Highlights of Vietnam. 12 days Luxury Private Tour

Package cost:
2007: 1770 USD/person based on party of 2 paying (private tour).
2008: 2006 USD/person based on party of 2 paying (private tour).

Day 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh.  (D)

Upon arrival at the airport, our guide will meet  you and take you to the hotel in Ho Chi Minh city. There will be a welcome Dinner cruise on Saigon River. (B)

Day 2: Cu Chi Tunnels and Tay Ninh Temple. (B,L)

Tay Ninh, near the Cambodian border is home to the unique Cao Dai sect. The religion is a hybrid of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Christianity. The Cao Dai Temple at Tay Ninh has been described as a Walt Disney fantasia of the East. The temple’s exterior is decorated with multi-colored dragons of all shapes and sizes. Above the main entrance is the all-seeing holy eye, the symbol of the Cao Dai sect. The interior is just as engaging as statues of Jesus Christ, Buddha and the Hindu god, Brahma, stand side by side.

The trip to Tay Ninh is combined with a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels.

At its height the tunnel system stretched over 250km. from Saigon to the Cambodian border and was three levels deep. The network included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. In the morning at 8 AM, we drive to Tay Ninh to observe the midday service. Following lunch we will drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels and then return to Ho Chi Minh City around 5 PM.

Day 3: Mekong cruise- Cai Be princess & floating market.  (B,L)

Our one day private excursion starts from Ho Chi Minh with a drive to Cai Be – Phu An where we will go on board the Deluxe first class Cai Be Princess at around 10.00 am. Upon embarkation on Cai Be Princess junk boat, clients are welcomed with fresh rolled cotton towels. The tour will start with the visit of Cai Be colorful floating market. We will proceed by the visit to some local home factories such as rice paste making, rice pop corn, coco candies, and longans drying processing.

You will then return Cai Be Princess and cruise along the Mekong canals to Dong Hoa Hiep island located between Vinh Long and Cai Be. During the 40 minute cruise you will discover beautiful landscapes along the river and observe the typical Mekong delta rural life. Stops on the way can be made upon request for particular visits or photos. These evergreen islands among the Mekong River still remain unknown to many people. We continue on to visit an ancient mandarin house dating from the last century where the family descendants will welcome you with a cup of warm green tea. Back on board Cai Be Princess for a 20 minute cruise to Phu An hamlet passing by Cai Be church.

Lunch awaits you at Le Longanier restaurant at La Residence de Phu An resort, a superb Indochine style villa containing antiques and furniture from the 1930’, located in a large lush tropical garden by the river surrounded by pomelo, longan, mango, coconut and banana trees.

After a short walk along a narrow canal, the excursion will end at around 3.30pm where the vehicle will await you for your transfer back to Saigon.

During the cruise, fresh cotton towels, hot green tea, mineral water and exotic seasonal fruits will be served on board free of charge.

Day 4: Saigon – Danang – Hoi An. (B)

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang, upon arrival at the airport you will be transfered to hotel in Hoi An.

Afternoon Walking tour in Hoi An. From the 16th to 18th centuries, Hoi An was a thriving international commercial port for Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab merchants. These people came primarily to trade in the high grade silk, which is still produced in the area, as well as ceramics. Today, Hoi An is a quaint riverside town, popular with tourists for its eclectic architecture, tailors shops, and numerous cafes. Some of the buildings in the narrow streets have remained unchanged for more than a century. We enjoy a half-day walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the Ancient Quarter visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Halls, the 200- year old Tam Ky ancestral house and the Japanese Bridge. The half day walking tour of ancient Hoi An town includes all the major attractions. We take you on a walk through the narrow winding streets of the Ancient Quarter visiting the various Chinese Assembly Halls, Ancestral Homes, the Japanese Covered Bridge and well-preserved Pagodas that make Hoi An such a fascinating town.

Day 5: Hoi An. (B)

Free day for shopping or relax on the beach or cycle around the ancient town.

Day 6: Hoi An – Hue. (B)

After breakfast drive to Hue via the scenic coastal road.  Hue served as Vietnam's capital under the emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945 and the city’s regal past can still be seen inside the walls of the Citadel and the Imperial City. Both were heavily damaged during the Tet Offensive of 1968 when the Communists took the city from the South and held it for 3 weeks. Now thanks to UNESCO funding, much of the City is being faithfully restored to its former glory. The Imperial City, created in the 19th century and modeled on the Forbidden City in Beijing, has many palaces and temples inside.

Our tour begins at the Citadel and then moves in to the rolling hills of the surrounding countryside where we find the Royal Tombs to the Nguyen Emperors. After having viewed the splendid landscaped gardens and ornate architecture of the kings' final resting places we return to Hue. In the evening we have a boat cruise on the tranquil waters of the Perfume River.

Day 7: Hue. (B)

Morning guided tour of the ancient citadel and royal palace – now deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site. Free afternoon to explore at your leisure.

