| Show 6T The Salt Lake Tribune But as tourists 18 1987 Sunday January Americans may soon be able to return to Vietnam t by James T Yenckel Washington Post Writer decade after the fall of Saigon there are indications that Americans may soon be able to return to Vietnam — to the north and south — as tourists At least two tour organizations have been negotiating with the Vietnamese and are taking the names of travelers interested in joining regularly scheduled trips proposed for A 1987 The US State Department has no objection to Americans visiting Vietnam although officially it discourages such trips because the United does not have diplomatic relaN States tions with the country Says a spokesman: "The US government is not in a position to accord normal counselor prottive services” At the United Nations the First Secretary of the Vietnamese Mission Nguyen Dang Quang says he has forwarded to his government visa applications from one of the organizations Indochina Consulting Group of West-burNY "I hope that (they) will be y accepted” Indochina Consulting Group already has led two special groups of American tourists to Vietnam in December 1985 and May 1986 Greg Kane who heads Indochina Consulting is confident “the Vietnamese would like to expand their tourist industry” He has visited Vietnam eight times since 1982 and he says has been warmly received by the Vietnamese people He has found accommodations and other tourist facilities to be adequate for most American tourists Among the 16 tourists on the trip in May says Kane were veterans of the Vietnam war returning to see former battle areas Many of the 600 people on his waiting list also are veterans or civilians who worked in Vietnam during the war The names also include professors students and sightseers looking for some place new to visit Kane says he has been negotiating with the Vietnamese foreign ministry for two years to start up a regular series of tours He has proposed sendtour a month open to ing one 20-da- y no more than 30 participants However he has hit a snag that thus far has not been resolved Since the United States and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam do not have diplomatic relations the Vietnamese tell him they cannot legally sign a contract with him At the moment Kane is waiting for word from Vietnam on his proposal Also waiting is Go Travel Agency of San Francisco According to director his agency is sellJohn ing tours in the United States that have been set up by Philippine Airlines The airline recently inaugurated flights from Manila to n Quin-Harki- once-a-wee- k Saigon However the first Philippine Airlines tour scheduled to depart the West Coast on Nov 21 and Manila on Nov 24 was canceled because the Vietnamese had not yet approved visa applications for the participants One of the disappointed travelers was who nevertheless remains optimistic that frequent departures soon will become available “Whenever a new project gets un“there derway" says are problems to be worked on” Jack Gonzalez district sales manager for Philippine Airlines in San Francisco is similarly optimistic despite the initial setback that might raise doubts about Vietnam’s commitment to the tours The airline will have "a program to Saigon” he asserts Gonzalez says the airline has gotten word from Vietnam about the delay and the “government has asked us to be patient” Apparently the visa process has been drawn out for the first trip because the Vietnamese are scrutinizing the applications For future trips he expects that arrangements will be made so that visa approval will be received in time for passengers to board the flight for their tour Never n Quin-Harki- n Quin-Harki- Singles programs assist travelers desiring companion by Marcia Schnedler Universal Press Syndicate "Lady naturalist blond slim atDesires friendtractive ship with intelligent male who is interested in travel and nature studies” An ad from a matchmaking sernon-smok- club? vice? A lonely-heart- s Not quite It's from "Penfriends & Partnerships” a column in a magazine of the Saga Holidays Club operated by a company that specializes in programs