Australia's Asia travel specialist, Travel Indochina has teamed up with award-winning Australian travel writer Rob McFarland to offer an exciting literary journey to Vietnam where participants will learn from one of the industry's best before touring through Vietnam to practise their newly honed skills.
 

The exclusive 'Vietnam Travel Writing Tour' itinerary is designed to provide travellers with four days of inspiring tuition in the craft of travel writing while based in Saigon followed by seven days covering some of the most interesting parts of Vietnam, including Hoi An, Hue, Hanoi and Halong Bay. The tour is limited to a maximum of 16 travellers on each departure.

Managing director of Travel Indochina, Paul Hole, describes the tours as truly innovative, combining a memorable holiday experience with developing and honing the skills of a travel writer.
 

"Learning directly from an award-winning writer and experienced teacher such as Rob McFarland in an inspiring environment like Vietnam will truly be a unique experience," says Paul.

"Rob will share insights into what makes great travel writing in an interactive 'classroom' that includes the streets of Saigon, the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta, and will explore the culture, history and cuisine of this fascinating country.  I can't think of a more motivating way to learn how to turn travel experiences into travel stories."
 

Rob will also provide advice on how to take great photos to accompany stories, share a specialised toolkit of travel writing techniques and will give participants an insight into the commercial realities of travel writing, including tips on how to pitch stories. Upon returning home following the tour, travellers will be encouraged to submit a story inspired from their travels to Rob for detailed feedback.

Upon completion of the sessions in Saigon, the intimate group of travel writing enthusiasts will travel to Hoi An, taking in all the town highlights. The experience includes an interactive private cooking class with Hoi An culinary legend Ms Vy, of Cargo, Mermaid and Morning Glory restaurant fame, at her newest endeavour, Market Cooking School. She's renowned for producing the best White Rose traditional dumplings among other traditional delicacies.

Travel to the next destination will take participants along one of the most scenic routes in Vietnam, along the spectacular Hai Van Pass, before arriving in the welcoming former capital city of Hue. The visit will include time at the revered Thien Mu Pagoda, elaborate royal tombs and imperial citadel - home to the last emperors of Vietnam. It is then on to Hanoi, and a visit to the infamous 'Hanoi Hilton' prison plus a walking tour of the lively and bustling Old Quarter for added inspiration. Participants will also have the opportunity to sample some of the unique and delicious street food while enjoying the atmosphere of local street side cafes and bars.

Responsible tourism plays an important part in all Travel Indochina itineraries, and this small group journey is no different. A unique Hanoi experience will be lunch at Jimmy Pham's KOTO Foundation, which has provided training to more than 400 of the city's poorest and most needy children over the past decade. Exclusive to these tours only, Jimmy will personally join the group for a private Q&A about the foundation's history and work.

The next stop on the 12 day tour is Vietnam's greatest natural wonder, Halong Bay, for an overnight cruise on a converted junk through the bay's 3,000 islands that rise out of the turquoise waters of this UNESCO World Heritage Marine Park, before heading back to Hanoi for two more days. This final stay in Hanoi includes a visit to the famous Water Puppet Theatre and a food tour to Chau Long Market, with its abundant photo and story opportunities.

The 12 day/11 night tour is limited to four departures in March 2014, with a maximum of 16 travellers per journey.

Priced from $2,752 per person twin share or $3,635 per person single, the package includes:

• 10 nights hotel accommodation
• 1 night cruise accommodation
• Breakfast daily, five lunches and three dinners
• 4 day Saigon-based writing course with award-winning travel writer Rob McFarland
• 2 internal flights within Asia
• Transport in air-conditioned vehicles
• Small group touring
• Entrance fees
• Expert local English speaking guides throughout
• A detailed post tour story critique by Rob McFarland
• Return transfers

For full details of this exclusive travel writing small group journey, Travel Indochina's Asia experts can be contacted on 1300 365 355 or online at www.travelindochina.com.au.

About Travel Indochina
 

Travel Indochina has been operating Small Group Journeys and tailor-made travel to Asia since 1993. Offering journeys to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, China and Tibet, India, Sri Lanka, Japan, Burma, Mongolia and Bhutan, Travel Indochina has seven offices across its Asia destinations, Western tour guides and English-speaking local guides.

Travel Indochina's idea is simple - to explore and share the essence of Asia's history, culture, natural beauty and, most importantly, people. The company has a commitment to responsible travel and a belief that travel is an exchange of knowledge and perspectives, cultures and wealth.

For more information and bookings, Travel Indochina's Asia experts can be contacted on 1300 365 355 or online at www.travelindochina.com.au.

About Rob McFarland
 

Rob McFarland is an award-winning travel writer who divides his time between Sydney, New York and Europe.

