Food of Southeast Asia: Vietnam & Thailand
15 days | 17 days with Singapore extension |
- Group size
- 12–22 travelers
- Activity level
Savor the dishes that link two of Southeast Asia’s most popular destinations.
From piping hot pho to refreshing iced tea, beloved food stalls to Michelin-starred restaurants, Vietnam and Thailand are known for vibrant flavors and generous portions—perfect mirrors of the people that created them. As this Food Tour sweeps between the two countries, you’ll stop in family homes, rice paddies, and refined eateries, each highlighting a different side of Southeast Asian hospitality. Even better: You’ll get to sample meals that double as national calling cards. (Think: banh mi in Hanoi and pad Thai in Chiang Mai.) Hungry for more? Extend your trip to Singapore and dig into its one-of-a-kind cuisine. Street foods loved the world over? We’d go for seconds.
Your tour package includes
- 13 nights in handpicked hotels
- 13 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 4 dinners with beer
- 3 cooking lessons, teaching you the secrets behind regional favorites
- 9 tastings, spanning everything from sticky rice to boat noodles
- 8 sightseeing tours to cleanse your palate between treats
- 1 expert Tour Director, your storyteller and cultural insider
- 6 local guides, ready to bring each stop to life
- Pre-booked transportation, including 1 private deluxe motor coach and 2 on-tour flights
- Entrances to museums, landmarks, and more—so you can skip the lines
Included highlights
- Snacking on street foods as you walk Hanoi’s Old Quarter
- Whipping up Vietnamese and Thai classics during hands-on cooking classes
- Sipping some tea as water buffalo plough a Hoi An rice paddy
- Delighting in a Michelin-recommended dinner in Ayutthaya
- Eating your way through the Chiang Mai Night Market
- Digging into the history of Thai tea cultivation at the Araksa Plantation
- Savoring a Michelin-starred farewell dinner in Bangkok
Itinerary
Overnight Flight1 night
Day 1: Travel day
Board your flight to Hanoi today.
Hanoi3 nights
Day 2: Arrival in Hanoi
Welcome to Vietnam! Transfer to your hotel to settle in. If you need a late-night pick-me-up, remember that Vietnamese coffee, or ca phe, is typically brewed strong and sweetened with condensed milk.
Day 3: Old Hanoi rickshaw ride & street food walking tour
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting, Welcome dinner
Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, is known for its centuries-old architecture, rich cultural heritage, and one-of-a-kind mix of Southeast Asian, Chinese, and French influences. This morning, kick off your stay in the city with a bicycle rickshaw tour of the Old Quarter.
- Ride with your local guide down busy streets and keep a sharp eye. The area’s rich with Vietnamese architecture—picture wooden shutters and wrought-iron balconies—as well as hidden courtyards and gardens, locally owned shops, and street food vendors.
- Pass Dong Xuan Market (one of the largest wholesale markets in the north of Vietnam), the Hanoi Opera House (built in the early 1900s by a pair of French architects), and Hoan Kiem Lake (its name, which translates to Lake of the Restored Sword, derives from a legend that was set there).
Say goodbye to your rickshaw driver, then join your local guide on a food-themed walking tour of the Old and French Quarters. As you go, you’ll stop at stalls, pop into alleys, and even duck into a local home, all to taste some of Vietnam’s beloved street fare. Think: decadent egg coffee, sticky rice cake, steaming chicken pho, and more.
After a free afternoon in Hanoi, wrap your day with an included welcome dinner, served with beer or a mixed drink.
Day 4: Free day in Hanoi & home-hosted dinner
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Thanks to its majestic limestone mountains towering over serene rice paddies, the Vietnamese call Ninh Binh “Ha Long Bay on land.” Add today’s optional excursion, and you’ll understand just why the locals hold this province in such high regard. Staying in Hanoi? Make a point of visiting the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. With 15,000 artifacts, 42,000 photographs, and more to take in, it offers a deep dive into Vietnam’s 54 recognized ethnic groups.
However you spend your day, meet back up with your groupmates for tonight’s included meal. Vietnamese culture places a strong emphasis on sharing meals with guests, and for dinner, you’ll take part in this tradition at a local family’s home. As you share stories and laugh with your hosts, pile your plate high with crisp spring rolls, zesty papaya salad, crunchy fried fish, and other typical dishes—all served with beer or a mixed drink.
