VIETNAM & CAMBODIA FARM TOUR 23 DAYS Dep: 07 June 2015

DAY 1:

Sun 07 Jun

CHECK IN FOR YOUR FLIGHT

(Inflight meals)

Meet your tour escort and fellow farming tour passengers at Melbourne Tullamarine late this evening in preparation to board your Singapore Airlines flight via Singapore. Once you have checked in please proceed through immigration and security and check your boarding card and airport monitors for information relating to your gate and boarding time. Please wear your Swagman Tours merchandise for easy identification. Overnight: In flight

DAY 2:

Mon 08 Jun

MELBOURNE – FLY TO HANOI

(D)

Depart just after midnight and arrive into Singapore early this morning with time to stretch the legs at Changi Airport before re-boarding for the final leg due to arrive into Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport just before midday. Be met on arrival by your driver/guide and 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

DAY 3:

Tue 09 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 10 Jun

HANOI – FARM VISITS

(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 visit the Hanoi University of Agriculture to meet the lecturers and discuss the current agriculture status in Vietnam, and afterwards visit one of the University’s experimental farms. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant this evening. Overnight: As Above

DAY 5:

Thu 11 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. Afterwards 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-joining the boat to enjoy dinner as you cruise. Overnight: Boat

DAY 6:

Fri 12 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 13 Jun

HALONG – 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 at the airport this evening. On arrival in Hue transfer to the hotel and check in. Overnight: Hue

DAY 8:

Sun 14 Jun

HUE FULL DAY CITY TOUR

(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. Hue was the Vietnamese capital during the Nguyen Dynasty 1802-1945 and ruins of the city’s regal past can still be seen inside the Citadel and the Imperial City. 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 before taking a short journey to visit the tomb of King Minh Mang, the second ruler of the Nguyen Dynasty. Overnight: As Above

DAY 9:

Mon 15 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

DAY 10:

Tue 16 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: 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 17 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 18 Jun

HOI AN – DANANG – 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 19 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 20 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

DAY 15:

Sun 21 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

DAY 16:

Mon 22 Jun

CAN THO – CHAU DOC

(BLD)

An early start this morning to travel by boat 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 23 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. Please note that the images on display are quite unsettling Overnight: Phnom Penh

DAY 18:

Wed 24 Jun

PHNOM PENH – PALM OIL PLANTATION

(BLD)

This morning travel 230km south west of Phnom Penh to Preah Sihanouk province and visit Mong Reththy Investment Cambodia Oil Palm Co, the first company in which palm oil has been commercially planted in the Kingdom of Cambodia as the land here is suitable for such crops and now covers approximately 11,000 ha. Germinated seeds are imported from Malaysia and Costa Rica due to the high resistance of disease and drought as the climates between all three are similar. See the plantation and the processing mill before returning to Phnom Penh. Overnight: As Above

DAY 19:

Thu 25 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

DAY 20:

Fri 26 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 27 Jun

SIEM REAP SIGHTSEEING

(BLD)

This morning visit Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre temples to see the elaborate architecture and remarkable carvings of these rust-coloured structures and after lunch enjoy a boat cruise on Tonle Sap Lake to view the floating village. Afterwards 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 28 Jun

SIEM REAP – COMMENCE FLIGHT HOME

(B)

After breakfast transfer to the airport to commence your early afternoon flight home via Singapore.

DAY 23:

Mon 29 Jun

ARRIVE HOME

(-)

Arrive home early this morning, so ending an enchanting journey through Vietnam and Cambodia.

* A Singapore stopover is available on the return – enquire for details *

COST: $5,675.00 per person twin share* *Tour cost is subject to air/tax increases plus currency fluctuations Based on a minimum of 20 passengers travelling Non-refundable deposit required:

$1,000.00 per person

Balance required no later than:

24 April 2015

.