He is a regular contributor to publications in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the US including:

• ­The Sydney Morning Herald
• ­The Sun-Herald
• ­San Francisco Chronicle
• ­The West Australian
• ­The NZ Herald
• ­The Dominion Post
• ­Let's Travel magazine
• ­Luxury Travel magazine
• ­Signature Magazine
• Virgin Blue's Voyeur Magazine
• ­Air NZ's KiaOra Magazine
• ­Open Road
• ­Yahoo NZ
• ­Maxim
• ­GQ

He's also been published in News Ltd's Escape, The South China Morning Post, The Star, The Miami Herald, The Toronto Star, The Scotsman and Men's Style.

He is a member of the Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW) and is a judge for the annual Gourmet Traveller, Hotel Management and International Traveller's 100 Best Hotels and Resorts awards.

Travel Writing Awards

• ­Finalist, 2012 National Travel Industry Awards Best Travel Writer
• ­Finalist, 2012 ASTW Best Australian Story under 1000 words
• ­Winner, 2010 ASTW Best International Story under 1000 words
• ­Winner, 2009 US Travel Association Best US Destination Story
• ­Winner, 2007 ASTW Travel Writer of the Year
• ­Winner, 2007 ASTW Best International Story over 1000 words
• ­Winner, 2006 ASTW Best Destination Story under 1000 words

Participant feedback from Rob's courses:

"In all my years of journalism studies and internships, I honestly feel as though this has been one of the most constructive courses I've ever completed." Penelope R

"Fantastic, inspiring, exciting, motivating. This kind of knowledge could take months, even years to establish on one's own. I finished the course feeling that there wasn't anything you didn't cover for us be able to go out and have a really good crack at being a travel writer." Annabelle S

"Rob McFarland's course far exceeded my expectations. Based on Rob's encouragement, I pitched my article from the course to the Sydney Morning Herald and it was accepted. I never would have done this on my own and Rob not only made it possible, but also very easy." Emily S

"I've done a fair few writing courses over the years with the NSW Writer's Centre, and this would easily be the best, both in structure, presentation, access to information, content and value for money." Alison A, literacy teacher

"I thought it was just terrific. Well planned and structured, and equally well-implemented and presented. I run a business based on communicating with an audience, and Rob is a communicator par excellence." Jan B

"I have nothing but praise. The course felt really well-honed, without being regimental in its structure. Everything was useful - practical advice, instantly applicable tools and methodology, great bite-size pieces of information. I did this course to get inspired about writing again and it worked." Sara D

http://www.travelindochina.com.au/global/rob-mcfarland-highlights

About KOTO

KOTO stands for "Know One, Teach One": learning should be passed on; knowledge is there to be shared. This is the essential idea of KOTO's founder, Jimmy Pham, a Vietnamese-Australian who more than 10 years ago opened a training centre in hospitality in Hanoi, giving disadvantaged youth the possibility to learn and strive in their lives.

As a social enterprise, KOTO has trained over 400 students at its two training centres in Hanoi and Saigon, with 200 more currently enrolled. In addition to its Foundation arm that focuses on raising funds to support its cause through
charitable activities and initiatives, KOTO also operates an Enterprise arm that serves as a platform for real life hospitality training as well as a source of income to support the welfare and training for the students. KOTO
Enterprises currently include two restaurants, an online bakery, a cooking class and a catering service.

Many graduates of KOTO continue their career development by working at the KOTO restaurants and other businesses of KOTO enterprise, supporting the new trainees according to the founder's motto, and so the learning circle endures.

www.koto.com.au 
 

About Ms Vy

Ms Trinh Diem Vy's hospitality is internationally famous. Her passion for food knows no bounds. She was the first restaurant to cater to foreigners visiting Hoi An, creating menus of family recipes, street foods and local specialties so that visitors could experience Vietnamese cuisine in comfort. She was also the first Vietnamese chef to start a cooking class in Hoi An and the first to start an international standard bakery and patisserie. Ms Vy has just published her first book Taste Vietnam The Morning Glory Cookbook. The continuing popularity of her restaurants Cargo, Mermaid and the Morning Glory Restaurant and Market Cooking School is testament to the high standards of the food served. Each venue has become iconic in both Hoi An and Vietnam. Likewise, the delightful Cua Dai hotel is a celebration of Ms Vy's personal sense of style and taste.

It's time to take your tastebuds on an adventure and enjoy some genuine Hoi An hospitality! The Morning Glory cooking school has garnered a well-deserved reputation over the years for its classes and was the first cooking school established in Hoi An. Owner and founder Ms Trinh Diem Vy is a third generation chef and native of Hoi An whose cooking classes have featured in various publications around the world. A highly passionate individual, Ms Vy has created six cooking class programs to suit all types of interested gastronomes; from beginner, to amateur, to professional.