• Hanoi and Surrounding Region (Halong to Ninh Binh – Tam Coc, Hoa Lu, Van Long): around 5–7 days.

• Hanoi and Sapa: around 3–5 days.

• Northern Mountain Travel: around 5–10 days to explore the ethnic villages in the north. In this area, you can enjoy hiking, trekking, and homestays.

• Central Vietnam (Hue and Hoian): about 3–5 days to visit Vietnam’s world heritage sites, such as Hue Citadel, Nguyen Emperors’ tombs, the ancient town of Hoian, or enjoy the beaches in Hoian.

• Southern Vietnam (Saigon and the Mekong Delta):3–7 days to explore the vibrant metropolis of Saigon and spend the rest of the time discovering the Mekong Delta.

• Vietnam Beach Break: Vietnam is a tropical country with a long coastline, making it ideal for a beach break. Some of the best beaches include My Khe, Hoian, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, and Phu Quoc. If you start your trip in the north, you can end it at the stunning beaches in the south.

For more information or to customize your plan, please contact our travel consultants.

• Phnom Penh and Siem Reap (including the famous Angkor temples): around 3–5 days. These are the two most popular destinations in Cambodia.

• Other destinations: exploring Battambang (an old city), the beach city of Kep, and Sihanoukville will take around 3–5 days.

• Mountainous regions: visiting Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri requires around 3–5 days.

These are the best destinations in Laos: Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Xieng Khouang, and Pakse – 4000 Islands.

• Luang Prabang: a “must-see” destination; stay 2–4 days.

• Vientiane: the capital of Laos; 2 days are sufficient.

• Xieng Khouang: requires 3 days to explore.

• Pakse – 4000 Islands: allow 3–5 days to enjoy this area.

Authentik Vietnam Co., Ltd. is a registered travel company under the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

The company is registered with a capital of 1.5 billion VND (approximately 70,000 USD).
An International Tour Operation license requires a compulsory deposit of 25,000 USD in the National Bank. This is an obligation for professional tour operators.
These are two essential conditions for a travel company. Without them, we would not be allowed to organize trips for foreign tourists.

These funds are used in the following cases:

• Reimbursement if clients do not receive the services they paid for, in the event of the travel company’s closure.
• Reimbursement if clients do not receive services that were confirmed in an agreement with the travel company.

Step 1: Deposit
After discussions and once clients confirm they want to use our services, a deposit is required to secure the booking.

• A 30% deposit of the total amount is required.
• The deposit can be made via bank transfer or secure online payment (SSL).

Step 2: Reservation
All reservations must be made with Authentik Vietnam by email. Once everything is confirmed, Authentik Vietnam will send full confirmations and invoices to clients by email.

Step 3: Outstanding Balance
The remaining balance must be settled before your trip. Clients can choose from the following payment methods:

• Bank transfer
• Online payment
• Cash on arrival

Authentik Vietnam allows clients to pay using several methods:

1. Bank Transfer
Clients can make a bank transfer to our company’s account. Bank transfer fees are charged to the client. Our account details are:

• Beneficiary Name: AUTHENTIK VIETNAM CO., LTD
• Beneficiary Address: TO 5 TU DINH, LONG BIEN, HANOI
• USD Account Number: 1088108108
• EUR Account Number: 2202326668
• Bank Name: Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank)
• Bank Address: 33 Pham Hong Thai, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi
• Swift Code: BFTVVNVX
  (There is no IBAN code in Vietnam)
• Hanoi Postal Code: 100.000

2. Online Payment by Cards (ONEPAY Security Portal)
Clients can pay by card online through the ONEPAY portal. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and JCB.

Once we receive your confirmation, Authentik Vietnam will send the invoice for online payment via email. Follow the instructions in the secure link.

Online payment fees:

• Visa, MasterCard, JCB: 3.3%
• American Express: 3.85%

Important: After entering card information, if you do not receive a confirmation via the online payment gateway or from Authentik Vietnam, do not try again. Contact us to verify the transaction.

3. Card Payment On-Site
Payment by credit card via POS machine is possible for the outstanding balance at our Hanoi office. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, and Diners Club.

Bank fees:

• Visa: 2%
• MasterCard: 3%
• JCB & Diners Club: 3.3%
• American Express: 4%

Note: On-site credit card payments are possible in VND only. Foreign currencies (EUR, USD) must be converted to VND according to the National Bank exchange rate on the payment date.

