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TRANSCRIPT
DISCOVER VIETNAM
Do You
Know What to
Pack?
ALL IN ONE TRAVEL HACK
YOUR COMPLETE ITINERARY FROM DAY 1 TO DAY 13
HINTS TIPS INFO AND JUICY DETAILS
A COMPLETE GUIDE TO YOUR
PROJECTS
- 0 2 -
D I S C O V E R V I E T N A M T H E U L T I M A T E T R A V E L G U I D E
hey there!Firstly, on behalf of everybody at Bamboo, I would like to offer you our thanks for choosing to
experience this incredible part of the world with us. We guarantee you an amazing time and we’re all
very much looking forward to meeting you in Hanoi soon.
I imagine that right now you’re very excited about your upcoming adventure and this little guide has
been put together to help you understand more about what will be happening, what to expect, how to
plan and more. We guarantee your time with us will be unforgettable from start to end.
Bamboo is growing as our style of 'travel' has proven to be the 'way' to travel. You are now a part of this
journey and we welcome you with open arms and hearts. This growing experience is down to people like
you, so do get stuck in, become part of our way of life, live every moment and take nothing for granted.
Peace, Love & Bamboo
Mark (& the other pandas, Steve & Colin)
- Please note we need a minimum of 2 people for this tour to run.
highlights of your tour
Explore the sights of Hanoi including
Hoan Kiem Lake and the old French
Quarter.
HANOI
Witness breathtaking views of the Hai
Van Pass.
SCENIC VIEWS
Visit The Elephant Springs or wander
the beautiful temples of the Marble
Mountains.
MAKE A SPLASH
Give back alongside one of Vietnam's
most famous NGO's, helping
communities along the way
GIVE BACK
Experience an overnight cruise on Ha
Long Bay.
HA LONG BAY
Taste authentic and traditional,
mouth-watering Vietnamese cuisine.
FOOD
Cruise the Perfume River in Hue
RIVER CRUISE
itinerary
Stretch your legs and find that Bamboo logo in the
crowd outside your terminal because the tour
begins now. Whether you’re flying, bussing, or
sailed for six months under the tutelage of a 10th
generation Magellan, our staff will greet you and
take you to your hotel, a kitsch B&B in the heart of
Hanoi, where you can shower (re: you better
shower if you sailed), relax, or get lost in the city-
center. The day is yours.
In the evening, for those up to it—and not too jet-
lagged—we’ll have an informal meet-and-greet
over some dinner and a few drinks, where we’ll get
to know each other and ease any stresses you may
have about the trip--the drinks tend to help.
DAY 1 (FRIDAY) HANOI
Pagodas tower over Hanoi, a resilient, proud city,
whose complex history extends beyond recent
wars and into periods of French aristocracy and
Chinese authenticity. The day begins with a
walking tour, where we’ll leisurely wander through
the back alleys and into the colorful markets and
temples that dot this lake-littered inlet.
Following the tour, our day together concludes
with a proper Vietnamese welcome meal, complete
with the most elegant spring rolls, pho, and, of
course, a tipple or two. Those who don’t want the
night to end can join us on Beer Street where a
cheeky drink becomes four far too quickly.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY 2 (SATURDAY) HANOI
itinerary
Just a jaunt outside of Hanoi, amid emerald waters,
rainforests, and limestone cliffs is Ha Long Bay, an
outdoors-lover’s paradise. Here, we’ll dive into the
water for some swimming, kayaking, and, if you’re
like us, endlessly reapplying sunscreen.
At sundown, we’ll turn up the romance and enjoy a
beachfront dinner and bayside sunset, a sunset so
spectacular it’s paralyzing*.
*Note: Nobody has been paralyzed on any of our
tours due to spectacular sunsets, but rather they
have been “moved.”
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 3 (SUNDAY) HANOI TO HA LONG BAY
Those who missed the sunset last night can redeem
themselves this morning with a breathtaking
sunrise straight out of an Enrique Iglesias music
video.
