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16 DAYS IN HO CHI MINH CITY - MEKONG DELTA -
DA LAT - NHA TRANG - HOI AN - DA NANG - HUE - HANOI - HA LONG BAY, OR
VICE VERSA
 Day
1: Arrive Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Meet at airport. Transfer to hotel. PM: Short city tour. Visit to the
most attractive sites of town.
Day 2: Tay ninh and Cu chi Tunnels
Travel by coach to the magnificent Caodai Temple, and the famous Cu chi
Tunnels, built by the Vietcong during the war. Lunch en route. Overnight
in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 3-4: Ho Chi Minh City /Mekong
Delta/ Ho Chi Minh City
During the next two days we explore the famous Mekong Delta,
visiting the Dong tam Snake Farm. Later we take a boat trip to the local
floating markets and stay in Can tho overnight. On the second day we
visit Mt Sam near the Cambodian border, visiting local rice husking
mills and seeing the production of vermicelli. We return to Saigon for
an overnight stay.
Day 5: Saigon/Dalat
We travel by coach to Dalat in the Central Highlands. Dalat
is often referred to as the City of Eternal Spring due to its mild
climate. We transfer to our hotel for a 2-night stay.
Day 6: Dalat
Travel to Lat Village, where numerous ethnic groups live in
thatched roofed houses, and earn their living from growing crops and
producing charcoal. This village represents an authentic picture of
rural Vietnam. Journey to the Lake of Sighs, where legend tells of a
distraught girl who threw herself into the lake when she thought she had
lost her love.
Day 7: Dalat/Nha trang
We journey by coach today to Nha trang, the capital of Khanh
hoa province, beautifully situated on the coast. On the way we will stop
at the charmingly named Chicken Village which is adorned, quite
appropriately, with a giant concrete statue of a chicken. This statue is
said to represent the humble peasant life of the villagers. Our journey
continues to Nha trang where we will stay for 2 nights.
Day 8: Nha trang
Today we spend an enjoyable day cruising the South China Sea
around Nha trang, stopping over at some of the beautiful islands dotted
throughout the area, and surrounded by crystal clear waters. Lunch is
served on board, and for the more adventurous amongst us, there will be
a chance to swim in the calm ocean waters.
Day 9: Nha trang/Hoi an
We travel North by coach today to the ancient city of Hoi an.
On the way we visit Ponagar Cham Towers, originally a Hindu religious
site built during the 2nd century AD, and is a splendid example of Cham
architecture.
Day 10: Hoi an
Today we visit three of the city’s oldest homes, each built
over 200 years ago, and still occupied by descendants of the families
that originally built them. This is followed by visits to see the
traditional Hoi an Church, the beautiful Japanese Bridge and the famous
China Beach.
Day 11: Hoi an/Hue
Travel by coach through the spectacular Hai van Pass and
visit the Marble Mountains continuing onwards to the ancient capital of
Vietnam, Hue, for a two- night stay.
Day 12: Hue
This historic city offers much to the adventurous traveler.
In the morning we take a cruise on the Perfume River and visit the
Citadel which houses the Forbidden Purple City, the original home of the
emperors.
Day 13: Hue/Hanoi
This morning we fly to Hanoi, known at the ‘Paris of the
Orient’. This wonderful city is filled with beautiful tree lined
boulevards, French villas and natural lakes. Our city tour today
includes visits to Ho Chi Minh Museum, the Air Force Museum and the
serene West Lake.
Day 14-15: Hanoi/Ha long Bay/Hanoi
Today we travel by coach to an area that is regarded as the
‘jewel in the crown’ of Vietnam: Ha long Bay. We cruise through
spectacular scenery where dreamlike islands rise from the tranquil sea.
Our lunch today consists of freshly caught seafood from the Bay. Stay
overnight. We travel back to Hanoi the next day through wonderful rural
countryside, transferring to our hotel for our last night in Vietnam.
Day 16: Hanoi out
Today is our final chance for last minute shopping before we
transfer to airport for flight out of Vietnam. |
