DISCOVER  VIETNAM

Do You

Know  What to

Pack?

ALL IN ONE TRAVEL HACK

YOUR COMPLETE ITINERARY FROM DAY 1 TO DAY 13

HINTS TIPS INFO AND JUICY DETAILS

A COMPLETE GUIDE TO YOUR

PROJECTS

- 0 2 -

D I S C O V E R V I E T N A M T H E U L T I M A T E T R A V E L G U I D E

hey there!Firstly, on behalf of everybody at Bamboo, I would like to offer you our thanks for choosing to

experience this incredible part of the world with us. We guarantee you an amazing time and we’re all

very much looking forward to meeting you in Hanoi soon.

I imagine that right now you’re very excited about your upcoming adventure and this little guide has

been put together to help you understand more about what will be happening, what to expect, how to

plan and more. We guarantee your time with us will be unforgettable from start to end.  

Bamboo is growing as our style of 'travel' has proven to be the 'way' to travel. You are now a part of this

journey and we welcome you with open arms and hearts. This growing experience is down to people like

you, so do get stuck in, become part of our way of life, live every moment and take nothing for granted.

Peace, Love & Bamboo

Mark (& the other pandas, Steve & Colin)

- Please note we need a minimum of 2 people for this tour to run. 

highlights of your tour

Explore the sights of Hanoi including

Hoan Kiem Lake and the old French

Quarter.

HANOI

Witness breathtaking views of the Hai

Van Pass.

SCENIC VIEWS

Visit The Elephant Springs or wander

the beautiful temples of the Marble

Mountains.

MAKE A SPLASH

Give back alongside one of Vietnam's

most famous NGO's, helping

communities along the way

GIVE BACK

Experience an overnight cruise on Ha

Long Bay.

HA LONG BAY

Taste authentic and traditional,

mouth-watering Vietnamese cuisine.  

FOOD 

Cruise the Perfume River in Hue

RIVER CRUISE

itinerary

Stretch your legs and find that Bamboo logo in the

crowd outside your terminal because the tour

begins now. Whether you’re flying, bussing, or

sailed for six months under the tutelage of a 10th

generation Magellan, our staff will greet you and

take you to your hotel, a kitsch B&B in the heart of

Hanoi, where you can shower (re: you better

shower if you sailed), relax, or get lost in the city-

center. The day is yours.

In the evening, for those up to it—and not too jet-

lagged—we’ll have an informal meet-and-greet

over some dinner and a few drinks, where we’ll get

to know each other and ease any stresses you may

have about the trip--the drinks tend to help.  

DAY 1 (FRIDAY)  HANOI

Pagodas tower over Hanoi, a resilient, proud city,

whose complex history extends beyond recent

wars and into periods of French aristocracy and

Chinese authenticity. The day begins with a

walking tour, where we’ll leisurely wander through

the back alleys and into the colorful markets and

temples that dot this lake-littered inlet.

Following the tour, our day together concludes

with a proper Vietnamese welcome meal, complete

with the most elegant spring rolls, pho, and, of

course, a tipple or two. Those who don’t want the

night to end can join us on Beer Street where a

cheeky drink becomes four far too quickly.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 2 (SATURDAY) HANOI

itinerary

Just a jaunt outside of Hanoi, amid emerald waters,

rainforests, and limestone cliffs is Ha Long Bay, an

outdoors-lover’s paradise. Here, we’ll dive into the

water for some swimming, kayaking, and, if you’re

like us, endlessly reapplying sunscreen.

At sundown, we’ll turn up the romance and enjoy a

beachfront dinner and bayside sunset, a sunset so

spectacular it’s paralyzing*.

*Note: Nobody has been paralyzed on any of our

tours due to spectacular sunsets, but rather they

have been “moved.”

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 3 (SUNDAY) HANOI TO HA LONG BAY

Those who missed the sunset last night can redeem

themselves this morning with a breathtaking

sunrise straight out of an Enrique Iglesias music

video.

The rest of the morning will be spent splishing and

splashing and general lakeside lounging until we

head out to Ninh Binh, our base for exploring

Vietnam’s UNESCO-winning grottoes.

