What's included?

• All transfers and transport as per program

• All accommodation as per program (based on double/twin sharing room)

• Service of English speaking station guides as per program

• All meals as mentioned

• All entrance fees on tour

• Carbon offsetting fee

Not included

• Air tickets both domestic and international

• Early check-in or late check-out as not mentioned above

• Insurance

• Personal expenses

• All drinks

• Visa fees and/or visa authorization

• Tips

• Other expenses not mentioned on the itinerary

• Any compulsory and peak season surcharge (New Year periods, Christmas, Tet lunar new year, National Holidays...)

Hotels & Meals

In Laos, sticky rice (khao niao) is very popular. Laotians have traditionally eat with their (right) hand (s). If there is cutlery on the table, it is usually only a spoon and a fork. With the fork, slide your food unto the spoon. Then put the spoon in your mouth (never the fork). Chop sticks are used for eating feu or any other noodle soup. There is no fixed order in serving dishes.

Bia hoi: pavement pubs where fresh beer is produced daily and served cold in small, local bars. Not particularly alcoholic but very refreshing.
Banh mi: baguette style sandwich with meat, veggies and herbs (sometimes sambal), a remnant of French colonial times.
Banh Xeo: filled pancakes
Chà Cá: White fish noodles
Com hen: rice served with clams. Popular in Hue.
Goi Cuon : translucent spring rolls
Nuoc Mam: fermented fish sauce, widely used
Nom Hua Chuoi: Banana flower salad
Pho: an omnipresent noodle soup usually with beef
Saigon Beer & rice wine

Travel Documents

• All Belgian nationals travelling on a Belgian passport (children and babies included) must be in possession of an international e-passport (electronic) containing min. 2 blank pages, valid for at least 1 month at the date of your arrival.All Belgian travellers need a visa for Vietnam!

• Please be informed that customers who book a Connections day-by-day tour receive a visa upon request. Travellers who book flights only must request a mandatory online visa. In case a (typing )mistake has been made in any of the personal details filled out on the visa application form, you must re-apply for a visa via the official site. The Immigration Authorities in Vietnam are very strict on this matter. Please note it usually takes up to 3 days to acquire this visa!

• Belgian citizens who book flights only can apply for an e-visa via the official website of the government. Please access this link for the list of countries and this link for the list of ports that allow e-visa. The online e-visum a well as the visum upon-arrival cost 25USD/person (subject to change). No refund is given should access to the country be refused.. Please kindly note the e-visa is applied for 1-month single-entry visa only.

• Travelers with a non-Belgian nationality and/or travelers travelling on a foreign passport are invited to spontaneously reported this matter to the Connections travel consultant and shall contact their respective embassy (s) or Consulate (ate) to obtain the latest updates concerning all current travel requirements and documents.

Insurances

Have a safe and carefree trip: travel fully insured with our Protections travel insurance! Our Protections insurance policies offer various formulas in order to offer you the widest possible cover (with even a fly-on-time, natural catastrophes and epidemics) for both single journeys or for the entire year. We guarantee you the best protection at the best price.

Tailored travel

The tours in our brochures are just a few examples of travel itineraries possible. Our trips can be tailored to suit your specific needs. If you want to book a specific destination or combine it with a mini-tour then we will gladly make you a tailor-made offer. For a personalised day-by-day program please contact our destination experts.

Would you like to travel in a group; with your entire family, friends or colleagues? (min. 10 people required). Put our know-how to the test and send us your details and wishes. We will gladly turn the blueprints of your trip into a detailed quote and a lasting memory for you to cherish. Contact our Connections’ Group Service by e-mail at groups@connections.be or by telephone on +32 (0)2 550 01 65. We would love to hear from you.

Time zones

+5 h (summer); +6 h (winter)

Payments methods

There are no coins in circulation. Credit cards are mainly accepted in top hotels and restaurants in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. In these cities you can also pin. The north and the Laos' countryside have hardly any,if any, ATMS. It is good to carry cash euros, and even better US dollars or Thai baht. Dollar bills must be new and non-creased. The latest series (old dollar bills, or folded / crooked bills cannot be exchanged). You get a better exchange rates for 50 and 100 dollar bills. Smaller dollar bills are useful for souvenirs.

Tipping
In modest restaurants a tip is uncommon. You do give a tip to the bell man and room personnel at hotels. Local guides and drivers appreciate a tip too.

Climate

The Laos rainy season lasts from May to October with occasional heavy showers. The countryside is very green then and the rice paddies look fabulous. The dry season falls between November and the end of April. March and April are the warmest months of the year with temperatures well above 30 ° C. At high altitudes, however, it may still freeze at night.

Please request a price quote for a personalized quotation.
The mentioned as from price is per person sharing based on double occupancy.