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Refine Asia Operation Offices: Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Yunnan
Email: [email protected] / www.refineasia.com
Vietnam
Golf & Gourmet Tour
Starting City: Saigon | Final City: Saigon Accommodation: 4 – 5* Hotels
Saigon: Duxton Dalat: Ana Mandara Villas
Phan Thiet: Du Parc Ocean Dunes Duration: 10D / 9N
Tour Code: RA-VN-GG-099
Refine Asia Operation Offices: Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Yunnan
Email: [email protected] / www.refineasia.com
Geography
Vietnam covers an area of 330,363 sq. km and
is about as big as Italy or New Mexico. The
country has three main geographic regions -
the tropical south dominated by the Mekong
River estuary, the dry central region, and the
more temperate north comprising the River
delta and mountain highlands.
Religion
Vietnam supports adherents of all the major
world religions, as well as followers of religions
that are peculiarly Vietnamese: Theravada and
Mahayana Buddhism, Protestant and Catholic
Christianity, Taoism, Confucianism, Islam, Cao
Daism, Hoa Hao and Hinduism. In addition
spirit and ancestor worship, To Tien, is also
practiced. Confucianism is probably the most
pervasive doctrine of all.
Climate
Vietnam’s climate is very diverse because the country
covers a wide range of latitudes and altitudes.
The North : The cold season is between November
and April when average temperatures are around
60°F/16°C and it is often wet and chilly. In the hot
period, between May and October, the average
temperature is about 86°F/30°C. The South: The
temperatures in the south are constant all year, ranging
from 77-86°F/25-30°C. The dry season is from
November to April and the wet period from May to
October.
People
Ethnic Vietnamese constitute almost 90 percent of the
population in Vietnam. Originating in what is now
southern China and northern Vietnam, the Vietnamese
people pushed southward over several centuries to
occupy the entire eastern seacoast of the Indochinese
Peninsula. Nearly 100 years of French rule (1858-
1954) introduced important European elements, but the
Vietnamese still attach great importance to the family
and continue to observe rites honoring their ancestors,
indicating the persistence of tradition.
Manners
The Vietnamese used to greet one another by clasping
their hands, prayer-like, in front of their faces and
bowing slightly. Unfortunately, this charming custom
has been replaced by the handshake. When trying to
gain the attention of a Vietnamese, try not to point or
gesture excessively. This is regarded as rude. Call out
their names if possible, if not beckon by using the
whole hand, palm downwards. Again, as in the other
countries of Southeast Asia, do not touch people on the
head as it is regarded as spiritually the 'highest' part of
the body. Expect to be the center of attention outside
Saigon, Hanoi and the main tourist centers. React
accordingly and be a good ambassador.
Vietnam
Refine Asia Operation Offices: Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Yunnan
Email: [email protected] / www.refineasia.com
This is a land of serene beauty, traditional charm and bustling industry. A great holiday destination,
Vietnam boasts a landscape of misty hills and tropical beaches, a fascinating cultural heritage and a
climate that ranges from the cool of the northern highlands to the warmth of the South China Sea
coast and the Mekong Delta.
Day 1 Warmly Welcome to Saigon (D)
Arrival to Saigon airport. Warmly welcome by Refine Asia team. Transfer by coach to your hotel.
Saigon also known as Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's largest city with a growing population of around
8.4 million. This is a city on the go 24 hours a day, where everybody seems to be busy either buying,
selling, studying, working or just enjoying themselves. Despite the fact that modern high-rise buildings
have begun to dominate the skyline in recent years there are still many fine examples of French
colonial architecture in Saigon. The city is crammed full of restaurants and bars ranging from simple
pavement stalls where you can buy a bowl of noodles for a few cents to sophisticated restaurants
serving fine European cuisine at a fraction of the price you would pay in Europe. Saigon’s nightlife has
become very cosmopolitan in recent years and there are literally hundreds of bars, pubs, nightclubs
and discotheques to pick from for a night on the town. It is also a real shopper s paradise with modern
shopping centres and trendy boutiques rubbing shoulders with traditional street markets.
