The three countries of Indochina - Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia - offer a fascinating blend of scenery and culture, from high mountains to lush rice paddies, from historic cities to pristine sandy beaches. Contrasts range from the bustle of former Saigon to the calm of Luang Prabang in Laos.

Weather and when to go
All three countries have a tropical monsoon climate, with wet and dry seasons, but there are differences in season and location.

Vietnam. In general, the dry season lasts from November to April in the north, south and central highlands, but the central coastal plain is wet as a result of the winter monsoon. The coolest, driest times to visit are from October to January (North), from February to April (central regions) and from late December to March (South).

Cambodia. November to March is the cooler, drier season. May is very hot with occasional rain. June to October is the humid wet monsoon season.

Laos. The rainy season lasts from May to September, and the dry season from October to April. Temperatures and rainfall vary considerably through the year and also by region. The best time to go is between November and February.

Health
There are no compulsory vaccinations required for visiting the countries of Indochina, but tetanus, typhoid, polio and hepatitis A are recommended. For remote areas or longer stays other additional vaccinations may be recommended. Anti-malaria precautions are required in all three countries, and as dengue fever is present, all efforts should be made to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

Within Vietnam only Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have international standard clinics. Cambodia and Laos have none, and customers to Laos should be insured for medical evacuation to Thailand.

Passport and visa requirements
Vietnam
Visas are required for all entry to Vietnam. The Embassy of Vietnam is at 12-14 Victoria Road, London W8 5RD; tel: 020-7937 1912. Tourist visas are valid for 30 days and cost £43. Applications should be made in person, and standard processing takes five working days. Dates of entry need to be specified as the visa will only be valid for entry on that date.

It is now also possible to obtain a visa on arrival for US$25 per passport if you are in possession of a letter of confirmation. This can be obtained as part of a tour package organised with us, and the service fee added to the cost of your tour.

Laos
Entry visas can be obtained on arrival at major airports and major land crossings. You will need two passport photos and the cash to pay the fee in US dollars. A 15-day single entry tourist visa is US$30.

Cambodia
Entry visas can be obtained on arrival at major airports and other points of entry. You will need two passport photos and the cash to pay the fee in US dollars. A 30-day single entry tourist visa is US$20.

Money
The currencies of these countries (Vietnam = dong; Laos = kip, and Cambodia = riel) are not convertible nor generally available to purchase in advance in the UK, so you will have to change money when you are there. You are recommended to take US dollar-denominated travellers cheques and a supply of US dollars in cash. Credit cards are accepted in large hotels, upmarket restaurants and shops, but you may be charged extra commission for their use. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have a few ATM machines that accept debit cards.

Local guides

Travel in Indochina can be tiring and confusing and the language barrier can sometimes make small difficulties seem complex problems. All tours therefore include the services of local guides. They are English-speaking and based in their home cities. At each stage they will meet you at the airport, arrange transfers to your hotel, accompany excursions, book tickets, check-in your luggage and see you off on your onward journey.

Hotels

Within Indochina we use a selection of good-quality 4- and 5-star hotels. See our hotel list for details of those we use regularly. There are some excellent hotels within all three countries, wether deluxe beach resorts, others with particular colonial atmosphere or character. For those on more of a budget there are some good locally owned 3-star hotels which may lack the facilities of the bigger hotels but are often in excellent city centre locations.