Frequently Asked Questions

We're a licensed Vietnamese travel agency based in Danang, operating since 2018. Our office is at Petrolimex Building, No. 02 Ba Thang Hai Street, Danang. We run tours and trips across all of Vietnam — from Sapa to Phú Quốc — for travelers from Europe and Australia. More than 1,000 travelers book with us every year.

Yes. Banh Mi Escape is a licensed tour operator registered with the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT). Our license is displayed on our website. Operating legally in Vietnam means your booking is protected under Vietnamese tourism regulations — something that matters if anything goes wrong.

Our office is in Danang, central Vietnam. We chose Danang deliberately — it puts us within easy reach of Hoi An, Hue, the Central Highlands, and the rest of the country. Our local team works from here full-time. You can reach us by phone, email, or WhatsApp.

We welcome more than 1,000 travelers every year and have done so consistently since 2019. In total, thousands of people have traveled with us. We're not a start-up — we have a track record, genuine reviews, and repeat customers.

Both, depending on the destination. We have a core team of in-house guides based in our main regions, and we work with a curated network of trusted local guides elsewhere in Vietnam. Every guide we work with has been vetted in person by our team — we don't just pick from a marketplace.

A real person based in Vietnam. Our sales and support team — including Nhi and Van — are in Danang. When you call or WhatsApp, you reach someone who has personally been to the places you're asking about. We respond within 24 hours, usually much faster.

You can book directly on this website. Select your tour, choose your date, and complete the booking form. You'll receive a confirmation email within a few hours. For custom trips or larger groups, contact us first and we'll build the itinerary together before you pay.

Yes. We use encrypted payment processing and hold insolvency insurance in line with applicable regulations. Your payment is protected. Our full financial protection details are available in our Terms & Conditions, which you can download from the About page.

We accept major credit and debit cards, bank transfers, and select online payment platforms. Specific options are shown at checkout. If you have a preferred method not listed, contact us — we can usually accommodate it for group bookings or custom trips.

For most tours, a deposit secures your spot and the remainder is due closer to the departure date. The exact split depends on the tour type and length. Full payment is required for last-minute bookings made within 7 days of departure.

Yes, always. You'll receive a confirmation email with your booking reference, tour details, meeting point, and contact information within a few hours of booking. If you haven't received it within 24 hours, check your spam folder or contact us directly.

Yes. We run private group tours for families, friend groups, and corporate travel. For groups of 6 or more, contact us directly for a tailored quote — group bookings often come with a better per-person price than booking individually.

Our standard policy: cancel more than 30 days before departure and receive a full refund. Cancel 15–30 days before and receive a 50% refund. Within 14 days, the booking is non-refundable. Some tours have specific policies — always check the individual tour page before booking.

Date changes are possible subject to availability. Notify us at least 7 days before your original departure and we'll do our best to move you. Changes made within 7 days may incur an admin fee. Contact us directly — we handle changes case by case.

If we cancel for any reason — weather, minimum group numbers not met, or an unforeseen event — you receive a full refund or the option to move to another date. We won't leave you out of pocket for something on our side.

Vietnam weather can be unpredictable, especially during typhoon season. If a tour is cancelled by us due to severe weather or unsafe conditions, you'll be offered a reschedule or full refund. If you choose to cancel because of forecasted weather, our standard cancellation policy applies.

We understand emergencies happen. Contact us as soon as possible. While our standard policy applies, we review medical cancellations on a case-by-case basis. This is another reason we strongly recommend taking out travel insurance that covers trip cancellation — it protects you in situations we can't.

If something falls below the standard we promised, tell us immediately — on the tour, not just in a review afterward. We take complaints seriously and will work to make it right. Partial refunds may be issued where service clearly wasn't delivered. Full refunds for personal preference are not offered.

Yes. We carry the liability coverage required of licensed tour operators under Vietnamese law. This covers incidents related to our organized activities and services. For clarity on exactly what our liability covers, refer to our Terms & Conditions or contact us directly.

Yes — and we mean that genuinely. Vietnam is generally safe, but things happen: a motorbike scrape, a sudden illness, a missed flight, lost luggage. We require that all travelers on our tours hold valid travel insurance covering medical expenses and emergency evacuation. Please bring proof.

At a minimum: medical treatment and hospital stays, emergency medical evacuation, trip cancellation, and personal belongings. If you're doing any adventure activities — trekking, motorbiking, kayaking — check that your policy covers those specifically. Many standard policies exclude "adventure sports" unless you add it.

