Treasures of Indochina Day 2 : Mekong Delta Overnight - Saigon … · 2016. 2. 24. · for an overnight cruise through the 3,000 limestone islands, many punctuated by caves and grottoes

TRIP NOTES

Treasures of Indochina15 days | Saigon to Siem Reap

Treasures of Indochina - 15 days updated on 24-02-2016

www.onthegotours.comUK 020 7371 1113 [email protected] 1300 855 684 [email protected] 0800 44 77 69 CAN 1 866 890 7038 USA 1 866 377 6147 SA 0800 982 686

This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday.Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to thisitinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirementsare subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours.

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Uncover this vast, spectacular

region of contrasts in comfort on

a private journey that visits all the

major attractions and some little-

known gems. From colonial Saigon,

travel north to Hanoi and Halong

Bay, discover the towering golden

temples and laid back lifestyle

of Luang Prabang before flying

onto Siem Reap - gateway to the

overwhelming collection of temples

at Angkor Wat and returning to

Saigon.

HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS

Trip Highlights• Saigon - ‘Pearl of the Orient!. Notre

Dame Cathedral, Old Post Office and WarRemnants Museum

• Cai Be Floating Market• Hue - ancient citadel, Imperial Purple

City, Royal Tombs, Thien Mu Pagoda andmonastery

• Lan Co beach en-route to Danang• Hoi An - UNESCO Listed ancient town,

famed for its beautifully preserved old city,tailors, handicrafts markets and nearbybeaches

• My Son - a religious site dating back tothe Kingdom of Champa and a remaining

reminder of the Hindu influence in SouthEast asia

• Halong Bay - UNESCO Listed region withthousands of beautiful limestone peaks andislets

• Hanoi - Hoan Kiem Lake and the AncientQuarter

• Luang Prabang - the UNESCO Listed formerroyal capital, Temples of Visoun, Ahan andSene, a weaving centre, the former RoyalPalace, superb views from Mount Phousi

• Pak Ou Caves with its thousands of goldenBuddha statues

• Siem Reap - attractive riverside town andgateway to the Angkor Temple Complex.

• Angkor Wat!

What's Included• Breakfast daily, 4 lunch, 3 dinners• 13 nights standard accommodation, 1 night

private cabin, shared junk boat. Superior (4star) and deluxe (5 star) properties are alsoavailable.

• Economy class flights - Saigon - Hue,Danang - Hanoi,Hanoi - Luang Prabang and Luang Prabang- Siem Reap

• Private boat trips in Hue, the Mekong Deltaand Siem Reap.

• Row boat journey in the Mekong• Touring and excursions as per itinerary• Airport arrival and departure

transfers• Entrance fees to all included sights

• English speaking specialist guides at localsights

• All transfers and transportation in private A/C vehicles

What's Not Included• International flights and visas• Tipping - an entirely personal gesture

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 : SaigonWelcome to Saigon! You will be met at theairport and transferred to your hotel. Saigonis a bustling, dynamic and industrious urbancenter. It is the largest city in Vietnam, theeconomic capital and the cultural trendsetterwhilst within the teeming metropolis are thetimeless traditions and beauty of an ancientculture. This evening join your tour guide for awelcome dinner. Overnight - Saigon (D)

Day 2 : Mekong Delta

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After breakfast, travel beyond Saigon and spendthe day boating the waterways of the lushMekong Delta region. Arriving in Cai Be districtvisit a local orchard and the Cai Be floatingmarket where approximately 400-500 boats areloaded to the gunnels with fruit, vegetables andother local produce anchor or moor along thebanks of the river every day waiting to offloadtheir goods. All buying, selling and barteringtakes place from boats on the water.

