Doc Holiday: Should we choose a tour to see Vietnam?

Plenty of trusted tour operators offer intriguing Vietnam tours, however it is also a wonderful country to explore independently. Here's what to consider when choosing what is right for you. 

Escape's Doc Holiday, Dilvin Yasa, answers your travel-related questions.

We’re not confident about planning a trip to Vietnam. Do you recommend a tour? I don’t want to waste too much time travelling to poorly located hotels.

Plenty of trusted tour operators offer intriguing Vietnam tours – Wendy Wu Tours, G Adventures and Intrepid Travel among them. With your concerns in mind, I had a chat with the Intrepid Travel team about the location of accommodation used. They tell me that all the big city hotels (in Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City) are central, while the more remote places chosen for the scenery (Mekong Delta, Sapa and Mai Chau, for example) will be a little more remote, even though they do their best to limit drive times.

You don’t have to do a tour at all, of course; thanks to its public transport network, friendly locals and rock-bottom prices, I’ve found Vietnam to be a wonderful place to travel independently. The famous Reunification Express chain linking Ho Chi Minh with Hanoi is a great choice, but you also have a wealth of airlines zipping between cities, overnight sleeper buses, boat journeys, and, for the truly brave, motorbike tours.

However, I will warn you about the country’s surplus of shonky taxi drivers. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been treated to a “scenic” route, or had a driver demand that the figure flashing on the meter is “per person”.

I should point out that although locals are usually quick to help, Vietnam can be challenging for travellers with disabilities, but there are plenty of local tour companies, such as Maika Tours, which offer accessible guided tours of the country.

No specific vaccinations are required for travel to Croatia.

Could you please advise if mandatory vaccinations are required to visit Croatia? I am in my 80s.

No specific vaccinations are required for travel to Croatia, although tick-borne encephalitis can be a risk in forested areas, particularly from spring to autumn. Cases of West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne virus that can be asymptomatic or in some cases cause fever, rash, muscle aches and, rarely, more serious complications, have occurred in Croatia, but there is no vaccine for this. The best way to protect yourself is to use insect repellent and wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing.

If you’re risk-averse, it’s always good to be up-to-date on the usual travel vaccinations such as MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), varicella (chickenpox), and diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.

Travellers’ diarrhoea can also be a problem, so be sure to pack a box of Imodium (or similar) in your carry-on.

In 2024, Sicily had its worst drought in close to 20 years, with the city of Agrigento particularly affected.

We’ve booked a Trafalgar tour of Sicily but we’re concerned about the drought conditions and subsequent water restrictions. Can you shed any light on the current situation?

I can understand your concerns. In 2024, Sicily had its worst drought in close to 20 years, with the city of Agrigento, home to the Valley of the Temples, particularly affected. Caught between water scarcity and an influx of tourists arriving for peak travel season, many boutique hotels, guesthouses and restaurants – unable to guarantee showers or flushing toilets – began to turn travellers away, or shut down. So what does this mean for your upcoming trip?

Although Sicily was hit with heavy rains and floods earlier this year, its water woes continue. Around Agrigento, you’ll find its smaller businesses with fewer resources are struggling the most, as larger, more-established hotels with capital under their belts have infrastructure in place to provide water for their guests. In a bid to capture the ever-growing tourism market, some boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts have started installing water tanks on their properties. Their efforts are obviously working; posts on various travel forums from those who’ve recently returned from Sicily insist they were not aware of water shortages, or were aware but didn’t feel as though it impacted their holiday.

I think you’ll be fine, but to stay in contact with Trafalgar in the lead-up to your trip and they’ll notify you should any changes be made to your itinerary.

Although you can use your ESTA for multiple entries into the US during this period, keep your eye on that date.

I’m confused about the ESTA. Is the expiry from the date you applied, or the day you arrive in the United States?

I’m glad you asked. An ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) is valid for two years from the date of issue, or until your passport expires – whichever comes first. Although you can use it for multiple entries into the US during this period, keep your eye on that date.

Need Help?

Doc Holiday is on duty to answer your travel questions. Email [e-mail]. Personal replies are unfortunately not possible.

Originally published as Doc Holiday: Should we choose a tour to see Vietnam?