The Australian Sewing Guild
Discovery Tours to Vietnam – April 2009
The stamps have barely dried on the passports of the Australian Sewing Guilds’ three very successful ‘Discovery Tours of China 2008’, the photos are still being exchanged, the fabrics still being stroked or only just stashed and the next eagerly awaited adventure begins … VIETNAM 2009.
And so the ASG expands its new international travel programme and launches its second year of discovery tours. This time to Vietnam, a land of friendly people who are graciously welcoming, offering a rich culture, fabulous food and spectacular scenery.
But let’s ‘cut to the chase’ this tour is also about craftsmen, stitching and textiles; dyers, spinners, weavers, embroiderers, beaders, tailors, leather-smiths, shoemakers and the odd jeweller or two! That’s what makes the ASG tours so very special. Discover the sensory overload that is Vietnam with a group of like-minded new friends. Combine all the unique sights, sounds, smells and adventures of this wonderful country with an appreciation of their time-honoured love of beautiful cloth.
In April 2009 you may like to join the members of the ASG as we discover the best of Vietnam’s many highlights.
Dates: 14 day Tour
Tour 1 – Saturday, March 28 – Saturday, April 11, 2009 (Vic School Holidays)
Tour 2 – Saturday, April 11 – Saturday, April 25, 2009 (NSW, Qld, ACT, SA and WA School Holidays)
Day 1 Australia – Hanoi (1 night hotel)
Day 2 Hanoi – Lao Cai (overnight sleeper train)
Hanoi, a city of lakes, shaded boulevards and public parks, is the capital of Vietnam. It is a very attractive city with French-style buildings and a great place to start your Vietnam experience. Today you will enjoy a city tour of Hanoi which will also includes ‘Silk Street’ and the haberdashery district.
After a late check-out you will begin your mountain adventure with an overnight train ride to Lao Cai on the beautifully appointed ‘Victoria’ train.
Day 3 Lao Cai – Sa Pa (1 night home-stay/1 night hotel or 2 nights hotel)
Arrive at Lao Cai at 06.00 and travel up to the beautiful town of Sa Pa by bus, through spectacular scenery. Rise above the clouds to the hill station that was built in 1922. Sa Pa has both Black Hmong and Red Dzao tribes people, the largest and most colourful ethnic groups in the region.
You will then have two very different and exciting paths to choose from. The truly energetic among us will choose the ‘high road’ and start a fabulous two-day guided trek through the mountains and valleys and spend the night with a Vietnamese family in a village home-stay.
Those who choose the ‘low-road’ will enjoy a half-day excursion to Tram Ton Pass, for spectacular views of swirling clouds over a deep green mountainous valley, visiting the Silver Waterfall on the way, before returning to the ‘Victoria Hotel’ in Sa Pa for the night.
Day 4 Sa Pa
The ‘high road’ travellers will trek on to a local Hmong village famous for dying, spinning and weaving hemp with indigo dyes, enjoy a beautiful waterfall and end the day swimming in a glorious mountain river before returning to Sa Pa to explore the town.
The ‘low road’ travellers will take a full-day excursion to Bac Market, experience the life and embroidered crafts of the ethnic minorities and then enjoy a short trek to a Tay village and board a boat for a scenic ride on the Chay River.
“You take the high road and I’ll take the low road and we’ll all meet in Sa Pa together …” There are no losers with these two fabulous alternatives. Just make your choice after an honest appraisal of your fitness level.
Remember: There is no way out of the valley, except to walk out!
Day 5 Sa Pa – Lao Cai – Hanoi (overnight sleeper train)
Reunited we will take a half-day excursion to Ta Phin, the village of the Red Dzao tribes people. This is a handcraft village renowned for beautiful embroidery and the women’s distinctive red headscarves.
In the late afternoon you will travel back down to Lao Cai for your return overnight train journey to Hanoi.
Day 6 Hanoi – (1 night hotel)
Arrive at Hanoi station at 05.00. Recharge the batteries with a shower and breakfast before spending today at leisure discovering the markets or famous lacquerware stores. Have your first foot or body massage and pamper yourself with sensory overload or book in to a Vietnamese cooking school for a real taste sensation.
