Vietnam FAQ

Do I Need a Passport? Yes. You must have a valid passport that will not expire for at least six months after arrival in Vietnam. Apply for a passport (or renew) online with the US Department of State.

Do I Need a Visa? Yes. Vietnam requires travelers to obtain an online “e-visa” before leaving home. Do NOT apply for the e-visa until we explain the process to you.

Do I Need Vaccinations? No. There are no vaccinations required by either Vietnam or EWE Tours (including for COVID).

What Other Documents Do I Need?

1. Participant Agreement. Our contract that includes the terms of the trip and the rules of conduct during the program.

2. Medical Form. To ensure we can safely accommodate your child on their program.

3. Parental Consent Letter. An optional, notarized letter from parents saying their child has their permission to travel abroad without them.

Air Travel. You will fly with our staff on a direct, chaperoned group flight. The usual departure airports are EWR in New Jersey and JFK in New York. The costs of your international flights are not included in the program fee. The airport in Hanoi is the Noi Bai International Airport (HAN).

Local Travel. In Vietnam we will take two domestic flights between cities. Ground travel will be by private buses operated by our local partners. The professional drivers have many years experience with foreign tours.

Injuries or illnesses. Our staff will escort you 24 hours to the nearest medical facility for treatment. We will also immediately call your family back home to inform them of the situation. There are hospitals and clinics in all of our program areas. Most insurance plans require you to pay up-front for all of your medical care, then submit forms later to get reimbursed by the insurance company.

Parents Staying In Touch. Parents can call our staff 24 hours for any urgent concerns. We are also available by email and text for non-urgent matters. We will also post daily on social media for parents to follow the trip’s activities.

Accommodations. Students stay at 3+ star hotels, with 2-3 students of the same gender per room. All bedding and pillows are provided by hotel.

Meals. Meals and snacks will be mostly local, traditional food, with occasional fast food visits. Vietnam food features soups (“Pho”), rice, meat, seafood, vegetables, and tropical fruits. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets are easily accommodated.

Athletic Trainers. All of our sports tours have a professional trainer present at all sessions including matches and trainings.

Water
Tap water is NOT safe to drink in Vietnam. We will provide bottled water daily.

Dress Code
We ask that you please be respectful and follow Vietnamese customs on dress: neat, clean, and modest. Buddhist temples normally require women to cover their shoulders and legs.

Cell Phones
Cell phone coverage is good overall in Vietnam. Do not rely on texts for any critical/timely communication — voice calls are best. Check with your carrier at home to consider buying a roaming plan for the trip to avoid any exorbitant bills. Your phone should automatically connect to one of Vietnam’s cell phone networks when your flight lands.

WIFI. All of our accommodations have free WIFI including hotels and host families. It is not typically as fast or reliable as back home though, so be patient. (We do encourage students to mostly disconnect in order to fully immerse themselves in the trip.) 

Spending Money. Students typically spend about $150 outside the program — on souvenirs, snacks, and drinks. Debit and credit cards are accepted in Vietnam but cash is still king there. You can withdraw cash at ATM’s in Vietnamese Dong.

Weather. Vietnam a hot tropical climate year round. There is a rainy season from May-Oct due to the monsoon. Average temperatures range from 90°F in the day to 75°F at night.

Laundry. For sports trips, laundry for your uniforms is included in your program fee and will be done by our local staff. For other laundry the cost is $5-$8 per load.

Language. Vietnamese is the official language. English is not widely spoken. Our local tour leaders are fluent in English and Vietnamese.

Packing List. Please click here for our suggested packing list.