for travelers over 60 In a recent issue more than 600 such confidential ads appeared all but a few from single persons Other tour operators with programs for older travelers such as Grand Circle Travel also run such confidential ads They and others in the travel industry are trying to meet the special needs of many senior singles who want to travel Traveling alone to meet compatible people isn’t always easy especially for the first time after losing a spouse Nor is finding someone with similar interests and traits as a roommate on a tour or cruise - whether the reason is to share the experience or to avoid the single supplement that steep extra charge for one person using a double room And finding companions of the opposite sex may be most difficult of all - particularly for widows over 65 who outnumber widowers in their age group "Not only that” says Saga spokesman Phillip Martin "but studies show older women like to travel more than older men Men may dream about go“ ing to a place but women act on it Besides publishing ads Saga and Grand Circle will try to match up those who request roommates Unlike most other tour operators and the few cruise lines that pair solo travelers they match far enough in advance that the two people can decide if they really will get along And both companies have begun programs primarily or exclusively for single people in which single rooms are offered at reduced rates or at no extra cost They hope the singles will meet compatible folks with whom they'll travel again avoiding the single sup -l plement when it’s a financial burden Munsen’s Discovery Tours in Chicago which focuses on those over 50 is among US motorcoach tour operators beginning singles programs “We don’t want the risk of automatically matching people” said Ken s Snyder general manager of “Seniors have varying patterns and habits such as reading until 3 am or early wakeups” Munsen’s also wants to appeal to singles who feel left out when traveling with couples Frank Viscardi of Glen Rock N J a retired business owner has encouraging words for potential travelers: "After you start to travel you’ll meet ” people to travel with He recalls his first trip after his wife's death "My wife and I were always travelers We were very close This is the reason why that first trip was so hard Now 1 have four women willing to travel with me if I tell them when and where I'm going” A feeling of security and companionship are two primary draws of Senior Vacation Hotels of Florida says sales and marketing director Christine Johnson Headquartered in St Petersburg the firm also has hotels in Lakeland and Bradenton - renovated 1920s buildings with large public areas for bingo card games parties and other events "We get many women recently widowed who are traveling for the first time” says Johnson "People feel safe and secure here because they don’t have to go out in the community alone to sightsee or find a restau- Cruises also provide a secure environment for single women Since the male ratio single aboard ship may be as high as Royal Cruise Line began bringing aboard four to 10 carefully-screenemen over 50 For a free cruise these gentlemen act as hosts who entertain and dance with single women on board or The rules prohibit hanky-pankfavoritism The hosts are there to provide conversation and companionship By leading the way they encourage others - married couples and other single men - to get out and dance too says a Royal Cruise Line spokesman female-to-singl- 20 Years CARRIBEAN CRUISE Cruise on NCL -- America s most popular cruise kne to the Bahamas Jamaica the British Crown Colony of Grand Cayman and Cozumel near Mexico's archeological sights March 4 Special 20 discount available TOUR Rediscover the breathtaking beauty of Yellowstone National Park as a spectacular Winter Wonderland Old Faithful erupts with twice the vigor as columns of steam reach higher with greater contrast in the cold air Let our comfortable coaches take you back to nature this winter Be sure to bring your camera1 5160 1 (801) At Prices bosed on r Toll Bountiful Utah Free in Utah 84010 800 662-085- 7 occupancy and subject to change wi'houi notice ?i- - ’When purchased in conjunction with our land package RouhdTrlp Airfare Selected Departures Only? U CAnqC£AN l u i nights accommodations - R:ound trip airfare f v t ‘w ' ” ’i A 4036565 ' t l J V J i 4 t 4 v U Lm from Cruise oti Premier Cruise lines ' V f the official cruise line of Wah Dbneyworld - r - J- n '(Double) front ? ErcoTBISNin7Q2WiiSw O TOTAL (PACKAGES lee Restrictions apply Call tor details ‘ ! V V(StTr Includes: V‘ 4 day deluxe cruise : 4 rights hotel accommodations ' - ’£ v'" - In Orlando Rcjund trip air from Salt laxe ’ J I y SPECIAL!! 