TRIP NOTES

Vietnam With Teens10 days | Hanoi to Saigon

Vietnam With Teens - 10 days updated on 06-05-2015

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

These Trip Notes have 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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Perfect for travelling with

teenagers, Vietnam offers the

perfect combination of adventure

and excitement for all the family.

Explore the backstreets of Hanoi by

cyclo, cruise through spectacular

Halong Bay, experience rural life

in Tra Que, get suited and booted

in Hoi An and live the high life in

Saigon.

HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS

Trip Highlights• Hanoi - Hoan Kiem Lake and the Ancient

Quarter• Halong Bay - UNESCO Listed region with

thousands 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, handicraftsmarkets and nearby beaches

• Saigon - ‘Pearl of the Orient!. NotreDame Cathedral, Old Post Office and WarRemnants 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• 9 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 1 dinner• 7 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 flight Danang - Saigon• Halong Bay Junk boat cruise - swim, kayak,

explore caves and floating villages• Bicycle ride to Tra Que village and cooking

demonstration• Sampan and row boat journeys in the

Mekong Delta• Airport arrival transfer day 1 and departure

transfer day 10• Guided sightseeing - Hanoi, Halong Bay,

Hue, Ho Ain, Mekong Delta and Saigon• Escorted by an English speaking

Vietnamese tour guide.• All relevant transfers and transportation in

private air-conditioned vehicles• Visa approval letter (excl. stamping fee

required upon arrival)• Maximum group size: 24 travellers

What's Not Included• Tipping Kitty: $40-50 USD• Entrance Fees: $40-50 USD

• International flights and visa. Vietnam visaletter included - stamping fee requiredupon arrival

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

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 : HanoiSaturday. Welcome to Hanoi and the start ofyour holiday! Upon arrival you will be met atthe airport and transferred to your hotel forcheck-in. The rest of the day is free for youand your family to explore the city, with itspicturesque tree-lined avenues, scenic lakes,ancient pagodas and bustling old town, allwhich are easily accessible by foot. Overnight -Hanoi

Day 2 : Junk boat cruising,Halong Bay

TRIP NOTES

Vietnam With Teens

Vietnam With Teens - 10 days updated on 06-05-2015

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

These Trip Notes have 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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Hanoi – Halong Bay. Take a moment to picturein your mind some two thousand rugged karstislands dappled with lush vegetation seemingto float on top of pristine emerald colouredwaters and you have the natural wonder thatis Halong Bay. This morning a scenic drive willtake us to this beautiful UNESCO World HeritageSite where we will enjoy a traditional junk boatcruise.

Based on traditional designs, these wonderfulvessels combine oriental style with modernluxury. Soak up the panoramic views from thesundeck as the boat gently plies its course, optfor a swim in the divine waters or hop in a rowboat for a visit to the pristine waterway knownas 'Dark & Bright Lagoon'. Tonight, there's aVietnamese cooking demonstration held on thesundeck before an impressive seafood dinner isserved – delicious for even the pickiest of eaters!Overnight - Deluxe Junk Boat (B, L, D)

Day 3 : Hidden grottoes,Halong Bay

Halong Bay - Hanoi - Hue. Wake up to thepeaceful serenity of Halong Bay this morning,followed by a calming Tai Chi class on thesundeck or a traditional Vietnamese massage.After exploring a hidden grotto beneathtowering cliffs, we will sail to the port for ourjourney back to Hanoi.

Arriving back in the capital we will enjoya cyclo (rickshaw) ride through the famousOld Quarter, made up of an complex mazeof intertwining alleyways and backstreetslined with small houses, handicraft workshopsand street food vendors, for a quintessentialVietnamese experience. Later its back to thehotel for some time to refresh and relaxbefore heading to the trains station in theevening to board our overnight journey (4 berth

sleeper cabin, basic standard) to Hue on the‘Reunification Express’ railway line.Overnight - Sleeper train (B)

Day 4 : Imperial Hue

Breakfast boxes will be served on the train.Uponarrival in Hue we will set out on a guidedsightseeing tour of this fascinating imperial city.Once the capital of the Nguyen emperors, thelast ruling family of Vietnam, UNESCO-listed Hueis full of palaces, pagodas and temples. Twoof the main highlights here are the Thien MuPagoda, home to the oldest monastery in thecity, and the Citadel. Within the walls of the latteris the Imperial Purple Palace – an exact replicaof the famed Forbidden City in Beijing, withimpressive ramparts, formal moats and imperialpalaces, some of which lay in ruin.

Outside of the city we will visit the Royal Tombsof the erstwhile Nguyen kings, including theextravagant mausoleums of the two emperorsTu Duc and Khai Dinh. In the evening there willbe the chance to opt for a peaceful long boatcruise along the Perfume River as the sun setsand the river banks become illuminated by thedark of nightfall.Overnight - Hue (B, L)

Day 5 : Delightful Hoi An

Hue - Road of the Ocean Clouds - Hoi An. Todaywe will travel on to the laidback riverside townof Hoi An, travelling through the picturesque Hai

Van Pass – nicknamed the Road of the OceanClouds, with beaches on one side and verdanthills on the other. We will break up our journeywith a stop at China Beach, an expansive sandybeach made famous by the film ‘ApocalypseNow’. Here there will be the chance to opt for aswim in its warm waters before continuing ourjourney south along the coast.

