Ho Chi Minh City •
Dalat •
Nha Trang •
Danang •
Hoi An •
Hue • Hanoi
• Halong
Bay
Located in South East Asia,
Vietnam is emerging as a major tourist attraction with its legacy
of Colonialsim and War. With its two main cities, the political
capital Hanoi and the economic capital Ho Chi Minh City (also
known as Saigon) Vietnam is fast becoming a travellers paradise.
Apart from these cities, Vietnam's countryside also offers many
beautiful attractions.
Day 1.
Ho Chi Minh City. Arrive at Ho Chi
Minh City Airport and transfer by air-conditioned vehicle to your
hotel.
Saigon, surely one of the most evocative place names in Asia and
definitely one of the most extraordinary cities in the world. The
most Western in atmosphere of Vietnam's cities, Ho Chi Minh City
(to use it's official name - although to residents and visitors
alike it is universally and affectionately known as Saigon) is a
city of amazing contrasts: elegant new international hotels,
exclusive restaurants and trendy bars side-by-side with roadside
noodle stalls, street children and vociferous cyclo drivers. And
yet there are the elegant colonial French boulevards and
buildings, the Cathedral, the riverfront and quiet moments at a
sidewalk cafe watching the world literally go by you at breakneck
speed.
Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 2.
Ho Chi Minh City. After breakfast,
drive out of Ho Chi Minh City into the surrounding countryside.
Lined by rice paddies, the main '"highway" is thronged
with bicycles, heavily laden buses and people making their way to
market. It's hard to believe that you are entering what was once a
war zone of immense strategic importance. The Cu Chi area is
famous for its 200 kilometre network of underground tunnels, which
were used by the Viet Cong forces to fight against both the French
and later the Americans. Most tunnels were only 60-70 centimetres
wide and 1.5 meters high, with thick roofs capable of withstanding
the weight of tanks or the impact of bombs. The tunnel entrances
are well hidden with underground meeting rooms, kitchen, hospital
and sleeping areas. Lunch at a local restaurant.
This afternoon, discover the
contrasts of bustling Ho Chi Minh City. You will see colourful
markets selling everything from chillies to French bread and, of
course, an endless stream of bicycles, cyclos and motorbikes.
Stops are included at the Notre Dame Cathedral and the beautiful
Post Office building. Also visit the former Presidential Palace,
now Reunification Hall. Your tour will include the reception and
dining rooms of the President's quarters, and the basement - still
full of ancient American made telecommunications equipment,
strategic military maps lining it's walls. Continue to the History
Museum and see a delightful performance of Water Puppetry in the
grounds. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. BL
Day 3.
Ho Chi Minh City/Dalat. After
breakfast, drive from Ho Chi Minh City to Dalat passing through
spectacular countryside as the road weaves through plantations,
villages and mountains to the plateau of the Central Highlands.
Dalat was originally built by the French as an escape from the
humid summers of the coast. Parts of the town with their faded
French villas, cobbled streets and surrounding pine forests have a
distinct European feel. Dalat's architecture includes the villas
of the 'French Quarter', Bao Dai's Summer Palace, the Ethnic
Museum, which houses a fascinating display of artefacts and
traditional costumes and Dalat Cathedral. Overnight in Dalat. BL
Day 4.
Dalat/Nha Trang. This morning visit
the town's bustling centre followed by a visit to the former
Railway Station. Lunch at a Dalat local restaurant. Afterwards,
enjoy a spectacular drive through the lush Ngoan Muc mountain
pass. Follow the sparkling coastline to the resort town of Nha
Trang. With a backdrop of mountains, numerous deserted islands and
kilometres of white sandy beaches it is hard not to enjoy such an
idyllic location. It is ideal for a beach interlude. The rest of
the afternoon and evening is at leisure. Overnight in Nha Trang.
BL
Day 5.
In Nha Trang. Off shore from Nha
Trang lie numerous islands, some inhabited and many dotted with
idyllic fishing villages. Pause at one of these villages, Bai Tru
and wander at will. There will be an opportunity to swim and
snorkel in secluded bays. Return to the town to have lunch at a
local restaurant. Afterwards, enjoy an afternoon exploring the
countryside on the People of Nha Trang tour. Just a few kilometres
from Nha Trang's beachfront is the picturesque countryside dotted
with palm trees and fruit orchards where local people go about
their daily business. Board a small, motorised boat for a
delightful look into the nearby rural areas of Nha Trang. Visit a
local home - these are traditionally laid out in the same manner
throughout the village. Overnight in Nha Trang.
