Vietnam Tour.
THE COST.
(excluding wife’s
shopping expenses and ‘Ba Moi Ba’ rest stops.)
South Tour only
– $2,955.00 per person twin share, includes airfares airport tax and
tours.
South + North
Tour – $4,465 per person twin share, includes airfares airport
tax and tours.
DEPOSIT REQUIRED BY
6TH DECEMBER 2013 – $350 / PERSON (non refundable).
Deposit – 6th December 2013 ( $350 )
Payment 2 – 7th March 2014 (Airline Tickets plus Airport Taxes)
Payment 3 – 13th June 2014 ( Balance of Payment)
Details are as
follows for payments,
ACCOUNT NAME – Graham Brown
BANK – ANZ
BSB – 015045
A/C NUMBER – 261190965
PLEASE NOTE, THIS IS AN ‘ONLINE ACCOUNT’ AND WILL NOT ACCEPT DIRECT
PAYMENTS FROM A BANK TELLER.
This account is
set up for the Vietnam Trip and would ask members to add their name
in the ‘reference box’ and to email me once a payment has been made.
Other details.
Graham (NIG)
Brown
128 Wellington
Ave
Sellicks Beach
SA 5174
email;
[email protected]
The Itinerary is as below.
22 AUGUST
2014 – ARRIVE SAIGON
Departing from
Ports ex Australia in August 2014:
On arrival in
Ho
Chi Minh City (Saigon)
you will be met by a Travel Indochina representative and transferred
to your hotel. (GRAND HOTEL)
Ho Chi Minh City
is
Vietnam’s commercial capital and a city of extraordinary energy.
Nowhere is Vietnam’s rush to modernise more visible. Despite its
rush to modernity, Saigon, as it is still known, is a friendly and
welcoming place with many reminders of its turbulent past and a
palpable momentum towards the future.
Enjoy a welcome
dinner at a local restaurant.
23 AUGUST
2014 – SAIGON ( Breakfast, Dinner)
This morning we
travel to the Cu Chi tunnels located in an area known during the
Vietnam War as the �Iron Triangle� on account of the strength of its
Communist insurgency. The Cu Chi tunnel network was established as a
means of waging guerrilla war against superior French and later
American fire power. The network stretches over 250km and extends to
three levels underground providing a remarkable insight into the
method and determination of Communist forces during the Vietnam War.
Returning to
Saigon for lunch ( own expense).
This afternoon �
begin a walking tour of Saigon‟s famous and historic city landmarks.
The tour will take you through the heart of the city along Dong Khoi
Street (formerly Rue Catinat), past the Ho Chi Minh Square,
Municipal Theatre and Notre Dame Cathedral. Following a tour of the
Reunification Palace (formerly the Presidential Palace) and War
Remnants Museum.
Enjoy a welcome
dinner at a local restaurant.
24 AUGUST
2014 – SAIGON � VUNG TAU (Breakfast)
Today after
checking out of our hotel, we will load our luggage on our coach
which will depart for Vung Tau by road, while we will travel down
the Saigon River by
hydrofoil
with our guide to
the seaside resort town of Vung Tau and the former site of the 1st
Australian Logistic Support Group (1 ALSG).
We will be met by
our coach in Vung Tau and after checking in to the
Palace Hotel
for a
three night stay (deluxe plus rooms) and freshening up, we will
enjoy an orientation tour of the town including the former 1 ALSG
base area, and former Peter Badcoe Club site and the “Flags‟ area.
We will also visit the Front and Back beach areas and take a dip in
the South China Sea (weather permitting).
During this
orientation tour a brief will be delivered on the area and its
relevance to Australian operations and the role of 9 and 35 Squadron
RAAF and the RAN clearance diver teams.
Return to the
hotel � evening at leisure.
25 AUGUST
2014 – VUNG TAU (Breakfast/ Lunch)
Today we will
travel to the former area of operations for the 1st Australian Task
Force (1 ATF) via Baria and visit the former task force base area at
Nui Dat. The former runway at Luscombe Field is now a wide street in
the local village and what was the heli-pad is now a soccer field –
nothing remains of Luscombe Bowl at all. A kindergarten established
by Australian veterans is nearby. The area is still a military
reserve in parts and some areas may be restricted to visitors.
We will be given
a brief on 1 ATF operations that were conducted from the base and
how it was developed and protected. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed
in Nui Dat. After lunch, we will drive to the battlefield at Long
Tan and conduct a Remembrance Service at the Long Tan Cross Memorial
site (NB: We have deliberately avoided Long Tan Memorial Day due to
expected large crowds).
Later, drive past
the location of the Horseshoe (access not permitted these days due
to mining activity). On the way back into Vung Tau, you will see the
large antenna that is still visible on “Radar Hill‟ ( this area can
be visited by cable car).
Evening at
leisure.