Leaving Cai Be visit to some cottage industryworkshops making coconut candy, crispy ricecakes, rice paper and more. Continue on alongvillage pathways to visit a local house for lunchwhere you will be served local delicacies such asElephant’s-Ear fish. After lunch, take the time toexplore the village as local's go about their dailylives. Returning to Saigon vist the Vinh Longmarkets en-route. Overnight - Saigon (B, L)

Day 3 : Hue

This morning discover the Saigon, taking in theNotre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Officeand Chinatown. In the afternoon transfer to theairport to take a short flight to the imperial cityof Hue. On arrival, you will be met at the airportand transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoysome free time. Overnight - Hue (B)

Day 4 : Hue the Imperial City

Today take a boat ride along the romanticPerfume River and stop off at the Thien MuPagoda on the banks of the river to see the 7-storey Stupa, the pagoda is also home to theold Austin car driven to Saigon by the VenerableThich Quang Duc. A Vietnamese MahayanaBuddhist monk who in 1963 protested againstthe Roman Catholic persecution of Buddhistsby South Vietnam's Ngo Dinh Diem RomanCatholic administration by self-immolation.

Continuing, visit the mausoleum of EmperorMinh Mang (1791-1841), built between 1841and 1843. The Emperor’s mausoleum complexconsists of 40 constructions (palaces, temples,pavilions) designed on a symmetrical axis.Lunch is a special vegetarian meal with the nunsof Dong Thuyen Pagoda.

Later visit the Imperial Citadel and ForbiddenCity, created in the 19th century for theEmperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Enjoy somefree time at Dong Ba Market before transferringback to your hotel.Overnight - Hue (B, L)

Day 5 : Danang - Hoi An

Today visit the mausoleums of the EmperorsTu Duc and Khai Dinh. On the way to Danang,stopping for a refreshment at Lang Co beachen-route, one of the World’s most beautifulbays. In Danang visit the Cham Museum beforecontinuing to the World Cultural Heritage Site ofHoi An before checking in to your hotel.

This evening enjoy some free time exploring thenarrow lanes of the town, lined with century-oldbuildings and illuminated at night by hundredsof colourful lanterns. Overnight - Hoi An (B)

Day 6 : My Son

In the morning take a half-day excursion toMy Son Sanctuary, a religious site datingback to the Kingdom of Champa, and also aburial place of Cham royals and Vietnamesenational heroes. The My Son temple complexis one of the foremost remaining examples ofHindu influence in South East Asia and is themost prominent heritage site of this nature inVietnam.

After lunch at a local restaurant the afternoonis free to explore Hoi An Ancient town. Whynot join our optional cooking class and learnthe secrets to Vietnamese cooking, alternativelyhead to nearby Cua Dai beach or observe locallife on a sunset cruise on the peaceful Thu BonRiver. Overnight - Hoi An (B)

Day 7 : Hanoi

In the morning transfer to Danang airport for theshort flight to Hanoi. On arrival you will be metat the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Renowned as the ’Paris of the East’, Hanoi isone of Asia’s most fascinating cities. Rich inculture and history, this diverse city draws onits influences from both French and Chineseculture. Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of theoldest in Hanoi and located beside the dazzlingWest Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda is a cultural

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symbol of Vietnamese Buddhism. Afterwards,take a short drive to Van Giang Village to attenda cooking demonstration given by a local family.Afterwards join the Vietnamese family in theirhome for a delicious lunch before driving backto Hanoi. The rest of the day is free.Overnight - Hanoi (B, L)

Day 8 : Cruising Halong Bay

Depart Hanoi in the morning for the scenicdrive through the countryside to Ha Long Bay, anatural wonder with thousands of islands risingout of the water creating a unique and beautifullandscape.

On arrival board one of the traditional vesselsfor an overnight cruise through the 3,000limestone islands, many punctuated by cavesand grottoes. Savor a delicious Vietnamesebuffet lunch as your junk boat heads to Bai TuLong Bay passing the towns of Hon Gai and CamPha, Oan Lagoon, Mat Quy (Monster Head) andAm Tich (Teapot) Islets.