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 4 (MONDAY) HA LONG BAY TO NINH BINH

The sleepy town of Ninh Binh may consist of little

more than locals sipping beers at cafes along the

sidewalks, but the town itself is surrounded by

quintessentially Vietnamese limestone scenery.

After breakfast, we’ll hop onto our bikes and cycle

into the tropical countryside toward Tam Coc, a

river that would be all over your Instagram feed if

people knew about it.

There, we’ll board a row-boat, and, with the

soundtrack of the river lapping against our oars,

we’ll succumb to the riverside’s lush rice paddies

and limestone ledges that seemingly continue

forever.

In the evening, with eyes exhausted from the

imagery, we’ll take a night bus to Hue, where we’ll

begin our first volunteering excursion.

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 5 (TUESDAY) NINH BINH TO HUE

itinerary

Arriving in Hue as fresh as one can be after an

eight-hour bus ride, we’ll first head to the hotel and

rinse off the stench that only a sweaty night on a

bus can produce.

Former seat of Imperial Vietnam, the reign of

emperors can still be felt in this historic citadel,

where crumbling ancient walls greet modern, Euro-

chic boutiques. Hue’s charm, however, lies along the

Perfume River, where we’ll board a private boat for

a sail downstream to Thien Mu Pagoda, the largest

such in Vietnam.

We’ll keep the day restful because the hard work

begins tomorrow.

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 6 (WEDNESDAY) HUE

There’s an old Vietnamese proverb: If you put in the

work to sharpen the steel, it will eventually turn into

needles. So, if you haven’t stretched since middle

school, we recommend channeling your 7th grade

gym teacher and practicing your arm-circles

because today we’ll be working.

Because our community development projects rely

on those most in-need, your tour could include

anything from building chicken farms and

constructing houses to putting in water filtration

systems or even preparing communities on

sustainable food and development initiatives.

The work generally involves dirty hands, dirty

knees, mud-toothed smiles, and an overwhelming

sense of accomplishment having witnessed the

transformation of “steel into needles.”

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch.

DAY 7-9 (THURSDAY-SATURDAY)  HUE

Gripped with emotion, pride, and whatever the

word for I-can’t-believe-we-just-helped-so-many-

Vietnamese-people, we’ll bus down to Hoi An, a city

famed for its Old Town and Japanese-style

pagodas.

The winding roads through the mountains offer a

near-endless panorama of steep, stony facades

along with the occasional waterfall.

If the weather’s kind, we’ll stop at Elephant Springs,

a secluded waterfall where, if you couldn’t have

guessed it, elephants once bathed, or we’ll visit Da

Nong, a hiker’s dreamland in the Marble Mountains.

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 10 (SUNDAY)  HUE TO HOI AN

itinerary

Fully rested from volunteering, today begins with a

bike ride through historic Hoi An and into the quiet

Vietnamese countryside.

We’ll cycle past rice paddocks and roaming

buffaloes to the waters surrounding the city where

our basket boat awaits. The sail around the town to

an island just off the main drag.

Here, we’ll mingle with some locals and challenge

them to Con Quay and a few other traditional

Vietnamese games.

The day concludes with a smooth ride back into Hoi

An, where the rest of the day is yours for exploring

—be it bargaining at the Chinese shop houses,

dining on Bahn Xeo, or, our personal

recommendation, make your own Asian-style

lantern.

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 11 (MONDAY) HOI AN

We’re taking off the Bamboo ball-and-chain and

letting you into the wild world of Hanoi.

Packed with yellow, French colonial-era buildings,

feel free to window-shop at the cutesy boutiques,

lounge street-side in many of the coffee shops,

book yourself a cooking class at the famous Green

Mango restaurant, or trek down to An Bang Beach

for some sun, some R&R, and a cocktail or two.

Just get back to the hotel in the early evening so we

can get together for our final group meal, where

we’ll toast to Vietnam. Mot, hi, ba, yo!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 12 (TUESDAY) HOI AN

Do…do we even want to address the good-bye?