We are responsible for delivering the services we've described and sold to you, and for the conduct of our employed staff. We are not liable for incidents caused by your own actions, third-party providers outside our control (airlines, independent accommodation), acts of nature, or situations you didn't disclose to us at booking.

Our guides follow strict safety protocols and we use vetted, insured activity providers. If an injury results from our negligence or a failure in our duty of care, we take responsibility. Injuries that result from your own actions, failure to follow guide instructions, or pre-existing conditions are not our liability.

Our guides are trained in basic first aid and know the nearest medical facilities in every area we operate. They will assist you immediately and contact emergency services if needed. This is also why travel insurance with emergency evacuation cover is non-negotiable — international-standard hospitals exist in Hanoi, HCMC, and Danang.

Yes. We hold insolvency insurance in accordance with applicable regulations, which protects your prepaid funds. Details are in our Terms & Conditions, available on the About page. We've been operating since 2018 and are a registered legal entity in Vietnam — this isn't a one-person pop-up.

It depends on your passport. Citizens of many European countries — including Germany, France, and the UK — can enter Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days. Australians currently qualify for visa-free entry for 45 days too. Always check current rules before you travel, as policies change. The official source is the Vietnam Immigration Department website.

There's no single answer — Vietnam is long and narrow, so weather varies dramatically by region. November to April is generally best for central and southern Vietnam. October to December suits the north. The shoulder months (April–May, September–October) offer fewer crowds and solid weather in most regions.

Vietnam is one of the safer countries to travel in Southeast Asia, including for solo women. Petty theft in busy tourist areas is the main risk — keep your bag close in Ho Chi Minh City markets. Our local guides know which areas to move through confidently and which to avoid after dark.

We're travel agents, not medical professionals, so always consult a travel health clinic or your GP. Common recommendations for Vietnam include Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and being up to date on routine vaccines. Some travelers also get Rabies cover if they plan to be in rural areas. Check at least 6 weeks before departure.

Vietnam uses the Vietnamese Dong (VND). Most cities accept cards at hotels, restaurants, and larger shops, but street food, local markets, and rural areas are cash-only. ATMs are widely available in cities. Bring some cash, and notify your bank before you travel to avoid your card being blocked.

All our guides speak English. Some also speak French, German, or other languages — check individual tour listings. If you need a guide in a specific language for a private tour, contact us and we'll do our best to arrange it.

Yes, and Vietnam is actually an excellent destination for this. Vegetarian and vegan food is widely available, and Vietnamese cuisine is naturally low in dairy. Tell us your dietary requirements at booking — we pass them on to every restaurant and accommodation on your itinerary. Severe allergies should also be disclosed.

Our small group tours run with a maximum of 12 people. Private tours are tailored to your group size. We keep groups small deliberately — it means better access to places, a more personal experience with your guide, and more flexibility on the day.

Most of our travelers are between 22 and 40, though we welcome anyone. Our tours aren't designed as party trips or luxury escapes — they sit somewhere in between. If you're unsure whether the pace or style is right for you, just ask us before booking.

Some are, some aren't. Many Vietnam destinations involve uneven terrain, stairs without handrails, and long walking sections. Contact us before booking and we'll be honest about what each tour requires physically. We can often adapt private tours for travelers with specific mobility needs.

Inclusions vary by tour — check the individual tour page for the exact list. As a general rule, our tours include a local guide, listed transport, and any entrance fees mentioned. International flights, travel insurance, visas, and personal spending are always excluded.

Yes, for most itineraries we can arrange airport pick-up and drop-off. This is often listed as an optional add-on. If it's not showing on your tour, contact us — we can usually organise it separately for a fixed fee.

Contact us immediately on the WhatsApp number provided in your booking confirmation. Our guides wait a reasonable amount of time and our team will help coordinate. If you miss a departure without notifying us, we can't guarantee we can hold the group — and refunds are not issued in this case.

You can, but we can't offer refunds for unused portions of the tour if you choose to leave. If you need to leave due to illness or a genuine emergency, contact us — we'll help arrange onward transport and look at options case by case.

We'll send you a short follow-up email after your trip. We'd genuinely appreciate your honest feedback — it helps future travelers make informed decisions and helps us improve. You can also leave a review directly on Google or on our Reviews page. Good or bad, we read every one.