journey to angkor wat saturday. welcome to hanoi, perhaps ......day 8 : cruising the mekong hoi an -...

TRIP NOTES

Journey to Angkor Wat15 days | Hanoi to Siem Reap

Journey to Angkor Wat - 15 days updated on 14-10-2015

www.onthegotours.comUK 020 7371 1113 [email protected] 1300 855 684 [email protected] 0800 44 77 69 CAN 1 866 890 7038 USA 1 866 377 6147 SA 0800 982 686

This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday.Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to thisitinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirementsare subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours.

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Discover the spectacular sights,

delectable cuisine and rich history

of Vietnam and Cambodia, on

an unforgettable journey from

Hanoi and the limestone peaks

of Halong Bay, to Siem Reap and

the magnificent temples of Angkor.

Visiting enchanting Hoi An, imperial

Hue, Saigon and the Mekong en

route.

HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS

Trip Highlights• Hanoi - Hoan Kiem Lake and Old Quarter• Halong Bay - UNESCO Listed region with

thousands of beautiful limestone peaks andislets

• Hue - ancient citadel, Imperial PurpleCity, Royal Tombs, Thien Mu Pagoda andmonastery

• Hoi An - UNESCO Listed ancient town,famed for its beautifully preserved old city,tailors, handicraftsmarkets and nearby beaches

• Saigon - ‘Pearl of the Orient!. NotreDame Cathedral, Old Post Office and WarRemnants Museum

• Mekong Delta - a maze of waterways, fertilefarm land and floating villages

• Cai Be waterways, cottage industries,mansion home and Dong Hoa Hiep Island

• Can Tho - lively market town in the MekongDelta and nearby Cai Rang floating market

• Cu Chi Tunnels - HQ of the Viet Cong• Phnom Penh - Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda,

Toul Sleng Genocide Museum and theKilling Fields

• Siem Reap - base for exploring the templesof Angkor incl. Ta Prohm, Angkor Thom,Preah Khan and Banteay Srei

• Angkor Wat!

What's Included• 14 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 2 dinner• 12 nights 4 star and special class hotels• 1 night deluxe junk boat, 1 overnight

sleeper train (train standard basic, 4 berthcabin. Junk boat, private cabin)

• Economy class flights from Danang - Saigonand Phnom Penh - Siem Reap

• Guided sightseeing - Hanoi, Halong Bay,Hue, Ho Ain, Mekong Delta, Saigon, Cu Chi,Phnom Penhand the Temples of Angkor

• Halong Bay Junk boat cruise - opt to swim,kayak and explore caves

• Bicycle ride to Tra Que village and cookingdemonstration

• Sampan boat trips in the Mekong Delta• Airport arrival transfer day 1 and departure

transfer day 15• All relevant transfers and transportation in

private air-conditioned vehicles

• Escorted by an English speakingVietnamese and Cambodian tour guides.

• Visa approval letter for Vietnam (excl.stamping fee required upon arrival)

• Maximum group size: 24 travellers

What's Not Included• Tipping Kitty: $50 - $60 USD• Entrance Fees: $100 - $110 USD• International flights and visas. Vietnam

visa letter included - stamping fee requiredupon arrival

• Tip for your tour guides. We recommendyou allow USD$3 - 6 per day, per traveller.Tipping your guides is an entirely personalgesture

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 : HanoiSaturday. Welcome to Hanoi, perhaps the mostgraceful, atmospheric and exotic capital cityin Asia. Airport to hotel arrival transfer. Theremains of the day offer free time for you toexplore the wide tree lined avenues, beautifullakes, ancient pagoda’s and thriving, historic oldcity, all easily navigated on foot. Overnight -Hanoi

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Day 2 : Junk boat cruising

Hanoi – Halong Bay. Early this morning ascenic drive leads us to the stunningly beautifulUNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay.Boarding our traditional wooden junk boatwe cruise the emerald waters soaking up thepanoramic vista of the thousand or so karstlimestone islands that stud the bay.

