VIETNAM TOUR MARCH/APRIL 2018

Transcription

1 PO Box 4652, Tygervalley, Tel: +27 (0) Fax: +27 (0) DJ ToursandSafari ********************************************************************************** VIETNAM TOUR MARCH/APRIL 2018

2 DETAILED PROGRAM DESCRIPTION DAY 1 Sunday 25 March CAPE TOWN - DUBAI Meet at Cape Town International Airport to catch your 13h25 flight to Hanoi. Flight EK 773. Weight Limit is 20 KG, plus 7 Kg hand luggage. Evening Flying time to Dubai is 9 Hours and 45 Minutes. This will be via Dubai on Emirates Airlines. Luggage goes straight through. On the plane.

3 DAY 2 Monday 26 March DUBAI HANOI (- / - / D) Breakfast and lunch is on the plane. Arrive in Dubai at 01h10, wait 2 hours and 20 minutes. Catch your next flight (EK388) at 03h30 to Hanoi via Yangon in Burma. Total time is 9 Hours. At Yangon, you wait in the plane for a short while. Lunch on Plane. Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport at 15h30. Upon arrival at Noi Bai airport, you are warmly welcomed by our Tour guide and transferred by Luxury Coach to the Hotel. Rest of the afternoon at Leisure!! 18h30 - at Viet Kitchen Vietnamese Cuisine. La Dolce Vita Hotel.

4 DAY 3 Tuesday 27 March HANOI FULL DAY HANOI TOUR (B / L / D) Visit Ho Chi Minh Complex, where the father of modern-day Vietnam declared the nation s independence in Discover the reverence with which the Vietnamese treat their Uncle Ho at this pilgrimage site. Continue your tour at sites such as the Stilt House, Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh museum and One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc pagoda with West lake. Then drive to the Temple of Literature, built in honour of Confucius by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong in Visit to the Ethnology museum where contains more than 10,000 objects, 15,000 black and white photos and hundreds of video tapes and cassettes which depict all aspects of life, activities, customs, and habits of the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. Lunch at Khai Brothers Buffet Take walking tour around the old quarter which is fascinating area of narrow alleys and shop house also known as 36th streets Then end the day with the Famous Water Puppet Show. at Maison Vie Restaurant. 21h40 - Catch Night Train to Lao Cai. We have a Guide with us on the Train. Students in 4 Bed Compartments. Teachers share a Compartment.

5 DAY 4 Wednesday 28 March LAO CAI SAPA CATCAT SAPA (B / L / D) Arrive Lao Cai station at 05h35. Transfer to Sapa town by 35 Seater Bus. Breakfast at Restaurant. Start the trip to Cat Cat Village of Black H Mong tribe. We relax at the foot of the stunning waterfall in Cat Cat, then go through a village of Black H Mong tribe. This is about a 2 Km walk. Lunch at Red Dzao Restaurant (or similar) Vietnamese cuisine Come back to Sapa. Free at your leisure. at Sapa Lotus Restaurant (or similar) Vietnamese cuisine SAPA (Holiday Hotel - )

6 DAY 5 Thursday 29 March SAPA LAO CHAI- TA VAN SAPA LAO CAI HANOI (B / L / D) Breakfast at the Hotel. We will start our tour to Lao Chai Village of the Dzay minority. This is by Bus and with a Guide. Lunch at Ta Van restaurant (or similar) Vietnamese cuisine Then we will visit Ta Van Village of the Red Dzao. Transfer back Lao Cai station. Free and easy then have dinner before getting to Lao Cai Station to catch your Night Train(20h35) back to Hanoi. at Thien Hai restaurant (or similar). Night train (King Express, Livitrans)

7 DAY 6 Friday 30 March HANOI HALONG BAY (B / L / D) After breakfast at hotel. Commence the 4 Hr road transfer to Halong Bay. 11h30 12h15 Arrive Hon Gai Harbour. 12h30 - Transfer by Tender to Bai Tho Junk Enjoy welcome drink. 13h00 - Enjoy Lunch while cruising to Magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay. 15h30 16h30 Transfer by Rowing Boat to Vung Vieng Fishing Village. 16h45 17h30. Relax on Ban Chan Beach. Then return to Boat. 18h30 Anchor for the Night at Cong Do Area. 19h30 21h30 22h30. Relax on Deck, Spa Services, Drinks Service or Night Time Fishing. On the Cruise Cabin Boat.

