Highlights Onsite history lessons with local experts at the CuChi tunnels, Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton) and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, emerge into local culture meeting local people in rural towns and floating villages, taste your way through local markets, banquets and cooking classes of Vietnamese specialties

Cultural Treasures of Vietnam


Cultural Treasures of Vietnam - AVDVD

Last Updated: February 24, 2012
14 days: Vietnam
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What's Included

Welcome gift - Welcome dinner - Introductory language lesson - Explore the Mekong Delta with overnight on a traditional boat - Local meal experience - Tour of Cu Chi Tunnels - Hoi An old town tour - Hoi An Bicycle tour - Vietnamese Cooking class - Dinner at NGO restaurant 'Streets' - Visit My Son Cham Ruins - Visit Hue Citadel and Tomb - Royal Buffet Dinner - Perfume River Boat Cruise - Hanoi City and Cyclo Tour including Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton) and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum - Water Puppet show - Halong Bay tour and overnight on a traditional Junk boat

The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and G Adventures. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

Validity: Valid for all trips departing January 1st, 2012 - December 31st, 2012.


Trip Style

Discovery Adventures: Bring to life the awe-inspiring destinations featured on the Discovery Channel. Engage colourful cultures, wildlife and landscapes through exhilarating, educational and immersive activities and arrive at a greater understanding of our incredible planet.

Service Level

Comfort:


  • All the adventure with a softer landing
  • Upgraded transportation (private vehicles, trains and planes)
  • More inclusions (transfers, more meals and activities are generally included)
  • Hand-picked accommodations with additional amenities and services

Physical Grading

2: Light walking and hiking that is suitable for most fitness levels.

Itinerary

Route map for Cultural Treasures of Vietnam (AVDVD)

Day 1 Ho Chi Minh City (D)

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, the sprawling metropolis that once was the capital of South Vietnam and remains the country’s commercial center.

Today is arrival day so there are no activities planned. You are free to relax, explore the city & adjust to the frenetic pace and humid heat of Ho Chi Minh City. You will have a scheduled group meeting in the evening around 6pm. Please check at the reception desk or look for a Discovery Adventures welcome note with details of the actual meeting time. At this meeting your guide will ask to sight your travel insurance, double check your Vietnam visa and complete some other paper work. Please note that most nationalities requires a visa to enter Vietnam, and double check this with your travel agent or local Vietnamese Embassy. After your meeting, head out to further get to know your guide and fellow group members over an included meal at a local restaurant.

We overnight in the city center of Hanoi. Our hotel is located close to the Opera House in the city centre. All rooms are double or twin share with air conditioning and en suite bathroom. A sprawling buffet breakfast is provided.

Day 2 Mekong Delta (B,L,D)

Depart by bus to the "rice basket" of Vietnam - the Mekong Delta. On our journey to the delta you will be treated to a one hour Vietnamese language lesson to help assist you with your journey for the next two weeks.

The Mekong river starts as ice melt in the Tibetan Himalayas then flows down across the plains of southern China, tickles Burma, forms part of the border between Laos and Thailand, provides food and irrigation as it tumbles through Cambodia, spreads itself out into the '9 Headed Dragon' of the delta spreading rich, life giving silt throughout Southern Vietnam before eventually emptying into the South China Sea. Today will be a full day of discovery as we explore the villages, farms, and intricate waterways that form the delta of this the mightiest of all South East Asian rivers. After lunch and settling into our cabins, we cruise the river with stops for leisurely strolls through the villages, surrounding fruit orchards or rice fields. Meet the friendly locals and taste the local produce and fruits.

Get back on board and enjoy a drink at the bar or relax on deck as the sun sets over the magnificent water landscape. The boat will anchor for the night and we enjoy a delicious on-board dinner. Tonight our unique accommodation is a comfortable, traditional Mekong Delta boat.

