Goddard & Howse

Goddard & Howse ~ small group travel

Here you will find a portfolio of journeys in South East Asia for individuals or those who would like to share a travel experience with small groups of like-minded travellers.

Just small groups with a maximum of fourteen guests and a minimum of six with just the right balance between organised sightseeing and the freedom to do your own thing.

Our small world journeys have been developed with the benefit of years of experience. We listen to what our guests say and we know it is the small things that make a big difference. That’s why our portfolio of holidays has grown every year since our first trip in 1996.

Experience + Knowledge

If you join a Goddard & Howse small world journey, you will have the principal of our company as your host or one of our hand-picked specialists. Relax in classic accommodation and let the experienced team at Goddard & Howse take care of the details. Because we spend at least six months of every year travelling and working with our small groups we know the best places to eat, the latest news from the street and what is happening in the countryside. We are up-to-date and always interested in our destinations and you, our guests.

Mine Advisory Group - MAG - clearing unexploded ordinance (UXO) in Laos since 1996

During the years of 1968 and 1969 it is estimated that a plane load of bombs was dropped on Laos every eight minutes for two years. The 'secret war' as it became known was a targeted offensive against the North Vietnamese and Pathet Lao forces by Air America - a CIA backed air force. The legacy of this bombing is UXO (unexploded ordinance). Even after 40 years these insidious devices take their toll - 70 people died in 2009. Goddard & Howse are proud supporters of Mine Advisory Group (MAG) in their quest to free Laos from UXO. If you travel on our 'Land of a Million Elephants' journey, or along the 'Ho Chi Minh Trail' we will introduce you to the MAG office and staff in Phonsavan, north-east Laos.

Hanoi's Birthday

On October 10, 2010, Hanoi will celebrate 1000 years. Founded on the banks of the Red River by the Ly dynasty, Hanoi became the first capital of Vietnam in 1010. Hanoi is actually two words, 'ha' meaning river and 'noi' meaning between, and is protected from annual flooding by a dyke system that was built in the13th century. Join our 'Scent of Green Papaya', 25 September journey and be there for the celebration this October - just a few vacancies remain.

White Marble Wine Bar & Restaurant in Hoi An (Vietnam)

Here you will find a selection of Australian and international wines and some fantastic food - inspired by the freshness and variety of Vietnamese ingredients. Located in the heart of Hoi An ancient town (98 Le Loi St) White Marble Wine Bar & Restaurant is the perfect place to start and finish your Hoi An experience.

Hello New Zealand

Goddard & Howse have appointed tour guide extraordinaire and self-confessed Vietnam tragic, Mr Paul Macnicol, as our ears and eyes in New Zealand. Paul will be marketing the Goddard & Howse tour portfolio to the good citizens of NZ and can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Dien Bien Phu - the last battle in colonial Vietnam

The French invaded Vietnam in 1858. By 1880 most resistance to their colonial rule had been quelled and the French set about building their infrastructure, particularly in Hanoi and Saigon. There was always resistance to the French occupation but it was not until 1939 under the guidance of Ho Chi Minh and General Vo Nguyen Giap that the resistance galvanised into a military and political force. From 1945 to 1954 the first Indochina war raged culminating when the French garrisoned a force of 15000 in the valley of Dien Bien Phu. In a battle that raged from 7 March until 13 May in 1954 the Vietnamese prevailed, and as a result the country was temporarily divided at the 17th parallel creating North Vietnam and South Vietnam. If you travel with Goddard & Howse on our 'Ho Chi Minh trail' journey you will visit the old battleground at Dien Bien Phu.