The rest of the morning will be spent splishing and
splashing and general lakeside lounging until we
head out to Ninh Binh, our base for exploring
Vietnam’s UNESCO-winning grottoes.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 4 (MONDAY) HA LONG BAY TO NINH BINH
The sleepy town of Ninh Binh may consist of little
more than locals sipping beers at cafes along the
sidewalks, but the town itself is surrounded by
quintessentially Vietnamese limestone scenery.
After breakfast, we’ll hop onto our bikes and cycle
into the tropical countryside toward Tam Coc, a
river that would be all over your Instagram feed if
people knew about it.
There, we’ll board a row-boat, and, with the
soundtrack of the river lapping against our oars,
we’ll succumb to the riverside’s lush rice paddies
and limestone ledges that seemingly continue
forever.
In the evening, with eyes exhausted from the
imagery, we’ll take a night bus to Hue, where we’ll
begin our first volunteering excursion.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 5 (TUESDAY) NINH BINH TO HUE
itinerary
Arriving in Hue as fresh as one can be after an
eight-hour bus ride, we’ll first head to the hotel and
rinse off the stench that only a sweaty night on a
bus can produce.
Former seat of Imperial Vietnam, the reign of
emperors can still be felt in this historic citadel,
where crumbling ancient walls greet modern, Euro-
chic boutiques. Hue’s charm, however, lies along the
Perfume River, where we’ll board a private boat for
a sail downstream to Thien Mu Pagoda, the largest
such in Vietnam.
We’ll keep the day restful because the hard work
begins tomorrow.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 6 (WEDNESDAY) HUE
There’s an old Vietnamese proverb: If you put in the
work to sharpen the steel, it will eventually turn into
needles. So, if you haven’t stretched since middle
school, we recommend channeling your 7th grade
gym teacher and practicing your arm-circles
because today we’ll be working.
Because our community development projects rely
on those most in-need, your tour could include
anything from building chicken farms and
constructing houses to putting in water filtration
systems or even preparing communities on
sustainable food and development initiatives.
The work generally involves dirty hands, dirty
knees, mud-toothed smiles, and an overwhelming
sense of accomplishment having witnessed the
transformation of “steel into needles.”
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch.
DAY 7-9 (THURSDAY-SATURDAY) HUE
Gripped with emotion, pride, and whatever the
word for I-can’t-believe-we-just-helped-so-many-
Vietnamese-people, we’ll bus down to Hoi An, a city
famed for its Old Town and Japanese-style
pagodas.
The winding roads through the mountains offer a
near-endless panorama of steep, stony facades
along with the occasional waterfall.
If the weather’s kind, we’ll stop at Elephant Springs,
a secluded waterfall where, if you couldn’t have
guessed it, elephants once bathed, or we’ll visit Da
Nong, a hiker’s dreamland in the Marble Mountains.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 10 (SUNDAY) HUE TO HOI AN
itinerary
Fully rested from volunteering, today begins with a
bike ride through historic Hoi An and into the quiet
Vietnamese countryside.
We’ll cycle past rice paddocks and roaming
buffaloes to the waters surrounding the city where
our basket boat awaits. The sail around the town to
an island just off the main drag.
Here, we’ll mingle with some locals and challenge
them to Con Quay and a few other traditional
Vietnamese games.
The day concludes with a smooth ride back into Hoi
An, where the rest of the day is yours for exploring
—be it bargaining at the Chinese shop houses,
dining on Bahn Xeo, or, our personal
recommendation, make your own Asian-style
lantern.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 11 (MONDAY) HOI AN
We’re taking off the Bamboo ball-and-chain and
letting you into the wild world of Hanoi.
Packed with yellow, French colonial-era buildings,
feel free to window-shop at the cutesy boutiques,
lounge street-side in many of the coffee shops,
book yourself a cooking class at the famous Green
Mango restaurant, or trek down to An Bang Beach
for some sun, some R&R, and a cocktail or two.
Just get back to the hotel in the early evening so we
can get together for our final group meal, where
we’ll toast to Vietnam. Mot, hi, ba, yo!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 12 (TUESDAY) HOI AN
Do…do we even want to address the good-bye?