8 DAY 7 Saturday 31 March HALONG BAY (B / L / D) 06h30-07h30 Enjoy Sunrise over the Bay. Coffee, tea and Pastries served in dining room. 08h00 - Full Breakfast to be served in Dining Room. 08h30 - Continue Cruise to some of the more Untouched Locales. Enjoy a leisurely day of Sightseeing, Kayaking and Swimming. 13h00 - Lunch is on Boat 18h30 Anchor overnight at Cong Do Area. on Boat On Cruise Boat

9 DAY 8 Sunday 1 April HALONG - HANOI HUE (B / L / D) 06h30 Enjoy Sunrise over the Bay. 06h45 07h45 - Coffee, Tea and Breakfast Pastries served in Dining Room. 08h00 08h30 Explore the well-hidden Thien Canh Son Cave. 09h00 09h30 Check out of Cabins, settle Bills and Collect Luggage. 09h30 10h30 International Brunch served in Dining Room. 11h00 Arrive at Pier. Farewell!! 12h00 - Transfer back to Hanoi, 16h30 Arrive Hanoi. Leisure time until dinner. at Anh Hoa restaurant (or similar) Vietnamese cuisine Transfer to Hanoi station for night train (19h30) to Hue. (no escort guide on train)

10 DAY 9 Monday 2 April Hue Imperial City (B / L / D) Arrival Hue at about 08h50. Meet up with guide and transfer to restaurant for breakfast. After breakfast, you will start the tour with a visit to the Imperial Citadel and King Minh Mang Tomb, King Tu Duc Tomb, Thien Mu Pagoda, a 21-metre-high (69-foothigh) octagonal tower regarded as the symbol of Hue. The capital of the Nguyen emperors, Hué is packed with temples, tombs, palaces and pagodas. Foodies won t want to miss the fussy degustation-style imperial cuisine for which this city is rightly famous. This afternoon you will embark on the dragon boat cruise along Perfume River to admire the sunset and enjoy a special dinner (included) with traditional music performance on boat while cruising along Perfume River. on the Boat. Romance Hotel ( )

11 DAY 10 Tuesday 3 April HUE MPERIAL CITY HOI AN (B / L / D) Transfer from Hue to Hoi An, journey south, passing Hai Van pass, My Khe Beach and Lang co beach, over a spur of the Truong Son Mountain Range that juts into the South-East Asia Sea, with spectacular views along the way. Upon arrival in Danang, visit Marble Mountain on the way. Arrive Hoi An, a town oozing charm and history, having largely escaped the destruction of successive wars. Once a sleepy riverside village, it s now quite definitely a tourist town with hotels, restaurants, bars, tailors and souvenir shops dominating the old centre. In the afternoon, take a walk to visit ancient tiny town, Hoi An, Japanese covered bridge, and some Chinese Assembly Halls. at Local Restaurant. Dao Tien. At Leisure. 3 *Thuy Duong Hotel ( )

12 DAY 11 Wednesday 4 April HOI AN MY SON HOLY LAND HOI AN (B / L / D) In the morning, take a private bus from Hoi An town to My Son Holy Land one of the world heritage site of Vietnam. Back to Hoi An town for lunch. Ngoc Tuyet Pho Restaurant Rest of the afternoon to explore the streets of Hoi An. at Viet Village restaurant (or similar) Vietnamese cuisine Thuy Duong Hotel ( )

13 DAY 12 Thursday 5 April HOI AN HO CHI MINH (SAIGON) (B / L / D) After breakfast, transfer to Danang and then catch your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). VN 115 DAD SGN 09h h05. Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport, meet your tour guide and transfer to visit Cu Chi tunnels. This network of tunnels, which stretched for over 200km, became legendary during the 1960s. The Cu Chi tunnels played a vital part in the U.S - Vietnam War in that they allowed the Viet Cong to control a large rural area only 30 to 40 km from Saigon. Then transfer to Ho Chi Minh City and check into your hotel. Rest of the afternoon and evening at Leisure. at Au Parc Restaurant. This is Western Food. Rest of evening at Leisure. 3* Le Duy Hotel - This Hotel is in the Centre of District One of Saigon.

