FAQ

Best time to travel to Southeast Asia

Vietnam is located in the tropical monsoon climate zone. The temperature in Vietnam usually fluctuates between 21 and 35 degrees Celsius. 

In Northern Vietnam, there are four seasons: Spring, Summer, autumn, and Winter. The weather in northern provinces like Hanoi is hot and humid with heavy rainfall from May to October and becomes cooler and drier from November to April.

Central Vietnam: The typical climate of Central Vietnam is a humid tropical climate. The region enjoys hot, dry weather with temperatures reaching 30 °C from January to August, while September, October, and November typically have the highest rainfall. 

In southern Vietnam, there are only two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. It is usually dry and hot from November to April and wet and warm from May to October. The highest rainfall occurs from June to August.

The weather in Vietnam changes dramatically as you travel from North to South, so the most accurate time to travel to Vietnam depends on where you are going and the type of vacation you want to enjoy. To be able to enjoy the best experiences in Vietnam, according to our suggestions, the ideal time to travel is between February and April or between August and October.

The best time to visit Laos is between November and February, during the cool and dry season. During this time, the weather is generally pleasant, with cooler temperatures and lower humidity. This makes it an ideal time to explore the country’s temples, natural attractions, and cultural sites.

The rainy season and the dry season are the two distinct weather divisions in Cambodia. The dry season often begins in November and lasts until March, with the wet season typically lasting from May to October. Consequently, from roughly November to February the following year is the greatest time to travel through and take in Cambodia‘s beauty. Now, the climate is moderate, sunny, and cool.

Besides, from mid-November onwards, Cambodia also has local festivals held such as boat racing or water splashing. In addition, visitors who want to experience the traditional Khmer New Year, April every year is the most ideal time.

Thailand’s climate is a tropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons: the dry season lasts from January to February, the hot season from March to May, the rainy season from June to October and the cool season from November to December. The average temperature of Thailand is quite high, usually from 32 degrees Celsius in December and up to more than 35 degrees Celsius in April every year. With quite clear weather, depending on the needs and time, visitors can arrange to go in any season of the year, but going in winter will feel cool and easy to move without fear of hot sun.

You can travel to Myanmar all year round, but the ideal time to visit is from October to February, when the weather here has the least rain, the mildest temperature, and the climate is cool.

However, when traveling in the hot season, transportation tickets and accommodations will be cheaper. Besides, you can also experience some major events and festivals of the country, such as Shwedagon Pagoda Festival (early March), Thingyan (Myanmar New Year, mid-April), Kasone Full Moon Day, or Buddha’s Birthday (Buddhist Day), mid-April to early May) and the Rice Donation Ceremony (mid-September).

Passports and Visas

There are several methods available to secure the actual market entry into Vietnam: 

  • Apply in person at the Vietnamese Embassy:This involves visiting the Embassy, collecting the required documents, and paying the required fees. 
  • Apply for a Vietnam tourist visa by email: This method usually requires sending the required documents and application form by email to the Vietnamese embassy or consulate and completing the payment through a specific payment method.
  • Apply for an e-visa for Vietnam: This process usually involves filling out an online application form, providing the required information and supporting documents, and making an electronic payment.
  • Option 1: Apply for an e-visa online through the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation website. 
  • Option 2:Visa fee at the airport: 30$
  • Option 3: Apply for a visa at a Cambodian embassy

Yes, it is possible to extend your visa while you are in Vietnam. You can contact the Vietnam Immigration Department or a local travel agency that provides tours for you. Note that not all types of visas can be extended, so it’s important to check the specific requirements and limitations of your visa.

The required documents for a visa application may vary depending on the type of visa and your nationality. Normally, you need:

  • A completed visa application form
  • A valid passport with at least six months of validity.
  • Passport-sized photos.
  • Visa approval letter (for Visa on Arrival).
  • Proof of travel arrangements (flight tickets, hotel reservations, etc.).
  • Visa fee payment (varies depending on the type of visa and nationality).

Meal

Yes, after confirming your booking, you may note with us your request for meals during your trip. 

Metta Voyage prioritizes the health of our clients. We make a special effort to ensure that all of the meals included are nutritious and delicious. All meals are created by our excellent local chefs, who use fresh local ingredients and rigorously adhere to cleanliness rules.

Meals can be customized for people with special dietary needs. Please tell us in advance.

For small groups, we usually only provide breakfast at the accommodations. If you have a request for lunch/dinner on your itinerary, please inform us in advance. For a large group, to ensure time and planning, we provide a full board for the group.

Diverse meal costs are suitable for meals in restaurants, casual eateries, and street food

The average budget for a meal will be from 12 – 15 USD

Before the trip

In Vietnam, tipping is optional, which may or may not depend on the circumstances and feelings of the customer using the service. Tipping is typically seen as a gesture of gratitude for exceptional service rather than an obligation.

