Vietnam
GRAND VIETNAM — 14 Days/13 Nights (EVN/GV)
14 days is the perfect time for Vietnam as it allows you to start from Ho Chi Minh, and
cover all the highlights— hill and beach resorts, captivating Hue, and wonderful Halong Bay, as
well as Hanoi and time at the Mekong Delta.
Day 1: Arrive Ho Chi Minh City
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City. Meet your guide and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day
is at leisure. Overnight in HCMC.
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City—Cu Chi—Ho Chi Minh City (B)
A morning city tour of dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals,
takes in the former Presidential Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post
Office, a lacquerware factory and Thien Hau Pagoda in the city's bustling Chinatown. In
the afternoon visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network
constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long struggle for
independence. Overnight in HCMC.
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City—My Tho—Ho Chi Minh City (B,L)
A full day trip to the watery world of the Mekong Delta, just a couple of hours by road
from the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City's streets. Take a boat trip along narrow
waterways overhung with dense vegetation and try exotic fruits in one of the many
orchards. For lunch sample the local delicacy, Elephant's Ear Fish. Overnight in HCMC.
Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City—Dalat (B)
Leave HCMC after breakfast for a scenic drive through rubber and tea plantations en
route to the cooler climate of Dalat, 300km from HCMC. Established as a hill station at
the beginning of the century, Dalat is reminiscent of an alpine town with its French
chalets and pine forests. An afternoon of sightseeing in Dalat takes in the art deco
former summer residence of Emperor Bao Dai, the old Dalat Railway Station, Xuan Huong
Lake, the Central Market and Lam Ty Ni Pagoda where a Buddhist monk, Vien Thuc,
produces his abstract paintings and writes poetry. Overnight in Dalat.
Day 5: Dalat—NhaTrang (B)
Leaving for Nha Trang after breakfast, the road descends to the arid coastal city of
Phan Rang. Break the journey here to visit the 13th century Po Klong Jarai Cham Towers
perched high on a rocky hill surrounded by prickly pear cacti. After Phan Rang Highway
One turns north and follows the coast past salt ponds and vivid green rice fields to
Nha Trang. On arrival in Nha Trang transfer to hotel. An afternoon city tour includes
the Po Nagar Cham Towers and Long Son Pagoda with its enormous white Buddha statue.
Overnight in Nha Trang.
Day 6: Nha Trang—Qui Nhon (B,L)
A morning boat trip on Nha Trang bay visits some of the nearby islands and there are
opportunities to swim and snorkel in the clear warm waters. After a fresh seafood lunch
return to shore to check out of the hotel for the scenic drive to Qui Nhon, 240km up
Highway One. Transfer to hotel on arrival. Overnight in Qui Nhon.
Day 7: Qui Nhon—Hoi An (B)
Leaving Qui Nhon after breakfast continue northwards up Highway One to Hoi An, breaking
the journey to visit My Lai Massacre Memorial near to Quang Ngai. Arrive in Hoi An
early in the afternoon. Hoi An was a major Asian trading port in the seventeenth and
eighteenth centuries and its architecture and relaxed lifestyle have changed little over
the years. Take a walking tour of the ancient town center to visit former merchants'
houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and the colourful market. Overnight in
Hoi An.
Day 8: Hoi An—Hue (B)
The morning is free to browse for souvenirs in Hoi An or perhaps hire a bicycle to ride
to the nearby Cua Dai Beach. Leave Hoi An early in the afternoon for Hue, the former
imperial capital of Vietnam. The scenic route passes through Danang before climbing
over the Pass of Ocean Clouds and dropping down to the wonderfully photogenic fishing
village of Lang Co. Arrive in Hue late afternoon and transfer to hotel. Overnight in
Hue.
Day 9: Hue (B)
A boat trip on the romantically named Perfume River visits Hue's best-known religious
site, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the mausoleum of former emperor Minh Mang, in a tranquil
setting of gardens and lakes. In the afternoon visit the elaborate mausoleums of
emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh and the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty
ruled between 1802 and 1945. Overnight in Hue.
Day 10: Hue—Hanoi—Haiphong (B)
Transfer to Hue Airport after breakfast for the short flight to Hanoi, the modern day
capital of Vietnam. Transfer to Haiphong, Vietnam's third largest city. Haiphong still has many impressive examples of classic European colonial
architecture in its town center. An afternoon city tour along the wide boulevards
includes a visit to Hang Kenh Tapestry Factory and the Du Hang Pagoda, founded over
three centuries ago. Overnight in Haiphong.
Day 11: Haiphong—Halong—Haiphong (B,L)
After breakfast transfer by cyclo to the harbour. Board the hydrofoil for the 55-minute
journey to Cat Ba Island, the largest in the bay. At Cat Ba board a private boat for a
cruise among some of the 3,000 limestone islands that are scattered throughout this
spectacular bay. The cruise includes a fresh seafood lunch. Return to Haiphong by
hydrofoil in the afternoon. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Haiphong.
Day 12: Haiphong—Hanoi (B)
Leave Haiphong after breakfast and return to Hanoi by road. Transfer to hotel on
arrival. The afternoon is at leisure in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 13: Hanoi (B)
A full day city tour of Vietnam's capital. Hanoi is a unique Asian city with tree-lined
boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes, and oriental temples. The city
tour includes such sights as Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Fine
Arts Museum, the Temple of Literature, the Lake of the Restored Sword, and the Old
Quarter. In the evening enjoy a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show. Overnight in
Hanoi.
Day 14: Depart Hanoi (B)
Departure day. At leisure until transfer to Noi Bai Airport for onward flight.
Grand Vietnam (14 days / 13 nights)
2005 rates range from 1065.00 (standard class hotels) to 1205.00 (superior
class hotels) per person, based on double occupancy + estimated airfares within
Vietnam of $75.00.
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