Introduction WAVBC Hello Vietnam Business Tour Itinerary 28 July to 04 August 2018 The economy of Vietnam has since the mid 80's experienced rapid growth and is now in a transition period of integrating into the global economy. Many Vietnamese business enterprises are now working towards improving the quality of their services and products. Australia is already well represented in Vietnam with some of Australia's leading companies beginning to make their presence felt in such major industries as Oil & Gas, Engineering, Construction and Agriculture. Many international economists are predicting that Vietnam will 'Come of Age' in the next ten years. They believe this will be greatly assisted by a new generation of entrepreneurial young Vietnamese men and women who are keen to help 'grow their country by building business relationships with overseas companies. Many of the new generation speak good English, have been well educated overseas and are returning to their country with valuable skills and experience. This tour will provide opportunities not just to see and hear how Vietnam is preparing to become a leading Asian player in the global marketplace but to get up close and personal with Vietnamese business owners and some of the many young entrepreneurs. A day hosted by the Ba Ria Vung Tau Province Department of Industry & Trade will provide a unique insight to just how its key industries perform and market their services to other countries. Saturday 28 July 2018 Welcome to Saigon (no meals included) You will be met at the Saigon International Airport and transferred to your Hotel. For people arriving early morning, please note hotel check in is at 2pm. Welcome to Saigon The rest of today and tonight is at own arrangements allowing you to settle in and explore Saigon at your own pace. Accommodation: Liberty Central Saigon City Point Hotel 59 Pasteur Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1 HCMC +84-28 3822 5678 Liberty Central Saigon City Point Hotel is a cornerstone of true Saigon city living. Contemporarily designed with modern rooms and suites, the hotel offers guests convenient hotel accommodation in the central business district. Sunday 29 th July 2018 Saigon (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) For those up and early a brisk morning walk through the beautiful Tan Dao Park. After breakfast, the group will meet for a briefing before departing on a morning city tour. Depart at restaurant after lunch at 13:30 for a half day tour of vibrant Ho Chi Minh City. Your program includes the Reunification Hall, formerly known as the Presidential Palace it was towards this modern building that North Vietnamese tanks seized on the morning of April 30 1975, as Saigon fell. Page 1 of 5
This fascinating building is filled with history still fresh in the minds of many. Following visit the War Remnants Museum. Continue to the Old Post Office, the Notre Dame Cathedral. Discover the Jade Emperor Pagoda. At the end of the morning stop at Ben Thanh the central market for the city and one of its liveliest and most colorful areas. After lunch we continue to conduct a local factory tour Triac Composites are an Australian and New Zealand owned business that build the highly successful Rapido Trimaran at their Cat Mai Vietnam facility. Designed by naval architects Morelli & Melvin the ocean crossing 60 sailing boat has recently been dubbed the world s fastest cruising multihull. Its an interesting story of just how they came to choose Vietnam and the challenges they faced to produce a world class boat. Saigon River Evening Dinner Cruise Enjoy a unique evening dining experience on board a Saigon River cruise. Step aboard and be introduced to a world that honors ancient Saigon, times long ago forgotten. From the moment you step a board Bonsai, she is a grand beauty of the river. You will be swept away and amazed at our attention to detail and service. Menu selection is slowcooked, hand-selected, fresh from the grill and all tangy in taste. Arranged and prepared live on our interactive buffet stations. Chef s aim is to create signature dishes based on the many regional delicacies of Indochina. AusCham committee members and Austrade representatives will join us on the cruise Monday 30 th July 2018 Saigon to Vung Tau (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) After breakfast, depart for inspection of the Long Hau Industrial Park. Strategically well positioned just 45 minutes south of Ho Chi Minh City the environmentally friendly Long Hau Industrial Park is one of Vietnam's top ranked parks and serves as a bridge between