Continue to the
village of Long Phuoc which had an extensive system of tunnels which
linked the village to the jungle areas to its north east. Like other
tunnels systems found in Vietnam they included meeting areas, first
aid stations, and fighting pits. American units clearing the area
for the establishment of the Australian base sustained heavy
casualties when they entered the village and came under fire from
the tunnel system’s fighting pits.
26 AUGUST
2014 – VUNG TAU (Breakfast)
This morning we
will travel along the South China Sea coast to visit the former Minh
Dam Secret Zone. We will then climb to the apex of the Long Hai
Hills and take in spectacular views of the area and visit the local
museum in the former Viet Cong Sanctuary.
Returning to Vung
Tau we travel through the former area of operations and visit the
site of the Battle of Ap My An near Lang Phuoc Hai that occurred
during Operation Bribie in February 1967. Later in the day we arrive
back at our hotel.
Evening at
leisure.
27 AUGUST
2014 � VUNG TAU � SAIGON (Breakfast)
After checking
out of our hotel, we will visit the scene of the Battle of Binh Ba.
After a picnic lunch we will travel north to the area of the
Courtenay Rubber Plantation and the scene of the Battle of Nui Le,
Australia‟s last major action of the war. We will then return to
Saigon and check into the
Grand Hotel
for an
overnight stay, deluxe rooms (luxury wing).
This evening is
at leisure.
28 AUGUST
2014 � SAIGON � MEKONG DELTA
(Breakfast/
Lunch/ Dinner) ( GRAND HOTEL)
This morning you
will be met at your hotel by your Travel Indochina driver at 8.00am
for the journey south to Cai Be, in the heart of the Mekong Delta.
After boarding your boat, enjoy lunch then relax on deck as you
cruise through the maze of tributaries and canals that make up this
amazing region.
An opportunity to
appreciate the way of life and hospitality of the local inhabitants.
Stop to visit some of the small villages on the banks of the river
before enjoying a cocktail on board as the sun sets.
ACCOMMODATION
ONBOARD THE BASSAC CRUISE
(PRIVATE
CHARTER)
29 AUGUST
2014 � CAN THO � SAIGON (Breakfast)
Enjoy breakfast
on deck as you cruise past bustling floating markets and picturesque
scenery. Transfer to a smaller sampan and experience first hand the
vibrant Cai Rang floating market and nearby gardens before
concluding your tour at the Mekong city of Can Tho.
There you will be
met by your Travel Indochina driver for the drive back to Saigon,
arriving by late afternoon.
ACCOMMODATION IN
SAIGON
30
AUGUST 2014 � SAIGON (Breakfast)
Day at leisure to
self explore Saigon.
31
AUGUST 2014 � DEPART SAIGON FOR HOME (Breakfast)
Morning at
leisure.
Afternoon
transfer to the airport for flight home.
*FOR
THOSE DOING FULL TOUR REFER BELOW *
31 AUGUST�
SAIGON�HOIAN (Breakfast)
(SUNRISE RESORT
HOI AN)
This morning
transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang.
On arrival at
Danang, transfer to your hotel in Hoi An with sightseeing enroute.
Our first stop is Marble Mountain, a series of large marble outcrops
that have acquired mythical significance over the centuries. The
caves of Marble Mountains house a number of sacred Buddhist shrines
as well as a former communist guerrilla hospital from the Vietnam
War.
Travel further
south to Hoi An which was Vietnam�s most active trading centre over
many centuries and has been largely preserved. The architecture of
the city reflects the influence of Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese,
French and British traders. Hoi An is also the town where French
Missionary Alexandre De Rhodes introduced Catholicism to Vietnam as
well as the Romanised script that has become the standard Vietnamese
script. You will arrive in enchanting Hoi An. Hoi An was Vietnam�s
most active trading centre over many centuries and has been largely
preserved.
This afternoon we
take a walking tour of enchanting Hoi An visiting an old merchant
house, the Hoi An Museum, a Chinese assembly hall and the Japanese
Covered Bridge.
1
SEPTEMBER � CITY TOUR OF HUE ( Breakfast/ Lunch)
This morning you
will drive over the spectacular Hai Van Pass to arrive in Hue. Hue
is beautifully located on the banks of the Perfume River. As
Vietnam�s capital throughout the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945), as a
centre of Vietnamese Buddhism and scholarship and finally as the
setting for some of the Vietnam War�s most bloody fighting, Hue
provides a unique window into Vietnam and its complex past.
Visit the
impressive home of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors – the Citadel. Much
of the Citadel was destroyed during the Tet Offensive in 1968 but is
gradually being restored. Then travel to the much revered Thien Mu
Pagoda, Hue�s oldest and most beautiful religious monument, and
return back to Hoi An through the Hai Van tunnels in the late
afternoon.
2
SEPTEMBER� HOIAN(Breakfast)
Day at leisure to
self explore Hoi An.
3
SEPTEMBER � HOIAN (Breakfast)
This morning
begin with a visit to Hoi An’s colourful market and experience its
amazing sights, sounds and aromas. As you walk through the market,
you will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and
learn about some of the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson
later.
