Very Vietnam - 10 daysgo guidedon't leave home without it

A World Of Discovery

Very Vietnam - 10 days updated on 12-11-2012

www.onthegotours.comUK020 7371 1113 info@onthegotours.com    AUS 1300 855 684 aus-info@onthegotours.com     NZ 0800 44 77 69     CAN 1 866 890 7038     USA 1 866 377 6147     SA 0800 982 686

This Go Guide has been compiled with care and good faith. It gives an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday. Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or otherreasons could force us to make changes to this itinerary. This document does not form part of a contract between the traveller and on the go and their affiliates. Any costs shown are subject to change though are an accurate reflection ofcosts at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirements are subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of on the go

- 1 -

From charming Hanoi with its fading colonialarchitecture and national monuments, tothe spellbinding scenery of Halong Bay andthe steamy city of Saigon on the edge ofthe Mekong Delta, Vietnam is as colourfulas it is diverse. See the very best of vibrantVietnam, in 10 captivating days!

HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS

Trip Highlights• Hanoi - Hoan Kiem Lake and the Ancient

Quarter• Halong Bay - UNESCO Listed region with

thousands of beautiful limestone peaksand islets

• Hue - ancient citadel, Imperial PurpleCity, Royal Tombs, Thien Mu Pagoda andmonastery

• Marble Mountains - grottoes laden withBuddhist sculpture

• Hoi An - UNESCO Listed ancient town,famed for its beautifully preserved old city,tailors, handicraftsmarkets and nearby beaches

• Saigon - ‘Pearl of the Orient!. Notre DameCathedral, Old Post Office and WarRemnants Museum

• Mekong Delta - a maze of waterways,fertile farm land and floating villages

• Cai Be Floating Market and Dong HoaHiep Island

• Can Tho - lively market town in theMekong Delta and nearby Cai Rangfloating market

What's Included• 9 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 1 dinner• 7 nights 4 star and special class hotels,

1 night deluxe junk boat and 1 overnightsleeper train (Junk boat: private cabin,Sleeper train: basic, 4 berth cabin.)

• Economy class flight Danang - Saigon• Halong Bay Junk boat cruise - swim,

kayak, explore caves and floating villages• Bicycle ride to Tra Que village and

cooking demonstration• Sampan and row boat journeys in the

Mekong Delta• Airport arrival transfer day 1 and

departure transfer day 10• Guided sightseeing - Hanoi, Halong Bay,

Hue, Ho Ain, Mekong Delta and Saigon• Escorted by an English speaking

Vietnamese tour guide. Specialist guide inthe Mekong

• All relevant transfers and transportation inprivateair-conditioned vehicles

• Visa approval letter (excl. stamping feerequired upon arrival)

• Maximum group size: 20 travellers

What's Not Included• Tipping Kitty: $20 - $30 USD• Entrance Fees: $10 - $20 USD• International flights and visa. Vietnam visa

letter included - stamping fee requiredupon arrival

• Tip for your tour guide. We recommendyou allow USD$2 - 5 per day, pertraveller. Tipping your guide is an entirelypersonal gesture

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 : HanoiSaturday. Welcome to Hanoi, perhaps the mostgraceful, atmospheric and exotic capital city in Asia.Airport to hotel arrival transfer. The remains of theday offer free time for you to explore the wide treelined avenues, beautiful lakes, ancient pagoda’sand thriving, historic old city, all easily navigated onfoot. Overnight - Hanoi

Day 2 : Junk boat cruising,Halong Bay

Hanoi – Halong Bay. This morning a scenic driveleads us to the stunningly beautiful UNESCOWorld Heritage Site of Halong Bay. Boarding ourtraditional wooden junk boat we cruise the emeraldwaters soaking up the panoramic vista of thethousand or so karst limestone islands that stud thebay.

