you’d like a little more time to explore, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation

Family-friendly hotels and a Mekong Delta homestay

We spend 12 nights in family-friendly hotels and one night at an island homestay on the Mekong Delta. Almost all the hotels have swimming pools and we can swim at the beach in Kep. We have aimed to select hotels for their location as well as character. In the rural areas, we use the best available accommodation – these have private bathrooms, reliable electricity and water supplies, good service and some added amenities.

The normal accommodations used on this trip can be found on the day-to-day itinerary; however, below are a few of the notable places we stay.

Mekong Delta: Island homestay (night 3)

South East Asia Adventure Family Holiday

Our time in a guesthouse allows us to experience true Delta hospitality, as we are looked after by local people and stay by the Mekong River. The rooms are relatively basic; bedding, a mosquito net and a small towel are provided, while there are shared bathroom facilities with a shower. The real highlight though is the hospitality of our hosts, the lush garden, and the food (homemade southern Vietnamese cuisine).

Siem Reap: Angkor Holiday Hotel (nights 9-11)

South East Asia Adventure Family Holiday

A short drive from the Angkor temple complex, this hotel is ideally placed for our adventures in Siem Reap. When you’re not out exploring, there’s a swimming pool to splash around in plus a restaurant serving Asian, Khmer and Western cuisines.

Bangkok: Royal Princess Larn Luang Hotel (nights 12-13)

South East Asia Adventure Family Holiday

Among the boulevards and canals of old Bangkok, the 167-room Royal Princess is right in the action. It has plenty of amenities, including a ground-floor swimming pool and saltwater hot tub, plus plenty of sunbeds. There’s a decent selection of restaurants too, including: the Princess Café, for relaxed dining; The Empress, for Chinese cuisine; and Mikado, for a taste of Japan.

Worth knowing

There may be instances when you specifically want a single room. Perhaps a grandparent needs one, or parents of a family of three or five want to ensure they get a bit of space! Single supplements are available upon request (see price details below). Please advise us at the time of booking. A single room is available on hotel nights only.
While we do our best to ensure families are roomed close together (in some cases, we can arrange adjoining rooms), we can’t guarantee this. Most family trips occur during peak season and we sometimes have little control over where you are put.

While we do our best to ensure families are roomed close together (in some cases, we can arrange adjoining rooms), we can’t guarantee this. Most family holidays occur during peak season and we sometimes have little control over where you will be put.

Single supplement from £ 450

Food & Drink

13 breakfasts, one lunch and two dinners are included.

The food on this trip is a real highlight for many. Southeast Asian cuisine is known for its abundance of freshly prepared dishes with strong aromatic flavours. There is a focus on herbs and citrus to ensure each dish packs a punch; chilli does feature highly but is easily avoided if desired.

Food is cheap in all three countries and Western food is readily available almost everywhere, with the exception of the night in the Mekong Delta.

Breakfasts are usually buffets and there is plenty to choose from: fruit, bread, cereal/yoghurt (sometimes) and cooked breakfasts.

For lunch and dinner, allow at least US$12-US$25 per person per day. You can eat out very cheaply, but if you go to the more expensive restaurants most of the time, you will spend more than the suggested amount.

Vegetarian food is widely available; however, the offering is fairly similar in most places within each country. Please advise at time of booking if you have any dietary requirements. Please note, the availability of certain products is minimal or non-existent, for example wheat- or dairy-free, please be prepared for this and you may need to bring these from home.

Transport

We use a private coach/minibuses, which will be quite comfortable, usually with air-conditioning. There are a couple of long driving days on this trip (up to eight hours). Road conditions are often not good, and progress can be slow. Boats are used at various points in the itinerary; these are nearly always private and vary from converted trawlers to small riverboats.

Weather & Seasonality

Vietnam is hot and humid throughout with daytime temperatures of about 28C-34C (82F-93F) but at times may reach 40C (104F). It is only a little cooler at nights. The region is mostly dry between December and April and there’s a rainy season from May to November, where the rains tend to come in short heavy bursts with bright sunshine in between.

In Cambodia, it is hot and humid year-round. The dry season is late October to May and the monsoon is normally between June and September; though there is an obvious transitional time between those settled periods. The dry season is as it sounds, with hot days and generally clear skies, though you can expect the odd shower. The monsoon is characterised by short, sharp bursts of rain and is generally overcast all day, though this does not detract from the enjoyment of the place; you just need to take an umbrella!

In Thailand, the weather patterns are very similar to Cambodia and you should expect year-round temperatures of 23C-35C (73F-95F). The rainy season normally runs from June to September; expect short, sharp showers but the sun will normally break through.