Approx travel time:
Private bus Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta: 6 hours

Day 3-4 Ho Chi Minh City (2B)

On Day 3, wake early to watch the sun rise over the Delta. After breakfast, we will board a smaller sampan boat to visit floating markets, the region’s busiest and most lively. Marvel at the sheer abundance of exotic fruits, vegetables and skillfully handcrafted regional products. We will pull up to the boats for talking and bargaining with the merchants. We also visit some of the local candy and cake making factories or boat through the green water landscape to see local houses, orchards and ship-building yards. Travel back to Ho Chi Minh City this afternoon.

The next morning we head 80kms north west for our guided tour of the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. During the Vietnam War the local guerilla forces of the communist North, known as the Viet Cong, occupied an extensive network of tunnels totaling in excessive of 250kms throughout this region, fighting by night and hiding by day. The tunnels housed communication centers, headquarters, hospitals, storage depots and training centers. At Cu Chi you will experience the life of the Viet Cong soldier and even get the chance to crawl through one of the sections if you feel particularly adventurous.

On return to Ho Chi Minh City the afternoon is yours to explore. You may wish to throw yourself into the mayhem of the Ben Thanh market, visit the confronting War Remnants Museum, the Gustav Eiffel designed GPO, Presidential Palace, Revolutionary Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, take a ride on a cyclo or just sip a luscious Vietnamese coffee and watch the world pass you by.

We return the the same hotel we stayed on Day 1.

Approx travel time:
Boat from the Mekong Delta back to Ho Chi Minh City: 4 hours.
Private bus to the Cu Chi Tunnels: 1.5 hours each way.

Day 5-7 Hoi An (3B,1L,1D)

Our morning fight on Day 5 takes us to the port city of Danang and from there we drive along the coast to the UNESCO World Heritage Listed town of Hoi An. In the 14th Century the Hoi An port was a focal point of Asian trade. By the 18th Century the French had come to prominence in the region and their main trading base of Danang overshadowed Hoi An (then called Faifo). The port's fate was sealed by siltation at the river mouth making it unusable for larger vessels. The silt was ironically also Hoi An's savior as it made the town of little strategic importance and thus it survived the of the Vietnam-American War, making a stroll down the street like a step back in time to a Vietnam of a bygone age.

Hoi An is a center for local handicrafts, silverwork, art, lacquerware and particularly tailors who can have you garbed in the latest Milan fashion within 24 hours. Your guide will lead you on a walking tour of this town of living history and dinner tonight will be supporting disadvantaged kids whilst enjoying delicious local cuisine at Streets Restaurant.

Day 6 starts early with a visit to the Duy Hai Village fisherman's market followed by an authentic local breakfast. Today you will be accompanied by an experienced photographer to record those indelible memories. A morning bicycle tour stopping for a snack with a local family will be followed by a lesson on how to cook Hoi An style where you eat the fruits of your own labour.

The highlight of Day 7 is a visit to the ancient Champa ruins of My Son accompanied by a local expert guide. Granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1999 the tower-temples were the seat of the Champa Kingdom for the majority of its existence between the 4th and 13th centuries. The sanctuary is situated in an impressive location surrounded by hills, around 35 km inland from the coast at Hoi An. Wander through the ruins then visit the small museum at the entrance to My Son before heading back to Hoi An. The rest of the day is yours to shop, head to the beach or simply relax at your favorite cafe.

We stay 3 nights in our relaxing accommodation near the river and the local market. The hotel has twin / double share air conditioned rooms with en suite bathrooms. There is a pool for unwinding after a long day of shopping and wifi is available throughout the hotel.

Approx travel times:
Transfer to the HCMC airport: 45 min
Flight from HCMC to Danang Airport: 1 hour
Private bus from Danang to Hoi An: 45 minutes
Private bus to My Son: 45 minutes each way

Day 8-9 Hue (2B,1D)

Heading up the coast in our private vehicle on Day 8 we cross over the Hai Van Pass with majestic views to the north and south. This strategic location was used during the war and evidence of the past remains intact today. We continue to the city of Hue in time for lunch.

Hue was the capital of the Nguyen Dynasty which ruled Vietnam from 1802 to 1945. This afternoon we visit the seat of Nguyen power, the Royal Citadel containing the Forbidden Purple City, inspired by the Forbidden City in Beijing. Our local guide will show you around and explain the use and meaning of the various building as well as showing examples of the damage sustained during the Tet Offensive in 1968 when the Citadel saw extensive fighting.

