VIETNAM ENCOMPASSED. 14 Incredible Nights.

Join Travel Buddies as we head off to explore Vietnam on this 14 night adventure encompassing Ho Chi Minh City, The Mekong Delta, Hue, Hoi An, Hanoi and an overnight cruise in a Vietnamese junk boat in Ha Long Bay. There are plenty of excursions includes ad well as free time to do as we please, relaxing, exploring further and getting the true feel of Vietnam.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS TRIP ENDS ON THE 16TH OF NOVEMBER AT 07.15 AFTER OUR ARRIVAL IN TO THE UK AND NOT ON THE 15TH AS STATED ABOVE.

Day 1. Saturday 2nd November
We will meet at the airport and go through security together before boarding our flight.

Day 2. Sunday 3rd November
Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City we will take our private transfer to our hotel where we will be staying for 3 nights. We will be sharing twin rooms in 3* hotels for the duration of the trip but there is an option to have a room to yourself if you prefer for a supplement of £200.

We have the afternoon to relax before heading out for a street food tour on foot. Street food tours are such fun and super for trying things you might not have chosen yourself. You don't have to try if you don't like it though. :)

The Travel Buddies trips work on the basis that as long as you are having a good time then that is what matters, if you don't feel like coming on one of the excursions or joining the rest of the group for dinner one evening then that is absolutely fine. This is an adventure for everyone and there is nothing worse than having to go somewhere/do something that you don't really fancy!

Meals D. (please note that this tour is not suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets)

Day 3. Monday 4th November
After breakfast we will head off on a private day tour of Hi Chi Minh City We will visit the Reunification palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, War remnant museum and China Town Binh Tay Market.

Lunch is included.

Evening to relax or explore.

Meals B, L

Day 4. 5th November
We are off for a half private day tour exploring the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels where we will learn about the fascinating history of Vietnam. Our guide will give us a clear understanding of the not-so-distant history that surrounds this local area. We will get a chance to walk through some of the tunnels, discover the hidden corners and imagine what life was like here for the resistance soldiers. If you like, try to cook with the smokeless stoves used by Vietnamese soldiers to cook during the war. Lunch is included.

Drop off early afternoon back at the hotel where we have the rest of the day to relax or hop in a tuk tuk and go off exploring.

Dinner will be at a local restaurant.

Meals B, L

Day 5. Wednesday 6th November
Today sees the group continuing our adventure on an overnight, 2 day experience exploring the Mekong River. We visit a craft village and fruit orchards growing jack-fruit, durian, guava, rambutan and longan. Here we can try the local tea and fruit whilst enjoying a live local music performance. Short bike ride experience to meet the locals and onwards to our hotel accommodation. We will sleep well tonight i'm sure!

Meals B, L

Day 6. Thursday 7th November
Breakfast at the hotel and an early start sees us back on the river to visit the famous Cai Rang floating market, and the "monkey Bridge" which is built from only one stem of bamboo.

We have a short flight to Hue late this afternoon, Vietnam's last Royal capital where, upon arrival wewill check in to our hotel.

Evening at leisure.

Meals B, L

Day 7. Friday 8th November
After breakfast at the hotel we head off on a half day city tour of Hue, we visit Dong Ba market, take a boat trip to the oldest pagoda in Hue city, the Royal Antiques museum and the Imperial Citadel of the Royal Dynasty of the Nguyen family.

A lunch of regional specialities is included.

Meals B, L

Day 8. Saturday 9th November
Today we have a free to day to explore Hue as we please.

On our free days the group tends to do different things according to what they fancy. Some members will have an idea as to what they would like to do and others won't. Feel free to do as much or as little research before you go. We can all get together the evening before and see what everyone want's to do on the odd free days.

Dinner Locally

Meals B

Day 9. Sunday 10th November
Check out of our hotel after breakfast and travel to Hoi An with a stop off at the Hai van pass. (Journey time approx 4 hours). Arrive Hoi An in the afternoon and check in to our Hotel where we will be spending 2 nights.

We have the rest of the day and evening to explore. What about a lantern making class or a stroll along lantern road?

Day 10. Monday 11th November
Free day in Hoi An

Day 11. Tuesday 12th November
We leave the hotel today to go on a morning My Son Holyland tour with lunch included.

