Gemstone Tours in Thailand and Vietnam Article

Decades before the advent of mass tourism made possible by the ease of the Internet, budget airlines and the reach of booking.com, I travelled to Asia accompanied by a trusty backpack, the curiosity of youth, a stash of travellers cheques and a passion for roads less travelled. To me, the journeys I made then as an independent traveller to isolated regions of South and East Asia, China and Tibet were the epitome of ‘exotic’. Travel then was quite a raw experience; exciting, challenging and at times daunting and exhausting! It was all such an adventure, undertaken with only one’s wits (and those travellers cheques) to act as parachute. A part of me hankers for those experiences, and to a time when the world of the traveller was very different to today.

Travel memories flooded back recently (see above) when I chatted with this month’s gem professional, Andy Turkington. Andy organises and conducts small group gem tours to Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Thailand through his Brisbane based company ‘Gems and More’. I met Andy at last year’s Anakie Gemfest. While I looked at his display of gorgeous sapphires and spinels, he told me about his tours. Almost a year later, I thought Andy’s tours would make a perfect feature for this series of stories.

I asked Andy to describe how his tours came about.

My tour business really started by accident. I retired in 2015 after 25 years with the Australian Tax Office. I love gemstones and decided after retiring to sell sapphires at gem shows. Things changed after I took a few friends with me on a trip to South East Asia. I really enjoyed the experience of organising and leading the trip. It also made me realise how much I love visiting Thailand and Vietnam, with its fabulous food and people. The tours evolved as I travelled to buy gemstones. I thought other enthusiasts might want to come along with me and share in the gem buying experience.

The main objectives of the gem tours are to have fun and see and buy gems. As well, we visit a number of tourist spots, teach guests a few words of Thai and Vietnamese and enable them to experience the culture.  I am also a huge foodie, so we spend a lot of time eating. The tours offer a wide choice of authentic food from local restaurants, markets and street stalls.

My interest is really sparked now. I have to hear more!

I take a maximum of 8 guests on each tour, with the support of my brother or sister – this enables us to have plenty of flexibility. The tours are 15 nights, with Bangkok the start and end point. The tour is land only. Guests arrange their own flights to Bangkok and then home. The tour covers all other flights, accommodation and transfers. Meals are not included. The wonderful thing about Asia is that food is relatively cheap and delicious, and we always eat together which is fun.

 We spend a few nights in Bangkok as there is a lot to see and do in that city: both gem and tourist related. The Jewellery Trade Centre is home to every gemstone in the world with over 500 dealers. We spend a couple of days there and in the surrounding streets, looking for specimens, gemstones and lapidary supplies. Bangkok also has many wonderful non gem activities ranging from shopping, sport, gardens, museums and other cultural attractions, as well as historical buildings.

From Bangkok we fly to Hanoi in Vietnam or Chiang Rai in Thailand, depending on the tour. In Vietnam and Thailand we mostly fly between destinations, this gives more time on the ground. In between sites, we travel in our own private minivan. This gives lots of flexibility with stops when and where we like.

In Thailand we visit Mae Sod on the Thai – Burma border. Here the main gemstones are ruby, spinel and jade from Burma. As well as gems, guests gain an insight into how the locals live, as Mae Sod is not a tourist destination. We also visit Chanthanburi near the Cambodian border. This is a fascinating city where Bangkok gem dealers come to buy their gemstones. It is also virtually tourist free. Our final destination is Pattaya, a very popular Thai seaside town, for a bit of rest and relaxation.

 In Vietnam we visit Hanoi, Hoi An and Saigon. These cities are interesting from a cultural perspective. Hoi An is a UNESCO site where we kick back and relax. This ancient town has many laneways crammed full of shops and restaurants, it is a delight to visit. It is especially exciting when we visit in January, although September being cooler, allows for more shopping. Hoi An is also a centre of skilled tailors and we spend long enough there to have clothes made.

What are some of the challenges being a tour guide?

The main issue that arises for many is the culture shock. Even people who have been to Thailand or Vietnam before can find some of the places we visit a bit of a challenge. Some guests arrive with pre-conceived ideas and struggle with culture shock. Even those who have been to Asia before can be a bit overwhelmed with some of the towns we visit – off the beaten track and rarely visited by tourists.

As with all travel, things also don’t always go according to plan; flights can be delayed, hotel bookings cancelled and some attractions shut for local holidays.

It can be quite a challenge helping guests navigate the first few days, but those who come through it relish the tour and realise how enriching the experience has been. One guest on a recent Vietnam tour was on his very first overseas trip. He enjoyed it so much he has now booked on another of our tours, to Thailand in 2021.

 Have you a humorous tour experience to share?

Well, one experience from Thailand. Lady boys! Everyone is fascinated on first seeing them to some degree. I warn the male guests not to make eye contact or to say ‘hello’. Sometimes they forget and the interactions are hilarious. Other experiences? I can say no more, ‘What happens on tour, stays on tour!’

What is a ‘must bring’ for a tour guest?

Cash – ready money. It is still used in many places that we travel to, especially when buying gems. I can provide advice on a gemstone budget, depending on what guests are wanting to purchase.

Another ‘must bring’ is a pair of comfortable walking shoes. We average at least 10,000 steps each day and some days closer to 20,000. We do go slowly, but we do go every day. The itinerary includes a few ‘quieter’ rest days.

 What have been some interesting observations shared by your guests?

One aspect that stands out for me is that many of the things we do and see on the tours [that I now take for granted] are unique and wonderful  experiences for our guests.

Another is how friendly and hospitable our guests find the Thai and Vietnamese people. Many guests enjoy eating local and authentic street food, once they experience eating this way. We ease them into it and usually by the end of the tour, they are confirmed foodies.

On one occasion in the Northern Vietnamese countryside, we were invited to a farmer’s home to look at gems he had mined in his rice paddy. While we sorted through the gems and bargained, we were served green tea and homemade rice wine. Our host had no English and our group hardly any Vietnamese. But, once the deal was done, we had more rounds of rice wine to celebrate. One of the guests told me that this particular experience was one of the best of his life.

What are your plans for the tours?

I plan another 10 years or so running tours. Then I’ll retire – again- and live in Pattaya, Thailand. As much as I love Australia (I’m a Queenslander first, Australian second and Pommie a distant third), my heart and stomach belong to Thailand!

My chat with Andy has certainly re-ignited my interest in travel ‘off the beaten track’. I can’t make travel plans at the moment, but I can certainly dream!

Thanks Andy for providing images and for sharing your story.