Highlights of Vietnam - Journeys of Distinction Light

14-DAY VIETNAM ENLIGHTENED TOUR

History, culture and natural wonders combine to make this a fascinating and emotional journey through traditional Vietnam – the hot destination for 2012.

So much is included in the price
• Return flights to and from the UK, and internal flights, on Vietnam Airlines, including all departure taxes
• Visits to Saigon, Hoi An, Hue, Hanoi and Halong Bay
• Sightseeing as specified with transfers and entrance fees included
• Local guides who’ll share their knowledge of the country, its history and culture
• Free time to explore independently
• 12 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 1 dinner.
• Quality hotels throughout

Extend your holiday
Once the travel bug bites you, it’s hard to return to normal life; but you can always put it off for a bit longer by booking an extension or stopover to give yourself a few more days’ holiday and a wealth of different experiences.

Sapa extension

Day 1 Hanoi to Sapa
This evening, you’ll board a sleeper train for your overnight journey to Lao Cai, close to the Chinese border.

Day 2 Sapa
You’ll ascend to Sapa, a former French hill station surrounded by picturesque mountains. After breakfast, you’ll trek to nearby hill tribe villages. You’ll meet locals from several of Vietnam 54 minority groups, including the Red Zao, Hmong and Tay.

Day 3 Sapa
You’ll climb up Ham Rong Mountain for a panoramic view of Sapa. You’ll also have free time in the charming town itself.

Day 4 Sapa to Hanoi
Later today transfer to Lao Cai for the overnight train back to Hanoi.

Day 5 Hanoi to Gatwick
You’ll arrive into Hanoi early this morning and return to your hotel which you can use as a base for the day, before your flight late tonight arriving the next day.
Meals: 4 breakfasts, 1 lunch
Hotel: 2 nights shared train cabin, 2 nights Topas Ecolodge,1 day Hong Ngoc.
From £395 per person

Tour itinerary

Day 1 Depart London Gatwick
Your lunchtime flight from London Gatwick goes direct to Vietnam.
Meals: In-flight

Day 2 Arrive Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
From the airport, you’ll transfer to your hotel for breakfast. After a morning at leisure an afternoon tour includes Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Post Office, Dong Khoi Street and the Reunification Palace.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Golden Central

Day 3 Ho Chi Minh City
Enjoy a morning visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a complex system of tunnels that formed an underground city for Viet Cong soldiers. Your afternoon is free to relax.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Golden Central

Day 4 Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City
A fascinating full day awaits you in the lush Mekong Delta. Travelling out of the city and towards the countryside, you’ll board the Cai Be Princess for a relaxing river cruise. The cruise takes you through the colourful floating market and there are stops to see local life and charming handicraft artisans. Lunch is at an Indochine style restaurant on the river bank. You’ll return back to the city for the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Golden Central

Day 5 Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An
When your flight arrives in Danang, you’ll transfer to your hotel in Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This afternoon’s walking tour takes in the winding streets of the Ancient Quarter including one of the Chinese Assembly Halls, the 200 year old Tam Ky family house and the Japanese Covered Bridge.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Thuy Duong

Day 6 Hoi An
Today you’ll cycle through emerald green rice paddies to Tra Que village, famous for its vegetables used in Hoi An’s local delicacies. After an introduction to vegetable cultivation, you’ll help prepare the land and plant crops before a cooking demonstration. Returning to Hoi An on a traditional wooden boat, you’ll meet local fisherman, try river net fishing and explore the waterways in a bamboo coracle.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Thuy Duong

Day 7 Hoi An
On today’s free day, we’ve arranged two optional excursions; a cooking class, where you buy ingredients at the markets then cruise down the river to the cooking school; and an afternoon tour to My Son, a UNESCO World Heritage site that was the capital of the ancient Cham civilisation.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Thuy Duong

Day 8 Hoi An to Hue
Driving along the coastline, with breathtaking views from the Hai Van Pass, you’ll arrive at the Imperial city of Hue. This afternoon you’ll visit the ancient walled Citadel and its Imperial Palace and finish with a cruise on the Perfume River.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Park View Hue

Day 9 Hue to Hanoi
After a free morning, with an optional trip to the Royal Tombs, you’ll fly to Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Hong Ngoc

Day 10 Hanoi
This morning, you’ll visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex which contains the former president’s mausoleum and house on stilts, and the Temple of Literature, dating to 1070, before enjoying some free time. Later this afternoon, a cyclo tour through the chaotic streets of the Old Quarter brings Hanoi to life, before a traditional performance of the Vietnamese water puppets.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Hong Ngoc

Day 11 Hanoi to Halong Bay
You’ll drive to Halong Bay to board a traditional wooden junk and sail to the secluded islands over lunch, staying overnight in the Bay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Bai Tho Boat or similar

Day 12 Halong Bay to Hanoi
After visiting the Cave of Surprises you’ll return to Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Hong Ngoc

Day 13 Depart Hanoi
Your direct flight leaves tonight unless you have pre-booked extension to the hill tribes of Sapa by overnight train.
Meals: Breakfast, In-flight

Day 14 Arrive London Gatwick

You land at London Gatwick this morning.
Meals: In-flight.