4. Cash Payment
Cash payments can be made at Authentik Vietnam’s Hanoi office or directly to our local travel agents. We accept EUR, USD, Swiss Franc, Canadian Dollar, and JPY.

• Exchange rates are based on the official rate of Vietcombank on the payment date.
• Unlike other payment methods, cash payments are not subject to any fees.

If you travel during the high season (October to the end of April), we strongly advise booking as early as possible. About half of tourists traveling in the high season book 3–6 months in advance.

It is possible to book last-minute, but please note:

• There will be fewer accommodation options.
• Airfares are likely to be more expensive.
• It can be difficult to find experienced tour guides for extended trips, especially during high season.

Outside the high season, early booking is less critical, as services are generally more available, except on national holidays.

In any season, we recommend booking as soon as possible to save money, especially on air tickets.

Cancellation by Clients
If clients need to cancel for any reason, they must immediately notify Authentik Vietnam by letter or email. Clients agree to pay penalties according to Authentik Vietnam’s cancellation policy:

• 45 days prior to the trip: No charge
• 44–31 days prior: 5% of the total trip amount
• 30–21 days prior: 15% of the total trip amount
• 20–11 days prior: 30% of the total trip amount
• 10–7 days prior: 50% of the total trip amount
• 6–2 days prior: 75% of the total trip amount
• 1–0 day prior: 100% of the total trip amount

These fees cover penalties from service suppliers, including accommodations, flights, boats, cruises, trains, and land transport.

• Postponed trips are generally not subject to penalties, but any applicable cancellation fees remain the client’s responsibility.
• All services reserved through Authentik Vietnam are subject to this rule. Refunds are made by bank transfer, with bank fees paid by the clients.

Force Majeure & Substitutions

• In cases of force majeure, clients may appoint a replacement under the same trip conditions. The new client must pay a deposit. Service providers (hotels, airlines, trains, boats, cruises) must accept this change.
• If cancellations are due to major causes (sickness, death, accidents, natural disasters), Authentik Vietnam will negotiate with service providers to minimize cancellation fees and reimburse any remaining amount to the client.

Cancellation by Authentik Vietnam

• Trips may be canceled due to force majeure (war, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, bad weather, epidemics, fire, etc.). In such cases, clients will be fully reimbursed.
• If force majeure interrupts an ongoing trip, Authentik Vietnam will reimburse unused services. Claims for damages are excluded.

Modification by Clients

• Clients may request changes to the program at any time.
• If the new services incur additional costs, clients must pay these directly to Authentik Vietnam.
• Authentik Vietnam will handle requests carefully, depending on the availability of the requested services.

Modification by Authentik Vietnam

• Authentik Vietnam reserves the right to modify services, including the final confirmation, in the following cases:
  • Force majeure (war, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, etc.). Modifications may increase or decrease costs. If costs decrease, Authentik Vietnam will reimburse clients.
  • Necessary changes for clients’ safety or trip quality. Any additional costs will be covered by Authentik Vietnam.

Authentik Vietnam offers different rates for children under 12, depending on the services they use. Please contact us for detailed information.

Transportation is not included during free days in our quotations. Clients are responsible for their own arrangements.

Free days will be indicated as “FREE DAY” or “NO GUIDE, NO CAR” in the itinerary.

Authentik Vietnam offers private tours for couples, families, friends, and even solo travelers.

Each trip is entirely private, with a dedicated guide, driver, and vehicle. Our guide and driver are flexible and adapt to clients’ preferences and pace.

All journeys are organized exclusively for our clients, without sharing with other groups.

In major cities, we offer hotels of various comfort levels. In smaller cities or remote areas, we carefully select the best available quality hotels.

Authentik Vietnam chooses hotels based on each client’s budget, preferences, and specific requirements. Thanks to our local expertise and strong partnerships, we select hotels that offer the best value for money while ensuring comfort.

In the spirit of Authentik Vietnam, all hotels are selected based on the following criteria:

• Central location, allowing easy access to restaurants and nearby attractions
• Warm hospitality and a friendly atmosphere; large hotel chains are generally avoided
• Minimum 3-star standard to ensure comfort
• In small towns or remote areas, hotels may be more basic, but always include essential amenities such as air conditioning and hot water

The level of comfort in a homestay is generally lower than in a hotel. However, it offers a more authentic experience, allowing you to connect with local hosts and enjoy their warm hospitality.

In the spirit of cultural exchange and authenticity, Authentik Vietnam highly recommends including homestays as part of your journey. Our programs often combine different types of accommodation, with some nights in comfortable hotels and others in homestays, offering a deeper insight into local lifestyles.