On Day 9 we board our Dragon Boat for a ride up the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda and onward to the tomb of Emperor Tu Doc. Our guide will also take us out into the countryside where we can experience local industries and villages.

This evening we dress in imperial clothes and attend a Royal Banquet, enjoying a set menu of Royal delights.

Our centrally located hotel is close to the Perfume river and many shops and restaurants. Our twin and double share rooms have air conditioning and en suite bathrooms. There is a pool for relaxing and there is free wifi available.

Approx travel time:
Private bus from Hoi An to Hue: 4 hours

Day 10 Hanoi (B)

This morning we fly to the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi. We begin our exploration of this ancient city with a tour of the Hoa Lo Prison, commonly known as the Hanoi Hilton. During the Vietnam-American War the prison housed American prisoners of war, including U.S presidential nominee John McCain. We also visit the famed Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum. The Mausoleum houses the remains of Ho Chi Minh, the founding father of the unified Vietnam (closed October-November). Later take a thrilling cyclo-ride through the city and in the evening we will attend a performance at the famous Water Puppets.

Don’t miss taking a walk through Hanoi's Old Quarter – a maze of street, each one traditionally devoted to a different product or industry. Follow this up with a walk around nearby Hoan Kiem lake and see if you can spot one of the famous 100 year old turtles which may still live within its murky waters.

Our hotel tonight is located in the Old Quarter, just 5 minutes walk to Hoan Kiem lake, the center of Hanoi. Make sure you grab a map and hotel card before you leave the hotel. All hotel rooms are double or twin share with air conditioning and en suite bathroom.

Approx travel time:
Transfer to Hue Airport: 20 minutes
Flight from Hue to Hanoi: 1 hour.
Transfer from Hanoi Airport to Hotel: 45 minutes.

Day 11 Halong Bay (B,L,D)

Our day begins with a bus journey through the countryside and industrial towns of the north, to the coast where we board our private live-aboard Junk for our overnight cruise on stunning Halong Bay.

Legend has it that the emperor called upon the mother dragon to protect Vietnam from a seaborne invasion fleet. The dragon flew over the sea and spat jewels at the invaders destroying the fleet and the jewels became the magnificent limestone karst formations that speckle the bay in their hundreds. The dragon then settled on the coast and her tail curled around forming the shape of the bay. Halong Bay literally translates as "Descending Dragon Bay"

During our cruise we shall be feasting on local seafood specialties, visiting one of the wondrous cave systems on the islands and also stopping off at a floating fishing village where we can experience the bay up close and personal in sea kayaks. All meals are included on board.

Our accommodation tonight is a truly special experience – sleeping on a boat surrounded by high limestone karsts. All cabins are double or twin share with air conditioning and en suite bathroom. We also have a rooftop sundeck to take in the stunning scenery and a full dining room to enjoy our meals of local dishes, on board our private boat.

Approx travel time:
Hanoi to Bay Chai Harbour: 4 hours.

Day 12-13 Hanoi (2,1LB)

We lift anchor this morning and continue our cruise through the spectacular scenery of Halong Bay. We arrive back in Bai Chay Harbour where we disembark from our boat and take a private bus back to Hanoi. En route back to Hanoi we will stop at the Phu Lang Pottery village where our guide will show you the skill of the artisans in this village.

When we arrive in Hanoi you have the rest of the afternoon free to explore the colorful streets of the Old Quarter, sip on coffee in the French Quarter and admire the architecture of the city.

We stay at the same hotel in Hanoi as we did on Day 10. Centrally located, each room is double or twin share with air conditioning and a private bathroom.

Approx travel time:
Bay Chai harbour to Hanoi: 4 hours.

Day 14 Hanoi (B)

You are free to depart at any time today. Please note that hotel check out time is 12pm.