Opt to take a row boat to visit the Vung Viengfishing village or enjoy a range of fantasticrecreation or relaxation activities onboard -a cooking demonstration, traditional massage,swimming, kayaking and more. Finish the dayoff with a sumptuous set-menu dinner in perfectexotic surroundings. Overnight - Onboardcruise boat (B, L, D)

Day 9 : Back to HanoiToday's cruising takes you through the Baypassing the beauty spots of Trong (Drum), TrinhNu (Virgin) and Me Cung Caves and Coc Ngoi(Toad) Islet. Explore the Surprise Cave (Sung Sot)before a buffet brunch is served onboard.

Later we cruise leisurely back to Halong harborwhere upon disembarkation transfer back toHanoi where a visit to the Temple Of Literature,dating back to 1070 and the first university inVietnam. This evening is free to explore Hanoifurther. Overnight - Hanoi (B)

Day 10 : Luang Prabang

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for theshort flight to Luang Prabang, perhaps the bestpreserved traditional city in all of Southeast Asia.On arrival, you will be met at the airport andtransferred to your hotel.

In the late afternoon visit the National Museumat the former Royal Palace, picturesque Wat Mai,the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofsweeping low to the ground, and the classic,symbolic architecture of the Luang Prabangtemples. The impressive Stupa of Wat Visoun,the shrine of Wat Aham. To top it all off climbto the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyableexploration of the sacred, gilded Stupa as well asa superb view over the town and Mekong river.In the evening walk through Luang Prabangto visit the lively night market in the streets.Overnight - Luang Prabang (B)

Day 11 : Pak Ou CavesToday take a boat ride upstream on the MekongRiver to Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousandsof gold lacquered statues of the Buddha invarious postures and sizes. En-route stop offat the village of Ban Xanghai, renowned forproducing local rice wine.

On return stop at the weaving village of BanXieng Khong then cross the river to visit BanXiengmen, walk to see the royal temple atWat Loungkhoun, which once belonged to theroyal family and then visit the nearby Sackarine

Caves. Time permitting, we continue furtherdownstream to visit Ban Chan, the potteryvillage and amaze the sun down as cruising backto town . Overnight - Luang Prabang (B, L)

Day 12 : Siem Reap

After breakfast transfer to the airport for theshort flight to Siem Reap. After being met onarrival you will be transferred to your hotelfor check-in. In the afternoon, enter the SouthGate of Angkor Thom Temple to be met bythe marvellous wonders of the eerie Bayon,Phimean Akas, the terrace of Elephants and theterrace of the Leper King. Enjoy the sunset viewover Phnom Bakheng. Overnight - Siem Reap(B)

Day 13 : Angkor Wat TemplesIn the morning visit famous Angkor Wat, builtby King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century.The largest and best preserved of the Angkortemples, it is also the most well known worldwide and a source of pride for the Khmer people,Angkor Wat has appeared on the Cambodianflag for almost 150 years.

After lunch, visit Preah Khan Temple, built inthe 12th century for King Jayavarman VII. Thentake a half hour journey to Banteay Srey, one ofthe most unusual of the Angkor temples. Thetemple lies approximately 20km north of themain group of temples and is constructed fromelaborately carved red sandstone. Overnight -Siem Reap (B)

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Day 14 : Angkor Wat

After breakfast, continue the journey ofdiscovery through the wonders of Angkor.This afternoon set out for a cruise on thebeautiful Tonle Sap Lake, passing a floatingvillage and witnessing the daily life of the locals.Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner with an Apsaraperformance. Overnight - Siem Reap (B, D)

Day 15 : Siem ReapArrangements end after breakfast and onwardsdeparture transfer to the airport.(B)

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Cambodia Country Guide

Entrance Fees - collected inUSD.Entrance fees to most sites are not included,although reasonably priced. In Cambodia, wecollect entrance fees on Day 2 of the tour(the amount is noted under exclusions). Abreakdown of the entrance fee total is providedupon arrival. All funds collected in Cambodia forentrance fees are payable in USD.

