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23 DAY VIETNAM & CAMBODIA FARMING TOUR Hanoi - Ha Long Bay - Hue - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho - Chau Doc - Phnom Penh - Siem Reap

Departing 04 June 2017

Swagman Tours Level 1, 182 Latrobe Terrace (PO Box 7473) Geelong West VIC 3218

P: 1800 808 491 E: karen@swagmantours.com.au

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Tour Cost: $5,875.00 per person, twin share

Single Supplement: $1,550.00 per person

Non-refundable deposit required: $1,000.00 per person

Balance required no later than: 10 April 2017

Tour Cost Includes; * International airfares & taxes flying Singapore Airlines. * Three internal airfares as per itinerary. * Twin share superior class accommodation with ensuite facilities. * Air conditioned vehicle with experienced driver. * Meals as per the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner). * 2 night Halong Bay cruise. * Entries to sightseeing and farm/factories as per itinerary. * English speaking guide from Hanoi to Chau Doc & local guides in Cambodia. * Gratuities for bellboys, drivers & guides.

Tour Cost Does NOT Include; * Travel Insurance - COMPULSORY to have prior to travel and a copy will be required to be provided prior to documentation being released. Swagman Tours can assist, please phone/email for a quote or to arrange a policy. * Visas for entry into Vietnam & Cambodia - Swagman Tours can assist for a cost of $330.00 per person. It is compulsory to have visa paperwork in place for both countries prior to departing Australia. * Possible Airport Tax (currently USD $25 per person payable at Siem Reap). * Meals not listed in the itinerary and all beverages. * Cost of passport & medical supplies. * Items of a personal nature eg telephone, laundry.

Included Meals Key; B – Breakfast. L – Lunch. D - Dinner

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DAY 1: Sun 04 Jun CHECK IN FOR YOUR FLIGHT Inflight Meals Check into the airport late this evening for your flight to Hanoi departing just after midnight in preparation for your flight to Hanoi, via Singapore.

DAY 2: Mon 05 Jun MELBOURNE – FLY TO HANOI (D) Depart Melbourne and fly to Hanoi, arriving late morning and be met on arrival at Noi Ban Airport by your driver/guide then transfer to the centrally located hotel to check in and the remainder of the day is at leisure to rest or stroll through the streets before meeting to enjoy a welcome dinner. Overnight: Hanoi

Hanoi With its wide boulevards, ancient pagodas and tree-lined lakes, Vietnam’s capital is also the country’s most atmospheric and beguiling city. There is an energy and charm here arising from the genteel mix of French colonialism and Asian grace and tradition. Enjoy a showcase of synchronised t’ai chi at Hoan Kiem Lake; stroll around the lively Old Quarter with its narrow streets, traders and packs of scooters weaving in and out; and don’t miss the chance to see a water puppetry show at the Thang Long Puppet Theatre. Other places to visit include the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, the Perfume Pagoda temple complex and the Hanoi Opera House in the heart of the French Quarter.

DAY 3: Tue 06 Jun HANOI SIGHTSEEING (BLD) Begin the morning with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to hear about the man who led Vietnam’s campaign for independence from French colonial rule. After dedicating his life to the liberation of his country from foreign rule, Ho Chi Minh died in 1969 and his body was preserved for posterity. Continue to the Quan Thanh Temple which is dedicated to the Gods to protect the north of the city and afterwards visit another 11th century relic, the Temple of Literature, which was built in homage to the Chinese scholar Confucius. Stop at the University of Vietnam built in 1076 and then the Hoa Lo (Hanoi Hilton) prison. After lunch visit Bat Trang village which is about 45mins drive from Hanoi and has been producing many high quality ceramics for many years. Here you will have chance to learn about the life of local people and also make some ceramic products. Return to Hanoi and enjoy an electric taxi or cyclo ride through the busting Old Quarter, visit the Lake of the Returned Sword and Ngoc Son Temple and finish the day with dinner and a water puppet show. Overnight: As Above

DAY 4: Wed 07 Jun HANOI FARM VISIT (BLD) After breakfast drive approximately 20km to the outskirts of Hanoi and visit Song Phuong village for a walking tour. Visit the local market and walk to the fields to see local farmers growing a variety of vegetables. This well established area provides Hanoi’s main vegetable supply. Have the opportunity to visit a local farmers home for a chat about his operation. Return to Hanoi for lunch then the remainder of the afternoon is free to explore at leisure before meeting in time for dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight: As Above

