VIETNAM HOLIDAY 21D20N For US Veterans

Transcription

1 This is just a proposal, no reservation has been made VIETNAM HOLIDAY 21D20N For US Veterans PROPOSAL ITINERARY - 1 -

2 "Thought About Going Back?" Going back to the battlefields of your youth can be a rewarding and settling experience. If you decide that you would like to return to Vietnam, this is an opportunity to join fellow veterans, some with whom you may have served in-country with and others with whom you have that common bond, the VIETNAM EXPERIENCE. Our tours not only cover the battlefields, but also Vietnam's historical sites. There will be ample time to experience Vietnamese culture and enjoy the country's beauty. Tours are planned around the individual and group schedules and are flexible. Let us make you anforgetable Vietnam Veterans Tour from the unique beauty of Halong bay to the fertile Mekong delta, from the ancient town of Hoian to the dynamic city of Saigon

3 OUTLINED ITINERARY: Day 1 Arrive Saigon. Transfer hotel Day 2 Full day Saigon city tour. Overnight in Saigon Day 3 Leave for Mekong delta 2 days 1 night Day 4 Mekong delta Saigon. Day 5 Free time Saigon Day 6 Saigon Cuchi Tunnels Day 7 Leave Saigon to Qui Nhon ( flight ) Day 8 Visit old camp granite Qui Nhon Day 9 Free time Qui Nhon Day 10 Free time Qui Nhon Day 11 Leave Qui Nhon to Hoian ( mini bus private with air-con) Day 12 Hoian tour ( Cycling, fishing & farming ) Day 13 Leave Hoian to Danang Day 14 Danang Hue tour Day 15 Hue DMZ Day 16 Hue Hanoi ( flight ) Day 17 Hanoi city tour Day 18 Hanoi Halong bay cruise 2 days 1 night ( over night on junk boat, private cabin ) Day 19 Halong Hanoi Day 20 Hanoi around, Visit Silk Village and Pottery Town Day 21 Farewell lunch, leave for US DAY 01 Saigon arrival (..) Arrive Ho Chi Minh City On arrival we transfer to our hotel. Welcome dinner at the local restaurant. Over Night Hotel : Tan Hai Long 3 Hotel Meals : Welcome dinner DAY 02 Saigon city tour (B,L) Saigon City tour, where we can see, among other sights, the War Remnants Museum, which gives us an unmissable overview of the Vietnam War. We also visit Reunification Hall - formerly the Presidential Palace, this site symbolized the fall of Saigon and the end of the War when a tank from the North Vietnamese Army crashed through its gates. The Notre Dame Cathedral will be visited next. See the General Post Office which has remained unchanged since its completion in the 1880's. The tour continues with a stop at the City Hall. This landmark building is perhaps the most ornate of all the colonial structures in the city. Head to Cholon, the city s Chinatown district, discover the markets and shops of the area, and also the Cantonese Thien Hau Pagoda - dedicated to the goddess of the sea - 3 -

4 After lunch time, a drive down to Dong Khoi Street, pass by the historic Opera House (now the Municipal Theatre) and Continental hotel where Graham Greene lived in the Continental while writing "The Quiet American" and working as a journalist during the latter days of the French Colonial period Nearby HCM City People s Committee (formerly Hôtel de Ville) which is one of the most photographed buildings in Vietnam. Head back into the centre of the city to visit Ben Thanh Market where an incredible display of fresh produce is offered. Simply stroll through the market seeing and enjoying the variety of goods for sale. End the tour at your hotel. Overnight in Saigon Hotel : Tan Hai Long 3 Hotel Meal : Breakfast, lunch DAY 03 : Saigon Mekong Delta (CaiBe-Vinh Long- Can Tho) ( B,L,D) This morning, leave Ho Chi Minh City for the 2,5-hours drive to the delta town of Cai Be. On arrival board your boat for cruise in the Delta s waterways. Start your journey by passing by Cai Be s floating market, once a busy place to trade fruits and vegetables and nowadays a more quiet market. Then, continue to a cottage factory where poprice, rice paper and coconut candies are made After visiting the market, continue cruising the distributaries where lunch will be served enroute. Along the way admire the scenery and daily life of the local villagers. Overnight IN Can Tho. Hotel : Ninh Kieu 2 Hotel Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY 04 : Can Tho Cai Rang floating market Saigon ( B, L) DAY 05 : Saigon Free a day This morning, cruise to Cai Rang floating market, taking in the traditional sights such as rice barges, traditional shipyards and tropical fruits drying along the river banks along the way. After a visit to the colorful floating market, check out and disembark before the return to Ho Chi Minh City. Hotel : Tan Hai Long 3 Hotel Meal : Breakfast, Lunch serve on the way back to Saigon - 4 -

