Travel Information

Proper preparation is key to enjoying a seamless travel experience. These guides provide essential insights on local customs, packing advice, health and safety tips, and other important details to help you make the most of your journey before you even board the plane.

Understanding visa requirements is crucial to a hassle-free trip. These visa guides cover everything you need to know, from application processes to on-arrival options and exemptions. Stay informed and ensure you have all the necessary documents before you depart.

• VIETNAM: The travel dates for this booking fall during Tet, the Vietnamese New Year (Feb 09 – 15, 2024; Jan 28 – Feb 03, 2025). Travelers visiting larger cities like Saigon or Hanoi during the holidays may encounter empty streets and deserted parks as Vietnamese people return to their hometowns to celebrate the New Year with their families. Most businesses are closed during the Tet holiday.
• CAMBODIA: The travel dates for this booking fall during Chaul Chnam Thmey, the Cambodian New Year (Apr 13 – 16, 2024; Apr 13 – 16, 2025). During this period, many shops, restaurants, and businesses in Cambodia are closed or may operate on a limited schedule. Traveling by road from Phnom Penh or Siem Reap may be challenging, as many locals also travel during the holiday. Flying between cities should be fine, but expect some delays and increased traffic. Local attractions in the countryside and around Phnom Penh will be crowded with domestic visitors who typically travel with their entire families. It is recommended to avoid smaller local attractions like streams, waterfalls, and parks during the Khmer New Year period, as they will be very overcrowded with locals on holiday.
• LAOS: The travel dates for this booking fall during Pi Mai Lao, the Laos New Year (Apr 13 – 16, 2024; Apr 13 – 16, 2025). In Laos, many shops and businesses are closed during this period or may operate on a limited schedule, although most restaurants remain open. During this period, it is a tradition to splash water on each other to bring good luck, so travellers should take care of their phones, cameras, and laptops. Additionally, travel times might need to be adjusted during this period as some festivals are held in the streets, causing small delays.
• THAILAND: The travel dates for this booking fall during Songkran, the Thai New Year (Apr 13 – 16, 2024; Apr 13 – 16, 2025). As it is a tradition to splash water on each other to bring good luck during this period, travellers in Thailand should take care of their phones, cameras, and laptops.
• INDONESIA: The travel dates for this booking in Bali fall on Nyepi Day, the Balinese New Year (Mar 10 – 12, 2024; Mar 28 – 30, 2025). Nyepi Day is a day of silence observed by all Balinese people. On Nyepi day, all activities – daily, leisure, and work – are prohibited. Beaches, shops, offices, and all establishments are closed. No traffic is allowed on the roads. No one is allowed into Bali on this day, as all points of entry – the airport and the seaport – are closed. All lights have to be turned off, and everyone is to stay indoors. Tourists are advised to respect this special day, and Trails of Indochina will not operate any tours on this day. The travel dates for this booking in the other islands of Indonesia beside Bali fall on Idul Adha, and Idul Fitri, the two biggest events for Muslims in Indonesia (Apr 02 – 17, and Jun 13 – 23 2024; Mar 22 – Apr 06, Jun 03 – 13 2025). The period leading up to the holiday is known as “Mudik,” a tradition entailing the return to one’s hometown or village to celebrate with family and friends. This practice holds significant importance in the Idul Fitri celebrations in Indonesia. During this time, numerous individuals leave the bustling big cities where they work to reunite with their roots in smaller towns or villages. The journey can be both lengthy and challenging, given that millions of Indonesians embark on travels during this period, resulting in traffic congestions and extended waiting times at transportation hubs, particularly on islands beyond Bali. For those traveling to larger cities in Java Island, such as Jakarta or Yogyakarta, during the holidays, the experience may include encountering deserted streets and parks. This is a consequence of the local population returning to their hometowns, prioritizing the celebration of the holiday with their families.
• MYANMAR: The travel dates for this booking fall during Thingyan, the Burmese New Year (Apr 13 – 17, 2024; Apr 13 – 17, 2025). During this period, many shops, restaurants, and businesses in Myanmar are closed or may operate on a limited schedule. As it is a tradition to splash water on each other to bring good luck, travellers in Myanmar should take care of their phones, cameras, and laptops during this time.
• SINGAPORE: The travel dates for this booking fall during Chinese New Year (Feb 10 – 12, 2024; Jan 28 – 30, 2025). During Chinese New Year, travellers should be aware that Chinese businesses (including restaurants) may not be open, especially on New Year’s Eve and the first two days of the new year; other businesses tend to operate as normal. The days running up to the start of the new year also tend to be very busy. However, the first days of the new year are usually very quiet as families stay at home.
• MALAYSIA: The travel dates for this booking fall during Chinese New Year (Feb 10 – 12, 2024; Jan 28 – 30, 2025). Chinese New Year in Malaysia holds immense cultural and religious significa