Get Ready

WiFi access, what to wear, local climate and packing tips—the following information aims to help you prepare and pack for our Modern Adventure in Vietnam and Cambodia

COVID-19

Modern Adventure takes the health and safety of our employees, guests, and partners very seriously. Our health and safety protocols during your trip such as physical distancing, masking and other safety practices will be in accordance with up-to-date local regulations in your destination. You will be informed of any specific protocols aheads of travel, and in-destination by our local guides and/or Modern Adventure trip leader.

Internet & Phones

Our accommodations offer Wi-Fi, and we recommend using Wi-Fi supported apps such as WhatsApp, FaceTime or Skype as an alternative to making calls from your mobile phone. For American travelers, many phone providers have temporary international travel plans, check with your provider for options.

Electricity

Vietnam’s electrical grid provides 220 volts (converters are needed for US appliances, which run at 120 volts). However plugs are not standard across Vietnam; you will find US, European (two small round pins), and UK (3 large rectangular pins) all within the same building. It's best to bring a multi-adapter, so you are prepared for these three styles. If your appliance requires a third pin (grounding pin) you will likely need an adapter as many plugs only fit two prongs.

In Cambodia the standard voltage is 230 volts, and like Vietnam, you will find an ad hoc mix of US, European and UK plug types across the country.

COVID-19 Testing, Vaccines & Medications

If your destination requires proof of a COVID-19 vaccination and/or negative test result taken within 72 hours of travel, you will be required to confirm that you are fully vaccinated with an authorized COVID-19 vaccine, and/or have tested negative for COVID-19, and have the required documentation to prove it. Otherwise you will be ineligible to participate on the trip, and ineligible for a refund.

If you are on prescription medication, you should ask your doctor for a letter detailing your condition and prescribed drugs. This prevents possible issues at customs and helps the local doctor if you need to buy medication while traveling. If you wear prescription glasses or contact lenses, we recommend you bring an extra pair and a copy of the prescription in case of emergency.

Climate

February is an excellent time to visit Vietnam and Cambodia. The weather in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) is typically clear and sunny, with daily average highs near 88℉ and lows around 72°F. February is the driest month of the year, though the occasional afternoon rain shower is always a possibility.

The weather in Cambodia is similar, with February highs around 88°F and lows around 77°F, and the chances of rain increasing as the month goes on.

Clothing

Vietnam and Cambodia can be quite humid, so consider wearing breathable fabrics such as cotton. Layering is the best option for the daily temperature changes and types of activities on our trip. We also suggest bringing a light jacket and a raincoat just in case. Keep in mind that at religious sites, women should cover their shoulders and both men and women should cover their knees.

We’ll spend plenty of time on foot during this experience, so make sure to bring sturdy walking shoes and a pair of your favorite sandal-like shoes.

For the most part Vietnam and Cambodia are casual, and 'resort casual' attire is perfectly acceptable for an evening out. We will have three evenings to dine on our own. If you want to make reservations at an upscale restaurant, you may want to bring a more formal option.

We will travel by private bus between and plane destinations, so you might want to pack along a pair of headphones for the ride. Additional items we recommend you to bring:

  • Hat (sun protection)

  • Sunscreen

  • Sunglasses

  • Sandals or flip-flops

  • Bathing suit

  • Phone charger

  • Headphones

  • Travel pillow

  • Ear plugs

Visas & Passports

U.S. citizens are required to obtain a visa before traveling into Vietnam. It is your responsibility to obtain this required travel document; please visit the US Embassy in Vietnam visa information page for step-by-step instructions on how to obtain a Vietnamese visa. Additionally a valid US passport with at least six months of validity remaining beyond the date of your arrival is required. The process for obtaining a visa is relatively easy, but you’ll want to start the application as soon as possible because the process can take up to a few weeks to finalize. For citizens of other countries, please check with your local Vietnamese embassy or consulate for information and requirements.

US citizens will also need a passport and a visa to enter Cambodia. This is included in your trip and will be purchased on your behalf by Modern Adventure. Your passport must be valid six months beyond your intended stay and have two fully blank pages available, you’ll also need to bring a printed copy of a passport photo. If you are not a US citizen, please reach out to enquire of any different or additional requirements.

Travel Insurance

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance allows you to seek reimbursement for your trip costs; if your trip plans change for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to get medical help, emergency transport, and for theft, loss or damage of items while traveling.

For best coverage, always insure the full trip cost within two weeks of your initial trip deposit and note that most 'Cancel For Any Reason' policies must be purchased on the date of your initial deposit.

While Modern Adventure does not recommend any policy specifically, we encourage you to compare benefits and options, a few of which are listed below. We recommend that any plan you select includes trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage, at minimum.

Allianz: https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/find-a-plan

Travelex: https://www.travelexinsurance.com/travel-insurance/plans/

IMG Global: https://www.imglobal.com/travel-insurance

Squaremouth: https://www.squaremouth.com/

Money & Tipping

Vietnam's local currency is the Vietnamese dong (VND), worth roughly 23,000 dong to US$1 dollar. There are numerous ATMs in Vietnam to access your bank back home, but please note that Vietnamese ATMs only issue VND notes. You will not be able to withdraw US dollars or any other currency from a Vietnamese ATM.

In Cambodia the local currency is the riel, worth roughkly 4,100 riels to US$1 dollar. Note that US dollars are widely available and accepted in Cambodia; in fact, most Cambodian ATMs dispense US dollars instead of riel. No worries about changing money—the US dollar is Cambodia’s unofficial second currency.

While cash is generally preferred in Vietnam and Cambodia, many restaurants and shops do accept credit cards.

We curate your Modern Adventure to ensure all experiences are immersive and included in your trip price. We recommend bringing enough money with you for a few meals on your own, as well as any souvenirs or local arts and crafts you might like to bring back.

Most gratuities and tips are included in our trip price. Tipping isn’t expected in Vietnam or Cambodia, but is always much appreciated. Many workers do not earn much, and always appreciate the extra money to be made in tips.

Please note, however, that tipping our local and Modern Adventure guides is at your discretion; to show your appreciation for good service, we recommend tipping each guide US$70 to $100 per guest.