Travel Club In conjunction with Swagman Tours ENCHANTING VIETNAM & CAMBODIA * Food * Culture * History * 21 DAYS Dep: 07 June 2015 DAY 1: Sun 07 Jun CHECK IN FOR YOUR FLIGHT (Inflight meals) Meet your tour escort and fellow passengers at Melbourne Tullamarine late this evening in preparation to board your Singapore Airlines flight via Singapore. Once you have checked in please proceed through immigration and security and check your boarding card and airport monitors for information relating to your gate and boarding time. Please wear your enclosed Swagman Tours merchandise for easy identification. Overnight: In Flight DAY 2: Mon 08 Jun MELBOURNE FLY TO HANOI (LD) Arrive into Hanoi s Noi Bai Airport just before midday and be met by your driver/guide and transfer to the centrally located hotel. After lunch the remainder of the day is at leisure to rest or stroll through the streets before meeting to enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight: Hanoi DAY 3: Tue 09 Jun HANOI SIGHTSEEING & STREET EATS TOUR (BLD) Begin the morning with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum to hear about the man who led Vietnam s campaign for independence from French colonial rule. After dedicating his life to the liberation of his country from foreign rule, Ho Chi Minh died in 1969 and his body was preserved for posterity. Hear the legend of the one pillar pagoda built by an emperor to honour the goddess of mercy - built over a pretty lotus pond it is rumoured to have healing powers. Afterwards visit another 11th century relic, the Temple of Literature, which was built in homage to the Chinese scholar Confucius. After lunch visit Bat Trang village which is about 45mins drive from Hanoi and has been producing many high quality ceramics for many years. Here you will have chance to learn about the life of local people and also make some ceramic products. Afterwards head to the Old Quarter at 5.30pm and meet your guide and walk to bia hoi corner where you can try the local brew and watch the busy streets of Hanoi s Old Quarter. Bia Hoi is a draft beer that is brewed daily and usually drunk by locals on small plastic stools. Continue through the bustling old quarter where your guide explains the various foods on offer and have the opportunity to stop and sample before you enjoy a typical Vietnamese style barbeque dinner offering an array of meats, tofu and vegetables on skewers while you sit down as they flame grill the food for you. Overnight: As Above
DAY 4: Wed 10 Jun HANOI HALONG BAY 2 NIGHT CRUISE (BLD) Depart Hanoi after breakfast and travel to the Tuan Chau Island pier in Halong Bay, arriving just before midday. Take a tender boat to board the Aphrodite cruise for check in and to receive a short safety briefing. Afterwards set off to cruise the emerald waters and enjoy lunch while admiring the beautiful views. Later in the afternoon have the opportunity to take a sampan to discover village life on the water or for the more adventurous there is the option to kayak. Return to Aphrodite in time for a sunset drink and dinner. Overnight: Aphrodite Cruise DAY 5: Thu 11 Jun CRUISING HALONG BAY (BLD) Take a day boat to Dau Be island on the far side of Halong Bay and find picturesque and secluded beaches, lagoons and sea caves. The highlight today is kayaking through a sea cave to reach a hidden lagoon. Enjoy a seafood lunch and afterwards spend time relaxing and take a dip in the sea. Optional activities are available such as visiting a beach temple to get an insight into their culture, visiting a fish farm or more kayaking around the karsts. Overnight: As Above DAY 6: Fri 12 Jun HALONG HANOI FLY TO HUE (BrD) This morning the option to participate in tai chi on the sun deck or watch the bay wake from the comfort of your room. After breakfast an expert guide will accompany you for exploration of the Me Cung Cave, a remnant of the Stone Age era some 10,000 years ago. A narrow crack forms the entrance to the cave that then opens into several chambers with impressive stalagmites and stalactites. Afterwards return to Aphrodite for a light brunch on the cruise back and then transfer to the airport for your flight to Hue. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Please note: Itinerary subject to change due to weather conditions. Overnight: Hue DAY 7: Sat 13 Jun HUE FULL DAY CITY TOUR (BLD) Hue was the Vietnamese capital during the Nguyen Dynasty 1802-1945 and ruins of the city s regal past can still be seen inside the Citadel and the Imperial City. Created in the 19th century, the Imperial City was modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing and contains many palaces and temples inside its giant walls. Many of the buildings have been damaged by war over the years and are now being restored to their former glory. Spend time wandering through the citadel before taking a short journey into the surrounding countryside to see the final resting place of the Emperors at their impressive Royal Tombs and take a boat trip along the Perfume River. Overnight: As Above DAY 8: Sun 14 Jun HUE HOI AN (BD) This morning drive to Hoi An and enroute stop at scenic Hai Van Pass as well as a visit to Cham Museum and Marble Mountain. On arrival check in to the hotel and have lunch (own expense) then commence your tour of Hoi An, a former trading port that welcomed Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab merchants between the 16th to 18th centuries. Today Hoi An is famous for its restored architecture, homemade silk, expert tailors and delicious noodles and seafood. Its relaxed atmosphere and pedestrian streets make this town a pleasure to walk around and explore. The tour includes stops at several renowned landmarks including Chua Ong Pagoda and the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall to see the Jinshang Temple which is dedicated to the goddess of the sea and the protector of sailors. From there it s a short walk to 200 year old ancestral Tam Ky House followed by a stroll across the 17th century covered bridge. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant this evening. Overnight: Hoi An
DAY 9: Mon 15 Jun HOI AN COOKING CLASS FREE AFTERNOON (BL) This morning visit the local produce market before cruising along the Thu Bon River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. Here you will tour the school s herb gardens and enjoy an informal cooking lesson whereby your chef will explain the secrets of delicious cuisine. Hoi An specialties include Cao Lau - a medley of a yellow noodles, pork slices and pickled hot peppers, and Mi Quang - a noodle dish featuring boiled quails eggs and chunks of baked rice cakes. Afterwards return to the hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight: As Above DAY 10: Tue 16 Jun HOI AN DANANG FLY TO SAIGON (BLD) After breakfast transfer to the airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City and on arrival meet your guide and transfer to the centrally located hotel. After lunch time at leisure to explore this bustling city before enjoying an evening culinary adventure in downtown Saigon - away from the tourist areas and into the heart of the city where the locals go to eat. The small pop up restaurants are a nightly feature which all but disappear during the day and it s a great opportunity to try all those weird and wonderful foods you have seen and heard about and give you the chance to discover the people and the culture of Vietnam through its food. Pull up a stool and taste a selection of different types of Vietnamese favourites from tasty banh mi baguettes, noodle dishes and flamed grilled barbecue skewers or maybe even rice paper pizza. Overnight: Saigon DAY 11: Wed 17 Jun HALF DAY STORY OF SAIGON TOUR (BL) This morning is at leisure for private sightseeing or exploring then after lunch begin your Story of Saigon tour with a visit to the War Remnants Museum. Here your guide will tell the story of the city s darkest and most tragic hours during the Vietnam War. The museum contains displays of military aircraft, weaponry and many photographs - some that are quite graphic in nature. Although many of Vietnam s 90 million people are now too young to remember the war, its legacy is still felt strongly across Vietnamese society. Afterwards visit the Reunification Palace it was here on 30 April 1975 that the war ended when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through its gates. Continue to the Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral then stroll down Dong Khoi Street, which figured prominently in Graham Greene s famous Vietnam novel, The Quiet American, as Rue Catinat. End your day with a speedboat trip along the city s ancient canals where life carries on unchanged. Return to your hotel as the sun sets on this fascinating city and dinner is at own expense this evening. Overnight: As Above DAY 12: Thu 18 Jun HO CHI MINH CITY SIGHTSEEING (BLD) Depart Ho Chi Minh City pier and begin your speedboat journey on the Saigon River to observe life and the many new weekend homes being built by the Saigonese. Arrive at the Cu Chi Tunnels site for a tour of the cramped tunnels that were central to the war s strategic operations. The tunnels contain mantraps - large camouflaged holes dug deep into the ground that ensnared enemy soldiers with bamboo spikes. The Cu Chi experience can be emotionally draining but it offers fascinating windows into the hardship and traumas of war. Afterwards drive through the countryside to visit a cricket farm. Some Vietnamese consider crickets a delicacy, and legend has it that hungry soldiers ate them to beef up their nutrient-poor diets. At the farm you ll see crickets in various stages of growth and development plus you ll have a chance to sample crickets wrapped up in tasty spring rolls if you so desire. Stop for a traditional Vietnamese lunch en route to Ho Chi Minh City arriving mid afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure before joining an evening dinner cruise along the Saigon River. Overnight: As Above DAY 13: Fri 19 Jun HO CHI MINH CITY CAN THO (BLD) Leave the city