Later opt for a refreshing swim in one of themany sheltered coves before taking row boats tothe floating fishing village of Vong Vieng. Tonight,there's a Vientnamese cooking demonstration heldon the sundeck before an impressive seafooddinner is served. Overnight - Deluxe Junk Boat(B, L, D)

go guideSoutheast Asia

don't leave home without it

Very Vietnam - 10 days updated on 12-11-2012

www.onthegotours.comUK020 7371 1113 info@onthegotours.com    AUS 1300 855 684 aus-info@onthegotours.com     NZ 0800 44 77 69     CAN 1 866 890 7038     USA 1 866 377 6147     SA 0800 982 686

This Go Guide has been compiled with care and good faith. It gives an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday. Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or otherreasons could force us to make changes to this itinerary. This document does not form part of a contract between the traveller and on the go and their affiliates. Any costs shown are subject to change though are an accurate reflection ofcosts at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirements are subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of on the go

- 2 -

Day 3 : Hidden grottoes,Halong Bay

Halong Bay - Hanoi - Hue. Start the day witha Tai Chi class on the sundeck or a traditionalmassage. After exploring a lofty grotto hiddenbeneath towering cliffs, we sail back to port.

Arriving to Hanoi mid afternoon an hour or so isspent exploring the quixotic web of streets, knownas the ‘36 streets of the old quarter’. The motorbikeswarming narrow lanes are each named aftervarious guilds of the city’s artisan who establishedthemselves here centuries ago. There is SilverStreet, Silk Street, Comb Street, Paper Street andmore. The maze of rambling streets are framedby narrow front tube houses and we may have achance to sample the exotic fruits, sizzling noodledishes and delightfully sticky snacks being offersby he pavement vendors. Our tour of the areais undertaken by a quintessentially Vietnameseexperience from aboard a cyclo (rickshaw).

Time will be given to freshen up before boardingthe our train (4 berth sleeper cabin, basic standard)on the ‘Reunification Express’ railway line to Hue.Overnight - Sleeper train (B)

Day 4 : Imperial Hue

Arriving into Hue we have a hotel breakfast beforeembarking on a sightseeing tour of the 19th-centuryNguyen empire capital. We visit the Thien MuPagoda, home to the oldest monastery in the city,whose 21m high tower has become something of asymbol for Hue and the citadel. Within the citadelis the Imperial Purple Palace, an exact copy ofthe Forbidden City in Beijing, with its impressiveramparts, formal moats and imperial palaces, someof which lay in ruin.

In the countryside lies the Royal Tombs of theNguyen kings, here we’ll view the elaboratemausoleums of Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh.

As the sun sets opt for a cruise in a long boatalong the gentle Perfume River or enjoy someretail therapy at the ever lively Dong Ba Market, aminute's walk from our hotel. Overnight - Hue (B,L)

Day 5 : Delightful Hoi An

Hue - Road of the Ocean Clouds - Hoi An. Today wetake the scenic Hai Van Pass (Road of the OceanClouds), which offers magnificent views of beachesto one side and lush hills to the other. En route westop for a walk along China beach and visit peaksof the Marble Mountain. Reaching the summitof Thuy Son Mountain (Mountain of Water), weenter the naturally formed grottoes-cum- Buddhistsanctuaries. The enormous cathedral like HuyenKhrong cave is illuminated by shards of light andthe towering seated Buddha carved from the rockface is spectacular.

Onward to Hoi An. The charming, old-worldtrading port of Hoi An with it cobbled streets,traditional homes and tiny shop houses is aperfect place to lose yourself in a by goneera. Boutique restaurants, hip cafes along thewaterfront, delightful craft shops and artisansincluding some of Asia’s best bespoke tailors(whose services come at a nominal price), all canbe found here.

