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VIETNAM DISCOVERY
15
days/ 14 nights
Trip code: VNDN15
This is our most preferred programs featuring a balance of culture and
adventure. The trip covers most wonderful highlights of the country
including Hanoi – Mai Chau – Ha Long Bay - Hue – Hoi An – Danang – Nha
Trang – Saigon - Mekong Delta within 15 days
Grade
Easy to Moderate
Day 1 : Arrival Hanoi
Meet and greet upon arrival to airport.
Transfer to our hotel in town.
This evening,
your guide will take you out to sample some
of
Hanoi’s superb cuisine.
(Dinner included)
Day 2 : Hanoi
City tour
This morning we drive to the Ho Chi Minh Complex, containing the mausoleum
of the nation's founder Ho Chi Minh. The complex also contains the One
Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the founding of the city in the
11th century. We follow this with a walking tour of Hanoi's vibrant Old
Quarter and Hoan
Kiem Lake, the focal point of the city. The Old Quarter with its bustling
streets are home to hundreds of small thriving businesses, each street
denoting its trade, such as Tin Street or Fish Street. In the afternoon,
we will visit the Temple
of Literature, the site of Vietnam's oldest university, dating back to the
11th century. The temple is dedicated to one of the world's most famous
scholars, Confucius. From here we visit the impressive Museum
of Ethnology, the finest museum in
Vietnam.
This museum is dedicated to
Vietnam's
54 ethnic minorities, several of which we will see on our forthcoming
trek.
(Breakfast included)
Day 3 : Hanoi
- Hoabinh
This morning we leave Hanoi
head west into the Hoa Binh Province. It is a four-hour drive to Mai Chau
where we will have lunch, but we will make stops along the way. Following
lunch we drive to the H'mong village of Sa Linh 1 hour away. From here we
will start our trek to the village of Hang Kia, a 1.5-hour walk. Our hosts
for the evening will be the Hmong minority people. In sampling these
peoples hospitality, we find out a little more about their lives and
culture. Tonight’s accommodation will probably be a little more basic than
you would be used to.
(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included)
Day 4 :
Maichau Villages
Leaving Hang Kia we continue our trek to the White Thai
village of Van. It is a seven-hour trek, and in places is quite steep, but
the stunning verdant scenery will be more than adequate compensation for
any hardships! Tonight we are guests of the White Thai in a traditional
stilt house.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Day 5 :
Maichau - Hanoi
Following breakfast we trek for around two hours to the village of Khoe
where we are met by our vehicle that will take us to Poomcoong village
where we are treated to a local lunch. In the afternoon we drive back to
Hanoi, stopping en route to visit Ho Chi Minh trails Museum. Overnight at
hotel in Hanoi
(Breakfast and Lunch included)
Day 6 : Hanoi-Halong
bay
This morning we head out for a 4 hour drive through verdant Red River
Delta to Halong bay where we board our own private boat for a five-hour
cruise around the secluded and majestic Ha Long Bay giving us the chance
to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. Whilst on
board a sumptuous fresh local seafood lunch will be served. There will be
opportunities for a swim and time to explore some of the limestone caves
in the area. Tonight we stay overnight on the board.
(Breakfast ,Lunch and Diner included)
Day 7 : Halong
- Hanoi
After breakfast we head out for a wonderful exploration
of Bai Tu Long
area. We have time to explore prime
beaches and floating villages. We are
treated to
fresh seafood lunch on board before our drive back to
Hanoi.
Tonight we board the Reunification Express for
our overnight train to
Hue.
(Breakfast and Lunch included)
Day 8 : Hanoi
- Hue
Arriving to Hue,
there will be a transfer to our hotel for a freshen up and breakfast. We
then set out for the exploration of Hue's
famous highlights, including the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City.
Built in the 19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the City was home to the
former Emperors of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. In the surrounding
countryside there is the picturesque Thiem Mu, or Heavenly Lady Pagoda.
One of the most poignant displays here is a car belonging to a former
monk, who in 1963, drove to Saigon and set himself alight to protest
against the South Vietnamese regime and its treatment of Buddhists. Also
worth visiting are the tombs of the former Emperors, in particular that of
Emperor TuDuc.
