Battle of Long Tan 50^th Anniversary Tour

Planned Itinerary  (Subject to change) 

Day 1:  06 Aug  All of our guests should now have arrived at our hotel in the heart of Saigon/HO CHI MINH CITY and we will have our meet and greet (at a time to be advised) enabling everyone to get to know your tour guides and fellow travellers.  After dinner you will have FREE time to explore the main night market in the centre area which is close tour hotel. (D)

Day 2:   07 Aug After an early breakfast we board our bus to the Tan Son Nhat domestic airport and join our flight north to Da Nang City where we will be met by our driver and air conditioned coach.  We will first do a tour of the city and then after lunch travel south to the ancient heritage city of Hoi An. Along the way we will stop at Marble Mountain (entrance fees included) and the famous China Beach (the U.S. rest and recreation during the Vietnam war).

                           After checking into our Hotel in Hoi An our driver will take us into the main city area to explore this ancient heritage listed city.  You will be able to explore the old Japanese built bridge and the many tailor and shoe shops (last count was over 300), our ladies will be in paradise being able to have made to measure clothing completed within 24 hours.

                        There is a large variety of restaurants and cooking schools in the area so dinner will be at your choice to experience the many different local foods.  We overnight in Hoi An     (B) (L)

Day 3:  08 Aug After an early breakfast we will visit the morning market and then travel by coach approx. 40kms south west to the “My Son” ruins (entrance fee included) which was the Old Imperial City during the Chan Dynasty between 4^th and 12^th century.  During our return we will visit a Silk Factory to see how the silk worms are bred and their transformation into beautiful silk cloth.  Hoi An is famous for their collapsible silk lanterns.

                        After lunch there will be free time for clothing, shoe fittings.  You may like to hire a bicycle or cyclo to explore on your own, or just relax by the pool or beach. We overnight again in Hoi An     (B) (L) (D)

 

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Day 4:  09 Aug   After breakfast and check out our coach return us back to Da Nang for the flight south to the beach city of Nah Trang where another air conditioned coach will meet us and take us to our hotel.

                        After lunch we will tour the city area, visit the Cham Temple, then free time for the market, swim or walk along the famous beach or just relax by the pool.  For those interested our bus will be available to take you to the hot springs to experience a relaxing mud bath.   We overnight in Nha Trang  (entrance fees included)   (B) (L) (D)                                                                                     

Day 5:  10^th Aug   After breakfast we will head down to the water to join our boat for our full day island trip which includes many surprises.    We overnight in Nha Trang     (B) (L) (D)

Day 6:  11^th Aug   Early morning departure south by coach past Cam Rang Bay, then west up into the mountains to overnight in the cooler City of Da Lat.  We plan to visit the local Da Lat market and the flower park.   We overnight in Da Lat                                    (B) (L) (D)

Day 7:  12^th  Aug   Today we will visit the old Da Lat railway station,  A silk weaving factory, the statue of the ‘Golden Budda’ and an option to ride on the 20 minute scenic ‘Cable Car’ which has incredible views and finishes at a beautiful and peaceful monastery.   We overnight again in Da Lat.                                                                            (B) (L) (D)  

Day 8:  13^th Aug   Today we travel south down the mountain range to overnight in Saigon/HCMC.   On the way we will visit the large waterfall areas and sample local variety of teas. Tonight (depending upon arrival time) we plan to cruise on the Saigon River for dinner on a large boat.  (B) (L) (D)

Day 9: 14^th Aug     Morning departure south approx 120km (3-4 hours drive) to Can Tho in the middle of the Mekong Delta rice bowl region.  See the large statue of Uncle Ho Chi Minh on the river side and tour the town before check in at our hotel and free time to explore the town.   We overnight in Can Tho.       (B) (L) (D)

Day 10: 15^th Aug   This morning is a very early start (approx. 5.30am) to catch out boat and travel upriver to the famous Mekong floating market area.  (For those who have visited the floating markets in Thailand, this is a completely different experience)  Later we will have an exciting full day visiting fish and prawn breeding areas, fruit gardens, a honey farm and see how coconut candy and rice cakes are made.  Take a small local boat trip through small cannels and experience the local delicacy of ‘elephant fish ear’ for lunch.  Tonight we will stay in My Tho in the Ben Tre fruit bowl area still in the Mekong Delta.  (All entrance fees included)          (B) (L)(D)

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Day 11: 16^th Aug    After breakfast we head back to Saigon/HCMC stopping on the way to visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda which was built in 1849 by a Buddhist Monk.  Back in the southern capital we will stop in the Chinese district of Cholon to visit the wholesale markets, visit the Thien Hau temple, Presidential Palace, the central post office and Notre Dame Cathedral.  For those interested we will take you to the war museum on the way to our hotel.  For those taking the option to visit the famous ‘Water Puppets” -  Tonight is the night.  The remainder of our group will have FREE time to have dinner and explore the many food options. We Overnight in Saigon.  (All entrance fees are included again today)    (B)(L)

                           One of the highlights of our tour is the opportunity to visit the cities wholesale areas.  The fruit and vegetables, sea food and pork markets all located in one area the size of three football fields. We would also visit the wholesale flower market but the only thing is that it will be a 1 - 2 am start for 4 - 5 hour tour.  

