14 Day 5 Star Memoirs Of Vietnam & Sapa Extension Premium Small Group Tour

• Return international airfares included
• Authentic grassroots exploration of Vietnam with incredible sightseeing, including an overnight cruise on Halong Bay and guided tours of Sapa, Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta
• Small group tour, maximum of 16 travellers
• 10 nights in 5-star hotels, 1 night on a traditional junk boat to cruise the calm waters of Halong Bay and 1 night at a welcoming home stay experience in Sapa
• Flights from Hanoi to Hue and Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City
• Cruise the serene waters of the Perfume River during a guided tour of Hue
• Breakfast daily, 2 lunches and 3 dinners
• Follow a local guide on an exploration of the charming hamlets and hill stations of the mountainous region of Sapa
• Explore Hanoi, escorted by your expert local guide
• Follow your expert local guide on a walking tour through the narrow, cobblestone streets of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Take part in a cooking demonstration and learn to make Hanoi's specialty dish, white rose dumplings
• The services of a professional, English-speaking guide in each city
• In depth sightseeing including all entry fees 
• Dedicated, air-conditioned transportation

• Sapa - Explore the charming hamlets and hill stations of this mountainous region, learning more about the lifestyle and culture of the local Hmong people
• Hanoi - Enjoy a guided walk through Hanoi's historic Old Quarter, an intricate network of narrow alleys & shop houses
• Hanoi - Visit the Temple of Literature, dedicated to the cult of Confucius, dating back to 1070
• Hanoi - See the final resting place of communist revolutionary Ho Chi Minh, at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
• Hanoi - Indulge in a popular Hanoi pastime, by savouring one of the country's most famous exports, coffee.
• Halong Bay - Explore Lan Ha Bay's floating villages
• Halong Bay - Swim at the breathtaking cove of Ong Cam Bay - the perfect morning chill-out spot
• Hue - Enjoy a guided tour of Hue's citadel and local market - once the economic & cultural capital of Vietnam
• Hue - Cruise the serene waters of the Perfume River to Dinh market
• Hue - Visit the Thin Mu Pagoda
• Hoi An - Stroll through the narrow, cobblestone streets of this UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Hoi An - Marvel at the Japanese Covered Bridge, a local icon that dates back to the 1590s
• Ho Chi Minh City - Visit Dong Khoi Street, the heart of the city's commercial life before visiting the Post Office
• Mekong Delta - Witness & learn about the ins & outs of living along the shores of the mighty Mekong

• Participate in a cooking demonstration and learn to make one of Hoi An's favourite dishes: white rose dumpling. Finish off the experience with a delicious included meal.

• To enhance your journey, we're offering guests 1 bonus sightseeing experience out of a choice of 2 options (options listed under 'Optional Tours').

1. Hanoi Puppet Show & Street Food
2. Hoi An Memories Show

• Spend two nights at the gorgeous Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa

We offer two payment options – the choice is yours. Our advertised price is based on our 'Pay in Full' option, which includes a discount by making full payment at the time of booking. Alternatively, choose our 'Installment Payment Plan' option for the flexibility of incremental payments, beginning with a low deposit.

Please click 'Book Now' and proceed to the payment page to select your preferred option under the heading ‘Choose how to pay’. The total due will be reflected accordingly.

Pay In Full Option:

• Full payment due at the time of the booking.
• Please select this option at the payment page prior to finalizing your booking

Installment Payment Plan Option:

• Book now and secure your package with only a $99.00 deposit per person.
• Pay a 1st installment of $600.00 per person within 28 days.
  
• Pay a 2nd installment of $1,200.00 per person within 90 days.
• You will then be invoiced for final payment 120 days prior to departure.

Booking Process

• Select the purple 'Reserve Your Seat' tab to begin your booking (you must 'Sign Up' first by entering your email and creating a password)
• Then select the purple 'Book now' tab of the tour you have selected
• Select your Departure Date, Departure City, Number of Passengers, Room Configuration, any Upgrade Options, and enter any Special Requests
• Click the purple ‘Proceed to Secure Checkout' tab
• Enter your credit card or PayPal details to secure your deposit/payment.
• Once your order is complete, you will be prompted to complete a Booking Form so that we can fulfill your booking
• Your booking is confirmed once your Booking Form is submitted and you can begin the countdown to your Inspiring Vacation!

This package includes international airfares or has the option of adding international airfares to your booking when selecting your departure city.

If international airfares are included this will be stated in the ‘Inclusions’ section

Alternatively, if international airfares can be added to your booking you will be able to select your departure city after clicking ‘Book Now’ and a cost will be stated next to your selected departure city. This cost will then be added to your booking and flights will be added to your booking.

