Highlights of Vietnam. 8 days Private Tour

Package cost:
2007: US$554 per person (based on private tour for 2 people)
2008: US$724 per person (based on private tour for 2 people)

Day 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh 

Upon arrival at the airport, our guide will meet you and transfer you to the hotel in Ho Chi Minh.

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. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life in the American/Vietnam war must have been like. The tunnels have been widened for our benefit (otherwise we would not be able to enter them!) For those interested there's even the opportunity to fire off rounds from an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range. Allegedly the old wooden targets were made to resemble US Marines!

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: Saigon – Danang – Hoi An. (B)

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang, upon arrival at the airport meet and transfer to hotel in Hoi An.

PM: 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 4: Hoi An (B)

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

Day 5: Hoi An – Hue (B)

After breakfast drive to hue via 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 6: Hue – Hanoi. (B)

Morning tour of the ancient citadel then transfer to airport for flight to Hanoi. Check into hotel. Free afternoon to explore

Day 7: Hanoi  full day city tour (B,L)

Our guide will pick you up from your hotel and transfer to restaurant for lunch at Cha Ca.

• 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 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 8: 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.
• All transfer where mentioned.
• All entrance fees for sightseeing as mentioned in itinerary

TRIP COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• International Flights
• 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

Hotels: 3star
Ho Chi Minh: Saigon hotel***
Hoi An: Vinh Hung hotel***
Hue: Festival hotel***
Hanoi: Thien Thai hotel***

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$256 per person (based on private tour for 2 people)
2008: US$284 per person (based on private tour for 2 people)

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: US$296 per person (private tour for 2 people)
2008: US$328 per person (private tour for 2 people)

Mui Ne beach break (3 days, 2 nights)

Package cost:
2007: US$208 per person (private tour for 2 people)
2008: US$226 per person (private tour for 2 people)

Mai Chau Lodge Hill Tribe Experience (2 days, 1 night)

Package cost:
2007: US$179 per person based on twin share.
2008: US$202 per person based on twin share

Angkor Extension (3 days, 2 nights)

Package cost:
2007: US$258 per person based on 2 (private tour)
2008: US$315 per person based on 2 (private tour)

Halong Bay (2 days, 1 night cruise on ‘Jewel of the Bay’)

Package cost:
2007 – 2008: US$134  per person based on twin share