FAQ

Tipping is something of a grey area. As a principle and general guidance, our tour guides and all of our service men and women are advised not to ask for tips. That means, their friendly attitude towards you will not depend on you tipping them or nor tipping them. At the same time, if you feel like it, they won’t say no to any tip you decide to give.

The tour guide is the person who will be with you while you are vacationing. All of our tour guides are sourced locally. This allows them to speak at ease with the local minority population that you will encounter. Further, each and every one of our tour guides has been certified as an ‘International Tour Guide’. This certification is provided by Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the authority on tourism operations here in Vietnam.

We also have a strict feedback system that is used on the guides. Every guide needs to maintain a feedback rating above 8 out of 10. When their rating falls below this, they cannot return to guiding until they have been retrained.

Once the official payment has been made, changes in tour details should be requested via email (info@aojourneys.com or email of the staff processing your booking), and is subject to a surcharge of hotels and restaurants (depending on each case). Possibility of reservation amendments is also subject to service availability of our suppliers (hotels, restaurants and other)

You will be surprised by the warmth of your reception. We Vietnamese live in the present and the future – the war is history. We warmly welcome people from all countries and races.

No, you don’t receive any confirmation from the hotel or the cruise.

You will receive the confirmation email and the invoice from us – Ancient Orient Journeys. That are all you need. It shows the total cost, bank fee, the cancellation policy… etc.

You are also able to check your booking status directly from the cruise or the hotel if you want to.

Cruise lines (and resorts) base their rates on double occupancy. When traveling alone, you will be charged a supplemental fee since you are not sharing the cost of the cabin with someone else. This only applies to the room rate, not to taxes and airfare.

Final payments are due 40 days prior to travel. Your e-mail confirmation and the invoice you will receive in the mail will indicate the actual final payment date for your trip. We will contact you prior to the final payment date as a reminder. Regardless of booking made within 40 days, full payment shall be required.

The deposit is required to guarantee your reservation (tours, hotels, transfer, …etc). After received your deposit, we’re going to reserve the services for you. So the deposit is required to secure your booking.

Normally, 20% of total cost will be required for deposit at the booking time.

For some urgent cases or type of promotion, we will require full payment at the booking time.

For shared rooms with their parents, normally a child under 5 years old is free of charge. If an extra bed for your child is needed it would result in some additional costs.

We recommend you to arrange a private tour just for your family, thus giving you and your family more room and comfort during van transportation and flexibility in your tour itinerary.

It is the best to consult with your doctors before you bring your newborns or infants traveling to Vietnam.

Before traveling, please talk with our consultants to figure out how you will manage all the baby gear at all the sites.

You can find further information about us as following:

1. Our International tour operator license was issued by VNAT – Vietnam National Administration of Tourism – the governmental office of tourism of Vietnam. This license is a certification of Ancient Orient Journeys’s bond at an approved bank to guarantee financial security in respect of customers’ advanced payments as well as the quality of travel services.

For further information, you can check with VNAT – Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (a governmental office of tourism of Vietnam). Please mail to: titc@vietnamtourism.gov.vn or call at +84 3944 7571

1. We can put you in touch with a couple of our previous clients so you can contact them to learn more about us. If you prefer this option, we will ask for their permission first and then send you the contact details.
2. Once you book services with us, you can send an email to our partner/ suppliers and find out if your services have been booked by us or not.

Absolutely. We’ve had the honor of welcoming and serving many LGBTQ+ travelers over the years, both individuals and couples, from around the world. At our company, inclusivity, respect, and personalized care are core values. You will be treated with the utmost respect, just like any other guest. Our team is professionally trained to ensure that every traveler feels safe, seen, and valued throughout the journey.

We carefully select LGBTQ+ friendly accommodations and partners who share our commitment to hospitality and equality. The destinations included in our tours are not only culturally rich and beautiful, but also generally welcoming to all travelers, including same-sex couples. We work only with guides and suppliers who are open-minded and respectful, and we’re happy to make adjustments if needed to ensure your complete comfort. If you have any specific preferences or sensitivities, we’re here to listen and tailor the trip accordingly.

Absolutely. Once we are informed of your dietary preferences, we ensure that all restaurants and hotels along your itinerary are notified in advance. Our team works closely with each property to arrange vegetarian meals that are both safe and enjoyable, using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. We also provide on-site reminders to guides and service staff to double-check every meal throughout your journey.

Yes, our guides are trained to understand and respect vegetarian requirements, even in regions where plant-based meals aren’t standard. In more remote areas, we collaborate with trusted local partners who are briefed thoroughly to prepare vegetarian-friendly dishes. We also maintain backup options—such as simple stir-fried vegetables, tofu, or rice dishes—to ensure you’re never left without a satisfying meal.

Yes, antiques and historical items are available for purchase in both Vietnam and Cambodia; however, we urge caution. Export regulations in both countries are strict—especially for items over 100 years old, which are considered national heritage and generally not permitted for export without official clearance. Even recently made objects may be mistaken for antiques or lack proper documentation, which can lead to airport confiscation.

Please note that any purchases made outside the official tour program are strictly personal transactions. Ancient Orient Journeys (AOJ) is not responsible for the authenticity, quality, pricing, or shipping of such items. We strongly advise that you request a written agreement from the seller specifying the item’s origin, age, and exportability.

If you are seriously considering purchasing high-value or collectible items, we recommend that you seek advice from an independent expert or appraiser to avoid legal or logistical issues.