Ho Chi Minh City and the 12 provinces in the Mekong Delta to the south. The very well organized 288-hectare industrial zone caters for both small SME's and large international companies and is only 2 kilometers away from the Hiep Phuoc deep water port. A lot of thought went into the design and layout of the park which now boast excellent access roads, state of the art clean water and waste water treatment facilities, a fire fighting system and a time saving park-based import / export customs support service. One of the 'must see' innovative measures to ensure a constant local labour supply was the creation of a village that can now accommodate up to 5000 people in 'Singapore style' four story dormitories that have been fitted out with modern 2 and 3-bedroom units. The village also includes a supermarket, a bank, a kindergarten, medical centre and recreational facilities. Following a brief presentation by a senior Long Hau Corporation representative, our delegation will embark on a guided tour of the park to see the service support facilities and get up close to some of the companies who operate from the park. Lunch is at a local restaurant. After lunch depart south along the new expressway towards Vung Tau on arrival enjoy a short Vung Tau city tour. Page 2 of 5
Evening BBQ at WAVBC Committee Members Roof Top Bar Our evening BBQ will be hosted by WAVBC Treasurer Walter Leijin and his wife Giang, a local business woman. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy a balmy Vung Tau evening overlooking the ocean. We have heard whispers that some interesting international musicians may be providing the entertainment Accommodation: Pullman Vung Tau 15 Thi Sach Street Thang Tam Ward Vung Tau +84 254 355 1777 The Pullman Vung Tau is the first 5-star international hotel in Vung Tau City and features spectacular views of Back Beach and Front Beach. Tuesday 31 July 2018 Vung Tau (Breakfast, Dinner) This day we will be guest of the Ba Ria Vung Tau Province Department of Industry and Trade. One of the fastest growing regions in Vietnam, just 100kms south of Ho Chi Minh City the Ba Ria Vung Tau Province hosts a wide range of industries. Throughout the day we will meet key officials of the Dept of Industry & Trade, local industry leaders and small business operators. Evening dinner members of the local Business Network International chapter will join us. Assisted by young local interpreters we will have the opportunity to hear first hand from very experienced Vietnamese businessmen and women just how they manage their business and their thoughts on strategic overseas relationships. Wednesday 01 August 2018 Vung Tau (Breakfast, Dinner) After breakfast we depart to the Dong Xuyen Industrial Zone to learn more about the facilities of Southern Petroleum Construction JSC (ECC Alpha) Vung Tau is the Oil & Gas capital of Vietnam and Southern Petroleum Construction JSC (ECC Alpha) is a very successful private company providing technical engineering services to the local Oil & Gas Industry. Founded in 2003 ECC Alpha is a very interesting Vietnam business success story. Starting with humble facilities the company gradually established one of the country's best Oil & Gas offshore support facilities that now includes a 150 metre jetty and a spacious waterside lay down area amongst its 14 hectares in the Dong Xuyen Industrial Zone. The key onshore/offshore technical services provided by ECC Alpha are manufacturing, maintenance and modifications, all supported by a very experienced inhouse engineering design team. Given that skilled resources were once a rarity in the region our tour members will hear just how ECC Alpha strategically developed its employees and managed to enhance its engineering capability. A guided tour through the ECC Alpha operations will allow our tour members to see the quality of its facilities and understand just how far the business has travelled in just 13 years of operation. In the interest of safety closed shoes and long pants are required to be worn. Page 3 of 5