Hoi An3 nights
Day 5: Flight to Da Nang & transfer to Hoi An
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Venture south this morning, flying from Hanoi to Da Nang before driving to the coastal city of Hoi An. After taking some time to settle into your hotel, join back up with your group and head to a local restaurant for an included seafood-centric dinner, served family-style with beer or a mixed drink. Help yourself to generous portions of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese favorites, then return to your hotel for the night.
Please note: Non-seafood options will be available during the included dinner.
Day 6: Traditional Vietnamese breakfast, walking tour of Hoi An & rice farm visit
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting, Lunch
Rather than sitting down to a meal at your hotel, strike out into Hoi An with your Tour Director and treat yourself to a typical Vietnamese breakfast: a flavorful banh mi sandwich, paired with a bittersweet coconut coffee. Hunger sated, keep exploring the city during a guided walking tour.
- Plunge into the Old Town and discover the city’s landmarks, including the covered, temple-topped Japanese Bridge. Built by merchants in the 16th century, it has been renovated in the years since to include Chinese and Vietnamese elements.
- Pass the quaint Nguyen Thi Minh Khai pedestrian shopping street, populated with colorful, eye-catching stalls.
- Walk down the town’s cobblestone streets and enter the Quan Thang Ancient House. Named after its very first owner, it retains its 18th-century charm, complete with majestic carvings and silk lanterns.
- Head into the Hoi An Market and let the smell of aromatic herbs, the sight of the morning’s catch, the sound of animated haggling, and the taste of fresh fruit wash over you.
Sightseeing complete, make the short drive to Cam Thanh and meet the workers who tend to one of its verdant rice paddies.
- Dig into a family-style lunch, served with beer or a mixed drink, and share more quality time with your fellow travelers.
- Chat with a rice farmer about their work—everything from seedling preparation and harvest cycles to the traditional methods they use to this day.
- Sip a cup of tea as you talk with your host and marvel at the powerful water buffalo plowing the fields.
Day 7: Free day in Hoi An & evening cooking class
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
To start your final day in Hoi An on a sweet note, be sure to add our optional excursion to your itinerary. With help from expert confectioners, you’ll learn how ginger, coconut, and other tropical treats are turned into jams and candies—and even try your hand at making some. If you’d rather go it alone, consider renting a bike and pedaling to An Bang Beach to spend your morning lounging on golden sands.
As the day wears on, meet back up with your group and head to the shores of the Thu Bon River, where you’ll board a long-tail boat for a leisurely cruise. After a short sail, disembark at a cooking school and don your aprons for a hands-on class. Three traditional dishes later, enjoy the fruits of your labor during an included dinner, served with beer or a mixed drink.
Ayutthaya 2 nights
Day 8: Flight to Bangkok, transfer to Ayutthaya, rice paddy farm visit & Michelin-recommended dinner
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting, Dinner
Bid farewell to Vietnam this morning and board a flight to Bangkok, Thailand. Once you touch down, transfer to your bus and journey north to the historic city of Ayutthaya—but before arriving, you’ll detour to a traditional rice farm.
- Walk through lush fields with a local guide and discover the details of rice cultivation. Then—if you’re up for it—venture into the paddies to plant seedlings or, if the time’s right, harvest fully grown stalks yourself.
- Indulge in a tasting of fragrant curries, tender rice noodles, and sweet coconut sticky rice, as well as succulent prawns fished out of nearby rivers. (Want to push your palate to new heights? You can even try field rat—it’s a local delicacy!)
Leave the farm and stop at your hotel to freshen up. As the sun creeps down toward the horizon, embark with your group on a scenic cruise down the Noi River, complete with light appetizers and drinks. Soon, you’ll dock at Suriyan Chandra. Set within a 130-year-old mill, this restaurant is recognized by the Michelin Guide for its inimitable ambiance and fabulous food. Delight in favorites like thung thong dumplings, fried snakehead fish, and tamarind shrimp, served family-style with your choice of beer or a mixed drink, before calling it a night.
Day 9: Sightseeing tour of Ayutthaya Historical Park & roti factory visit
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tasting
Before digging into even more of Thailand’s phenomenal cuisine, begin your day with a cultural appetizer: a visit to the UNESCO-listed Ayutthaya Historical Park. Follow your Tour Director on a guided walk to learn more about the city’s royal history.
- Tour the ruins of palaces and monasteries—decorated with beautiful, saffron-robed statues of the Buddha—and discover how the city was once the capital of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, the predecessor of modern Thailand.
- Visit Wat Lokkayasutha, the Temple of the Earth, and see its 42-meter-long stone statue of the reclining Buddha.
