Straight answers. No surprises.

We design and deliver private journeys across Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Every journey is custom-built — we don’t sell fixed group departures or pre-packaged tours. You speak with one of our local specialists, who designs a private itinerary around your dates, pace, interests and group size.

We are also the local DMC for travel advisors, tour operators and agencies who need a trusted ground partner in the region. Learn more on our Our Approach page or the Travel Trade page.

All our journeys are private. You’ll have your own guide, your own vehicle, and your own itinerary — designed specifically for you and your travel companions. Unless you specifically ask us to arrange a shared experience, you won’t join other travelers.

For peak season (December to April), we recommend starting the planning process 3–6 months in advance. For shoulder seasons (October, November, March, April), 2–3 months is usually enough. Off-peak planning is possible with 4–8 weeks’ notice, and we can often arrange last-minute journeys — but flexibility on dates helps.

Yes — that’s exactly what we do best. Whether your interest is food, photography, wellness, cycling, trekking, history, architecture, family travel or slow travel, we design the journey around that interest rather than around a checklist of landmarks. See our Special Interest specialists for some of the fields we cover.

Yes. We design journeys within a single country as well as multi-country journeys across all three. We can also coordinate regional extensions — to Phu Quoc, Con Dao, or into Thailand or southern China — on request.

It depends on what you want to see and how slowly you want to travel. As a guide:

• 7–10 days — one country, well explored (e.g. southern Vietnam, or northern Vietnam + Halong Bay).
• 10–14 days — two countries (e.g. Vietnam + Cambodia), travelling with a comfortable pace.
• 14–21 days — all three countries, with time to slow down and go deeper.

We can also build shorter trips — long weekends in Hanoi or Saigon, or quick Mekong escapes — if that’s what fits your schedule.

Yes. We design journeys for solo travelers, couples, families and small groups. Solo travel is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the region, and we design around it — with the right pace, the right guides and the right accommodation.

Every booking starts with a conversation. You write to us, we discuss what you have in mind, and we design an itinerary. Once you’re happy with it, we send you a written confirmation with prices and terms — and you pay a deposit to secure your travel dates. From that point, we begin securing hotels, guides, transport and experiences on your behalf.

Deposits vary depending on the type of journey. For most private journeys, the deposit is a percentage of the total, with the balance due 30–60 days before travel. For peak-season departures, luxury cruises or multi-country journeys, additional payment milestones may apply. Your itinerary will state the exact terms before you commit.

We accept bank transfer and major credit cards for most bookings. For certain currencies and high-value journeys, we can also accommodate other methods. All payment details are shared securely when the time comes — we never ask for card details by unsecured channels.

Prices are quoted in the currency stated on your itinerary — typically USD, EUR or AUD depending on your market. Local payments in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos are handled in local currencies where needed, but you pay us in the currency we agree with you.

For journeys booked well in advance, we can often arrange staged payments. For shorter lead times, deposit and balance are the standard structure. Let your specialist know if you’d prefer a specific payment schedule, and we’ll do our best to accommodate it.

Cancellation and change terms are set out in your itinerary and in our Terms & Conditions. The short version: the earlier you tell us, the more flexibility we have. Peak-season, luxury and multi-country journeys usually have stricter cancellation terms — this is because we’ve committed to partners on your behalf.

We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance for every journey. In most cases it’s the only way to recover costs if you have to cancel for medical or personal reasons, or if something happens on the road. Please ensure your policy covers all activities on your itinerary — including trekking, cycling or water-based activities.

You’ll have one of our licensed, English-speaking guides for each region of your journey. For multi-day journeys within a single region, we try to keep the same guide throughout — so you build a real relationship. For cross-border or multi-region journeys, we switch to a local specialist in each area, but always brief them on your journey and preferences.

Yes. Many travelers — particularly solo female travelers or women traveling in groups — prefer a female guide. Let us know in advance and we’ll arrange it wherever possible.

That depends entirely on how you want to travel. We design journeys at every pace — from slow, gentle itineraries with plenty of rest to active journeys with trekking, cycling and kayaking. Please tell us your preferred pace and any mobility considerations at the enquiry stage so we can design accordingly.

It varies by season and region, but a few essentials apply year-round:

• Light, breathable clothing for hot and humid days.
• A light layer for cooler evenings (especially in the northern highlands).
• Comfortable walking shoes — you’ll be on your feet a lot.
• Modest clothing for temples and religious sites — shoulders and knees covered.
• Sun protection — hat, sunscreen, sunglasses.
• A reusable water bottle — we provide bottled water during touring.

