Only have 7 days in Indochina? Wondering how to make the most of a 7 day Indochina tour? Let’s help you out with that challenge.

Regardless of where you travel in the world, gaining a sense of a country in a short amount of time can be difficult. Covering an entire region like Indochina, which incorporates multiple diverse countries, can be even more of a challenge.

So how do you make the most of your time in Indochina, when you’re limited to only seven or eight days? If you’ve never visited this beautiful part of Asia, and time isn’t on your side, insider tips from those who know is a good place to start. And while you may not visit everything on your bucket list, a 7 day Indochina tour will give you a sense and insights into a special part of the world. It may even be the impetus for subsequent longer Indochina tours in the future!

Curious? Let’s explore!

Experience Angkor Wat and more in Siem Reap

Few travelers could complete an Indochina tour without taking time out in Siem Reap. As the gateway to Angkor Wat, Siem Reap need a little introduction. Although you could literally spend days at the massive historical site that is Angkor Wat, a full day reveals enough for travelers wanting to check off this big bucket list item. Angkor Wat’s essentials include the Bayon Temple, famed for its contemplative and vivid carvings, Elephant Terrace, a giant platform for Angkor’s King to view his army returning from battle, Preah Khan and Ta Prohm Temple, a famous location in the film Tomb Raider. There’s also the opportunity to capture a gorgeous sunset view at the Pre Rup Temple, so don’t miss including this on your 7 day Indochina tour to do’s.

Among its highlights, Cambodia includes its famous floating villages. While these are popular with Western travelers, the Kompong Khleang Floating Village is perhaps the most authentic of Cambodia’s floating villages of stilt houses built within the floodplain of the Tonle Sap Lake. Be sure to take time out to see and experience a totally different way of life to that of urban dwellers in the West.

Sadly, tragedy is a part of Cambodian history and few places are more poignant than Wat Thmei, also known as the Killing Fields. The burial location of many who suffered at the hands of the Khmer Rouge, the featured glass-walled stupa is a solemn reminder to all who visit Wat Thmei.

Traditional craft is fundamental to Cambodian culture. Craftsmen and women, skilled in wood and stone carving, can be observed at Les Chantiers Ecoles Artisans D’Angkor and in Cambodia’s many pagodas, such as Wat Preah Prum Rath. If you’re after a travel memento or two, this is the place to do your shopping.

Hanoi: a highlight of any 7 day Indochina tour

While Indochina proper covers six countries, you’ll never make it to all these in seven or eight days. It’s why our first tip here is quality over quantity – visit fewer places and see more. You’ll also enjoy your travels more too.

With Vietnam and Cambodia gaining in popularity as travel destinations, these two countries are a great place to start if you only have 7 days in Indochina. The great thing is that although they share over a thousand kilometers of border, they are very different in many respects.

Developing economically at a rapid pace, aspects of Vietnam’s capital Ho Chi Minh City can almost feel westernized. The alternative big city is Hanoi. If you’re more interested in a deeper cultural experience of Vietnam, Hanoi is preferable. Here you can easily spend a day or two capturing the essence of this city.

Visit the Old Quarter street markets and savor an enriching food experience. Or wander through Hanoi’s largest covered market, Dong Xuan and sample the city’s best street food. As with just about every destination in Indochina, modern and ancient history and culture abound. Must-see inclusions on your visit to Hanoi? Da Binh Square, where you’ll find the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Follow this up with a visit to Ho Chi Minh’s House on Stilts, One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, a Confucius center and Vietnam’s first university. Take in more history by walking through the ‘Hanoi Hilton’ – Hoa Lo Prison – where Americans and other prisoners of war were detained during the Vietnam War. Traditional history and culture can be found at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. And if a more bespoke and personalized experience is your thing, why not learn about and watch a water puppet show

Glorious Halong Bay: experience it on your Indochina tour

Few images conjure up what is quintessentially Indochina than the karst limestone islands found in Halong Bay. And it’s here that you should take advantage of the overnight cruises which are available throughout the bay. There’s no need to imagine glittering water, grottos, thick forests, and hidden coves found in gorgeous photos. In Halong Bay, you’ll see it all firsthand. With time to relax onboard and just take it all in, time spent floating on the water is the ideal way to round out a 7 or 8-day snapshot of Indochina.