Conditions of flights for this package bookable by Inspiring Vacations:

• Flight Offer valid from select departure cities within the purchase path only
• Flights will be booked with the best available airline/s with luggage included. Low-cost carriers may be booked in conjunction with a full-service airline. Depending on the carrier, entertainment and meals may not be included but payable at an extra cost on-board. We cannot specify or guarantee the airline booked. If you would like a specific airline, please request this at the time of purchase. To make a flight request, please click ‘Book Now’ and select Would you like us to contact you around our flight service?  By selecting this option you will be sent a request form after completing your purchases to make your request. 
• Flights may not be direct and may include multiple connections
• Due to disrupted airline schedules globally with the pandemic, stopovers/transit times may be longer than usual (up to 12 hours in duration in some circumstances).
• Once ticketed, flights are non-refundable; any changes will be subject to the airline rules, Airline change fees and an Inspiring Vacations change fee of $250 per person.
• Full names as per passport (including all middle names) are required at the time of submitting your traveller booking form. Any error in the names submitted will be subject to an Inspiring Vacations name change fee of $150 plus any applicable fees charged by the airline, or the ticket may be non-refundable with the purchase of a new ticket required. 
• If the required booking class is unavailable at time of booking, surcharges may apply. Total cost is final only at time of ticketing. Once issued, air tickets are subject to amendment and cancellation fees or may be non-refundable
• Any airline schedule changes or cancellations are outside of our control. It is important that you, as the customer, stay up-to-date with the latest airline schedule information prior to your departure. If a schedule change results in extended transits or an earlier/later departure from your destination, any additional accommodation or alternative arrangements will be at the traveler's expense.
• After booking, the price payable may be subject to change as a result of factors beyond the control of Inspiring Vacations. Inspiring Vacations reserves the right to increase the price payable and this will be reflected on the customer's invoice. Increases may be in relation to, but not limited to, currency fluctuations, airline taxes, airfare increases and fuel surcharges.
• Internal airfares (where applicable and included in the itinerary) will be using a local carrier and may include low-cost carriers without meals or entertainment. Checked baggage will still be included for each passenger. Any additional baggage required is payable at time of check-in. 
• If you are travelling with another party on a separate booking, we cannot guarantee that the same flights will be booked for all parties, as this strictly depends on availability. 
• You will be responsible for handling your luggage at all times as the services of porters are not included. If travelling over the recommended amount, you will be liable for any excess baggage fees enforced by the airline, payable directly.
• In the event of that you no-show on your scheduled flight, please be aware the airline will require you to pay a no show fee, Airline reissue fee plus any additional airfare and taxes. Inspiring Vacations will also charge a $250 admin fee to assist re accommodating you on the next available flight. Please note that depending on the airline's policy, purchasing a new ticket may be required.

Baggage

Included baggage differs based on your country of origin. Included baggage will be as per the following:

Baggage allowances provided by the airline might differ to the values stated above. However limitations are required due to transport storage restrictions on your selected tour or package.

Flight requests, amendments or preferences

We understand customers may wish to request changes to their included airfares. If you wish to fly with a certain airline, land at a certain time or change your flight in other ways we will gladly provide you with a personalised quote tailored to your specific requirements.

To make a flight request, please click ‘Book Now’ and select Would you like us to contact you around our flight service?  By selecting this option you will be sent a request form after completing your purchase to make your request.

We would be more than happy to provide you with a quote for the following requests:

• Airline Preferences - You may wish to fly with a particular airline
• Cabin Preferences - These include upgrading to premium economy or business class
• Extensions (start and end cities must remain the same) - You may request to extend your stay pre or post tour.
• Meal Requests - You may request a specific meal for dietary requirements.
• Seat Requests - If you would like to request particular seating. However please note, not all airlines allow the selection of pre-purchased seat arrangements.

We are currently unable to provide a quote for the following requests:

• Stopovers - Is where you might want to stop in transit for a certain amount of days prior to your tour or after your tour.
• One way flights
• Different start or end city to the tour - you may not amend the arrival or departure city of your itinerary. 
• Around the world tickets  - Is when a ticket includes multiple stops in different continents.
• Return home to a different city from the one you departed.
• Frequent Flyer point redemption - Is when an airline allows you to redeem points to pay for your flights or upgrade your ticket.  

If we can’t fulfill your request and you still wish to proceed with the booking, please select Land Only (excluding UK customers). This will allow you to travel on the land portion of the package without the included airfares. You will then be able to arrange your own flights separately.

FAQs

For more frequently asked questions please view our FAQs  section. 