Bonsai Dinner Cruise
After check-in to your hotel you will board the replica of the emperors’ dragon boat “Bonsai I” for a
magnificent and memorable dining and entertainment spectacle on the Saigon River. All star
delicacies of European and Asian Buffet will be delighted in your choice by our executive chefs and
show-cooks at the best. You will be accompanied by a magical sound-journey performed from our one
and only in-house orchestra “Hoa Mai” — chill out and get surprised.
Overnight in Saigon
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Day 2 Golf at Palm Song Be Golf Course (B)
After breakfast in the hotel transfer to the Palm Song Be Golf Course in Binh Duong Province.
Golf Course Location Distance Holes
Palmo Song Be Saigon 30 Min from
Saigon City Center
27
Palm Song Be Golf Course
Well known for being the first international
standard championship course in Vietnam
and one of the most challenging and
stimulating in the country, Song Be Golf
Resort has been gently crafted out of the
beautiful landscape and features numerous
lakes, tree lined fairways and subtle
undulating greens. The 27-hole course is
officially rated in accordance with the
USGA/SGA (United States Golfers
Association) requirements. The 3 golf
courses with various difficulties are a
challenge for golfers at any levels.
Transport back to hotel.
Overnight in Saigon
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Day 3 Saigon City Tour Half Day and visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels (B/D)
Enjoy a half day tour through colonial Saigon.
The Old Saigon Post Office is the largest of Vietnam's post offices; it was built from 1886 to 1891 by
the great architect Gustave Eiffel. The same architect who gave his name to the Eiffel tower in Paris.
The post office is large, open, and with a big picture of Saigon overlooking the proceedings. This
unique place will remind you of being in a train station.
The Opera House is another example for French colonial
architecture in Saigon. It was built in 1897 by the famous
architect Ferret Eugene and the magnificent facade decor was
renovated in 1998.
Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the
landmarks among the impressive
avenues and open spaces north of
Dong Khoi. The huge red-brick edifice with twin spires is placed between
two streams of traffic and is a clear reminder that the French once ruled this
city. Inside, the decor is relatively austere, but the church gets very full and
very lively during services. This peaceful place is perfect for quiet
contemplation. Sunday Mass is held at 9.30am.
The former Presidential Palace is now renamed the
Reunification Hall. It is one of the most interesting places to
visit in Saigon. This building remains almost exactly as it was
on the morning of 30th April 1975 when the Saigon regime
surrendered to the victorious liberation forces and the country
was reunified for the first time since 1945. Included on the tour
are visits to conference rooms, the Presidential Receiving
Room, basement tunnels and war room, telecommunications
center and the residential area of the former president.
The old city hall is a stroll down from Dong Khoi Street and is a colonial building dated back to 1906.
The city's best-known market, where you can buy anything from fresh fruit and flowers to the latest
imported electronics and cosmetics is located at one of the key intersections in the city center. Inside
is a tightly organized grid of aisles, arranged according to product. Clothes, shoes and fabric dominate
the front, before giving over to kitchenware, cooked food, fresh vegetables and a somewhat alarming
display of seafood and meat, some of it still alive. There is plenty for the visitor to buy, but the main
attraction is the way in which the bustling market is still very much part of the city's life and economy.
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In the afternoon travel 75km North West from Saigon to visit the Cu
Chi Tunnels. Cu Chi was part of the bitter battleground for many
years during the Vietnam-American War. Visitors cannot miss a visit
to this 'underground village ', an intricate network of over 200km-
long tunnels at Ben Duoc. Enter a short segment of this labyrinth of
interlaced tunnels and you will see the cunning and ingenuity of the
local people.
Dinner at Au Manoir de Khai
In the evening enjoy dinner at Au Manoir de Khai. This restaurant
exudes a colonial charm and luxurious beauty that is different,
unique and second to nine! The moment you step in, be fascinated
and awed by luscious greenery, earth nature and tropical, paradise
garden.
Overnight in Saigon
Day 4 Saigon – Free of leisure (B)
After breakfast in the hotel the rest of the day is free for own leisure. Spend the day shopping at the
markets of Saigon, enjoy a Spa treatment in your selected hotel or play another round of golf or join a
cooking class at the Vietnamese Cookery Center.
