Southern Vietnam Tour
The Delta, Hill Stations and Coastal Islands: Dossier VNS
Our trip takes
us from the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh into the Mekong Delta with
its maze of canals and paddy fields and then to the National Park
of Nam Cat Tien, home to many species of endangered wildlife. Then
into the pine covered mountains around Dalat the old French hill
station before descending to the coastal town of Nha Trang. After
enjoying the beach and exploring the islands we return to Ho Chi
Minh City.
We use a combination of different types of transport, including
trains and boats.
The tour is reasonably adventurous but
generally undemanding
Many people
have no idea of the stunning visual beauty and traditional culture
that Vietnam has to offer. Vietnam is a unique and fascinating land
of great physical and rich cultural diversity whose history spans
over 4,000 years.
Picture a land
of idyllic tree-lined beaches, tranquil bays dotted with the sails
of junks and sampans, offshore coral islands, mountains, valleys,
primal forests, plains crossed by countless rivers and emerald rice
fields enriched with the varied scenes of everyday life. The traditional
rural life, embodied in the villagers tilling the land with rudimentary
tools under their conical hats in the patchwork paddy fields, and
children riding their water buffaloes home from the fields at the
end of the day, contrasts dramatically with the sights, sounds and
pace of the cities whose busy streets overflow with humanity borne
along on a rising tide of bicycles and motor scooters.
The country's
long history is an every present companion: sites of ancient battles,
ancient civilisations and kingdoms which flourished in this enigmatic
land long before the French colonialists, Communism and the tragic
war of the more recent past.
In a traditionally
agricultural country, new to the concept of tourism that you have
to expect the unexpected, you won't be disappointed.
This tour traces
the complex history and culture of Vietnam and its people, introducing
some of the many different faces and places of this fascinating
country. Almost all travel restrictions have been dropped, and can
now visit the whole length of the country.
MEKONG TRAVEL
- SIGHTSEEING TOUR POLICY
Major sightseeing highlights of Indochina include a huge variety
of religious and historic monuments; a rich cultural and artistic
heritage; museums and beautiful scenery. Such key elements are naturally
include in sightseeing tour itineraries, but Mekong Travel also
seeks out the less obvious attractions - interesting local markets,
festivals, wherever these coincide with travel plans, traditional
handicrafts and industries, plus the opportunity to meet local people
in their own environments. Also include are opportunities to try
regional cuisine and to see typical or traditional forms of entertainment.
Mekong Travel
includes such extra dimensions to make any visit to Thailand, Vietnam,
Myanmar, Cambodia or Laos a richer, more rewarding and more memorable
experience.
GENERAL ADVICE
ON TRAVELLING IN INDOCHINA
What to bring?
Clothing: Long-sleeve sweater or jogging suit, windbreaker. T-shirts,
packed in a soft bag we take in the escort vehicle. Pullover for
winter season, and light nylon rain breaker for the rainy season
(May-September). A small backpack would be useful for small personal
items, like cameras. For most trips, large suitcases can be carried
in the support vehicle.
Never drink
tap water - purified, bottled water is available everywhere.
The support Vehicle will carry supplies of water and snacks of fruit/bread
etc.
Use an insect
repellent against mosquitoes, especially in upcountry and forested
areas. A high factor block cream is advisable as protection against
the hot tropical sun.
Travellers should
take adequate supplies of any prescription medicines they may need,
as supplies may not be available locally. A first aid kit with items
such as aspirin, elastoplast, antiseptic cream, anti-diarrhoea pills
will be useful. A spare pair of eyeglasses, if worn, is also advisable.
Useful too, is a flashlight, for exploring caves or details of temple
interiors, which are often not properly illuminated
Take plenty
of film, as locally available supplies are not always reliable.
Photography in airports, railway stations and near any military
installation is forbidden. Please use discretion when photographing
people, especially with tribal people, who may have superstitions
against this. For close-up shots always ask first.
Visitors are
required to dress decently within the precincts of religious buildings.
Ladies should not wear shorts or bra-less T-shirts in such places.
Shoes and socks/stockings must always be removed at pagodas and
monasteries. Shoulders and knees should be covered. Disregard of
these rules causes serious cultural and religious offence to the
devout Asian people. Visitors are advised to ignore touts who may
approach them to exchange foreign currency, or to sell gems of dubious
quality. Such offers, although apparently attractive, are breaking
strict laws.
Begging is widespread
in some parts of Indochina but not in others and visitors are requested
not to encourage development of this practice by giving money, sweets
etc. to children. If travellers wish to contribute to say, a village
community, gifts should be directed to the local schoolteacher or
headman.
Contributions can also be arranged to recognise local charities
two of which we support.