DAY 5: Thu 08 Jun HANOI – 2 NIGHT HALONG BAY CRUISE (BLD) A very early start this morning to visit the Long Bien wholesale vegetable market or the renowned Quang Ba flower market to see the wonderful variety of produce on display. After breakfast in a local restaurant begin the 180km eastbound drive to beautiful Halong Bay and board the boat at midday to cruise this remarkable bay dotted with over 3000 limestone pillars, many of which contain caves and grottoes and make for a spectacular seascape. Have the opportunity to stop and explore some caves before re-boarding the boat to enjoy dinner as you cruise. Overnight: Halong Bay Cruise Boat

Ha Long Bay Imagine thousands of soaring forested islands rising out of emerald waters and you have a vision of the breathtaking beauty that is Ha Long Bay. Ha Long (declared a World Heritage Site in 1994) means ‘where the dragon descends into the sea’ with the legend telling of a massive dragon descending from the mountains, gouging out crevasses and valleys and as it charged towards the coast. Once it settled down, the legend goes the area filled up with water

P a g e | 5 leaving only the pinnacles visible. The best way to view these wondrous islands and explore their caves is via a boat cruise (think an opulent Chinese-style junk boat).

DAY 6: Fri 09 Jun HALONG BAY CRUISE (BLD) A full day to enjoy on board cruising or take part in one of the optional activities offered. Overnight: As Above

DAY 7: Sat 10 Jun HALONG BAY – HANOI – FLY TO HUE (BLD) This morning cruise to the other side of the bay and marvel at this beautifully quiet and peaceful region. Disembark the boat at midday and transfer back to Hanoi in preparation for the evening flight to Hue. Dinner will be in a restaurant at the airport this evening. On arrival in Hue transfer to the hotel and check in. Overnight: Hue

Hue Beguiling and beautiful, the former capital of Vietnam is still revered as a cultural & religious centre and achieved UNESCO World Heritage status in 1993. The city owes its charm in part to its setting on the Perfume River, but more significantly, to its many ancient temples and palaces – all vestiges of the last remaining Vietnamese dynasty, the Nguyen dynasty. The 19th century Hue Citadel – otherwise known as The Imperial City – is a must see. There are a number of mineral hot springs, boat trips on the river can be organised, and the eateries in town boast a culinary experience you will find only in this region.

DAY 8: Sun 11 Jun HUE SIGHTSEEING (BLD) Enjoy a boat trip on the romantic Perfume River which runs through the city itself. The river winds down from the mountains and passes by several forests, bringing in the fragrance of tropical flora on its path and is therefore how it derived its name. Afterwards visit Thien Mu Pagoda, the symbol of Hue city and its most famous and then take the short journey to visit the tomb of King Minh Mang who was the second ruler of the Nguyen Dynasty. Created in the 19th century, the Imperial City was modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing and contains many palaces and temples inside its giant walls. Many of the buildings have been damaged by war over the years and are now being restored to their former glory, spend time wandering through the citadel followed by the Dong Ba market. Overnight: As Above

DAY 9: Mon 12 Jun HUE – DANANG – HOI AN (BLD) This morning drive south to Hoi An and see the pretty red-tiled villages with their fruit orchards and spectacular views of sea and sky. Stop to visit Cham Museum to see the ancient rock carvings, Marble Mountain and Non Nuoc Beach which was referred to as China Beach during the war. After lunch commence your walking tour of Hoi An, a former trading port that welcomed Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab merchants between the 16th to 18th centuries. Today Hoi An is famous for its restored architecture, homemade silk, expert tailors and delicious noodles and seafood. Its relaxed atmosphere and pedestrian streets are a pleasure to walk around and explore. The tour includes stops at many of the ancient houses and temples. Overnight: Hoi An

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DAY 10: Tue 13 Jun HOI AN (BLD) This morning visit Tra Que village to meet with the local farmers and learn about their cultivation and production techniques and afterwards enjoy a cooking class and lunch with them (note: a tourist farm visit). This afternoon return to the hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure for private sightseeing. Overnight: As Above

DAY 11: Wed 14 Jun HOI AN – MY SON CULTURAL TOUR (BL) After breakfast visit the magnificent temples of My Son, an important temple complex built by the Champa Kingdom over many centuries. Located in a lush valley surrounded by high mountains and constructed in the 10th century it is a spectacular sight. UNESCO listed since 1999, enjoy a guided walk through the grounds and hear about the architectural, religious and cultural significance. Afterwards return to Hoi An with free time this afternoon. This evening maybe take a stroll along the streets and try some of the specialties that Hoi An is renowned for (own expense) including Cao Lau - a medley of a yellow noodles, pork slices and pickled hot peppers, and Mi Quang - a noodle dish featuring boiled quails eggs and chunks of baked rice cakes. Overnight: As Above

