Vietnam Highlights Tour
A taste of Vietnam South to North and the beaches in between
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
VISIT: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Hue, Hoi An, Danang, Hai Phong, Halong Bay, Hanoi.
DAY 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City Arrive at Tan Son Nhat Airport, transfer to hotel. Remainder of day at leisure.
DAY 2: Ho Chi Minh City Enjoy a half day walking tour to view some of Ho Chi Minh City’s historic landmarks including the Old Saigon Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, the former Presidential Palace, the City Opera and the City Hall. Afternoon at leisure to explore city further.
DAY 3: Ho Chi Minh City to Hue (Air) Early morning transfer to airport for flight to Hue, the capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty of Emperors from 1802-1945. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. Afternoon, drive to visit the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Emperors once ruled Vietnam. Visit Dong Ba Market before transfer back to hotel.
DAY 4: Hue to Hoi An Set off early morning and take a dragon boat upstream to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s most preserved religious monument on the riverbank with its 7 floor tower. Then drive directly to Hoi An via Hai Van Mountain Clouds Pass where a spectacular panorama of the central coastline is seen at the summit. Arrive in Hoi An, enjoy a walking tour of the ancient town centre and view former merchants’ homes, the 400 year old Japanese Covered Bridge and colourful markets with its stalls brimming with tropical specialities.
DAY 5: Hoi An to Danang/Hanoi (Air) to Hai Phong Morning transfer to airport for flight to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi, meet and transfer to Hai Phong, a colonial port city. Arrive in Hai Phong, check in at hotel before doing a city tour including Hang Kenh Temple, Du Hang Pagoda and Do Market.
DAY 6: Halong to Hanoi Take a short morning drive to Halong and then a 4 hour boat cruise around this world heritage site with more than 3,000 islands rising steeply from the water to create a dramatic seascape. Explore the various grottos and fishing communities. A fresh seafood lunch is served on board, before returning back to your hotel in the afternoon.
DAY 7: Hanoi Enjoy a morning walking tour of this tree-lined boulevard city. Visit the Old Quarter district and Dong Xuan Market. Afternoon at leisure.
DAY 8: Departure Free at leisure until transfer to the airport for departure flight.
COST FROM: $1,512 per person twin share. Valid 01Mar-31Oct08. The above 8 day tour is available in reverse - Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.
TOUR INCLUDES: Twin share accommodation, breakfast and one lunch in Halong, private transfers and land transportation as per itinerary, English speaking guides as per program, entry fees, private boat trips in Hue and Halong, flights from Ho Chi Minh to Hue and Danang to Hanoi.
TOUR EXCLUDES: International air transport and taxes, personal expenses, Vietnam visa, other meals, all drinks, video/camera fees imposed by some places, gratuities, travel insurance and all other services not mentioned in the itinerary.
Vietnam Journey
The best that South and North Vietnam have to offer!
Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
VISIT: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Cu Chi, My Tho (Mekong Delta), Hanoi, Halong Bay, Sapa.
DAY 1: Arrive Ho Chi Minh City Arrive at Tan Son Nhat Airport and transfer to hotel. Rest of day at leisure.
DAY 2: Cu Chi and Ho Chi Minh City City Tour Early morning departure to Cu Chi. Visit the incredible underground tunnel network built by the Vietnamese guerilla fighters during the long war. Pass by a rice paper making factory, then return to Ho Chi Minh City for an afternoon city tour. Visit historic landmarks including the Old Saigon Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, former Presidential Palace and Cholon, the city’s bustling Chinatown.
DAY 3: My Tho Full day excursion starts with a 2 hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival in My Tho in the Mekong Delta, board a private boat for a river cruise on the upper part of the Mekong River. Then onto Unicorn Island for fruit and tea tasting, followed by a hand rowing sampan ride through the winding canals offering a up close view of daily river life. Proceed to Turtle Island for a lunch of Mekong Delta specialities. Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to hotel.
DAY 4: Ho Chi Minh City - Hanoi (Air) Transfer to airport for morning flight to Hanoi. On arrival, transfer to hotel then take an afternoon city tour of this charming capital city. Visit the One Pillar Pagoda, Fine Arts Museum, Temple of Literature and the Old Quarter.
DAY 5: Hanoi - Halong Take a three and a half hour journey to Halong City. At Halong Bay board your junk and cruise Halong Bay visiting Thien Cung Cave, Dau Go Cave across to Tuan Chau Island and swim at Titov Beach. Enjoy dinner on board whilst watching the sunset. Overnight on Huong Hai Junk.
DAY 6: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Lao Cai (Rail) A morning cruise to visit Man’s Head Island, Tortoise Island, Luon Cave, Bai Tu Long Bay, Toad Island and Bai Tho Mountain before travelling back to Hanoi. In the evening enjoy a special water puppet performance, an art form that originated in Northern Vietnam over hundreds of years. You will then be transferred to the Hanoi train station for an overnight ride to Lao Cai. Overnight on Tulico train on a soft sleeper.
DAY 7: Lao Cai - Sapa Early morning arrival at Lao Cai station, where you will be met for a scenic transfer to the hill station of Sapa. After check in, have breakfast then refresh and relax at your hotel, followed by a walking tour through the market areas. Then continue towards Cat Cat village, home to the Black H’Mong hill tribe, where you can get a glimpse of their interesting culture and daily life.
DAY 8: Sapa - Lao Cai/Hanoi (Rail) Drive to Bac Ha. On arrival in Bac Ha experience the local colourful markets of hill tribe people such as Flower Hmong, Phu La and Dao Tuyen. Then drive to Trung Do and trek 4 kilometres to visit its village inhabited by the Tay minority. From the village, go by boat up the Chay River, with magnificent sights, waterfall and beautiful caves. The boat trip finishes at Bao Nhai. Drive to Lao Cai and visit Tran Hung Dao temple, the 12 Zodiac Signs Park, and the Chinese Vietnamese borderline, before transferring to Lao Cai train station for an overnight train back to Hanoi.
DAY 9: Hanoi Upon arrival in Hanoi, check in and have breakfast at hotel. Check out at midday and transfer to airport for departure flight.
COST FROM: $1,856 per person twin share. Valid 01Mar-31Oct08. Note: Hanoi - All the museums in Hanoi are closed on Monday and Friday.
TOUR INCLUDES: Twin share hotel accommodation, breakfast, 3 lunches as per itinerary, private transfers, tours and sightseeing with English speaking guides, entry fees and private boat trips, train ticket (Tulinco train) from Hanoi to Lao Cai and return (soft sleeper), domestic flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi (including domestic airport taxes).
TOUR EXCLUDES: International air transport and taxes, personal expenses, Vietnam visa, other meals, all drinks, video/camera fees imposed by some places, gratuities, travel insurance and all other services not mentioned in the itinerary.