Optional activity: Cooking class at the Vietnamese Cookery Center
The hands-on cooking course is tailored for a maximum of 40 participants. It is run from Monday to
Friday taking around 3 hours from 9: 30 am to 12:30 pm. Saturday & Sunday are only reserved for
groups of more than 4 people. It is conducted by a professional Chef and entertained by a MC who will
explain the teaching of our chef - and talk about the history and culture Vietnamese Cuisine (in English
or French).
You visit the local market to buy fresh ingredients for your traditional Vietnamese menu with 4 dishes.
After having a welcome traditional tea together, you start preparing the first two dishes, which you will
enjoy before having a little break. Around noon you cook the two remaining dishes. Eventually, you
have lunch and receive a certificate and souvenir gift.
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Optional activity: Vietnam Golf & Country Club Saigon
Vietnam Golf & Country Club was the first 36 hole golf club in Vietnam. Located 20km from the centre
of Saigon, accessible by highway and inside a large 300 hectare woodland estate, which includes the
Lakeview Villa residential complex. Some facilities include; swimming pools, tennis courts,
gymnasium, squash court, and an international restaurant.
VGCC has long been recognized as Vietnam’s premier golf club, and was twice voted Runner up as
Asia best golf course. In 2011VGCC received another great honor when it was voted as Vietnam’s
best customer service golfing venue.
The West Coast Open since 1995
Golden Tee (professional) 7106 yards
Blue Tee (championship) 6498 yards
White Tee (men) 6043 yards
Red Tee (women) 5464 yards
Overnight in Saigon
The East Coast Open since 199
Gold Tee (professional) 6946 yards
Blue Tee (championship) 6526 yards
White Tee (men) 5879 yards
Red Tee (women) 2539 yards
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Day 5 Saigon to Dalat (B/D)
After breakfast in the hotel transfer to Dalat. On the way you will make an excursion to Lat Village via
Bien Hoa and Bao Loc, which is the home to tea plantations and worm silk. You also stop at Dambri
Falls, one of the most magnificent waterfalls in Vietnam and visit a tea-processing plant for tea tasting.
Lat Village
The nine hamlets of Lat Village are at the base of Lang Bian Mountain. The ethnic groups to be found
here are the Lat, Chill, Ma and Koho. The people earn their living with growing rice, coffee, black
beans and sweet potatoes.
Dinner at Au Parc Restaurant - Dalat
Opened in 2003, Au Parc is a coffee shop, restaurant and delicatessen featuring Mediterranean and
Middle Eastern flavors. At Au Parc, they are serious about the term Mediterranean. They don’t just
serve delicacies from Southern France and Italy. They mean Mediterranean in the wide sense: Turkey,
Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Spain, France, Italy and Greece.
Overnight in Dalat
Day 6 Golf in Dalat (B)
After breakfast transfer to Dalat Palace Golf Club. This club is the only golf course in South East Asia
that boasts bent grass tees, fairways and greens, this club overlooks the majestic Xuan Huong lake.
Situated on 5000 feet (1,500 meters) above sea level in the cool central highlands of Vietnam lies
Dalat Palace Golf Club. At 7,009 yards in length, Dalat Palace Golf Club is an enjoyable challenge for
golfers of all levels. Low handicap players will be tested by a series of lakes, which meander through
ten of the eighteen holes. This undulating course sits right in the heart of the city with panoramic views
of Dalat and its stunning beauty is unforgettable.
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City Tour Dalat
Dalat is a slice of Europe in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. It
found favor with the French rulers for its cool climate. Today,
Dalat’s mild temperatures are popular with Focus Asia Indochina’s
travelers, as is the town’s attractive landscape of colonial villas,
gardens, lakes and rolling hills. Dalat’s colorful market features
locally-made specialties such as artichoke tea, candied fruits,
coffee and the finest cool climate vegetables and flowers in
Vietnam. Visit the former summer residence of Vietnam’s last emperor, Bao Dai, and meet Dalat’s
famous artist monk Vien Thuc in his studio lined with thousands of his quirky compositions. The
brilliantly colored silk weavings of the K’hor tribes people are a popular purchase, as are finely detailed
silk embroideries.