This afternoon is Free Time to wander around Vung Tau at your leisure. OAV Members Networking Dinner Another unique evening dinner held at a local restaurant where we will be joined by local QAV members (the organisation started by our recent Perth Event guest speaker Mr Binh Ho Thai. Everyone will get the opportunity to experience the thoughts and challenges of the dynamic local young Vietnamese Alumini (many of whom have been educated in Australia). Most speak good English and you will get to feel their enthusiasm to make their country economically stronger by being enterprising young entrepreneurs. Thursday 02 August 2018 Vung Tau - Long Tan Cross Long Hai Ho Tram Saigon (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) After breakfast, depart for the Long Tan Cross placed at the battle scene of one of Australia s most historic military events. It was the afternoon of 18 th August 1966 when a group of Viet Cong soldiers stumbled on the Australian Delta Company,6RAR who were on a routine patrol. The company of just 108 men held its ground with courage and grim determination against a three-sided attack from a force of 2,500 Viet Cong and North Vietnamese troops. Marvel in the panoramas of the rubber plantations that flank the battleground and imagine the rich and troubled history still tangible on these grounds. Lunch today is at the floating Duc Nho Restaurant After lunch travel via the latest major tourist attraction the Ho Tram Precinct, the on to Saigon. This timing of our arrival on this evening conveniently coincides with an AusCham Networking Event. The WAVBC and AusCham Vietnam enjoy a very good relationship and the opportunity to mingle with some of Vietnam s most successful Australian business men and women was too good an opportunity to miss. Friday 03 August 2018 Saigon (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Morning meeting with Saigon based Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry representatives. An interesting opportunity to listen to just how the local CCI views the Vietnam economy and their opinion on the industries that will prosper in the coming years. This afternoon is free to enjoy Saigon at your leisure Tonight, a farewell dinner will be held at the famous Hoa Tuc Restaurant. As soon as Indochina was conquered, the French understood the financial benefits they could reap out of the opium trade. Usage was already widespread in the local community. In 1861, 2 Frenchmen acquired the rights to trade and they quickly became very prosperous. By 1881, the Governor of Indochina decided to exercise direct control over the refining and sale of opium in the colony. The concession had passed from French to Chinese hands and there were security concerns over the situation. Hoa Tuc - "Poppy" - came from the owners desire to explore new avenues in Vietnamese cooking. Food in Vietnam has been stuck in a stiff mould with every chef in the country churning out the same food over and over, year after year. Making great use of a historical location, Saigon s old opium refinery, Hoa Tuc was build, designed and furnished locally with custom made wrought iron furniture, cast iron lamps and pergolas. Hoa Tuc boasts a beautiful indoor seating area with original columns, a front terrace with a Paris Metro inspired roof and a secluded al fresco dining section to its side with creepers and greenery all around. Enough to make anyone forget the madness of the city while seating in the very heart of it. Page 4 of 5
Saturday 04 th August 2018 Saigon Airport After breakfast, you are free at leisure to enjoy Saigon until your departure Transfer from your hotel to Saigon airport for your departure End of services Inclusions Delegate Participation $2,375 per person Tour Hosted by David Morgan WAVBC President Not included Group Airport Arrival and Departure Transfers Single Accommodation with Daily Buffet Breakfast (Twin share on request additional cost applies) All daily scheduled transfers in A/C Bus with English speaking guide. Meals as outlined in itinerary Bonsai Saigon River Cruise & Dinner Scheduled Lunch & Evening Dinners AusCham Event Registration All Itinerary Business Meetings & dinners as per itinerary Hotel Check in times are 2pm & Check out times are 11am Bottled Water on the tour bus International Flights to Vietnam Vietnam Visa Travel Insurance Any Early Check in or Late Check out will be subject to availability with a surcharge. Private Arrival & Departure transfers will incur surcharge Non-Itinerary Meals & Transfers Beer, Wine or Soft Drinks on all included or optional excursion Laundry, Telephone Calls or Expenditure of a Personal Nature Camera and Video Cameras Fees if applicable Tips and Gratuities Pre and Post Extensions To Confirm Your Attendance Please Contact: David Morgan President Mobile: +61 (0)437 469 500 Email: president@wavbc.org.au www.wavbc.org.au WAVBC Travel Partner is NDM Travel. Terms and conditions apply. All services are subject to availability at time of booking and subject to change without notice. Prices are based on min of 16 people. If min numbers are not met, we reserve the right to cancel the tour or surcharges may apply. Page 5 of 5