Itinerary
Day 1 - Departure day
Depart today for Hanoi and cross the International Date Line.
Day 2 - Hanoi
Late this morning, arrive into Hanoi with the rest of the day at leisure. Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers for your get-acquainted reception and dinner. SOFITEL PLAZA HOTEL HANOI
Day 3 - Hanoi sightseeing
Hanoi, a city of lakes, shaded boulevards and public parks, is the capital of Vietnam. It is a very attractive city with French-style architecture. A full day of sightseeing includes a visit to One Pillar Pagoda, built by Ly Thai Tong who ruled from 1028 to 1054, and the Temple of Literature, founded by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong. Stop in the heart of Hanoi at Hoan Kiem Lake to view the tiny Tortoise Pagoda. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Opera House and St. Joseph Cathedral. Conclude with a visit to Bao Tang Lich, once the museum of l'Ecole Francaise d'Extreme Orient, including artifacts from Vietnam's turbulent history. SOFITEL PLAZA HOTEL
Day 4 - Excursion to Halong Bay and boat trip
Depart this morning for magnificent Halong Bay, a dedicated UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, to enjoy a boat cruise past the islands of Trong, Mai, Am, Chen and Cong Troi (Heaven Gates). As you cruise between the cliffs, note many of them look like fairy-tale castles. Stop at one of the islands to visit a cave. Enjoy a seafood lunch on board. Return to Hanoi with the rest of the afternoon and evening to relax. SOFTEL PLAZA HOTEL HANOI
Day 5 - Fly to Hue/Tour the Old Imperial City
Today fly to Hue, Vietnam's political capital from 1802 to 1945 under the 13 emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Traditionally, the city has been one of Vietnam's cultural, religious and educational centers. Visit the Imperial City, located in the Citadel. Modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Imperial City was built in the early 19th century. Its principal entrance, the Ngo Mon Gate, was reserved for use by the emperor, as was the bridge across the lotus pond. Explore the Thai Hoa Palace, with its spacious hall and ornate roof of huge timbers supported by 80 carved and lacquered columns. See the Halls of the Mandarins, the Nine Dynastic Urns and the site where the Forbidden Purple City once stood. LA RESIDENCE HOTEL & SPA.
Day 6 - Thien Mu Pagoda/Tomb of Emperor Minh Man
Just outside Hue, visit the Thien Mu Pagoda on the bank of the Perfume River, a hotbed of anti-government protest during the early 1960s. Next, visit the complex of the Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, built in 1840 and known for its magnificent architecture and elaborate decorations. It is considered one of Hue's most beautiful pagodas. After lunch, visit Tu Duc Tomb, built for meditation, reading and theater performances in a tranquil setting of forested hills and lakes. Your final stop is at Khai Dinh, the last monument of the Nguyen dynasty. It has a remarkable long staircase flanked by dragons, ceiling murals and ceramic frescoes. LA RESIDENCE HOTEL & SPA
Day 7 - To Danang/City sightseeing
Today, journey south along Highway 1 past the Hai Van Pass and Land Co, over a spur of the Truong Son Mountain Range that juts into the South China Sea, with spectacular views along the way. Upon arrival in Danang, visit the Cham Museum, featuring a fine collection of open-air sandstone carvings. Stop at China Beach, made famous in the American TV series of the same name. It stretches for many miles north and south of the Marble Mountains. This was a haven for many American soldiers on furlough. The Marble Mountains surrounding the area are five stone hillocks, once islands made of marble and each is said to represent one of the five elements of the universe. There are many natural caves in which Buddhist sanctuaries have been built over the centuries. Arrive at your beach resort, FURAMA RESORT DANANG.
Day 8 - Hoi An excursion/Thun Bon River boat trip
Enjoy a full-day excursion to Hoi An, a major trading center, once known as "Faifo" to the earliest Western traders. It was also an important port for the Dutch, Portuguese, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and other merchant vessels from the Far East. Visit a temple with partially gilded statues in the center, a pagoda dedicated to sailors and fishermen, and a chapel with origins in the 1700s that reflects the influences of Chinese and Japanese styles. Stop at the Sa Huynh Museum, located near the Japanese Covered Bridge, which contains exhibitions from the earliest period of Hoi An's history. There are some very old houses that depict fine carvings on the wooden walls and around the courtyard, and some houses where the families have been living for over eight generations. In the late afternoon, take a boat trip on the Thun Bon River to Kim Bing Village on Cam Kim Island to see the wood workers and shipbuilding families. FURAMA RESORT DANANG
Day 9 - To Saigon/City sightseeing
Fly to Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, the largest Vietnamese city. There are street markets, sidewalk cafes and sleek new bars. This teeming metropolis offers 300 years of timeless traditions and the beauty of an ancient culture. To the west of the city is the huge Chinese neighborhood called Colon, which means "Big Market." Notre Dame Cathedral, in the heart of Saigon's government quarter, is of neo-Romanesque architecture with two high square tower and iron spires. The Central Post Office is French-style and City Hall, known as "Hotel de Ville," is typical of the French architecture that would be seen in any village in France. Visit the War Remnants Museum, featuring collections of weapons and photographs from the two Indochina wars. SOFITEL PLAZA SAIGON
Day 10 - My Tho/Meking river boat trip
Today takes you to My Tho, the capital of Tien Giang Province. Situated on the Mekong River, 75 kilometers southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, the city is surrounded by orchards and rice fields, which provide grain for the entire country. Visit one or two of the islands producing traditional handcrafts, coconut candy and bee farms. Visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda, the oldest one in the delta on your boat trip on the Mekong River. Return to your hotel and bid your fellow travelers adieu at your farewell dinner. SOFITEL PLAZA SAIGON
Day 11 - Conclude Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City
There is time for a bit of relaxation or reflection before your return flight home. Those wishing to extend their visit to include Cambodia, should
inquire about our 3 day program, which departs from Ho Chi Minh
City to Siem Riep this morning.
Travel Dates & Rates
| Departure Dates |
Space Available |
Land Only |
Single Supplement |
| 10/24/2008 |
Yes |
from $ 2029.00 US |
from $ 1009.00
US |
| 11/28/2008 |
Yes |
from $ 2109.00 US |
from $ 1079.00
US |
* Guaranteed to operate
** Ask agent about our waiting list
- Land only rate is per person based on double occupancy. On-tour flights from Hanoi/Hue and Danang/Saigon are included in the land tour rate. International airfare is not included. Please inquire about our competitive rates at the time of booking. With purchase of international airfare through Maupintour, arrival and departure transfers are included.
- Triple reduction $72 per person.
- Pre/post nights are available upon request. Reservation deposit is $500 per person. Travel insurance is highly recommend.
- Note: Visa is required and is the responsibility of the traveler to secure.
Prices subject to change without notice until time of deposit. All dollar values not denoted as US or CA are in US Dollars. |