For many adventure tours, especially in the mountainous areas of Northern Vietnam, homestays are sometimes the only available option. Please note that facilities can be basic, but this is part of the unique charm of the experience.

In all cases, homestays provide essential amenities such as mattresses and hot water, and hygiene standards are always ensured.

Our experience shows that these authentic stays are highly appreciated by travelers.

Authentik Vietnam ensures that all homestay hosts maintain proper hygiene standards, especially for sleeping arrangements. All homestays are registered with local authorities.

However, if clients prefer to bring their own sleeping bags, they are welcome to do so. Sleeping bags can be easily purchased in major cities and are lightweight and convenient to carry.

Hair dryers are generally available in 3-star hotels and above, and in some 2-star hotels in major cities.

However, they are less common in local hotels and homestays, especially in small towns and mountainous areas in Northern Vietnam.

Depending on the group size, Authentik Vietnam arranges different types of vehicles:

• 1–2 persons: Sedan (5–7 seats) – Toyota Vios, Altis, Innova, Fortuner, etc.
• 3–6 persons: Minivan (16 seats) – Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter
• 7–14 persons: Minibus (30 seats)
• 15–18 persons: Bus (35 seats)
• 18–30 persons: Bus (45 seats)

These vehicles are selected to provide maximum comfort for your journey and enough space for all luggage.

Authentik Vietnam is a tailor-made travel company. Our team can adapt to all clients’ wishes and preferences.

Clients can choose to book accommodation by themselves while Authentik Vietnam takes care of other services such as transportation, tour guides, cruises, restaurants, and domestic flights.

In such cases, clients should plan their itinerary with our travel consultants. This allows them to get expert advice and recommendations while keeping the freedom to select their preferred accommodation.

If clients wish to stay in a property not included in our recommended list, they should inform their travel consultant in advance.

In principle, it is possible to rent a car without a driver. However, this is strongly discouraged.

• Foreign driving licenses are not valid in Vietnam. In case of an accident, neither the driver nor passengers will be protected, and in case of disputes, the driver may face heavy fines or even imprisonment.
• Road infrastructure and traffic rules are very different from other countries, which can make driving extremely challenging and unsafe for foreigners.

For these reasons, Authentik Vietnam strongly recommends hiring a professional driver for a safe and enjoyable trip.

Tour guides play a crucial role in the success of a trip. Understanding their importance, Authentik Vietnam is highly selective in choosing our guides.

The criteria for selecting our tour guides include:

• University degree
• Fluent in English or French
• International tour guide license approved by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism
• Excellent general knowledge
• Passion for travel
• Responsible, helpful, and professional attitude

• For groups of less than 15 people, a local tour guide will be available at each destination. Clients are autonomous during flights or trains, and the local guide will welcome them at the airport or train station at each stop.
• For groups of 15 people or more, a tour guide will accompany the group throughout the trip in each country. However, this can be adjusted according to client preferences or budget considerations.

Yes, it is possible. Clients can travel with only our drivers. For example, there is no guide on private transfers from Hanoi to Halong Bay unless specifically requested.

Please note that our drivers have limited English or French skills, so the trip may lack interaction and explanation, as there will be no interpreter between clients and locals.

Authentik Vietnam places our clients’ health as a top priority. All included meals are carefully prepared to be healthy and tasty, using fresh local ingredients. Dishes are cooked by talented local chefs who strictly follow hygiene standards.

We ensure a balance between traditional local cuisine and Western options. For travelers with specific dietary requirements (e.g., allergies, diabetes), meals can be customized if notified in advance.

Clients should exercise caution with raw vegetables, as they may cause intestinal discomfort. Feel free to stop at local food shops during the journey.

On the night train, there is a restaurant carriage for meals.

Authentik Vietnam offers all breakfast included in the accommodations for small groups. For large groups, we offer full board. Some meals will be included such as on cruise trips, in remote areas, or wherever meals cannot be arranged upon arrival or where there is a lack of restaurants.

Meal prices vary. From traditional restaurants and street food to more chic restaurants, the price range is from 1.5 USD to 10 USD.

Here are some examples:

• A good soup is around 1.5 USD

• A bottle of water (500ml) is around 0.5 USD

• One local beer is around 1 USD

The average budget for meals will be from 5–15 USD per day.

The railway system in Vietnam is still developing, and much of the infrastructure has remained unchanged since the colonial era. The main railway line runs about 1,700 km, connecting Ho Chi Minh City in the south with Hanoi and Lao Cai in the north. The average train speed is around 50–70 km/h.

