VIETNAM DISCOVERED
15 days | US$3300 | Imperial Journey in Vietnam
Discover Vietnam immerse yourself in the rich history and culture. Savour the flavours and freshness of Vietnamese cuisine; be awed by the stunning natural scenery and enjoy a selection of Asia's most atmospheric hotels. Vietnam Discovered allows you to experience a relaxed laidback river lifestyle of the mighty Mekong to the spectacular mountain scenery of Sapa, this journey encompasses the very best that Vietnam has to offer.
Days 1 - 3 Ho Chi Minh (plus Cu Chi and the Mekong Delta)
Ho Chi Minh, or Saigon as it was once known, is a city layered with nostalgia. From your city tour through the boulevards of French colonial architecture (including the Opera House, Town Hall, and the Notre Dame Cathedral) to the landmark American Caravelle Hotel, where you will stay Ho Chin Minh is a city that still resonates the bitter struggles of the American Vietnam War.
Experience the meaning of war from the Vietnamese perspective as you tour out to the tunnels of Cu Chi, a complex of underground tunnels, connecting hideouts, shelters, command centres and living quarters of the Viet Cong.
Crawl through these claustrophobic chasms if you dare, then further your insight as you explore alternative perspectives on the war at the Reunification Palace museum.
A day trip by boat through the jungles, and shoaling branches of the Mekong Delta, is an exciting introduction to a river whose waters are considered lifeblood of this agriculturally rich region. Coconut candy and honey production, tropical fruits growing, and fishing are a few aspects of life on the river to observe as you are paddled in a sampan to Phoenix and Turtle Islands where samples of these delicious products await you.
Binh Tay Wholesale Market in Cholon China Town, the Vin Trang Pagoda, Thien Hau Temple, the Church of the quirky Cao Dai cult, are also included over your two days to help fill out the picture of modern day Ho Chi Minh.
Day 4 Hue
This morninbg fly to the city of Hue, Vietnam's former royal capital set beautifully amidst landscaped gardens on the banks of the Perfume River, and back-dropped by the forested slopes of the Truong Son Mountain Range.
Vietnamese say that what Halong Bay is to nature, Hue is to the art of humankind. 13 Nguyen Kings sculpted (competitively) the palaces, citadels, temples, shrines, pagodas and mausoleums that decorate this misty valley.
Relax along the river or explore sights such as the delightfully sprawling Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO world Cultural heritage listed site that is slowly being restored to its pre war-damaged glory.
Cruise along the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda, the oldest temple and symbol of Hue, and then explore the extravagant mausoleums of former Emperor's Tu Duc and Khai Dinh - both exquisite examples of the Vietnamese Buddhist aesthetic.
Day 5 Hue - Hoi An
The Road from Hue to Hoi An is one of incomparable beauty. Enjoy stunning mountain and ocean views as you travel the refreshingly crisp Hai Van Pass through stunning rural and coastal scenery.
Along the way stop to see the sculptures of Cham-Vietnam's ancient Hindu Kingdom; the caves of the Buddhist Shrines at Marble Mountain (which also served nearby Danang as an emergency hospital during the Tet offensive of the Vietnam/American War;) and China Beach where American and Australian G.I's rested and recreated in the brighter moments of their tours of duty.
Day 6 - 7 Hoi An
Hoi An is a highpoint for most visitors to Vietnam. Historically rich and aesthetically beautiful, Hoi An has a UNESCO World Heritage listing from its former role as a trading post for Chinese merchants who have docked their junks inside the estuary of the Thubon River since the 16th century.
Their elegantly tiled and lacquer-paneled Trading Houses and Community halls lend this river front town a seductive old world charm.
Take to the narrow cobblestone streets on foot, to explore such sites as the, The Phung Hung Family Home, the Fukien, Cantonese, and Hokien, Hong Meeting Halls, The Quan Kong Temple, the Japanese Covered Bridge and the fruit, flower, silks and lantern markets, before progressing to a more relaxed pace in a cycle along the river front.
Eating seafood on the nearby Cua Dai beach, and having clothes tailored at a fraction of the cost of back home, are just a few of the popular pastimes that your guide can help you with to get the most out of your two days in Hoi An.
Day 8 - 10 Hanoi (plus Halong Bay)
Soak up the ambience of the capital, a city whose bustling streets are a blend of both Chinese and French Colonial architecture and design. Coffee shops, bars, fantastic restaurants, and excellent shopping make Hanoi, Vietnam's most cosmopolitan city.
A full day city tour takes you to Ho Chi Minh's Former Residence and Mausoleum (when he is not away being retouched in Moscow,) the One-Pillar Pagoda, the sacred Hoan Kiem Lake, and Vietnam's first university - the 11th Century Temple of Literature.
A separate rickshaw tour through the Old Town gets right in amidst the bustle taking you along streets each dedicated to a particular style of good - silk, paper, silver, lacquers, ceramics, gravestone... based on ancient guild memberships.
Stop at Hoa Lo Prison dubbed the Hanoi Hilton by American POW's, and look out for the impossibly skinny "tube" houses, a Hanoi phenomenon that arose from a tax on property frontage widths.
A day trip to Halong Bay to enjoy a delicious seafood lunch on board a wooden boat as you explore, the breathtaking beauty of this area.
Premium seating at an evening performance of the renowned Hanoi Water Puppets, (traditionally performed in irrigated rice paddies) are reserved in advance, as this popular performance is a not-to-be missed Hanoi experience.
After the Water Puppets, try one (or several) of the fashionable Vietnamese restaurants around Hoan Kiem Lake as you establish a bench mark for your own forays into the world of Vietnamese cuisine at a cooking class, in the morning before you depart for Sapa, the following day.
Days 11 - 12 Sapa
Think old world romance as you board your Superior Class Carriage on the overnight Victoria Express to the Chinese border town of Lao Cai, and enjoy one of the world's great train experiences.
A short drive up the Hoang Lien Range brings you to the Sapa Hill Station, originally built as a summer escape by the French Colonial Administration, to enjoy good views, relaxing resorts, hearty food and mountain trekking.
Taking time to breakfast and check out the fabulous views from your hotel, you will visit the Sapa Markets to experience the colourful diversity of the hill tribes who trek in from the surrounding valleys to sell silverwares and needlework, vegetables, rice, and pot-bellied pigs.
In the afternon walk through Muong Hoa Valley decend through the largest terraced rice paddy area in the Spa region. Walk through villages of Lao Cahi home to the Black Hmong Minority and then on to the village of Ta Van, inhabited buy the Giay minority.
Day 13 Sapa
This morning visit the Red Dzao village where the women shave their heads and eyebrows and wear bright red turbans. They are also known for their elaborate embroidery skills.
Refresh your senses at the Thac Bac Falls on your way back to your hotel and enjoy a relaxed evening with good food and views (or a seat around the central fireplace) at the Victoria Sapa Hotel.
Day 14 Sapa - Bac Ha market - Hanoi (overnight train)
Today transfer to Bac Ha about 3 hours by road to visit the H'Mong village which is made up of several minority groups. The area is famous for its weekend markets where you see the women of various minority groups wearing traditional dress such as bright coloured flowers embroided on skirts and bright red scarfs all unique to different ethnic groups.
Bac ha is rich in colour, culture and beautiful scenery, spend time wandering through the villages before transfering to Lao Cai to join your overngiht train to Hanoi.
Day 15 Depart Hanoi
Arrive early this morning in Hanoi and transfer to your hotel for early check-in and breakfast. Today is free until your transfer to the airport for your onward journey home.
You have your room till 12noon.
Tour Inclusions
Tripcode: IEVN1508
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