On a short walking tour of the enchanting historicaltown, we’ll visit the Chua Ong Pagoda, ChineseAssembly Hall, 200-year-old Tam Ky house, formermerchants’ homes and the 400 year-old JapaneseCovered Bridge. Overnight - Hoi An (B)

Day 6 : Village Life

A bicycle ride into the countryside, leads us toTra Que village. Here,we discover age old farmingpractises and learn about traditional medicine. It’s ahands on experience today where we’ll assist with

tending the fields and gardens and cooking lunch.Overnight - Hoi An (B, L)

Day 7 : Hoi An - at leisureA free day for you relax or further sightsee. You maywish to take a relaxing rowboat journey along theriver or spend the day lazing by the beach or hotelpool. It’s also possible to take an optional excursionto the most holiest and evocative of Vietnam’sCham sites, My Son or to Quang Ngai, the site ofthe My Lai massacre memorial. The massacre wasa significant turning point in the Vietnam War andthe story is told through photo presentation on awalk through the village. Overnight - Hoi An (B)

Day 8 : Crusing the Mekong

Hoi An - Saigon. Early morning flight to Saigon.Drive to the Mekong Delta. Often referred to as the‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam, the fertile Mekong Delta isfamous for its abundant harvests of tropical fruits,flowers and rice, as well as it fantastic views whileboating along the canals. Taking our sampan fromVinh Long we’ll cruise Cai Be’s colourful and livelyfloating markets and continue downstream throughthe maze of waterways visiting local cottageindustries that produce popcorn, coco candies andpaper along the way. Lunch is served today in atraditional wooden home on Dong Hoa Hiep Island.Overnight - Can Tho (B, L)

Day 9 : Mekong & Saigon

Can Tho - Saigon. Early today we visit Cai Rangfloating market and drive to Saigon. Once calledthe Pearl of the Orient, modern Saigon is a thrivingmetropolis on the move. Sleek sky scrapers,gourmet restaurants, designer malls and swankybars and spas are scattered between ancientpagodas, colonial era landmarks and lively streetmarkets. Our walking tour of Saigon includes visitsto the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Post office and

go guideSoutheast Asia

don't leave home without it

Very Vietnam - 10 days updated on 12-11-2012

www.onthegotours.comUK020 7371 1113 info@onthegotours.com    AUS 1300 855 684 aus-info@onthegotours.com     NZ 0800 44 77 69     CAN 1 866 890 7038     USA 1 866 377 6147     SA 0800 982 686

This Go Guide has been compiled with care and good faith. It gives an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday. Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or otherreasons could force us to make changes to this itinerary. This document does not form part of a contract between the traveller and on the go and their affiliates. Any costs shown are subject to change though are an accurate reflection ofcosts at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirements are subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of on the go

- 3 -

the sombering War Remnants Museum. Evening atleisure. Overnight - Saigon (B)

Day 10 : Saigon

Monday. Today offers free time in Saigon till yourdeparture transfer to the airport. Opt for a relaxingfoot massage, shop for souvenirs at Ben ThanhMarket or visit the grand Independence Palace,with its secret bunker and military command centrebeneath!

You could also extend your stay and join us on aday trip to Cu Chi. Here you can go undergroundto explore the vast network of tunnels and hideoutsused by Viet Cong guerrilla fighters, see boobytraps, trap doors or test your skill with an AK 47 atthe firing range. Visit our website for more info.(B)

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Vietnam Country Guide

Health RequirementsIt is recommended that you be vaccinated forTetanus and Polio, if you haven't had a booster inthe last ten years. Food and waterborne diseasesare more common, so we recommend vaccinationsfor typhoid (valid 3 years), Hepatitis A (validityvaries) and Diphtheria.

Malaria in VietnamAreas with malaria: Rural only, except none in theRed River Delta and the coast north of Nha Trang.Rare cases in the Mekong Delta. None in Da Nang,Haiphong, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), NhaTrang, and Qui Nhon.Estimated relative risk of malaria for travellers: Low

Information provided by the Centre for DiseaseControl & Prevention, USA and is offered asguidance only.

Yellow fever is not present in but a yellowfever vaccination certificate is required from thosetravelling from an infected region. Vaccination andhealth information can change so please contactyour local health care provider for the most up todate information prior to travelling.