We look forward to receiving your evaluation regarding this tour itinerary and your guide's performance. We value your input into what we could improve to make this trip even better and of course love hearing about what we are already doing well! You will be sent a post tour email on your return with details on how to go on line and fill in this simple form. Thank you so much in advance.


Important Notes

1. Please be aware that this itinerary is a brand new trip for us in 2012. While we have thoroughly planned and researched this new itinerary on the ground, the nature of travel is that even the best laid plans can sometimes come across the unexpected! If you like being a trail blazer and are not afraid for a small hiccup or two along the trail, this trip is exactly right for you. If any of the above concerns you, we suggest you wait a year until we have this trip running to our normal perfection.

2. There may be a weight restriction for the internal flight on this tour. Each passenger is allowed to carry one checked bag with a maximum weight of 15 kg (33lbs). Additional bags or excess weight charges may apply. These charges are the responsibility of the passengers.

3. Discovery Adventures is operated in conjunction with G Adventures, the world leader in sustainable adventure travel. An award winning company with over 800 employees and 17 operational offices worldwide, G Adventures has 20 years experience in creating culturally interactive travel experiences. G Adventures advocates a triple bottom line business philosophy where equal attention is given to the environmental, social and economic impact of tourism to achieve long-term environmentally responsible growth whilst protecting destinations & cultural heritage for future generations.

Accommodation

Comfort hotels (11 nts), junk/traditional boat (2 nts)

About Accommodation

The accommodation level for most Discovery Adventure tours are comfortable, in mid-range hotels, motels, lodges, guest houses, etc. You'll often enjoy air-conditioned rooms, complete with en suite bathrooms and some amenities. Accommodation and amenities can vary by Country and region and please remember that standards can be different from what you are used to in your home country, which is part of the appeal of adventure travel. Some trips may include camping, permanent tented camps or more rustic lodges, depending on the remoteness of where you are visiting. Please see your trip details for more information, specific to your tour. Porterage is not included, but can be arranged directly at most hotels.

Please note that in some major cities in Vietnam, many hotel rooms do not have windows.

My Own Room

Please note that if you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single room for all night stops on tour.

Transport

Private bus, cyclo, plane, boat

Group Size Notes

Max 15, Avg 10

Local Flights

All local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure.

There may be a weight restriction for the internal flight on this tour. Each passenger is allowed to carry one checked bag with a maximum weight of 20 kg (44lbs). Additional bags or excess weight charges may apply. These charges are the responsibility of the passengers.

Meals Included

12 Breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 Dinners

Meals

Travelling with Discovery Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful foods and flavors that are available in the world. Some meals are included in the trip price in more remote regions or as a highlight where we can share a local specialty or cultural experience. In many places where there is a choice of eating options, we like to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each others company, but there is no obligation to do this. Your group leader will be able to suggest favorite restaurants during your trip. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets.

Group Leader Description

All Discovery Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our expert group tour leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. Group leaders are experts in their region with a broad, general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local expert guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it's the best of both worlds.

Joining Hotel

Tan Hai Long Hotel 4
81 Hai Ba Trung Street
District 1
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam

Joining Instructions

When arriving at Tan Son Nhat Intl Airport in Saigon you can get a metered taxi from just outside of the arrivals hall. The taxis are lined up outside in an orderly queue and the fare is roughly 100,000 dong (approx 7 USD) to get to your starting point hotel. DO NOT GO WITH TAXI TOUTS AS THEY WILL TRY TO RIP YOU OFF. The airport is only 7km from the downtown District 1 so taking taxis is easy and cheap if the meter is on.

Unfortunately there have been cases in Vietnam of people misrepresenting themselves as G Adventures representatives at both Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh airports.
We recommend that you do not take advantage of any offers of "help" at the airport, and rather just organise a meter taxi for yourself to our Starting Point Hotel.

If you have a pre-booked transfer, please look for the G Adventures representative, who will be holding a G Adventures sign at the arrival halls. Please check carefully once you exit the baggage hall as there seem to be hundreds of people waiting outside in the arrival area.
Please check that your driver knows your name and the hotel you are going to. If in doubt ask them to ring their manager to confirm your transfer.
If you are unable to locate our G Adventures representative, please wait up to 30 minutes, call our local staff on our emergency number, or take a taxi to the joining point hotel.

