Overview
Vietnam is a country of colours. The gold of
the temples, jade green of Halong Bay, yellow green of rice paddy
fields and the multi coloured silks of the traditional 'Ao Dai'
women's dress. The Mekong Delta is all rice paddy fields, coconut
palms and sugar plantations being tended by farmers in conical shaped
hats. Cruise the river delta, visit floating markets and stay
overnight with a host family to see Vietnamese life up close. Cycle
around the UNESCO listed Hoi An, soak up some rays on the beach in Nha
Trang and cruise through some amazing limestone mountains of Halong
Bay on a traditional junk boat. This is truly a country where East
meets West, and this tour allows you to experience the very best that
this amazing place has to
offer.
Itinerary
Day 1
Ho Chi Minh
City
Start your Vietnam Experience this evening in Ho Chi
Minh City, still referred to as Saigon, a cosmopolitan city that
combines Vietnamese flair with US influences post Vietnam War and is
one of the most dynamic and progressive cities in Asia with great
places to eat and drink. The French also left their fingerprints all
over this ‘Paris of the Orient’, from architecture like the Notre
Dame Cathedral to the best pastries this side of the Eiffel Tower.
Hotel
Day 2 Ho
Chi Minh City to Mekong
Delta
It’s a 2 day journey into the Mekong Delta. After
experiencing the Mekong-style Cai Be floating markets, lunch at a
local home then bike ride the surrounding rural area, passing a raft
village, pottery factories and local cottage industries. Meet your
home stay family, and get to experience Vietnamese life first-hand,
enjoying a meal with them this evening. Homestay (B,L,D)
Day 3 Mekong Delta to Ho Chi Minh
City
Life begins early in Asia and we rise to see the
morning life of rural Vietnam as the village awakes. Returning to the
host family for breakfast we bid farewell and continue our cruise of
the Mekong, visiting a rice wine workshop and a Long Thanh communal
house before returning to Ho Chi Minh City. Hotel (B,D)
Day 4 Ho Chi Minh
City to Nha Trang
Spend the first half of your day seeing the landmarks
of this bustling city like the Notre Dame cathedral, Presidential
Palace and The War Remnants Museum with history on The Vietnam War.
Score a bargain in the Ben Thanh markets, selling everything from
fresh produce to fabrics and handicrafts and everything in between!
It’s a free afternoon so you could pick up an option to venture to
Long Tan, site of the most famous battle involving Australians in the
Vietnam War, or the alternative visit to the Cu Chi tunnels. These
200km network of tunnels were made by the Viet Cong to infiltrate
unsuspecting US base camps. Then it’s a flight to Nha Trang. Hotel
(B)
Day 5 Nha
Trang
Ranked one of the top beaches in Vietnam, take the
pace of your trip down a notch and enjoy this waterside resort town
while soaking up the rays and swimming in the warm waters. Do your
own thing or you could bliss out with a mineral mud bath warmed by
natural hot springs or there’s a full day snorkelling cruise to
offshore islands. Hotel (B)
Day 6 Nha
Trang to Hoi An
Fly to Danang and travel down to the UNESCO World
Heritage listed Hoi An. Join a walking tour through the Old Quarter,
pagodas and markets before biking the surrounding countryside. Free
time this afternoon to explore the town’s galleries and boutiques;
perfect for gifts! Hotel (B)
Day 7 Hoi
An
Enjoy another day in this little historic gem of a
town. A former trading port famous for wooden houses, Chinese
influenced temples and silk shops; it is the perfect place to have
clothes tailor-made at tiny prices. Get up close and personal with
the locals by taking an option to spend a day working with the local
village farmers. Hotel (B)
Day 8 Hoi An to
Hue
There’s stunning coastal views while driving over the
“Pass of the Ocean Clouds” to the former Royal City of Hue. A dragon
boat is your ride to pagodas featuring an eclectic mix of western and
eastern influences. Following a visit to the Royal Tombs and the
older, fortified Citadel, it’s a free afternoon. Take an optional
ride through the Forbidden City, once occupied by Emperors, or join a
cooking class in Hue Royal cuisine in a renovated former royal house.
Hotel (B)
Day 9 Hue
to Hanoi
Swap the coast for the city and fly to Hanoi, the
capital where you’ll find a unique mix of Vietnamese, Chinese and
French influences and where history and modernity live side by side.
Wind your way through the narrow streets of the Old Quarter, sip
cappuccinos, the renowned Vietnamese coffee, in road side cafes or
relax in one of the many parks or lakes. Hotel (B)
Day 10 Hanoi to
Halong Bay
Drive out from Hanoi to the spectacular Halong Bay.
Board a traditional Junk boat for an overnight cruise through the
surreal and breathtaking landscape of these World Heritage listed
waters where over 3,000 limestone islands rise right out from the
water. Watch the unforgettable scenery as we cruise past mountains,
islands, beaches and grottos while we lunch onboard. Take a bamboo
row boat to explore the lagoon, coral and water tunnels or watch
sunset from the top of Titov Mountain. Dinner is onboard. Overnight
Cruise (B,L,D)
Day 11 Halong Bay to
Hanoi
Wake to a view of sunrise over jade green waters. View
the simple fishing villages perched on the tiny islands, swim and
relax on the large deck before enjoying lunch and heading back to
Hanoi. Hotel (B,L)
Day 12 Hanoi
Spend the morning exploring Hanoi before a late check out.
(B)
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