The Wrap Up

Even if you only have 7 or 8 days in Indochina, you can still have a wonderful travel experience. With the right planning and insider tips, you can maximize your time away and discover what makes this part of the world so appealing.

Need more inspiration for your 7 day Indochina tour – or wanting to spend more time on a longer Indochina trip? We can help. As a tour operator offering small group, private and custom tours through Indochina, IndochinaEscapes.com – owned by Asia tour specialist ChinaTours.com – offers western travelers an authentic travel experience. –
With a selection of 7 days Indochina tours and Indochina tours of varying duration, IndochinaEscapes.com understands exactly what it takes to make beautiful travel memories. For more information about how we can serve you, connect with us via our contact form.

The post Make the most of a 7 day Indochina tour: the insider’s must-see sights for 7 days in Indochina appeared first on China Tours.

We often say it’s the people we meet who make all the difference to an experience. Traveling with your own private tour guide certainly meets that criteria.

Building bridges of understanding across cultures and countries, travel guides play a vital ambassadorial role. Essentially working as ambassadors for their country, integral to their work is an understanding that everything they do is a reflection of them as individuals, the tour company they work for, and their country.

They’re the welcome party on arrival to a new country.

They’re the cheery face that greets you at the start of a day’s adventure.

They’re the guiding hand as you haggle at the markets for a unique travel memento.

They’re the knowing advisor who laughs as you gamely try an unusual dish that even turns the heads and stomachs of locals.

So why else would you travel with a guide?

Check out the reasons below and think twice before you decide to travel solo through Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam – or anywhere else in Indochina.

Certification provides peace of mind

Apart from being a ready source of local knowledge, a properly licensed tour guide has a deep understanding of their professional role in cultivating healthy international relations. Where those at the most senior levels of politics may struggle at times, a local guide can be more personal and friendly, and leave put aside differences.

As tourism continues to flourish across the Indochina region, those in the industry have recognized the need for regulation that protects the people and assets of their country, while also providing a unique and memorable experience for visitors.

In Vietnam, an International Tour Guide License is granted by VNAT (Vietnam National Tourism Administration). Travel guides in Cambodia receive certification through the Cambodia Tourism Industry, while certified travel guides in Laos receive training and credentials from the Laos Ministry of Tourism.

While travel guide certification is no guarantee you’ll end up with the perfect guide, it does provide provides peace of mind they’ve met expectations around quality standards. It also means they have some understanding of their important role as communicators, educators, and connectors.

If you’re booking an Indochina tour, be sure to ask your travel consultant about their tour guides for Indochina, including whether they’re certified and have received positive reviews.

A local guide is your eyes and ears on the ground

Anyone who’s ever lost something while traveling will know how easy it is to become flustered. You can probably also relate to missing a connection or needing help to find the right train platform or departure gate. In countries where you don’t speak the language, the challenges can be compounded. That’s where a local guide can step in and be your eyes and ears on the ground.

With experience and insider tips travel with a tour guide can smooth the way, leaving you to truly enjoy all aspects of your trip in the knowledge that every detail is taken care of. Some tour guides are even available to their tour group via telephone contact 24/7, providing an added level of comfort should anything unexpected arise.

Throughout Southeast Asia, many tour guides operate as freelancers but check with your tour company anyway about whether they work regularly with the same guides. Not only is this a good indicator of their proficiency as a guide, but it also says something about the tour company. Because tourism is a burgeoning industry in Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam – and just about anywhere in Indochina – it’s heartening to know travel companies who engage tour guides are treating them well.