DAY 12: Thu 15 Jun HOI AN – DANANG – FLY TO HO CHI MINH CITY (BLD) After breakfast transfer to the airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City and on arrival meet your driver for a tour of this historical area previously known as Saigon. See significant sights such the War Remnants Museum to hear the story of the city’s darkest and most tragic hours during the Vietnam War and see the displays of military aircraft, weaponry and many photographs - some that are quite graphic in nature. Although many of Vietnam’s 90 million people are now too young to remember the war, its legacy is still felt strongly across Vietnamese society. Afterwards visit the Reunification Palace – it was here on 30 April 1975 that the war ended when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through its gates. Also see the beautiful colonial style Central Post Office. Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City

DAY 13: Fri 16 Jun FARM VISITS (BLD) This morning visit the Vietnam Engine & Agricultural Machinery Corporation (VEAM Group) who in the early stages of manufacture imported spare parts and assembled them at the factory under the brand names of Kubota and Yanmar and focused their production on developing diesel engines and agricultural machines. Afterwards visit Trung Nguyen Coffee Factory to see one of Vietnam’s largest coffee processing centres for both the domestic and international markets. Overnight: As Above

DAY 14: Sat 17 Jun HO CHI MINH CITY SIGHTSEEING (BLD) Depart Ho Chi Minh City and drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels site for a tour of the cramped tunnels that were central to the war’s strategic operations. The tunnels contain “mantraps” - large camouflaged holes dug deep into the ground that ensnared enemy soldiers with bamboo spikes. The Cu Chi experience can be emotionally draining but it offers a fascinating window into the hardship and traumas of war. Continue to visit a small family owned beef farm and return to Ho Chi Minh City and visit China Town and the Thien Hau Pagoda. Overnight: As Above

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DAY 15: Sun 18 Jun HO CHI MINH CITY – MY THO – CAN THO (BLD) Travel approximately two hours south of Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho, a township of approximately 170,000 inhabitants located in the prosperous Mekong Delta region and renowned for its extensive orchards and large rice fields. Enjoy a boat ride on the Mekong Delta and visit a local fish farm and an orchard situated on an island with lunch enroute. Afterwards visit a snake farm before driving to Can Tho city – the largest in the Mekong region and the remainder of the day is at leisure. (Note – visits in My Tho are tourist orientated). Overnight: Can Tho

Can Tho Situated on the south bank of the Hau River in the Mekong Delta or ‘nine dragon river delta’, Can Tho offers an interesting blend of rural peace and a gently developing urban infrastructure. Catch some of the buzz at the lively waterfront, or stroll through the narrow backstreets to discover exquisite sculptured gardens and Buddhist pagodas. The city is known for its many canals weaving throughout the city.

DAY 16: Mon 19 Jun CAN THO – CHAU DOC (BLD) An early start this morning for a boat trip along the Mekong to the Cai Rang floating market to experience the flurry of vendors trading their wares as boats teeming with fruit, vegetables and household goods ply the waters. Afterwards visit the local rice mill and a family owned farm using typical agricultural methods producing mainly fish and poultry. Lunch will be at a local restaurant before travelling to Chau Doc, a sleepy riverside border town. Travel by boat to see the remarkable floating houses which are buoyant due to large empty metal drums, the cultural Cham Muslim Village and the Chau Xu Temple honouring Her Holiness Lady of the Country. Overnight: Chau Doc

DAY 17: Tue 20 Jun CHAU DOC – PHNOM PENH (BORDER CROSSING) (BLD) After breakfast say goodbye to our Vietnam guide and board a speed boat up the mighty Mekong to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. After completing formalities to exit Vietnam and enter Cambodia with the assistance of staff on board the boat, meet your guide in Phnom Penh and visit the Silver Pagoda and the Royal Palace overlooking the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers. Built in 1866 the palace is now home to the reigning monarch and the grounds are open to the public except when the King is in residence. Afterwards visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum which documents the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge against both their political enemies and many thousands of Cambodians. Note that the images on display are quite unsettling. Overnight: Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh Chaotic, frenzied and bearing the undeniable imprint of Cambodia’s tumultuous past, Phnom Penh can be an affront to the senses at first – but for those who spend some time here its almost impossible not to fall under the city’s spell. Despite its third-world appearance and the scars of tragedy still evident today, the new found sense of liberty and the friendliness of the Cambodian people make it an engaging destination. While some sites are somewhat sinister, they are key to understanding the history of genocide that has shaped the country’s present. On the lighter side of the spectrum, the Tonle Sap riverfront area is a pleasant place to enjoy a meal and some fine French wine.

