"Travel with an old compass"
Welcome to Old Compass Travel
We run heritage tours of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam and Sydney, Australia, focused on history, architecture, religion and the contemporary life of the cities. Yes - we know that's a strange combination of cities. But these are the places we know best. Everything we do is small-scale and unique. Our people are dedicated specialists. We tell serious stories - and we see beautiful things. A sense of humour keeps the wheels turning. Join us!
We also operate customised private tours, specialised tours for schools and universities, expert talks, and unique corporate events mixing education and fun activities in Ho Chi Minh City and Sydney.
Travel well!!
JOIN US FOR A UNIQUE WALK OF SAIGON STORIES - WE'D LOVE TO SEE YOU!
Saigon - Tales of the City, is a half day heritage walking tour that tells the incredible story of Saigon through its bustling streets, and its most evocative historical sights. It's a unique Saigon experience of history, architecture, food and contemporary life. We've created an experience for travellers wanting to dig deeper than a standard city tour. Groups are small and personalised. Duong and Nhi are insightful guides for your walk.
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Cu Chi Tunnels - the alternative tour
Our tour of the Vietnam War era Cu Chi tunnels 70kms from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) focuses on the history and solemnity of the site. Most tours treat the tunnels complex like a theme park. We’ve created a tour that looks at the events that occurred and the remarkable achievement of determination that the tunnels represent. For that experience, we start early. We leave Saigon at 6.30AM! Please note that we do not visit the firing range.
THIS TOUR IS PRESENTLY OPERATING FOR BOOKINGS OF MINIMUM 4 TRAVELLERS OR EQUIVALENT PRICING
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Author's walk with Ian Hoskins - From Bennelong Point to Barangaroo
Led by acclaimed author and historian, Dr Ian Hoskins, this walk takes you from some of Sydney’s oldest places to its newest. Ian’s book Sydney Harbour: a history, was republished in 2022 with an updated chapter on Barangaroo. Our walk starts at Bennelong Point, site of the world-renowned Sydney Opera House. We then cross Circular Quay, through the Rocks and Millers Point ending at Barangaroo - named after the formidable Cammeraygal woman who remained wary of the colonists.
From Bennelong Point to Barangaroo operates Sunday 2 April 2023, Sunday 7 May 2023 and Sunday 4 June 2023 from 1.30pm-5pm (including a post walk drink and chat) with a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 bookings. Check the website for confirmation. The cost is $140 per head and includes a drink at an historic pub.
To make a booking, email us at sydney@oldcompasstravel.com
more info Book Tour
Hi friends - this tour won't be operating between 20 February 2023 and 19 March 2023. Check author Ian Hoskins' special tours of Sydney if you're travelling at this time and beyond. Travel well and see you late March!
JOIN US FOR A UNIQUE SMALL GROUP WALK OF STUNNING SYDNEY BEAUTY AND REMARKABLE SYDNEY STORIES
Sydney - Tales of the City is a unique walk through the complicated stories of Australia's oldest and largest city. With the intimacy and low-impact of a small group (maximum 8), we experience history, architecture and the visual splendour of the city. Sydney is where the British colonial invasion of Australia began in 1788.
Join us on a walk that explores Sydney's improbable journey, from violent penal colony, into one of the world's most vibrant and diverse modern cities.
COST: $95per person incl. 10% GST expert guide and harbour-side drink.
Send us a booking or call us in Sydney on 0426638642
more info Book Tour
The Rocks Sydney - an alternative walking tour
Hi friends - this tour won't be operating between 20 February 2023 and 19 March 2023. Check author Ian Hoskins' special tours of Sydney if you're travelling at this time and beyond. Travel well and see you late March!
An alternative walking tour of Sydney’s historic Rocks district. With the intimacy and access of a small group (8 or less), we'll see where the harsh convict settlement of New South Wales was established in 1788. The Rocks is where the long history of invasion and dispossession of the continent’s First Peoples began. Some of the best preserved remnants of colonial Sydney are found here, right by Sydney's legendary harbour and in the shadow of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. Our walks share big stories, beautiful scenes - with a sense of humour.
Cost $65 per person incl. 10% GST and a coffee (or soft drink). Tours operate with a minimum 2 people.
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Vietnam by the Book - Old Compass Travel Book Club
Join Mark Bowyer in 2023 on an unforgettable journey through the history, culture, cuisine and unique beauty of Vietnam. Our tour only operates a couple of times each year. We use the works of three distinguished authors to help us along our way. Graham Greene’s The Quiet American, Duong Van Mai Elliott’s Sacred Willow and Nguyen Qui Duc’s Where the Ashes Are, tell different tales of Vietnam’s modern history. Our reading will bring meaning and shared insights to the places we visit. We’ll travel and read beyond these books.
We've created a uniquely engaging itinerary reflecting our decades of experience.
In 2023 we're also offering an extension to the temples of Angkor in Siem Reap.
To sign up for this tour, please send us an email at info@oldcompasstravel.com. We'll get right back to you with a full tour dossier.
Tour dates:
Saturday 7 October 2023 - Sunday 22 October 2023
Pricing:
$4490USD per person twin share
$1390USD single traveller supplement - we warmly welcome our single travellers
Group size:
Maximum 14
To receive our regular updates or join a meetup to hear more about our Vietnam by the Book small group tours, sign up for our newsletter.
more info Book Tour
About Us
We have some old ideas about what makes great travel experiences. We’re interested in history, architecture, art, food – the real stories. We’re also interested in the contemporary life of the places where we operate. We’d much rather be walking the streets than sitting in a coach. A sense of humour always keeps the wheels turning.
We’re a boutique company in every sense – offering in-depth walking tours of Saigon and Sydney, longer special interest tours and customised travel advice.
Duong, leads our Saigon – Tales of the City tour and was born in the central province of Nghe An. Nghe An is one of Vietnam’s poorest provinces – but it’s also the proud home of Ho Chi Minh. Duong moved to Saigon as a child. She loves art, design and her country’s incredible history. She has worked in furniture design and production, architecture and in art galleries. Duong loves to share her stories, and the stories of her city. She co-owns Old Compass Travel and The Old Compass Cafe.
Our tours are designed by our founder, Mark Bowyer. Mark first set foot in Vietnam in 1990 when the country was opening its doors to the world. He’s been hooked ever since. Mark leads our Vietnam by the book Old Compass Travel Book Club tours which run a few times each year. These are unique itineraries enhanced by Mark’s unique experience and interest in Vietnam, Cambodia, and now, back in Australia.
Since 2020 Mark has been curating experiences in Sydney and now we have two special walks in Australia’s biggest and best-known city.
Mark publishes the travel website www.rustycompass.com. He’s been photographing, filming and writing about travel in Vietnam for decades. Rusty Compass is now covering Australia too. Mark’s long been fascinated by Vietnam’s incredible history, culture, language, architecture and the country’s economic development. Mark’s love of Vietnam imbues the tours he designs. And now he is bringing his approach to travel home to Sydney.
ll the photos on this website and on Rusty Compass were shot by Mark. Sydney is a photogenic feast too – and you can check out Mark’s evolving impressions of Sydney at Rusty Compass here.
Read more about Mark in this New York Times profile.
Contacts
Questions?
Send us an email: info@oldcompasstravel.com
or come and visit us in Saigon at
The Old Compass Cafe
3rd Floor, 63/11 Pasteur St., Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.