14 DAY 13 Friday 6 April HO CHI MING CITY MEKONG DELTA HO CHI MINH CITY (B / L / D) After breakfast, transfer to outskirt of Saigon and begins the tour on the beautiful countryside road. Start at Tourist Boat Station (My Tho), cruising on Tien (Mekong) river and seeing four islands: Dragon, Unicorn, Tortoise, Phoenix. Enjoy fresh coconut juice. To visit fish floating market and Fish-craft village along Tien River. Stop at Thoi Son island, go walking around countryside road, seeing orchards, enjoy tropical fruits and listen to traditional music. Take a rowing boat on small canal with beautiful scenery of country side, to visit honey-bee farm and enjoy honey-tea. Stop at Phoenix island to visit Coconut Monk Temple and Crocodile-pond. Arrive back mid-afternoon, leisure time, then go for dinner. on Indochina Junk (Boat) Restaurant. This includes a cruise on the Saigon River. 3* Le Duy Hotel -

15 DAY 14 - Saturday 7 April HO CHI MING CITY - AIRPORT (B / - / -) Sleep late. After breakfast, spend the rest of your last day at Leisure. Here you can walk around Ho Chi Minh City. Lunch and today is for your own expense. There is a Pizza Place and a Kentucky right next door to the Hotel. Have a shower and check out of Hotel by 20h00. Then Coach will transfer you to the Airport to be there by 21h00. Check your luggage in and walk around the Airport before your flight departs just after midnight. On Plane

16 DAY 15 Sunday 8 April HO CHI MINH - DUBAI CAPE TOWN Flight (EK 393) departs at 00h25 from Ho Chi Minh and lands in Dubai at 04h30. Flight time is 7 hours and 05 minutes. Find your departure terminal and gate (Your luggage goes straight through to Cape Town/Johannesburg). Waiting time in Dubai is 4 Hours and 20 minutes. Then catch your 08h50 Flight (EK770) to Cape Town 16h30 - Arrive back home at Cape Town International Airport (Or OR Tambo). Flight Time is 9 Hours and 40 Minutes. Then catch tour Domestic Flight to Port Elizabeth.

17 TOUR SUMMARY R PRICE INCLUDES Price is based on per person sharing in Double or Twin. Price is based on an exchange rate of R14.00 to the US Dollar and is subject to change. Price is based on a minimum of 20 persons. Now as of 29 March 2017, the exchange rate is about R13.00 to the USD. DAYS 15 Days and 12 nights CITIES Hanoi, SAPA, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). FLIGHTS OTHER TRANSPORT ACCOMMO- DATION AND MEALS Port Elizabeth - Cape Town Dubai- Hanoi on Economy Class. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Dubai - Cape Town Port Elizabeth on Economy Class. Luxury air-conditioned coach throughout the tour. Domestic Flights - Danang to Ho Chi Ming City (Saigon) by VN Airlines. Maximum of 20 Kg weight for 1 piece of luggage. 7Kg Hand Luggage. All Train Trips are included. All Boat Cruises. All accommodation is on a sharing basis and approved by DJ Tours & Safaris. Full Board (All Meals) as per the itinerary. Vietnamese Cuisine. GUIDES Full time guides for the duration of the Tour. EXCURSIONS As per the itinerary. AIRPORT TAXES Included in the price. INSURANCE Group Insurance of R25 Million. GIFT Each touring member receives a DJ Tours & Safaris Travel backpack. PRICE EXCLUDES VISAS Vietnamese Visa is required. DJ Tours will assist with this. Each Person needs to take 27 US Dollars (+/- R400) in Cash for this. TIPS Most are included, but for the Boat you need about R200 each. EXTRAS NOTES REGARDING PRICE Any item not listed in the itinerary above. No drinks are included. Excursions, transport or services not mentioned or mentioned as optional. Personal expenses, like washing, phone calls, etc. Excess baggage. Only 20KG is allowed for the flight. Prices are net per person, based on a sharing basis. All prices quoted are based on tariffs & fares currently available, as well as prevailing rates of exchange & therefore these prices are subject to change without prior notification. This is a quote only and no services have been secured. DJ Tours reserves the right to change the itinerary in the event of circumstances beyond our control.