There are several overnight trains between Hanoi and Lao Cai, offering different levels of comfort. These include standard cabins as well as upgraded tourist carriages.

Train travel in Vietnam is quite different from Europe or America. It can be noisier and more lively, but also more authentic. Authentik Vietnam selects high-quality sleeping cabins for clients, usually 4-berth cabins with air conditioning. These cabins are clean and reasonably comfortable for long journeys such as Hanoi to Lao Cai, Hanoi to Hue, or Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City.

We organize bikes and/or motorcycles for the trip. This is a great way to discover rural areas as there is less traffic, making it easier for our clients to ride.

The distance is never too long. Normally, it is about 20–40 km per day for motorcycles and 5–10 km for a bike.

In case our clients have difficulty riding, there are some alternatives depending on the location: motorcycle taxi, rickshaw, or even our private car.

Yes, it is easy to rent a motorcycle or a bicycle almost everywhere in Vietnam, not only in big cities. In popular destinations such as Hanoi, Hoi An, Ha Giang, Ninh Binh or Phu Quoc, many hotels, homestays, and local shops offer rental services.

Bicycles are especially popular in places like Ninh Binh, where travelers can easily explore the countryside. Motorbikes are more suitable for longer distances. However, traffic in big cities can be busy, and riding in mountainous areas may require some experience.

In Vietnam, several domestic airlines operate regular flights, including Vietnam Airlines and VietJet Air. Depending on availability and schedules, Authentik Vietnam prioritizes reliable carriers to ensure comfort and minimize travel disruptions.

In Cambodia, we mainly use Cambodia Angkor Air for domestic routes.

In Laos, domestic flights are operated by Lao Airlines and Lao Skyway, offering convenient connections between major destinations.

Baggage allowance for domestic flights in Vietnam varies depending on the airline and ticket type.

With Vietnam Airlines, economy class tickets usually include around 23 kg of checked baggage, while business class offers a higher allowance. Cabin baggage typically ranges from 10 to 12 kg.

Low-cost carriers such as VietJet Air often do not include checked baggage in the basic fare. Passengers can purchase baggage separately based on their needs. Cabin baggage is usually limited to 7 kg.

Excess baggage is subject to additional charges, which vary depending on the airline and route.

Here are some popular souvenir ideas from Vietnam:

• Green tea: Vietnam is well known for its green tea, especially from northern regions such as Hanoi and Thai Nguyen. Tea is an essential part of daily life and culture.
• Coffee: Grown mainly in the Central Highlands, particularly in Da Lat and Buon Ma Thuot, Vietnamese coffee is famous worldwide. Vietnam is one of the largest coffee producers globally.
• Rice wine: Traditional rice alcohol, such as Nep Moi, is widely enjoyed and makes a unique local gift.
• Handicrafts: Vietnam offers a wide range of handmade products that reflect local culture and craftsmanship. Popular items include lacquerware, embroidery, ethnic brocade textiles, silk, and ceramic products. These can be found in cities as well as in rural and mountainous areas.
• Herbal products: Traditional items like herbal balms and natural remedies are also common and easy to carry.

Yes, it is generally possible to take photos of local people in Vietnam. However, it is important to be respectful and mindful.

When taking photos in public places such as streets or markets, it is best to do so from a distance and avoid being intrusive. If you would like to take close-up portraits, especially in homes or villages, always ask for permission first. Your tour guide can help you communicate with locals if needed.

A friendly “Xin chao” (hello in Vietnamese) and a smile can go a long way in creating a positive connection.

One of the highlights of trips offered by Authentik Vietnam is the flexibility and freedom to make stops along the way for photos and local interactions. Travelers can enjoy scenic views, capture memorable moments, and meet local people during the journey.

Photography is generally permitted in most places, including pagodas, museums, and historical sites. However, in some locations, restrictions may apply, so it is always best to follow your guide’s advice.

Street food is one of the highlights of traveling in Vietnam. Small street-side restaurants can be found everywhere, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. Eating there allows you to experience authentic local flavors, use chopsticks, and sit on small plastic stools right on the sidewalk.

“Xe om” (motorbike taxis) are a popular way to get around for short distances. They are convenient, flexible, and a great way to avoid traffic while enjoying the local scenery.

To fully experience Vietnam, try to live like a local. Visit places where locals go, and don’t hesitate to learn and use a few Vietnamese words. Even a simple “Xin chào” can bring a smile and create a warm connection.