Arrival Complications

We don't expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you are unable to commence your trip as scheduled, as soon as possible please contact your starting point hotel, requesting that you speak to or leave a message for your guide (if you are not on a group tour please refer to the emergency contact details provided in this dossier). If you are unable to get in touch with your guide, please refer to our emergency contact details. If you have pre-booked an airport transfer and have not made contact with our representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point hotel, following the Joining Instructions. Please apply to your travel agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this occurs.

What to Take

What you need to bring depends on the trip you have chosen and the countries or regions you are planning to visit. We suggest that you pack as lightly as possible as your are expected to carry your own luggage. As a rule we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 minutes with your bags which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 10-15kg/22-30lb. Suitcases are not recommended for Discovery Adventures trips! Most travellers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size (no XXL ones please!) as they need to fit under the beds when travelling on sleeper trains. You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water, cameras and other electronics like ipods and mobile phones.

Emergency Contact

Should you need to contact G Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call our local office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.

G Adventures Local Office – Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok Office Tel: +66 2 252 6642 (9am-5pm Local Time)

South East Asia Manager: +66(0)870496074 (Bangkok, Thailand)

If you are experiencing complications with your Ho Chi Minh City AIRPORT TRANSFER that was booked through G Adventures please call: 0903-757-728 or 0903-992-259

If you are unable for any reason to contact our local office, we have a toll-free line for North America, which will connect you directly with our Toronto office. In the event that you cannot get through, you can reach a member of our Operations department at the mobile number below.

Toll-free, North America only: 1 800 465 5600.
Calls from UK: 0844 410 1030
Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618
Outside North America, Australia and the UK: +1 416 260 0999

Checklist

Documents
•Passport (with photocopies)
•Travel insurance (with photocopies)
•Airline tickets (with photocopies)
•USD Cash (small denominations preferred)
•Credit or debit card (see personal spending money)
•Discovery Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information and trip details
•Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required

Suggested
•Day pack for daily personal items
•Watch or Alarm clock
•Flashlight or Headlamp
•Sun hat, Sun block, Sunglasses
•Insect Repellent
•Water bottle
•Ear plugs for train journeys or light sleepers
•Small towel and swim wear
•Toiletries (biodegradable)
•Sturdy walking shoes/Sport sandals
•hand sanitizers/ antibacterial wipes
•Money belt
•Shorts for summer months (June – September)
•Long trousers
•Shirts/T-shirts
•Warmer clothes for Nov-April.
•Umbrella or waterproof jacket.
•Cover for backpack or plastic bags to keep clothes dry.
•Pocketknife
•Camera and extra memory card/film
•Extra batteries (recommended)
•Electricity Plug Adapter
•First-aid kit (should contain Lip balm with sunscreen, Aspirin, Ibuprofin, malaria pills, band aids/plasters, tape, anti-histamine, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)

Optional Items: reading/writing material, binoculars, cover for backpacks, Maps.

Laundry

Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap.

Visas

VIETNAM - Visas for Vietnam need to be arranged ahead of time (BEFORE your trip) as the processing time varies and they are not available at the borders.

Please note that visas for Vietnam are the responsibility of the individual traveller. The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. For the most up to date information please check your governments foreign ministry website or with you travel agent as rules do change. It is important that you check for yourself. For most travellers there will probably be an embassy and consulate in the country that you live in. Visas for Vietnam need to be arranged ahead of time (before your trip), as the processing time varies and they are not issued at any of the borders. It's also important that the visa 'valid from date' is before or on your day of arrival incountry.

