Our hosted Vietnam Gourmet Cooking Tour travels through several magical regions of Vietnam where you will discover delicious flavours from each region. This trip offers great opportunities to mix with the locals and learn cooking techniques and tips, take home some new recipes and interact with the locals while purchasing your ingredients at the local markets.

TOUR INCLUSIONS:

• 9 nights in superior 4* accommodation
• Breakfast daily
• Lunch and dinner where stated on the itinerary
• Internal flight ex Dangang to Ho Chi Minh
• Arrival transfew from Vietnam Airlines VN1376 and departure transfer to VN773
• Vietnam Airlines as per itinerary
• All transportation for daily tours and sightseeing as per itinerary
• Souvenir cooking apron
• 3 x Gourmet Cooking Experiences - Tinh Gia Vien House Resturant with Ms Ton Nu Ha, Red Bridge Cooking School, Saigon Culinary Art Centre
• English speaking local guide
• Gratuities to local guides and drivers
• Personally escorted by a Travelling About Escapes host

EXCLUIONS:

International airfares, travel insurance, all personal expenses, meals not listed and Vietnam Visa

Day 1 - October 7

Arrival into Hue Airport. We recommend flight VN772 ex Sydney to Ho Chi Minh arriving 1630 and connecting on VN1376 arriving 2050 into Hue. Upon arrival, passengers travelling on VN1376 will be met and transferred to Gerbera Hotel, Hue. Evening at leisure.

Travelling About Escapes can book flights to coincide with this tour, from your nearest capital city, at very competitive prices.

Day 2 - October 8

After a leisurely breakfast meet in the lobby at 0900 for a 0915 departure by coach. We board a colourfully decorated dragon boat and enjoy a leisurely cruise on the romantic Perfume River to one of Hue’s most beautiful landmarks, The Thien Mu Pagoda, with its iconic tiered tower. Visit the vast and ornate tombs of Vietnam’s last imperial dynasties, Royal Tomb of Tu Duc, and Mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang. After lunch return to the hotel to refresh. At 1430 depart to visit the Forbidden City (also called The Citadel or Hue Imperial City) and then a visit to Dong Ba Market before we return to the hotel at approx 1730.

Evening at leisure.

Optional: meet for a drink at Gerbera Sky Bar, from 1800 - first drink on us. (B/L)

Day 3 - October 9

Today, enjoy breakfast and a morning of leisure. Meet in the lobby at 1315 ready for the first of our local cooking experiences. Travel via coach to the famous Tinh Gia Vien House Restaurant to cook Royal Dishes - taught by Ms Ton Nu Ha. Enjoy a drink while listening to the afternoons briefing, and then venture out to Dong Ba Market, buy some ingredients for our lesson and witness the daily life of the local people. Early in the evening, approx 1800, dinner is served, sit and enjoy what has been cooked during the afternoon. After dinner we will transfer by coach back to the hotel (B/D)

Day 4 - October 10

Enjoy breakfast and then say goodbye to Hue and travel by coach to Danang, departing at 0800. With photos and sightseeing opportunities along the way travel over the stunning Hai Van Pass, passing vivid green rice fields and the photogenic fishing village of Lang Co. See the beautiful Marble Mountain, before arriving into the former trading port of Hoi An. Take a private walking tour of historic Hoi An. Visit ancient merchants’ houses, a Hokkien temple, the Japanese Covered Bridge, and the colourfull riverside market, Pottery Museum and Chinese Style Temples and Pagodas. Our guide will point out some popular local restaurants along the way so we can see who would like to meet back for dinner. Hoi An Hotel. (B)

Suggestion: Dinner at a local Restaurant (at your own cost).

Day 5 - October 11

Breakfast starts from 0700 before we make an early start and travel by coach for approx. 1 - 1.5 hours through scenic landscape to visit The World Heritage site of My Son. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Take sunscreen and a hat as there can be limited shelter available.

Day 6 - October 12

Breakfast at hotel. Meet in the lobby at 0800 and our guide will escort us to Hai Scout Café, then visit Hoi An’s colourful market, and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas. You will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and purchase some of the ingredients to be used in your cooking lesson. Board the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely cruise along the Hoi An River to the famous Red Bridge Cooking School. This is a chance to view local river life, so make sure your camera is handy. On arrival, learn about some of Hoi An’s well-known dishes. During the cooking lesson each dish is demonstrated by the Red Bridge chef’s, before you prepare the same dish yourself. A vegetarian lunch can be provided. Must be requested. Afternoon and Evening at leisure (B/L)

Day 7 - October 13

Collect our breakfast boxes at 0700 ready for departure to Danang Airport for our domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh city. Saigon here we come! Our flight departs Danang at 0930 and you are welcomed on arrival in Ho Chi Minh at 1040 and transferred by coach to our hotel, Liberty Central Hotel. On arrival get ready for some more sightseeing. Travel by coach to the famous Chu Chi Tunnels

- the underground network built by the Vietcong Guerillas.