The trip may have lasted thirteen days, but it’s
thirteen days that last a lifetime in memory. We’ll
snap one final group photo, which we’ll then keep
under our pillow case to look at late at night, teary-
eyed and smiling, and remember our journey
together.
Beyond that, we’ll help you arrange any transport
to your next stop—be it the airport, bus terminal,
shipyard, dragon’s den, wherever. Safe travels.
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 13 (WEDNESDAY) HOI AN
What's includedDISCOVER VIETNAM TOUR
1. Airport Arrival Pickup
2. All Accommodation
3. All Activities outlined above
4. Welcome meal in Hanoi
5. Donation to your project
6. Our guides to accompany you
7. Bike tours in Ninh Binh & HoiAn
8. Heaps of meals
9. Entrance to POI in Hanoi
10. Elephant springs or Marble
Mountain
11. Ha Long Bay Cruise
12. Farewell meal in Hoi An
FAST FACTS:
VISA
VISA entry is YOUR
responsibility
Check before leaving for your
trip what the entry
requirements are for you
ENTRY
REQUIREMENTS
You must have a valid passport and a visa (or pre-
approval for a visa on arrival) to enter Vietnam. Your
passport must be valid for six months beyond your
planned stay and you must have at least one
blank page for your visa.
Nationals of certain countries may visit Vietnam
without a visa for a period of time, below is a link to
a list of countries and regions that have visa
exemption arrangements with Vietnam.
https://www.myvietnamvisa.com/vietnam-visa-
exemption.html
If you arrive in Vietnam without an appropriate visa
or pre-approval for a visa on arrival, you will be
denied entry.
T H E I N F O R M A T I O N Y O U N E E D T O K N O W B E F O R E W E B E G I N D I S C O V E R V I E T N A M
THE NITTY GRITTY
Ensure that your immigration
info is correct before
submitting it at the counter.
Your accommodation here will be twin shared rooms.
Rooms are cosy and modern, with wooden floors and
warm lighting. In-room comforts include a flat-screen
satellite TV and personal safe. The spacious rooms
offer panoramic views of the lake and city.
ACCOMMODATION
HANOI
HA LONG BAY
Your accommodation will be twin shared. All rooms are
air-conditioned and include a private bathroom with a
shower and toilet.
Towels, linens and slippers are provided, and a
restaurant and a bar is available onboard.
Accommodation will be twin share or triple and
includes an on-site restaurant and bar where you can
unwind with a cold one.
Expect hot showers, and WIFI to make your stay as
pleasant as possible.
NINH BINH
LUCKY 3 HOTEL
OVERNIGHT CRUISE
NAM HOA HOTEL
Centrally located and only a stone 's throw away from
the bars and restaurants of Hue, our chosen
guesthouse offers elegant and comfortable
accommodation with free WiFi access throughout.
Your accommodation here will be twin or triple share.
Each room comes with its own bathroom, TV and AC
unit.
ACCOMMODATION
HUE
Just 10 minutes’ walk from the Ancient Town and the
local market the hotel features an outdoor pool and
free Wi-Fi throughout the property.
Each room is equipped with air conditioning and an
en-suite western bathroom.
Rooms will be either twin or triple share.
HOI AN
HOME HOTEL
GOLDEN RIVER HOTEL
FAST
FACTS: MONEY
Basic costs of things:
Local Meal (dish + rice) 50-150K VND
Bottle of beer 20-100K VND
Bottle of water 7-20k VND
Memories - Free of charge
The currency in Vietnam is known as
the Dong or VND.
Remember to tell your bank that you
are leaving the country to avoid the
possibility of your card being
suspended.
When it comes to advice on how much money
to bring, it’s impossible to say. All our intrepid
explorers are very different. Where some go all
out, others are on a budget. You can find both
high end and budget restaurants, bars and
shops across Vietnam. A rough guide for meals
and drinks can be found in 'fast facts ' :
ATM’s, or cash machines, are prevalent
throughout Vietnam. In Vietnam, you will be
issued the local currency called Vietnamese
Dong. Typical exchange rates at the time of
writing are:
$1USD- 22500 VND
£1GBP - 30000 VND
$1AUD - 18000 VND
We don’t recommend bringing traveller 's
cheques with you. The reason is that banks
across Vietnam have odd hours of operating
and so it may cause unnecessary hassle finding
a bank open when you wish to make a
transaction.