The whole country, local experts

Discovering a country for yourself can be an adventure. However, depending on the type of tour you take and the length of your vacation, a guide with knowledge of their local region, city or village is one way to enjoy an authentic experience of a country.

In many cases, a tour guide might be the only local person a traveler gets to engage with on a deeper level while in the country, and this can be hugely insightful. Providing firsthand knowledge of what life is really like, in addition to sharing their history, culture, and cuisine, a guide truly is that bridge between travelers and locals, the past and present. Historical events which you may only know through history books or media can be relayed by people who’ve had direct experience of them.

Bilingual tour guides are better!

Your tour guide is much more than the person who counts the heads, waves the flag, and organizes entry to sites. With a remit to maintain the highest standards of service and integrity, dealing with western travelers from the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia, means being fluent English speakers.

As travelers from the west, we often take for granted that ‘everyone’ speaks English, conveniently forgetting that our trusty tour guides must learn to speak English and communicate in ways that are engaging and entertaining. And that’s no small feat.

Keep in mind on your next tour, especially if it’s to one of the beautiful countries in Indochina, that your bilingual tour guide has gone to considerable lengths to be that bridge between your world and theirs!

Travel with a guide is an enriching experience – and one that makes for beautiful travel memories. Maybe now is the perfect time to adventure into Indochina and walk that bridge of understanding between you and them.

As a tour operator throughout Indochina, IndochinaEscapes.com – owned by Asia tour specialist ChinaTours.com – recognizes and values the experience and knowledge of our tour guides. We also value them as people, appreciating the contribution they make to opening up Indochina to the world.

Our small group, private and custom or tailor-made Indochina tours are ideal for western travelers seeking an authentic travel experience – and want to do it comfortably and enjoyably. Our small group Indochina tours include no more than 12 travelers, while our private and custom tours offer maximum flexibility. Single country exploration or multi-country tours are available all year round.

We know that travel with a guide is an enriching experience and that’s why we take care of every detail, so you don’t need to. For more information about how we can serve you, connect with us via our contact form. We’d love to take you on your next guided tour adventure.

The post Why travel with a guide in Indochina?Discover why traveling with your own private tour guide is so good appeared first on China Tours.

It can be confusing to make a choice about the best Indochina tour when there are so many options available.

Researching online, scrolling through countless companies, deals, and tour reviews, it’s any wonder tours get booked at all.

The truth is, most people trying to decide on the best tour for their needs, base their decision on a little research and gut feel. And while things probably turn out okay in the end, wouldn’t it be good to feel confident about your decision right from the start?

Taking an Indochina tour is a little different from traveling elsewhere. With much of the region still developing economically, it’s not where you’ll find luxury on every corner – and this provides much of its appeal to western travelers.

With countries like Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam very much retaining their natural appeal in a more relaxed pace, enduring culture and traditions, and unaffected people, the curiosity of western travelers is more easily satisfied.

So, if you definitely know an Indochina tour is on the cards, take the time to investigate the options, regardless of whether you choose to spend five days or 15. That way, you’ll be prepared for your Indochina tour in a way that lays the foundation for beautiful travel memories.

An ideal place to start is considering the type of tour that will work for you. Many tour companies offer small group tours, private tours, and customized or tailor-made tours. With that in mind, let’s look at each of the options in more detail.

Small group Indochina tours

For a traveler who’s always made their own travel arrangements, taking a small group might seem like giving into the convention, but it doesn’t need to be that way.

Small group tours, especially to countries in Indochina like Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, can be a real bonus.

For a start, unless you’re fluent in the local language, communication can be a real challenge to getting around. Yes, English is becoming more prevalent in places, but for travel to more remote or rural areas, it’s not so easy.