After the tour we head to the airport for our short flight to to Hanoi and transfer to our hotel lets explore the Dong Xuan Market and the popular Hoan Kiem Lake and Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre.

Meals B,L

Day 12. Wednesday 13th November
Free Day in Hanoi to explore.

Day 13. Thursday 14th November
An early start sees us heading for the final part of our Vietnamese adventure. Our scenic journey to Ha Long Bay takes around 3.5 hours where we have a welcome drink upon arrival and check in to our twin cabins. We set sail as lunch is served. First stop is the Surprising cave!, Find out why it was named as such :)

Next stop is Titop Island where we can swim, snorkel and take the short hike to the top of the island for stunning views over Halong Bay.

Evening is spent watching the sunset, with a Vietnamese dinner on the boat, cocktails are served at the bar and onboard activities consist of games, movies and.... squid fishing!

Meals B, L D

Day 14. Friday 15th November
After our night spent on the junk boat we can join a Tai Chi session on the sundeck, breakfast is served as we sail to Luon Cave where you can choose to explore the cave either by kayak or bamboo raft.

Then it is time for a spring roll cooking demonstration before an early lunch on board. after which we return to shore and disembark.

Transfer to the airport and arrive at around 17.00 to start our journey back to the UK

Day 15. Saturday 16th November
Arrive in the UK at 07.15 and head home :)

A room to yourself is available for £200 for the trip. This needs to be paid at the same time as the balance.

What's Included

• 11 nights accommodation in 3* hotels
• One night in a cabin on board a junk boat in Halong Bay with all

activities

• All ground transport
• 12 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 1 dinner.
• 2 internal flights. Ho Chi Minh-Hue & Hoi An -Hanoi
• 2 day Mekong river experience with all activities
• Ho Chi Ming City day tour
• Co Chi Tunnels Tour
• Hue half day city tour
• My Son Holyland tour

What's not included

• Airport transfers if coming on a different flight from the recommended one.
• International Flights ( please see below)

*Meals other than listed above

• Personal costs, transport and tips.

You need to book your own flights and they are with these are with Vietnam Airlines and are currently £759. I would advise to book your flight as soon as possible after booking on to the trip as they are likely to rise the sooner we get to the date of departure.

Please note that you are more than welcome to book your flight from an alternative airport in the UK. Prior to the trip we will give you the hotel information for the first hotel and you can meet the group there.

PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU WILL BE FLYING TO HO CHI MINH CITY BUT DEPARTING FROM HANOI

02/11/2024 (DIRECT)
Depart London Heathrow 11.00 Arrive Ho Chi Minh City 06.5+1 Flight Number VN50

15/11/2024 (NON DIRECT)
Depart Hanoi 20.00 Arrive London Heathrow 07.15+1
Layover of 1h 55m in Ho Chi Minh City
Flight Numbers VN263 and VN51

COST
The price of the above tour is £1399 .All payments need to be made into the Protected Trust Services account held with HSBC:

A non refundable deposit of £250 If we haven’t received your deposit within 3 days of RSVP, your RSVP will be changed to "not going" and your space will be released. The balance of £1049 needs to be paid by the 1st September. in to the following business account. (if you are having a room to yourself the balance is £1249)

Trustees of Protected Trust Services Air Travel
Account number: 83664597
Sort Code: 40-40-14
Reference: 2T0010743 Your First and Last Name

(Please note that we do not accept Credit Cards)

To learn more on how we protect your money, please visit [www.protectedtrustservices.com/travel/consumer-protection/

By paying a deposit you will be agreeing to our cancellation policies and that you have read and agree to the Terms and Conditions

Travel Buddies UK Limited Terms & Conditions

When you RSVP it is important that you answer all of the following questions.

What is your full name? what is your contact number? What is your email address? Do you know the travel buddy you wish to share a room with? Do you wish to have a room to yourself for a supplement of £200.

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ.
You are responsible for ensuring that you are covered by insurance for the trip and in particular all activities that you undertake outside of the Travel Buddies itinerary.

Vaccinations
Please see here to check if you need any vaccinations for this trip.

You will need to have a minimum of 6 months validity left on your passport from the return date to the UK in order to be able to travel.