DAY
1 HANOI
On arrival in Hanoi you will be met at the airport and transferred
to your Hotel. This
evening you will enjoy a performance of Vietnam’s famous water
puppets. A thousand
years ago, rains flooded the rice fields of the Red River Delta
around Hanoi. The peasants
couldn’t work. To entertain themselves they invented the
extraordinary art of Vietnamese
Water Puppetry. This art form is unique to North Vietnam and only
found its way to the
world stage in recent years as result of the normalized relation
with the West. Modern
water puppetry is performed in a pool of chest-deep water with the
water surface being the
stage. The puppeteers stand behind a screen and control the puppets
using long bamboo
rods and string mechanisms hidden beneath the water surface.
DAY 2 HANOI
After breakfast depart on a sightseeing tour that takes in Ho Chi
Minh’s Mausoleum,
Museum and the House On Stilts. We also visit the Temple of
Literature, Fine Arts Gallery
and Military Museum and a visit to the Old Quarter. There are great
shopping opportunities
in the 36th street of the old Quarter – silk, silver and embroidery
are among the best buys.
You will be able to discover local street foods and cafes before
returning to your hotel.
DAY 3 HANOI - MAICHAU
Early breakfast at your hotel and then depart for Mai Chau where you
will be involved in a
community project in one of the local schools.
DAY 4 MAICHAU
Community project continued.
DAY 5 MAICHAU - HANOI
Today you will complete your community project. After lunch drive
back to Hanoi and
arrive late evening. Check into your Hotel.
DAY 6 HANOI - HALONG BAY
This morning depart for Ha Long Bay. The drive to Halong Bay is
approximately 5 hours
and we cross two rivers on car ferries. After arrival at Cat Ba
Island in Halong Bay and
checking into your hotel for overnight, you will embark on a cruise
in a private junk on the
Emerald green waters of Halong Bay. Over three thousand jagged
limestone islands
emerge from the emerald green waters of Halong Bay. While some
islands are no more
than large rocks other are much more substantial and contain huge
cathedral-like caves of
stalactites and stalagmites. Most of the islands are clothed in
thick green vegetation and
ring with the sound of bird song in the early morning. Secluded
sandy coves are
everywhere and in the summer months the warm waters of the bay are
ideal for swimming.
Return back to hotel for overnight.
DAY 7 HALONG - HANOI
After breakfast at the hotel you will depart for your transfer back
to Hanoi.
DAY 8 HANOI - HUE
Transfer to the airport for flight to Hue with Vietnam Airlines.
Pick up and transfer to your
hotel. Hue saw fierce fighting during the Tet Offensive, visit the
local war museum, then in
the afternoon cruise to the Thien Mu Pagoda then continue on to Khai
Dinh, Tu Duc
Mausoleums and Minh Mang tomb. The rest of the afternoon is free to
explore this friendly
town and visit the Dong Ba Markets by bicycle.
DAY 9 HUE - DANANG - HOIAN
After breakfast visit the Citadel and the Royal palace before
driving to Danang. This
journey takes about four and a half hours driving along the coast
over the Hai Van Pass.
On arrival in Danang you will enjoy a short city tour before driving
to Hoi An. Your tour of
Danang includes Cham Museum with its priceless collection of stone
carvings which dates
to the period when central Vietnam was the Kingdom of Champa. We
also stop at Marble
Mountain and Hoa Phuc Village. Check into the Hoi An Hotel.
DAY 10 HOIAN
This morning we will take a walking tour of the Ancient town centre
to visit the former
merchants homes, the 400 year old Japanese covered bridge and the
colourful markets.
This afternoon is free for leisure.
DAY 11 HOIAN /DANANG /SAIGON
After breakfast at your hotel depart for Danang Airport for your
flight to Saigon. On arrival
you will be transferred to your hotel for check in and then depart
on a orientation city tour.
Your tour will include the fine colonial buildings of Ho Chi Minh,
Cholon (Chinatown), The
War Museum, Presidential Palace and Cathedral. The rest of your day
is free to stroll the
broad boulevards and enjoy the many shops and cafes.
DAY 12 CUCHI TUNNELS
A day trip to the famous Cu Chi tunnels gives any travellers an
understanding of the
toughness and resilience of the Viet Cong during time of conflict.
On to Tay Ninh where
you will see colorfully robed monks at the beautiful Cao Dai Temple.
Return to Ho Chi
Minh City late afternoon free.
DAY 13 SAIGON - SIEMREAP
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap. On arrival you
will be transferred to
your hotel. This afternoon visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom,
Bayon, Royal Enclosure,
Phimeanakas, Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.
DAY 14 SIEMREAP
Visit to the Kravan, Pre Rup, Mebon, Mebon Oriental, Ta Som, Neak
Pean and Preah
Khan Temple. After lunch visit to the Srah Srang, Ta Phrohm, Ta Keo,
Thommanon and
Cahu Say Tevod temples and view sunset from Phnom Bakheng. Enjoy
your last night
with a Farewell Dinner.
DAY 15 SIEMREAP
Depart Siem Reap for Bangkok ( or Saigon or Singapore)
Trip includes
ü
All accommodation on double/twin basis with daily breakfast
ü
Meals as indicated (B = breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Diner). Special
requirements (vegetarian, diet etc.) could be arranged upon
request
ü
All transfers/ transport
ü
Tours with entrance fees, boat cruise, transfers and English
speaking during guided time
ü
Boat
trip in Halong, Hue
ü
Flight tickets: Hanoi - Hue; Danang - Saigon - Siemreap
Trip excludes
ü
International airfares & airport taxes
ü
Pre/post trip arrangement
ü
Visa and visa arrangement
ü
Travel insurance
ü
Meals not indicated
ü
Other personal expenses
ü
Tips and gratuities
Trip cost : in US$ and per person based on a group, school,
club traveling together;