The trip may have lasted thirteen days, but it’s

thirteen days that last a lifetime in memory. We’ll

snap one final group photo, which we’ll then keep

under our pillow case to look at late at night, teary-

eyed and smiling, and remember our journey

together.

Beyond that, we’ll help you arrange any transport

to your next stop—be it the airport, bus terminal,

shipyard, dragon’s den, wherever. Safe travels.

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 13 (WEDNESDAY) HOI AN 

What's includedDISCOVER VIETNAM TOUR

1. Airport Arrival Pickup

2. All Accommodation

3. All Activities outlined above

4. Welcome meal in Hanoi

5. Donation to your project

6. Our guides to accompany you

7. Bike tours in Ninh Binh & HoiAn

8. Heaps of meals

9. Entrance to POI in Hanoi

10. Elephant springs or Marble

Mountain

11. Ha Long Bay Cruise

12. Farewell meal in Hoi An

FAST FACTS:

VISA

VISA entry is YOUR

responsibility

Check before leaving for your

trip what the entry

requirements are for you

ENTRY

REQUIREMENTS

You must have a valid passport and a visa (or pre-

approval for a visa on arrival) to enter Vietnam. Your

passport must be valid for six months beyond your

planned stay and you must have at least one

blank page for your visa.

Nationals of certain countries may visit Vietnam

without a visa for a period of time, below is a link to

a list of countries and regions that have visa

exemption arrangements with Vietnam.

https://www.myvietnamvisa.com/vietnam-visa-

exemption.html

If you arrive in Vietnam without an appropriate visa

or pre-approval for a visa on arrival, you will be

denied entry.

T H E I N F O R M A T I O N Y O U N E E D T O K N O W B E F O R E W E B E G I N D I S C O V E R V I E T N A M

THE NITTY GRITTY

Ensure that your immigration

info is correct before

submitting it at the counter.

Your accommodation here will be twin shared rooms.

Rooms are cosy and modern,  with wooden floors and

warm lighting. In-room comforts include a flat-screen

satellite TV and personal safe. The spacious rooms

offer panoramic views of the lake and city.

ACCOMMODATION

HANOI

HA LONG BAY

Your accommodation will be twin shared. All rooms are

air-conditioned and include a private bathroom with a

shower and toilet.

Towels, linens and slippers are provided, and a

restaurant and a bar is available onboard.

Accommodation will be twin share or triple and

includes an on-site restaurant and bar where you can

unwind with a cold one.    

Expect hot showers, and WIFI to make your stay as

pleasant as possible.

NINH BINH

LUCKY 3 HOTEL

OVERNIGHT CRUISE

NAM HOA HOTEL

Centrally located and only a stone 's throw away from

the bars and restaurants of Hue, our chosen

guesthouse offers elegant and comfortable

accommodation with free WiFi access throughout.

Your accommodation here will be twin or triple share.

Each room comes with its own bathroom, TV and AC

unit.

ACCOMMODATION

HUE

Just 10 minutes’ walk from the Ancient Town and the

local market the hotel features an outdoor pool and

free Wi-Fi throughout the property.

Each room is equipped with air conditioning and an

en-suite western bathroom.

Rooms will be either twin or triple share.

HOI AN

HOME HOTEL

GOLDEN RIVER HOTEL

FAST

FACTS: MONEY

Basic costs of things:

Local Meal (dish + rice) 50-150K VND

Bottle of beer  20-100K VND

Bottle of water 7-20k VND

Memories - Free of charge

The currency in Vietnam is known as

the Dong or VND.

Remember to tell your bank that you

are leaving the country to avoid the

possibility of your card being

suspended.  

When it comes to advice on how much money

to bring, it’s impossible to say. All our intrepid

explorers are very different. Where some go all

out, others are on a budget. You can find both

high end and budget restaurants, bars and

shops across Vietnam. A rough guide for meals

and drinks can be found  in 'fast facts ' :

ATM’s, or cash machines, are prevalent

throughout Vietnam. In Vietnam, you will be

issued the local currency called Vietnamese

Dong. Typical exchange rates at the time of

writing are:

$1USD- 22500 VND

£1GBP - 30000 VND

$1AUD - 18000 VND

We don’t recommend bringing traveller 's

cheques with you. The reason is that banks

across Vietnam have odd hours of operating

and so it may cause unnecessary hassle finding

a bank open when you wish to make a

transaction.