When packing for Vietnam. We recommend packing lightweight and breathable clothing suitable for the tropical or subtropical climate, especially during the hot and humid summer months. Don’t forget essentials like sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, comfortable walking shoes, and appropriate attire for visiting temples or conservative areas. It’s also a good idea to have a raincoat or umbrella, as Vietnam can experience occasional showers.

  • Clothes in Vietnam are usually sold at very affordable prices, ranging from 4.23 USD to 12.69 USD for a summer outfit and 8.46 USD to 21.15 USD for a winter outfit. Therefore, if there is not enough space to pack, you can still buy in Vietnam. 
  • Before going to any tourist destination, check their website to see if there is a notice about prohibited clothing.
  • Avoid wearing expensive accessories or designer items on the street. 
  • Bring some long-sleeve blouses; make sure they’re lightweight, unless you’re heading north during the winter. For men, thin long-sleeved or short-sleeved shirts are fine. 
  • Bring a long but light skirt; this is useful when visiting temples or just for daily commuting.
  • Prepare a shawl that can be used as a skirt when needed, draped over your shoulder, or worn whenever you feel appropriate. 
  • Bring a pair of flip-flops; when you visit a temple, it’s easier to take off and put on flip-flops than shoes. 
  • It also avoids making your socks too dirty, and they dry quickly if wet.

Wifi is free and available at restaurants, hotels, and cafeterias in Vietnam. And don’t be hesitant to ask the staff for the wifi password because it’s free

Vietnam offers a wide range of unique and traditional gifts that are perfect for bringing back as souvenirs or gifts for your loved ones. Here are some popular options:

  • Traditional Vietnamese clothing: Ao dai
  • Handicrafts
  • Silk products
  • Non la (conical hats)
  • Coffee and tea
  • Vietnamese spices and sauces
  • Traditional paintings and calligraphy
  • Vietnamese souvenirsa

Vietnam holidays and high travel season to consider for a trip: 

    • Tet (Lunar New Year): late January or early February
    • Reunification Day and Labor Day: April 30th and May 1st
    • Summer Holidays: The summer months of June, July, and August. Beach destinations like Halong Bay, Nha Trang, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc Island are particularly popular during these months.
    • Mid-Autumn Festival: celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month (usually in September or October).
    • Christmas and New Year
    • Independence Day: September 2nd

In all of Vietnam’s main cities, there appear to be a variety of culinary classes. Some cooking classes in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An Ancient Town, and Hanoi’s Old Quarter are also available.

You should ask your travel agency that organizes your trip to find vegetarian restaurants in advance. Because it’s a little bit difficult to find because Vietnamese love fish sauce

  • Hanoi food tour

When it comes to Hanoi, the first thing will be pho, a dish that has reached the world. In addition, there are many other special dishes such as vermicelli, vermicelli, vermicelli, vermicelli, vermicelli, Thang long fish cake, Hanoi vermicelli, shrimp paste vermicelli, Ho Tay shrimp cake, rib porridge, mussel porridge, cake Thanh Tri rolls, Phu Thuong sticky rice, Vong village nuggets, Phu Do vermicelli, banh chung, Uoc Le spring rolls, etc.

  • Northwest food tour

Food tourism in the North, especially in the Northwest mountains, always gives visitors new experiences. Northwest cuisine is very diverse and prepared according to the local people’s own recipes. You can try dishes such as buffalo meat guarding the kitchen, Thang Co horse of Lao Cai, pa ping top, Lai Chau’s armpit pig, grilled stone moss, au tau porridge, Bac Me Lam rice from Ha Giang, etc.

  • Hue food tour

Hue cuisine is one of the elements that make up the quintessence of Vietnamese cuisine. Most of the dishes are made from popular ingredients but have a rich and unforgettable aftertaste. The most famous specialty is probably “Bun bo Hue”. Besides, there is also mussel rice served with fish sauce and topping, Hue cakes such as filter cake, Banh Beo, or Hue cake, 36 kinds of Hue royal tea, etc.

  • Hoi An food tour

Traveling to Hoi An includes discovering and experiencing famous places such as the old town, Cu Lao Cham, Tra Que vegetable village, beautiful beaches, etc. You will experience Hoi An cuisine with Hoi An specialties such as Quang noodles, Cao Lau, chicken rice, wontons, cauldron cakes, wet rolls with grilled meat, etc.