Later opt for a refreshing swim in one of themany sheltered coves before taking row boatsto the pristine waterway known as 'Dark & BrightLagoon'. Tonight, there's a Vietnamese cookingdemonstration held on the sundeck before animpressive seafood dinner is served. Overnight- Halong Bay, Deluxe Junk Boat (B, L, D)

Day 3 : Hidden Grottoes,Halong BayHalong Bay - Hanoi - Hue. Start the day witha Tai Chi class on the sundeck or a traditionalmassage. After exploring a lofty grotto hiddenbeneath towering cliffs we return to Hanoi.

Upon arrival into Hanoi an hour or so is spentexploring by cyclo (rickshaw) the quixotic webof streets, known as the ‘36 streets of the oldquarter’. The motorbike swarming narrow lanesare each named after various guilds of thecity’s artisan who established themselves herecenturies ago. There is Silver Street, Silk Street,Comb Street, Paper Street and more. The mazeof rambling streets is framed by narrow fronttube houses. Stop to sample the exotic fruits,sizzling noodle dishes and delightfully stickysnacks being offers by the pavement vendors.

A little time will be given to freshen up beforeboarding the our train (4 berth sleeper cabin,basic standard) on the ‘Reunification Express’railway line to Hue. Overnight - Sleeper Train(B)

Day 4 : Imperial Hue

Breakfast boxes will be served on the train.Arriving to Hue, we disembark and drive toour hotel. If rooms are ready we can check in,if not we'll depart shortly after on a guidedsightseeing tour of the 19th-century Nguyenempire capital. We visit the Thien Mu Pagoda,home to the oldest monastery in the city, whose21m high tower has become something of asymbol for Hue and the citadel. Within thecitadel is the Imperial Purple Palace, an exactcopy of the Forbidden City in Beijing, with itsimpressive ramparts, formal moats and imperialpalaces, some of which lay in ruin.

In the countryside lies the Royal Tombs of theNguyen kings, here we’ll view the elaboratemausoleums of Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh.As the sun sets opt for a cruise in a long boatalong the gentle Perfume River or enjoy someretail therapy at the ever lively Dong Ba Market,a minute's walk from our hotel. Overnight - Hue(B, L)

Day 5 : Road of the OceanClouds

Hue - Road of the Ocean Clouds - Hoi An. Todaywe take the scenic Hai Van Pass (Road of theOcean Clouds), which offers magnificent viewsof beaches to one side and lush hills to theother. En route we stop for a walk along MyKhe beach, a beautiful stretch of coastline whichwas nicknamed 'China Beach' by the Americans

during the war and famously featured inFrancis Ford Coppola’s movie ‘Apocalypse Now’.Perhaps enjoy a refreshing swim in the seabefore continuing our journey south along thecoast to Hoi An.

Onward to Hoi An. The charming, old-worldtrading port of Hoi An with it cobbled streets,traditional homes and tiny shop houses is aperfect place to lose yourself in a by goneera. Boutique restaurants, hip cafes along thewaterfront, delightful craft shops and artisansincluding some of Asia’s best bespoke tailors(whose services come at a nominal price), can allbe found here. Overnight - Hoi An (B)

Days 6-7 : Tra Que village &free time

A bicycle ride into the countryside, leads usto Tra Que village. Here,we discover age oldfarming practices and learn about traditionalmedicine. It’s a hands on experience todaywhere we’ll assist with tending the fields andgardens and cooking lunch.

Day 7, is a free day for you relax orindependently explore. You may wish to takea relaxing rowboat journey along the river orspend the day lazing by the beach or hotel pool.It’s also possible to take an optional excursionto the most holiest and evocative of Vietnam’sCham sites, My Son or to Quang Ngai, thesite of the My Lai massacre memorial. Themassacre was a significant turning point in theVietnam War and the story is told through photopresentation on a walk through the village.Overnight - Hoi An (B:2, L:1)

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Day 8 : Cruising the Mekong

Hoi An - Saigon. Early morning flight to Saigon.Drive to the Mekong Delta. Often referred to asthe ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam, the fertile MekongDelta is famous for its abundant harvests oftropical fruits, flowers and rice, as well as itfantastic views while boating along the canals.