Then, return to Ayutthaya proper for a tasty afternoon, starting at Crying Tiger Boat Noodles—a beloved shop that serves aromatic boat noodles with a smoky twist. Wash your lunch down with a cool class of Thai iced tea, then make the trip to Roti Sai Mai Abeedeen-Pranom Sangaroon. At this multi-generational business, family members make the Thai version of roti: a type of sweet pancake popular around the country.
- Watch as skilled chefs spin simple sugar into candy floss, then wrap those impossibly fine threads in pliable roti dough.
- Sample freshly made roti sai mai—still warm from the hot plate it was made on—and taste why it’s a fixture of the local cuisine.
Chiang Mai3 nights
Day 10: Flight to Chiang Mai & night market visit
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting, Dinner
This morning, fly from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Thailand’s Rose of the North. Spend the afternoon getting situated—or resting in your hotel—then link up with your Tour Director for a visit to the Chiang Mai Night Market, a sprawling complex just outside the Old City’s ancient walls. You’re in for what’s arguably the best night market experience in Thailand, where vendors sell everything from street food to clothing to antiques. Because prices here aren’t fixed, the market is a beloved spot among bargain hunters, and you’ll get plenty of free time to shop at your leisure.
- Sample an array of northern Thai specialties—herb-stuffed sausage, khao soi curry noodles, coconut rice, and the like—as you walk from stall to stall.
- Pop into a local bar for a pint of Chang, Thailand’s national beer, and share a few joyful moments with Chiang Mai regulars.
Finally, end your day with dinner at a local restaurant, served beer or a mixed drink.
Day 11: Araksa Tea Garden
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tasting
Use your free morning to ease into the day at your own pace. To see a little more of Chiang Mai, head to the Old City: Protected by a wall, ringed by a moat, and packed with more than 300 temples, this cultural quarter showcases seven centuries of history.
In the afternoon, drive with your group into the hills north of Chiang Mai to visit the Araksa Tea Garden. In Thailand, tea production is a predominantly female enterprise: Traditionally, women have made up the bulk of the leaf-picking workforce, and at Araksa, the same holds true. After an included lunch, served with beer or a mixed drink, join them in the fields to learn more about their work.
- Explore part of the 111-acre property—one of the oldest tea gardens in the country—and meet with pickers to uncover the secrets behind plucking the best leaves. Araksa strives to employ women from the local Akha, Hmong, and Lisu hill tribes, part of the company’s mission to empower their neighbors and build community.
- Enter Araksa’s factory for a tour, then stop at an on-site tea house for an organic cuppa paired with traditional snacks before returning to Chiang Mai.
Dig into dinner—and the unique facets of northern Thailand’s Lanna culture—at a local family’s home on tonight’s optional excursion, or set out on your own to track down a particular dish you’ve been craving.
Day 12: Thai market visit & cooking class
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, venture to the village of San Kamphaeng, and be sure to bring your appetite. You’ll meet with a chef at the local market and learn about the different ingredients you’ll shop for ahead of an interactive cooking class. With your purchases in tow, you’ll then make your way to a cooking school and fire up your stove to practice making Thai staples like green curry and prawn soup. After putting the finishing touches on your dishes, sit beneath a roofed terrace and dig into them during lunch, served with beer or a mixed drink.
Following your cooking lesson, return to Chiang Mai and spend a free afternoon exploring at your leisure. Alternatively, join our optional excursion to the ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary, where Asian elephants roam freely and mahouts take pride in their ethical approach to tourism.
Bangkok2 nights
Day 13: Flight to Bangkok & Poomjai Garden dessert workshop
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tasting
Say goodbye to Chiang Mai as you soar southward to Bangkok, then transfer to the leafy limits of Poomjai Garden. For more than a century, this urban oasis has offered respite from the bustle of the city, and you’ll pause there for an included lunch, served with beer or a mixed drink—as well as a sweet treat.
Under the guidance of expert instructors, you’ll learn how to make some of Thailand’s most famous desserts: coconut balls, rice dumplings, pudding, and more. (And yes, you’ll get to snack on all of it!)
Day 14: Sightseeing tour of Bangkok with tastings, boat ride & Michelin-starred farewell dinner
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting, Farewell dinner
Hugging the banks of the Chao Phraya River, bustling Bangkok is all action—and with a local guide in the lead, you’ll set out into the thick of it on a sightseeing tour.
