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Vietnam Food and Culture Adventures

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.    I am an independent traveler.  Why would I want to go on a group tour instead of on my own?

A.     Daniel, Phuong and Marny are also independent travelers and appreciate that mind set.    By traveling with them in a small group like this, you will be afforded opportunities to meet and interact with locals and to participate in activities that might be difficult to accomplish or considerably more expensive as an individual. As much as possible, we try to give you a feeling of having some control over your experience and we will often make adjustments to activities, excursions and eating choices based on individual input. There is also a positive social aspect to our trips.  Although the participants on these adventures often are from many different places, age groups and backgrounds, since food and cooking along with culture are the central focus, most of the people on the tour have something in common and often become fast friends on the trip. Many of the participants in past tours with Daniel have had similar misgivings, only to thoroughly enjoy themselves and repeat the experience on future trips.

Q.  Do I need to be a great cook or serious "foodie" to enjoy  myself on these trips?

A.  Absolutely not.  Food and cooking is only one aspect of the trip.  We like to think of food as a window into a culture and it is usually an important daily topic when traveling, whether independently or in groups. You will not be in cooking school every day and there are many activities that are not food related.  Often couples will join Daniel's tours with one being the food interested person and the other not.  However; by the end of the trip, the so called, uninterested person is the one that has become one of the "cooking experts".  We promise not to bore the non cooks. With multiple group leaders and local guides, arrangements can sometimes be made for alternate activities if you are not thrilled with the plans for the day.  Being a food-centric tour has another benefit.  All meals are taken at carefully chosen restaurants and you will not be fed the generic fare that is often a trademark of group travel.  Our meals are part of the entertainment.

Q. Is the food in Vietnam safe to eat?

A.  There is always some risk with food anywhere, whether at home or while traveling; however, we have found the Vietnamese to be very careful with their handling of food and their insistence upon the freshest of ingredients.  Often while traveling, you will experience a mild digestive discomfort as your body adjusts to the new food and environment.  This is not usually due to hygiene problems but is rather because of new natural organisms that you are encountering.  It usually passes quickly.  Careful personal hygiene (hand washing especially) and attention to what you are drinking, etc. will help prevent any serious problems.  We have found that eating yogurt or taking an acidophilus supplement can often help prevent any discomfort.

Q.    Do I need a visa to go to Vietnam?

A.    Yes, you need a tourist visa.  It is easily obtained from the Vietnamese embassy in Washington, D.C.  You can print an application from their web site http://vietnam-embassy-usa.org/

Q.    Do I need to get any vaccinations before going?

A.    No vaccinations are required.  We recommend that you see your doctor for pre-travel advice.

Q    What about personal safety?

A    Vietnam is one of the world's safest countries.  There is no terrorism  and violent crime is extremely unusual.  

Q   Are Americans welcome there?

A   Vietnamese people are extremely friendly and engaging.  It is our experience that Americans are their favorite tourists.

Q   Can I arrive early or stay after the tour ends?

A   Yes.  We can arrange hotel rooms for you in any city in Vietnam.

Q   What's included in the price?

A    Accommodation on a twin share basis (or a private single room with the single supplement payment)
       Breakfast every day and most other meals as noted on itinerary
       English speaking local guides
       Ground transportation in private air conditioned vehicles
       Train transportation in air conditioned sleeping compartments
       Intra-tour domestic air transportation
       All entrance and admission fees
       A lot of TLC from Daniel, Phuong and Marny.  We want you to have a great time.

Q    What's not included?

A    International air fare

       Visa fees
       Meals not mentioned in itinerary
       Insurance of any kind
       Beverages
       Personal expenses 

Q.  What is the best international airline choice for travel to Vietnam?

 
A.   That depends on a number of factors like, where you are departing from, budget, frequent flier miles, plans for extended stays, etc.  There are a number of choices from the US.  We do recommend that you either arrive during the day on the first day or book an extra night prior to the trip so that you can get in the rhythm of the time zone and minimize the effects of jet lag.  Daniel, Marny and Phuong all like to take EVA Airlines from the west coast as that schedule has you arriving in Saigon in the late morning and they find that that is ideal for adjusting.  EVA also offers an upgraded economy class that has larger, more comfortable seats and other amenities for a very reasonable price.  EVA also now flies out of Hanoi, so if you should choose them, you will no longer need to fly back to Saigon from Hanoi and stay one extra night.  This is very convenient.  Several other airlines also allow you to fly into Saigon and depart the country from Hanoi.  The choice is yours.

The Well Eaten Path-Chef Tours

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