Vietnam is an old favourite of ours, having visited many times over the years. Chaotic, Charming, Crazy & Colourful, it's a destination you're sure to fall in love with.
We're so very excited to be heading back in 2024 and look forward to sharing the essence of this beautiful country with you all. Travelling from North to South you will experience plenty of diversity within each region ..... Climate, culture, local food, history, environment, landscape and more!
Our tour starts in Hanoi the capital of Vietnam, known for it's charming old architecture and rich culture. At it's heartbeat is the chaotic Old Quarter, where narrow streets are roughly arranged by trade, making it very easy to shop for specific items, ie: if you are looking to buy a pair of shoes, just make a bee line for 'shoe street'' and you're spoilt for choice!
Following on from there, we head south-west of Hanoi to "pretty as a picture" Pu Luong Nature Reserve, a popular weekend getaway for locals with relatively few foreign visitors. This is a place of calm and here we spend time immersing ourselves in rural village life, rice fields, palm groves and waterfalls. We then head to UNESCO World Heritage-listed Halong bay where we enjoy a 2 day cruise on a traditional junk boat exploring the waterways and beautiful limestone islands.
Moving into central vietnam, we enjoy the freedom and time to explore two absolute gems! Ancient Hue the formal capital of Vietnam steeped in history and unique cultural traits... many stories to be told. Hoi An with it's mix of eras and styles from wooden Chinese shophouses and temples, to colorful French colonial buildings, ornate Vietnamese houses and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge with its pagoda.
Our tour then takes us to Ho Chi Minh City, the dynamic heart of Vietnam, where we explore its vibrant streets, local hangouts and foodie scene on the back of a Vespa ..... A fitting way to end our adventure in Vietnam!
By joining Adventurous Women in Vietnam you can expect a more relaxed pace of travel, plenty of 'not to be missed' inclusions on the itinerary, small groups, local expert knowledge, some of the best foodie experiences you will ever have in South East Asia, flexibility with our 'freedom to explore' options that are designed to cater for individual needs and those of the more independent traveller without compromising safety, inviting 3 or 4 star accommodation with plenty of local character ..........lots of laughter, good times and oodles of adventure!
Please note: To attend this event you must be COVID double vaccinated. Proof of vaccination MUST be supplied BEFORE the event by emailing a screen shot or appropriate document to office@adventurouswomen.com.au
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Early evening the whole group will meet together in the lobby of the hotel where introductions will take place and we meet with our local Vietnamese Guide. Our guide will provide a brief overview of the whole tour and the plan for the following day. You will need to bring your passport and a copy of your travel insurance to this meeting, as the guide will be collecting all these details from you, to assist with arrangements surrounding internal flights, train travel etc.
After the meeting, we'll head out to a local restaurant in the Old Quarter to enjoy our first group meal together.
Meals: None included
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel in Hanoi
Just before lunch time, we arrive at our Stilt House accommodation which is located right in the heart of local Don Village.... Here we marvel in awe at the captivating panoramic views and tranquil setting. After enjoying a delicious lunch, we then have the freedom to explore village life, interact with the locals, walk around working farmland and rice fields and get to know more about the local culture within this area.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Communal Stilt House - Pu Luong Nature Reserve, Don Village
The afternoon is at our leisure giving us the opportunity to relax and really immerse ourselves in the tranquility.
Included Activities: Guided Walk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Communal Stilt House - Pu Luong Nature Reserve, Don Village
After lunch, we take a guided half day city tour including: The Temple of Literature - famous for being the first university of Vietnam, the Ho Chi Minh complex including the traditional stilt house and respected One-Pillar Pagoda and the outside of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
It's then time to check into the hotel, freshen up and meet with your Adventurous Women Host for a little exploration of Hanoi by night. Plenty of activity and options on offer including; a visit to Beer Corner (Ta Hien) to drink a ridiculously cheap bia hoi (fresh beer), eating amazing street food, taking in a water puppet show, exploring the shop houses, cool bars and winding alley's of the Old Quarter.