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AIRFARE 4 When purchesed In conjunction with our land package r i 15 Day 4 Island Package $559 : $799 1 Complete i :! - t 'j I 8 Exciting Days Juaret Includes Cartsbod Caverns Grand Canyon Mexico Albuquerque Mesa Temple Poteant Scotsdale & Lake & Zions Breok' Cedar Arizona Bryce Canyons Powell A scenic delight Depart April $459 II ASK ABOUT Passion Play — June thru Augus' Mormon America — July England Ireland — July South Pacific — May Calgary Stampede — July Black SAN LOS ANGELES DENVER FRANCISCO Hills GROUPS — Special rolai to anywhere US SERVE SPACE NOW The Tour anytime" TOURS USA-WORL- D 269-014- from $59 each from way 5 FLIGHTS WEEKLY Wednesday 30 day advance round trip tare Other daya J5 to $10 higher Some restrictions apply Call for details Experts: v HJt VIA OAKLAND each Mon $)Q4 JT JLt 700 a am 600 pm 740 pm SLC-DeDen-SL- way INTERNATIONAL Sat 8 00 am-9:1am 7:15 pm 8:25 pm 30 day advance purchase 139 no advance purchase add S SLC-DeDen-SL- Add $10 for no advance purchase 30 day advance round trip fare Some reetrtettone apply Cali for detail 10 for holiday flights 2 SUN 'N SURF TRAVEL 535 4500 E S D200 INTERWEST TRAVEL I 1981 AIR LAND 715 I 3900 So 1321 TOURS 272-525- 3 SEA TRAVEL & 210 CHI’S TOURS 115 So Moin & 220 4800 So & 263-15- TRAVEL 428 FIREHOUSE TRAVEL 3 — Schedule travel if possible to co from ' $549 Feb 23 Mar 5 295-944- bedtime —Prepare children for what to expect on an airplane so they won’t be afraid and will know they must sit quietly a seatbelt around them during takoff and landing Give babies something to drink or to suck on at takeoff and landing to prevent the change in air pressure from hurting their ears —Dress children comfortably and stow some extra clothes in carry-o- n luggage particularly for young children — Board early and get the children settled ahead of the rush When buying tickets request bulkhead seats which give youngsters a little more room to move around and even if enough room they are to play on the floor —Keep them occupied during the flight by bringing out different toys and snacks so they don’t get bored be y WorldPlus Ltd Depart CALIFORNIA WINTER BREAK Take a tun break to Southern California Stay on the Queen Mary permanently anchored at Long Beach Catalina Island cruise San Diego and Tijuana Lawrence Welk Village and glamorous Palm Springs $575 February 9 17 MEXICO Mexco a land of contrasts From ancient ruins to modern cities and glamorous beaches learn ot Mexico s people culture and history 5895 4 Feb TEMPLE TOUR A great time to get away from winter weather Visit St George Mesa Los Angeles and Oakland Temples Included are lots of tun stops and interesting places Tel 781-338- 8 incide with children's nap times or trips with youngsters The address for TWYCH (a singularly appropriate acronym): 80 8th Ave New York NY 10011 Or call —Bring plenty of toys a favorite stuffed animal or blanket and something new A portable tape recorder hand puppets books paper and crayons cards and stickers are good bets Avoid toys with a lot of small pieces — Bring lots of snacks and be sure to order the special children’s meals airlines offer (usually hotdogs or hamburgers) If children are too young for airline food bring your own and keep in mind that you may be en route a lot longer than you should p 7 Warm Days $1495 500 South 94104 (415) Chicago Tribune Writer Here are some tips offered by airlines and by Dorothy Jordon managing director of Travel with Your Children (TWYCH) and an expert on family