VIETNAM AT CHRISTMAS

Tour Duration: 8 days

Accommodation: Hotels

Valid - December 2009

Day 1:  Arrival Hanoi airport

After arrival at the airport you will be given the chance to discover some of Hanoi's highlights. We start with the Vietnam museum of Ethnology where you can get an idea about the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam and visit some typical rebuilt houses at the outdoor museum. Next we will visit the Temple of Literature. Then transfer to your hotel in Hanoi.  This evening, we will attend a traditional Water Puppet show, a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form designed to depict scenes from rural life and episodes of national history.

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 2:  Hanoi – Hue (B-L)

This morning, we take an early flight to Hue.

We explore Hue by enjoying a morning boat cruise on the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda, a symbol of the city. Hue is also very famous for its historical relics including King’s tomb. Your boat will stop by Minh Mang tomb, one of the nicest King’s tombs which is set in harmony of Earth, Heaven, Green trees, Water and monuments. Your driver will collect you at Minh Mang for lunch at a garden restaurant of Biet Phu Thao Nhi.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Forbidden Purple City, the former home of the Royal family during the Nguyen dynasty from 19^th century to mid 20^th century. Although most palaces were destroyed during the American War (Vietnamese War) especially in Tet offensive (1968), this place is still worth a visit with many palaces and temples.

Overnight in Hue 

Day 3:  Hue – Hoi An (B)

In the morning, you will take a 4-hour drive to Hoian, a charming old town which was is as a World Natural Heritage site. On the way, we will stop at Lang Co beach, Hai Van pass, Cham sculpture museum and Marble mountain. We then check-in at our hotel in Hoi An.

In the afternoon, we take a tour of the historic pagodas, houses and bridges of Hoi An. This is Vietnam’s most enchanting town, an ancient trading port of narrow streets, historic buildings, fine food and abundant shops. The influence of many countries can be seen as you wander the streets, including the Chinese, Japanese, French, Portuguese and of course Vietnamese. Great efforts are being made to preserve the town for  new generations and cars have been banned from the most popular streets. There are many important sights in compact Hoi An and all can be explored on foot. The most popular destination include the Japanese covered bridge, dating from 1593, a number of historic Chinese merchant houses preserved in their original 19^th century state, such as Tan Ky House and 77 Tran Phu, and several important congregation halls originally established by Chinese immigrants to the port of Faifo as it was then known.

Overnight in Hoi An 

Day 4:   Hoi An – Hochiminh City (B)

AM: Morning at your leisure.

PM: Flight to Hochiminh city. Free at your leisure.

Overnight in Hochiminh city.

Day 5: Saigon- Cu Chi (B)

In the morning, we take a drive to visit the Cu Chi- a fabulous tunnel. These tunnels are a symbol of Vietnam’s continual fight against foreign oppression and imperialism. The tunnel system covers close to 200 km including under what was once a US air base. The tunnels once spanned an area stretching from close to the Cambodian border to the city limits of Hochiminh  City. They were originally constructed to fight against the French in the 1940s, to give a peasant army a means of communication between villages whilst remaining undetected. In 1960 the Viet Cong repaired and added to the tunnels to fight against the South Vietnamese and American forces. The Commander of the American forces in the region held the opinion that the Viet Cong who were responsible for digging them were like human moles.

Afternoon at leisure.

Overnight in Hochiminh city .

Day 6: Saigon- Cai Be- Can Tho (B, L)

In the morning we drive south to Cai Be. Upon arrival, start our private cruise excursion, departing from our own pier in Phu An hamlet at around 10.00 am. Upon embarkation, you are welcomed with fresh cotton towels. The tour will begin with the Cai Be colorful floating market, cruising among local barges full of fruits and vegetables... Cruising further, your sampan will bring you to see some local home factories to discover traditional rice paste making, rice pop corn, coco candies, and longans drying process.

A delicious lunch will await you at a superb Indochinese villa, Le Longanier, located in a luxuriant garden by the river…

After lunch, your sampan will proceed the cruise to Dong Hoa Hiep. On the way, you will be able observe the typical Mekong delta rural life. These evergreen islands among the Mekong River still remain unknown to many people. Visit an ancient mandarin house dating from the 19th century where the family will welcome you with a cup a tea.

We will proceed to Vinh Long, passing beautiful landscapes along Dong Phu canal, Binh Hoa Phuoc and An Binh islands famous for their fruit orchards. After crossing the Co Chien River, the excursion will end at Vinh Long pier around 4pm.

Overnight at hotel

Day 7: Can Tho - Hochiminh  City – Hanoi (B, L)

Breakfast at the hotel followed by an early boat trip to the bustling wholesale Cai Rang & Phong Dien floating markets where the farmers exchange their products.  A walk on a peaceful country road provides magnificent sceneries of local houses, orchard gardens and fields. Don’t be surprised if you are invited by a local family to join them for a cup of tea!  We will have lunch at a local restaurant before driving back directly to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. You will be welcomed at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 8:   Hanoi  Departure (B)

Have more free time in Hanoi until your transfer to the airport for your flight home. Trip ends.

End of services

Option to extend your trip with 2 days in Halong Bay - prices on request

3 star                    2 people per person sharing             $        1,491.60

                              4 people per person sharing             $        1,275.00

4 star                    2 people per person sharing             $        1,665.40

                              4 people per person sharing             $        1,399.20

5 star                    2 people per person sharing             $        1,971.20

                              4 people per person sharing             $        1,706.10

PRICE INCLUDES:

All land transportation and transfers as per itinerary

Accommodation in quality 3, 4 or 5 star hotels.

Boat trip on Perfume River in Hue.

Boat trip on Halong Bay

Meals as indicated.

All entrance fees and permits as per itinerary.

Domestic flights (economy class): Hanoi – Hue, Danang – Saigon.

PRICE EXCLUDES:

International air tickets and associated taxes.

Flight Saigon-Siem Reap - Hanoi ($ 435.00)

Meals not specified on the itinerary.

Personal expenses such as telephone bills, laundry expenses, beverages, etc.

Insurance against theft, loss, illness and/or accident.

Tips, baggage porterage and other extras not specified.

CONDITIONS:

Tour must be paid in full at time of booking and is subject to availability

Price applies to a minimum of two people per person sharing

Price applies to tours undertaken in December 2009

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