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Jan 27, 2011

A JEEP THING – VIETNAM

By Turtle Little

Since when jeep as an vehicle has become so popular as an icon of strength, adventurous and definitely a life style? The information is now easy to get, just Google it and we will find out a full lists of history dated back during WWI and WWII.

Jeep has its own prestige when the same image is perceived in most of the places it presents. Simply put, it’s only an vehicle to carry first military missions then transform to civil use. However, behind the name there are great stories to tell especially with the Jeep vehicles which are part of the history.

Vietnam

Came with the American troop during the war, the vehicle was considered the king of the battlefield when carried soldiers, wounded men and many supplies for the war, on almost every terrains. The popular scene of the time was the Jeep drove as it’s maximum speed shuttled between cities, battlefields, hospitals, jungles, crossed streams and rivers and of course with gunmen on them.

Perhaps, if put aside the ugly war scene, the vehicle itself is a perfect imagination of what adventure lovers look for with great characters (just like what people would like others to perceive when drive it): casual, down to earth, adventurous, fear no danger or difficulties, courage and open minded.

Finished the war, left by the American troops, Jeep stayed in the country, mainly Southern Vietnam & neighboring country of Cambodia. They were used for endless list of civil missions: as a local bus to carry people, sometime animals from cities to cities (often seen full load of people inside and bulky bags behind), to carry woods in the jungles together with the elephants, buffalos sometimes (thanks for its 4WD), police and firemen patrol vehicles and of course as a part of the history, in the museum (still seen the one in the Independent Palace in Saigon which is the witness of a General capture)

Years after the opening up of the country, the new model of cars started to come into view and Jeep was eventually ended its missions both military and civil tasks. At peak time this is quite a good source of craps to reproduce steel, a Jeep with its original engine could weight hundreds of kilograms of steels – a considerable amount at the time for a humble living standard. Most of the vehicles slowly disappeared and seen only driven by some police department who are waiting to change new patrol cars.

However, as said, Jeep with its beauty never dies (but some over thirty-year-old engines sometimes yes.), when the image of Jeep as a lifestyle once again appreciated by its lovers of all ages, genders and occupations. Seen again on street of Saigon, Danang, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap Angkor Wat the restored military Jeep carrying foreign travelers from all over the world. What a Jeep trip stands for? May be fun drive, or a little unconventional experience or the feeling of freedom again who many people has forgot? Perhaps there is not only one answer. We feel it and just is enough!

And if somewhere when you happen to read this article you might consider such an experience in Saigon or Sieam Reap – Angkor Wat and need to contact the people who share the same passion. They may be helpful then.

Vietnam Jeep Tours
Ph: (84 8) 6290 6577
Direct: (84) 909 602 370

P/S: Did I mention above that I just finished a trip in Siem Reap, Angkor Wat December last year on a military Jeep M151 A2 drove on the mud roads in the middle of the ancient jungle? Awesome!

Saigon, Jan 2011

Dec 6, 2010

Vietnam Travel Depot Introduced Truly Local Experience Program

Two weeks get into local life in Vietnam, an exceptionally different experience

Hochiminh City, Vietnam (December 6, 2010) – Vietnam Travel Depot has launched the truly Vietnam local experience for travelers visiting the country.

Local Experience of VietnamThe 13 day program cover most of major cities and travel destinations of the country include Hochiminh City (Saigon), Mekong Delta, Nha Trang Beach, Hoi An ancient town, Hue the former citadel, Hanoi Capital and the magnificent Halong Bay.

This is said to be an unconventional way of creating memorable experience for foreign travelers, the concept is to get passengers involved as much as possible in daily life of the locals from commuting by local means of transportation (taxi, Jeep, boat, motorcycle, trishaw, local bus to provinces, overnight train, overnight cruise), having meals at non-tourist places, stay at local residence, cook dinners with hosts, and provide help to the needy communities.

Local Experience of VietnamAs of the company’s chief travel consultant “the key concept is similar to welcoming a friend not a tourist from a foreign country, we want them to get as much great experience as possible without having to spend too much money while remain the standard level of comfort and we are happy if this can be achieved through the program”.

The program will start from Saigon, end in Hanoi and expected to depart with a minimum of two passengers. There are also full of free room for passengers to take part in optional activities or just to relax and do their own things as their wish.

Details of the programs can be found at:
http://vietnamtraveldepot.com/vietnam-tours/Cultural-Tours/Local-Experience-of-Vietnam.html

Email to the consultant: sales@vietnamtraveldepot.com or
Tel: (+84 8 ) 6290 6577 - Hotline: +84 909602370.

Oct 7, 2010

2 DAYS 1 NIGHT CRUISE ON HALONG BAY

USD 114 / Person
(No hidden fee)
Only available at VIETNAM TRAVEL DEPOT

Included:
  • DELUXE Cabin on Oriental Sails
  • Shuttle bus: Hanoi - Halong - Hanoi
  • Professional tour guide & cruise service
  • Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Kayaking, Swimming
  • Cave Explorations

Day 1: Hanoi - Halong Bay (Kayaking 1,5hrs)

08h00 - 08h30: bus and guide will pick you up at your hotel for 3 1/2 hours drive to Halong. Arrive in Halong board Halong Oriental Sails. Lunch is served with a welcome drink while the boat is cruising the bay to enjoy the beautiful limestore seascape with Fighting cock, Dog Rock and Incense Burner.