travel on how to survive plane d 7 A April 88 West Go 333-666- 2 by Eileen Ogintz The balance of the itinerary includes sightseeing at ancient historic sights recreation at Ha Long Bay-- a beach resort on the Gulf of Tonkin-ana look at some former battle areas Stays are scheduled in Da Nang the old imperial capital of Hue and Saigon the former South Vietnamese capital (now called Ho Chi Minh City) The price is $2861 per person (double occupancy) or $3026 for a single room Included is round-triair fare from most US cities hotel accommodations and all meals except both lunches and dinners outside Vietnam The Vietnamese impose certain restrictions on tourists says Kane Americans cannot meet privately with Vietnamese in their homes They are prohibited from photographing harbors airports and military subjects Officials may order that any film be developed before it can be taken from the country Go Travel (with Philippine Airlines) is offering a choice of tours "short” tour focuses on The (Family Plan) There is no place Orlando (with special visit to Epcot Center) Miami Atlanta CharlestonWilliamsburg Nashville and much more Washington D C (with special Temple session) Shenandoah 30-Fe- b quate” TWO ROUND TRIP AIR FARES DELUXE OCEAN FRONT HOTEL Trip bonus lor Oining WorldPlus Ltd Save 40-6on 100's of cruises tours trips on 100's o( maior hotel acSave 50 commodations save 40 on name-branconsumer itemsi y SNOWCOACH Total for tw reservation SS0 T Includes d DEEP SOUTH SPRING BLOSSOM TOUR more beautiful than the South in the spring Tour includes New Orleans Jan 11590 (516) Travel Agency 233 Sansome St Suite 600 San Francisco Calif Plane trip tips for family travel lt $25900 fa those YELLOWSTONE 20-da- y 241for TWO ADULTS 100-to-- 1 who really want to see and experience Hawaii This personalty escorted vacation visits the four major islands and includes a complete itinerary of sightseeing and activities on each island first class and deluxe hotels many meals and transportation on Western Airlines y 5 $1295 4 Mar 4 Apr Feb 20-MA tour NY 19-da- 4 DAYS e of Paradise s For information: Indochina Consulting Group 844 Elda Lane West-bur- y meals y tour is scheduled for The two weeks in Vietnam visiting both the northern and southern regions of the country The circle itinerary be- - 3 MIGHTS rant" Utah's Leader in Escorted Vacations for Over WAII-lsle- p Mun-sen’- FALDMO TOURS HA gins and ends in Saigon with stops in Da Nang Hue Hanoi and Ha Long Bay The cost is $2539 per person (double occupancy) from the West Coast what formerly was South Vietnam with stops in Saigon and Dalat About a week is spent in Vietnam The price is $1826 per person (double occupanair fare cy) which includes round-trifrom the West Coast lodging and theless the process probably still will take at least 45 days As a tourist destination predicts Gonzalez “Vietnam will be a second China China started slow and then it mushroomed” Meanwhile Go Travel has a waiting list of 415 Americans signed up to tour Vietnam when and if the Vietnamese government begins granting tourist visas As described by Kane the Indochina Consulting Group’s proposed tour will spend a total of 14 days and 13 nights in Vietnam entering via Bangkok First stop will be the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi where participants will stay in the Cuban-buiThongloi Hotel The hotel has rooms with private baths air conditioning and hot water Though not plush he says “It’s certainly ade- 322-120- & CALIFORNIA AVE 5 TOURS 972-630- 277-998- 5 CALIFORNIA Denver 483464 5 SALT CITY TRAVEL 3939 SO WASATCH BLVD EFCOTDISNEYWORLD RESERVATIONS HAWAII ORLANDO 483-456MAZATLAN OTHER 8 DESTINATIONS 487-973- 1 MORRIS CARIBBEAN AIR SERVICE CRUISE OFFICE HOURS Fri)0 30 ami pm— (Saturday) 9 am 5 pm PHONE HOURS (Mon Fn) 8 am 7 pm— (Saturday) 9 am 5 pm Bountiful — 29? 2323 Orem -- 225 7153 Oduen — 621 5450 Park City— 649 1555 Logan— 753 550 321 West Lawndata Drive 300 W 2500 So ) Sait Lake City Utah 841 15 ’tan (Mon 529 Includes: 4 day deluxe cruise fn - Oando0'8' CCOm"'°daons ' Bound trip air from Salt Lake 'Selected deprture dates 4X1 fifes - - |