Traveling with a small group, under the leadership of a bilingual guide, makes things far simpler, and in many ways, more enjoyable. Local guides share their knowledge and experience of their country’s culture, history, and cuisine in ways you just don’t have when you travel on your own. In fact, read any Indochina tour reviews and you’ll find countless examples of praise for the guides. Without question, they can make or break your travel experience.

A small group tour is a great way to meet other like-minded travel buffs. While you might have reservations about who you share a tour with, you may find yourself surprised too. Traveling with others creates connections, provides opportunities for lively conversation, and people to share meals and travel memory moments with. In fact, at the end of your tour, you might even feel you’ve known your tour travel buddies forever!

Other benefits of a small group tour are:

● Fixed departure dates – No need to work out the logistics because it’s all arranged for you.
● Set itineraries – Leave the planning to someone else who knows the best places to see and experience.
● Bilingual guides – Forget trying to make yourself understood and get help from people who are local to each destination.

Of course, there’s a downside to small group tours too. You do need to be considerate of others’ needs and interests, so compromise is part of package. But if you don’t mind sharing, a small group tour, especially in a place like Indochina, makes for interesting and enriching travel.

Private Indochina tours

Private Indochina tours offer a little extra something to your travel experience. Often following the same itinerary as small group tours, the key distinction is you have your own private tour. That’s right, no sharing is required!

Whether you’re traveling solo, or with your own group of family, friends or colleagues, taking a private tour makes for a more personal experience. With your days spent listening and chatting to your guide, you’ll feel like you’re friends when it comes time to move on to your next destination.

Flexibility is a feature of private tours that can’t be overlooked, as they allow you to choose your own travel dates and customize your tour and choose the number of travelers you’ll explore with.

Possibly the perfect combination of all tour types, if you’re choosing an Indochina tour, be sure to check out the comparative pricing before you rule it out as an option.

Custom or tailor-made Indochina tours

Looking for something special on your Indochina tour? Well, a custom or tailor-made tour is worth exploring. Offering maximum flexibility and exclusivity, think of it as the hâute couture of tours. All tour details – including itinerary, hotels, travel dates, and any other specific tour details – are customized just for you. You’re limited only by your travel imagination.

Regardless of whether you opt for a small group, private or custom tour, as a destination rich insights, culture, history, and wonderful people, Indochina promises so much. Before booking your tour, give a little thought to the way you’d like to travel and why, and then talk to people who know the country and listen to your needs. That way, you’ll find yourself well along the pathway to creating the beautiful travel memories you imagined.

Looking for an Indochina tour company that listens and cares about your travel experience?  ChinaTours.com can help. Our small group, private and custom or tailor-made Indochina tours are designed especially for western travelers seeking an authentic travel experience. Our small group Indochina tours include no more than 12 travelers, while our private and custom tours offer maximum flexibility. Single country exploration or multi-country tours are available all year round. We believe travel is an enriching experience and that’s what we aim to deliver, each and every tour. For more information about how we can serve you, connect with us via our contact form. We’d love to take you on your next travel adventure.

The post A natural selection: How to choose the best Indochina tour for your next travel adventure appeared first on China Tours.

Booking a tour package with an Indochina tour company might seem a bit daunting if you’ve always made your own travel arrangements or have never traveled with a tour group.

You may feel concerned about the tour booking process, particularly if all communication is via email or because you’ve never dealt with an online tour booking company.

If you’re considering your tour package travel options, connecting with a safe, trusted Indochina tour company is a good place to start. Along with the tips below, you can feel confident and enjoy peace of mind about booking an Indochina tour when it’s time for your next travel adventure.

#1 – Look for a clear booking process you can follow

Scan travel forums for places like Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam and you’ll see comments from western

travelers who feel concerned about booking travel and tours. Particular concerns relate to paying deposits for tour bookings when direct communication has been through email only.

To avoid that feeling that you’re walking in the dark, when searching for a reputable Indochina tour company, look for a clear booking process you can follow.

