ABOUT THE BOOKS

Graham Greene’s The Quiet American, Duong Van Mai Elliott’s Sacred Willow and Nguyen Qui Duc’s Where the Ashes Are, tell three different tales of Vietnam’s modern history. The insights of the authors will give context to this unique travel experience. Our shared reading will help to tell the stories of the places we visit. We’ll travel and read beyond these books too.

“I chose these books because they provide unique opportunities for exploring Vietnam’s modern history. They’ll bring life to the places we visit. Two of the three books are written by Vietnamese authors and are personal stories. Graham Greene’s classic novel gives us a completely different angle”. Mark Bowyer.

Written in the 1950s, during the final bloody years of French colonial rule, Greene’s The Quiet American travels from Saigon in the south, where he lived in the Continental Hotel, to Hanoi in the north, where he travelled to Ninh Binh province to see first hand, France’s brutal efforts to hold on to empire.

Duong Van Mai Elliott’s The Sacred Willow traces her family’s story across four generations. Beginning in the north, the family moved to Saigon at the end of colonial rule in 1954, before moving again, to the US, in 1975. The Sacred Willow provides a view into family life, Vietnam’s pre-war history, and the splits that frequently occurred between families as battle lines were drawn.

Where the Ashes Are by Nguyen Qui Duc tells another harrowing family story that begins in Hue in central Vietnam. During Tet 1968, Duc’s father, a senior official in the South Vietnamese Government, was captured by Communist forces.

Duc’s memoir also covers his experience growing up in the US after a traumatic departure from Vietnam as a teenager in 1975.

ABOUT MARK BOWYER?

Mark, our tour designer and tour leader, has explored Vietnam like few outsiders. He first visited in 1990 when the country was opening up to the world after decades of war and hard-line communism. He loved the place so much he co-founded a successful travel company based in Saigon in 1993. He’s been exploring, photographing and writing about Vietnam ever since.

From history, culture, language, down to every day experiences with people he has encountered, few foreigners have Mark’s knowledge and insights.

Mark was born in Sydney Australia and studied English Literature, History and Communications at Sydney University and UTS. He was profiled in the New York Times here.

Mark is frequently quoted in international media and has been a speaker for Lindblad National Geographic Expeditions, Smithsonian, Tauck Tours and others. He is the owner of Rusty Compass and co-owns Old Compass Travel and the Old Compass Cafe and event space in Ho Chi Minh City.

To find out more about Mark, check www.rustycompass.com or his YouTube channel here.

HOW WE TRAVEL

Our groups are small – maximum 12 travellers. This gives us flexibility, mobility and allows us to interact with the country in a less imposing way. Single travellers are welcome.

We spend as much time as possible on foot. It’s the best way to experience a place. We’ve designed the tour for walking. Expect to spend 2 – 4 hours walking most days at a leisurely pace. We’ll also take a couple of optional casual cycles along country lanes. We take plenty of breaks too. 

We stay in well located, tasteful and comfortable four and five star hotels everywhere except Dien Bien Phu Saigon. In Saigon we stay at Graham Greene’s old haunt, The Continental.

OUR TRAVELLERS

You’ll be a curious, energetic traveller with an interest in history, culture, food, architecture and more. You’ll enjoy walking, some casual cycling (cycling is optional and for experienced casual cyclists), and getting amongst a place you’re visiting, including dabbling in local food and local experiences. And of course, you’re the kind of person who likes to do some reading when you travel. You’ll like the concept of a travelling book club.  You’ll view an experience of Vietnam as the most important reason for travelling – but you’ll expect tasteful, quality accommodation and great food experiences.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

What’s included?
* All accommodation in well located 4 – 5 star hotels
* All breakfasts
* Lunches (lunches on full touring days).
* Some dinners – both fancy and local
* All admission fees
* All domestic flights (an Angkor extension flight between Ho Chi Minh and Siem Reap also included)
* Local expert guides  throughout
* Mark Bowyer will lead the tour throughout.
* Special touches – talks and meetups with our friends across the country.

What’s not included?
* International flights (except Angkor extension)
* Comprehensive travel insurance (mandatory for all tour participants – this is a requirement for final tour registration).

There is an option to travel on to Cambodia at the end of the tour. Angkor ranks as one of the humankind’s truly remarkable creations.  Our Angkor insights gained over decades enable us to arrange a uniquely inspiring visit. Join us!

For more on our Angkor extension, read on.

The Temples of Angkor – 4 days 3 nights – brief

Our Temples of Angkor extension is designed as a companion to the Vietnam by the Book tour. Its pace acknowledges we’re at the end of a long and active journey. We don’t rush things and we take time to relax. There are two accommodation choices and price points. Our luxury option stays at a stunning heritage hotel – Raffles Grand d’Angkor. Our deluxe guests stay at the cool Viroth’s Hotel. Both are excellent places to enjoy the simple charms of Siem Reap town.

The temples of Angkor are among the most spectacular places on earth – you’ll have no difficulty summoning some extra energy for them.

Our exploration will include visits to the best known temples – Angkor Wat, The Bayon and Ta Prohm. We’ll also visit lesser known temples – all at a comfortable speed over three days. See pricing below.

Raffles option – (Luxury)
Cost per person
TWN / DBL – $1680US per person
SGL – $2520US

Viroth’s option – (Deluxe)
Cost per person TWN / DBL
$1270US per person
SGL – $1665US per person

• Angkor extension price includes international flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap and all airport transfers (Saigon and Siem Reap) all touring, breakfasts and admission fees. 

For a detailed itinerary and other queries, contact us at [email protected]

 

VISIT HA LONG BAY FIRST?

Contact us if you’d like to visit Halong Bay before your tour. We can organise a 2 day or 3 day tour prior to the commencement of Vietnam by the Book in Hanoi.

EDUCATIONAL TOURS FOR HIGH SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES

You can put your own tour group together. We can also tailor a walk to your interests. Special discounts apply to private tours of more than 5. We also run specialised walks for High Schools and Universities.

RESERVE YOUR PLACE

For a full dossier including tour booking terms and conditions, contact us at [email protected]