Taking our sampan from Vinh Long we’ll cruisedownstream from Cai Be through the maze ofwaterways watching the hubbub of daily lifeon the river. Passing colourful trading boats,house boats and children swimming we stopto visit some of the local cottage industriesthat produce popcorn, coco candies and paperalong the way. Lunch is served today in atraditional wooden home on Dong Hoa HiepIsland. Overnight - Can Tho (B, L)

Day 9 : Mekong & Saigon

Can Tho - Saigon. Early today we visit CaiRang floating market and drive to Saigon.Once called the Pearl of the Orient, modernSaigon is a thriving metropolis on themove. Sleek sky scrapers, gourmet restaurants,designer malls and swanky bars and spas arescattered between ancient pagodas, colonialera landmarks and lively street markets. Ourwalking tour of Saigon includes visits to theNotre Dame Cathedral, Old Post office and thesombering War Remnants Museum. Evening atleisure. Overnight - Saigon (B)

Day 10 : Chu Chi Tunnels,Phmon PenhThis morning we visit the famous Cu ChiTunnels, a sprawling underground network oftunnels and living quarters used by the VietCong during the war. Then we drive to theCambodian border (crossing at Moc Bai/Bavet)and continue on to the capital of Phnom Penh.Today the nation’s capital offers a bustling mixof Asia’s past and present, a city quickly takingits place amongst the trendy capitals of theregion with superb restaurants and a number ofattractions. Overnight - Phnom Penh (B, D)

Day 11 : Royal Palace, Crimesof Pol Pot

Today we’ll enjoy a full day sightseeing tour ofPhnom Penh starting at the National Museumof Fine Arts, a graceful terracotta building oftraditional design housing the world’s finestcollection of Khmer sculpture. We continue withthe Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, famed forits lavish decorations – the floors are paved withsilver tiles and statues of Buddha are encrustedwith thousands of diamonds.

We later come face to face with the horrorsof the Pol Pot regime as we visit Toul Sleng(Security Prison - S21), a school that wasgruesomely transformed into a torture chamberunder the Khmer Rouge, and visit the KillingFields where over 10,000 people were executed.Overnight - Phnom Penh (B)

Day 12 : Siem Reap & AngkorWat

Phnom Penh – Siem Reap – breakfast. Hotelcheck out and transfer to the airport for yourincluded flight to Siem Reap.

After time to freshen up we visit the lastcapital of the Angkorian Empire – Angkor Thom.This monumental fortified city is encircledby a 100m wide moat and is famed forthe huge statue heads that glare down fromevery angle. We continue to the monasticcomplex of Preah Khan before heading tothe mother of all temples – Angkor Wat. Thisbreathtaking monument of man’s devotion tohis gods is believed to be the largest religiousbuilding in the world and contains thousandsof wall carvings and extensive bas-reliefs. In theevening we enjoy a walking tour of the oldmarket. Overnight - Siem Reap (B)

Day 13 : Ta Phrom, BanteaySrei

Siem Reap – breakfast. Early this morning optto see Angkor Wat bathed in the spectaculargolden light of sunrise. Later, we head out toBanteay Srei temple, considered by many to bethe art gallery of Angkor with some of the fineststone carvings in the world. Cut from stone ofa pinkish hue, the Hindu temple is dedicated toShiva and contains lavishly decorated librariesand stunning reliefs of divinities. The templeexpedition continues with visits to Banteay