Included Activities : Half Day City Tour - The Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh complex, One-Pillar Pagoda and the outside of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel in Hanoi
Arriving at the harbour, we board our traditional 'junk' cruise boat and explore this stunning bay which is made up of thousands of limestone karsts, sandy beaches, caves and floating villages. Our time in the bay is very relaxing as we enjoy a lovely leisurely lunch on board the boat, chill out on the deck with a cocktail or mocktail, stop en-route to visit a grotto showcasing spectacular stalactites and stalagmites and generally immerse ourselves in all the wonder of this UNESCO World Heritage Listed Site.
In the evening, we're treated to an evening meal prepared by the crew on board, afterwards you may wish to head up to the upper deck and enjoy a little social time or head off to your well appointed cabin and retire for the night.
Included Activities : Halong Bay Overnight Cruise and Activities
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Twin Share Cabin, Traditional 'Junk' Boat
The balance of the day is at your leisure and your Adventurous Women Host will provide you with some options to fill your time, including: Water Puppet Theatre, a visit to The Vietnamese Women's Museum, enjoy a massage, shop till you drop as you explore all the shopping streets, try an egg coffee at a local cafe on Train Street, visit the city's oldest church ...the Parisian inspired St Josephs Cathedral and the list goes on!
Included Activities : Tai Chi Session, Halong Bay Cruising
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel in Hanoi
Later in the afternoon we regroup later back at the hotel to freshen up and grab a snack, before our transfer to Hanoi Railway Station to catch the overnight train to Hue (we have a day use room available for our disposal - up to four in each room).
The overnight train is an adventure in itself and one that generally brings about a lot of laughter and frivoloty among our Adventurous Women groups. You will understand why when you experience it for yourself!!
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Sleeper trains typically have four berth compartments with bench seats that convert into sleeping bunks. A sheet, pillow and blanket are provided, although some travelers prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet. Food is best purchased before boarding the train - Your Adventurous Women Host will explain why and how best to go about this.
Afterwards, it's back to the hotel for rest and relaxation and maybe a dip in the pool, before heading out for drinks and dinner with your Adventurous Women Host.
Included Activities: Imperial Citadel, An Cuu market
Meals: None included
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel Hue
As an example of what's on offer:
**EXPLORE HUE'S ANCIENT TOMBS AT YOUR OWN PACE (approx $46 AUD - 4/5 Hours)
set your own departure time with your private driver (4 per car) and spend as much time as you want at each site without feeling rushed. Walk around tombs to ancient Vietnamese emperors like Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, and Tu Duc, and visit the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda.
** BIG DAY OUT HUE - MOTORBIKE TOUR WITH LUNCH ( approx $90 AUD per person)
This adventure will be taken on the back of a motorbike. You'll have your own driver who will take you first on a drive around the Imperial Citadel, then to the Thien Mu Pagoda This site dates back to 1601 and is still an active Buddhist monastery. Break up your sightseeing with a dragon boat cruise on the Perfume River before getting back on your motorbike and riding to a special lunch spot at a convent where you'll enjoy a delicious vegetarian feast. After lunch, drive to the royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, set amid a lake, frangipani bushes and pine trees.
**STREET FOOD TOUR (approx $50 AUD pp - half day)
take a half-day to dine like a true local in the Imperial City. You'll taste more Hue delicacies than you count, from che to banh beo to bun bo hue to banh khoai and a little cool off with some local beer. You'll walk away with an understanding of what makes Vietnamese street food so fresh, so experiential, *and* so festive.
**HUE SPECIALTIES COOKING CLASS (approx $45 AUD pp)
You will be picked up from our hotel, taken to the Hue local market to buy the ingredients required for cooking, then it's back to the kitchen to prepare, cook and eat the food..YUM! This tour runs from 9.30am to 1.00pm and includes an english speaking guide, local market visit, 1 drink during the class, eat the food you cook for lunch, take home the recipes.