Enjoy a sightseeing tour in Dalat including a visit of the Valley of Love, Bao Dais Summer
residence, the flower garden and the Hang Nha Gallery amongst other sites.
Overnight in Dalat
Golf Course Location Distance Holes Par / Yardage
Dalat Palace Golf
Club
Dalat Right in the center of
Dalat City
18 72 / 7009
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Day 7 Dalat – Phan Thiet (B)
Breakfast in the hotel, afterwards transfer to Phan Thiet. Enjoy spectacular views of the coast as the
road heads towards Phan Rang. Ninh Tuan Province, where Phan
Rang is located, is home to tens of thousands of descendents of the
Cham people. Continue on Highway 1 along the cost to Phan Thiet.
Upon arrival in Phan Tiet you will enjoy an excursion to the dunes of
Mui Ne. Mui Ne Beach is famous for its enormous sand dunes and is
located twenty-two kilometers east of Phan Thiet, near a fishing
village at the tip of the Mui Ne Peninsula.
Overnight in Phan Thiet
Day 8 Golf in Phan Thiet (B)
After breakfast play a round of golf at the Ocean Dunes Golf Club in Phan Thiet. The golf club is
located directly opposite of the DuParc Resort. Enjoy the sea breezes as you tee-off at one of the
most challenging links-style golf courses in the region, designed by legendary golfer Nick Faldo.
After the game, stroll through the quaint fishing village of Phan Thiet.
Overnight in Phan Thiet
Golf Course Designer Location Holes Par / Yardage
Ocean Dunes Golf Club Nick Faldo Phan Thiet 18 72 / 6746
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Day 9 City Tour Phan Thiet by cyclo (B,D)
After breakfast in the hotel, enjoy Phan Thiet by cyclo. This trip includes a visit to the Chinese
Pagoda and the Central Market.
Farewell BBQ Seafood Dinner Ngoc Suong Seafood restaurant
Overnight in Phan Thiet
Day 10 Transfer to Saigon - Departure (B)
After breakfast in the hotel, transfer to Saigon Airport for you departure back home.
*End of Service through Refine Asia*
Refine Asia Operation Offices: Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Yunnan
Email: [email protected] / www.refineasia.com
Accommodation
Duxton Hotel Saigon
Duxton Hotel Saigon is strategically located in the
heart of the city and it is only 20 minutes' drive
from the airport. The hotel offers easy access to
the business and Government precinct, and is
also perfectly positioned close to the shopping,
sightseeing and entertainment areas. From the
hotel, you can enjoy views overlooking the Saigon
River and its surrounding historical sites.
Duxton Hotel Saigon offers 203 deluxe rooms and
suites, boasting views of the Saigon River, or over
the city and beyond. Furnished with contemporary
Vietnamese artwork and traditional fabrics, each
room offers a warm and comfortable environment
for the discerning traveller.
Ana Mandara Villas Dalat
Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort & Spa, an award
winning resort and spa, is located in the central
highlands of Vietnam, within lush rolling hills. This
unique destination offers a peaceful haven away
from the stresses of city life.
A total of 70 accommodations spread between
seventeen individual, original French colonial
villas. Rooms are independently furnished and are
true to their original design and décor.
Du Parc Ocean Dunes & Golf Resort
Novotel Ocean Dunes Resort, located in close
proximity to Phan Thiet, is easily reached from
Saigon on the national highway. The resort is a
favorite weekend getaway site for expatriates and
locals, with well-developed holiday facilities,
remarkable beaches and close to many historic
sites and natural wonders.
The Novotel Ocean Dunes Resort is located on a
private beach and offers an array of water
activities including jet skiing, wind surfing and
swimming.
Please not that accommodation and restaurants are subject to availability
Refine Asia Operation Offices: Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Yunnan
Email: [email protected] / www.refineasia.com
Thank you!
Your Refine Asia Team