To allay any worry about the integrity of your Indochina tour booking company, ask upfront about their booking process. If you do this at the initial enquiry stage, it gives you a good understanding about their approach and how they do things.

Any Indochina tour company worth its salt and values its customers will be eager to please and happy to share how they do things. You’ll quickly get the sense that nothing is too much trouble (that is, they’ll take care of every detail). In the highly competitive market for Indochina tours, a quality company will go out of its way to meet all your requests – and then some.

While most travel bookings require a deposit, it’s good to know what the deposit covers, so feel free to ask. In most instances, a deposit is required to secure flight and hotel bookings for your Indochina tour. You’ll then be required to make the balance payment prior to departure. They usually ask for this about 30 days from when you’re scheduled to leave.

But before you book and pay for anything, the tour company will submit a quote to you for consideration based on the information you’ve provided. Depending on your choice of tour type (choose from small group, private or custom tours), you’ll see a variation in price. Bear in mind too, it could be worth asking for a price for both small group and private tours, as the cost difference may open up a possibility you hadn’t considered previously. A great idea for travelers who are used to making independent arrangements, guided private tours make travel to countries like Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam a relaxed and enjoyable experience.

#2 – Check the booking terms and conditions of your Indochina tour company

Even the best laid plans can go awry, so as a fallback, before proceeding with your booking, take the few minutes required to read through and understand the booking terms and conditions, and any other important information relating to the tour.

It’s wise to pay particular attention to the tour booking cancellation policy and the associated fees should you cancel. Often these are time-based, that is, the closer to the departure date you cancel, the higher the cost of cancellation.

Pay attention to the fine print around exclusions, as these can increase the cost of your travel while on tour. In some cases, you may find yourself surprised, rather than delighted. For example, meals are one area where costs can be overlooked, and the last thing you want to be is hungry on tour! If the booking company for your Indochina tour includes one or two meals daily, ask about the type of meals and locations.

Another cost that may cause headaches are fees associated with changes to travel plans. While an Indochina tour booking company will have no control over third party changes, they may assign a cost to changing travel arrangements.

The secret to not getting caught out is to ask lots of questions and read all the information your tour company sends you.

#3 – Research the pedigree of your Indochina tour company

Travel to Southeast Asia has grown significantly in recent years and there is plenty of choice when it comes to Indochina tour companies, but how do you discern which is right for you before you’ve made your booking?

We recommend you think about how the travel consultant from the tour company made you feel. Were you respected and listened to or did you feel the process was too salesy? Other factors you might consider are:

● How responsive are they?
● Are they registered with key travel agency bodies and can verify the registration?
● Do they have experience delivering tours?
● Does the company approach their business with heart?

As you go through the booking process, keep these questions in mind and you’ll gain an insight into the company behind the tour. A higher purpose will most certainly be reflected in both the quality of the tour and the experience you enjoy while discovering this beautiful part of the world.

Not all Indochina tour companies are committed to creating beautiful travel memories, but ChinaTours.com, it’s what inspires us. Our Indochina tours are designed especially for western travelers seeking a real experience of the destinations they visit. We have a clear booking process that builds confidence and trust in our customers, right from the first enquiry. With small group (no more than 12 travelers), private, and custom tours available and the option of single country or multi-country tours, our customers can relax knowing we’ve taken care of every detail. We understand travel should always be an enriching experience and that’s what we aim to deliver, each and every tour. For more information about how we can serve you, connect with us via our contact form. We’d love to help you design your next travel adventure.

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If you’re an experienced traveler, you may think it’s no big deal to prepare for a trip to Indochina. Surely it’s just like any other holiday – pack your bags and get on your way.

Well, it can be, however, even those who are travel savvy, but who haven’t yet made their first trip to Indochina, could find themselves caught out if they haven’t done their homework.

With six countries making up Indochina, it’s a region that offers great diversity in culture, history, people, and cuisine. So whether your Indochina tour takes in just one of these – or several – it pays to be ‘in the know’ before you board your flight. Unaware of important cultural differences, more than a few western travelers have found themselves a little surprised, or even overwhelmed, on their Indochina trip.