BL
Day 6.
Nha Trang/Danang. Morning flight to
Danang. On arrival at Danang, transfer to Hoi An via China Beach
& Marble Mountain. Visit the Cham Museum in Danang, once
centre of the ancient Cham civilisation. Continue to the Marble
Mountains, which are the source of many intriguing legends.
Proceed to Hoi An which was one of the major ports of Southeast
Asia from the 17th to 19th centuries. Chinese, Japanese and
Portuguese traders had small communities here, and the old wooden
houses, bridges and temples are reminiscent of a Vietnam of
centuries past. Lunch at a local restaurant in Hoi An. Afternoon
at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An. BL
Day 7.
Hoi An/Hue. Enjoy a walking tour
around this relaxing little town which is a wonderful spot for
shopping and souvenir hunting. Some of the 17th century houses are
emporiums with silks, embroidery work, Chinese lanterns and silk
paintings. After lunch at a local restaurant, transfer overland to
Hue via Cloudy Pass. Afternoon visit to Imperial Hue for a tour.
The Imperial Citadel was modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing
but suffered much damage during years of war. Many of the
pavilions, bridges and great halls are now being carefully
restored with help from UNESCO. Overnight in Hue.
BL
Day 8.
In Hue. Full day Perfume River boat
trip to visit the Royal tombs and Thien Mu Pagoda including lunch.
One of the most notable features of Hue is the meandering Perfume
(Huong) River that divides the city. As both the Imperial Citadel
and the Thien Mu Pagoda are situated on the river banks, boating
on a simple, yet comfortable, vessel offers a relaxing trip. Lunch
at a local restaurant. Afterwards, visit first the Tomb of Emperor
Tu Duc, resplendent in traditional architecture. In stark
contrast, continue to Khai Dinh's Tomb. This tomb was designed
with colonial flair. Overnight in Hue BL
Day 9. Hue/Hanoi.
Today fly to Hanoi. You will be met and transferred to your
hotel. Old-fashioned in style, it is a city of lakes, parks,
trees, villas, mansions and an area called the Old French Quarter
where crumbling houses are crammed into narrow alleyways that are
still named after the goods that were traded there. Hanoi has
sidewalk cafes, pavement barbers, less traffic than Saigon. Wide
tree-lined bicycle-filled boulevards are side by side with elegant
colonial French mansions. Lunch on your own.
This afternoon take a cyclo pedi-cab from your hotel to the 36
streets where all handicrafts or trades were traditionally
centered; each trade working on its own separate street. In the
'Old Quarter' is the Memorial House, a traditional Chinese-style
house renovated to show how merchants would have lived here. It is
the only example of its kind in the city.
Later, your cyclo (pedi-cab)
awaits to take you to the theatre where the ancient and unique
artform of Water Puppetry is enacted. Following the performance,
continue to a local restaurant for dinner. Overnight in Hanoi.
BD
Day 10.
In Hanoi. This morning to take a tour
of Hanoi. Start your sightseeing with a visit to Ho Chi Minh's
Mausoleum, his house, and the One Pillar Pagoda. From there you
continue to the Temple of Literature. This beautiful temple is an
excellent example of traditional Vietnamese architecture. You also
visit the 15th century Tran Quoc pagoda on West Lake (Ho Tay) as
well as Quan Thanh temple on nearby Truc Bach Lake. Lunch at a
local restaurant. Later visit the Historical Museum and the Opera
house, the legend-misted Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple and
the Lake of the Restored Sword. Overnight in Hanoi. BL
Day 11. Hanoi/Halong
Bay. Transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay. Halong Bay is often
called Vietnam's eighth wonder of the world and once visited, it
is hard to dispute that claim. 3000 spectacular limestone
outcroppings, cliffs, arches and coves compete for space in an
area that is without doubt the most outstandingly naturally
beautiful in the country with incomparable coastal scenery. Lunch
at a local restaurant in Halong Bay. The remainder of the day free
to relax. Overnight in Halong Bay. BL
Day 12.
Halong to Hanoi. Today cruise on
board a traditional junk on the Bay, stopping at some of the
grottoes and caves on the islands to explore on foot. Lunch is a
delicious seafood feast prepared onboard. In the afternoon drive
back to Hanoi and arriving late afternoon. Overnight in Hanoi BL
Day 13.
Hanoi/Hong Kong/North America.
Transfer to Hanoi airport for your departure.
B