Major credit cards are not widely accepted as
payment in Vietnam, some restaurants may
accept credit cards but in most other places
cash is king.
Negotiating a purchase, known as “bartering”,
still happens in the tourist areas of Vietnam.
Outside of tourist areas, however, bartering is
seen as disrespectful and the cost you’re told
is the cost you pay. If you’re unsure as to
whether or not you can barter for a discount
please speak to your guide or coordinator to
avoid any unnecessary faux-pas..
MONEY
FAST FACTS: FUAX PAS
Packing for a trip to the unknown is always tricky.
It’s definitely worth doing a little bit of homework
on this one and to consider the local culture when
deciding what clothes to bring. For example,
Vietnam is a predominantly Buddhist country, so
dress modestly and respectfully. We live by the rule
'1 in, 1 out ' meaning either shoulders or knees need
to be covered at all times. In addition, it’s often
customary to remove your shoes before entering a
building in Asia, consider this if you plan to only
bring lace-up footwear.
Whilst volunteering, it’s highly like that your
clothes will get dirty, sweaty and possibly torn so
please keep this in mind. It’s very easy to buy cheap
clothes from local markets here that will be more
than suitable for your work. If at the end of your
time on a project you no longer wish to hang on to
the clothes please speak to your guide as we may
be able to donate those clothes on your behalf.
Being such a religious country, temples and
Buddhist monasteries are everywhere. If you plan
to visit a few you will need to cover both your
shoulder and knees. This also goes for volunteering
at any school or entering a government building of
any kind.
You should also consider the weather. Vietnam has
two prominent weather seasons: "Hot & Dry" and
"Hot & Wet". "Hot & Dry" usually runs from
November to April, and "Hot and Wet" is then May
to October.
The daytime temperature in Vietnam is quite
consistent throughout the year with highs around
33-38º. The nighttime does vary with lows ranging
from 16º in January and February to 28-30º for the
rest of the year.
We recommend a sweater/jumper to keep you
warm when it gets chilly.
CLOTHING
Take off your shoes when you step
indoors. Whether you’re entering a
temple or someone’s home, always
take off your shoes. This also applies
to some old-fashioned places of
business, but not in most modern
shops.
Finish all your rice. Leaving a
significant amount of rice in your
bowl is considered wasteful. Don 't
get more rice than you think you can
finish.
FAST FACTS: TRAVEL
For up to date information about the best travel
vaccinations to have before arriving in Vietnam we
urge you to contact your own GP, a travel health
clinic or to check the World Health Organisations
website. Bamboo are not medical professionals and
therefore can’t offer you medical advice.
TRAVELVACCINATIONS
FLIGHTS
Thanks to the world wide web we now have access
to great flight deals through websites such as
Skyscanner, Google Flights and more. If you’d
rather use the services of a booking agent, the likes
of STA Travel, Trailfinders and Flight Centre, are all
available online.
Please remember that this tour starts in Hanoi, but
finished in Hoi An. So you may need to arrange a
separate short flight from Da Nang Airport to
ongoing destinations yourself. This is very easy and
there are many low-cost airlines here that offer
several daily flights.
IMPORTANT NOTICEOnce you have booked and confirmed your flight to
Hanoi, please make sure that you have shared your
flight arrival time and flight number with our team.
Without those details, we will be unable to
guarantee that one of our team will be at the
airport to meet you on arrival.
Did you know that?
The country’s name was originally
spelt as two words, Viet Nam
Did you know that?
On a flight the bathroom door isn’t
really locked when you’re inside.
Lavatory doors can be locked and
unlocked from the outside for a
multitude of reason. It allows flight
attendants quick access to locked
lavatories in case of emergencies. In
other instances, it allows the cabin
crew to restrict access to bathrooms
during takeoff and landing.