5 DAY 06 : Saigon Cuchi Tunnel North of Ho Chi Minh City lie the incredible Cu Chi Tunnels built by the Vietnamese resistance fighters during the years of struggle for independence. Four meters below the ground is a subterranean city on three different levels. This complex is spread over 200 kilometres and was able to withstand the force of repeated bombings. This subterranean city housed not only fighters but also schools and cinemas used by the local community. Depart Ho Chi Minh City at 08h in the morning for a drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Leaving the bustling city behind the scenery begins to change; first to lush rice paddies, then to rubber plantations, and finally to villagers drying noodles by the side of the road and going about their daily chores. On arrival start the visit with the Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc sections of the tunnel. Here you can imagine what it was like to be a guerrilla complete with Russian Carbine rifles and AK 47's. On display in the visitor's section you can see a map of the tunnel system; this really helps you comprehend the complexity and the ingenious design of the tunnels. Arrive back in Ho Chi Minh City at around 13h DAY 07 : Saigon Quy Nhon ( B ) Note : If you would like to shoot, bullets are available for shooting but chargable and exclusive in the tour prices Hotel : Tan Hai Long 3 Hotel Meal : Breakfast, Lunch Leave Saigon to Quy Nhon by Vietnam Airlines, on arrival our driver will will come your group at Phu Cat airport to Royal Hotel Quy Nhon Hotel : Royal Hotel Meal : Breakfast DAY 08 : Quy Nhon visit Camp Granite ( B) Visit Camp Granite & Vung Chua Moutain. It was home to various U. S. Army units/ US Army camp base during Vietnam war Hotel : Royal Hotel Meal : Breakfast DAY 09 : Quy Nhon free time DAY 10 : Quy Nhon free time - 5 -

6 DAY 11 : Quy Nhon Hoian ( B, L) Quy Nhon/Hoi An. Driving north on AH1, we pass near Phu Cat, a former USAF base and current Vietnamese Air Force base.. Optional : North of Quang Nhai we detour to Son My, also known as My Lai. The government has constructed a destroyed village here to represent the actual destruction of My Lai by US forces in March We will see the only representation of an honor for a US Soldier here where the government has cited the heroic intervention of CWO Hugh Thompson, who landed his helicopter between Vietnamese civilians and out-of-control infantry. We continue on to Hoi An where we discover Hoian Acient city with cultural sites along the route. Hotel : Sunshine Hoian Hotel Meal : Break, Lunch Transportation : Mini bus 29 seats with Aircon, 8 hours drive plus 1 hour stop for lunch DAY 12 : Hoian countryside biking tour ( B, L) After being collected from your hotel, a short bicycle competency test will be given. For those uncomfortable with a pushbike, then other methods of transport can be arranged. The tour starts by cycling along level ground to the Thu Bon River to visit a local fishing village. Ride along country lanes at a peaceful pace viewing local life and pause to see farmers toiling in their rice fields using centuries of farming practices. Peddle your way through palm forests, across bridges, fields of water buffalo... Take a short break in a local family at Cam Thanh Village before enjoying 1.5 hours ride on Traditional Basket Boat ( round boat ) in the Water Coconut Palm Forest. Learn how to sail the basket boat and spend your time to catch fishes and purple crabs in the Canal. Continue to ride our bike to Tra Que Organic Vegetable Village where a large variety of vegetable are produced for the local community. At the village, you will be shown the environmentally sustainable practices which the local villagers have used for centuries and is still being used extensively today. Visit a local family and after a short, informative and fun cooking lesson, we sit down for a delicious lunch. Hotel : Sunshine Hotel Hoian Meal : Breakfast, Lunch DAY 13 : Hoian Danang ( B,L) - 6 -

