Vietnam Discovery

15 days - A fantastic holiday that includes treking to remote mountain villages and visiting cultural sights & cities across Vietnam...

• Hanoi
• Lao Kai - Sapa
• Halong bay
• Hue
• Hoian & My Son,
• Mekong delta -Can Tho -Chau Doc
• Danang
• Saigon and Cu Chi tunnel system
• Guaranteed departure minimum 2 people

Itinerary & Prices below

Day 1 Hanoi

Arrive at Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport and then transfer to hotel for check-in and tour-briefing. Later we have an Orientation tour of central Hanoi and the exciting Old Quarter with its 36 specialised 'Guild Streets.' You'll experience Hoan Kiem Lake, the old French colonial section, and the magnificent Opera House. In the evening a dinner with traditional Vietnamese cuisine to welcome you to Vietnam. Overnight in Hanoi. (D)

Day 2 Hanoi - Lao Kai (Sapa)

Morning sightseeing of the city's most outstanding historical and cultural sites, including The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, President Ho's House on Stilts, and Ba Dinh Square. The tour continues to the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, in order to gain an understanding of two guiding forces in Viet Nam culture, Buddhism and Confucianism. Before departing on the Night Express to Lao Kai (Sapa), a performance of the National Water Puppet Theatre is highlighted. Overnight on the train in 4-person soft-berth deluxe comfort with Air-conditioner.(B)

Day 3 Hanoi - Lao Kai - Sapa

Early morning arrival at Lao Kai, then transfer upland to the town of Sapa. A short walk out of town for a great view of Viet Nam's highest mountain range, Fan Si Pan, filled with terraced rice paddies and deep valleys. Enjoy the incredible mountain vista and a captivating musical show by local artists. Back to town, settle in to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day exploring this exotic region, visiting the unusual markets, and getting acquainted with the different ethnic hill tribes such as the H'mong, Red Zao, Zay, and others, Overnight in Sapa. (B, L)

Day 4 Sapa - Hanoi

An entire day to enjoy the natural wonders of Sapa and learn more about the varied cultures of the region's Hill People. You'll have ample opportunity to visit different villages of the H'mong, Red Zao, and Zay people, and especially Muong Hoa Valley. Home visits are included, and be sure to bring your cameras. This is a Photographer's paradise. Walking by foot, hill-climbing, trekking, or taking it easy by jeep is optionally offered for your sense of adventure, or convenience. In the late afternoon, you take the overnight train back to Hanoi. (B)

Day 5 Hanoi - Halong

We arrive early in Hanoi and have enough time to visit the remarkable Flower Market before breakfast. Afterwards, we journey to Ha Long. Enjoy the journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life. Lunch aboard and then visit the Cave of Marvels, the Island of Titov, the Luon Lagoon. Famous as a recognised world wonder and protected World Heritage Site, the bay includes strange rock formations, caves, and numerous islands jutting out of the surrounding emerald waters. Dinner and overnight on a private junk on the emerald green waters of Ha Long Bay, among the 3,000 spectacular limestone islands. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Halong -Hanoi - Hue

We continue exploring Halong Bay till 11:30. Bid farewell to the magical seascapes and transfer to Noi Bai International airport for our flight to Hue. We take a detour enroute to the 500 year pottery village of Bat Trang.

Met upon arrival at Hue airport and transfer to your hotel for check in. Overnight in Hue. (B, L)

Day 7 Hue

Hue was once the capital city of Vietnam and still retains much of her ancient charm: Regal architecture, leisurely pace of life, quintessential cuisine, and so on. This morning we start with a boat trip on the Perfume River to 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 we visit the elaborate mausoleum of emperor Tu Duc and the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. To round off the evening, a sample of royal dinner is perfect. Overnight in Hue. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Hue - Danang - Hoian

Leave Hue after breakfast by road for Da Nang via the scenic fishing village of Lang Co and drive over the famous Hai Van Pass. Stop in Da Nang to visit the beautiful Non Nuoc Beach. On the road from Da Nang to Hoian visit five sacred hills known as the Marble Mountains containing dozens of Buddhist shrines. Proceed to Hoian for hotel check-in. Overnight in Hoian. (B, L)

Day 9 Hoian-My Son

We pay a morning visit to the capital and religious centre of the former Champa Kingdom, My Son. Here, 40km southwest of Hoian, in a lush green valley, are dozens of red brick towers and sanctuaries dating from between the 7th and 13th centuries. On the way back to Hoian stop to visit Tra Kieu, formerly known as Simhapura or the Lion Citadel, the capital of Champa between the 4th and 8th centuries. Some of the finest sculpture in Da Nang's Cham Museum originated from here. In the afternoon, we visit the quaint town of Hoian. Once an international seaport, as major Asian trading port in the 17th and and 18th centuries, Hoian's architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years. We will explore its narrow lanes and historic architecture, calling at the colorful shop-houses for the unexpectedly good bargains of silk wares. Overnight in Hoian (B)

Day 10 Hoinan - Danang - Saigon

This morning we will travel to Danang to visit the Cham Museum and Marble Mountain before continuing by air to Saigon. Upon arrival you will receive warm welcome from your local English speaking guide and transfer to the Hotel. Here we walk the busy and interesting Dong Khoi area, admiring the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Unification Palace and the colonial Post Office, etc. Overnight in Saigon (B).