ARRIVALS INFO
ARRIVALHanoi 's International Airport is one of the busiest
airports in the Aisa, and can be a confusing place. It
is a major international hub that welcomes millions
of visitors annually, so the following information is
to help you locate our arrivals team quickly and to
avoid unnecessary delays.
Once you have passed through Immigration
(Passport Control) you’ll need to collect your
luggage from one of the carousels. Once you have
your bags please make your way to the exit,
passing through the green ‘Nothing to Declare’
channel, you will then enter the busy main arrivals
area.
Directly ahead of you will be a mass of people
holding up signs trying to get your attention, At
this point please make note of whether you are at
Exit A1 or A2. If you 're at Exit A1, fantastic, please
keep a look out for our team. If you are at Exit A2
don 't panic, make your way along to Exit A1 and
find our team, they should be easily recognizable
with their Bamboo t-shirts and be holding a sign
showing the Bamboo logo.
In the unlikely event that you can’t find our team,
please don’t panic. As long as we have your
correct flight details one of our team will be there.
Please wait at arrivals area A1, and if you still
cannot locate one of our team please call the
following numbers: +84 90 1772 338 / +84 164 474
2532. If you have supplied us with a mobile phone
number, please make sure your phone is turned on
as we may be trying to contact you.
If your arrival is late at night and we have arranged
for a representative to collect you, then you will
still be transferred to your accommodation where
someone will meet you and ensure you 're checked
in and settled. Our representatives will still be
wearing a Bamboo t-shirt and holding up a Bamboo
sign at Exit A1.
Your hotel transfer will be around 30-
35 minutes from Hanoi International
airport.
Keep your eyes peeled for the
smiling face that holding our Bamboo
logo - Kooga our guide in the photo
above loves to smile, honest!
FUN FACTS
TRANSPORTHanoi to Ha Long Bay - This first trip will take us
from the centrally located capital city to East Coast
travelling by comfortable air-conditioned bus, The
journey will take around 4hours driving over 182km.
Ha Long Bay to Ninh Binh - Our second trip we will
take a private minivan to Ninh Binh. This will take
around 5hours travelling over 218km.
Ninh Binh - Hue - We will be travelling via a very
comfortable night bus tonight. You will all have
your own pod-like seats with a pillow, blanket and
small tray table. Its as glamorous as a night bus can
get, we promise!
Hue to Hoi An - This will be made via our own
private minivan with AC. The ride is comfortable and
allows us to stop along the way for some epic snaps
of the landscape. We will take our time as we pass
along the Hai Van Pass stopping for a few treats
along the way.
Our journey from Hanoi to Hoi An is
around 1100km from start to finish.
The beauty of Halong Bay is
remarkable enough to make it to the
big screen. Filming for the 1997 James
Bond film “Tomorrow Never Dies” took
place in the Halong Bay area.
Additionally, the video game “Street
Fighter IV” used the bay as a
backdrop
FAST FACTS: GUIDES
GUIDESAny tour is only as good as the guide – fact. The
input of a tour guide cannot be understated. Their
input into your tour, their little insights and the
off-the-beaten-track adventures. The knowledge
and experiences that they share with you will make
or break your time wherever you are in the world.
At Bamboo, we take the selection and training of
our guides and our coordinators very seriously.
Each guide undertakes a structured training
program of three months and only once we’re
convinced that they are genuine representatives of
Bamboo are they signed up to the family.
Each of our tours has English-speaking guides to
support you, answer your questions, educate you
and to ensure that your time is unforgettable. From
time to time we may have new guides-in-training
on our tours. If you’re lucky to have a trainee on
your tour, please be patient. They are undergoing
training and therefore their knowledge won’t be
that of the trained and experienced guide who will
be accompanying them.
TIPPING
Although not in any way expected or encouraged,
anybody who goes over and above the call of duty
to ensure that you have the very best time may
deserve a special little thank you.
Did you have extra special service in a restaurant?
Did the bus driver make an additional pit-stop just
for you? Did your guide go out of the way so that
you could experience something unique? At
Bamboo, we’re firm believers in Karma – what goes
around most definitely comes around!