(Breakfast & Lunch included)
Day 9 : Hue -
Hoian
As we bid Hue farewell this morning we continue our south bound journey,
this time in the comfort of an air-conditioned bus. Today's destination is
the old trading town of Hoi
An. Along
the way though we will stop at Lang Co beach for coffee and refreshments.
From here we head up to the Hai Van pass, stopping at the top to take in
the stunning views north over Lang Co beach and south over Danang city.
Continuing on our way down the other side and into Da
nang,
where we will stop at the Cham
Museum, the famed Non NuocBeach, and the Marble Mountains. Arriving in Hoi
An we spend the rest of the afternoon exploring and relaxing.
(Breakfast and Lunch included)
Day 10 : Hoian
Today there is plenty of time to discover what Hoi An
has to offer. You
can spend your time walking around
exploring the many Chinese assembly
halls and
fascinating ancestral homes, some of which have
been occupied by
the same family for fifteen genera-
ions. The town is also famous for it's
shops in particular
it's large number of tailors. If you wanted, you could
have a whole new wardrobe made for you here! You might like to take a boat
ride with one of the local women across the Thu Bon River. Perhaps you
would like to hire a bicycle and head off on a scenic ride to Cua Dai
beach, about 4 km away. There's even the chance to improve your culinary
skills with a Vietnamese cooking lesson! One thing is for sure - there is
no shortage of things to do in this town! This evening we transfer to
Danang for the overnight train to Nha Trang.
(Breakfast included)
Day 11 : Hoian
- Nhatrang
We arrive in Nha Trang in the early morning. Our time in Nha Trang is free
for relaxing and soaking up the sun on the beautiful white sandy beaches
and swimming in the crystal clear warm waters. Optional scuba diving or
taking a mineral mud baths..
Day 12 :
Nhatrang
Following breakfast we embark on an boat trip to nearby islands. Seafood
lunch will be served on boat or at fishing villages. We continue our
cruise for more swim or snorkeling at prime beaches. Tonight we board
overnight train to Saigon
(optional flight to Saigon
the following day )
(Breakfast and lunch included)
Day 13 : Nhatrang
- Saigon
Arriving to Saigon
we transfer to our hotel. A free morning in HCMC for exploring some of
the major sights, including the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants
Museum and Cholon, Saigon’s Chinatown. In the afternoon we embark on a 1
hour and 45 minute drive to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. This amazing network
of tunnels which stretched for over 250 kilometers, and was three levels
deep, gives the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground
life in the American war must have been like.
(Breakfast included)
Day 14 : Mekong
Delta
We set off this morning for a drive through the Mekong Delta to Cai Be
floating market. Here we will board our private boat for a cruise along
the maze of waterways and canals to Vinh Long. We will stop at the home of
a Bonsai gardener for a sumptuous Delta lunch, before continuing our
exploration of the tributaries and canals of the delta. Following these
visits we will once again board our vehicle for the drive to Ho Chi Minh
City.
(Breakfast and Lunch included)
Day 15 :
Departure
Balance of the day at leisure until the departure transfer to the airport
for your flight home.
(Breakfast included)
Trip includes
ü
English speaking guide
ü
All accommodation on twin share basis with daily breakfast
ü
Meals as indicated
ü
All transfers/ transport
ü
Entrance fees and permits during guided time
ü
Soft sleeper train Hanoi
- Hue; Saigon -Nhatrang
ü
Boat ride in Halong bay and in Mekong
river
Trip excludes
ü
International airfares & airport taxes
ü
Pre/post trip arrangement
ü
Visa and visa arrangement
ü
Travel insurance
ü
Meals not indicated
ü
Other personal expenses
ü
Tips and gratuities
Trip cost
In USD
and per person, from 2 people onward. Please contact us for further
information.
Accommodation
We
will be accommodating at local hotels, clean, friendly staffs hotel with
good location. Easy access to city central, dining area, and favorite
hangouts. While our emphasis is not on luxury accommodation, we can upgrade
or downgrade the lodging pending to your request.
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