WHY IT RATES: Avanti continues to expand its Asia program, which launched in 2015. -Janeen Christoff, TravelPulse Senior Writer
Independent travel specialist Avanti Destinations has introduced new food-focused itineraries and cultural experiences in Vietnam. Bookings for this emerging destination have grown more than 30 percent in the past six months. Avanti sells exclusively through travel agents.
Avanti introduced custom-built FIT itineraries to Asia featuring local private guides in each location in 2015. Today, the company offers a constantly expanding selection of more than 400 activities and sightseeing tours in Southeast Asia alone, which can be combined to suit each client's individual interests and preferences.
"Vietnam's wonderful cuisine, friendly people, spectacular natural beauty, fascinating history, and rich culture appeal to a growing number of independent travelers looking for something exotic and different," said Paul Barry, Avanti's executive chairman. "And like much of Southeast Asia, Vietnam offers excellent value for the dollar."
Most Avanti Vietnam bookings include Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (former Saigon) and Hoi An, a charming UNESCO World Heritage fishing village with narrow lanes, spas, and French cafes.
Agents booking clients with Avanti can also combine Vietnam with Thailand, Cambodia, and other Asian destinations.
In addition to three new food-focused itineraries and experiences, Avanti also announced two new tours that can be added to any itinerary: a shared traditional painting and lantern-making workshop in Hoi An, as well as a private tour of the Ba Na Hills outside of Danang. The Ba Na Hills tour includes a visit to a new attraction opened in August of 2018, the 4,600-feet high "Golden Bridge" pedestrian walkway in the shape of two colossal hands.
Bonus Commissions for Off-Season Travel
Agents can earn a bonus commission of $100 for each booking of $2,500 or more made in September or October 2018 for travel taking place in October, November or December 2018. For each booking of $1,500 or more made between September 1, 2018, and February 28, 2019, for travel between October 1, 2018, and March 31, 2019, agents earn a $50 bonus commission.
Taste of Vietnam Customizable Vacation
This nine-day/eight-night completely customizable FIT vacation spending three nights in Hanoi, two in Hoi An, and three in Ho Chi Minh City. Foodie highlights include: a private market visit and street food tour with a Hanoi chef, whose grilled honey chicken was praised by Anthony Bourdain as the best Vietnamese dish he ever had; a private farm-to-table cooking class at the village of Tra Que outside Hoi An, where clients can help sow seeds or pick vegetables; a private "Foodies Afoot in Saigon" walking tour to explore and taste the many specialties of street food considered to be among the best in the world. Also included are private arrival and departure transfers, private city tours of all three towns, daily breakfast and accommodations. Starts at $1,225 per person, double occupancy.
More days, destinations and activities may be added.
Vietnamese Cooking Class and Market Visit With Local Chef
In this add-on shared cooking workshop in Hanoi, clients may choose to learn how to make street food, traditional Vietnamese specialties or international dishes. The class that starts with a "wet market" visit to choose ingredients. Local beer or wine is served. From $119 per person.
NEW Private Saigon street food by night tour
A guide takes clients on a walking and tasting tour of a lively district of alleyways, food stalls and live music. Sample traditional specialties of banh xeo (crispy giant crepe), banh cuon (stuffed sticky rolls), mien zao cua (glass noodles stir-fried with crab), che (sweet beverage made from beans). From $95 per person.
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