Money Exchange

During this tour the local currency you will use is the Vietnamese Dong. As currency exchange rates in South East Asia do fluctuate, we ask that you refer to the following website for the most up to date daily exchange rates: www.xe.com for each of the above mentioned currencies. The best way to carry your money is in debit cards, withdrawing cash in local currencies from ATM machines. ATMs are found throughout South East Asia and will generally accept cards on the Visa and Mastercard networks. It is a great idea to travel with both a Visa and Mastercard if at all possible in case of loss or problems with one card, you will have a back up. Please note, your bank will charge a fee for overseas withdrawals. USD Cash is recommended for times when ATMs are not accessible. You should bring some cash with you for emergency situations (please refer to our trip dossier) but carrying only cash is a high safety risk. ATM card/s and some cash is the ideal mix. Travellers cheques can be tricky, timely and expensive to exchange. While we do not recommend that you bring them as your primary source of funds, it is great to have one or two cheques in case of emergency. Thomas Cook or American Express travellers' cheques in US currency are the easiest to exchange. Cash advances can also be made with some banks but are time consuming and tend to have high fees attached.Credit cards can be used at some upmarket restaurants, and at some larger stores if shopping for big items. If you are bringing US Dollars, please make sure that the notes are new and in good condition. Notes older than 2003, or with any tears or blemishes may not be accepted. Be fussy with your bank when buying cash!

Emergency Fund

Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!

Tipping

It is customary in Asia to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Tipping is expected - though not compulsory - and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. You may do this individually, or your tour leader will offer to collect the money and tip as a group. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from $1-$2 USD per person / per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your tour leader for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. Also at the end of each trip if you felt your Discovery Adventures Tour Leader did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline $20-25 USD per person, per week can be used.

Optional Activities

Bring along USD150 for optional activities not included in the trip.

Approximate costs (per person) for popular optional activities taken in free time are:

Kayak Rental for 1 person (Halong Bay)- USD10
**Please note that most museums in Hanoi are closed on Mondays**
Hoa Lao Prison- aka ‘Hanoi Hilton’ (Hanoi)- USD1
Museum of Ethnology (Hanoi)- USD1 plus transport
Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum (Hanoi) - free entrance (Please note that Mausoleum is only open in the mornings on Tue-Thu & Sat-Sun. Closed Mondays, Fridays and full months of October & November. Please check ahead as Mausoleum may be periodically closed at other times also.)
Temple of Literature (Hanoi)- USD1
Fine Arts Museum (Hanoi) - USD1
Women's Museum (Hanoi) - USD1
Army Museum (Hanoi)- USD1
Taxi to each museum - approx USD2
Bicycle Hire (Hue) - USD1
Cooking Class (Hoi An)- USD25 for Half Day
My Son Cham Ruins including car transport (Hoi An) - USD24
Tu Bon River Boat Trip (Hoi An)- USD5
Cyclo tour (Ho Chi Minh City)- USD4
War Crimes museum (Ho Chi Minh City)- USD1
The Reunification Palace (Ho Chi Minh City) - USD2
Saigon Water Park (Ho Chi Minh City) - USD4

All prices are per person (unless stated otherwise), and are subject to change as services are provided by third party operators.

Health

Please note inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure.

You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical information pertaining to the country you are traveling to well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit and hand sanitizers / antibacterial wipes as well as a full supply of any personal medical requirements. In Asia, you will not find the same drugs as you get at home. Please be aware that sometimes we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities. Also note that for legal reasons our Leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. When selecting your trip please carefully read the brochure and itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. Please refer to the Physical and Culture Shock ratings for trip specific information. For travelers over 70 years a completed Medical Form is required. Discovery Adventures reserves the right to exclude any traveller from all or part of a trip without refund if, in the reasonable opinion of the Tour Leader, they are unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group.

Trip Specific Safety

We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.

Be aware that petty theft can be an issue in some Vietnamese towns and cities especially late at night. A common tactic is opportunists on motorbikes that drive by and snatch bags. Please always leave valuables and passports etc in your hotel,in safety boxes if available,and only carry with you enough cash to spend for the day. Bags should always be carried over the neck and not left to sit on your shoulder.

Local Dress

When packing be aware that dress standards are conservative throughout Asia. To respect this and for your own comfort, we strongly recommend modest clothing. This means covering shoulders and no very short shorts. Loose, lightweight, long clothing is both respectful and cool in the predominantly hot Asian climate. Shorts should be knee-length.