Radiating age-old charm with grand colonialarchitecture, Hoi An is one of Vietnam'smost delightful destinations. The Old Town,recognised as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, isan immaculately preserved example of an Asiantrading port with covered bridges, pagodas,temples and merchant houses. The town'sbeguiling riverside setting adds to the overallpicturesque appeal of Hoi An with womenin conical hats rowing their wooden vesselsdownstream and the glow of red lanterns inthe evenings reflected on the water's iridescentsurface. A short walking tour will take us to abygone era, with a visit to the Chua Ong Pagoda,Chinese Assembly Hall, a 200-year-old Tam Kyhouse, former merchants’ homes and the 400year-old Japanese Covered Bridge.Overnight - Hoi An (B)

Day 6 : Village Life

For a taste of provincial life, today we will takea bicycle ride out of Hoi An to Tra Que village,famed for its traditional farming practises andrural atmosphere. Here enjoy a hands-on dayfor all the family, tending to the fields andgardens, before taking a lesson in preparation oftraditional Vietnamese cuisine. Later enjoy yourculinary masterpiece while soaking up the cleanair and country views. Overnight - Hoi An (B, L)

Day 7 : Hoi An - at leisureToday is free for you to spend as you choose.You may wish to head to the beach for a

TRIP NOTES

Vietnam With Teens

Vietnam With Teens - 10 days updated on 06-05-2015

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

These Trip Notes have 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 of relaxation or hit the town for someserious shopping - the streets of Hoi An areoverflowing with tailor shops where you canget your own silk suit made exclusively! HoiAn is also something of a culinary mecca withclassy restaurants for those who prefer theirfood served to them and local cooking schoolsfor those who enjoy getting their hands dirty.Alternatively, those seeking a little more cultureor history can opt to visit My Son – one ofVietnam’s holiest and most evocative Chamsites, or Quang Ngai – the site of the My Laimassacre memorial. Overnight - Hoi An (B)

Day 8 : Cruising the Mekong

Hoi An - Saigon. An early morning flight will takeus to Saigon today, where we will then continueon to the Mekong Delta by road. Known asthe ‘Rice bowl of Vietnam’, the Mekong Deltais brimming with rice paddy fields, colourfulfruit orchards, enchanting villages and bustlingfloating markets. Travelling by sampan fromVinh Long, we will cruise downstream througha maze of waterways, witnessing the activity ofeveryday life along the way. Passing colourfultrading boats, house boats and children playingin the water, we will stop to visit some of thelocal cottage industries that produce popcorn,coco candies and paper along the way. Later wewill enjoy lunch in a traditional wooden homeon Dong Hoa Hiep Island. Overnight - Can Tho(B, L)

Day 9 : Mekong & Saigon

Can Tho - Saigon. This morning we will paya visit to the colourful floating market of CaiRang. Here vendors have their boats piled highwith goods, from melons, pineapples and freshgreens, to sacks of rice and children’s toys.Browse, barter and admire the hundreds ofbrightly coloured boats lining the banks herebefore continuing back to Saigon by road.

Once called the ‘Pearl of the Orient’, old andnew collide in this modern city as gleaming skyscrapers, glamorous restaurants and designershops stand side-by-side with colonial eralandmarks and post-war remnants. Here we willenjoy a walking tour of the city taking in some ofSaigon’s most famous landmarks, including theimpressive red-brick Neo-Romanesque NotreDame Cathedral, the central Post Office and thesobering War Remnants Museum. Spend theremainder of the evening at your own leisure –Saigon has plenty of fun to offer all ages!Overnight - Saigon (B)

Day 10 : Saigon

Monday. This morning is free for you to dosome last minute shopping or sightseeingbefore your departure transfer to the airportin the afternoon. Why not opt for a relaxingfoot massage, bargain for goods at Ben ThanhMarket or visit the grand Independence Palace.

Alternatively, those with a bit more time to sparecan extend their stay and opt to join us on aday trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels, where therewill be the chance to explore a vast network ofunderground tunnels and hideouts that wereused by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War.Learn about booby traps, climb through trapdoors, or even test your skills with an AK 47 atthe firing range!(B)

Travelling with teensOur Tours with Teens are perfect for parentstravelling with teenagers (aged 12-18) as theyoffer a combination of exciting and adventurousexperiences in far flung destinations around theworld, and are perfectly timed to coincide withschool holidays. Travelling on special Tours withTeens departures there may be the chance forthem to socialise with people their own age andmake new friends while also spending time withthe entire family.

KNOW BEFORE YOU 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). Abreakdown of the entrance fee total is providedupon arrival. All funds collected in Vietnam 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.

TRIP NOTES

Vietnam With Teens

Vietnam With Teens - 10 days updated on 06-05-2015

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

These Trip Notes have 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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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.

VisasMost nationalities including British, 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,please download a copy of our 'Vietnam Visa

Data List' available on our website within theSE Asia, under the title of 'Visa Info'. Should youcomplete the form and return it as a MicrosoftWord document via e-mail to us 6 weeks prior toyour departure we will arrange the 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 - 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 (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

Vietnam With Teens

Vietnam With Teens - 10 days updated on 06-05-2015

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

These Trip Notes have 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 -

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 costumeand 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 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.