Classic Vietnam

Vietnam is an extraordinarily varied and beautiful country.
Introduction

With everything from superb cuisine to stunning landscapes, this corner of Southeast Asia dazzles the senses. Peaceful paddy fields give way to frenetic urban centers like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, where the youthful population rushes to embrace the future. Boutiques fill the French colonial buildings in enchanting Hoi An; in the north, a world away, are Sapa’s ethnic markets. Around Vietnam, lush jungles and jag­ged karst peaks beckon adventurers. Absorb it all but take time to relax, perhaps on the long, alluring coastline with its world-class beaches.

Duration
12 Days
Starting At
$1669 per person
Style
Escorted
Departures
July 2018 - May 2019
The Journey
Ho Chi Minh, Hoi An,Hue, Halong Bay, Hanoi
Roundtrip Flights From U.S. Included
Yes
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Tour Highlights

What's Included

Not Included

Tour Highlights

  • Visit the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral and the magnificent Saigon Opera house in Ho Chi Minh City
  • Old City of Hoi An one of the most important trading ports in Southeast Asia in the 15th century
  • Imperial City & 19th century Citadel , Hue
  • View the thousands of limestone islands rising out of the sea during the Halong Bay Excursion
  • Museum of Ethnology & Water Puppet Show, Hanoi

What's Included

  • Flights Los Angeles-Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi-Los Angeles (other departure cities available for an additional cost)
  • 10 nights accommodations
  • Hotel taxes, fees & service charges
  • All intra-flights: Ho Chi Minh-Da Nang & Hue-Hanoi
  • All transfers
  • 14 meals: 10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
  • Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
  • Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout
  • Entrance fees per itinerary

Flights from the USA may arrive on DAY 3.

Not Included

  • Visas (if applicable)
  • Tipping – an entirely personal gesture
  • Optional activities

The Itinerary

Note: Your itinerary will change slightly depending upon the day of the week you depart.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

Day 1

Depart for Vietnam

Depart for Vietnam.

Day 2

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon), the largest city in Vietnam. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy the Balance of the day is at leisure.

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh

Day 3

Ho Chi Minh

Enjoy the morning at leisure or, join the optional half day tour to Cu Chi Tunnels. They were part of an underground tunnel network built by the Viet Cong to control a large rural area near Saigon. The Cu Chi network includes 125 miles of tunnels with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, weapon factories, hospitals, shelters and other tunnels. In the afternoon, participate in a guided tour in Ho Chi Minh City, which includes the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office with its French style architecture, City Hall, and the magnificent Saigon Opera House. From here, visit lively Ben Thanh Market – where an unbelievable assortment of wares and crafts are sold under one roof. Continue to Dong Khoi Street, a major shopping thorougfare in the center of the city. Early in the evening, enjoy a Welcome Drink and briefing by your Tour Manager on the exciting journey that lies ahead. Remainder of the evening is at leisure. Be sure to check out the diversified dining scene in this culinary rich city.

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh | Breakfast

Day 4

Hoi An

Depart Ho Chi Minh on your flight to Da Nang, one of Vietnam’s major ports, situated on the coast of the South China Sea. Travel south to the picturesque ancient town of Hoi An, where people still wear the “ao dais”, Vietnam’s traditional dress. The ancient town of Hoi An, a World Heritage Site, was the most important trading port in Southeast Asia in the 15th century. Its ancient past is superbly preserved in an enchanting collection of temples, pagodas, shop houses and magnificent private homes in the town’s Old Quarter. Walking tour of this artistic jewel, with its century’s old architecture includes the gorgeous Phuoc Kien Pagoda, the 400 year old bright-red Japanese Covered Bridge and the Ancient House. Afterwards, continue to dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Hoi An | Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5

Hoi An

Spend a full day at leisure discovering all of the delights of Hoi An independently. Walk through the Old City, stopping at one of the city’s many museums, or see artisans using age-old techniques to fashion a variety of crafts. Of special interest are the colorful and elaborate paper lanterns created by lantern artisans for which Hoi An is well known. Or, join the optional boat trip on the Thu Bon River visiting the Organic Village, including lunch. The boat trip begins at a local pier in the Old Town. You’ll cruise down streams and past many fishing areas before arriving in Kim Bong village, home of traditional woodworking and boat-building. Return to the mainland and drive to the Traque Organic Village for lunch. Here, you’ll learn about the many vegetables and herbs organically grown to support the people of Hoi An. After a Vietnamese culinary lesson and tasting, return to Hoi An.