This evening you are invited to join your Adventurous Women Host at one of her favourite restaurants in Hue, where you will sample the fusion between traditional French & Vietnamese cuisine.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel Hue
After checking into our hotel and having a short rest, we join our local guide for a walking tour around the ancient town. As the national trading center in the 16th century, Hoi An is home to the diversity of ancient streets and homes, we'll admire ancient houses built in Chinese, Japanese, French and European architectures. We'll stroll around the unusual cobblestone streets, visiting the hundered year old Japanese Bridge and Phuc Kien Hall.
Our local guide will also provide the opportunity for us to stop at a local Tailor to take a look at the garments they have on offer and so that you can have something made for yourself should you wish too. We recommend if having garmets tailored, you take the opportunity today to place your order today, as a couple of days are required for the work to be completed including a fitting and any adjustments that may need to be made.
Your Adventurous Women Host recommends that if you have a favourite piece of clothing or pair of shoes in your wardrobe and you'd love to have it replicated, bring it to Vietnam .. the tailoring and leather work in Hoi An is fabulous!!
Included Activities: Hoi An walking tour
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel Hoi An
We've list just a few of the options available to you if you're looking to fill your days:
**MR GREEN MANGO HANDS ON COOKING CLASS (approx $55 AUD pp)
Exploring the taste and smell of Vietnamese central coastal town of Hoi An with the local chef at his home is a truly great experience. You will be firstly escorted to a local market and explore the vibes of life and fresh markets, shop for the ingredients. Upon arrival to the chef's home, you be taken through a culinary journey with hands-on demonstrations and stories behind the yin and yang elements unveiling the secret of home-cooked Vietnamese meals. Enjoy the fruits of your success to appreciate the efforts and amazing skills as a farewell meal to your passionate and friendly chef.
**BICYCLE TOUR TO TRA QUE VILLAGE (approx $25 AUD pp)
Riding a bike around Hoi An countryside is a wonderful way to experience the real village life of farmers in Central Vietnam and only about 4kms outside Hoi An is Tra Que vegetable village. You will spend a half day riding/visiting the tranquil village and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.
**MY SON SANCTUARY (approx $45 AUD pp)
This tour travels by private vehicle about 50km from Hoi An to My Son sanctuary. It comprises many Champa temples, in a valley roughly two kilometers wide, surrounded by two mountain ranges. It was the site of religious ceremony of kings of the Champa dynasty and was also a burial place of Champa royals and national heroes. The My Son temple complex is one of the foremost temple complexes of Hinduism in Southeast Asia and is the
foremost heritage site of this nature in Vietnam. Though the complex has been destroyed over time, you still see many majestic ancient ruins of temples in the area. You will walk around with your guide for 2 hours to see the historic and cultural ruins of the 16th century.
We regroup in the evening and head out to a local restaurant for dinner together.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel Hoi An
Later in the afternoon, you may wish to chill out around the pool or take a bike ride out to An Bang Beach, before we regroup again and head out for dinner in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel Hoi An
Afterwards we continue admiring the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times, ending with a visit to the historic Central Post Office. Then it's back to the hotel to have a short rest and freshen up before our grand finale adventure ..... A Vespa foodie tour in the early evening!
This is a MUST DO Adventure when in Ho Chi and such a fabulous way to wrap up our tour of vietnam and celebrate as a group. On the back of a vespa, we take an insight into the night life of real Saigon. Zigzagging through backstreets and organized chaotic traffic to different local favourite street food stalls where we enjoy mouthwatering local food and plenty of variety. Our Guide talks us through all the different types of food we are tasting including ingredients used and we eat as we go - seafood, banh xeo, BBQ, fruits, drinks, beers, cocktails... (vegetarian option also available). All the food and drinks are included in this tour so we encourage you to come with a big appetite!!