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Samre, East Mebon, Pre Rup, Preah Khan,Banteay Kdei and the atmospheric Ta Prohm.Swallowed by the jungle, vast muscular rootsenvelop the crumbling towers and walls whilstthe trees’ foliage dapples the temple in shadow.There are plenty of great bars and restaurantsin the compact city centre, easily navigated onfoot. Overnight - Siem Reap (B)

Day 14 : Roluos Temples &floating villages

This morning we visit the Roluos group oftemples (Bakong, Lolei and Preak Ko), theearliest large and permanent temples built bythe Khmers. The monuments mark the dawnof Khmer classical art, dating from the late9th century, with elaborate inscriptions in theancient Hindu language of Sanskrit. Later visitthe floating village of Kompong Pluk. Housesbuilt on soaring stilts hover over the TonleSap Lake whilst nearby, the petrified trees of aflooded forest are revealed whenever the waterlevel drops. Note: Between April - July the waterlevels at Kompong Pluk village maybe too lowto go boating, if so, we will visit Chong Kneasfloating village where it will still be possible togo boating. Afternoon and evening at leisure.Overnight - Siem Reap (B, L)

Day 15 : Free time Siem ReapSaturday. Today marks the end of ourmemorable journey. Spend the morning atleisure before hotel check out and yourdeparture transfer to the airport.(B)

Guiding on your tourThis tour includes the services of 3 tourguides throughout the journey (one in Vietnam,another in Phnom Penh and the third in SiemReap) Each guide is native to their country and aspecialist in the region you are visiting.

Full Moon Festival departure -09 Sept 2016If travelling on our tour departing 09 Sep2016, your tour includes arrangements andactivities associated with the Full Moon Festivaltaking place in Vietnam at this time of year.Arrangements are as follows:Day 1: Welcome to Hanoi, perhaps the mostgraceful, atmospheric and exotic capital cityin Asia. Airport to hotel arrival transfer. Thismorning offers offer free time for you to explorethe wide tree lined avenues, beautiful lakes andancient pagoda’s and thriving old city. Meetingwith our guide at 2pm we set of on foot toexplore Hanoi’s charming Old Quarter known asthe ‘36 streets of the old Hanoi’. There is SilverStreet, Silk Street, Comb Street, Paper Street andimportantly Hang Ma street where we’ll browseand learn about the history and traditions ofVietnam’s Full Moon Festival. there may even bedeliciously sweet traditional Mooncakes to beshared. Overnight - Hanoi

Days 2 - 5: Arrangements as per normal

Day 6: Today marks the height of the Full MoonFestival and we will be celebrating with thelocals. This morning we ride by rickshaw to alocal home on the outskirts of Hoi An wherewe will learn about the family’s long tradition oflantern-making and hand craft our own lanternsfor tonight’s festivities. Heading into town weexplore the local market stalls and authenticlantern shops before free time to visit one of themany great tailor shops, take a row boat downthe river or spend the afternoon relaxing by thehotel swimming pool.

Tonight we make our way to the watersedge with hundreds of locals to release ourlanterns and enjoy the spellbinding spectacle ofhundreds of sparkling lights sailing down riverand lighting up the night sky. Overnight - Hoi An

Day 7: A bicycle ride into the countryside, leadsus to Tra Que village. Here,we discover age oldfarming practices and learn about traditionalmedicine. It’s a hands on experience todaywhere we’ll assist with tending the fields andgardens and cooking lunch. Overnight - Hoi An

Day 8 onward: Arrangements as per normal.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Cambodia Country Guide

Entrance Fees - collected inUSD.Entrance fees to most sites are not included,although reasonably priced. In Cambodia, wecollect entrance fees on Day 2 of the tour(the amount is noted under exclusions). Abreakdown of the entrance fee total is providedupon arrival. All funds collected in Cambodia forentrance fees are payable in USD.

Tipping Kitty - collected in USDAt the start of your tour, we take a smalltipping kitty (the amount is noted underexclusions) from all tour participants to covertips throughout your holiday. This saves you thehassle of knowing when and how much to tipbellhops, luggage handlers, bus drivers, trainconductors and other support staff throughoutthe tour.

