Vietnam Travel

GENERAL INFORMATION

SOUTHERN VIETNAM

CENTRAL VIETNAM

NORTHERN VIETNAM

TRAVEL IDEAS

SMALL GROUP DEPARTURES

CRUISES

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Hanoi
Colonial Era Government Building
Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh City
Hoi An Temple
Hoi An Temple
Old Quarter Hanoi
Old Quarter, Hanoi
Forbidden Temple Hue
Forbidden Temple in Hue
Market in Hoi An
Market in Hoi An

Vietnam Independent Travel Ideas

Vietnam Showcase

13 days

Ho Chi Minh City • Dalat • Nha Trang • Danang• Hoi An • Hue • Hanoi • Halong Bay

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Located in South East Asia, Vietnam is emerging as a major tourist attraction with its legacy of Colonialism 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.

Vietnam Showcase mapAnd 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 for a visit.

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 mountain passes to Nhatrang (approx.3 hours). 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/Hoi An.
After breakfast, transfer to your morning flight to Danang. On arrival at Danang, visit the Cham Museum, once centre of the ancient Cham civilisation. Continue past the Marble Mountains, which are the source of many intriguing legends. After passing China Beach, 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.
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, the afternoon is free to explore Hoi An at your leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An. (BL)

Day 8. Hoi An/Hue.
After breakfast, pick you will proceed to Hue via Cloudy Pass or via The Hai Van tunnel. Arrival in Hue and take a Perfume River cruise and also visit Thien Mu pagoda, Minh Mang Tomb and Imperial Citadel. A comfortable boat ride along the meandering Perfume (Huong) River offers a relaxing trip. Lunch at a local restaurant then check in to your hotel. The balance of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight in Hue. (BL)

Day 9. Hue/Hanoi.
This morning, you will visit the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, resplendent in traditional architecture, paved walkways, resting pavilions overlooking tranquil lotus ponds, and a small forest for hunting. Transfer to Hue airport for a one-hour flight to Hanoi. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to the 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 will be on your own.

In the early evening, your cyclo (pedi-cab) awaits you for your transfer to the theatre where the ancient and unique artform of water puppetry is enacted. The 'stage' is a pool of water in which the hidden puppeteer must stand (waist deep!) to skilfully manoeuvre dancing puppets attached to bamboo poles on its surface. Each short skit in the performance relates to the daily life of the people, and featured are scenes such as 'Returning from School after Graduation' and 'Rearing Ducks and Chasing Foxes'. ;Dinner is later served at a typical local restaurant: Wild Lotus Restaurant. Guests will enjoy delicious Vietnamese cuisine in one of Hanoi's most beautiful Vietnamese restaurants. This partially open-air restaurant allows diners to relax as they are surrounded by warm wooden décor in a classic art deco building.

Overnight in Hanoi. (BD)

Day 10. In Hanoi.
This morning your full day city tour of Hanoi. First, visit Ba Dinh Square, where silent sentries guard the marble and granite mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh lies in state (closed every Friday & Monday and in October & November). See the simple cottage where Uncle Ho lived and worked. Nearby, visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum, an extraordinary tribute in abstract form to the life of the 'father of the country' and the evolution of Vietnamese independence.

French architecture is a feature of Hanoi, and the nearby former Governor's Residence is a fine example as well as the One Pillar Pagoda. Continue to the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 and then dedicated to Confucius, it is a serene retreat from the busy streets outside, and later became Vietnam's first university.

This afternoon, enjoy an orientation of the tree-lined streets of Hanoi, resplendent with French colonial architecture, including the recently restored Opera House. Pass by Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as Lake of the Restored Sword from the legend that surrounds it en-route to one of the city's fascinating.

Then take to the streets on foot for a walking tour of the Ancient Quarter or 36 Streets District. This densely populated corner of the city was once a centre of commerce where goods were sold under the street name of a particular guild. Still a thriving community of sellers today, you will see street names such as Sugar Street, Tin Street and Paper Street. Ancient homes and temples are interspersed with stores in this souvenir hunter's paradise! (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. After checking into your hotel, you will enjoy a peaceful cruise onboard a traditional junk on the Bay with a delicious seafood lunch on board, stopping at some of the grottoes and caves on the islands to explore on foot. Disembark the boat in late after noon then return to your hotel.

Overnight in Halong Bay. (BL)

Day 12. Halong to Hanoi.
You are free in this morning to enjoy the atmosphere in this seaside town then enjoy lunch at local restaurant before returning drive to Hanoi and arriving late afternoon. The balance of the day is free to explore Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi. (BL)

Day 13. Hanoi to your next destination.
The day is free until your transfer to Hanoi airport for your departure flight. (B)

PRICE:

Please request prices for the time you wish to travel.

PRICE INCLUDES:

  • 12 nights standard or first class accommodation in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City (2), Dalat (1), Nha Trang (2) Hoi An (2), Hue (1), Hanoi (3) Halong Bay (1).
  • Meals as indicated by BLD.
  • All sightseeing as per the itinerary.
  • All transfers as per itinerary

DEPARTURES:

Daily

HOTELS:

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Please note: The History Museum and Water Puppert show in Saigon are closed every Monday. If this tour falls on a Monday, you will visit the War Museum instead.

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