Comprehensive Vietnam

Price from: $3373 pp

 

Itinerary

Day 1

Hanoi

Arrival in Hanoi. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to the Hotel.
 

Day 2

Hanoi–Train (B)

This morning your guide will take you on a brief walking tour of the fascinating Old Quarter of Hanoi, and Hoan Kiem Lake, followed by a visit some of Hanoi’s historical sites, including Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and Ho Chi Minh’s house, as well as One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature. Afternoon at your leisure.

This evening, visit perhaps Vietnam’s most famous performing art form, the Water puppet theatre for a one hour show. During a performance the puppets are directed by puppet masters who stand submerged in the water behind a screen and direct the puppets through the use of long sticks. Traditional musical instruments are used to accompany the story.

After the show, you will be transferred to the station to board overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai (option to travel in overnight Victoria Express at a supplement).

Day 3

LaoCai-Sapa (B)

Arrive in Lao Cai early morning, have breakfast at a local restaurant then drive to the Hill tribe markets located in a beautiful landscape. You can see here, how friendly and hospitable the local people are (program will change as per the day of visit as markets are organised at different places on different days of the week). Visit more minority villages along the way, heading to Sapa.

On arrival into Sapa, check into your hotel and the remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 4

Sapa (B/L/D)

In the morning, drive to Lao Chai, the staging point for today’s hike. Begin the 6km trek down into a rice-terraced valley. Walk through remote villages, rice paddies and thatched-roof homes of the H’mong. Continue hiking to the village of Ta Van, one of the few villages in Sapa inhabited by the Zay tribe. Return to Sapa along a dramatic winding trail. In the afternoon, you will start with a walk through the town of Sapa and along a dirt trail through beautiful gardens and lush pine forests.

You will then hike through the Black Hmong ethnic minority village of Matra, a very small village hiding away from civilisation. Continue hiking through rice paddy fields and spectacular scenery. During the day you will also be able to visit a local school. From the school, you head to the church of Taphin, where your car will take you back to Sapa. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Day 5

Sapa – Hanoi – Hue (B)

Today, leave Sapa by a car and drive to Hanoi and straight to railway station to board your overnight train to Hue.
 

Day 6

Hue (B)

Arrive in Hue and transfer to Hotel. Proceed for a tour starting with Old Imperial City -Visit Imperial Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, Continue to visit the spectacular Imperial Citadel, which houses a series of palaces, ornate halls, libraries, residences and colleges and end the tour at Dong Ba Market.

Day 7

Hue – Danang – Hoi An (B)

Morning, you will be taken for an excursion to Thien Mu Pagoda with boat trip on Perfume River. Continue from Hue to Hoi An enroute visiting Cham Museum and Marble Mountains in Danang. Afternoon walking tour of Hoi An visiting the Japanese Bridge, ancient houses, Phuc Kien Pagoda and the market. Also visit a Chinese Communal House or Hokkien Temple, ancient merchants’ houses, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and the colourful local market.
 

Day 8

Hoi An (B)

Day at leisure to explore the town on your own.
 

Day 9

Hoi An– Danang – Saigon (B)

This morning, transfer to Danang Airport for flight to Saigon

Afternoon tour of Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon) – it is a fast paced city with a unique mix of French colonial architecture, Chinese influences, a modern entrepreneurial spirit and numerous temples. On this tour, you will take in the highlights of Ho Chi Minh starting with an exploration of Saigon’s turbulent past with visits to the Reunification Palace and the War Museum.

The tour continues to Ho Chi Minh’s finest examples of French colonial architecture with a visit to the Notre Dame cathedral and Post Office. Your Ho Chi Minh tour continues with a visit to Giac Lam Pagoda, the Cholon Chinese district. Tour concludes at the Ben Thanh market, practice your bargaining skills.

Day 10

Saigon (B)

Morning excursion to visit one of the highlights of your Vietnamese holiday – Cu Chi Tunnels, an amazing complex of underground bunkers about 40kms northwest of Ho Chi Minh City and near the Cambodian Border. The tunnel system was commenced in the 1940′s. During the US War, at one time the tunnels spread out for 350kms and were up to 7 metres deep. They served as shelter, storage facilities and a secret means of communication for the guerrilla army. An ingenious system of concealed entrances kept the occupants safe despite air attacks and many efforts to penetrate the tunnel complex.  Afternoon at your leisure

Day 11

Saigon-Vinh Long (Mekong Delta)-Can Tho (B/L)

Drive from Saigon to Cai Be (120kms) in the heart of the Mekong Delta. Stop enroute to visit a typical local house where rice is made. Continue by river to see family-run businesses producing a local version of popcorn and rice paper. Lunch is at a local house on Binh Hoa Phuoc islet, set amongst fruit orchards and bonsai trees. Continue to Vinh Long and drive on to Can Tho.

Day 12

Can Tho–Saigon (B)

Morning boat cruise to visit Cai Rang floating market, a wonderful spectacle with thousands of small boats barging and jostling for position as their owners attempt to sell their goods. Cruise through small canals and stop at a fruit orchard to taste some of the succulent fruits of Mekong and then continue driving to visit the Binh Thuy. In the afternoon, drive back to Saigon.

Day 13

Saigon (B)

Transfer to airport to connect your onward flight. This is a private program and can be modified to suit your requirements. Included: Hotel accommodation with breakfast, sightseeing as per program, internal flights, and meals as indicated in program, professional English speaking local guides in each city, transportation by air conditioned vehicles in each city and between cities if listed by bus. Excluded: International flights, Visa, insurance, airport taxes, meals not included above, beverages during meals included in program, gratuities and any expense of personal nature. Prices quoted are valid till 31st March 2023 Cost above is indicative, based on Low Season in NZ Dollars and subject to change due to fluctuation in exchange rates. Please read T&C before booking Call 09410 5060 or 0508 EXOTICor email info@exoticholidays.co.nz for more information.