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ATMs are widely available in airports, major cities and towns and issue local currency only. We recommend you use the local currency for most transactions. You may use US dollars (USD) in some hotels and restaurants, or for larger purchases, however other currencies (AUD, GBP, CAN, NZD) will need to be exchanged into the local currency. Most hotels change traveller's cheques and cash at reasonable rates, though it can be very difficult to change traveller's cheques outside the big cities. Credit cards can be used in a number of shops and restaurants in major centres. We recommend you bring a combination of debit and credit cards, as well as some USD cash. If you bring traveller's cheques, it is best to use USD, but these are now becoming harder to cash. It is not possible to exchange currency outside the country, so convert or spend all your currency before leaving.
Health & FitnessTravellers to Indochina should take precautions as they would elsewhere in Asia. There are now a number of international standard medical care facilities available in the main centers. Outside these centers, medical care facilities are more basic. Some of the diseases known to exist in Indochina include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tuberculosis, Japanese encephalitis, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, rabies and HIV/AIDS. We recommend you take adequate preventative measures to minimise your risk of exposure to these health risks. We strongly recommend you consult your preferred doctor for the most up-to-date health advice at least one month prior to travel.
Safety & Security Indochina is generally a safe destination by world standards, but usual common sense precautions are advisable. In recent years petty street crime in large cities has risen. We recommend you take taxis rather than cycles when travelling at night; taxis in Indochina are numerous, metered and inexpensive. To assist in finding your way back to your hotel, make sure you obtain a hotel address card, to show drivers where you want to go.
Throughout your stay, always keep a photocopy of your passport, airline tickets and credit card numbers, and a detailed record of your traveller's cheques. You should leave valuables in hotel safety deposit boxes wherever possible. In large cities, we recommend you wear as little jewellery as possible and keep your spending money close to your body in a secure place when out on the street.
Please check the following websites to get the latest news and travel advice from the region:
www.smarttraveller.gov.au - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade
www.voyage.gc.ca - Canadian Foreign Affairs & International Trade
www.mfat.govt.nz/travel - New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs
www.fco.gov.uk - UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office
www.travel.state.gov - USA Department of State
www.who.int/en - World Health Organisation
Food & WaterThe cuisine is a highlight of any visit to the countries in Indochina. Rice and noodles are staple but the cuisine is diverse – many regions specialise in dishes that are not found elsewhere else. The emphasis is on fresh ingredients and complementary flavours that balance yin and yang. Fresh seafood is abundant, cheap and incredibly fresh. Vegetarians are well looked after and western eating options are widespread, particularly in the major cities. Tap water should be avoided however bottled water is readily available and provided on a complimentary basis by most hotels.
LanguageVarious languages are spoken throughout the Indochina region. English is well-understood and widely spoken by our guides and hotel staff. English is also spoken in most restaurants, shops and, to a lesser extent, by taxi and cyclo/tuk tuk drivers. Picking up the various languages is a difficult to master but picking up a few few basic words while you are travelling - like hello, goodbye and thank you - is easy and much appreciated by the locals. A phrase book or basic language guide will come in handy.
Transport For tour groups of 6 or more travellers, air-conditioned Hyundai with 25-35 seats are used on all road journeys. These vehicles are designed with excellent viewing windows and a high roof. For smaller groups, modern sedan cars and minibuses are used. All our vehicles are modern, spacious, comfortable, well-maintained, and safe. In cities, towns and villages expect to use a combination of cyclos, tuk tuk, boats, bicycles (optional) and your own two feet – taking advantage of the variety of transport methods when travelling in Indochina is part of the experience! All domestic flights within Indochina are local Airlines. The fleet is modern, with most flights using Airbus 320 or Fokker 70 aeroplanes, however schedules frequently change and this can result in alterations to your itinerary. Taxis in Indochina are metered, readily available and cheap. Transfer and taxi scams are not uncommon at Hanoi airport. Please ensure you look for a Travel Indochina representative holding a Travel Indochina signboard with your name on it. If you are unable to locate a Travel Indochina representative then please call the 24 hour emergency help numbers provided in your documentation.
ElectricityVoltage is mainly 220V alternating at 50 cycles per second. Many sockets will take both two-prong round pins and US-style flat pins however we advise you bring a universal adaptor. Alternatively, adaptors are readily available to buy in Indochina. Electricity supply is generally reliable, even in more remote areas, though farm and hill tribe stays may rely on generator-run power and be less consistently available.
Post & CommunicationBroadband Internet is widely available in the main cities and is generally inexpensive. Some hotels and cafes in the major cities also offer WiFi connections. International phone connections are among the most expensive in the world at around 4-6 USD per minute, however on the whole it's easy to make calls and to send faxes. Reverse charge (collect) calls are not available. The international calling code for Indochina is (+84). International post generally takes 7-10 days to reach their destination with prices equivalent to western postal rates. Mobile phones do work in Indochina, although you will need to contact your service provider prior to departure to ensure you have roaming. Alternatively you can purchase a SIM card locally.
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