Day 7 Hanoi – Halong Bay (1 night junk)
Board the bus and head east through Hai Hong Province to Halong Bay. Transfer to a traditional wooden junk to cruise the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin among some of the 3000 or more spectacular World Heritage-listed craggy islands. Swim the warm waters and enjoy the superb seafood before mooring and sleeping on board, overnight, amidst a sea of fairy lights and stars.
Day 8 Halong Bay – Lan Ha Bay – Cat Ba Island (1 night hotel)
Discover fabulous illuminated limestone caves before cruising beyond the regular tourist run, to the awe-inspiring serenity of Lan Ha Bay. Once again, the energetic among you will have the option to land and explore the lush country side with a strenuous two-hour hike, amid lost-world scenery, across one of the breathtaking (literally!!) islands. The other option is to ‘lounge like a lizard’, moored in a secluded bay, surrounded by a vista of beauty and soul-stirring calm. Sail on to beautiful Cat Ba Island and spend the evening discovering the small market and array of harbour-side cafes and restaurants.
Day 9 Cat Ba – Hanoi – Hoi An (3 nights ‘Life Resort’)
Cruise back to Ha Long wharf before boarding the bus and travelling straight to Hanoi airport for your direct flight to Danang. A short road trip will take you from Danang, along the coast, to the river resort and spa at Hoi An – the town of the Tailors.
Day 10 Hoi An
Visit the ancient quarters of Hoi An, a picturesque riverside town. Discover the tailors, jewellers, shoe-makers and visit the government silk factory and embroidery centre.
After lunch take a boat trip on the Thu Bon river to Kimbong village on Cam Kim island to gain a wonderful view of local life along the river.
Day 11 Hoi An
A day at leisure to explore, shop or pamper yourself at the spa, the pool or at the famous China Beach.
Day 12 Hoi An – Danang - Saigon (2 nights hotel)
Spend the morning at leisure or picking up those ‘made-to-measure’ bargains before heading south to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) by air. Saigon is Vietnam’s largest city, where 300 years of timeless traditions and ancient culture sit alongside traditional street markets and pavement food vendors and contrast with sleek modern shops, cafes and pubs. Spend the afternoon exploring at leisure or make your first reconnaissance visit to the Ben Than Markets.
Day 13 Saigon
This morning you will be met at 8.00am for a morning walking tour of Saigon’s famous and historic city landmarks. The tour will take you through the heart of the city along Dong Khoi street, past the Rex Hotel, Municipal Theatre and Notre Dame Cathedral. Stop at the site of the former U.S. Embassy then tour inside the impressive Re-Unification Palace and War Remnants Museum. Travel to Cholon, the bustling Chinese district, Thien Hay wholesale market and to Binh Tay Chinese temple.
In the afternoon journey west to the Cu Chi Tunnels with its 250km long network of tunnels, parts of which were originally several stories deep, connecting command posts, hospitals, shelters, kitchens and weapon factories during the American War.
Day 14 Saigon – Australia
Finish your Vietnam adventure with a half-day exploration of the Ben Than Markets. Half of this huge city market is filled with traditional food vendors and the other half with shoes, bags, embroideries, lacquerware and textiles … lots and lots of beautiful FABRICS – shop till you drop!
Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight back to Australia.
Day 15 HOME
This tour includes:
- International return economy-class airfares
- Full accommodation at 4-5 star hotels on a twin-sharing basis
- Daily breakfast
- Lunches as per itinerary
- Dinners as per itinerary
- All transfers/transportation in air-conditioned coaches
- Australian Tour Coordinator
- English-speaking Vietnamese guides as per itinerary
- All domestic flights within Vietnam
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as outlined in itinerary
- Travel insurance (compulsory)
Special highlights: At each port of call we will be visiting the relevant fabric district or discovering the local artisans (excluding Halong Bay/Cat Ba Island).
Not included: Single room supplement, Vietnamese visa fee, airport taxes, tipping, and all services not mentioned.
Cost (as of June 2008): A$3,800 (twin-share basis)
For further information or booking enquiries please contact:
Australian Sewing Guild Travel Coordinator
Mail: PO Box 553, Civic Square, Civic ACT 2608
Email: travel@aussew.org.au Website: www.aussew.org.au
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