This amount does not include a tip for yourtour guides. For a job well done, we wouldsuggest USD $3 - 6 per person per day. Tippingyour guide is an entirely personal gesture andultimately the amount is up to you.

Health RequirementsYou should seek medical advice beforetravelling to Cambodia from your local healthpractitioner and ensure that you receive allof the appropriate vaccinations. As a guideTetanus, Typhoid, Hep A, Diptheria and Polio arerecommended.

There is the risk of malaria in parts of Cambodiaso it is very important to check with yourdoctor before you go, to see whether malarialmedication is required for the areas you arevisiting. Yellow fever is not present in Cambodiabut a yellow fever vaccination certificate isrequired from those travelling from an infectedregion.

Water

Tap water in Cambodia is not considered safeto drink. It's recommended to only drink bottled

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mineral water, which is readily available inhotels, shops and restaurants.

ClimateCambodia has a tropical monsoon climatewith two seasons; Rainy season from May toNovember, when the countryside is lush andgreen, and dry season from late November toApril, when there are long days of glorioussunshine and clear skies. Temperatures inCambodia remain fairly constant and warmthroughout the year, apart from in thenorth, when winters (December to March) aregenerally colder.

Guides and GroupsOur longest group tour in Southeast Asia is ourBangkok to Angkor Wat - 25 day tour. All othergroup tours that we offer are sectors of thislarger tour. As such on your holiday you mayhave travellers join you part way through yourtour (in Luang Prabang, Hanoi or Saigon) or endtheir tour when you continue on.

Guiding: In Cambodia, a Cambodian nationalguide is offered for arrangements through toPhnom Penh, then a specialist local guide, willtake over for your sightseeing of the Temples ofAngkor.

If travelling on our Thailand & Angkor Templestour, your Cambodian tour guide will meet youupon arrival to Siem Reap Airport and conductall arrangements from there forward till yourreturn to Thailand.

Time & VoltageCambodia is 7 hours ahead of Greenwich MeanTime(GMT).

The voltage in Cambodia is 230v. In Cambodia3 types of plugs are commonly accepted: 2 flatprong plugs (type A), the 2 round pin europeanplug (type C) and many of the new 4 and 5star hotels use the British standard 3-pin plug(type G). To cover all bases, it is best to pack aninternational travel adaptor!

CurrencyThe official currency of Cambodia is theCambodia Riel but USD is also widely acceptedand sometimes preferred in larger stores andsupermarkets.

Pound Sterling, US Dollars, Euro and other majorcurrencies can be exchanged in Cambodia atvarious bureau de changes in major cities andtowns. However foreign currency is also widelyaccepted and often desired more so it can givethe shopper more buying power. ATMs can befound in all larger towns and cities and some fivestar hotels. We recommend you take a mixtureof cash (preferably USD) and credit/ debit cardsfor ATM's. It's advisable to request bank notesin smaller denominations, as it can sometimesbe hard to get change from large notes andsmaller notes are handy for smaller purchasesand gratuities.

Traveller's Cheques are not recommended asthey're often difficult to exchange and incurhigh fees.

Essential Packing• Lightweight cotton garments. Ladies will

need to have their shoulders and legs (tobelow the knee) covered when visiting theRoyal Palace in Phnom Penh and AngkorWat. Please pack accordingly.

• Comfortable walking shoes in addition to flipflogs/ thongs

• DEET based mosquito repellant &antihistamine cream

• Bring a 2 flat prong (type A) and a 2 roundpin (type C) electrical adaptors. A universaladaptor will cover all bases

• Lightweight, fold up raincoat/ poncho/umbrella.