You then board
the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the
Thu Bon River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. On arrival, explore
the cooking school’s herb and vegetable garden, before learning
about some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s well-known dishes. The cooking
class is an interesting and fun way to learn about the local cuisine
– it runs for about an hour and 15 minutes, and includes
demonstrations from the school’s chefs as well as the chance for you
to help prepare some dishes.
Included in the
demonstration is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving
(plate decoration). Enjoy some of your creations as well as the
highlights of Red Bridge afterwards
4 SEPTEMBER-HOIAN�HANOI
(Breakfast)
(SILK PATH HOTEL)
This morning
transfer to the airport for flight to Hanoi. On arrival you will be
transferred to your hotel.
Hanoi
is a charming and
richly historic city of lakes, shaded boulevards and verdant public
parks with a population of about four million. It is the capital of
the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and some have called it the Paris
of the Orient. Its centre is an architectural museum piece, its
blocks of ochre buildings retaining the air of a provincial French
town of the 1930s. It is also home to a frenetic Old Quarter of
trading streets where traditional and modern goods are traded from
centuries old �tunnel houses� and narrow streets buzz with colour
and activity.
Afternoon cyclo
tour of Hanoi and Hoan Kiem Lake (no longer permitted to ride
through the Old Quarter)
This evening you
will be met at your hotel by a Travel Indochina guide and
transferred to the Water Puppet theatre in downtown Hanoi. Over 10
centuries old, the art of water puppetry first appeared in the Ly
dynasty between 1010 and 1225. It originated in the Red River Delta
area and originally depicted the daily life of villagers including
farming, fishing, romance and children playing. The performance runs
for approximately 50 minutes, after which you will be met by your
guide and transferred back to your hotel.
ACCOMMODATION IN
HANOI
5 SEPTEMBER-
HANOI (Breakfast/Lunch)
This morning we
continue our look at Hanoi by visiting the Ho Chi Minh Quarter. We
begin at the Old Citadel, walking along beautiful tree-lined
boulevards until we get to Ba Dinh Square, site of the Ho Chi Minh
Mausoleum and where Ho Chi Minh first declared independence from
French rule in 1945.
Ho Chi Minh is
without question one of the great figures of twentieth century
history and this morning we�ll take time to visit the �Ho Chi Minh
Quarter� for a look at the life of the father of modern Vietnam. We
visit the humble house on stilts from which �Uncle Ho�, as he is
affectionately known, ruled Vietnam until his death in 1969.
Continue on to the intriguing Ho Chi Minh Museum, an amazingly
surreal exhibition of the life of Ho Chi Minh, set in the context of
major events of the twentieth century and Vietnam�s struggle for
independence. We�ll also view the Presidential Palace and One Pillar
Pagoda.
Drive across the
city to Hanoi�s first university – the Temple of Literature – dating
back to 1070. This historical centre of learning is now dedicated to
Confucian worship
Lunch at KOTO
Restaurant.
After lunch visit
the infamous �Hanoi Hilton� � Hanoi�s former central prison made
famous first for the incarceration of the leaders of Vietnam�s
National Liberation movement and later US Air force pilots shot down
over North Vi etnam. The site of the prison was recently developed,
however one wing has been retained as a museum.
ACCOMMODATION IN
HANOI
6 SEPTEMBER – HANOI �
HALONG BAY
(Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner )
This morning we
journey east (approximately 170km or 3 hours) to Hon Gai, the
gateway to Halong Bay. En route we pass fields of busy workers
farming their rice using traditional methods of cultivation. Ha long
Bay achieved international fame as a key location in the French film
�Indochine� starring Catherine Deneuve. The bay has assumed an
important position in Vietnamese legend for many centuries however
and continues to capture the imagination of visitors. On arrival
transfer to the port and board your boat for the cruise out to the
Bay, enjoying a fresh seafood lunch on board along the way.
Considered Vietnam�s greatest natural wonder, Halong Bay boasts over
3,000 islands that jut out of the sea to provide a spectacular
natural environment. We visit some of the beautiful cave and islets
around the bay, then enjoy a sumptuous dinner on board before
retiring to bed.
ACCOMMODATION
ONBOARD WHITE DOLPHIN JUNK ON HALONG BAY
7 SEPTEMBER � HALONG BAY
� HANOI
(Brunch / Dinner) (WHITE
DOLPHINS CRUISE)
We rise early to
make the most of Halong Bay�s stunning scenery. After breakfast, we
visit more of the spectacular islets and caves that make this area
so unique, then head back to Hanoi.
This evening join
the group for a farewell dinner to celebrate the end of a
fascinating journey through Vietnam�s culture and people.
ACCOMMODATION IN
HANOI
8 SEPTEMBER�
DEPART HANOI (Breakfast)
Morning at
leisure.
Afternoon
transfer to the airport for flight home.