Keen to enjoy every moment of your tour and create beautiful travel memories? Let’s help you prepare and be Indochina-trip ready!

Pack safe: clothes, shoes, and a raincoat

We’re not trying to supervise your packing; you’re an experienced traveler after all. But Indochina is not the US or UK. It’s different in many and varied ways.

When we think of images of Indochina, we’re often inspired by images of idyllic beaches, luscious tropical forests, lively floating markets, ancient temples of reverence, and exquisite food. And it’s true, Indochina g犀利士
enerally, and each country on its own, provides more than enough of all the above.

That said, packing for your Indochina trip isn’t necessarily as simple as throwing a few pairs of shorts and summery singlets into a backpack. In fact, you probably need to pack more thoughtfully for your trip, especially if it means traveling to more than one country. Travel from north to south in the region or vice versa and the same rule applies.

The best tip here is to be prepared. Yes, pack shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops, but a pair of long pants, lightweight long-sleeve shirt, and pashmina or scarf for women are all essential items for an Indochina trip.

Why? Because a tour in any one of Indochina’s countries will inevitably involve visiting multiple sacred sites. Appropriately covering shoulders and legs is considered a necessary sign of respect. Bear in mind you’ll find practicing Buddhists in every country, including in Myanmar, which is predominantly Muslim, so in all places, dressing accordingly is considered de rigeur. Lightweight longer pants and long sleeve tops protect against overzealous mosquitoes and bugs too, which are a feature of travel in tropical climates.

We’ve already mentioned flip-flops but you’ll need some kind of comfortable closed-toe shoes too; think runners or shoes you can walk in for long distances. With protection and prevention from falls and trips the key, eschew style over comfort every step of the way.

The tropical climate across the region means you’re likely to experience rain at some point during your tour, regardless of whether you travel in the high season or not. This kind of weather means protective rain gear is a must-have item for any Indochina trip. A lightweight rain jacket or coat, as well as quick-dry clothing, can make for comfortable travel when things get misty or wet.

And if you find yourself caught short, arriving without the gear you need, you can relax. There are ample places to source apparel inexpensively for every eventuality on tour. Simply ask your guide for advice about where to shop and you’ll have the solution to your clothing challenge. The bonus? You’ll probably find it at a significantly lower cost than what you would at home.

Hygiene + health: err on the side of caution

While there are differing opinions on what’s needed to travel through Indochina from a hygiene and health perspective, it’s wise for western travelers to err on the side of caution.

The number one reason is nobody wants to be sick on holiday. So, check-in with your general practitioner or specialized travel doctor to confirm your need for vaccinations. Along with your travel visas, started this process early because in some cases, you may need more than one course of injections to be fully covered for your Indochina trip.

As a general rule, vaccinations for waterborne and food diseases, such as hepatitis and typhoid, as well as childhood diseases like rubella, mumps, measles and diphtheria are a good idea for shorter tours. For anything longer and involving more remote traveling in the countryside through any Indochina country, it may be practical – and wise – to get shots for rabies and hepatitis B.

There’s no doubt Indochina is stimulating, lively, and even frenetic in parts. This distinction, along with the general level of hygiene can be a little confronting for western travelers, so come prepared. If it’s your first trip to Indochina, invest in a few DIY health and hygiene essentials. Pack an ample supply of antibacterial wipes or gel, a mini first aid kit (think bandaids for sore feet, pain relief, and medication for managing gastro), insect repellent, and bite cream.

In keeping with the theme of caution, water and food hygiene are genuine concerns for western travelers, so take a little extra care with both. Drink only bottled water and avoid drinks with ice. And while street food looks great, do as suggested – unless you’re feeling particularly adventurous, stick with restaurants that are qualified, preferably by your local guide.