Single Supplement: MULTIPLE NIGHT STAYS: Hanoi * 3 Nights Hoi An * 3 Nights Siem Reap * 3 Nights

$1080.00 per person Halong Bay Ho Chi Minh

* 2 Nights * 3 Nights

Hue Phnom Penh

* 2 Nights * 2 Nights

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: * Hanoi sightseeing incl Ho Chi Minh mausoleum * 2 night Halong Bay cruise * Perfume River cruise, Hue * Hoi An sights incl My Son cultural tour * Ho Chi Minh sights incl Cu Chi Tunnels * Magnificent Angkor Wat complex

FARM & TECHNICAL VISITS: * Hanoi University of Agriculture & farm * Vietnam Engine & Agricultural Corporation * Trung Nguyen Coffee Factory * Family owned beef & vegetable farms * Palm oil plantation & processing plant * Rice mill and hydroponic wholesale farm

Tour cost includes:  Economy airfares and pre-payable taxes Australia to Hanoi and return from Siem Reap  Internal airfares as indicated in the itinerary and Halong Bay cruise  Air-conditioned vehicle throughout with experienced driver/guide  Twin share superior class accommodation throughout with en suite facilities  Meals as per itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)  All entries and sightseeing as indicated in the itinerary  All farm visits and technical visits listed in the itinerary  Services of an experienced English speaking tour guide from Hanoi to Chau Doc, then local guides in Cambodia  Standard Travel Insurance for those aged up to and including 70 years (surcharge applicable for passengers with a pre-existing health condition or aged 71 or over)  Gratuities for the drivers, guides and hotel bellboys Tour cost does NOT include:  Visas – a visa is required for both Vietnam & Cambodia. Swagman Tours can assist with arranging these for a cost of $190.00 per person for Vietnam and $140.00 per person for Cambodia.  Items of a personal nature ie laundry/phone etc and any optional extras listed in the itinerary  Beverages & meals not listed in the itinerary  Cost of passport  Cost of any medication required  Hotel porterage FARM & TECHNICAL VISITS: A fully furnished list of confirmed visits both to farming properties and technical stops will be given with your ticket wallets approximately 3 weeks prior to your departure. Factory visits listed in the itinerary are subject to them being operational. We will know more when factory holiday schedules are released late 2014

* Changes and alterations may take place from details listed in the itinerary * IMPORTANT NOTES: The tour cost is subject to change due to currency fluctuations, airfare, fuel surcharges and / or tax increases. As this is a group package, all passengers must travel on the same outbound flight to Hanoi. Post touring options are available and will incur an amendment fee of $100 per person (plus extra touring and insurance costs). PASSPORTS AND VISAS All travellers will require a full valid passport, and it is your responsibility to ensure that you have valid visas for all countries visited on your holiday, and/or sufficient blank pages for any visas and for entry/departure stamps. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your holiday. If you have more than one passport, we recommend that you use one passport only for the entire journey. This will save problems and potential delays at border crossings. Requirements differ depending on your nationality - check with the appropriate embassies for details. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of the correct visas for your holiday and onward travel. Swagman Tours cannot accept responsibility for anyone who is refused entry to a country because they lack the correct documentation. Please check the actual requirements with the necessary embassy or your Travel Agent. Please also do not assume that any inaccuracies within your documentation will be detected or can be rectified - you must ensure, that your "paper-work" is in order. There will be times during the trip, when your passport will be collected e.g. by your tour leader, hotel reception staff, or police. HOLDERS OF FOREIGN PASSPORTS: Travellers holding non Australian passports must have the relevant re-entry permit to return to Australia and must check with their National Consulate of any visa requirements to your holiday destination country(s). NOTE: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate. VISAS: Visas are required for entry into both Vietnam and Cambodia. Swagman Tours can arrange these for you at a cost of $190.00 for Vietnam and $140.00 for Cambodia. Please advise if you would like assistance with these.

TOUR ESCORT: Stuart Kyle Stuart was born in East Gippsland, being brought up on the family sheep and cattle farm. He commenced work with Victorian Producers Co-Op in 1981 with a two year stint at Newmarket, then to Bendigo, Deniliquin, Nhill, Finley and Kaniva, where he was Branch Manager for several years. In 1997 Stuart and his wife Gladys started Kyle Livestock in the West Wimmera until 2008, when they with four others formed a new partnership creating Westech Ag/Kyle Livestock offering a full livestock and agronomic service in far west Victoria. In his time at VPC Stuart led farming tours including a memorable trip to Cape York with Swagman and is still in contact with lots of the fellow travellers. Stuart met his wife Gladys when in Nhill where she was nursing. They have 2 children Jessica and Jonathon, he enjoys a spot of fishing when time permits, and is an avid Geelong supporter.

FOR BOOKINGS CONTACT:

SWAGMAN TOURS Level 1, 182 Latrobe Terrace (PO Box 7473) GEELONG WEST VIC 3218

P: 1800 808 491

E: [email protected]

W: www.swagmantours.com.au