After visiting Amazing Cave we stop at a floating house and go kayaking to Luon cave to enioy the quiet atmosphere of thw bay. Fresh fruit flatter will be served followed by a dinner.
Overnight on board.



Day 2: Halong Bay - Hanoi
Sunrise breakfast and cruise around the clear & emerald water to another part of Halong bay with a close up view of stunning limestone peaks, such as Drum cave, Man's head Islet....Heading to Van Gia fishing village, you will have the opportunity to understand more about the fishermen's daily life. Having lunch on board with a variety of local foods, enjoying the rest of the boat trip before back to Halong dock. Have a short beak bofore en route to Hanoi. Trip ends around 4h30 PM.

Details of the excursions please contact the travel consultants at sales@vietnamtraveldepot.com or call direct to (+84) 909602370

Jul 16, 2010

ROMAN(CE) HOLIDAY IN SAIGON

Tour Old Saigon On Vintage Vespa Scooters

15 July 2010, Hochiminh City, Vietnam - A Saigon excursion for the Vespa lovers was recently introduced by Vietnam Travel Depot, the online travel portal based in Saigon.

Modeled the famous romantic comedy in 1953 when Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn stared in the movie, the half day excursion on fully restored vintage Vespa scooter takes travelers through major attractions of the Old Saigon such as Cochin-china Governor House, former Governor's Palace, Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Rue Catinat and Ben Thanh Market.



The experience was inspired by the beautiful and romantic scenes in the movies, the passion of the all time fashion icon Vespa scooters and especially the emotion when going through the old postcards of Saigon dated back in early 19th century.

The tours can be done on half day basis, best in the morning or even fine for afternoon tour. Vietnam Travel Depot provides the riders for those are not familiar with the scooters and the busy streets of Saigon.

Details of the excursions please contact the travel consultants at sales@vietnamtraveldepot.com or call direct to (+84) 909602370


Jul 7, 2010

MANGROVE FOREST AND GUERILLA BASE BY JEEP

Unique Adventure Combined with Historical Experience and Green Travel

Hochiminh City, 7 July 2010 – Vietnam Travel Depot has created a unique program for travelers who are looking for the like-no-other experience of adventure on the historical military Jeep driving into the wild of Can Gio mangrove forest and visit historical former guerilla base of the wartime.

This full day experience will take travelers deep into the mangrove forest to observe the wildlife of crocodiles, wild cats, otters, pythons, and over 100 wild monkeys who hanging around with visitors all the time. Travelers can also take part in the responsible tourism by planting mangroves by themselves to help growing & expanding the forest and eco system.

The trip offers also the canoeing experience to visit the former guerilla base which stationed from the period of 1966-1975. This used to be an important base camp to set up over 1000 combats to Saigon.

End of the day will be the time for the travelers to relax on the beach of Can Gio before hopping back on the Jeep and drive back to Saigon at around 5pm.

Details of the excursions please contact the travel consultants at sales@vietnamtraveldepot.com or call direct to (+84) 909602370

Jun 17, 2010

VIETNAM TRAVEL DEPOT OFFERS HOME STAY AND KAYAKING IN ROYAL CITY OF HUE

Hochiminh City, Vietnam - 18 June 2010, Vietnam Travel Depot has introduced two special programs in the ancient royal city of Hue.

The two programs feature unique experience of home stay with local hosts, enjoying the cultural exchange, try cooking skills of Vietnamese traditional dishes.

Besides, there are several activities that passengers expect including cycling around the ancient city, visiting royal tombs, traditional villages of bronze casting and panting, especially kayaking up and down stream of the Perfume River to view the local lives from the water way.

This is a unique experience that foreign travelers can expect when come to the ancient city. It is the different way to discover city in a cultural perspective, especially encountering with warm-hearted and friendly local host. Also this is a great experience for those who are interested in active travel with lots of adventuring activities.

Details of the excursions please contact the travel consultants at sales@vietnamtraveldepot.com or call direct to (+84) 909602370

Jun 14, 2010

VIETNAM TRAVEL DEPOT - SUMMER 2010 PROMOTIONS

Hochiminh City, June 11, 2010 - Vietnam Travel Depot has introduced two summer promotions to partners and international travelers. The summer hot deals offer two special destinations of central Vietnam.

Discover Hoi An Ancient Town for 4 days 3 nights, relax on the Cua Dai Beach and over night at Hoian Trails Resort & Spa. The package price starts only from US$209 per person and validity until 30 September 2010. Details of the programs please click here

Nha Trang Island Discovery - The 3 days 2 night programs offer travelers a real good time to relax on Vietnam’s one of the most beautiful white sand beaches combined with several water activities such as boat trips to islands, visiting to fishing farm, water sports etc. Overnight at five star Sunrise Hotel & Spa, deluxe room. Deal price is US$211 per person with validity until 31st December 2010. Visit here to see more program details.


Vietnam Travel Depot: Vietnam specialized travel services for individuals and small group travelers.



Vietnam Travel Depot
108 Le Lai, District 1, Hochiminh City.
Tel: +84 08 62906577 - Fax: +84 08 62906577
Email:mailto:sales@vietnamtraveldepot.com
Website: www.vietnamtraveldepot.com