Tipping Kitty - collected in USDAt the start of your tour, we take a smalltipping kitty (the amount is noted underexclusions) from all tour participants to covertips throughout your holiday. This saves you thehassle of knowing when and how much to tipbellhops, luggage handlers, bus drivers, trainconductors and other support staff throughoutthe tour.

This amount does not include a tip for yourtour guides. For a job well done, we wouldsuggest USD $3 - 6 per person per day. Tippingyour guide is an entirely personal gesture andultimately the amount is up to you.

Health RequirementsYou should seek medical advice beforetravelling to Cambodia from your local healthpractitioner and ensure that you receive allof the appropriate vaccinations. As a guideTetanus, Typhoid, Hep A, Diptheria and Polio arerecommended.

There is the risk of malaria in parts of Cambodiaso it is very important to check with yourdoctor before you go, to see whether malarialmedication is required for the areas you arevisiting. Yellow fever is not present in Cambodiabut a yellow fever vaccination certificate isrequired from those travelling from an infectedregion.

Water

Tap water in Cambodia is not considered safeto drink. It's recommended to only drink bottledmineral water, which is readily available inhotels, shops and restaurants.

ClimateCambodia has a tropical monsoon climatewith two seasons; Rainy season from May toNovember, when the countryside is lush andgreen, and dry season from late November toApril, when there are long days of glorioussunshine and clear skies. Temperatures inCambodia remain fairly constant and warmthroughout the year, apart from in thenorth, when winters (December to March) aregenerally colder.

Guides and GroupsOur longest group tour in Southeast Asia is ourBangkok to Angkor Wat - 25 day tour. All othergroup tours that we offer are sectors of thislarger tour. As such on your holiday you mayhave travellers join you part way through yourtour (in Luang Prabang, Hanoi or Saigon) or endtheir tour when you continue on.

Guiding: In Cambodia, a Cambodian nationalguide is offered for arrangements through toPhnom Penh, then a specialist local guide, willtake over for your sightseeing of the Temples ofAngkor.

If travelling on our Thailand & Angkor Templestour, your Cambodian tour guide will meet you

upon arrival to Siem Reap Airport and conductall arrangements from there forward till yourreturn to Thailand.

Time & VoltageCambodia is 7 hours ahead of Greenwich MeanTime(GMT).

The voltage in Cambodia is 230v. In Cambodia3 types of plugs are commonly accepted: 2 flatprong plugs (type A), the 2 round pin europeanplug (type C) and many of the new 4 and 5star hotels use the British standard 3-pin plug(type G). To cover all bases, it is best to pack aninternational travel adaptor!

CurrencyThe official currency of Cambodia is theCambodia Riel but USD is also widely acceptedand sometimes preferred in larger stores andsupermarkets.

Pound Sterling, US Dollars, Euro and other majorcurrencies can be exchanged in Cambodia atvarious bureau de changes in major cities andtowns. However foreign currency is also widelyaccepted and often desired more so it can givethe shopper more buying power. ATMs can befound in all larger towns and cities and some fivestar hotels. We recommend you take a mixtureof cash (preferably USD) and credit/ debit cardsfor ATM's. It's advisable to request bank notesin smaller denominations, as it can sometimesbe hard to get change from large notes andsmaller notes are handy for smaller purchasesand gratuities.

Traveller's Cheques are not recommended asthey're often difficult to exchange and incurhigh fees.

Essential Packing• Lightweight cotton garments. Ladies will

need to have their shoulders and legs (tobelow the knee) covered when visiting theRoyal Palace in Phnom Penh and AngkorWat. Please pack accordingly.

• Comfortable walking shoes in addition to flipflogs/ thongs

• DEET based mosquito repellant &antihistamine cream

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• Bring a 2 flat prong (type A) and a 2 roundpin (type C) electrical adaptors. A universaladaptor will cover all bases

• Lightweight, fold up raincoat/ poncho/umbrella.