• Two spare passport photos & a photocopy ofyour passport

• A small daypack for your day-to-day needs.• Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, swim costume

and torch

VisasBritish, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand,South African and USA passport holders areable to obtain a 30 day tourist visa upon arrivalto Cambodia when entering via PochentongInternational Airport in Phnom Penh, SiemReap International Airport (in the Angkor WatRegion) and at the Moc Bai (Vietnam) and Bavet(Cambodia) land border. We use the Moc Bai/Bavet land border crossing for all our grouptours that travelling from Vietnam to Cambodia.

At each of these entry points you must submita photocopy of your passport (identificationpage) and one passport size photograph. Thecost of the visa is currently USD30. Note: at theland border sometimes immigration will ask formore. In this situation point to the sign abovethe ticket window indicating that the cost isactually USD30 (subject to change). Further, youare best to give the exact amount i.e. USD30as often if you give more you will not receivechange.

It is also possible to obtain a 30 day tourist visaprior to arrival via the Cambodian Embassy inyour home port, though please note tourist visasarranged with the embassy are valid for onemonth from date of issue, not date of arrival.

PLEASE NOTE: Your passport must be valid for atleast 6 months after your departure date, if it isnot you may be refused entry into the country.Visa requirements are subject to change andvisa procurement is solely the responsibility ofthe traveller and not of On The Go Tours.

Vietnam Country Guide

Entrance fees - collected in USDEntrance fees to most sites are not included,although reasonably priced. In Vietnam, wecollect entrance fees on Day 2 of the tour(the amount is noted under exclusions). Abreakdown of the entrance fee total is providedupon arrival. All funds collected in Vietnam forentrance fees are payable in USD.

Tipping Kitty - collected in USDAt the start of your tour, we take a smalltipping kitty (the amount is noted underexclusions) from all tour participants to covertips throughout your holiday. This saves you thehassle of knowing when and how much to tipbellhops, luggage handlers, bus drivers, trainconductors and other support staff throughoutthe tour.

This amount does not include a tip for yourtour guides. For a job well done, we wouldsuggest USD $3 - 6 per person per day. Tippingyour guide is an entirely personal gesture andultimately the amount is up to you.

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Health RequirementsYou should seek medical advice beforetravelling to Vietnam from your local healthpractitioner and ensure that you receive allof the appropriate vaccinations. As a guideDiphtheria, Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Tetanus arestrongly recommended.

Malaria in VietnamAreas with malaria: Rural only, except none inthe Red River Delta and the coast north of NhaTrang. Rare cases in the Mekong Delta. Nonein Da Nang, Haiphong, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City(Saigon), Nha Trang, and Qui Nhon.Estimated relative risk of malaria for travellers:Low

WaterThe tap water in Vietnam is generally consideredsafe to drink, but as a precaution againststomach upsets you may want to drink bottledmineral water, which is readily available fromshops, hotels and restaurants.

VisasFrom 1 July 2015 onwards UK passport holderswill not need a visa to visit Vietnam for up to15 days. At customs you will need show yourreturn airline ticket/E ticket as proof of your dateof departure. If you're exiting Vietnam via a landborder then your tour itinerary will be acceptedas proof so please have this available to show toborder police if requested. A visa is required forstays of 16 days or longer and if you are planningto return to Vietnam within 30 days of your lastdeparture you will also need to purchase a visa.

Most other nationalities including Australian,Canadian, New Zealand, South African andUSA passport holders require a tourist visato visit Vietnam. Travellers can choose toindependently apply (or we can arrange thisfor you, see notes below) for a 30 daytourist visa (single or multiple entry) fromthe nearest Vietnamese Embassy or via themore convenient method of applying online.The cost is approx USD$20. After submittingan application you will receive a confirmationnumber, then upon arriving to Vietnam youwould receive the actual visa and additionallypay a stamping fee of USD$45. The stamping feefor a multiple entry visa, for entries within onemonth is USD$65.

Applying in advance and then collecting yourtourist visa upon arrival is available to alltravellers entering the country via Hanoi - NoiBai International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City -Tan Son Nhat International Airport and DanangInternational Airport.