Major credit cards are not widely accepted as

payment in Vietnam, some restaurants may

accept credit cards but in most other places

cash is king.

Negotiating a purchase, known as “bartering”,

still happens in the tourist areas of Vietnam.

Outside of tourist areas, however, bartering is

seen as disrespectful and the cost you’re told

is the cost you pay. If you’re unsure as to

whether or not you can barter for a discount

please speak to your guide or coordinator to

avoid any unnecessary faux-pas..  

MONEY

FAST FACTS: FUAX PAS

Packing for a trip to the unknown is always tricky.

It’s definitely worth doing a little bit of homework

on this one and to consider the local culture when

deciding what clothes to bring. For example,

Vietnam is a predominantly Buddhist country, so

dress modestly and respectfully. We live by the rule

'1 in, 1 out ' meaning either shoulders or knees need

to be covered at all times. In addition, it’s often

customary to remove your shoes before entering a

building in Asia, consider this if you plan to only

bring lace-up footwear.

Whilst volunteering, it’s highly like that your

clothes will get dirty, sweaty and possibly torn so

please keep this in mind. It’s very easy to buy cheap

clothes from local markets here that will be more

than suitable for your work. If at the end of your

time on a project you no longer wish to hang on to

the clothes please speak to your guide as we may

be able to donate those clothes on your behalf.

Being such a religious country, temples and

Buddhist monasteries are everywhere. If you plan

to visit a few you will need to cover both your

shoulder and knees. This also goes for volunteering

at any school or entering a government building of

any kind.

You should also consider the weather. Vietnam has

two prominent weather seasons: "Hot & Dry" and

"Hot & Wet". "Hot & Dry" usually runs from

November to April, and "Hot and Wet" is then May

to October.

The daytime temperature in Vietnam is quite

consistent throughout the year with highs around

33-38º. The nighttime does vary with lows ranging

from 16º in January and February to 28-30º for the

rest of the year.  

We recommend a sweater/jumper to keep you

warm when it gets chilly.  

CLOTHING

Take off your shoes when you step

indoors. Whether you’re entering a

temple or someone’s home, always

take off your shoes. This also applies

to some old-fashioned places of

business, but not in most modern

shops.

Finish all your rice. Leaving a

significant amount of rice in your

bowl is considered wasteful. Don 't

get more rice than you think you can

finish.

FAST FACTS: TRAVEL

For up to date information about the best travel

vaccinations to have before arriving in Vietnam we

urge you to contact your own GP,  a travel health

clinic or to check the World Health Organisations

website. Bamboo are not medical professionals and

therefore can’t offer you medical advice.  

TRAVELVACCINATIONS

FLIGHTS

Thanks to the world wide web we  now have access

to great flight deals through websites such as

Skyscanner, Google Flights and more. If you’d

rather use the services of a booking agent, the likes

of STA Travel, Trailfinders and Flight Centre,  are all

available online.  

Please remember that this tour starts in Hanoi, but

finished in Hoi An. So you may need to arrange a

separate short flight from Da Nang Airport to

ongoing destinations yourself. This is very easy and

there are many low-cost airlines here that offer

several daily flights.  

IMPORTANT NOTICEOnce you have booked and confirmed your flight to

Hanoi, please make sure that you have shared your

flight arrival time and flight number with our team.

Without those details, we will be unable to

guarantee that one of our team will be at the

airport to meet you on arrival.  

Did you know that?

The country’s name was originally

spelt as two words, Viet Nam

Did you know that?

On a flight the bathroom door isn’t

really locked when you’re inside.

Lavatory doors can be locked and

unlocked from the outside for a

multitude of reason. It allows flight

attendants quick access to locked

lavatories in case of emergencies. In

other instances, it allows the cabin

crew to restrict access to bathrooms

during takeoff and landing.