• Two spare passport photos & a photocopy ofyour passport

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

and torch

VisasBritish, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand,South African and USA passport holders areable to obtain a 30 day tourist visa upon arrivalto Cambodia when entering via PochentongInternational Airport in Phnom Penh, SiemReap International Airport (in the Angkor WatRegion) and at the Moc Bai (Vietnam) and Bavet(Cambodia) land border. We use the Moc Bai/Bavet land border crossing for all our grouptours that travelling from Vietnam to Cambodia.

At each of these entry points you must submita photocopy of your passport (identificationpage) and one passport size photograph. Thecost of the visa is currently USD30. Note: at theland border sometimes immigration will ask formore. In this situation point to the sign abovethe ticket window indicating that the cost isactually USD30 (subject to change). Further, youare best to give the exact amount i.e. USD30as often if you give more you will not receivechange.

Alternatively, it is now also possible to obtainan e-visa in advance of travel. The e-visa allowsfor a length of stay up till 30 days. The e-visa isvalid for 3 months from date of issue, not date ofarrival, so please ensure that you do not obtainthis visa to far in advance. Online processingtime for this visa is 3 days. The e-visa is validfor entry via Pochentong International Airportin Phnom Penh, Siem Reap International Airport(in the Angkor Wat Region) and at the Moc Bai(Vietnam) and Bavet (Cambodia) land border. Itis not valid at any other land or water border.To obtain an e-visa for Cambodia go to: https://www.evisa.gov.kh/Default.aspx

It is also possible to obtain a 30 day tourist visaprior to arrival via the Cambodian Embassy inyour home port, though please note tourist visas

arranged with the embassy are valid for onemonth from date of issue, not date of arrival.

PLEASE NOTE: Your passport must be valid for atleast 6 months after your departure date, if it isnot you may be refused entry into the country.Visa requirements are subject to change andvisa procurement is solely the responsibility ofthe traveller and not of On The Go Tours.

Laos Country Guide

Entrance fees - collected in USDEntrance fees to most sites are not included,although reasonably priced. In Laos, we collectentrance fees on Day 2 of the tour (the amountis noted under exclusions). A breakdown of theentrance fee total is provided upon arrival. Allfunds collected in Laos for entrance fees arepayable in USD.



Health RequirementsYou should seek medical advice beforetravelling to Laos from your local healthpractitioner and ensure that you receive allof the appropriate vaccinations. As a guideTetanus, Typhoid, Hep A, Diptheria and Polio arerecommended.

There is the risk of malaria in parts of Laos so it isvery important to check with your doctor beforeyou go, to see whether malarial medication isrequired for the areas you are visiting. Yellowfever is not present in Laos but a yellow fevervaccination certificate is required from thosetravelling from an infected region.

Water

Tap water in Laos is not considered safe to drink.It's recommended to only drink bottled mineralwater, which is readily available in hotels, shopsand restaurants.

ClimateNovember through to April are the best monthsto travel to Laos, when the weather is warm anddry and the nights are comfortable and cool.Temperatures typically begin to rise aroundMarch and the rain arrives in May or June.From June through to August the humidity canrise and short tropical downpours are common.September and October can still bring theoccasional shower.

Guides & GroupsOur longest group tour in Southeast Asia is ourBangkok to Angkor Wat - 25 day tour. All othergroup tours that we offer are sectors of thislarger tour. As such on your holiday you mayhave travellers join you part way through yourtour (in Luang Prabang, Hanoi or Saigon) or endtheir tour when you continue on.

Guiding: A local national guide will escort thegroup for all arrangements in Laos.

Time & VoltageLaos is 7 hours ahead of Greenwich MeanTime(GMT).

The voltage in Laos is 220AC, 50HZ. Plugs arenot standard as many electical products areimported from China and Thailand. As suchall sort of socket variations exist. The mostcommon types found are: 2 flat prong (type A),the 2 round pin (type C) plugs. To cover all bases,it is best to pack an international travel adaptor!