Online check-in 

Some airlines may not permit online check-in where flights have been booked by a travel company. Where unavailable to do so online, you will be required to check-in at the airport. Inspiring Vacations cannot check-in online on behalf of our customers.

This trip includes an incredible day hike, featuring varying terrain covering a distance of 6 to 10 kilometers. To experience the breathtaking views, you should expect some uneven surfaces and inclines, and appropriate footwear for stability is recommended. To anticipate changing weather conditions, bring along a raincoat or waterproof jacket. This hike promises a mix of natural beauty and physical activity, so equip yourself with suitable gear for a comfortable and enjoyable experience. 

Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.

As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.

Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. While tipping is not customary, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations.

You may also consider tipping your tour leader and driver for outstanding service throughout your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however any changes are beyond our control.

Single Supplement
Single supplement is $1,564.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.

Triple Share
Not available.

Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.

Visa & Passport information
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return from your journey.

Australian passport holders require a visa to enter Vietnam.

You will need to arrange your Visas for travel to Vietnam closer to departure. Please note, we don't recommend applying for the e-visa until around 30-45 days prior to your departure.

Visa's are easiest to complete online and take approximately 72 hours to confirm.

You will be able to obtain your e-visa when you have your flight documents indicating your date of entry into Vietnam. Remaining tour documentation, including hotel details, will be sent 4 weeks prior to departure.

Please note the e-visa is limited to 30 days validity from the date of arrival and is only valid for 3 months from date of issue.

You must make sure that the same travel document that was used for applying online is used for entering into Vietnam.

Visit https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/ to apply for an e-visa.

Information required:

• Personal and passport details
• Arrival date and departure date (no specific flight details are required)
• Purpose of entry (tourist)
• Passport information
• Passport scanned copy
• Passport size photo scanned copy
• The name and address of your first hotel in Vietnam
• Pay USD $25per person by credit card
• Wait for it to be approved and you will be notified via email within approximately 72 hours.

Once approved, please ensure that you travel with the following documentation as they are required to present to customs upon arrival into the country:

• Passport with 6 months validity
• E-visa printout
• Travel itinerary (provided 30 days before departure)
• Hotel list (provided 30 days before departure)

Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://www.safetravel.govt.nz for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.

Group Size
Maximum of  16 people

Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.

Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels: 

• Local Guides - During this tour you will be escorted by a professional local guide in each city whilst you will be unaccompanied when traveling from city to city (by plane, train or bus)

Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent in flight and is subject to change depending on the flight schedule, please refer to the day by day itinerary for the time spent on land.

You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:

Pre Tour Accommodation

• $231.00 per room, per night for double and twin share
• $231.00 per room, per night for solo travellers

Post Tour Accommodation

• $191.00 per room, per night for double and twin share
• $191.00 per room, per night for solo travellers

Arrival and departure airport transfers

• Private Airport to Hotel Transfer - $64 per car, maximum of 2 travellers
• Private Hotel to Airport Transfer - $50 per car, maximum of 2 travellers

Your transfer may be shared with other Inspiring Vacations customers.

Please select the number of extra nights required in the 'Additional Nights Accommodation' field when making your purchase. The additional cost for these arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.

To enhance your journey, we are offering guests a choice of the following optional activities (prices are per person):

• Hanoi Puppet Show & Street Food (Day 5) - $83 per person
• Hoi An Memories Show (Day 10) - $121 per person

Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online.

Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 70 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability and prices may vary as you will be paying in local currency. We appreciate your understanding.

• Visas
• Travel insurance (compulsory)
• Tipping
• Anything not mentioned in the itinerary
• Optional activities
• Personal expenses

Click HERE for more information on weather in Vietnam.

While homestays offer an authentic local experience, in Vietnam, where development levels vary, standards of living may not meet those anticipated by some visitors. Some Homestays may feel more akin to a guesthouse run by locals, where the local family also live. We believe this will allow a glimpse into the daily village life of this breathtaking region. Traditional homes of the ethnic communities in Sapa typically consist of two floors, the owners live on the second floor, and shared bathroom and toilet facilities located on the first floor.

We have chosen homestay options that combine the essence of a local experience with modern comfort. Our selected homestays are situated in the Ta Van village, allowing you to immerse yourself in the daily life of local people while still enjoying the convenience of a private bathroom and toilet within your room.

Being in an authentic rural area of Vietnam means you might have unexpected encounters with insects, dogs, cats, chickens, and sometimes even rats in the neighbourhood.

The tranquillity of the environment may be disrupted by nearby roads, construction, or karaoke bars, while unpredictable mountain weather can hinder outdoor activities, particularly during prolonged periods of rain or fog.