Your specialist will send a specific packing suggestion for your journey and season.

Yes, in most areas. Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos have good mobile and Wi-Fi coverage in cities and major tourist areas. Coverage in remote highland or island areas can be limited. Local SIM cards are inexpensive and widely available — we can help you arrange one on arrival.

Every journey has a direct operations line for guides and travelers. If a transfer is delayed, weather requires a change, or a medical situation arises, our operations team handles it in real time — often before you’re even aware there was a problem. This is one of the practical advantages of working with a local team rather than a distant operator.

Shoulders and knees should be covered at all times in temples and religious sites. Shoes are removed before entering temple buildings. A light scarf or shawl is useful for covering shoulders at short notice. Your guide will remind you before each visit, but it’s worth knowing in advance.

With respect and curiosity. Ask before photographing people, especially in ethnic minority communities. Buy from local artisans rather than giving money as charity. Learn a few words of greeting in the local language — it goes a long way. Your guide will brief you on specific customs before each visit.

Tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated. As a general guide:

• Guides — $10–20 USD per day per group, depending on service.
• Drivers — $5–10 USD per day per group.
• Restaurants — 5–10% if not already added.
• Hotel staff — $1–2 USD per bag or service.

These are guidelines, not rules. Tipping should reflect your satisfaction.

Most places yes, but not all. Restrictions to be aware of:

• Some temples prohibit photography inside certain buildings — always look for signs or ask your guide.
• Military installations and some government buildings should not be photographed.
• Always ask permission before photographing people — especially in ethnic minority communities and rural areas.
• In some ethnic minority villages, a small contribution is welcome if you wish to photograph people.

Your guide will advise you at each location.

Some classics to try: Vietnam’s phở, bánh mì, bún chả and cao lầu; Cambodia’s fish amok and lok lak; Laos’ laap and sticky rice. We can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and other dietary requirements — please tell us in advance so we can plan meals and restaurant choices accordingly.

Tap water is not recommended for drinking in Vietnam, Cambodia or Laos. Bottled water is widely available and provided during touring. Street food is generally safe if the stall is busy and food is cooked fresh to order — your guide will recommend trusted stalls.

Common recommendations include routine vaccines (MMR, tetanus, etc.), typhoid and hepatitis A. Malaria prophylaxis may be recommended for some rural areas. We are not medical professionals — please consult your doctor or a travel health clinic for the most current advice for your specific journey and dates.

Yes — the region is generally very safe for international travelers. Petty theft can occur in tourist areas, so normal precautions apply (keep valuables secure, be aware of your surroundings). Road safety is the more significant concern; this is one of the reasons we use private, professional drivers rather than relying on local transport.

Your guide and our operations team will assist immediately. If needed, we can arrange a doctor to visit your hotel, a consultation at a trusted clinic or hospital, or in serious cases, medical evacuation through your insurance provider. This is part of why comprehensive travel insurance matters.

Yes, with the right planning. Some locations — ancient temples, remote villages, highland treks — are physically demanding, but we design journeys that can accommodate mobility considerations, slower pace and additional rest. Please tell us your specific needs at the enquiry stage so we can design a journey that suits you.

Yes — it’s a wonderful region for family travel. Children are warmly welcomed, and the mix of culture, food, waterways and wildlife appeals to younger travelers. We can adjust pace, accommodation and activities to suit children of different ages. For very young children, certain journeys will be more suitable than others — please tell us your children’s ages at the enquiry stage.

Yes. We work with travel advisors, tour operators, agencies and DMCs across Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific. Our trade partnership includes confidential net rates, a senior point of contact, ground operations across all three countries, and support for FITs, small groups and MICE. Learn more on the Travel Trade page.

We work on confidential net rates with a transparent markup structure. Rates are agreed per partner and shared in your trade pack. There are no hidden margins or surprise fees — the terms we agree with you are the terms we honour.

No. We do not contact your clients directly, we do not sell into the same market where we have an active trade agreement, and we treat every trade partner’s client list as confidential. This is one of our non-negotiable principles.

Send us a message via the Travel Trade page or email trade@asiatravelmates.com with a short note about your business and the type of local support you’re looking for. We’ll respond personally — usually within one business day — with our trade pack and next steps.