Highlights: Hanoi, Halong Bay, Phong Nha Caves, Hue, HoiAn, NhaTrang, Pleiku, Buon Me Thuot, Ho Chi Minh City, The Mekong Delta
Day 1: HANOIArrive in Hanoi and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day stroll around the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake and spend some time in a Cyclo being pedalled around the streets of the Old Quarter where 36 streets of traders and craftsmen date back 2000 years.Day 2: HANOI - HALONG BAY (B)
This morning tour including Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and Presidential Palace, Temple of Literature and Fine Arts Museum. Afternoon leaving the capital for the Gulf of Tonkin and magnificent Halong Bay. Day 3: HALONG BAY – NINH BINH (B,L)
Board a private junk and cruise among the 3,000 limestone islands, stopping to explore several caves and grottoes. A fresh sea food lunch is served on board. Drive to Ninh Binh to see Tam Coc and Bich Dong - said to be Halong Bay inland. Spend the night in Ninh Binh.Day 4: NINH BINH – VINH (B)
Morning cycle to the Halong Bay Inland. Drive south to Vinh City and visit the birth home of Ho Chi Minh at Kiem Lien Village.Day 5: VINH-PHONG NHA CAVES (B)
This morning head south through paddy fields to the stunning World Natural Heritage Caves of Phong Nha, hidden in the picturesque lime stone mountains and the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. Later in the afternoon drive to Dong Hoi Town by Nhat Le Beach for the night.Day 6: DONG HOI – HUE (B)
Continue south to Hue, a charming and romantic city of Imperial constructions in harmony with trees, rivers and mountains. This afternoon cruise down the Perfume River on a long tailed dragon boat, visiting the
splendid Thien Mu Pagoda and Monastery.Day 7: HUE – HOIAN (B)
In the morning see the magnificent Imperial Citadel (modeled on Beijing’s Forbidden City) and the Royal Tombs of Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Driving south along one of Asia’s most scenic roads, with spectacular coastal panoramas of Danang Bay, descend into the ancient Champa Kingdom. Visit the Cham Museum in Danang before arriving in Hoi AnDay 8: HOIAN (B)
The day is left for you to explore this lovely market town at your own pace. Wander the streets looking at the painted houses, fish markets and guild halls. Alternatively relax on Hoi An golden beaches and swim in the South China Sea.Day 9: HOIAN – PLEIKU (B)
Free morning and then fly to Pleiku. Situated in the lush scenery of the Central Highlands this little visited town is the perfect base from which to explore remote ethnic peoples. This afternoon explore Pleiku, visiting Minh Thanh Pagoda and Dong Xanh Park, with its million year old fossilized tree.Day 10: PLEIKU – BUON ME THUOT – LAK LAKE (B,D)
This morning visit the Ethnic Museum and Pleiku market where the local tribes do their business before driving past coffee and tea plantations on the way to Lak Lake, situated on a high plateau. Spend the night in a traditional longhouse in Jun village on the lake home to the Mnong hill tribe people.Day 11: LAK LAKE – NHA TRANG (B)
Start early today to enjoy an elephant ride through tropical forest and take a pirogue (dug out canoe) on the lake and then visit one or two of the surrounding tribal villages. This afternoon drive to Nha Trang.Day 12 & 13: NHA TRANG (B)
At leisure. Options to see the islands and aquariums or try some dives to discover the beautiful corals in the bay.Day 14: NHA TRANG – HO CHI MINH (B)
Fly to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival head out of the city, through the rice paddies, and visit the Cu Chi tunnels – an incredible underground tunnel network where over 10,000 Viet Cong troops lived and fought during the Vietnam War. In the late afternoon enjoy a city tour of the city’s historic landmarks, including former Presidential Palace.Day 15: HO CHI MINH CITY – CAI BE – CAN THO (B,L)
Drive to Cai Be and board your motor boat for a leisurely trip along the Mekong River. Enjoy the colourful spectacle of life along the river and the Cai Be floating market. Lunch will be at a local home on Vinh Long Island, then continue by road to Can Tho, stopping at small villages and temples along the way. (B,L)Day 16: CAN THO – CAI RANG FLOATING MARKET – CHAU DOC (B)
Discover the endless waterways of the Mekong River by boat. Arrive at the colorful Cai Rang floating market with hundreds of boats laden with fruits, vegetables and fish. This afternoon transfer by car to Chau Doc, a bustling river town where you stay overnight. (B)Day 17: CHAU DOC – HO CHI MINH (B,D)
After breakfast take a boat to visit fish farms where fish are bred in wooden cages suspended under floating houses on the river. Also visit a village of stilt houses belonging to the Cham minority, where colorful traditional textiles are woven on old wooden looms. This afternoon drive overland to Ho Chi Minh City for the farewell night. Farewell dinner on board on Saigon River.Day 18: HO CHI MINH – DEPARTURE (B)
Last minute shopping or at leisure ‘til transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for your onward flight.
PRIVATE TOUR: DEPARTURES: Daily
Tour price in USD per person in twin room. Validity: 01Jan – 31Dec, 2009 – Price is subject to change with/without notice.
| 3* | 1656 | 1444 | 1232 | 1106 | 1035 | 1009 | 978 | 950 | 923 | 898 | 880 | 420 | ||||||||||||
| 4* | 2048 | 1835 | 1624 | 1497 | 1426 | 1400 | 1370 | 1341 | 1315 | 1289 | 1271 | 793 | ||||||||||||
| 5* | 2237 | 2024 | 1813 | 1686 | 1615 | 1589 | 1559 | 1530 | 1504 | 1478 | 1460 | 973 | ||||||||||||
| PAX | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | SGL SUP | ||||||||||||
TOUR INCLUDES:
• 1 internal flight.
• 17 nights at hotel accommodation (the basic accommodation at some remote areas where requested category is not available)
• 17 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners.
• Private chauffeur driven vehicle,
• Experienced English speaking local guide.
• Sightseeing and all entrance fees.
• Boat fees.
• Private guided transfers to and from all airports.