And if street food is the last thing you’ll consider because of particular dietary requirements (such as gluten intolerance, vegetarianism, or food sensitivities) consult with your tour booking company before departure. They can help arrange meals with hotels and restaurants in advance of your Indochina trip. This can mean traveling with peace of mind for the duration of your tour and creating wonderful food memories.

Get organized: Travel dollars, shopping, and getting the treasures you want on an Indochina trip

When it comes to travel dollars, Indochina offers great flexibility.

Yes, you’ll need to keep a bit of local currency for every country you visit, but US dollars are widely accepted, along with all major credit cards. This makes it super convenient for travel shopping – and who doesn’t want a memento or two as a treasure from their trip?

You may want to download a tip or two about haggling or bartering from your guide. With markets everywhere throughout Indochina, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to hone your skills. Your local guide will be rich in knowledge of the best places to shop for souvenirs, authentic local crafts, and specialty items indigenous to each country. Make them your go-to for advice about the most reliable places to visit.

One thing to be mindful of with shopping on your Indochina trip is to find out before you leave whether your tour company operates a “no commission-based shopping” policy. This approach to shopping on tour leaves customers feeling as though they’re limited only to shopping outlets selected by the tour company or guides because of a financial kickback. Even worse, visiting these places can also mean less time spent doing what you’re meant to on tour: seeing sights and having a real experience of a new country. In many instances, goods found at these places aren’t genuine. Locals wanting to make a quick dollar have managed to get western travelers to pay too much for goods that aren’t good quality or the ‘real thing’. The only thing that’s guaranteed from shopping like this is a disappointment. Having a trusted local guide, who’s bilingual and has insider knowledge will help to ensure your shopping delivers the travel keepsakes you want.

Visas: entering every destination with ease

There are varying requirements for visa entry to countries in Indochina, however, for certainty and peace of mind, you can enter with ease, consider organizing your visas before departure.

As a general rule, for each country visa, you’ll need:

A minimum of six months validity on your passport
A completed application form
Sufficient pages in your passport to allow for visa stamping
Colour passport size photos, allowing two per visa.

Depending on your passport, you may be visa-exempt for certain countries, however, be sure to do your research. Allow plenty of time for visa processing and be prepared to pay between USD30 and USD60 for each visa.

So whether you’re planning to leave soon for your Indochina trip – or an Indochina tour is just an idea you’re playing around with, knowing what’s required before you leave will make for a vacation you’ll remember long after you’ve arrived home.

ChinaTours.com does more than design Indochina tours, we create escapes to Indochina that provide western travelers to see, feel, and experience the rich diversity in people, culture, history, and food of countries in Indochina. As part of our mission to build bridges of understanding between cultures from all over the world, we help our customers create beautiful travel memories. With numerous small group, private and custom tour options available, we can take care of every detail for your next Indochina trip. For more information about our approach, connect with us using the contact form.

The post How to prepare for a trip to Indochina: What a western traveler needs to know before an Indochina tour appeared first on China Tours.

First-time travelers to Indochina can feel like they’re being presented with a sumptuous buffet of travel experiences. With a myriad of choices, it’s very easy to slip into overwhelm and have no idea where to start when it comes to planning your ideal Indochina tour.

If you’re not familiar with Indochina, a good analogy is to think of the region as being similar to Europe, in that it’s easier to cross borders to new territories in a very short space of time.

Technically encompassing Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia and Thailand, narrowing down your tour options can be a challenge. The thing is that while Indochina geographically covers a relatively small area, each country that falls under the umbrella has a distinct, culture, history, cuisine and people, cultures. It would be very shortsighted to think “I’ve seen Vietnam, so I don’t need to visit Cambodia.”

On the contrary, this kind of thinking will mean you miss out on opportunities for travel experiences that turn into beautiful travel memories.

Want to make the most of your first Indochina tour? Then check out these Indochina travel tips that will show you how to maximize your time on tour, when you’re not sure where to start.

