Tour Code: HTM Prices start from: $3,690 per person Ex Australia 14 Days “The beauty of Halong Bay & the mighty Mekong – perfect!”
A Vietnam tour that provides a wonderful insight into life along the Mekong and the unique natural beauty of Halong Bay where you will enjoy an overnight cruise. Your Vietnam holiday takes you to one of the most beautiful regions ‘Dry Halong’ then experience the Thai inspired town of Mai Chau before travelling south to the ‘living museum’ and UNESCO World Heritage listed town of Hoi An. Continue your Vietnam tour with a cruise through the colourful floating markets of the Mekong and finish in Saigon, home of the famous Cu Chi Tunnels..
Vietnam Map [enlarge]
FRI: AUSTRALIA/HANOI
Depart Australia on your flight to Hanoi. On arrival you will be transferred to the Medallion for two nights.
SAT: HANOI
Today visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, his wooden cottage and the One Pillar Pagoda. Enjoy a walking tour through the bustling Old Quarter and continue onto Hao Lo Prison, formerly known as the ‘Hanoi Hilton’, the Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple and the Museum of Ethnology. This evening, enjoy the Water Puppet show.
Meals: Breakfast 1 | Lunch 1
SUN: HANOI/HALONG BAY
Travel to Halong Bay via the rich farmlands and villages to join your overnight cruise onboard the “Baitho” junk. Observe the natural beauty of the unique grottoes that rise towards the sky as you leisurely sail the emerald green waters of the bay.
Meals: Breakfast 1 | Lunch 1 | Dinner 1
MON: HALONG BAY/NINH BINH
Watch the sun rise over the bay before you return to the pier and transfer to Ninh Binh, considered one of the most beautiful regions of Vietnam and nicknamed ‘Dry Halong Bay’. Enjoy an afternoon cruise through the Thung Nang Valley and pass through spectacular caves to reach a quaint pagoda before stopping at the local markets. Stay one night at Ninh Binh Legend Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast 1 | Dinner 1
TUE: NINH BINH/MAI CHAU
Take a scenic drive to Mai Chau and stay one night at the Mai Chau Lodge. Pass by fields of tapioca, sugar cane and rice paddies and see villagers in the fields logging or herding buffalo. Visit Mo Luong Cave after a lunch in a traditional stilt house of the Thai people. This evening, enjoy a traditional Thai performance of music and dance.
WED: MAI CHAU/HANOI
Return to Hanoi for one night and enjoy lunch at KOTO Restaurant, an ongoing project to help street children gain work and independence in the hospitality industry. This afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature and the History Museum. This evening enjoy dinner at the Press Club.
THU: HANOI/HOI AN
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang. On arrival, travel to the charming ancient town of Hoi An. Along the way stop at Non Nuoc Beach and Cham Mountain. Stay two nights at the Hoi An Hotel.
FRI: HOI AN
Described as a ‘living museum’ with narrow winding streets and rows of carefully-preserved ancient houses, Hoi An has a unique charm and atmosphere. Enjoy a cyclo tour, visit the Japanese covered bridge, a Chinese communal house, take a boat ride on the Thu Bon River and visit Thanh Ha where skilled locals produce beautiful pottery.
SAT: HOI AN/SAIGON
Transfer back to Danang and fly to Saigon. Stay one night at the Asian Ruby Hotel.
SUN: SAIGON/CAN THO (MEKONG DELTA)
Spend a day exploring the colourful floating markets, emerald rice fields and lush back waterways of the Mekong Delta. Journey to Cai Be and Vinh Long and cruise through the many tributaries of the Mekong, walk along the famous ‘Monkey Bridges’ that link the villages together and wander amongst vibrant tropical fruit gardens. Continue onto Can Tho and stay one night at the Victoria Can Tho Hotel.
MON: CAN THO/SAIGON
Early this morning visit the bustling floating markets of Cai Rang where countless boats, loaded with local produce are moored alongside the riverbank ready for trading. Sail through the markets and watch the locals haggle and trade their wares to interested buyers. Explore the rural city of Can Tho, passing the local market and Khmer Pagoda. Return to Saigon and stay two nights at the Asian Ruby Hotel.
TUE: SAIGON
Travel to the Cu Chi Tunnels, constructed by Viet Cong fighters during the Vietnam War, these tunnels ran directly under military bases and were used both as shelters and to stage surprise attacks. Continue onto the Reunification Palace, History Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, Dong Khoi Street and Ben Thanh Market. This evening, enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise.
WED: SAIGON/AUSTRALIA
Farewell Vietnam as you transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home.
Meals: Breakfast 1
THU: ARRIVE AUSTRALIA
Guaranteed departures with a minimum of 6 people.
Hanoi - Lunch at KOTO, Dinner at the exclusive Press Club Halong Bay - Overnight Junk cruise Mai Chau - Traditional Thai performance Hoi An - Cyclo tour Saigon - Relaxing dinner cruise