Our guides are the face of Bamboo,
and they come in all shapes and
smiles.
We love each and every one of them
more the Vietnamese love Pho.
Whilst most them are elite travel
mavericks in their own right, you may
come across newbies who are on the
path the greatness.
If you 're lucky enough to meet a
fresh-faced newbie, be sure to show
them your support and patience,
most guides remember their first
tours forever, so let 's play nice.
The 'must brings'HAVE YOU PACKED THE FOLLOWING?
0. An open mind
1. Backpack or suitcase w/wheels
2. Travel Towel
3. Light, loose-fitting 'work'
clothes
4. Long trousers & t-shirts
5. Flip flops or sandals
6. Trainers or Sneakers
7. Day pack/bag
8. Insect spray
9. Hat & Sunscreen
10. Reusable Water Bottle
11. Multi-use plug adapter
The 'can brings'WHILST EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT, WE’VE COMPILED A MORE DETAILED LIST FROM
THE FEEDBACK OF SOME OF OUR PAST TRAVELLERS WHICH YOU MAY FIND
USEFUL AND ALSO WANT TO CONSIDER BRINGING:
0. Patience
1. Medical Kit
2. Toiletries
3. General
- Padded gardening gloves
- Small umbrella or water jacket
- Travel pillow (for added comfort)
- Earplugs
- Home luxuries (can't live without)
- Card games or books
Electrolytes / Rehydration Packets
Antihistamine cream / tablets
Antibiotic cream
Imodium Nail brush / Clippers
Wet wipes
Tissues / Toilet roll
Travel hairdryer
YOUR PROJECT GUIDE
DISCOVER VIETNAM
YOUR PROJECT GUIDE
Bamboo’s ideology with all projects is to work with community leaders and locally
operated NGO’s because they understand the people, the needs, the benefits
and the system far better than we do. Our projects improve villager's lives, health
and safety.
Depending on the number of people volunteering and the needs of the
community, you might be participating in one of the following: Building
sustainable animal pens for families who need our support, toilet building, school
improvements and house repairs.
Volunteers who decide to participate must be physically fit and willing to work in
the hot sun for long hours. Please remember to take breaks as and when needed.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT HUE
YOUR PROJECT GUIDE
You've finished in central Vietnam, and what a journey it's been. But do you want to
finish in style and explore the south with us?
Not only will we fly you into Ho Chi Minh City and explore the cu-chi tunnels used by
the Viet-cong during the war. but we will venture deep into the Mekong Delta, the
true south of Vietnam.
The Mekong Delta, also known as The Nine Dragon river delta as it is formed by nine
rivers, lies immediately to the west of Ho Chi Minh City (also called Saigon by locals),
roughly forming a vast triangle stretching from My Tho in the east to Chau Doc and
Ha Tien in the northwest, down to Ca Mau, and including Phu Quoc Island.
It’s a water world where boats, houses, and markets float upon the numerous rivers,
canals and streams that crisscross the landscape like arteries.
Contact our bookings team to find out more about the perfect add-on to your India
Experience.
Optional Bolt-
On Available!
TERMS & CONDITIONSPlease read these Terms and Conditions carefully as they form the basis of your contract
with WeAreBamboo. This agreement is made at the time of booking and becomes legally
binding upon payment of your deposit. By booking a program with WeAreBamboo, you signify
you have read and accepted these Terms and Conditions
All programs advertised on our website and/or on Facebook are offered and/or operated by
WeAreBamboo Ltd. (trading as Bamboo and referred to as Bamboo or ‘we’ herein after) with
company number 59926953 whose registered office is:.
WE ARE BAMBOO LEVEL 2 61 SEAVIEW ROAD LOWER HUTT, NEW ZEALAND 5010
All travel arrangements are sold subject to the following conditions. Bamboo reserves the
right to update the Terms and Conditions at any time.
Please view our full terms and conditions here:
https://www.wearebamboo.com/about/legal.php
Please note that the information in this pack is subject to change at
any time without notice.