The taster v. the deep immersion experience

Traveling to new destinations is exciting, and if you’re traveling to Indochina from the West, there’s a good chance you’ve covered some serious miles to get there. In short, it’s not a quick trip, so while you’re there, it’s wise to make the best use of time and resources. The big question is: do you opt for the taster tour or deep immersion experience?

While both tour types have their benefits, for your first Indochina travel experience, you might want to consider the taster.

To be clear, we’re not talking about visiting a different destination every day and tour itineraries that leave you utterly exhausted (and needing another holiday to recover after the tour).

No, the kind of taster tour is one where you have the opportunity for a real experience of each destination and country, without you feeling overwhelmed. The ideal balance on the taster tour is having enough time to absorb and appreciate the well-known sights, culture and history, while also gaining a deeper insight into local life.

Think of the taster tour as degustation for travel. Kind of like having just enough of each place to leave you contemplating what else you might try next time.

In many ways, this is the ideal way to experience Indochina on a first visit. With so much to experience in each country, a well-planned tour, designed by people who understand the logistics on the ground, you can be confident you’ll create beautiful travel memories this way. It’s also the perfect way to inform Indochina travel via a deep immersion experience. By seeing a little of each place, you can decide where you’d like to return to and see, do, and experience more.

The deep immersion Indochina tour

The great thing about Indochina is that the diversity of each country, you can easily spend extended time in each. Hello the deep immersion Indochina tour!

This kind of tour is ideal if you’ve already made your way around Indochina, or even one or two countries in the region, and decide you want to learn more and experience more. Instead of just one day in a location, you can opt for three or four, or longer. It can work especially well if you’re after a personal experience of connecting with locals.

Here are just some great ideas for tours that allow travelers to escape to another country:

12 days in Cambodia and you’ll almost be a local! Taken in Phnom Penh and see how Cambodia is evolving beyond its historical challenges. Explore the many spiritual sites of Siem Reap, including the world-renowned Angkor Wat. Mix with locals at the iconic Kompong Khleang Floating Village and dive into Battambang’s history, enjoying a thrilling bamboo train ride. Round out the tour with relaxing days on Koh Rong, Cambodia’s most beautiful beach.

How about 10 days in Laos? A largely undiscovered gem in Indochina, 10 days in Laos offers the travel adventurer the opportunity to truly escape. Enjoy the unique and diverse traditions of Luang Prabang, Xieng Khouang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane and journey through the very best of Laos. With a more rustic feel than even other countries in Indochina, you’ll be enchanted by the scenic beauty, wildlife and village lifestyle, where you can engage with locals, enjoying the food, hospitality and markets.

Experience the real Vietnam over 14 days. Work your way up from the south to north starting in Ho Chi Minh City, visiting key destinations on the way: Can Tho in the Mekong Delta, beautiful Hoi An, Da Nang, Hue, and bustling Hanoi; mountainous Mai Chau, Pu Luong with its traditional villages, and wrap up your deep immersion experience with a cruise around the idyllic Halong Bay.

Of course, if you’ve done your research and know exactly where you want to go, then you may find value in connecting with an experienced tour designer who can help create the kind of vacation that makes for beautiful travel memories. It is the best way to gather Indochina travel tips and find those off-the-beaten-track experiences that lend greater authenticity to travel in another country. Not only do you have the opportunity to share time with locals – you feel connected to them and gain an insight into the idea that we really are one tribe.

ChinaTours.com creates tours for Western travelers who want a real experience of Indochina. With a commitment to designing and delivering unique tours that offer travel adventurers the chance to escape into the unknown, they are inspired by the idea that travel should be an enriching experience and make for beautiful memories. Based in Vietnam and offering small group, private and custom tours, from the travel consultants to the guides to the drivers, we love taking care of every detail. For more information about our approach, connect with us using the contact form.

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