Hi. I am going for the first time to Vietnam on 10th November. I would really like some advise as to how the luggage works from hotel to boat? Any tips on what clothing to pack would also be helpful. Bit nervous as haven't travelled that far on my own for years!

Suzanne.

Hi Suzanne. I am also on this trip. I'm not sure about the luggage but it's normal for it to go with you on the bus and be offloaded for u at the destination though I did once do an overnight stay where we had to take hand luggage with the items we would need whilst our suitcases met us at the airport the next day for our next destination. Sorry I'm being a bit vague but I hope it gives you some idea of what to possibly expect. As far as clothing is concerned it's always warm (as I write it's 3am there and 23c)  Expect sudden showers that dry up very quickly and be sure to take sensible footwear for walking over rough ground/steps etc.  Tony.

Hi Tony and Suzanne,  

I'm also going on the trip on the 10th November, which is now only a couple of weeks away.

I have learnt from a Just You adviser that we need an eVisa getting into Cambodia and this will be availabe when we cross the border.  Our tour manager will be helping us to do this.

25 USA dollars in cash will be required from us .. also advised that a photocopy of our passports will be needed together with the passport itself.  (Apparently we shouldn't apply in advance as that visa will not be acceptable)

Looking forward to meeting my fellow travellers - probably in the lounge at Heathrow!

hI Tricia thanks for the info on the visa. I had looked online and different sites give different info making it very confusing.  Tony.

Hi Tony, just seen a typo ... ~The visa cost is , I believe, 35 US dollars not 25 as I originally typed - my apologies!!

Thanks for the update Tricia, I'll get another 10 dollars tomorrow!  Tony.

Hi There

I did this trip 4 years ago (my last time abroad pre Covid) and it was amazing (in Oct/Nov)

I had a large case for holiday and flight bag which i used for the over night stay on the boat in Halong bay (which was amazing) You have your own room and shower and it reminded me of the film "Death on the Nile" - there wa a cooking class and rememebr getting up at 6am for an exercise class

Hoi An was fantastic and a lot of people got clothing made there, go in at night when its all lit up - really special

I didnt do the tunnels as I had a cold and had a lazy day by the pool which was lovely and 4 of us went and had pizza for a change

I lived in shorts and T shirts, and light and airy clothing / floaty skirts and dresses - If you are going to Cambodia you need to keep knees and shoulders covered as its a religious site (the day trip on the Mekong was amazing and Cambodia was magical)

I had a waterproof jacket and only wore it once in Cambodia, it poured down the morning we got up early to see sunrise at Ankor Watt, I only wore my cardigan on planes!!

I paid for most things in Dollars - the markets are great and remember to barter!

The hotels were lovely, the food was good and Im fussy - I came back with lots of money too as so many meals were included

You can go off and explore yourself as well as Tuk Tuks are so cheap - the only tour i didnt like was night tour in Phnom Penn as the food was awful but hopefully they changed the venue since then

You can easily see it by night in a Tuk Tuk which all wait outside hotels

The Tour manager recommends what to tip guide and driver and $$ were fine to use

Have a fab time! x