Travel Safety

Terrorism

We continue to receive reports that terrorists in South East Asia are planning attacks against a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

Civil Unrest/Political Tension

Internal conflict is rare in Vietnam, although some localised violent clashes between protesters and police in the Central Highlands region have in the past resulted in a small number of casualties.

Crime

We advise you to exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety in Vietnam because of the risk of criminal activity. Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety and security risks.

Street crime and harassment occur, especially in larger cities. Aggravated theft and assault occur, particularly in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Sapa (particularly on the train to/from Lao Cai) and Cat Ba Island (near Ha Long Bay). Petty theft is also common on crowded trains and buses.

Snatch-and-grab crimes against pedestrians by thieves on motorcycles have resulted in occasional injury to victims.

Foreigners have been robbed and sexually assaulted after accepting spiked food and drinks. Due to the risk of HIV/AIDS, victims of violent crime, especially rape, are strongly encouraged to seek immediate medical assistance.

Local Travel

If you plan to visit the Long Tan Cross site in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, you should note that the site is located on non-public land and visitors are required to follow certain procedures to access the site. See the Embassy's website for further information.

Piracy occurs in the coastal areas of Vietnam. See our advice on shipping and ports for further information. The International Maritime Bureau issues weekly piracy reports on its website.

Traffic conditions throughout Vietnam are hazardous and road accidents, resulting in death or injury, are common. Driving standards and vehicle and road maintenance are generally poor. Australian tourists have suffered serious injuries from road accidents in recent years. Motorcycle and intercity bus travel have particularly high accident rates.

Streets are crowded in major cities and road rules are routinely ignored. Be very careful when crossing busy streets as traffic can appear from any direction.

Travel is restricted near military installations and in some parts of the Central Highlands and some border areas.

Unexploded landmines and ordnance are a continuing hazard in former battlefields, particularly in central Vietnam. Mine-free roads and paths are well marked.

Tour operators might not meet the safety standards expected in Australia, especially for adventure sports such as mountain climbing.

Courtesy of Smartraveller.gov.au
Current 21 July 2008

Adventure before Dementia - Vietnam

Adventure Before Dementia (ABD) Vietnam itinerary is aimed at over fifty’s who still want a bit of excitement and an adrenalin rush or two; while in between staying at comfortable accommodation.

NO LOCAL PAYMENT ON ARRIVAL.

GROUP SIZE: Minimum of two, on an independent, twin share basis.

DEPARTS DAILY ALL YEAR.
(see important notes below regarding to kite surfing).

VISITING:
HO CHI MINH ( Saigon), NATRANG, MUI NE, MEKONG DELTA,
CU CHI TUNNELS.

INCLUSIONS:
Four star hotel , (5 nights).
Three star hotel, ( 3 nights).
One and a half star hotel, ( 5 nights).

TRANSPORT:
Bus, Boat.

MEALS:
10 Meals. B= Breakfast, D= Dinner.

NOT INCLUDED: Hotel transfers, Airport transfers.

DAY 1: Your adventure officially begins after checking into your Ho Chi Minh City accommodation. In the evening a Baktrax representative will meet you and take you out for drinks and dinner where you will be able discuss all the upcoming excitement.You will be briefed about transport and all the other thingsyou will need to know. They will also offer lots of suggestions and ideas about what to do on your free days. D & DRINKS.

DAY 2: Your Baktrax guide will take you out for an early breakfast and
give you your bus tickets and all your other travel documents.
After breakfast a local operator will take you for a half day tour of the
Cu Chi tunnel complex made famous by the Viet Cong during the war.
Afternoon at leisure with a visit to the war museum a possibility. B.

DAY 3: A fairly long day’s travel by bus to the resort city of Natrang. No Meals.

DAY 4: A day to explore Natrang or relax on the white sandy beach. B.

DAY 5: A local operator will take you by boat to explore some of the
numerous islands off the coast. Don't forget your bathers for a cooling dip also. B.

DAY 6: A not so long bus trip today will see you in the picturesque seaside town of Mui Ne. B.

DAY 7: Today you will get a two hour taste of Kite Surfing.
( see important notes below). B.

DAY 8: A free day to relax on the beach or by the pool. B.

DAY 9: After a lazy morning you can get another adrenalin rush by
driving a dune buggy up to 70kph on the purpose built track in the large sand dunes of Mui Ne. B.

DAY 10: A last free day in beautiful Mui Ne. B.

DAY 11. A short bus trip back to Ho Chi Minh City today.
Rest of day at leisure. B.

DAY 12: After breakfast a local operator will take you by bus
and boats to explore the wet world of the Mekong Delta. No Meals.

DAY 13: A last free day to shop or sight see in Ho Chi Minh City. No Meals.

DAY 14: Your trip is over after checking out of your accommodation. No Meals.

You can now go back home knowing you still have what it takes.

NOTES:

UPON FULL PAYMENT: We will send you a packing list and other useful
information as well as answer any other questions you may have.

ON ARRIVAL: Your Baktrax representative will give you all the information about everything that concerns your trip. From airport departure transfer information to bus station transfers to the best places to shop & eat etc.
Plus a myriad of other information to make your trip as much fun as possible.

EXTRA ACCOMODATION IS AVAILABLE IN ALL 3 PLACES BUT IT MUST BE
BOOKED AND PAID FOR AS PART OF YOUR BOOKING PRIOR TO ARRIVAL.

HO CHI MINH CITY: $30.00USD per twin or double room per night.

NATRANG: $80.00USD per twin or double room per night.

MUI NE: $100.00USD per twin or double room per night.

The cost for the adventure is $1,250.00USD Per Person,
Twin/Double/Share. (single supplement $450.00USD).

This tour is departs every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday except for February.

IMPORTANT NOTE; KITE SURFING:

Mui Ne is considered the kite surfing capital of Vietnam. Alas no guarantee whatsoever can be given on the most important ingredient needed for kite surfing.
WIND!!!

November to March is considered the windiest time of year. April to October usually has enough light winds also. But there are also some days with no wind at all. There is no pattern to this. It maybe windless on any given day all year.
So days 7,8,9 & 10 are totally flexible in this regard.
If there was no wind on day 7 you could do the dune buggies instead and hope it blows a gale on day 8.
If by chance it was windless for 4 days we will include an extra afternoon in a dune buggy.

NO REFUNDS WILL AVAILABLE SHOULD YOU NOT KITE SURF.

If you have a great day on day seven you will then get the chance to do a full seven hour professional course on kite surfing on one of your two free days.
The cost for this is $250.00USD per person, payable to the local operator on arrival.