behind this morning as you travel about two hours to reach Cai Be, a gateway to the Mekong Delta. Embark on board a small boat and travel along the winding waterways to witness life on the river. Stop at Dong Phu and An Binh where you will see small home-based factories that produce oil, matting, sweets and even wine from coconuts followed by a visit to a 150 year old French colonial house. After lunch hop on board another boat that will transfer you to Vinh Long and then drive to Can Tho arriving late afternoon. Overnight: Can Tho DAY 14: Sat 20 Jun CAN THO CHAU DOC (BLD) An early start this morning to travel by boat to the floating market of Can Tho to experience the flurry of vendors trading their wares as boats teeming with fruit, vegetables and household goods ply the waters. Afterwards travel to Chau Doc, a sleepy riverside border town, then transfer to Tra Su Forest and travel by sampan through endless waterways flanked by mangroves and lush greenery. This eco reserve spans 850 hectares and is an ecological haven for fauna and flora with more than 100 species of water birds and colonies of bats. Enroute to the forest visit a small village of ethnic Khmer, where you will learn about the importance of Buddhism in the community and have the opportunity to chat with monks at the local monastery. Overnight: Chau Doc
DAY 15: Sun 21 Jun CHAU DOC PHNOM PENH (BORDER CROSSING) (BL) After breakfast some time at leisure until transferring for the boat trip to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. On arrival meet your guide and transfer to the hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure and dine out this evening (own expense). Overnight: Phnom Penh DAY 16: Mon 22 Jun PHNOM PENH FULL DAY CITY TOUR (BL) Begin the full day tour with a visit to the Royal Palace overlooking the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers. Built in 1866 the palace is now home to the reigning monarch and the grounds are open to the public except when the King is in residence. Afterwards you will visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum which documents the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge against both their political enemies and many thousands of everyday Cambodians. Please note that the images on display are quite graphic and unsettling. Afterwards drive to Choeung Ek - the Killing Fields - where the brutal executions of more than 17,000 men, women and children took place. The large mass grave pits have all but gone however the stupa filled with skulls is a chilling memorial. Travel back to Phnom Penh for free time and dinner is at own expense this evening. Overnight: As Above DAY 17: Tue 23 Jun VILLAGE WEAVING TOUR FLY TO SIEM REAP (BL) After breakfast enjoy a half-day trip to Koh Dack, a Mekong Island renowned for its silk weaving, and travel around the island stopping to observe local artisans at work on hand looms. This rare example of traditional silk production is slowly in decline as many silk producers are transitioning to factory jobs. Return to Phnom Penh airport for your flight to Siem Reap and on arrival meet your guide and transfer to the centrally located hotel with dinner at own expense this evening. Overnight: Siem Reap DAY 18: Wed 24 Jun FULL DAY ANGKOR WAT DAY TOUR (BL) Begin todays adventures with a visit to the South Gate of Angkor Thom where statues of the gods of good and evil line the entrance. Your next stop is the Bayon, known for the hundreds of smiling faces that grace the towers and afterwards visit Phimeanakas, shaped a bit like a pyramid with two ponds in the rear - walk to the top of the temple for impressive views of the Angkor complex. Return to Siem Reap for lunch then later in the afternoon explore the magnificent Angkor Wat, the world s largest religious monument. This visually spectacular temple is a massive threetiered pyramid, rising 65 metres from the ground and crowned by five lotus towers. It s the national symbol of Cambodia and proudly appears on the country s flag. End your day with sunset views over the jungle from the top of Pre Rup Temple before returning to Siem Reap for dinner (own expense). Overnight: As Above DAY 19: Thu 25 Jun COMMUNITY VILLAGE FULL DAY TOUR (BLD) After breakfast drive to a small village about 40km outside of Siem Reap. Along the way stop at the headquarters of a local non-profit organization that employs village women who specialise in the traditional craft of mat weaving which are then sold in the markets to provide an income for the women. Stop just outside the village and hop aboard an ox cart for an unusual ride through the fields to the home of a Khmer family who specialise in making brooms to observe how they craft them from natural materials and to have a go if you like. Afterwards enjoy a guided walking tour around the village where you have the opportunity to participate in fishing, farming or animal husbandry activities then enjoy a simple Khmer lunch followed by more activities or time to spend just chatting with the locals. Enroute back to