CurrencyThe official Laos currency is known as theLao Kip, although three currencies are usedinterchangeably for everyday transactions.These are Kip, Thai baht and US Dollars. All majorcurrencies are exchangeable in the main townsbut USD is the most useful currency (cash) tohold as it can be exchanged and used in mostplaces. Dollar bills must be in good conditionand not torn or ripped.

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In smaller towns and villages, Kip is usuallypreferred. The rule of thumb is that for everydaysmall purchases, prices are quoted in Kip. ATMsare only available in Vientiane, Vangvieng andLuang Prabang and dispense a maximum ofapprox USD$70 (in Kip) at any one time -it isn't advisable to rely upon them as theyare commonly not working. Licensed moneychangers exist in Vientiane and Luang Prabang.Their rates are similar to the banks and they stayopen longer. We recommend you take a mixtureof cash (preferably USD) and credit/ debit cardsfor ATMs.

Essential Packing• Sleep sheet if taking an overnight sleeper

train. These also can be easily purchased inHanoi 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

Arrival TransfersIf your tour or short stay includes an airportarrival transfer (as indicated in the 'What youGet' section of this Go Guide) our arrivalprocedure is as follows:

Arrive in Laos at Wattay InternationalAirport, attend to immigration by completingan immigration form and submitting yourphotograph and visa fee, then collect yourluggage and proceed to the arrivals hall.

As you enter the arrivals hall, look for our onthe go representative. He/she will be holding aprominent on the go tours logo signboard. Aftermeeting you will be escorted to our awaitingtransportation and transfered to our tour starthotel

If, for any reason you have trouble locating ourrepresentative (after waiting 20 minutes in thearrival hall) or your flight is delayed please callthe emergency contact number as stated onyour tour voucher.

If arriving on day 1 of a holiday, that includesan airport arrival transfer (as indicated in the'What you Get' section of this Go Guide) wewill be at the airport, ready to transfer youto your hotel. Further if you are booking pre-tour accommodation with us an airport arrivaltransfer will also be provided. If arriving prior to9am on day 1 (essentially on a flight that arrivesvery, very early in the morning) you will need topurchase a night of pre-tour accommodation tosave you waiting until standard hotel check intime, which is generally 2pm.

VisasBritish, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand,South African and USA passport holders areable to obtain a 30 day tourist visa uponarrival to Laos at major airports and bordercrossings including Wattay International Airportin Vientiane (the entry point for all our toursin Laos), Luang Prabang International Airportand at the Friendship Bridge if coming fromThailand.

At each of these entry points you must submita visa application form and two passport sizephotograph. The cost of the visa for the abovenationalities is currently ranges between USD30- USD35. It is important that you have an entirelyempty(stamp free) page in your passport andthat your passport is valid for at least 6 monthsfrom your date of arrival.

PLEASE NOTE: Your passport must be valid for atleast 6 months after your departure date, if it isnot you may be refused entry into the country.Visa requirements are subject to change andvisa procurement is solely the responsibility ofthe traveller and not of On The Go.

Vietnam Country Guide

Entrance fees - collected in USDEntrance fees to most sites are not included,although reasonably priced. In Vietnam, wecollect entrance fees on Day 2 of the tour(the amount is noted under exclusions). A

breakdown of the entrance fee total is providedupon arrival. All funds collected in Vietnam forentrance fees are payable in USD.



Health RequirementsYou should seek medical advice beforetravelling to Vietnam from your local healthpractitioner and ensure that you receive allof the appropriate vaccinations. As a guideDiphtheria, Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Tetanus arestrongly recommended.

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

WaterThe tap water in Vietnam is generally consideredsafe to drink, but as a precaution againststomach upsets you may want to drink bottledmineral water, which is readily available fromshops, hotels and restaurants.

VisasFrom 1 July 2015 onwards UK passport holderswill not need a visa to visit Vietnam for up to15 days. At customs you will need show yourreturn airline ticket/E ticket as proof of your dateof departure. If you're exiting Vietnam via a landborder then your tour itinerary will be acceptedas proof so please have this available to show toborder police if requested. A visa is required for

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stays of 16 days or longer and if you are planningto return to Vietnam within 30 days of your lastdeparture you will also need to purchase a visa.