7 Leave Hoian to Danang during the Vietnam War, Danang Air Base was one of the busiest airports in the world. Hotel : Chu Hotel My Khe Beach Danang Meal : Breakfast, Lunch DAY 14 : Danang Hue ( B,L) On the way stop over Marble mountain, Cham museum and Quan Yin Temple After lunch in Da Nang, we have a few hours available for client requested locations before checking into our hotel at My Khe Beach. Free time and relax Departing early this morning leave Danang City. We then drive over Nam O Bridge, a crucial bridge in the fight for Da Nang, and over the steep Hai Van Pass. Hai Van Pass has been a vital military strategic foothold for centuries, and was used by French and American armies in the Indochina War and Vietnam War; bunkers and fortifications dot the hillsides. Continuing north, roughly parallel to the coast, we reach the imperial city of Hué. Arrive Hue (the old Imperial Capital of Vietnam) and begin our study of the 1968 Tet Offensive battle for the southern city. After lunch visit Hue Citadel with its ramparts and towers, and visit sites specific to the northern battle, including Dong Ba Gates. We finish at the Imperial Palace gate blown by 1/5, which allowed the ARVN to enter and lower the NVA flag that had flown from the main flagpole for 24 days. We then visit the Forbidden City, home to the ancient emperors After dinner, you can roam the fascinating shops on Le Loi Street until late at night. Hotel : Moonlight Hotel Hue Meal : Breakfast, Lunch DAY 15 : Hue DMZ ( B,L) The De-Militarized Zone (DMZ) lay along the 17 Parallel, which marked the divide between North and South Vietnam. Situated along the DMZ were a string of combat bases, observation posts and air fields, remnants of which still remain Visit : - The Ben Hai River served as demarcation line between the North and the South of Vietnam. The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) consisted of a 5km to either side of the demarcation line. - Hien Luong Bridge - Vinh Moc Tunnels along High way No.1. After lunch continue to visit the Rock Pile and former Marine AO, called Leatherneck Square, - The Dakrong Bridge, Ho Chi Minh Trail - 7 -

8 - Khe Sanh Combat Base, Ta Con airfield and the Ethnic minorities along High way No.9. - Dong Ha City Coming back Hue in late afternoon. Option 2 recommended : DMZ tour visit, Ben Hai river, Hien Luong bridge, Quang Tri and Dong ha City, not visit Vinh Moc Tunnels & Khe Sanh Combat base Hotel : Moonlight Hotel Hue Meal : Breakfast, Lunch DAY 16 : Hue Hanoi ( B,L) Free time in the morning until transfer to Phu Bai airport. Leave Hue for Hanoi Hotel : Hanoi Moment Hotel Meal : Breakfast, Lunch DAY 17 : Hanoi city tour ( B,L) Today we visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Ho Chi Minh House, the One Pillar Pagoda, the fascinating War Museum, and the Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton), Journey back to the centre of town for a Cyclo ride around Hanoi s old streets. Free your own to discover Hanoi DAY 18 : Hanoi Halong Bay ( B,L,D) board. Overnight on Halong Bay Following breakfast leave Hanoi for a 3hr30mins drive to Halong Bay including a 20-minutes stop on the way. Arrive at your jetty in Halong City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities. After your welcome onboard, a lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on HaLong Boat cruise : Private cabin ( double / twin ) - 8 -

9 - Option 1 : Glory Cruise - Option 2 : Pelican Cruise Meal : breakfast, lunch, dinner DAY 19 : Halong Bay - Hanoi ( B,L) Enjoy your fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Halong in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi or Haiphong. Note: This tour may be subject to change depending on weather conditions. DAY 20 : Hanoi Bat Trang Van Phuc Village ( B,L) Bat Trang Ceramic Village is on the left bank of Hong river and about 10 km from Hanoi in East (in Gia Lam District, Hanoi), there situated a pottery village. Van Phuc Silk Village which is just 15km to the west of Hanoi is a place renowned over centuries for its silk-making and silk products - Van Phuc village in Ha Dong of former Ha Tay Province (Hanoi now). Our tour guide pick your group at the hotel in Hanoi, drive to Bat Trang an old pottery village, the famous village is situated approx 15 outside of Hanoi, surrounded by fertile farmland. Watch the artisans forming, painting and glazing their products, which are then baked for several days in huge kilns. Lunch at local Vietnamese restaurant After lunch visit Van Phuc is situated on the bank of Nhue River, 10km from Hanoi on the southwest motorway. The village is in the centre of Ha Dong Town, Ha Tay Province, and the biggest silk production village in Vietnam. The sound of looms has filled Van Phuc for a thousand years, and is a touching sound to villagers when returning from far away. DAY 21 : Hanoi departure ( B,L) Today we have farewell lunch at the restaurant in Hanoi and say good bye Vietnam See you again END OF SERVICE - 9 -