HOTELS
In spite of
the building boom that is creating new hotels up to international
standards for the first time in key tourist centres, accommodations
in Indochina still varies widely in quality and, during high seasons,
availability can be limited. Mekong Travel clients will generally
receive hotel reservation priority, but Mekong Travel cannot guarantee
specific hotel requests and reserves the right to substitute accommodation
of the best available alternative standard when a first-choice hotel
is not available. Clients are advised that accommodations, especially
outside the main locations, may not always be up to international
standards.
ACCOMMODATION.
The accommodation on this trip is a mixture of good quality private
hotels (mostly 2 to 3- star). The hotels have air conditioning and
we will normally have twin rooms with private facilities. In general,
the hotels we use are of a good standard, and will be clean and
comfortable with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, minibar and
TV.
PRACTICAL
INFORMATION
WEATHER.
Except between November and February) the weather will be hot and
humid throughout, with temperatures during the day between about
28C and 34C. It is only a little cooler at nights. November to March
is a cool season in the north, and there may be some drizzly rain:
a jumper or warm jacket may be required. Other than that, rain when
it does fall usually comes in short, violent bursts with bright
sunshine in between. There is no ideal time to visit Vietnam: it
is quite pleasant at any time of year, though it is unlikely that
the weather will ever be perfect for the entire duration of any
trip.
VACCINATIONS.
No vaccinations are compulsory unless arriving from and infected
area, but we recommend vaccination against hepatitis A and typhoid.
Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended and there has been some
chloroquine resistance reported, so please see your Doctor for advice.
FOOD. All
breakfasts (e.g. bread, eggs or fruit and tea or coffee) are included.
EXTRA EXPENSES.
Lunch (see above): Visa £40. Departure tax: currently US$7.
There are also a number of entry fees not included in the price:
as it is hard to say what people would like to visit.
FROM HO CHI
MINH CITY:
Day 1:
Arrive Ho Chi
Minh City and transfer to the Bong Sen hotel. Afternoon free. Evening
cruise on the Saigon River where we take dinner.
Day 2:
Ho Chi Minh
City tour visiting the many museums, markets and pagodas.
Day 3:
Morning drive
to the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels. At the tunnels we take a guided
tour to see how the guerrillas fought and lived in the incredibly
harsh and cramped conditions. After lunch we travel to Tay Ninh
and the Cao Dai temple. The Cao Dai is a religious sect founded
in 1926 which embraces all religions - mixing Christianity, Buddhism,
Islam, Confucianism and even Taoism into its creed and featuring
a priesthood and structure based on the Roman Catholic Church. Return
to Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 4:
Drive out of
Ho Chi Minh City and towards Can Tho. A full day is spent touring
the delta, exploring Coconut island, honey and snake farms and by
boat around the canals. Over night in local hotel.
Day 5:
Morning to visit
Munisangsyaram pagoda then drive to Long Xuyen stopping on route
to visit the Bonsai village. Overnight in local hotel, Chau Doc
near the Cambodia border.
Day 6:
Return to Ho
Chi Minh city and transfer to the Bong Sen Hotel.
Day 7:
Morning drive
to Nam Cat Tien National Park. After lunch trek into the park. This
park covers 36,500 Hectares of lowland forest and swamp and is home
to numerous birds and mammals including the Javan Rhinousorous,
tiger and Asian elephant. Over night in air-conditioned park lodge.
Dinner and over night in the Park lodge. Evening tour of the forest
track using lamps looking for nocturnal wildlife.
Day 8:
Morning trek
along forest trails with plenty of opportunities to see many varieties
of bird life and if we are lucky the chance of a larger mammal.
Afternoon travel by road to the city of Eternal Spring 'Dalat'.
Leave behind the heat of the lowlands and drive into the cool mountains,
passing rubber, tea and coffee plantations set amongst rich forests.
An old French Hill Station once the summer retreat of the last Emperor
of Vietnam with many beautiful old villas set among wooded hillsides.
Overnight Golf Hotel.
Day 9:
Morning drive
around the old French quarter with its colonial villas and flower
gardens before the drive to the coastal town of Nha Trang. On route
we stop at one of Vietnams largest Cham temples. Over night at a
local Hotel.
Day10:
Nha Trang has
a six kilometre main beach and has dozens of reportedly pristine
diving and snorkelling locations amongst its 71 islands and a cultural
backdrop that features relics of the ancient Cham Kingdom of central
Vietnam. All day boat tour to some of the islands located off the
coast. A fresh sea food lunch is served and
there is plenty of time for swimming before returning to the main
land. Over night at a local hotel.
Day11:
All day free
to relax on the beach.
Day12:
Morning return
drive to Ho Chi Minh City. Over night Bong Sen Hotel.
Day13:
Transfer to
the airport for the onward flight to another of our destinations
or to the UK.
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