FAMILY AND FRIENDS. Discovers Vietnam. Pre-departure Information

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1 FAMILY AND FRIENDS Discovers Vietnam

2 Clothing and Equipment Whilst we are travelling you are responsible for your own luggage at all times. Therefore it is important that your luggage is light enough so that you can comfortably move it around. The following list is a suggested guide as to the items which should make up your luggage. Clothing: 1 Thongs 1 General purpose shoes 6 Underwear/Socks (wash these in the shower as you go) 1 Jeans 1 Swimmers 3 Shorts/skirts 1 Hat 6 Shirts 1 Sweater 1 Rash Shirt Toiletries: Toothbrush Toothpaste MouthWash Deodorant Due to the heightened security at International airport all of the above should be packed in your main suitcase. If you intend to have any liquids, gels or foams in your carry-on luggage they must be in a container less than 100ml, which must then be placed in a clear plastic bag. Please do not have any aerosols in your carry on luggage. Personal First Aid: Imodium or Gastro-Stop (anti-diarrheal) Gastrolyte (replaces lost minerals and salt should you get a dose of traveller s belly!) Insect Repellent (Look for a brand that contains DEET) Sun block (for body and also a sun block stick for lips) Panadol and Throat Lozenges Aquim or Dettol hand sanitizer (rinse-free anti-bacterial hand wash) Equipment: 1 Suitcase/duffle bag (max weight of 30kg). You are also allowed one item of hand luggage and this can weigh no more than 7kg. Please note: On domestic flights within Vietnam, liquid bottles are not permitted in your carry-on baggage. 1 Backpack for day trips. Miscellaneous: Small towel. As your group will be staying overnight in homestays, a small bath towel will be necessary Pillowcase (optional). Pillows will be provided however you may feel more comfortable with your own pillowcase. Sleeping bag liner (optional). Blankets will be provided however you may feel more comfortable with a liner. Keep in mind these are also readily available in Vietnam and are in comparison quite cheap so you may want to purchase this during your trip. Sunglasses (It is strongly recommended that any student who relies on lenses or glasses for safe clear vision should bring a pair of serviceable glasses in addition to contact lenses). Wet Ones (especially useful if you are required to use a public restroom) Money belt (optional). As long as you are careful with your money and are not intending on carrying large amounts of cash around with you a money belt is not really necessary. The cost of living in Vietnam is relatively cheap so each day the bulk of your money should be left in the hotel safe and you should be carrying a minimum amount of cash around with you.

3 Spending Money It is important that you never leave your personal possessions unattended. The currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong. The current exchange rate is approximately $1 AUS = VND. The main expenses whilst you are overseas will be snacks, drinks during meals and any souvenirs which you intend to purchase. While overseas tipping is a nice gesture, we recommend approximately $5 per day be left aside just to say thank you to your guides, bus drivers etc. For those who are bringing ATM cards, there are teller machines throughout the city areas and you will be able to withdraw local currency straight from these machines. Just ensure that your banks ATM card is compatible with overseas teller machines. Passports, Phones and cameras It is important that you never leave your personal possessions unattended. Passports: Your passport is the most valuable item which you will have on tour. You must know where it is at all times and when not required you will be instructed to leave it at the hotel in the safety of the provided lock boxes. Phones: Within your itinerary we have provided all the hotel names and contact numbers. We suggest that mum and/or dad purchase an international calling card for Vietnam so that they can call you at any time you are in your hotel. An average $10 calling card should provide about 90 minutes of talk time. If you are bringing a mobile phone that is set up for international roam you may SMS your room number once you arrive at each hotel to your parents so that when they call the hotel they can be put straight through to your room. Alternatively, local sim cards are available from $5 AUD, this will avoid any surprises from telephone companies back home. In addition to the above we encourage all students to set up skype or viber or any other calling app which relies on internet use. All our hotels have access to computers and wifi which you will all be able to use. Note: Vietnam international calling code: +84 (if dialing from a home phone dial )

4 Photography: Vietnam will provide many opportunities for unique photography. However, there are a number of principles we recommend you adhere to: Ask permission before taking photographs and respect a refusal. Follow signs and regulations when taking photos of government buildings or installations. Vietnam is still run by a communist government. If a government soldier or security personnel takes your camera you may not get it back. Do not pester men and women in traditional ethnic dress for the perfect shot. Be respectful if they say no or shy away. Toilet facilities All hotels we use have bathrooms with Westernstyle toilets but you may find Asian-style ('squat') toilets in public facilities at some tourist sites and in some restaurants toilet paper is NOT supplied (we strongly recommend that you carry a box of wet ones with you on your day trips). At the main tourist sites toilets charge a small entry fee (usually less than 2000 VND/10 cents). Dress Code We recommend that loose comfortable walking clothes be worn most days. Respect the culture and try to avoid wearing clothes which are too revealing, in certain tourist sites such as some government sites and pagodas shorts worn above the knees and old worn t-shirts will not be permitted. Food and drink Do not drink tap water in Vietnam. Bottled water is readily available for about $A0.50 per bottle. All meals included in the tour are from good, reputable tourist restaurants so have a go and sample the food. Vietnamese cuisine has been described as a gastronomic delight, most made using fresh local ingredients and traditional cooking techniques. Electricity Most of the hotels will have universal plugs while others will have the typical 2-pin sockets. 2-pin sockets will require an adapter which most hotels will be able to provide. Please note: Drinks are not included in meal packages and need to be purchased separately, however Vietnam School Tours does supply bottled water on buses.

5 Shopping Tips Prices in government and large department stores are usually fixed. When shopping at roadside souvenir stalls and in free markets extensive bargaining is expected. As a guide start at less than half the asked price and work your way up. 1. Don t buy everything in the first day or two. 2. Don t feel obligated to shop. You ll often find several shop assistants trying to help you make a purchase at the shop. This doesn t mean you have to buy; it s OK to say no, or just to look. 3. Bargaining is a national pastime in Vietnam so you will find that most retailers except for department stores will be prepared to bargain. 4. At Ben Thanh Market the outside isles have workers wearing blue uniforms, these are government run market stores so you will not be able to bargain 5. Keep your belongings safe! Vietnam is regarded as a safe place to travel but it is always wise to follow normal precautions. Always be conscious of your valuables in crowds and in public places. Do not carry valuables in backpacks or leave your luggage unprotected. 6. If unsure how much something is, ask them for the price in Australian dollars. Most vendors will know the current exchange rate.

6 Address: Vietnam School Tours Pty Ltd PO Box 2373 Carlingford Court NSW 2118 Website: Facebook: Phone: