TRIP NOTES

Laos to Vietnam17 days | Vientiane to Saigon

Laos to Vietnam - 17 days updated on 24-11-2016

www.onthegotours.comUK  020 7371 1113  info@onthegotours.comAUS  1300 855 684  aus-info@onthegotours.comNZ 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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Take an unforgettable journey

through the beautiful landscapes

and captivating cities of Laos and

Vietnam. Discover the delights of

Luang Prabang and Hoi An, visit

revered Buddhist temples and

ornate palaces, explore mystical

caves and colourful markets, cruise

Halong and the Mekong and top off

your adventure in Saigon!

HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS

Trip Highlights• Vientiane - capital of Laos, Wat Sisaket, Wat

Prakeo, the COPE Centre, That Luang Stupa,Patuxay Monument and the Buddha Park

• Thalat Market and ethnic minority villages• Vang Xang - an 11th century archaeological

site• Vang Vieng - a picturesque riverside village,

Tham Jang Caves, Ban Huai Ngai village• Luang Prabang - the UNESCO Listed former

royal capital, Temples of Visoun, Ahan andSene, a weaving centre, the former RoyalPalace, superb views from Mount Phousi

• Pak Ou Caves - crammed with Buddhastatues and Khouangsi Waterfall

• Hanoi - Hoan Kiem Lake and the AncientQuarter

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

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

• Hoi An - UNESCO Listed ancient town,famed for its beautifully preserved old city,tailors, handicrafts markets and nearbybeaches

• Saigon - Notre Dame Cathedral, Old PostOffice and War Remnants Museum

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

• Cai Be waterways, cottage industries,mansion home and Dong Hoa Hiep Island

• Can Tho - lively market town in the MekongDelta and nearby Cai Rang floating market

What's Included• 16 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 3 dinner• 14 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 flights Luang Prabang -Hanoi and Danang - Saigon

• Halong Bay Junk boat cruise - opt to swim,kayak and explore caves

• Bicycle ride to Tra Que village and cookingdemonstration

• Sampan boat trips in the Mekong Delta• Airport arrival transfer day 1 and departure

transfer day 17

• Guided sightseeing - Vientaine, Vang Vieng,Luang Prabang, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, HoiAn, Mekong Delta and Saigon

• Escorted by an English speaking Laotianand Vietnamese tour guides

• All relevant transfers and transportation inprivate air-conditioned vehicles

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

What's Not Included• Tipping Kitty: USD$55-65, paid in USD• Entrance Fees: USD$100-110,paid in USD• International flights and visas. Vietnam

visa letter included - stamping fee requiredupon arrival

• Tip for your tour guides. We recommendyou allow USD$3 - 6 per day, per traveller.Tipping your guides is an entirely personalgesture

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 : VientianeSaturday. Welcome to Laos! Airport arrivaltransfer and hotel check in. Spend the afternoonand evening at leisure. Overnight - Vientiane

TRIP NOTES

Laos to Vietnam

Laos to Vietnam - 17 days updated on 24-11-2016

www.onthegotours.comUK  020 7371 1113  info@onthegotours.comAUS  1300 855 684  aus-info@onthegotours.comNZ 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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Day 2 : Vientiane city tour

After breakfast we explore the charming andlaid-back capital of Laos with a city tour. Wevisit the oldest Buddhist monastery temple inthe country - Wat Si Saket – and the formerroyal temple of Haw Pha Kaeo, built to housethe famed Emerald Buddha. Today it servesas the national museum of religious art. Learnabout Laos’ tragic past and present sufferingat the COPE Centre, an organization that workswith victims of unexploded bombs and mines.Next visit Pha That Luang, the most importantmonument in Laos and a symbol of bothBuddhist religion and Lao sovereignty.

We also stop to view the imposing Patuxaymonument - Vientiane’s own Arc de Triomphe.Later in the afternoon enjoy time exploringthe hundreds of Hindu and Buddhist sculpturesscattered throughout Buddha Park. End the daywith a sunset dinner besides the Mekong River.Overnight - Vientiane (B, D)

Day 3 : Vang Vieng

Vientiane – Vang Vieng. This morning wejourney north through breathtaking scenery toVang Vieng. Along the way we visit Ban Keun,famous for its salt extraction plant and a villageof local Lao rice wine whiskey distillation. A nextstop is the busy and colourful market of Thalatmarket, where local hill tribes come to trade andshop and the

11th century archaeological site of Vang Xang.Upon arrival in picturesque Vang Vieng, spendthe remains of the day at leisure or opt toexplore the local caves, take a scenic bike rideor go tubing along the river. Overnight - VangVieng (B, D)

Day 4 : Tham Jang Cave, BanHuai Ngai village

Vang Vieng – Luang Prabang. This morning weexplore the famous caves of Tham Jang onceused by the local people as a hideout duringChinese invasions. We observe the lifestyles ofthe local people at Ban Huai Ngai village beforemaking our way further north to the UNESCOWorld Heritage listed city of Luang Prabang.Overnight - Luang Prabang (B)

Day 5 : Temples of LuangPrabang

Consider rising early this morning to viewthe daily ritual of saffron-clad monks andtheir procession down the streets of LuangPrabang collecting alms from the residents.After we commence our sightseeing tour of thisenchanting city, starting with a visit to the oldesttemple in Luang Prabang, Wat Visoun, and thebanyan tree graced grounds of Wat Aham, westop at the Ock Pop Tok weaving centre. Laterwe marvel at the former Royal Palace, now anational museum and home to gilded roomsand Buddha artifacts.

In the afternoon we stop at ethnic minorityvillages before arriving at the beautifulKhouangsi waterfall. Dip in the turquoise poolsor take a walk along the forest trails. Tonightthere is the option to learn to cook tasty localcuisine at a local restaurant. Overnight - LuangPrabang (B)

Day 6 : Wat Sene & WatXieng Thong

Discover more of Luang Prabang’s holy siteswith a morning visit to Wat Sene and themagnificent Wat Xieng Thong. Then we set sailon a scenic cruise up the Mekong River to visitthe incredible Pak Ou caves, which are crammedwith Buddha images of all shapes and sizes,stopping at villages en route to sample local ricewine and shop for local handicrafts. Overnight- Luang Prabang (B, L)

Days 7-8 : Fly Luang Prabang- Hanoi

Friday. Luang Prabang - Hanoi. Today offersfree time for you to relax by the swimmingpool or further explore Luang Prabang. Cycling,kayaking and other outdoor pursuits can bearranged locally. Late this afternoon we fly fromLuang Prabang to Hanoi in Vietnam. Our flightarrives at approximately 19:20 and hotel checkin is likely to be around 9pm. It's a good idea tohave a late lunch before leaving Luang Prabangand to pack some snacks as arriving to the hotelwill be the first opportunity to have dinner.

TRIP NOTES

Laos to Vietnam

Laos to Vietnam - 17 days updated on 24-11-2016

www.onthegotours.comUK  020 7371 1113  info@onthegotours.comAUS  1300 855 684  aus-info@onthegotours.comNZ 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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Day 8 offers free time for you to exploreVietnam’s gracious capital. Lively markets,beautiful lakes, ancient pagoda’s and thethriving, historic city, are all easily navigated onfoot. Early this evening our welcome meetingtakes place. Please check the our welcome lettergiven to you upon arrival for the exact meetingtime. Overnight - Hanoi (B:2)

Day 9 : Junk boat sailingHanoi – Halong Bay. A scenic drive early thismorning leads us to the stunningly beautifulUNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay.Boarding our traditional wooden junk boatwe cruise the emerald waters soaking up thepanoramic vista of the thousand or so karstlimestone islands that stud the bay.

Later opt for a refreshing swim in one of themany sheltered coves before taking row boatsto the pristine waterway known as 'Dark &Bright Lagoon'. Tonight, there's a Vientnamesecooking demonstration held on the sundeckbefore an impressive seafood dinner is served.Overnight - Deluxe Junk Boat (B, L, D)

Day 10 : 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 return to port.

Arriving to Hanoi mid afternoon an hour or sois spent exploring the quixotic web of streets,known as the ‘36 streets of the old quarter’by cyclo (rickshaw). The motorbike swarmingnarrow lanes are each named after variousguilds of the city’s artisan who establishedthemselves here centuries ago. There is SilverStreet, Silk Street, Comb Street, Paper Streetand more. We explore the maze of rambling

streets framed by narrow front tube houses andmay have a chance to sample the exotic fruits,sizzling noodle dishes and delightfully stickysnacks being offers by the pavement vendors.After time to freshen up we board our overnighttrain (4 berth sleeper cabin, basic standard) onthe ‘Reunification Express’ railway line to Hue.Overnight - Sleeper train (B)

Day 11 : Imperial Hue

Breakfast boxes will be served on the train.Arriving to Hue, we disembark and drive toour hotel. If rooms are ready we can check in,if not we'll depart shortly after on a guidedsightseeing tour of the 19th-century Nguyenempire capital. We visit the Thien Mu Pagoda,home to the oldest monastery in the city, whose21m high tower has become something of asymbol for Hue and the citadel. Within thecitadel is the Imperial Purple Palace, an exactcopy of the Forbidden City in Beijing, with itsimpressive ramparts, formal moats and imperialpalaces, some of 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,a few minute's walk from our hotel. Overnight- Hue (B, L)

Day 12 : Buddhist sanctuariesHue - Road of the Ocean Clouds - Hoi An. Todaywe take the scenic Hai Van Pass (Road of theOcean Clouds), which offers magnificent viewsof beaches to one side and lush hills to theother. En route we stop for a walk along Chinabeach, featured in Francis Ford Coppola’s movie‘Apocalypse Now’. Perhaps enjoy a refreshingswim in

the sea before continuing our journey along thecoast road to Hoi An.

The charming, old-world trading port of HoiAn with it cobbled streets, traditional homesand tiny shop houses is a perfect place to loseyourself in a by gone era. Boutique restaurants,hip cafes along the waterfront, delightful craftshops and artisans including some of Asia’sbest bespoke tailors (whose services come at anominal price), all can be found here.

On a short walking tour of the enchantinghistorical town, we’ll visit the Chua Ong Pagoda,Chinese Assembly Hall, 200-year-old Tam Kyhouse, former merchants’ homes and the 400year-old Japanese Covered Bridge.Overnight - Hoi An (B)

Day 13 : Tra Que village

A bicycle ride into the countryside, leads usto Tra Que village. Here,we discover age oldfarming practices and learn about traditionalmedicine. It’s a hands on experience todaywhere we’ll assist with tending the fields andgardens and cooking lunch. Overnight - Hoi An(B, L)

Day 14 : Hoi An - at leisure

A free day for you relax or further sightsee. Youmay wish to take a relaxing rowboat journey

TRIP NOTES

Laos to Vietnam

Laos to Vietnam - 17 days updated on 24-11-2016

www.onthegotours.comUK  020 7371 1113  info@onthegotours.comAUS  1300 855 684  aus-info@onthegotours.comNZ 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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along the river or spend the day lazing bythe beach or hotel pool. It’s also possible totake an optional excursion to the most holiestand evocative of Vietnam’s Cham sites, MySon or to Quang Ngai, the site of the MyLai massacre memorial. The massacre was asignificant turning point in the Vietnam War andthe story is told through photo presentation ona walk through the village. Overnight - Hoi An(B)

Day 15 : Crusing the Mekong

Hoi An - Saigon. Early morning flight to Saigon.Drive to the Mekong Delta. Often referred to asthe ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam, the fertile MekongDelta is famous for its abundant harvests oftropical fruits, flowers and rice, as well as itfantastic views while boating along the canals.Taking our sampan from Vinh Long we’ll cruisedownstream from Cai Be through the maze ofwaterways watching the hubbub of daily lifeon the river. Passing colourful trading boats,house boats and children swimming we stopto visit some of the local cottage industriesthat produce popcorn, coco candies and paperalong the way. Lunch is served today in atraditional wooden home on Dong Hoa HiepIsland. Overnight - Can Tho (B, L)

Day 16 : Mekong & Saigon

Can Tho - Saigon. Early today we visitcolourful Cai Rang floating market and driveto Saigon. Once called the Pearl of the Orient,

modern Saigon is a thriving metropolis on themove. Sleek sky scrapers, gourmet restaurants,designer malls and swanky bars and spas arescattered between ancient pagodas, colonialera landmarks and lively street markets. Ourwalking tour of Saigon includes visits to theNotre Dame Cathedral, Old Post office and thesombering War Remnants Museum. Evening atleisure. Overnight - Saigon (B)

Day 17 : SaigonMonday. Today offers free time in Saigon tillyour departure transfer to the airport. Opt for arelaxing foot massage, shop for souvenirs at BenThanh Market or visit the grand IndependencePalace, with its secret bunker and militarycommand centre beneath!

If extending your stay consider joining uson a day trip to Chu Chi. Here you cango underground to explore the vast networkof tunnels and hideouts used by Viet Congguerrilla fighters, see booby traps, trap doors ortest your skill with an AK 47 at the firing range.Visit our website for more info.(B)

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

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 on page one of thisdocument). A breakdown of the entrance feetotal is provided upon arrival. All funds collectedin Laos for entrance 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. Tipping

your guide is an entirely personal gesture andultimately the amount is up to you.

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.

WaterTap 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 - 23 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, Saigon or PhnomPenh) or end their 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).

TRIP NOTES

Laos to Vietnam

Laos to Vietnam - 17 days updated on 24-11-2016

www.onthegotours.comUK  020 7371 1113  info@onthegotours.comAUS  1300 855 684  aus-info@onthegotours.comNZ 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.

- 5 -

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.

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 Inclusionssection of these Trip Notes) 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 theInclusions section of these Trip Notes) we willbe at the airport, ready to transfer you toyour 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 (theamount is noted under exclusions on pageone of this document). A breakdown of theentrance fee total is provided upon arrival. Allfunds collected in Vietnam for entrance fees arepayable 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 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. None

TRIP NOTES

Laos to Vietnam

Laos to Vietnam - 17 days updated on 24-11-2016

www.onthegotours.comUK  020 7371 1113  info@onthegotours.comAUS  1300 855 684  aus-info@onthegotours.comNZ 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.

- 6 -

in 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 forstays 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 there

can also be some typhoon activity in the centralcoastal region.

Guides and GroupsOur longest group tour in Southeast Asia is ourBangkok to Angkor Wat - 23 day tour. All othergroup tours we offer (with the exception of ourVietnam For Teens tour) are sectors of this largertour. As such on your holiday you may havetravellers join you part way through your tour (inLuang Prabang, Hanoi, Saigon or Phnom Penh)or end their tour when you continue 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 (typeC) 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.

TRIP NOTES

Laos to Vietnam

Laos to Vietnam - 17 days updated on 24-11-2016

www.onthegotours.comUK  020 7371 1113  info@onthegotours.comAUS  1300 855 684  aus-info@onthegotours.comNZ 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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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

• 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 Inclusionssection of these Trip Notes) 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 the

arrival 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 theInclusions section of these Trip Notes) we willbe at the airport, ready to transfer you toyour 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 ischarged 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.