18 Tour Price: R per paying Student/Learner/Parent. This is per person sharing in twin (if odd number of boys and girls, 1 trip Room). This is based on an exchange rate of R14 / USD. Now (March 2017) the exchange rate is well below R It is further based on a flight estimate of R return including Airport taxes. I should get this cheaper and will get quotes from Emirates, Qatar, Singapore and Cathay Pacific Airlines. I usually get the best fares on Emirates. These 2 variables will determine the final Tour Price. It should thus be slightly cheaper! Payment Schedule: Deposit R8000 non-refundable deposit, per person by end of May This will enable me to secure the flights and get the best flight prices. The rest can be negotiated. Inclusions: Meals: Full Board (All Meals). Hotel breakfasts, Vietnamese Cuisine for Lunch and s in Restaurants. We could have 2 Western s during the Tour to take a break from The Cuisine? Fully Guided - We have a full-time Guide with us for the duration of the Tour. All entrance fees and outings as per the itinerary are included. Return flights (Including Airport Taxes) on economy class. Accommodation in 3 and 4 * Hotels as per the itinerary. We will have our own Private Boat (Junk) on Halong Bay for those 2 nights. This will be one of the Highlights of the Tour. Own Captain, Chef, Guide, etc. The Domestic Flights on Vietnam Airlines is included. 20 Kg weight restriction. Believe me when I say that Kg luggage is sufficient. It is warm to hot. All transport in our own private Fully Lux Coach. Late Check out on last day. 2 Bottles of mineral water per person per day is also included. Our agent will organise our Visa Letter. Travel Insurance is included. This will be through Bidvest. You all get a Blue Jeans Travel / DJ Tours and Safaris Backpack. This is great for the plane as well as for the day trips. Tips for Guides and Drivers are included. Not for Boat Crew.

19 Exclusions: All drinks are excluded. At meals and elsewhere. But this is cheap! Visa Fee. You need to take along $27 cash (Price at the moment) for the Visa. Tips: Compulsory tipping is for Driver and Guide. $3 (Driver $1, Guide $2) per person per day is included, but not for the Boat Crew. Here you need to budget for about DONG (VND) each. That is about R200. VND = about R These are the only exclusions! Visa: The Visa is fairly simple. I send copies of our passports to the agents. They get a Visa Letter and upon arrival, we just fill in a form, show the Visa Letter, have your photo taken and pay the $27 in cash. They then paste the Visa in your passport. This all takes about minutes. Luggage: Although Emirates (and the other Airlines) allow more you will only be allowed 20 Kg on Vietnam Airlines. Plus 7 Kg hand luggage. Dietary Requirements: Both the Airlines as well as the restaurants in Vietnam, cater for Vegetarian and Vegan persons. Also for Kosher and Halaal. In Vietnam, True Kosher is not catered for in all the places. It is fairly easy to work around this, as many of the meals are Seafood and Chicken and then Vegetables and Fruit. We will request no Pork and Kosher Meals. Weather: It is warm to hot in Hanoi area see graph below. It may rain on a day or so, so a light fold-up umbrella or light rain-jacket is advised.

20 Time Difference: Vietnam is 5 Hours ahead of South Africa in Time. So 12h00 here is 17h00 in Vietnam. Spending Money: Remember that virtually everything is paid for in advance. So, it is your decision as to how much spending money you are going to take along. The currency there is the Vietnam Dong. At the moment VND = R So, if a cooldrink cost Dong that is about R6.00 Communication: What most people do is to buy a data sim card. This we buy at the airport upon arrival and it costs $9. Then you get unlimited data for the duration of the Tour. So, you can then use Facebook Messenger, WhattsApp, etc. to communicate. Although you have a different Sim Card your WhattsApp and messenger works perfectly. All the Hotels and Most Restaurants have Wi-Fi as well! Please have a look at my Facebook page DJ Tours & Safaris and look for the posts under Photos, See All and then Look at Cedar House Vietnam Tour. This will give you a good idea of the Tour. Dirk Joubert March 2017.