DAY 18: Wed 21 Jun PHNOM PENH FARM VISITS (BLD) After breakfast travel the 130km to Kompong Cham visititing pagodas, typical villages and local markets enroute. See the famous red-soil province rich in industry crops including rubber, tobacco, soybean and other tropical plants of export quality. Arrive in Kompong Cham and travel 22km to Chup, crossing the Mekong River via the renowned Khmer (Cambodia)-Japanese Friendship Bridge (KIZUNA Bridge) to visit to the largest rubber plantation in the country, established during the French colonial era by the French tyre manufacturer Michelin. Lunch at a local restaurant then visit 12th Century Nokor Bachey temple and the scenic mountain ranges of Phnom Bros & Phnom Srey, along with the surrounding rice fields. Return to Phnom Penh in time for dinner. Overnight: As Above

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DAY 19: Thu 22 Jun PHNOM PENH – FLY TO SIEM REAP (BLD) This morning drive the short distance to visit Cambodia Hydro Farm – a large scale wholesale hydroponics operation using modern technology and state of the art equipment. Enroute back to Phnom Penh stop to visit Wat Phnom Daun Penh, the Buddhist temple built in 1373 and afterwards is lunch at a local restaurant. Travel to Phnom Penh airport for your flight to Siem Reap and on arrival at approximately 4:00pm meet your guide and transfer to the hotel with dinner at a local restaurant this evening. Overnight: Siem Reap

Siem Reap Best known as the gateway to the magnificent ancient temple complex of Angkor Wat, Siem Reap is a pleasant town with lovely French colonial and Chinese architecture and a laid-back ambience. The main attraction here is of course the Angkor complex, covering an area larger than Paris, it encompasses scores of exquisite temple structures featuring intricately carved detail – dancing ladies and lotus flowers embellish the walls, five-headed naga (serpent deities) fan out from chunks of rock. Abandoned for unknown reasons thousands of years ago, it was rediscovered in 1860 by a French explorer, Henri Mahout, and has been Cambodia’s crowning glory ever since.

DAY 20: Fri 23 Jun FULL DAY ANGKOR WAT DAY TOUR (BLD) Begin today’s adventures with a visit to the South Gate of Angkor Thom where statues of the gods of good and evil line the entrance. Your next stop is the Bayon, known for the hundreds of smiling faces that grace the towers and afterwards visit Phimeanakas, shaped similar to a pyramid with two ponds in the rear - walk to the top of the temple for impressive views of the Angkor complex. After lunch at a local restaurant continue on to visit the magnificent Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument. This spectacular temple is a massive three-tiered pyramid, rising 65 metres from the ground and crowned by five lotus towers. It’s the national symbol of Cambodia and proudly appears on the country’s flag. End your day with sunset views over the jungle from Phnom Bakheng before returning to Siem Reap for dinner followed by a traditional Cambodian Apsara dance show. Overnight: As Above

DAY 21: Sat 24 Jun SIEM REAP SIGHTSEEING (BLD) This morning travel to a Khmer ancient village to discover how locals harvest rice and hear about the day in the life of a farmer during the tour. Travel by ox cart to picturesque rice fields and meet the friendly locals. This village is quite poor as is most of the rural countryside in Cambodia (please note this is a tourist farm visit). After lunch enjoy a boat cruise on Tonle Sap Lake to view the floating village then drive back to Siem Reap and visit “Les Artisans D’Angkor Chantiers Ecoles” a social business whose purpose is to create job opportunities for young people living in rural areas while maintaining traditional Khmer craftsmanship including stone/wood carving, painting, lacquering and silver plating. Take the short walk to the Old Market to wander through the captivating displays which sell anything and everything. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening at a local restaurant to reminisce about the events and happenings of the last 21 days. Overnight: As Above

DAY 22: Sun 25 Jun SIEM REAP – COMMENCE FLIGHT HOME (B) Time at leisure this morning for final shopping or sightseeing before transferring to the airport just after lunch for your flight home, via Singapore.

DAY 23: Mon 26 Jun ARRIVE HOME Arrive home this morning, so ending a wonderful journey through Vietnam & Cambodia.

TOUR ESCORT; James Gordon Livestock Business Owner - Ballarat

James grew up on a family farming enterprise at Woodend near the base of Hanging Rock. After completing his tertiary studies James took a role with a wool broker in Victoria then accepted a branch manager’s role in Skipton before being offered the opportunity to manage Landmark in Katherine. After 2 years James returned to Victoria to establish his own livestock business which has been operating out of Ballarat for the past 11 years and has also developed relationships with key livestock exporters and has a role in the live export trade.