U.S. citizens traveling to Vietnam and Cambodia must have a valid passport (with six months' validity beyond the stay) and a visa
AIR FLIGHTS
Nashville to Seattle SEATTLE Airport
Jan 22, Tom - ALASKA Depart Nashville & Arrive Seattle
Seattle to Hanoi NARITA Airport HANOI Airport
For a wheelchair, register your support information through the JAL website or by contacting us by phone
Jan 23, ALL - Depart Seattle & Arrive Hanoi (Jan 24) (20 hrs & 35 min)
JL 67 Bus Sea/Nrt 11:55a to 3:05p + 1 day (11 hrs & 10 min)
Layover 3 hours
JL 751 Bus Nrt/Han 6:05p to 10:30p (6 hrs & 25 min)
Bangkok to Seattle BANGKOK Airport
For a wheelchair, register your support information through the JAL website or by contacting us by phone
Feb 12, ALL - Depart Bangkok & Arrive Seattle (19 hrs & 50 min)
(5 hrs & 55 min)
JL 708 Bus Bkk/Nrt 8:05a to 4:00p
Layover 2 hours
JL 68 Bus Nrt/Sea 6:10p to 9:55a (9 hrs & 45 min)
Seattle to Nashville
Feb 14, Tom - ALASKA Depart Seattle & Arrive Nashville
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Reviews for Tauck's INTERNATIONAL Travel Protection Plan (partnered with Aon) are mixed, with many loyal travelers praising its convenience.Positive Review Highlights
Negative Review Highlights & Limitations
Added Travel Days: IMPORTANT - Tauck Insurance only covers travel booked by Tauck. If you travel outside the tour, you may want additional insurance.
Tauck Protection Plan vs. Third-Party Insurance
| Feature [4, 5, 8, 13, 14] | Tauck International Plan | Third-Party (e.g., Allianz, USAA) |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Flat rate; no age-based increases | Increases significantly with age |
| Medical Limit | $100,000 | Often $50,000 - $100,000+ |
| Evacuation (after 8/1/25) | $500,000 | Often $250,000 - $1,000,000 |
| Refund Type | Money-back (not just travel credit) | Varies; often strictly defined reasons |
- If you are mostly worried about canceling last-minute and want a simple "cancel for any reason" solution, the Tauck plan is a good choice.
- If you booked your own flights/hotels outside of the Tauck package, independent insurance is recommended to cover all components of your trip.
MONEY/TIPPING
Cash is King. Vietnam remains a predominantly cash-based society, and many restaurants and shops (with the exception of large international chains) will not accept plastic. Instead, it’s best to carry enough cash for everyday transactions.
1000 VND = 0.035 USD
Despite the lack of card facilities in many establishments, ATMs are common in Vietnamese cities – but stock up before you head out to more rural areas. Even though exchange rates aren't always the best (see above), this is a convenient and reliable way to withdraw cash if you need to top up.
Tipping in Vietnam is not mandatory or traditionally expected, but it is increasingly appreciated, especially for good service in tourist areas. A 5–10% tip is generous in restaurants, while rounding up taxi fares or leaving 20,000–50,000 VND ($1–$2 USD) for hotel staff/guides is sufficient. Cash tips should be given directly to staff.
Cash is King. The currency in Cambodia is a little unusual, the country officially uses the Cambodian Riel (KHR), but the US Dollar is also widely accepted.
Tipping is not traditionally expected but is highly appreciated due to low local wages, making it a thoughtful gesture for good service. A, $1–$2 USD, or 5-10% of the bill is standard for restaurants and hotel staff, while $5–$10 per day for tour guides and $2–$5 for drivers is customary.
Thailand
You can pay with plastic in Thailand with a 1% commission be charged. Most tourist attractions, large hotels, and some chain shops can accept debit cards and credit cards. Visa and MasterCard are the most common credit cards that can be accepted in Thailand. However, some small restaurants and stalls can accept cash only.
1000 THB = 30.44 USD
Thai Baht is the most convenient currency to use in Thailand. It is widely accepted throughout the whole of Thailand. US Dollars may be possible to use in certain circumstances, such as in some tourist areas, larger hotels, airports. But using US Dollars in Thailand is not so recommended, as you might not get the best exchange rate.
Tipping is not mandatory or culturally customary, but it is always appreciated for good service. Small tips of 20–100 Baht are common, with cash preferred and handed directly to staff. While not expected, tipping is recommended for masseuses, hotel staff, and taxi drivers (rounding up).
WEATHER
| Region | Typical Conditions | Avg. Temperature | Packing Essentials |
|---|---|---|---|
| North (Hanoi, Halong Bay, Sapa) | Cool, dry, and often misty or foggy. Chilly in the mountains. | 59°F–68°F | Layers, warm jacket, light raincoat. |
| Central (Hoi An, Da Nang, Hue) | Mild, sunny, and pleasant; the start of the dry season. | 68°F–79°F | Light clothing, swimwear, light sweater for evenings. |
| South (Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc) | Hot, dry, and sunny with low humidity. | 77°F–91°F | Breathable summer clothes, sunscreen, sun hat. |
Regional Highlights & Considerations
WARNING: Burning Season in Thailand. Consider using N95 masks
TELEPHONES
Having a working cell phone internationally is very helpful. We often use a cell phone as a "walkie-talkie" when traveling members roam separately. The options are "burn phones," SIMS, Internet, and Verizon/AT&T/Visible international plans. They usually work while on land, but not so much when on the ship. Avoid using them on planes.
Verizon, AT&T, and Visible International plans, as well as internet, are the simplest and least expensive options for our two-week trip. The international plans only charge $12/day (as your phone uses domestic, voice, text, and mostly data) when used daily.
Before departure, set up your carrier's international plan. When you arrive in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand, your carrier will recognize your location and text you about the connection.
VERIZON TRAVEL PASS
VISIBLE GLOBAL PASS
For $12/day, you can use your domestic plan's talk, text, and data allowances like at home. You're only charged for the days you use your phone. Learn more by visiting our TravelPass FAQs.
If you don't choose an international plan, you'll pay per minute, per text, and per MB of data used (called Pay as You Go) when you're abroad. Learn more on our International Travel page.
Internet connections can be FREE when in a hotel or on a ship with WiFi. At some airports, you can find low-cost or free WiFi (it's best to use a VPN on public WiFi).
When calling between two cell phones on iOS, use FACETIME.
When accessing between Androids and Apple, use WhatsAPP. Set up the app before departure.
POWER
Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand operate at 220V and 50Hz, utilizing plug types A, C, and F (two-pin, round or flat). Two-pin plugs are common, but three-pin or grounded sockets can be found.