- Start in Thonburi—a district that still retains the humble charm of old Bangkok—and board a long-tail boat. You’ll then cruise the city’s canals, or klongs, understanding why the Thai capital earned its nickname of the Venice of the East.
- Pull up to the Khlong Bang Luang Floating Market and sample local specialties served by canalside vendors. Stroll down walkways as you do, popping into art studios and craft shops for a little souvenir shopping.
After a free afternoon, reconvene with your fellow travelers for one final meal at Methavalai Sorndaeng. For more than six decades, this restaurant has served fine Thai cuisine, earning it a coveted Michelin star—and you’ll join a long line of satisfied patrons after your included dinner, served with beer or a mixed drink.
Then, hit the streets for a nighttime walk through the electric Yaowarat district. Bangkok’s Chinatown is a dense web of narrow lanes, shining neon signs, and internationally known street food stalls—a true feast for the senses.
- Pause to admire iconic landmarks, including the towering Giant Swing that once hosted ceremonial Brahmin festivals and the distinctive metal spires of Wat Ratchanatdaram.
- Toast to your trip at a rooftop bar, raising a craft cocktail with Wat Arun—the Temple of Dawn—as a backdrop.
Flight Home
Day 15: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport to board your early morning flight home. Or, continue on the trip’s extension to explore the pungent markets and peaceful green spaces of Singapore.
Singapore extension
There’s a certain flavor to life in the city-state of Singapore, spiced by its multicultural past and present. Places like the UNESCO-listed Botanic Gardens make it easy to see why people consider it the greenest city on the planet, while sizzling hawker markets (Singapore’s famous open-air food courts) serve fresh reminders of its status as a world culinary destination. Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it—and have a great time doing so.
Singapore2 nights
Day 15: Flight to Singapore
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Board a flight to the island nation of Singapore, located just off Malaysia's southern tip. After meeting your Tour Director and settling in at your hotel, reconvene with your group and head to the Long Bar—the Raffles Hotel’s famed watering hole, where the Singapore Sling cocktail was invented. Try one yourself before moving to a nearby restaurant for an included dinner, served with beer or wine.
Day 16: Sightseeing tour of Singapore
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting, Light Dinner
Last night, you got a preview of Singapore’s charm. Today, discover its daytime delights on a guided sightseeing tour.
- Drive past the landmarks of the Downtown Core, including the museum- and memorial-rich Civic District; the open playing field known as the Padang; and the National Gallery, home to the world’s largest public collection of Singaporean and Southeast Asian art.
- Spot the towering pillars of the Civilian War Memorial, standing in honor of the Singaporeans killed under Japanese occupation during World War II, and the Parliament House, home to the country’s main governing body.
- Stop in Merlion Park to view the half-fish, half-lion statue that memorializes both Singapore’s roots as a fishing village and its original name—Singapura, or “lion city.”
- Head into Chinatown and listen as your Tour Director shares some of the neighborhood’s fascinating stories—tales of notorious opium dens, conflicts between ruling triads, and the resilience of the early migrants that shaped the district.
- Dig into Singapore’s renowned food culture at the Maxwell Food Centre and Chinatown Complex Food Centre. At these open-air food courts, locals gather to snack on Singaporean favorites like Hainanese chicken rice, char kway teow noodles, and dim sum, prepped and served fresh by the myriad hawker stalls that fill the space.
Next on the menu: a tour of Kampong Glam, the city’s historic Muslim quarter. As you walk between colorful shophouses, you’ll hear how it evolved from the seat of Malay royalty to the trendy district you see today. And of course, no visit to the neighborhood’s complete with a tasting of teh tarik—a hot-and-sweet milk tea “pulled” to frothy perfection.
Finally, board a bumboat—a small, low-riding water taxi—and motor off on a cruise of the two-mile-long Singapore River. After docking, make your way to the Lau Pa Sat hawker center for an included dinner. Smoky satay skewers and hearty Hokkien noodles are on the table, paired with your choice of beer or a soft drink.
Flight Home
Day 17: Free day in Singapore & departure
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend a free day marveling at multicultural Singapore. (Seconds at a hawker center, anyone?) Or, add our optional excursion to Gardens by the Bay, where futuristic Supertrees and breathtaking conservatories showcase nature’s wonders.
This evening, relax in a day room before departing for the airport for your overnight flight home.
Arrive Home
Day 18: Travel Day
Arrive home today.