VisasMost nationalities including British, Australian,Canadian, New Zealand, South African and USApassport holders require a tourist visa to visitVietnam. Travellers can choose to independently

apply (or we can arrange this for you, see notesbelow) for a 30 day tourist visa (single or multipleentry) from the nearest Vietnamese Embassy orvia the more convenient method of applying online.The cost is approx USD$20. After submitting anapplication you will receive a confirmation number,then upon arriving to Vietnam you would receive theactual visa and additionally pay a stamping fee ofUSD$25.

Applying in advance and then collecting yourtourist visa upon arrival is available to alltravellers entering the country via Hanoi - Noi BaiInternational Airport, Ho Chi Minh City - Tan SonNhat International Airport and Danang InternationalAirport.

ON THE GO ARRANGING YOUR VIETNAM VISAUpon confirming a holiday to Vietnam with us,please download a copy of our 'Vietnam Visa DataList' available on our website within the SE Asia,under the title of 'Visa Info'. Should you completethe form and return it as a Microsoft Word documentvia e-mail to us 6 weeks prior to your departure wewill arrange the visa for you (effectively saving youUSD$20).

Then approximately 2 - 3 weeks prior toyour departure we will forward to you a 'VisaConfirmation Letter' which carries a confirmationnumber'.

You will need to present the 'Visa ConfirmationLetter' and a 'Vietnam Visa Entry & Exit Form' (wehave a link to this form on our website or you canpick up one upon arrival) to immigration officialsupon arrival into Vietnam along with 2 passportphotos and a stamping fee of USD$25. A Visa willthen be stuck into your passport and you can enterVietnam!Please note: 'The Visa ConfirmationLetter' (irrespective of whether you apply for yourvisa independently or through On The Go Tours)will contain personal information such as yourpassport number, nationality and date of birth ofyourself and other travellers on one inclusive list.

PLEASE NOTE: Your passport must be valid for atleast 6 months after your departure date, if it is notyou may be refused entry into the country.

ClimateVietnam has a varied climate due to its geography.The south is hot year round and has two seasons:The wet season lasts from May to October,with brief, daily showers. The dry season fromNovember to April is generally sunny and humid. Inthe north, the summer months (May to October) arehot and there is the occasional burst of heavy rain.In the winter (December to February) temperaturesdrop in the north and it can be damp. The coastalregion of central Vietnam is blessed with longmonths of sunshine, although there is rainfall inNovember and December. At this time there canalso be some typhoon activity in the central coastalregion.

Guides and GroupsOur longest group tour in Southeast Asia is ourInside Indochina - 22 day tour. All other group toursthat we offer are sectors of this larger tour. As suchon your holiday you may have travellers join youpart way through your tour (in Hanoi or Saigon) orend their tour when you continue on.

Guiding: A Vietnamese guide will escort allarrangments throughout Vietnam.

Time & VoltageThe voltage in Vietnam is 220v. In Vietnam 3 typesof plugs are commonly accepted: 2 flat prong plugs(type A), the 2 round pin plug (type C) and many ofthe new 4 and 5 star hotels use the British standard3-pin plug (type G). To cover all bases, it is best topack an international travel adaptor!

CurrencyUSD notes are widely accepted and shopkeepersuse both currencies interchangeably. You can oftenpay for items in USD and receive your change inUSD notes and coins in VND. VND is always goodfor small purchases but there is really no need toexchange hard currency into VND prior to arrival.Make sure that your USD bills are crisp and cleanand you will have no problem using or exchangingthese throughout your stay. GBP, Euro & AUDare also widely acceptable though you will needto exchange these into USD or VND at a Bureaude change or bank. ATM machines can be foundin all major cities though it is not common to paywith credit card in restaurants, cafes or shops forpurchases. We recommend you take a mixture ofcash (preferably USD) and credit/ debit cards forATM's.

• USD 1 = VND20,840• GBP 1 = VND32,400• EURO 1 = VND25,500• AUD 1 = VND21,700

VND = Vietnamese Dong. (subject to fluctuation).

Holiday MoneyFunds collected in Vietnam for entrance fees andtip kitty (if applicable to your holiday) are payablein USD.