ON THE GO ARRANGING YOUR VIETNAMVISAUpon confirming a holiday to Vietnam with us, ifyou require a visa please download a copy of our'Vietnam Visa Data List' available on our websitewithin the SE Asia, under the title of 'Visa Info'.Should you complete the form and return it asa Microsoft Word document via e-mail to us 6weeks prior to your departure we will arrangethe visa for you (effectively saving you USD$20).

Then approximately 2 - 3 weeks prior toyour departure we will forward to you a'Visa Confirmation Letter' which carries aconfirmation number'.

You will need to present the 'Visa ConfirmationLetter' and a 'Vietnam Visa Entry & Exit Form' (wehave a link to this form on our website or you canpick up one upon arrival) to immigration officialsupon arrival into Vietnam along with 2 passportphotos and a stamping fee of USD$45 or USD$65 for a multiple entry visa. A Visa will thenbe stuck into your passport and you can enterVietnam.

Please note: This service is not available forSouth African passport holders who must obtaina tourist visa from the nearest VietnameseEmbassy in advance and pay the stamping feedirectly to the embassy prior to travel.

'The Visa Confirmation Letter' (irrespective ofwhether you apply for your visa independentlyor through On The Go Tours) will containpersonal information such as your passportnumber, nationality and date of birth of yourselfand other travellers on one inclusive list.

PLEASE NOTE: Your passport must be valid for atleast 6 months after your departure date, if it isnot you may be refused entry into the country.

ClimateVietnam has a varied climate due to itsgeography. The south is hot year round andhas two seasons: The wet season lasts fromMay to October, with brief, daily showers. Thedry season from November to April is generallysunny and humid. In the north, the summermonths (May to October) are hot and there isthe occasional burst of heavy rain. In the winter(December to February) temperatures drop inthe north and it can be damp. The coastalregion of central Vietnam is blessed with longmonths of sunshine, although there is rainfallin November and December. At this time therecan also be some typhoon activity in the centralcoastal region.

Guides and GroupsOur longest group tour in Southeast Asia is ourBangkok to Angkor Wat - 25 day tour. All othergroup tours we offer (with the exception of ourVietnam with Teens and Flavours of Vietnamtours) are sectors of this larger tour. As such onyour holiday you may have travellers join youpart way through your tour (in Luang Prabang,Hanoi or Saigon) or end their tour when youcontinue on.

Guiding: A Vietnamese guide will escort allarrangements throughout Vietnam.

Time & VoltageThe voltage in Vietnam is 220v. In Vietnam 3types of plugs are commonly accepted: 2 flatprong plugs (type A), the 2 round pin plug (typeC) and many of the new 4 and 5 star hotels usethe British standard 3-pin plug (type G). To coverall bases, it is best to pack an international traveladaptor!

Vietnam is 7 hours ahead of GMT and does notobserve daylight saving.

MoneyThe official currency in Vietnam is theVietnamese Dong.

Euro, British Pounds, US Dollars and other majorcurrencies can be exchanged locally at theairport, bureau de changes or banks. US Dollarnotes are widely accepted and shopkeepers useboth currencies interchangeably. You can oftenpay for items in USD and receive your change in

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USD notes and coins in VND. Make sure that yourUSD bills are crisp and clean and you will have noproblem using or exchanging these throughoutyour stay. ATM machines can be found in allmajor cities though it is not common to paywith credit card in restaurants, cafes or shops forpurchases. It's advisable to request bank notesin smaller denominations, as it can sometimesbe hard to get change from large notes andsmaller notes are handy for smaller purchasesand gratuities.

Traveller's Cheques are not recommended asthey're often difficult to exchange and incurhigh fees.

Essential Packing• Sleep sheet if taking an overnight sleeper

train. These also can be easily purchased inHanoi at a cost of USD$5. Ask you guide forinfo on where to buy these.

• A day pack to carry all your essentials whenout sightseeing each day.