Reviews
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
Hoi An - Lasenta Boutique Hotel Hoi An
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Chiang Mai - Away Chiang Mai Thapae Resort
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Hanoi - Mercure Hanoi la Gare
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Ayutthaya - Centara Ayutthaya
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Bangkok - Mercure Bangkok Surawong
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Singapore - Orchard Rendezvous Hotel
See detailsFlights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare and you’ll get:
- Round-trip flight for your tour
- Airport transfers at your destination
- A great price locked in today
- 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
- Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
- Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
FAQ
- In order to enter Vietnam and Thailand (and Singapore on the tour extension), U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of return.
- We recommend having at least three blank passport pages for entry stamps.
- U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa to enter Vietnam. You must obtain your Vietnam visa in advance by purchasing an electronic visa online via the Vietnam Immigration Department, by applying directly to the Vietnamese consulate, or by using a visa provider. For additional assistance, you may use a third-party provider like VisaCentral—however, these services charge a fee in addition to the cost of your visa.
- All foreigners entering Thailand must fill out Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) within 72 hours prior to arrival. You receive an acknowledgement email which you’ll be asked to present upon arrival.
- There’s no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens traveling to Singapore on the tour extension.
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code TEA.
- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Hanoi and depart from Bangkok (or Singapore on the tour extension).
- Transfers to and from the airport at the beginning and end of the tour are included for travelers who purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
- When you arrive in Hanoi, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a Go Ahead sign or a sign with your name(s). If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.
Physical Activity Level
This is a very high physical activity-level tour. You can expect vigorous activity throughout the course of the tour.
Tour Pacing
- This is a very fast-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:
- Most days and evenings full of included activities (more if you add excursions)
- Transportation varies and includes 4 on tour flights
- Some transportation by boat
- Daily bus time varies and can be lengthy
Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements
- Travelers should be prepared to walk 3-5 miles per day—this includes city streets, cobblestones, dirt paths, stairs, and hills.
- Stone and marble walkways may be slippery even when dry.
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
- Please Note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on tour.
Climate Considerations
- Most destinations on tour are hot and humid all year long. Travelers should be prepared for most days to reach 90F.
- Monsoon season is typically from May through October, and brings the heaviest rains to the region.
Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions
- Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
- Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
- If you have mobility concerns or tour pacing questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team.
- This tour includes various modes of transportation, including planes, rickshaws, boats and private motor coach. Some modes of transportation will have raised platforms or steps and often not provide access to ramps or lifts.
- Small boat rides—as well as flights from Hanoi to Da Nang, Da Dang to Bangkok, Bangkok to Chiang Mai, and Chiang Mai to Bangkok—are included in the price of your tour.
- A flight from Bangkok to Singapore is included in the price of the tour extension.
- Travelers signed up for the tour extension will receive an email from Go Ahead around 45 days prior to departure, requesting a photocopy of their passport to reserve their train ticket.
- All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
- Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers.
- Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
- Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights.
- Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
- Travelers must be able to manage their luggage throughout tour; porters aren’t guaranteed at hotels or airports.
- We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
- A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
- Waterproof shoes or sandals, a swimsuit, sunscreen, and insect repellent are recommended for outdoor activities.
- Binoculars are handy for a closer look at local wildlife and scenery.
- A small bottle of hand sanitizer may be helpful when facilities are not readily available while on the road.
- You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
- It is preferable not to visit temples or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
- We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
- In case of emergencies, we also recommend packing your medical insurance card in your carry-on.
- Go Ahead handpicks every hotel you’ll stay at, striking a balance between comfort, location, and local charm.
- Specific properties will vary based on your departure date, but are typically three-to-four-star hotels; always include private bathrooms; and usually have in-room safes for valuables. Additionally, your hotels will have Wi-Fi, but access may be limited to common areas. There may also not be elevators.
- Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that your accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with your hotels once they’ve been confirmed, about 30 days prior to departure.
- Some hotels on this tour are situated on narrow streets; as such, our buses can’t drop you off right out front. In these instances, you’ll have to walk your luggage to the property, no more than a few blocks.
- Please be advised that the air conditioning in Asian hotels and buildings is often not as strong or cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada.
- Vietnam and Thailand operate on 230 volts.
- Singapore operates on 220-240 volts.
- Vietnam uses Types A, E, or F plugs with two flat pins, two round pins, or three round pins, respectively.
- Thailand uses Types A, B, C, or O plugs with two flat pins, two flat and one round pin, or two or three round pins, respectively.
- Singapore (on the tour extension) uses Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
- Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.
- Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
- We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
- Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
- Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).
- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays encountered.
- Most of our itineraries include headsets used during certain sightseeing tours so travelers can hear their guides or Tour Director. If you use an assisted listening device, such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant, please visit our Help Center or contact our customer experience team. Please note that at this time not all our destinations offer headsets due to supplier limitations.
- Please be sure to take proper care with sun exposure, as the sun can be especially strong in some of the areas you are visiting.
- Temperatures in this region can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius), especially during the summer months. Drinking plenty of water, limiting your alcohol intake, and using proper sun protection is extremely important in order to prevent the effects of dehydration and heat stroke.
- There are inherent risks associated with water sports, particularly for those with pre-existing medical conditions. Discuss your planned activities with your doctor or healthcare provider for the best advice on participation.
- When swimming in natural bodies of water in Southeast Asia, be aware of potential hazards such as strong currents, poor water quality, and dangerous marine life like jellyfish. Always check local advisories and swim only in designated safe areas.
- Drink bottled water only. Refrain from drinking tap water, including when brushing your teeth.
- Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they are cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
- Bring a small first aid kit, including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication, motion sickness medication, and any prescription medications in your carry-on bag.
- This tour includes five lunch and seven dinners: They may be set menus, buffets, or family-style meals, depending on the location. Dinners also include one glass of beer, or a soft drink, as well as water.
- Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
- Flavorful Vietnamese cuisine relies on mint, coriander, cinnamon, ginger, lime, lemongrass, and Thai basil. Foods are cooked minimally, from lightly grilled meats to blanched vegetables. Seafood, often flavored with ginger, is popular, as are chicken, duck, and pork. Don’t miss dishes like spicy beef noodle soup and banh mi—a baguette filled with paté, cold cuts, and pickled vegetables.
- Traditional Thai cooking uses market-fresh ingredients seasoned with a mix of herbs, spices, and condiments such as chili peppers and fish sauce. The main staple is rice. Most meals include a soup, a curry, a steamed or fried dish, and a salad.
- On the tour extension, Singaporean cuisine bears many similarities to other Southeast Asian cooking styles—with additional English, Portuguese, Middle Eastern, and Philippine influences. The country’s restaurant scene is highly regarded and attracts foodies from all over the world.
- At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10-$12USD per person, per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $4USD per person, per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- If you’re traveling with the same Tour Director to multiple countries with different currencies, ask them what currency they prefer for their tip.
- The cost of porterage is included in your tour price; it isn’t necessary to tip baggage handlers.
- You will use the Vietnamese dong in Vietnam, and the Thai baht in Thailand (and the Singaporean dollar on the extension).
- Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
- We strongly advise that you take debit and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
- You can use most cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you don’t already have at least one card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
- Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your Tour Director, local guides, and bus drivers.
- To help you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend downloading the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. It’s free and provides information about important deadlines and entry requirements, as well as your detailed itinerary, packing tips, and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the app’s chat feature.
- Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
- There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
- Your Tour Director will be leading your group throughout your journey. You will have a different tour director for each country you visit.
- The role of the Tour Director is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is our on tour emergency support team.
- Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
- This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
- As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.
- Vietnam and Thailand are 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 12 hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET). These countries do not observe Daylight Saving Time.
- Singapore (on the tour extension) is 13 hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET) and eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Neither observes daylight saving time.
- When it’s 9 am in New York City, it’s 9 pm in Vietnam and Thailand from November through March and 10pm from April through October.
- When it’s 9am in New York from November through March, it’s 10pm in Singapore. Subtract an hour from April through October.
- When you travel with Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
- Travel, when done responsibly, can have an enormous socioeconomic impact on communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at small businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
- Prepare for your trip: Be aware of monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market; learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette; and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
- When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
- Go Ahead Tours encourages travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single-use plastics. You can cut back on generating plastic waste by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
- On this tour, we recommend the use of a reusable water bottle, as the local drinking water is safe for travelers or potable water is provided on the bus and/or hotel. Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastics.
- When visiting national parks, reserves, or other protected areas, please do not remove anything from the natural environment or leave any litter. Carry out what you carried in.
- When you come across wild animals on tour, take the philosophies of World Animal Protection to heart: Don’t touch or feed them, and maintain a respectful distance. The animals you encounter on your trip should be able to exhibit natural forms of behavior.
- Furthermore, avoid buying exploitative animal products, like crafts made from tortoiseshell or meals such as shark fin soup.
- If you feel we aren’t meeting any of these commitments, please let us know.