Siem Reap stop at a Buddhist temple to receive a blessing from the monks. This evening enjoy dinner with a traditional Aspara (dance) show. Overnight: As Above DAY 20: Fri 26 Jun SIEM REAP COMMENCE FLIGHT HOME (B) Some time at leisure this morning for final sightseeing or shopping opportunities before transferring to the airport after lunch to commence your mid-afternoon flight home via Singapore. DAY 21: Sat 27 Jun SIEM REAP COMMENCE FLIGHT HOME (-) Arrive home early this morning, so ending an enchanting journey through Vietnam and Cambodia. ** Stopover packages are available in Singapore on the return journey; enquire for details ** Cost: $4,995.00 per person twin share *Tour cost is subject to air/tax increases plus currency fluctuations * Based on a minimum of 20 passengers travelling *
Non-refundable deposit required: $1000.00 per person Balance required no later than: 24 April 2015 Single Supplement $750.00 CANCELLATION: In the event of cancellation, levies will apply, please see booking conditions for details. MULTIPLE NIGHT STAYS: Hanoi * 2 Nights Halong Bay * 2 Nights Hue * 2 Nights Hoi An * 3 Nights Ho Chi Minh City * 3 Nights Phnom Penh * 2 Nights Siem Reap * 3 Nights TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: * Hanoi city & street eats tour * 2 night Halong Bay cruise * Romantic city of Hue touring * Hoi An city tour & cooking class * Story of Saigon guided city & street eats tour * Ho Chi Minh Cu Chi Tunnels tour * Tra Su ecological forest Chau Doc * Full day Phnom Penh tour including the Killing Fields * Angkor Wat & surrounds Siem Reap * Community village tour Siem Reap Tour Cost Includes: Economy airfares & taxes to Hanoi and from Siem Reap with Singapore Airlines. 3 internal airfares Hanoi to Hue, Danang to Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. 2 night Halong Bay cruise. Twin share accommodation with ensuite facilities throughout. Meals as per itinerary: B = Breakfast, Br = Brunch, L = Lunch D = Dinner. Transfers as listed in air-conditioned vehicles with local English speaking drives plus a tour guide for Vietnam and another guide for Cambodia travelling with the group. All entry fees to sightseeing activities as listed in the itinerary. Tour Cost DOES NOT Include: Travel insurance compulsory to have prior to travel. Swagman Tours can assist with this. Visas required for both Vietnam & Cambodia. Swagman Tours can assist with these and the cost is Vietnam - $170.00 per person, Cambodia $130.00 per person. Any activities listed as optional and meals not included in the itinerary. Items of a personal nature cost of passport/medication/drinks/laundry/phone calls. Gratuities these are not compulsory but can be given based on performance if you wish. The tour cost is subject to change due to currency fluctuations, visa fee, airfare, fuel surcharges and / or tax increases. As this is a group package, all passengers must travel on the same outbound flight to Hanoi. Post touring options are available and will incur an amendment fee of $100 per person per change (plus extra touring and insurance costs)
PASSPORTS AND VISAS All travellers will require a full valid passport, and it is your responsibility to ensure that you have valid visas for all countries visited on your holiday, and/or sufficient blank pages for any visas and for entry/departure stamps. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your holiday. If you have more than one passport, we recommend that you use one passport only for the entire journey. This will save problems and potential delays at border crossings. Requirements differ depending on your nationality - check with the appropriate embassies for details. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of the correct visas for your holiday and onward travel. Swagman Tours cannot accept responsibility for anyone who is refused entry to a country because they lack the correct documentation. Please check the actual requirements with the necessary embassy or your Travel Agent. Please also do not assume that any inaccuracies within your documentation will be detected or can be rectified - you must ensure, that your "paperwork" is in order. There will be times during the trip, when your passport will be collected e.g. by your tour leader, hotel reception staff, or police. HOLDERS OF FOREIGN PASSPORTS: Travellers holding non Australian passports must have the relevant re-entry permit to return to Australia and must check with their National Consulate of any visa requirements to your holiday destination country(s). VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR AUSTRALIANS: Australian passport holders a visa is required for both Vietnam and Cambodia. Swagman Tours can organise these on behalf of passengers for a fee. Please speak to Swagman Tours for further information. NOTE: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate. FOR BOOKINGS CONTACT: SWAGMAN TOURS Level 1, 182 Latrobe Terrace (PO Box 7473) Geelong West VIC 3218 P: 1800 808 491 E: karen@swagmantours.com.au W: www.swagmantours.com.au