Day
1 Arrival in Hanoi
Meeting
& greeting at the airport upon your arrival and transfer to hotel
for check-in and tour briefing. If time permits we will take an
orientation tour around central Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day
2: Hanoi (B)
Today's
full day tour includes Ho Chi Minh Memorial complex, taking
in his mausoleum, the Presidential Palace and his idyllic
wooden home built on stilts. Next we continue to the One Pillar
Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, and become acquainted
with Vietnam's two major religions, Buddhism and Confucianism. In
the afternoon we visit the fascinating museum of Ethnology,
which includes full size replicas of amazing ethnic minority tribal
buildings found across Vietnam.
Later
we explore downtown Hanoi including Ngoc Son Pagoda on Hoan Kiem
lake and Ma May Street in Hanoi's Old Quarter to see
a classic example of late 19th-century architecture. Afterwards
we proceed to West Lake to see the beautiful Tao Sach
Pagoda and enjoy coffee on a floating café. Free time in the
evening allows you to walk along the historic French colonial
Old Quarter of Hanoi. The Old Quarter provides a wonderful shopping
experience and has a choice of many excellent restaurants. Overnight
in Hanoi
(Optional
evening tour to see the famed water puppet theatre, a
traditional art form created by village farmers around the Red River
Delta region. Ask for prices & details at time of booking).
Day
3: Hanoi-Halong (B, L, D)
After breakfast we journey east to Vietnam's greatest natural wonder,
Halong Bay. We board our beautiful traditional wooden
junk and spend a full day and night cruising the bay's 3000
magnificent limestone islets. In the evening when the boat is anchored
in the middle of the stunning lagoon, we enjoy a wonderful seafood
meal and later there is opportunity for an evening swim from
the side of the boat. Kayaks are also available if specified
at time of booking. Overnight on luxurious boat.
Day
4: Halong - Saigon (Brunch)
Wake
up to fresh coffee and take a small boat to a nearby sandy cove
beach for an opportunity to relax and have a morning swim.
For a great photo opportunity it is well worth walking up to the
hill top pagoda which overlooks the entire Halong bay. Afterwards
we return for a wholesome breakfast before cruising back to Halong
City. En route the junk weaves through strange-shaped rock formations
that invite comparisons from fighting cocks to mystical dragons!
Disembark
and drive to Hanoi airport for flight to Saigon (about 2.5 hours
drive). on the way, we will visit some interesting handcraft places
such as ceramic village to break up the journey. Upon arrival you
will receive warm welcome from your local English speaking guide
and transfer to the Hotel.
Day
5 Saigon (B)
Our
tour today includes visiting the legendary network of underground
combat tunnels in Cu Chi, where our guide will explain
how the Vietcong survived and fought during the Vietnam war.
Later
we visit the Saigon colonial Post Office, Reunification
Palace and the Notre Dame Cathedral - the best of Saigon's
architectural landmarks. Overnight in Saigon.
Day
6 Saigon (B)
Free
day to explore the vibrant city at your leisure and a good opportunity
to buy your holiday souvenirs in downtown Saigon. Overnight in Saigon.
Optional
tour: travel to the opulent Holy See Temple in Tay Ninh
to see the noon service of Cao dai Sect adherents. Cao dai
is a fascinating Vietnamese religion combining aspects of Christian,
Buddhism, Muslim, Taoism and Confucius into a single religion.
Day
7: Saigon-Mekong Delta (B, L)
This
morning we continue our journey to the prosperous town of Vinh Long
in the heart of the Mekong Delta, a world that lives and
works on the water. We'll have an exciting boat trip to experience
the floating market of Cai Be. Next we continue by
sampan along small canals and narrow side arms of the Mekong
River to observe the daily life along the river banks, visiting
fascinating workshops where villages produce coconut sweets and
rice crackers.
Our
final destination is the beautiful Binh Hoa Phuoc Island.
On the island we visit orchards of tropical fruits and for lunch
we sample delicacies of the region, such as Elephant Ear fish. After
lunch we return to Vinh Long Town for our transfer back to Saigon.
Upon
arrival in Ho Chi Minh, we drive to Saigon's China Town where we
visit Thien Hau pagoda. Overnight in Saigon.
Day
8: Saigon - UK (B)
Transfer
to the airport for your flight home.
Beach
Extension is available: Please visit our Beach
Extensions page for
full details.
Small
Group Departure Dates & Prices
Ref
|
|
Departure
Dates
|
Twin
share (£)
|
Single
supplement (£)
|
VH
|
3
Star
|
Weekly
|
890
|
£185
|
VH
|
4
Star
|
Weekly
|
970
|
£285
|
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.
Buy
your flight tickets Now
and save £££s
on your holiday!
|
Price
Includes (The
prices shown are 'per person')
- All
flights within Vietnam including airport tax.
- All
airport/hotel transfers where specified (private transfer).
- Sightseeing
tours by professional English-speaking tour guide.
- Entrance
fees
- Selections
of standard or superior quality hotels
- Meals
as specified in the itinerary.
- Mini
Water provided on coach
-
Air conditioned transportation
- Guaranteed
Departure
Price
Does Not Include
- International
Flights: We are happy to provide flights with full ATOL Protection.
- Visa
letter of ariival fee (please contact us for
details).
- Visa
stamping fees at Airports
- Travel
Insurance.
- Tip
for driver and Guide.
Meals:
As stated in itinerary, B = breakfast, L = Lunch, D= Dinner
FAQ
and further Tour information
Please
see our FAQ
page for further essential tour information.
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.
|