Joining Instructions

Key information

Start hotel: Huong Sen Hotel, 66-70 Đồng Khởi, Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
Phone: +84 28 3829 1415
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening at 6pm, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately.
Airport: Ho Chi Minh City Airport (SGN)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately 20 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers.

Catching your return flight

Exodus provides free departure transfers for all customers to Bangkok Airport (BKK) from the end hotel.

Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Ho Chi Minh City
Location end: Bangkok

What To Take

Essential Equipment

Casual clothes. As it is generally hot and humid, light cotton clothing is recommended for most of the trip. Please remember, you are expected to cover your legs and arms (to the elbow) during visits to some temples and palaces. Sandals are useful as they are cooler and are easier to take off when visiting temples
Torch (flashlight)
Backpack for carrying camera, water etc
Sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses and swimwear
Bike helmet: these are available locally; however, we can’t guarantee the quality and fit so please pack your own if you’d rather be confident in the standard and comfort of the helmets
A first-aid kit is carried on each trip, but you should bring your own with diarrhoea treatment, painkillers, rehydration sachets, plasters (band-aids) and a blister-treatment kit
Insect repellent is also highly recommended. Repellent containing DEET is thought to be highly effective
Warm clothes/layers for the occasional cooler night temperatures

There are laundry facilities at the bigger hotels or cheaper laundry facilities close to some hotels.

Water included

Plastic bottles are a big issue in many countries where recycling isn’t yet widely available; they often end up in landfill or get burned. Both processes are harmful to the environment and we would like to reduce our impact here. For your trip, we provide an alternative to single-use plastic bottles to reduce the plastic used. This means that safe drinking water will be available throughout; all you need to do is bring a bottle to refill along the way. Please add this to your packing list.

Optional Equipment

Lightweight waterproof jacket or an umbrella

Practical Information

Passport

To enter Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia your passport must:

Have an expiry date at least six months after the day you arrive in each country
Be undamaged (including no water damage)
Be complete (no pages missing)

Vietnam also specifically requests that you have at least two blank pages, though you also need sufficient blank pages for Thailand and Cambodia.

Visa

Cambodia

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally need a visa to enter Cambodia. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/cambodia
Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/cambodia
United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cambodia/entry-requirements
USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Cambodia.html

Important advice regarding e-Visas:

Please note, e-Visas are not accepted at all border checkpoints when travelling overland into Cambodia.

This applies to the following borders/trips:

Tinh Bien,Vietnam/Phnom Den, Takeo, Cambodia border: Thai Indochina Explorer (Trip Code: AOX) and Southeast Asia Express (AOK)
Xa Xia, Vietnam/Prek Chak, Cambodia (Ha Tien crossing): South East Asia Adventure (Trip Code: FIJ)

You can only purchase a tourist visa on arrival at these borders as e-Visas will not be accepted.

More information can be found at:

Thailand

Travellers from the UK, US and Canada normally do not need a visa to enter Thailand. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip.Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/thailand
Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/thailand
United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand/entry-requirements
USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Thailand.html

Vietnam

UK passport holders normally do not need a visa to enter Vietnam for visits up to 45 days, while those with a US or Irish passport normally do need a visa to enter. Visa requirements for EU citizens vary by country.

Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through. Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/vietnam
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/vietnam
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/vietnam
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Vietnam.html

Vaccinations and Health

Cambodia

There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies and tuberculosis. You will also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you’re arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or transiting for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Please confirm your vaccine recommendations and requirements with your doctor or travel clinic.

Dengue fever, a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes, is a known risk in places visited. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, so take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Thailand

There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, tuberculosis and typhoid. You will also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you’re arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or transiting for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Please confirm all the above with your doctor or travel clinic.

Dengue and zika, both viral diseases spread by mosquitoes, are a known risk in places visited. There are currently no vaccines or prophylaxes available, so take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Vietnam

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to speak to your doctor or travel clinic about vaccinations for hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies and tuberculosis. The risk of malaria is slight, but you may want to consult your doctor or travel clinic for further advice.

Similarly, dengue and zika, both viral diseases spread by mosquitoes, are known risks in Vietnam. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, so we strongly recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Local Time

Cambodia's time zone: Asia/Phnom_Penh (UTC +07:00)

Thailand's time zone: Asia/Bangkok (UTC +07:00)

Vietnam's time zone: Asia/Ho_Chi_Minh (UTC +07:00)

Electricity

Cambodia's electricity: Plug types A (two flat pins), C (two round pins) and G (three rectangular pins) – 230V, 50Hz

Thailand's electricity: Plug types A (two flat pins, US standard), B (three pins, US standard), C (two round pins, European standard) and F (two round pins) – 220V, 50Hz

Vietnam's electricity: Plug types A (two flat pins, US standard), C (two round pins, European standard) and F (two round pins) – 220V, 50Hz

Money

Cambodia's currency: Cambodian riel (KHR); however, US dollars are widely accepted

Thailand's currency: Thai baht (THB)

Vietnam's currency: Vietnamese dong (VND)

ATM Availability

ATMs are widespread in Southeast Asian cities and are the easiest way of obtaining money, while credit cards are typically accepted by restaurants and shops catering for tourists.