Evening at leisure. Liberty Central Hotel. (B)

Day 8 - October 14

Ready for a full day of sightseeing? Breakfast at 0700, and depart at 0800 for Cai Be, taking photos of flat rice fields at Tan An Town along the way. Board the boat at Phu An Hamlet Pier at around 1000 and visit the Cai Be colourful floating market, cruising among local sampans from all provinces of the delta, full of fruits and vegetables. Your sampan will proceed to Dong Hoa Hiep Island. During your 40 minute cruise, discover beautiful landscapes and observe the typical Mekong Delta rural life. These evergreen islands among the Mekong River still remain unknown to many people. Visit an ancient Mandarin house dating from the 19th century where the family will welcome you with a cup a tea. You also have opportunity to observe the activity of the biggest rice stock market and see a traditional bricks and tiles factory and how locals are using palm leaves for houses.

Lunch will await you at Le Longanier, a superb Indochinese villa located in a lush tropical garden by the river, surrounded by fruit orchards. Our tour will end approx 1530 at Ba Bon Bridge and our coach will return us to Ho Chi Minh City. Evening at Leisure. (B/L)

Day 9 - October 15

Today is a complete day of leisure for shopping or sightseeing in Ho Chi Minh City. Walk through the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh or book a cyclo for a few hours. The day is all yours (B)

Day 10 - October 16

Breakfast at the hotel and we depart at 0800 for the city market to purchase ingredients for cooking class at Saigon Culinary Art Centre. Lunch is prepared by you during the class. Take home a handbook of recipes and souvenir gift. After lunch we will transfer back to the hotel before we say good bye to this bustling city (B/L)

If you are travelling on VN773 ex Saigon to Sydney, arriving in Sydney October 17, 0935. departure is at 1730 for your transfer to the airport.

TOUR PACKAGE

Based on twin share          $1,980 AUD per person

Single Supplement             $608 AUD per person

BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

BOOKING ARRANGEMENTS: A booking form must be completed in full, and the person effecting a booking shall be deemed to have accepted the Booking Conditions on behalf of all persons named on the booking form. The contract will be governed by the booking conditions. Any variation to your booking requirements must be made in writing. All monies received by us will be deposited in a trust account.

Travelling About Escapes retains the right to disburse monies paid by you to operators and service providers as required.

CHANGES IN PRICES OR ITINERARY: Prices are based on tariffs and airfares current as at 20 January 2012. If Travelling About Escapes is forced to change your booking or any part of it for reasons beyond control, Travelling About Escapes will give you notice thereof, including any addition or change in price. In the event that any change to your itinerary demonstrates that your tour has become materially different from the original, you have the right to ask for a rearrangement or withdraw from the tour. In the unlikely event that Travelling About Escapes is required to cancel your booking because of events outside our control Travelling About Escapes will, if able, offer alternative arrangements. If you do not accept the alternative, Travelling About Escapes will refund any monies still held by Travelling About Escapes .

AIRFARES: Travelling About Escapes can assist with your international airfares ex Australia however all airline terms and conditions are as per the airlines specific booking class terms and conditions. Airfares are subject to change until paid in full and airfares can be withdrawn at anytime until full payment is made and the ticket has been issued. Airfares are based on Vietnam Airlines Group Fare ex Sydney to Ho Chi Minh City in ‘H’ booking class. Maximum stay 21 days available for ticketing 15Jan12-31Mar13. Travel outbound date change not permitted / Inbound permitted for individual at time of booking. Airline taxes are subject to change until paid in full and will be calculated at time of full payment.

TOUR COSTS: The tour costing is per person based on sharing twin/double room. The tour cost is in Australian dollars.

DEPOSITS AND FINAL PAYMENTS: A non-refundable deposit of $700 per person must accompany the booking application form. Full payment is required before 30 June 2012 to secure your booking. A late payment fee of 3% may be charged on any balance owing after this date.

DISCOUNT VOUCHERS: Travelling About Escapes $50 gift cards may be used towards this tour. Only one discount per person may be redeemed.

PAYMENT TYPES: Cheque payments should be made payable to Travelling About Escapes . Visa Card and Mastercard payments will attract a credit card surcharge equal to 1.5% of the payment amount.

CANCELLATION: Should you cancel your booking the following cancellation charges will apply:- More than 100 days prior to departure - Loss of full deposit. 100 - 60 days Up to 100%* *Refunds will be determined on the basis of the amount we are able to recover from suppliers paid on your behalf. Within 60 days prior to departure - No refund is available.

RESPONSIBILITY: Travelling About Escapes accepts no liability for any act or omission whatsoever, whether negligent or otherwise, of those Airlines, Hotels, Operators or Persons providing services in connection with this tour. We do not accept responsibility for any injury, damage, loss, delay, change of schedule or any other events which are beyond our control. Travelling About Escapes has made every endeavour to ensure that all details are correct at time of printing but cannot accept responsibility for subsequent change or withdrawal of prices, details or services shown.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: We strongly recommend at the time of booking, you take out a comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy of your choice. It is a condition of this tour that you are adequately covered by the final payment deadline.