Essential Packing• Sleep sheet if taking an overnight sleeper

train. These also can be easily purchasedin Hanoi at a cost of USD$5

• Lightweight cotton garments.• Comfortable walking shoes in addition to

flip flogs/ thongs• DEET based mosquito repellant &

antihistamine cream• Bring a 2 flat prong (type A) and a 2 round

pin (type C) electrical adaptors. A universaladaptor will cover all bases

• Lightweight, fold up raincoat/ poncho.• Two spare passport photos & a photocopy

of your passport• A small daypack for your day-to-day needs.• Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, swim costume

and torch

go guideSoutheast Asia

don't leave home without it

Very Vietnam - 10 days updated on 12-11-2012

www.onthegotours.comUK020 7371 1113 info@onthegotours.com    AUS 1300 855 684 aus-info@onthegotours.com     NZ 0800 44 77 69     CAN 1 866 890 7038     USA 1 866 377 6147     SA 0800 982 686

This Go Guide has been compiled with care and good faith. It gives an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday. Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or otherreasons could force us to make changes to this itinerary. This document does not form part of a contract between the traveller and on the go and their affiliates. Any costs shown are subject to change though are an accurate reflection ofcosts at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirements are subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of on the go

- 4 -

Arrival TransfersIf your tour or short stay includes an airport arrivaltransfer (as indicated in the 'What you Get' sectionof this Go Guide) our arrival procedure is as follows:

Arrive to Hanoi - Noi Bai International Airport,Saigon - Tan Son Nhat International Airport.Proceed to the immigration counter and presentyour invitation letter. Complete an immigration formand submit your photographs and stamping fee ofUSD$25 (this can take some time). After collectingyour luggage proceed to the arrival hall.

As you enter the arrivals hall, look for our on the gorepresentative. He/she will be holding a prominenton the go tours logo signboard. After meeting youwill be escorted to our awaiting transportation andtransferred to our tour start hotel

If, for any reason you have trouble locating ourrepresentative (after waiting 20 minutes in thearrival hall) or your flight is delayed please call theemergency contact number as stated on your tourvoucher.

If arriving on day 1 of a holiday, that includes anairport arrival transfer (as indicated in the 'What youGet' section of this Go Guide) we will be at theairport, ready to transfer you to your hotel. Furtherif you are booking pre-tour accommodation with usan airport arrival transfer will also be provided. Ifarriving prior to 9am on day 1 (essentially on aflight that arrives very, very early in the morning)you will need to purchase a night of pre-touraccommodation to save you waiting until standardhotel check in time, which is generally 2pm.

Trains in VietnamIt's not the Orient Express, but Vietnam'sReunification Express. On a number of our grouptours we include an overnight train journey on theReunification Express Railway Line between Hanoiand Hue. The particular SE series train that weuse on this journey is the highest class of trainavailable in Vietnam. It's titled as being the nation'sfastest train; though by international standards it'squite the opposite. Never the less, our journeybetween Hanoi and Hue takes approximately 11hours and travellers are accommodated in 4 berth'Soft Sleeper' cabins.

Aboard each wagon are 9 compartments thatcomprise of 4 bunks per compartment. 4 personsof mixed sex share one compartment. You maybe sharing with people from your tour group, othertourists or Vietnamese people. Who you will shareyour cabin with is ultimately dependent upon howthe Vietnamese Railways Corporation configuresthe bookings.

Cabins onboard are comfortable though notcomparable to European standards. A westernstyle toilet (with a varying degree of cleanliness) islocated at either end of the wagon. Air-conditioning(not always operational in the summer) and lightingare controlled from inside the cabin, which is alsolockable. Luggage can be stored in a compartmentunder the bottom bunk. Linen and a pillow areprovided though we strongly recommend that you

bring your own sleep sheet (easily purchased inHanoi at a cost of USD$5). The cleanliness ofthe train varies according to wagons assigned tothe journey for that particular day. Some wagonsare spotlessly clean whilst others can be uncleanand should have been decommissioned long ago.Irrespective of the particular train you take, theyall have large clear glass windows that allow foruninterrupted views of stunning landscapes andnever ending rice paddy fields.