• An overnight bag, if you are staying aboardthe Junk boat in Halong Bay. As we will bereturning to Hanoi it is not essential that youtake your big bag/ suitcase with you.

• Lightweight cotton garments.• Comfortable walking shoes in addition to flip

flops/ thongs• DEET based mosquito repellant &

antihistamine cream• Bring a 2 flat prong (type A) and a 2 round

pin (type C) electrical adaptors. A universaladaptor will cover all bases

• Lightweight, fold up raincoat/ poncho.• Two spare passport photos & a photocopy of

your passport• Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, swim costume

and torch

Arrival TransfersIf your tour or short stay includes an airportarrival transfer (as indicated in the 'What youGet' section of this Go Guide) our arrivalprocedure is as follows:

Arrive to Hanoi - Noi Bai International Airport,Saigon - Tan Son Nhat International Airport.Proceed to the immigration counter andpresent your invitation letter. Complete animmigration form and submit your photographsand stamping fee of USD$25 (this can take some

time). After collecting your luggage proceed tothe arrival hall.

As you enter the arrivals hall, look for our OnThe Go Tours representative. He/she will beholding a prominent On The Go Tours logosignboard. After meeting you will be escorted toour awaiting transportation and transferred toour tour start hotel

If, for any reason you have trouble locating ourrepresentative (after waiting 20 minutes in thearrival hall) or your flight is delayed please callthe emergency contact number as stated onyour tour voucher.

If arriving on day 1 of a holiday, that includesan airport arrival transfer (as indicated in the'What you Get' section of this Go Guide) wewill be at the airport, ready to transfer youto your hotel. Further if you are booking pre-tour accommodation with us an airport arrivaltransfer will also be provided. If arriving prior to9am on day 1 (essentially on a flight that arrivesvery, very early in the morning) you will need topurchase a night of pre-tour accommodation tosave you waiting until standard hotel check intime, which is generally 2pm.

Airline Luggage AllowanceIf your tour includes international or domesticflights within the region please be mindfulthat the free baggage allowance for Economyclass travel is strictly 20kg and 1 piece of handluggage up to 6kg. Any additional weight ischarged at a per kilo rate. You may wish to keepthis in mind whilst shopping.

Trains in VietnamIt's not the Orient Express, but Vietnam'sReunification Express. On a number of our grouptours we include an overnight train journey onthe Reunification Express Railway Line betweenHanoi and Hue. The particular SE series trainthat we use on this journey is the highestclass of train available in Vietnam. It's titledas being the nation's fastest train; though byinternational standards it's quite the opposite.Never the less, our journey between Hanoi andHue takes approximately 14 hours and travellersare accommodated in 4 berth 'Soft Sleeper'cabins.

Aboard each wagon are 9 compartments thatcomprise of 4 bunks per compartment. 4persons of mixed sex share one compartment.You may be sharing with people from yourtour group, other tourists or Vietnamese people.Who you will share your cabin with is ultimatelydependent upon how the Vietnamese RailwaysCorporation configures the bookings.

Cabins onboard are comfortable though notcomparable to European standards. A westernstyle toilet (with a varying degree of cleanliness)is located at either end of the wagon. Air-conditioning (not always operational in thesummer) and lighting are controlled from insidethe cabin, which is also lockable. Luggage canbe stored in a compartment under the bottombunk. Linen and a pillow are provided thoughwe strongly recommend that you bring yourown sleep sheet (easily purchased in Hanoi ata cost of USD$5). The cleanliness of the trainvaries according to wagons assigned to thejourney for that particular day. Some wagonsare spotlessly clean whilst others can be uncleanand should have been decommissioned longago. Irrespective of the particular train youtake, they all have large clear glass windowsthat allow for uninterrupted views of stunninglandscapes and never ending rice paddy fields.

journey to angkor wat saturday. welcome to hanoi, perhaps ......day 8 : cruising the mekong hoi an -...

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