Most other nationalities including Australian,Canadian, New Zealand, South African andUSA passport holders require a tourist visato visit Vietnam. Travellers can choose toindependently apply (or we can arrange thisfor you, see notes below) for a 30 daytourist visa (single or multiple entry) fromthe nearest Vietnamese Embassy or via themore convenient method of applying online.The cost is approx USD$20. After submittingan application you will receive a confirmationnumber, then upon arriving to Vietnam youwould receive the actual visa and additionallypay a stamping fee of USD$45. The stamping feefor a multiple entry visa, for entries within onemonth is USD$65.

Applying in advance and then collecting yourtourist visa upon arrival is available to alltravellers entering the country via Hanoi - NoiBai International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City -Tan Son Nhat International Airport and DanangInternational Airport.

ON THE GO ARRANGING YOUR VIETNAMVISAUpon confirming a holiday to Vietnam with us, ifyou require a visa please download a copy of our'Vietnam Visa Data List' available on our websitewithin the SE Asia, under the title of 'Visa Info'.Should you complete the form and return it asa Microsoft Word document via e-mail to us 6weeks prior to your departure we will arrangethe visa for you (effectively saving you USD$20).

Then approximately 2 - 3 weeks prior toyour departure we will forward to you a'Visa Confirmation Letter' which carries aconfirmation number'.

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$45 or USD$65 for a multiple entry visa. A Visa will thenbe stuck into your passport and you can enterVietnam.

Please note: This service is not available forSouth African passport holders who must obtaina tourist visa from the nearest VietnameseEmbassy in advance and pay the stamping feedirectly to the embassy prior to travel.

'The Visa Confirmation Letter' (irrespective ofwhether you apply for your visa independentlyor through On The Go Tours) will containpersonal information such as your passportnumber, nationality and date of birth of yourselfand other travellers on one inclusive list.

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

ClimateVietnam has a varied climate due to itsgeography. The south is hot year round andhas two seasons: The wet season lasts fromMay to October, with brief, daily showers. Thedry season from November to April is generallysunny and humid. In the north, the summermonths (May to October) are hot and there isthe occasional burst of heavy rain. In the winter(December to February) temperatures drop inthe north and it can be damp. The coastalregion of central Vietnam is blessed with longmonths of sunshine, although there is rainfallin November and December. At this time therecan also be some typhoon activity in the centralcoastal region.

Guides and GroupsOur longest group tour in Southeast Asia is ourBangkok to Angkor Wat - 25 day tour. All othergroup tours we offer (with the exception of ourVietnam with Teens and Flavours of Vietnamtours) are sectors of this larger tour. As such onyour holiday you may have travellers join youpart way through your tour (in Luang Prabang,Hanoi or Saigon) or end their tour when youcontinue on.

Guiding: A Vietnamese guide will escort allarrangements throughout Vietnam.

Time & VoltageThe voltage in Vietnam is 220v. In Vietnam 3types of plugs are commonly accepted: 2 flatprong plugs (type A), the 2 round pin plug (type

C) and many of the new 4 and 5 star hotels usethe British standard 3-pin plug (type G). To coverall bases, it is best to pack an international traveladaptor!

Vietnam is 7 hours ahead of GMT and does notobserve daylight saving.

MoneyThe official currency in Vietnam is theVietnamese Dong.

Euro, British Pounds, US Dollars and other majorcurrencies can be exchanged locally at theairport, bureau de changes or banks. US Dollarnotes are widely accepted and shopkeepers useboth currencies interchangeably. You can oftenpay for items in USD and receive your change inUSD notes and coins in VND. Make sure that yourUSD bills are crisp and clean and you will have noproblem using or exchanging these throughoutyour stay. ATM machines can be found in allmajor cities though it is not common to paywith credit card in restaurants, cafes or shops forpurchases. It's advisable to request bank notesin smaller denominations, as it can sometimesbe hard to get change from large notes andsmaller notes are handy for smaller purchasesand gratuities.

Traveller's Cheques are not recommended asthey're often difficult to exchange and incurhigh fees.

Essential Packing• Sleep sheet if taking an overnight sleeper

train. These also can be easily purchased inHanoi at a cost of USD$5. Ask you guide forinfo on where to buy these.

• A day pack to carry all your essentials whenout sightseeing each day.

• An overnight bag, if you are staying aboardthe Junk boat in Halong Bay. As we will bereturning to Hanoi it is not essential that youtake your big bag/ suitcase with you.

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

flops/ 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

TRIP NOTES





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

your passport• Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, swim costume

and torch

Arrival TransfersIf your tour or short stay includes an airportarrival transfer (as indicated in the 'What youGet' section of this Go Guide) our arrivalprocedure is as follows:

Arrive to Hanoi - Noi Bai International Airport,Saigon - Tan Son Nhat International Airport.Proceed to the immigration counter andpresent your invitation letter. Complete animmigration form and submit your photographsand stamping fee of USD$25 (this can take sometime). After collecting your luggage proceed tothe arrival hall.

As you enter the arrivals hall, look for our OnThe Go Tours representative. He/she will beholding a prominent On The Go Tours logosignboard. After meeting you will be escorted toour awaiting transportation and transferred toour 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 callthe emergency contact number as stated onyour tour voucher.

If arriving on day 1 of a holiday, that includesan airport arrival transfer (as indicated in the'What you Get' section of this Go Guide) wewill be at the airport, ready to transfer youto your hotel. Further if you are booking pre-tour accommodation with us an airport arrivaltransfer will also be provided. If arriving prior to9am on day 1 (essentially on a flight that arrivesvery, very early in the morning) you will need topurchase a night of pre-tour accommodation tosave you waiting until standard hotel check intime, which is generally 2pm.

Airline Luggage AllowanceIf your tour includes international or domesticflights within the region please be mindfulthat the free baggage allowance for Economyclass travel is strictly 20kg and 1 piece of handluggage up to 6kg. Any additional weight is

charged at a per kilo rate. You may wish to keepthis in mind whilst shopping.

Trains in VietnamIt's not the Orient Express, but Vietnam'sReunification Express. On a number of our grouptours we include an overnight train journey onthe Reunification Express Railway Line betweenHanoi and Hue. The particular SE series trainthat we use on this journey is the highestclass of train available in Vietnam. It's titledas being the nation's fastest train; though byinternational standards it's quite the opposite.Never the less, our journey between Hanoi andHue takes approximately 14 hours and travellersare accommodated in 4 berth 'Soft Sleeper'cabins.

Aboard each wagon are 9 compartments thatcomprise of 4 bunks per compartment. 4persons of mixed sex share one compartment.You may be sharing with people from yourtour group, other tourists or Vietnamese people.Who you will share your cabin with is ultimatelydependent upon how the Vietnamese RailwaysCorporation configures the bookings.

Cabins onboard are comfortable though notcomparable to European standards. A westernstyle toilet (with a varying degree of cleanliness)is located at either end of the wagon. Air-conditioning (not always operational in thesummer) and lighting are controlled from insidethe cabin, which is also lockable. Luggage canbe stored in a compartment under the bottombunk. Linen and a pillow are provided thoughwe strongly recommend that you bring yourown sleep sheet (easily purchased in Hanoi ata cost of USD$5). The cleanliness of the trainvaries according to wagons assigned to thejourney for that particular day. Some wagonsare spotlessly clean whilst others can be uncleanand should have been decommissioned longago. Irrespective of the particular train youtake, they all have large clear glass windowsthat allow for uninterrupted views of stunninglandscapes and never ending rice paddy fields.

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Treasures of Indochina Day 2 : Mekong Delta Overnight - Saigon … · 2016. 2. 24. · for an overnight cruise through the 3,000 limestone islands, many punctuated by caves and grottoes