ARRIVALS INFO

ARRIVALHanoi 's International Airport is one of the busiest

airports in the Aisa, and can be a confusing place. It

is a major international hub that welcomes millions

of visitors annually, so the following information is

to help you locate our arrivals team quickly and to

avoid unnecessary delays.

Once you have passed through Immigration

(Passport Control) you’ll need to collect your

luggage from one of the carousels. Once you have

your bags please make your way to the exit,

passing through the green ‘Nothing to Declare’

channel, you will then enter the busy main arrivals

area.

Directly ahead of you will be a mass of people

holding up signs trying to get your attention, At

this point please make note of whether you are at

Exit A1 or A2. If you 're at Exit A1, fantastic, please

keep a look out for our team.  If you are at Exit A2

don 't panic, make your way along to Exit A1 and

find our team, they should be easily recognizable

with their Bamboo t-shirts and be holding a sign

showing the Bamboo logo.

In the unlikely event that you can’t find our team,

please don’t panic. As long as we have your

correct flight details one of our team will be there.

Please wait at arrivals area A1, and if you still

cannot locate one of our team please call the

following numbers: +84 90 1772 338 / +84 164 474

2532. If you have supplied us with a mobile phone

number, please make sure your phone is turned on

as we may be trying to contact you.

If your arrival is late at night and we have arranged

for a representative to collect you, then you will

still be transferred to your accommodation where

someone will meet you and ensure you 're checked

in and settled. Our representatives will still be

wearing a Bamboo t-shirt and holding up a Bamboo

sign at Exit A1.  

Your hotel transfer will be around 30-

35 minutes from Hanoi International

airport.

Keep your eyes peeled for the

smiling face that holding our Bamboo

logo - Kooga our guide in the photo

above loves to smile, honest!

FUN FACTS

TRANSPORTHanoi to Ha Long Bay - This first trip will take us

from the centrally located capital city to East Coast

travelling by comfortable air-conditioned bus,  The

journey will take around 4hours driving over 182km.

Ha Long Bay to Ninh Binh - Our second trip we will

take a private minivan to Ninh Binh. This will take

around 5hours travelling over 218km.  

Ninh Binh - Hue - We will be travelling via a very

comfortable night bus tonight. You will all have

your own pod-like seats with a pillow, blanket and

small tray table. Its as glamorous as a night bus can

get, we promise!

Hue to Hoi An -  This will be made via our own

private minivan with AC. The ride is comfortable and

allows us to stop along the way for some epic snaps

of the landscape. We will take our time as we pass

along the Hai Van Pass stopping for a few treats

along the way.  

Our journey from Hanoi to Hoi An   is

around 1100km from start to finish.

The beauty of Halong Bay is

remarkable enough to make it to the

big screen. Filming for the 1997 James

Bond film “Tomorrow Never Dies” took

place in the Halong Bay area.

Additionally, the video game “Street

Fighter IV” used the bay as a

backdrop

FAST FACTS: GUIDES

GUIDESAny tour is only as good as the guide – fact. The

input of a tour guide cannot be understated. Their

input into your tour, their little insights and the

off-the-beaten-track adventures.  The knowledge

and experiences that they share with you will make

or break your time wherever you are in the world.

At Bamboo, we take the selection and training of

our guides and our coordinators very seriously.

Each guide undertakes a structured training

program of three months and only once we’re

convinced that they are genuine representatives of

Bamboo are they signed up to the family.

Each of our tours has English-speaking guides to

support you, answer your questions, educate you

and to ensure that your time is unforgettable. From

time to time we may have new guides-in-training

on our tours. If you’re lucky to have a trainee on

your tour, please be patient. They are undergoing

training and therefore their knowledge won’t be

that of the trained and experienced guide who will

be accompanying them.  

TIPPING

Although not in any way expected or encouraged,

anybody who goes over and above the call of duty

to ensure that you have the very best time may

deserve a special little thank you.

Did you have extra special service in a restaurant?

Did the bus driver make an additional pit-stop just

for you? Did your guide go out of the way so that

you could experience something unique? At

Bamboo, we’re firm believers in Karma – what goes

around most definitely comes around!  