If you would like to bring cash, there will be ample opportunity for you to change this. British pounds and US dollars are both easily exchanged. As you will probably be carrying much of your money in cash, we strongly recommend using a money belt.

Although local currency is preferred, US dollars are widely accepted in Vietnam in tourist shops and restaurants. You can obtain Vietnamese dong before travel or by using an ATM or changing money upon arrival.

Extra Expenses & Spending Money

You should need about US$290-US$355 per person for meals not included, which will allow you to eat well. Apart from the food, allow money to cover soft drinks (more if the adults like a beer/alcohol) and souvenirs.

Optional excursions

There are a number of optional activities, which your leader can help arrange for you.

Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB) trip, Siem Reap: minimum donation of US$3 but transport extra
Flight of the Gibbon ziplining, Siem Reap: US$20 per person (discounts for under 16s)
Khmer cooking class: US$24 per person
Boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake: US$15 per person

Tipping

This is entirely at your own discretion; however, we suggest you allow some money for tips for the local guides and staff. In the countries visited, with the increase in tourism, tipping has become customary. The leader will suggest to the group that they donate US$38 per person towards a kitty on arrival. This money is then used to tip local guides, hotel porters, drivers etc, ensuring the hassle is taken out of various activities for you. If you do not wish to contribute to a central pool for tips you are, of course, free to do so.

If you feel your leaders have performed well over the course of your trip, you may want to show your appreciation of their services. The sum you choose to give is entirely personal, but as a guide, US$3-US$6 per person per day would be a reasonable starting point. The tipping kitty explained above is entirely separate from any contribution to the tour leader. Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work with Exodus.

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips that improve life for the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Find out more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here, and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

The use of a local guide means our customers will be well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels and restaurants, the emphasis on eating locally produced food, and by supporting other local enterprises.
Guests stay overnight and eat a delicious home-cooked meal in a homestay guesthouse in the Mekong Delta.
We do a lot to celebrate cottage industries on this tour, as this directly benefits the local people and is hugely fascinating for travellers. For example, in the Mekong Delta, we visit a lot of these small businesses and factories, which sell handmade coconut sweets, rice paper, soya bean sauce and popped rice among other things.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

By travelling in a small group, led by a local guide, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment. On one night of the itinerary, we stay in a homestay guesthouse in the Mekong Delta.
Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices with regard to working animals and wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.
We work with our partners on the ground to proactively eliminate or reduce waste, for example eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles and instead providing refills for reusable bottles.
When visiting landmarks and cultural sites such as the Cu Chi Tunnels, Angkor, the Royal Palace complex in Phnom Penh, and Wat Po in Bangkok, our fees contribute to the upkeep and maintenance of these places.
We provide clients with a locally made reusable tote bag at the start of the tour, offering an alternative to single-use plastic bags and a souvenir to take home.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

Read about Exodus Travels’ Planet Promise here, including our rewilding and carbon compensation commitments for every customer who travels.
Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
We choose to travel by road from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok, and not use flights throughout the itinerary.
Vegetarian options are available at most accommodation and restaurants.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish behind in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, we’d ask you to consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
Plastic waste reduction: Please bring your own reusable water bottle on this trip; filtered water will be provided where tap water is not drinkable.

Cultural respect:

You are expected to cover your legs and arms (to the elbow) during visits to temples and sacred sites so packing a sarong or other suitable clothing is recommended. Also remember to remove hats when visiting a sacred site.
Do not rest your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice as this symbolises the burning of incense (which is usually reserved for times of mourning).
One should not show the soles of their feet or touch someone’s head, both are considered disrespectful.

Important Information

Water safety

This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.

Family trips

Our staff and leaders are there to ensure the trip runs as smoothly as possible. However, company policy states they cannot take care of children; it is your responsibility to look after your young ones throughout the trip. During free time or if you decide to opt out of part of the itinerary, you are responsible for your family and any arrangements that need to be made, though your leader will be happy to make recommendations.

How To Book

Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
Complete your booking and payment

When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.

After booking

You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.

Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.

Trip Note validity

These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.

The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.

Licensing

Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.

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