Day 11 Saigon - Chu Chi tunnels

Visit Cu Chi underground tunnel network in the morning, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the Vietnam War. It is advisable to wear clothes which you won't mind getting dirty if you intend to be adventurous and go underground yourself! We then head for Tay Ninh to witness the noon services of adherents to Caodai Sect, in a beautiful edifice called Holy See Temple. Return to Saigon for noontime break then a leisurely walk in the famous Chinatown, visiting Lady Hau Pagoda along the way. Overnight in Saigon. (B, L)

Day 12 Saigon - Vinh Long - Can Tho

We travel deep into Mekong Delta, a world that lives and works on the water - a photographer's paradise. We explore the intricate waterways by sampan, local farm houses and fruit orchards, riding bicyles around. We arrive in Can Tho in the afternoon and take a spin around this city to experience the waterfront at Ninh Khieu Quay, bustling, and exciting with Hau River life. Overnight in Can Tho. (B, L)

Day 13 Can Tho-Chau Doc

Early morning we take a boat-ride to visit the extraordinary river market of Cai Rang. Famous as one of the largest on the complex of water-ways that comprise the Mekong Delta. The boat tour is capped off with a visit to My Khanh Village, a genuine Delta village that is typical of the region. Move on to Chau Doc for overnight stay. (B, L)

Day 14 Chau Doc - Saigon

In the morning we visit Sam Mountain, a complex of temples and pagodas, in this region near the Cambodian border. We continue to the Tinh Bien, the market by the border with Cambodia. We then return to Saigon for the evening, with lunch en route. (B, L)

Day 15 Saigon - Departure

Free until transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (B)

Small Group Departure Dates & Price

Ref	Weekly Departure Dates	Twin share (£)	Single supplement (£)
VDY	Oct 09 - August 2010	1400	500
VDY	Sept - December 2010	1460	535

Prices are based upon a small group tour excluding international flights from UK. As an agent for airline consolidators, we can obtain your international flights at a competitive rate to suit your preferred departure date. Contact us to discuss your requirements.

Hotel upgrade to 5-Star is available and private tailor-made tours can also be arranged.

Price Includes (The prices shown are 'per person')

• All flights within Vietnam including airport tax.
• All airport/hotel transfers where specified (private transfer).
• Selections of superior/deluxe (generally 4 star)
• Overnight on the train in 4-person soft-berth deluxe comfort with Air-conditioner. (possible sharing with others)
• Sightseeing tours including entrance fee by professional English-speaking tour guide.
• Meals as specified in the itinerary.
• Air conditioned transportation and bottle water on coach.

Price Does Not Include

• International flight.
• Visa fee (please go to Visa Service for details).
• Travel Insurance.
• Tip for driver and Guide.

Flights: International return flight are not included in the package, however as an agent for many airline consolidators, we can help you to obtain flights at competitive rate and in various class, such as BA, Singapore Airline, Vietnam Airline, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Finnair etc. Please ask for more details at the time of your booking.

Accommodation for this tour: Carefully selected 4 star hotels. For details of our hotel collection, please visit 'Accommodation' page. Overnight on the train in 4-person soft-berth deluxe comfort with Air-conditioner, however possibility that you will be sharing with others.

Meals: As stated in itinerary, B = breakfast, L = Lunch, D= Dinner

Other operation fact:

Arrival airport Hanoi, departure airport Saigon.

Magical Indochina is a specialist operator who arrange small group tours (maximum group size 15) made up of friends, families, and like-minded people of different ages and background. We aim to create a special holiday for you to integrate important values of local culture, nature and people. Also unlike many companys we do not cancel tours and Guaranteed Departure based upon minimum 2 people.

The itinerary is designed according to the most updated information of the flight available, although occasionally the sequence in which cities are visited and duration of time spent in each city can change due to local conditions which are out of our control. The above itinerary highlights the main attractions that are to be visited each day. Further places of interest may be visited during your stay, which will provide unique ethnic and cultural handcraft shopping opportunities. We reserve the right to change, amend or alter the itinerary, although we will act in your best interests to handle any amendments. Please refer to the booking form for detailed terms & conditions.