Vietnam

Don’t be a tourist

be a traveller

1 country, 100 hours, 2100 km

Contents

Introduction(academical purposes)

Trip highlights

Walkabout

Interesting facts

Activities

Full trip itinerary

IntroductionThis introduction page is specifically written for academic purposes, a professional brochure made by travel agencies would not include an introduction page like this brochure. In this case, the forward includes a target market with an explanation why and how would this 4 days trip suit the target audition. The writer of this brochure had been asked to produce a 4 day niche tourism product. Upon this request, the topic will be an adventure tour across Vietnam, specifically from the north to the south in less than 100 hours. ATTA (2013) studies showed that 37% of the adventurers prefer traveling with a partner and another 30% would go with families or relatives, which makes target audience almost 2/3 of the total. Nevertheless the results also pointed out a group called hard-adventurers, they prefer to travel alone. Based on these information, the tour was designed mainly for younger travelers and families with older children only. The demographic studies conducted by Adventuretravel (2016) showed that the adventure traveler's average age is 36, which perfectly fits the target audience. Acegeography (2016) also debates about the target market of adventure tourism. They state that an average adventurer is around 30 years old with a good job-income, because these kind of trips are not cheap in generally.

(Buckley et al., 2006) defines adventure tourism as an act, where the commercial tours use outdoor activities, which relies on the natural basis provided by each place. He claims that the activities often requires special equipment, which the travellers does not have to operate, they can just simply be the passenger. The activities offered in this trip perfectly suit this argument. There are diverse outdoor activities that requires special equipment whether if it is a motorbike or a kayak. (Swarbrooke et al. 2003) come out with different aspects, which makes adventure tourism. They use key words that defines adventure and these are challenge, danger and risk, exploration and discovery and so on. They conclude that adventure is when participants are voluntarily undertaking steps to the unknown. This trip is not dangerous itself, it is about challenging the experience, where the travelers might sometimes have take a little risk or a challenge in order to compete the journey. Vietnam on the way from the north offers many adrenaline related moments such as a train ride high in the mountains when reaching Nha Trang province or an exciting drive through Hai Van Pass through very narrow roads.

Comparing to the non-adventure group, the usage of guides and different sport instructors are more used by the adventure group. This programme promotes additional services, which would provide unforgettable experience throughout water sports with kayaking or paddle boarding to driving a bike with a help of local instructor. ATTA (2013) also explains the reasons, why people engage in adventure traveling and the responses were similar. The most often answer were relaxation, discovering new places or learning about different cultures. This 4 day trip might not offer enough relaxation due to its length, but it surely provides new culture experience throughout whole Vietnam. On the pictures shown in this brochure, the customers can also visually see the diverse landscape during the trip.

To conclude this introduction, this 4 day journey can be considered as an adventure tourism product for its aspects. It includes many activities that are essential for adventure. Due to the journey’s short length, the target market has been chosen and mentioned above. The destination research showed that it would take a regular car approximately 41 hours on the road, considering 100 hours trip it is a lot, however that is why this product make it challenging for the customer, to find and choose a right transport way to get between the key points.

Explore Vietnam along its coastline in 4 days

This trip is specially designed for those, who like adventure trips and exploring on its own, it might sound easy, but it takes some courage to travel alone without knowing the language or the environment.

Start from the popular Ha Long Bay on the day 1, following a stop in Hue and Hoi An where you will have a chance to get to know their rich history.

Day 3 and 4 belongs to the south and experience beautiful cities like Nha Trang or Vung Tau.

Rest during the night in the sleeping bus or train and explore during the day!

Do you have an adventurous soul to undertake this majestic coastal trip along Vietnam?

Travel from the north to the south within 100 hours and explore Vietnamese finest landscape

for Explorers

You love challenges, being somewhere far from your family

and friends on your own is familiar to you. What really

motivates you is the thought of seeking new travel experience.

Walkabout..

4 days, almost 2100 km on roadsThis road trip has been made for physically strong adventurous backpackers, that are not afraid of exploring on their own or in a couple! The main aim is to reach the south from the north in 100 hours, it might seems difficult, but with the right choice of transport, the travel journey itself can be less than 30 hours. There are many opportunities to explore since the day 1. The landscape of the Ha Long Bay is stunning. Challenge the mountain area in Ninh Binh on the way from the Bay or use the boats and float on a river and enjoy the beautiful surroundings and rice fields in Ninh Binh.

Day 1: Get from Hanoi, the capital city to the Ha Long Bay, from there it is completely up to you which transport you will choose to get to Hue and Hoi An.

Day 2: Spend an early morning in Hue, a capital city during the Nguyen’s Dynasty in the past then move to Hoi An by the night, which is the best time to explore this old city.

