A Return to Vietnam and Cambodia with Doug Peterson – October 29-November 10, 2013
Optional Extension to Cambodia & Angkor Wat – November 11-14, 2013
Join former serviceman Doug Peterson on a return to Vietnam trip. The beauty of the people, landscape and culture of Vietnam is stunning today. This is a perfect trip for veterans, families and friends! For veterans, there is the option for them to deviate from the tour group to visit other areas they served in. After the Vietnam adventure, you are off to Cambodia to take in the world wonder of Angkor Wat!
*Travelers returned from our November 2012 tour to Vietnam with incredible reviews!
Included is: round-trip airfare from Salt Lake City and other major US cities, all hotel accommodations, sightseeing as outlined in itinerary, most meals, ground transportation via deluxe coaches, and excellent English speaking guides.
Itinerary:
October 29 – Fly from your home city to Vietnam!
October 30 – Hanoi arrival
Late evening arrival in Vietnam! You will meet your guide at the airport and be transferred to your hotel in the capital of Vietnam — Hanoi. Spend some time relaxing from your journey and get a good night sleep. Overnight in Hanoi.
October 31 – Hanoi half day city tour – Halong
Start the day visiting Vietnam Military History Museum, Truc Bach Lake–Site of John McCain’s crash landing, Hanoi Hilton, Hoan Kiem Lake and Dong Xuan market. Have lunch, then transfer to Halong. Dinner and overnight in Halong. (B,L,D)
November 1 – Halong Bay: A World Heritage Site – Fishing Village
This morning take private boat cruising around the islands and islets in Halong bay, then visit Vung Vieng which is located in the heart of Bai Tu Long Bay, 24 km from the mainland. You will not only be immersed in the quiet and peaceful location viewing the charming landscape and discovering the cultural life of the fishermen but you also will be informed about sailing, pulling & dropping fishing nets.
You will be enchanted by the beauty of the boats, the nets in front of the house, the simple but hospitable fishermen, and the small children smiling as they go to school. This idyllic scene shows the traditional character of a fishing village on the sea. Sixteen hundred people live on Halong Bay itself in similar communities. Back to hotel in Halong. Overnight in Halong. (B,L)
November 2 – Halong – Hanoi – Danang – Hoian
Morning transfer directly to Hanoi airport (about 3.5 hours) take early afternoon flight to Danang, pick up transfer to Hoian. Check in hotel. Free time for shopping or lounging on Cua Dai beach. Overnight in Hoian. (B)
November 3 – Hoian – Tra Que Village
Have breakfast at hotel. Next enjoy an optional bike ride through the countryside while the rest of the group will enjoy a drive through the country side. Continue biking/drive to Tra Que Vegetable Village and experience a day of living and working with the local farmers in this village. You will take a trip around the vegetable garden and join the farmers in preparing the land and fertilizing it with seaweed from the local lake. Continue doing activities such as: raking, sowing, watering greens, picking greens and many more gardening activities. Enjoy lunch. Back to Hoian ancient town for shopping, spas, and optional city adventures. Overnight in Hoian. (B,L)
November 4 – Hoian – Myson – Hue
Take a private car from Hoi An ancient town to Cham ruins at My Son, one of the world heritage sites of Vietnam. Afternoon drive to Hue and en route take time to walk along “My Khe Beach” in Danang. Next you will see Hai Van Pass, Lang Co beach. Check in to the hotel and then visit Dong Ba market. Overnight in Hue. (B,L,D)
November 5 – Hue city – Danang – Hoian
Morning visit Imperial Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda. Have lunch, then drive to Hoian, free time. Overnight in Hoian. (B,L)
November 6 – Hoian – Quy Nhon
Drive from Hoi An to Quy Nhon. Enroute visit Son My (My Lai Massacre Site) travel to Tam Quan to visit LZ English, Bong Son and An Do Village. Overnight in Quy Nhon. (B,L)
November 7 – Quy Nhon – Tam Quan
Morning drive to Visit Tam Quan, An Do Village, and Phu Nong Village. Travel back to Quy Nhon and visit Thap Doi Cham and Quy Hoa Beach. Overnight in Quy Nhon. (B,L)
November 8 – Quy Nhon – Hochiminh
Early morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Visit the Reunification Palace, War Museum, Notre Dame Catherdral and see the old US Embassy. Your day ends with a dinner on a river cruise. Overnight in Hochiminh city. (B,L,D)
November 9 – Hochiminh – Cuchi tunnel
Morning drive to Cuchi to visit a military base of Vietnamese Army which includes a system of underground tunnels and displays. You will see what it was like on the Vietnamese side. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in time to visit China Town and for shopping in the local markets. Overnight in Hochiminh city. (B,L)
November 10 – Hochiminh – Mekong delta
Leave the busy city for Mekong delta region. Upon arrival at Cai Be, enjoy the local lifestyle with boat navigating around the small canals in the delta region. Observe the floating market where sellers and buyers bargain and exchang their goods from their boats. Roam around and observe how the people make a living from fruit trees, coconut, corn and other local products. On the way back to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. (B,L,D)
*Early departure back to the USA for those not doing the extension to Cambodia.
November 11 – Hochiminh – Siem Reap (Cambodia)
Take a morning flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival at Siem Reap Airport, you will be met and welcomed by your guide and then transferred directly to your hotel. Start your visit at the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the famous Bayon, Baphoun, the Terrace of Temple, Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King. It is time to visit one of the great wonders of the world, symbol of the heart and soul of the Cambodia, Angkor Wat. Tonight you will enjoy dinner while attending Khmer Apsara Dance Show. Overnight at hotel. (B,D)
November 12 – Siem Reap tour
Breakfast at the hotel followed with a visit to the fabulous Ta Prohm embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers, Pre Rup, East Mebon, and Neak Poan. Visit Krovan, Royal Bath of Srah Srang and Banteay Kdei temples. Overnight at hotel. (B,L)
November 13 – Siem Reap – departure
Breakfast at hotel – visit the floating village of Chong Khneas, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. Visit the village and take an excursion in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap Lake, the “Great Lake” of Cambodia, one of the largest in Asia, and Les Artisan D’ Angkor. Free time for shopping at local markets until the transfer to Siem Reap Airport for departure. (B,L)
November 14 – Arrive back home!
Your Host: Doug Peterson
Doug recently retired from Staker Parsons Companies after 30 years of service. He served in Vietnam with the First Infantry Division and the 173rd Airborne Brigade from 1969 to 1970. Doug visited Vietnam with his family for the first time this past November and was pleasantly surprised by the beauty and prosperity of the country and how gracious the Vietnamese people were towards Americans. Doug and his wife experienced what they were looking for in Vietnam and found that the trip provided closure to his military experience. Doug loves to travel and has been to Europe, Asia, South America, Mexico, Canada and 44 of the fifty states. He also loves to read and is a history buff.
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Vietnam Tour Accommodations With Airfare Included from SLC & other major US cities – Double/Triple Occupancy – $2999 (includes tour and air for $2517 and taxes of $482)
Cambodia & Angkor Wat Extension – $599
Vietnam Visa – $120
Credit Card Fee – 3.5% (only applies to final payment-pay by check to avoid it)
Single Supplement – additional $499 for Vietnam, $99 for Cambodia
Deposit Required for Reservation - $1300
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*Trip cancellation and emergency insurance available *Passports are required *Full payment due 90 days before departure. *Cancellation charges: non-refundable after deposit and final payment is made Click Here For Terms and Conditions Click Here for Current Airline Baggage Fees