Day 8: Hue – Hanoi. (B)

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival transfer and check into hotel and have free time in the afternoon.

Day 9: Hanoi City tour. (B)

Our transfer will pick you up from your hotel. Transfer to a recommended restaurant for lunch at Green Tangerine – a beautiful French- Vietnamese restaurant in a quaint villa.  We then begin an afternoon city tour including:

• The Temple of Literature: Originally built as a temple to Confucius, this is the site of Vietnam’s first university dating back to 1070. Inside are the stone stele mounted on the backs of turtles, inscribed with the names of the university’s graduates. The complex is divided into five courtyards with different paths that would originally have been reserved for the Emperor and his mandarins. One of the courtyards contains the statue of Confucius guarded by two beautiful bronze storks standing on turtles. The temple highlights the importance that Vietnamese society placed then and now on education.

• Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake: The Ngoc Son temple is set on a tiny island on the Hoan Kiem Lake, its history dating back to the 13th century. The temple is reached by crossing the The Huc Bridge which literally means the ‘Place Touched by Morning Sunbeams’. The Hoan Kiem Lake is the local point of the city and the source of many legends. One legend has it that in the 15th century Emperor Le Thai To vanquished the invading Chinese with the help of a magical sword. Whilst rowing on the lake an enormous turtle seized the sword from his grasp. The Emperor took this to mean that peace had returned and the sword had been given back to its guardian spirit. In honour of the event he renamed the lake ‘Ho Hoan Kiem’ – Lake of the Restored Sword.

• One hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter: Also known as the 36 streets, this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. Originally each of the 36 streets names’ was related to the products being sold there. Hence you can walk from Fish Street to Tin Street to Bamboo Street.  It’s a great place to explore on foot with numerous photo opportunities.

At approximately 6pm we will return you to your hotel. If you prefer we can arrange for you to watch a performance of the famous Water Puppet Theatre.

Day 10: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay overnight cruise  (B,L,D)

We depart early from the capital for Ha Long Bay by private vehicle, approximately three hours away. En route we have a short stop at the Sao Do centre run for and by handicapped children. Upon arrival at Ha Long Bay (approx. midday) we will be met by the Customer Services Manager and transferred to our deluxe junk, the ‘Jewel of the Bay’. Once we have settled in we can begin our cruise around majestic Ha Long Bay accompanied by a delicious lunch. After lunch we have the chance to explore some of the limestone caves dotted around the bay. Then our captain will find a secluded spot where we can swim in the clear water of the bay, soak up the sun on the top deck or try your hand at some kayaking. After we have finished exploring for the day we retire to the junk. Relax on the top deck using the sun-tanning area or enjoy a refreshing drink from the bar. In the evening our cook will prepare a splendid meal comprised of fresh seafood dishes as well as traditional Vietnamese fare as we weigh anchor in the heart of the bay. For those that are interested there is the opportunity to do a spot of night fishing from the boat.

Day 11: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi. (B,L)

This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas to either swim or kayak in. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey back to Hanoi. We should be back in the capital at around 3pm.

Day 12: Hanoi departure. (B)

Free time until airport transfer for departure flight.

TRIP PRICE INCLUDES:

• All accommodation on twin share basis with daily breakfasts.
• English speaking guide
• Flight: Ho Chi Minh – Danang//Hue – Hanoi.
• All meals as mentioned above. (B=breakfast; L = Lunch; D= Dinner)n the Mekong Delta
• Overnight cruise on Halong Bay
• Special Deluxe day cruise
• All transfer where mentioned.
• All entrance fee

TRIP COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• International Flights that not mention above.
• International departure tax
• Admission fees during free time
• Visas and Visa fees
• Personal expenses such as shopping; telephone, laundry and bar bills etc.
• Tips and Gratuities

Modular Extensions to add before or after above tour to create 15, 16, 18, 21 day tour of Indochina:

Sapa (4 days, 3 nights)

Package cost:
2007: US$375 /person based on 2 people (private tour).
2008: US$406 /person based 2 people (private tour – Weekday)

Mekong Delta (4 days, 3 nights)

Package cost:
2007: US$ 256 per person (private tour for 2 people)
2008: US$ 284 per person (private tour for 2 people)

Phu Quoc beach break (3 days 2 nights)

Package cost:
2007: 396 USD/person based on 2 (private tour).
2008: 542 USD/person based 2 (private tour).

Luang Prabang (3 days, 2nights)

Package cost:
2007 -2008: 762 USD/person based on 2 (private tour).

Angkor Extension (3 days, 2 nights)

Package cost:
2007: 585 USD/person based on 2 (private tour). Valid 30 Oct 2007
2008: TBA in July

Cambodia Extension (4 days, 3 nights)

Package cost:
2007: 526 USD/person based on 2 (private tour). Valid 30-09-2007
2008: TBA