Overnight: Hoi An | Breakfast

Day 6

Hue

This morning, travel to Da Nang, with stunning views of bowl-shaped Da Nang Bay. Drive by Marble Mountain, a village well-known for its sophisticated hand-made marble products. Journey over the towering mountains to Hue, home to a wealth of palaces, temples, libraries and museums. Afternoon tour of this former Imperial capital, modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing. Enter the Ngo Mon Gate, principal entrance to the Imperial Enclosure and the central passageway reserved for use by the Emperor. Continue to the Thai Hoa Palace with its spacious hallways and ornamental roof, the Halls of the Mandarins, the Nine Dynastic Urns, and the ruins of the Forbidden Purple City, once home to the royal family. Tonight, spend time at leisure to explore on your own or join the optional Cyclo Ride with Dinner at the Citadel. Enjoy a panoramic view of both the daily life and the architecture of Hue with a Trishaw (Cyclo) Tour. Later arrive at a family run restaurant within the Citadel and savor a multi-course dinner replica of the Royal Feast.

Overnight: Hue | Breakfast

Day 7

Hue

Day at leisure to explore Hue independently. Or, participate in the not-to-be-missed optional boat excursion on the gentle Perfume River, which explores the life along the banks of the ancient royal capital city. The river, with its shimmering blue color is dotted with a poetic landscape of boats, gardens, pagodas, towers and temples. The tour continues to the legendary Thien Mu Pagoda, on the north bank of the Perfume River, built in seven successive tiers. Then, a drive to the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, final resting place of Vietnam’s longest reigning emperor and to Khai Dinh, the last monument of the Nguyen dynasty. Here, a vegetarian lunch will be prepared by Buddhist nuns of the Dong Thien Pagoda. Return to Hue.

Overnight: Hue | Breakfast

Day 8

Flight to Hanoi

Depart Hue on the flight* to sparkling Hanoi, cultural center of the country. Upon arrival, travel overland and through the lush Vietnamese countryside to picturesque Halong Bay, considered one of Vietnam’s most celebrated attractions. As you approach, you’ll see thousands of limestone islands rising out of the sea creating a truly magical scene. Arrive at your hotel in Halong Bay for overnight.

Overnight: Halong Bay | Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9

Hanoi

Incredible views await you today! Halong Bay is considered one of the most breathtaking places on the planet, added to the list of UNESCO Heritage sites and declared recently as one of the “New Seven Natural Wonders of the World”. There are over 3000 islands in the emerald waters and over 1000 have their own names. Numbers of caves and grottos of all sizes and shapes are filled with small waterfalls, stalactites and stalagmites. Sail on a traditional wooden boat on the tranquil bay with lunch served on board. Visit to one of the caves. Afterwards, drive to Hanoi, Vietnam’s vibrant capital and check in to your hotel. This city’s history is tied to French colonialism – its architecture, cuisine and local culture still bear evidence of the French influence.

Overnight: Hanoi | Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10

Hanoi

Today, visit the Museum of Ethnology, center for the preservation and exhibition of cultural heritage for over 50 ethnic groups in Vietnam. In the evening, attend a performance of the world-famous Water Puppet Show, accompanied by a traditional Vietnamese orchestra and Cheo (a form of opera). The show depicts a series of ancient Vietnamese folktales, acted out by puppets over a pool of water.

Overnight: Hanoi | Breakfast

Day 11

Hanoi

Spend a full day at leisure discovering Hanoi on your own, or, take the optional tour to the stunning Thay Pagoda and So Village, including lunch, also known as the “Pagoda of the Master”. Nestled against the hillside in Sai Go Village, it shares its compound with the smaller Ca pagoda. Here, you’ll also see Thuy Dinh Stage, a water palace on Long Tri Pond, where the ancient form of water puppetry is performed. Continue to So Village, a well-preserved ancient village. Walking tour around the village with its traditional layout and small alleyways in-between the houses. Stop at one of the communal houses to meet villagers who earn their living from making noodles. Tonight, your journey to Vietnam ends with many lasting memories. Farewell dinner with your fellow travelers and Tour Manager.

Overnight: Hanoi | Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12

Depart Vietnam

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Breakfast

Know Before You Go

The Fine Print

All prices are per person based on double occupancy.

Prices are correct at time of publication; however, as airfares continually fluctuate and classes of service may have limited capacity, prices and availability will change accordingly.

Deposit due upon booking. Reservations accepted until sold out.

Deposits are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure with some exceptions where payment is due earlier. Payment plans available.

Passport must be valid 6 months beyond travel dates. Visa requirements vary dependent upon your nationality, the countries you are visiting, whether you require a single or a multi entry visa and the duration of your stay. Some visas can be obtained upon arrival at the airport, others must be procured in advance, and embassy’s can often take several weeks to process them, so it is important that you start thinking about obtaining your visa at the time of booking. For more information about visa requirements, visit the US Department of State.

Visas required for Vietnam.

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