Day 12:  17^th Aug   After breakfast we will travel east along the new highway to Baria and Vung Tau and the Long Hai mountains (This is the old Phuc Thuy province now called the Baria/Vung Tau province and also the area that the Australian army was responsible for)  We will do a city tour around Vung Tau covering the old ‘Flags, street of bars, ‘Front and Back’ beach areas including where the Australian army logistic area was located (1ALSG) There is also a Hugh statue of Jesus (similar to the one in Rio) that those strong enough can climb.  We will visit the ‘Long Phuc’ tunnels (close to Nui Dat),  Dat Do, the horse shoe fire support base and then check into our hotel.  Tonight will be a surprise hotel with dinner in a local restaurant on the beach.  All entrance fees included.   (B)(L)

Day 13:  18^th  Aug    The Big Day:   After breakfast and checkout we drive to the previous Australian army Task Force area (1ATF) at Nui Dat.  We will tour the areas of the old ‘Luscom’ airstrip, ‘kanga pad,’ a local cashew nut factory and for those fit enough to climb ‘SAS Hill’ to view the surrounding area before lunch.  Our lunch will be at our friends house located at the base of SAS Hill with some local farmers, ex Viet Cong and North Vietnamese army soldiers who now live in the area.

                           After our special party, we proceed to the ‘Long Tan Cross’ for the 50^th Anniversary service which is expected to start at 3.30pm.  Poppies can be placed on the cross and joss sticks burned.  

                           After the service we drive to Vung Tau  to our hotel and stay overnight.  Tonight will be FREE time and for those interested the anniversary dinner organized by the Australian Chamber of Commerce. This dinner will be at own expense and booking details will be available shortly)   (B)(L)

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Day 14:  19^th   Aug    Today we drive back to Saigon/HCMC for our final night at our hotel in the city centre with last shopping and pack up prior tour ‘Farewell’ dinner.    (B)(L)(D)

 

Day 15:  20^th   Aug     After breakfast we say good bye tour fellow travellers and new friends with   free time until heading for the airport and home with some great memories.

                           Your hotel room will be available until 1pm possibly later – still to be confirmed.

                            If enough travellers are heading to the airport with simular flight times we will include a coach transport  -   Individual transport to the airport by taxi is approx. $8 - $10.                                                                                                  (B)

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                            This is the third itinerary draft ( 30 Oct 2015 ) and is subject to change to allow for improvements and corrections.  Any changes will be forwarded to keep everyone informed.

                             Prior to departure a final itinerary listing all contact names and contacts for our hotels and tour guides in case of any emergency.

 

               Any questions, please contact us.              

                                                 

CIRCLE the WAGONS 2015

On 7 Dec the 5^th Transport Squadron will conduct the South East Queensland RACT Circle the Wagons event at the 7^th Combat Service Support Battalion at Enoggera. . There will be a number of team competitions and according to the event instruction it will go ahead regardless of the weather.  It will be starting at 0800 with the competition concluding at midday followed by a BBQ lunch at the Borlace Club and presentation of the trophy to the winning team. The day’s activities will conclude at 1530h.  There is limited parking but there is a multi-level car park in Sadlier Rd. For those who go to the  Smokos this is the road that goes off to the right at the Joan of Arc Chapel which is at the end of the straight stretch after you have turned left at the round about and  before you swing left to head down to the JMCC..  If you are interested in attending please contact WO1 Ashley Steene (the OPS WO)  who will give you a time to be at the main gate and arrange for escorting (along the lines of the Smoko  process). He is available on 07 3332 7949 or ashley.steene@defence.gov.au.   You will need to do this by 1st December.   The dress is neat civilian attire.

Reunion update

Reunion update on progress. Two stubby holders have been designed and currently awaiting proofs. Also Cap has been designed and we will show these as soon as we receive digital copies. A shirt has been chosen and still working on the wording/design for these We have also chosen to have a commemorative plate made, and we have designed this also and will display when available. Negotiations ongoing re visit to Bandiana Musuem and permission to hold a service at the Vietnam Memo...rial Site. Should not prove a problem. Anyone wanting to donate for raffle prizes and/or auction items, please feel free. A reminder also that most of our functions are being held at the Ibis Resort, Lake Hume, it would be good to have reasonable numbers staying here. Those who would like to stay here should book earlier rather than later. It would be cheaper and more efficient to post updates on