Our guides are the face of Bamboo,

and they come in all shapes and

smiles.

We love each and every one of them

more the Vietnamese love Pho.    

Whilst most them are elite travel

mavericks in their own right, you may

come across newbies who are on the

path the greatness.

If you 're lucky enough to meet a

fresh-faced newbie, be sure to show

them your support and patience,

most guides remember their first

tours forever, so let 's play nice.

The 'must brings'HAVE YOU PACKED THE FOLLOWING?

0. An open mind

1. Backpack or suitcase w/wheels

2. Travel Towel

3. Light, loose-fitting 'work'

clothes

4. Long trousers & t-shirts

5. Flip flops or sandals

6. Trainers or Sneakers

7. Day pack/bag

8. Insect spray

9. Hat & Sunscreen

10. Reusable Water Bottle

11. Multi-use plug adapter

The 'can brings'WHILST EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT, WE’VE COMPILED A MORE DETAILED LIST FROM

THE FEEDBACK OF SOME OF OUR PAST TRAVELLERS WHICH YOU MAY FIND

USEFUL AND ALSO WANT TO CONSIDER BRINGING:

0. Patience 

1. Medical Kit

2. Toiletries

3. General

- Padded gardening gloves

- Small umbrella or water jacket

- Travel pillow (for added comfort)

- Earplugs

- Home luxuries (can't live without)

- Card games or books

Electrolytes / Rehydration Packets

Antihistamine cream / tablets

Antibiotic cream 

Imodium Nail brush / Clippers

Wet wipes

Tissues / Toilet roll

Travel hairdryer

YOUR PROJECT GUIDE

DISCOVER VIETNAM

YOUR PROJECT GUIDE

Bamboo’s ideology with all projects is to work with community leaders and locally

operated NGO’s because they understand the people, the needs, the benefits

and the system far better than we do. Our projects improve villager's lives, health

and safety.

Depending on the number of people volunteering and the needs of the

community, you might be participating in one of the following: Building

sustainable animal pens for families who need our support, toilet building, school

improvements and house repairs.

Volunteers who decide to participate must be physically fit and willing to work in

the hot sun for long hours. Please remember to take breaks as and when needed. 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT HUE

YOUR PROJECT GUIDE

You've finished in central Vietnam, and what a journey it's been. But do you want to

finish in style and explore the south with us?

Not only will we fly you into Ho Chi Minh City and explore the cu-chi tunnels used by

the Viet-cong during the war. but we will venture deep into the Mekong Delta, the

true south of Vietnam.

The Mekong Delta, also known as The Nine Dragon river delta as it is formed by nine

rivers, lies immediately to the west of Ho Chi Minh City (also called Saigon by locals),

roughly forming a vast triangle stretching from My Tho in the east to Chau Doc and

Ha Tien in the northwest, down to Ca Mau, and including Phu Quoc Island.

It’s a water world where boats, houses, and markets float upon the numerous rivers,

canals and streams that crisscross the landscape like arteries.

Contact our bookings team to find out more about the perfect add-on to your India

Experience. 

Optional Bolt-

On Available!

TERMS & CONDITIONSPlease read these Terms and Conditions carefully as they form the basis of your contract

with WeAreBamboo. This agreement is made at the time of booking and becomes legally

binding upon payment of your deposit. By booking a program with WeAreBamboo, you signify

you have read and accepted these Terms and Conditions

All programs advertised on our website and/or on Facebook are offered and/or operated by

WeAreBamboo Ltd. (trading as Bamboo and referred to as Bamboo or ‘we’ herein after) with

company number 59926953 whose registered office is:.

WE ARE BAMBOO LEVEL 2 61 SEAVIEW ROAD LOWER HUTT, NEW ZEALAND 5010

All travel arrangements are sold subject to the following conditions. Bamboo reserves the

right to update the Terms and Conditions at any time.

Please view our full terms and conditions here:

https://www.wearebamboo.com/about/legal.php

Please note that the information in this pack is subject to change at

any time without notice.