After our tummies are full, we are taken over the bridge that connects the two sides of the Saigon River where we enjoy a view of city at night. Then we are taken to a very small local cafe bar where the melodius sounds of violin, piano and classical songs of Vietnam, America and Europe are performed of an evening. This is a very intimate, cosy and atmospheric experience, hushed tones, seating only. Often this is where the locals gather for a romantic experience. At the end of the tour, we go up to a rooftop bar for a stunning view of amazing Saigon at night and toast our time in Vietnam!
Included Activities: City Familiarisation Tour, War Remnant Museum, Post Office & Vespa foodie tour
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel Ho Chi Minh
Meals: Breakfast
In the towns and cities, we stay in comfortable hotels at a 3-to-4-star level with private amenities and often plenty of local character. The rooms are twin share which means you will share a room (in your own bed) with another Adventurous Woman in the group. At each different destination your Adventurous Women Host will conduct a room draw to allocate room buddies. This is a great way to bond the group, while alleviating any potential annoyances that may come about by sharing with the same person the whole time.
At the nature reserve, the group stay in a communal stilt house which is a wonderful experience (we have this to ourselves and will not be sharing with anyone else). Again you will twin share in your allocated 'space' with another Adventurous Women group member here.
Train Night - Now this is an adventure!!! You will be in a cabin with three other Adventurous Women and you could be bottom bunk or top bunk - these are sleeper compartments and are pretty cosy .... but a lot of FUN!
SINGLE ROOM REQUEST - If you wish to have your own room throughtout the tour, (except for the train as it's not possible and the boat is on request and subject to availablity so we would need to check to ensure this was possible) then we can provide this service for you at additional cost. Please refer to the Single Supplement Charge as noted on this page.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST:
Single Supplement - $700.00 per person
Arrival Airport/Hotel Transfers - (1-2 people per vehicle) $80.00 per vehicle
Departure Hotel/Airport Transfers - (1-2 people per vehicle) $60.00 per vehcile
Additional Pre-Night Accommodation at our adjoining hotel SINGLE - $90.00 / TWIN - $85.00
Additional Post-Night Accommodation at our ending hotel SINGLE - $95.00 / TWIN - $90.00
IMPORTANT:
Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking OR once you have your passport in hand (including any middle names listed on your passport) for train and flight tickets. Fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.
This trip includes a domestic flight. Checked luggage allowance is a maximum of 20 kilograms, plus up to 7 kilograms carry on luggage. Any excess luggage charges will need to be paid directly to the airline at check-in.
By joining Adventurous Women in Vietnam you can expect a more relaxed pace of travel, plenty of 'not to be missed' inclusions on the itinerary, local expert knowledge, some of the best foodie experiences you will ever have in South East Asia, flexibility with our 'freedom to explore' options that are designed to cater for individual needs and those of the more independent traveller without compromising safety, inviting 3 or 4 star accommodation with plenty of local character ..........lots of laughter, good times and oodles of adventure!
This tour by it's very nature is not designed for the 5 Star Traveller. It is for the girl who has an 'adventurous spirit' and is looking for a unique and rewarding 'experience'! You should be able to adopt a "Go With The Flow" attitude, after-all we are in a foreign country and things don't always go to plan...this will help you chill out and therefore get the best out of your holiday. You also need to understand that you have booked on a group travel experience where you are expected to be considerate of others.
You will also need to be mobile without assistance - some of the sights require you to be on your feet, navigating steps and uneven surfaces at times.
Notice of cancellation must be in writing, with an email as an acceptable form of communication, directly to Adventurous Women with the following conditions:
Final balance payment is require 75 days prior to travel.
Cancellation prior to 75 days: Deposit refundable minus, $50 admin charge.
Cancellation between 75 - 31 days prior to departure will incur a loss of deposit.
Cancellation 30 days or less prior to travel will incur 100% cancellation fees
No shows will be treated as a cancellation and will incur 100% cancellation fees.