Day 3: Nha Trang is the next destination, a wonderful place with majestic scuba-diving places, with a chance to learn how to dive with the professionals

Day 4: Finish this amazing trip in the Ho Chi Minh City, the city named after the most famous Vietnamese person in the history, get to know more about this city once you get there!

Interesting facts

Vietnam is a coffee nation, according to the European Coffee Federation statistics, Vietnam produce 16% of the world's total production. There is nothing better than a fresh grounded traditional iced-coffee during the hot days!

The population of Vietnam is approximately 94, 5 mil. There are around 37 mil. registered motorbikes. Vietnam is considered as a bike country. The travellers are often surprised with the fact, that almost everything can be carried with a bike

Vietnam is also well known for its affordability, it is a perfect option for low budget travellers. Various choices of accommodation including hotels and hostels mostly for a cheap price even in big cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. The transport prices

Food lovers will fall in love with this country. The street food especially is very exceptional and traditional. Once a foreign person try a soup called Pho, they just "pho in love" with it. And the best part is, that it tastes different in every area!

Paddle boarding in Mui Ne. For the lovers of water sports, this might be one of the alternatives. Enjoy calm waters of Mui Ne Bay near Ho Chi Minh City. Paddle boarding is also a great form for exercising, however more than that, is the amazing fun!

Driving a motorbike is a whole new experience. Forget about the classic European streets full of car where it is easier to drive. Challenge yourself in a country of bikes! It is a perfect way to enjoy the freedom and experience new places.

Besides paddle boarding, there is an option of kayaking around the well-mentioned Ha Long Bay. There is no better way to experience this beautiful place than from water. Rent a kayak and explore the hidden caves as you go.

Cycle around Sapa, situated on the north, which is a place surrounded with rice fields. Rent a bike and explore through the farms to the fields and try some authentic and delicious street food on the way from the small local farms and cafes.

Another way how to enjoy the local water is to try diving in Phu Quoc, which is on south from Ho Chi Minh City. It is a beautiful Vietnamese island surrounded with palms, golden sand, beaches and a majestic underwater life.

Lao Cai Province is close to Sapa, why not to use this into an advantage and conquer the highest peak of Vietnam, Mount Fansipan. A successful trek will reward you with a spectacular view from the highest point of Vietnam.

Activities

Full trip itineraryDay 1: Hanoi/Ha Long Bay

- Depart from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay early in the morning.

- Free time to explore the Bay on your own until afternoon

- Use train or a bus to get to Hue by the next morning

- Activities: Rent a kayak and head to the hidden caves or go for a paddle-boarding and enjoy the experience from a different point of view.

Day 2: Hue/Hoi An

- Arrive early in the morning to Hue. Spend the noon by expanding your knowledge about Vietnamese history on the back of a local bike driver, including guided tours to Royal Tomb or Imperial Citadel.

- Reach Hoi An before the sunset and enjoy spectacular view of Hai Van Pass. Free time until the next morning. There are various options how to spend the time in Hoi An, including cooking classes or visiting town's market.

- Optional activities: rent a bike and drive around the countryside.

Day 3: Nha Trang

- A short break on the way to the final destination, Nha Trang offers one of the finest sandy beaches along the 2 500 km long Vietnamese coast. Leave Nha Trang in the afternoon to the vibrant Ho Chi Minh City.

- Activities: Mud baths, entertainment resorts, food experience, scuba-diving lessons

Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City

- Start exploring the biggest city of Vietnam from the previous night, join the crowd in the “Pho Tay Street”, which is famous for its vibrant nightlife full of entertainment. On day 4, take a sightseeing bus around this hectic city and get to know more about past Vietnamese war history with the USA in War Remnants Museum.

- Activities: Optional trip to the Mekong delta, board on tuc-tuc rides along the river Mekong

STAtravel (2016)

Traditional local tuc-tuc with a driver in front

Hai Van Pass

ReferencesAcegeography (2016)http://www.acegeography.com/extreme-tourism.html - accessed on 20/04/2016

Adventuretravel (2016)http://files.adventuretravel.biz/docs/research/adventure-tourism-market-study-2013-web.pdf - accessed on 19/04/2016

ATTA (2013)Adventure Tourism Market biz/docs/research/adventure-tourism-market-study-2013-web.pdf (24-09-2014) - accessed on 20/04/2016

Buckley, R., Buckley, R., Godwin, I. and Cater, C. (2006) Adventure tourism. United Kingdom: CAB International North America.

STAtravel (2016) https://www.statravel.co.uk/travel-blog/2013/11/6-of-the-best-adventure-activities-in-vietnam/ - accessed on 17/04/2016

Swarbrooke, J., Beard, C., Leckie, S. and Pomfret, G. (2003) Adventure tourism: The new frontier. Oxford: A Butterworth-Heinemann