  • Saigon food tour

Ben Thanh Market and Ho Thi Ky Market are two places that always attract a large number of diners. Coming to Ben Thanh market, there will be vermicelli, rice vermicelli, sweet tea or sticky rice, and also various kinds of Banh Beo in the Central region. Ho Thi Ky Market is famous for attractive dishes with Cambodian cultural colors such as Cam tea, Num Bo Choc vermice

Vietnam is famous for being a charming country and an ideal place to have great experiences on the journey to conquer its majestic nature. Possessing a diverse terrain and climate, trekking routes in Vietnam with “challenges” but also full of fun always attract those who are passionate about exploring and experiencing. Some of the best trekking destinations in Vietnam:

  • Fansipan – Roof of Indochina
  • Lao Than – Roof of Y Ty’s house
  • Lao Than – Roof of Y Ty’s house
  • Apachai – The West Pole

Domestic & International flights

Airfares can change frequently. To get the best price on tickets, we recommend booking your flights as early as possible.

You should book your international flight first while planning your trip. So we can customize a tour exactly according to your travel plans.

Consider using fare comparison websites to compare prices across different airlines and travel dates. Additionally, it’s worth checking multiple departure airports as fares may vary depending on the airport

Economy Class: 1 piece (23kg/50lb)

Premium Economy Class: 1 piece (32kg/70lb)

Business Class: 1 piece (32kg/70lb)

Infant luggage allowance (< 2 years old): 1 piece, maximum 10 kg

For more information, please visit our website 

Metta Voyage representatives or guides will greet you at the airport.

In Vietnam, there are a few domestic airlines: Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific Airlines, Vietjetair, Bamboo Airways, and Vietravel Airlines. But, to avoid the problem of flight cancellation, we often choose Vietnam Airlines

Our tour guide

Yes, of course. Clients can travel with our drivers. But we recommend you travel with a local guide to ensure you have a memorable trip with lots of interesting experiences.

It’s optional. But you should tip your tour guides as a gesture of appreciation for their services.

Yes, it is possible to request a tour guide’s gender when booking a tour with Metta Voyage

The number of tour guides during a trip can vary depending on various factors such as the size of the group, the complexity of the itinerary, and the preferences of the travelers or the travel agency. Normally, there may be multiple tour guides assigned to ensure personalized attention and smooth coordination for larger groups. In smaller groups or individual tours, there is usually one tour guide accompanying the travelers throughout the trip. 

Cruises

There are various types of cruises available in Vietnam, including overnight cruises, day cruises, luxury cruises. You can choose a cruise that fits your preferences, and budget.

Common activities include kayaking, swimming, exploring caves, enjoying traditional Vietnamese performances, and indulging in local cuisine. Some cruises also offer onboard spa services, cooking classes, and tai chi sessions.

Transportations

We arrange different types of vehicles based on the size of the group tour. Below are some examples:

  • Group 1-2 pax: 4 – 7 seat car
  • Group 3-6 pax: Minivan 16 seats
  • Group 7- 14 pax: Minibus 29 seats.
  • Group 15 – 18 pax: bus 35 seats.
  • Group from 18 – 30 pax: bus 45 seats.

Yes, you can certainly try traveling by train in Vietnam. 

You can experience overnight travel by train when traveling from Hanoi to Sapa/ or Saigon to Danang/ or Danang to Hanoi and the reverse route

Yes, you can rent a motorcycle or bicycle in most cities.

Usually on this tour, we quote a price with no guide and no car

Payment

If you booked through a travel agent, you must contact them and make payments through them.

If you booked directly via our website, you can pay by logging into Metta Voyage. 

Beside, you can contact us via chat popup or fill out information via tab Contact Us or email us at [email protected] and we will provide you with a secure payment link to make a payment.

We accept Visa, MasterCard credit/debit cards, and OnePay.

Solo travel

On the great majority of our travels, there is no extra charge if you are willing to bed with a traveler of the same gender, paired up according to the gender marker on each of their passports.  If you desire your own room, simply mention it to our customer service staff when making your reservation, and they will arrange an individual room for a modest fee.

Because you’re dividing the expenses, solo travel on a group tour is far more cost-effective than traveling on your own. We can also ensure that you will receive far more inclusions than you have to pay for your travel

Yes, you should talk with your travel assistance; they might propose locations to visit or activities to experience in your free time.

Inform us your request?

Please fill out the following information to register for our services

    Metta Voyages - Travel DMC & Tour Operator In Southeast Asia

    Phone: + 84 989 383 572

    Email: [email protected]

    Address::

    • Hanoi: 5th floor, 132 Quan Thanh, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
    • HCMC: 358/21 Dien Bien Phu, Ward 11, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City

    Business License & Tax Code: 109041780

    A division of Metta Voyage Co., Ltd International Tour Operator License No: 01-1167 /2022 /TCDL- GP LHQT