BAGAN

Bagan, also spelled Pagan, on the banks of the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River, is home to the largest and densest concentration of Buddhist temples, pagodas, stupas and ruins in the world, many dating from the 11th and 12th centuries. The shape and construction of each building is highly significant in Buddhism with each component taking on spiritual meaning.

When comparing this immense archaeological site to other archaeological gems of Southeast Asia, the Angkor sites, an analogy with food is apt: savouring the Angkor sites is like a Chinese Lauriat banquet where the temples are presented in grand and exquisite servings and takes a long time (about 10 to 15 minutes) to get from one to the next. Bagan is served up Spanish tapas-style, in small bite size servings, often in frequent intervals and near to each other.

What makes the temples look romantic is the process of graceful ageing. There are no windbreaks and occasional whirlwinds spawn loose dust particles that sandblast the temples. This has eroded the stucco coatings of the temples to reveal the underlying bricks, reddish, and golden brown when bathed in sunlight.

Erosion is a significant threat to this area, not only the wind chipping away the buildings\' parging, but also water from the Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River threatens the riverbanks. Strong river currents have already washed away half of the area of Old Bagan. It used to be a rectangular-shaped piece of enclave protected by a perimeter wall. Now the remaining triangular eastern half is exposed to the river.

Bagan has three main cities that draw the majority of tourists, New Bagan (southwest of the main sights), Nyaung U (northeast of the main sights) and Old Bagan (just northwest of the main sights).

Contact

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Ha Noi Office

7th Floor, Vinaconex Tower, 34 Lang Ha, Dong Da District, Ha Noi, Vietnam

Sai Gon Office 

01 Floor, SaigonFinance Center, 9 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, DaKao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh

Phnom Penh Office  

No. 3Bis, Street 228, Sangkat Boeung Raing, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Siem Reap Office 

No. 162, St. Psar Doeum Kralanh Phum Salakanseng, Siem Reap, Cambodia



ONLINE TICKETING

CIS COUNTRIES

OUTBOUND & DOMESTIC

FAQ

FLIGHT

QUESTION

Can you book our flights?

ANSWER

Yes, Focus Travel owns a ticketing office licensed by IATA and have access to a wide range of airfares. Please contact our ticketing specialists for the best airfares available.

QUESTION

Luggage allowance for domestic flights?

ANSWER

Generally, each passenger is allowed to check 1 piece of luggage of 20kg/44lbs on the domestic flights, plus a carry on weighing around 7kg/15lbs. However, this can vary from one airline to the next, so please check with your airline for details. If you have booked a low-cost carrier yourself, then you will need to pay additional fees for checked luggage.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

QUESTION

Do you need travel insurance?

ANSWER

All tours provided by Focus Travel do not include travel insurance, so it is highly recommended that you need to have travel insurance cover arranged prior to departure. Having comprehensive travel insurance helps ensure your safety and financial security should the unexpected happen while you’re traveling or before you leave.

Comprehensive travel insurance covers instances such as: Medical expenses and repatriation; Cancellation or delays prior to departure; Trip curtailment; Luggage, personal items and money; Personal accident cover; Personal liability; Legal expenses…

TIPPING

QUESTION

What is the tipping policy in the country I am visiting?

ANSWER

In general, tipping is widely accepted as a way to show your appreciation of good service in Asia but is not compulsory. Our travel specialists can provide you with detailed advice during your booking enquiry specific to the destination you are visiting.

QUESTION

Is tipping included?

ANSWER

Tipping is not included on all of Focus Travel tours. If you are happy with services provided by your local guides, drivers and tour leader, a tip is appreciated.

CANCELLATION POLICY

QUESTION

What if I have to change or cancel my trip?

ANSWER

If you need to change or cancel your plans for any reasons, you can contact our travel specialists or see our booking conditions to find out if penalties will apply.

QUESTION

What if Focus Travel changes or cancels my trip?

ANSWER

We infrequently need to make minor changes to our itineraries for operational reasons, but our guests’ safety and comfort is always a priority and these changes rarely affect our travelers’ enjoyment. A significant change is one that alters the start or finish city of your tour or affects the duration of your tour. If this happens you will be advised as soon as possible and offered the choice of accepting the amendment, changing to another trip or accepting a full refund.

VISA AND PASSPORT

QUESTION

How long does my passport need to be valid for?

ANSWER

Validity to be at least 6 months from return date home.

QUESTION

Do I need to get a visa and what visa do I require?

ANSWER

Your travel specialists will let you know if your destination or transit locations require a visa. Should you require a visa, you will need to apply for these approximately 3-4 months prior to your departure. Some destinations recommend applications to be 6 months prior to departure. For more visa information of each country, please click on the links below:
Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar

DRESS CODE

QUESTION

What is the dress code?

ANSWER

Generally, smart casual is acceptable on most tours, however some tours may require/recommend per below:
- Comfortable footwear is recommended across all tours.
- Some cultures observe specific dress requirements when visiting religious sites. Our Tour Leaders/Tour Guides will supply more information on tour on any of these requirements.

BEFORE YOU GO

QUESTION

When is the best time to visit my destination?

ANSWER

We have detailed information on the climate and best time to visit each of our destinations. Please click on the link below to find out more: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar

QUESTION

What information do I need before I travel?

ANSWER

For all the information you need prior to travel including visas, health, what to pack, currency information and more, see the useful information section that relates to your destination. Simply click on the country you are interested in below to be redirected to this information. Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar

QUESTION

What if I have special dietary requirements?

ANSWER

Please ensure you advise your travel specialists during your booking process if you or any of your travelling companions have special dietary needs or requests. We aim to cater for all requests which are advised at the time of making your booking.

CONTACTING US

QUESTION

Who do I contact in an emergency?

ANSWER

If you need to contact us urgently, the details of who to call are printed on your final documentation sent to you by our travel specialists.

QUESTION

How do I book?

ANSWER

You can make a booking by sending us your request to inbound@focusvietnam.com