10 RATES & CONDITIONS HOTELS CITY HOTEL NAME HOTEL CATEGORY ROOM TYPE Saigon Tan Hai Long 3 Hotel Standard Deluxe Mekong delta Ninh Kieu 2 Hotel Superior Superior Quy Nhon Royal Hotel Quy Nhon Superior Deluxe seaview Hoian Sunshine Hotel Standard Superior Danang Chu Hotel Standard Superior seaview Hue Moonlight Hotel Superior Superior Hanoi Hanoi Moment Hotel Standard Deluxe Halong Bay Pelican Cruise Deluxe Deluxe cabin PRICING - US DOLLARS PER PERSON Group size pax 16-20pax 21-25pax Price per person 1142 $ 1125 $ 1069$ Single supplement 558 $ INCLUSIVE Addition : Domestic AirfareVietnam Airlines Route Price in USD ( full fare ) Economy class Saigon Quy Nhon 100 USD/way Hue Hanoi 107 USD/way We will get the cheapest price USD if group have confirmation no later than 30 Nov 2014 Accommodations with Double/Twin sharing room with daily breakfast at selected hotels or similar ones Meals as mentioned in the program B= Breakfast, Br=Brunch, L=lunch & D = dinner English-speaking local guides in Vietnam during the whole trip Private air-conditioned vehicles during the whole trip Entrance fees for mentioned visits Private boat trip in Mekong delta One night on non-private junk in Halong bay Vietnam entry visa (COMPLIMENTARY, values upto 25 USD/person) Mineral water 2 bottle / per person per day EXCLUSIVE

11 International flight tickets from/to Vietnam Domestic flight ticket from Saigon Quy Nhon & Danang Hanoi Vietnam visa stamping fee (45 USD/person for Single entry and 65 USD/person for multiple entries, must be obtained before arrival) Meals other than mentioned Laundry, telephone calls and expenditure of a personal nature Gratuity to guides, drivers, boat crews, hotel porters. Any services other than mentioned NOTES: It is recommended for travelers to Vietnam to have a travel insurance covering also the cost of medical evacuation flights. Notes: Prices valid until 31 Dec, Bookings at peak season time (Lunar New Year, National Holidays 30 April, 01 May, 02 Sept) may be subject to a surcharge. Keep tour price unchanged guaranty EARLY BIRD promotion for your group if we make final decision no later than 30 Nov 2014 TERMS & CONDITIONS BOOKING PROCEDURE Booking will be confirmed on receipt of advance deposit only. (1) Asian Destination Travel requires 30% advance deposit to hold the booking. (2) Balance 80% must reach Asian Destination Travel 30 days prior to tour departure date. LIABILITY The prices are subject to amendment should the Transporters/ Hoteliers amend their rates prior to commencement of the tour. REFUND After commencement of Travel, no refund in full or in part will be given for services included in the program, which are not utilized. HOTEL CHECK IN- CHECK OUT TIME Hotel Check in - Check out time is usually 12h00 am. Extended check in - check out time may be granted subject to availability and agreement by the participating hotels. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS In case visas are required, Asian Destination Travel would be delighted to help you organizing the visas. Please note however, that Asian Destination Travel can not be held responsible for information on visa regulations, or in case visas are not obtained or visas are not accepted by local authorities. It is the Tour member responsibility to ensure that they have valid passports and visas, where necessary. RESPONSIBILITY Except in situations beyond human control, Asian Destination Travel will be held responsible for any

12 additional expense resulting from the change caused by us in itinerary, transportation, accommodation and meals. Except in situations beyond human control, Asian Destination Travel shall provide compensatory service for participants or refund the difference in payment for service rendered below standard. The detailed program and schedule flights are subject to changes by airline without prior notice and in accordance with the weather conditions and daily operation of flights. Consequently, itinerary concerned might be adjusted. If this occurs, Asian Destination Travel will do all in its power to assist participants in boarding flights or finding alternative arrangements. Note however that it is done as a courtesy to participants and Asian Destination Travel can not be held responsible for denied boarding, nor for additional costs occurred. POLICY REGARDING CANCELLATION / NO SHOW / EARLY DEPARTURE In case of Special Train Journey and peak season hotel bookings a separate cancellation policy is applicable (which would be advised as and when required). Asian Destination Travel must be informed in writing. Cancellation charges would be effective from the date we receive advice in writing and cancellation charges would apply as follows: * Before 30 days - 10% of the total tour / service cost * From 15 days to 07 days - 15% of the total tour / service cost * From 07 days to 02 days - 25% of the total tour / service cost * From 02 days (48 hrs) to departure - 50% of the total tour / service cost TRAVEL INSURANCE To travel around Asia, Asian Destination Travel highly recommend that participants have travel insurance