2008
Vietnamese Discovery
Colourful kaleidoscopes of this enigmatic country.
Our opinion
Covering all the main attractions of this historical and once turbulent land, the Vietnamese Discovery tour rewards clients with informative and fascinating glimpses of this delightful country.
Escorted
The Vietnamese discovery tour is escorted from Hanoi on Day 3 through to departure on Day 10 by a local tour guide in each place.
Itinerary
- Hanoi: 3 nights
- Halong Bay: 1 night
- Hoi An Day Trip
- Hue: 2 nights
- Ho Chi Minh City: 2 nights
Day 1 London/Bangkok/Hanoi
Depart the UK today overnight via Bangkok with Thai Airways to Hanoi arriving the following day in the capital city of Vietnam – Hanoi. Transfer to your hotel, and enjoy the afternoon at leisure.
Day 3 Hanoi
Wake as you choose this morning and enjoy breakfast at leisure. Begin your tour late morning with a journey through the Old Quarter of Hanoi by traditional cyclo. This three wheeled bicycle with a unique seating arrangement at the front has been a form of transport within Vietnam for many years. On your tour see Vietnam’s first university – The Temple of Literature, ride through the fascinating Old Quarter and its myriad of shops and alleyways. his evening enjoy a traditional water puppet show before retiring to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 Hanoi/Halong Bay
This morning continue your tour of Hanoi with a visit to the One Pillared Pagoda and the monumental marble mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh (closed October and November), see the simple house where he lived and learn about this amazing man’s fight for the independence of this beautiful nation. Later today depart for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay. Arrive late afternoon and overnight at your hotel.
Day 5 Halong Bay (Day Trip)
Wake early and embark on your traditional Chinese junk to view the stunning scenery of this magnificent bay. Explore the caves and grottoes once offering shelter and a hideout to pirates that once sailed the South China Sea, hear myths and legends connected with these grottoes while relaxing on deck and enjoying the picturesque landscape. Enjoy a sumptuous lunch onboard before returning back to shore mid afternoon. Later today transfer back to Hanoi for your overnight stay.
Day 6 Hanoi/Hue
Depart Hanoi today for your Vietnam Airlines flight to Danang. On arrival visit the Cham Museum, learn more about this historical culture and the power it once yielded over the region of Indochina and Thailand. Take a stroll on China Beach where the Americans first landed back in 1965. Later today pass by Hoi An and see a little of this historic seaport visited by many nations including Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese traders of the 16th Century. See how their influences affected architecture within this once small fishing village. Depart Hoi An via the Hai Van Pass. This scenic journey passes pretty villages and fruit orchards as you hug the coastline on your journey to Hue for your overnight stay.
Day 7 Hue
Situated on the Perfume River this ancient imperial city was once the home to Vietnam’s last ruling dynasty. An important cultural centre of Vietnam and a city with great national pride, Hue has many historical, cultural and religious monuments. Today visit the sights of Hue, enjoy a cruise along the Perfume River to visit the Tomb of Minh Mang and its many statues acting as guardians and still protecting their emperor till today. Visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s oldest and most religious monument. Later enjoy a tour of Dong Ba Market and Hue’s Imperial Citadel. Despite heavy war damage this important and historical building still stands proud within the city. If time permits take time to explore the city at leisure this evening to experience the buzz and electricity of this riverside city and dine out in a selection of international restaurants.
Day 8 Hue/Ho Chi Minh City
Leave Hue this morning by Vietnam Airlines flight for your journey to the energetic and commercial hub of Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City. Formerly known as Saigon this beautiful city has inspired many writers and artists over the years. Its wide tree lined boulevards lie home to street hawkers selling traditional Vietnamese food and strong iced coffees. See touches of colonial architecture in its buildings and see the streets come alive as they throng with a million mopeds by night. On arrival take a short tour of the city visiting the History Museum, the Notre Dame cathedral and the Presidential Palace. Enjoy your evening at leisure, we would recommend a walk around district 1 to see the lively streets and al fresco bars that provide a social scene for many of the young Vietnamese.
Day 9 Ho Chi Minh City
Pass through the suburbs of this bustling city on your journey to explore the tunnels at Cu Chi. Drive through scenic areas of paddy fields and fruit farms that provide produce to local markets and traders bound for the city. On arrival at the Cu Chi Tunnels explore this underground network that was a hideout and home for scores of Vietnamese insurgents during the Vietnam War. Return back to Ho Chi Minh City en route to your hotel visit Chinatown in district 5 and the Thien Hau Pagoda.
Day 10 Ho Chi Minh City/Bangkok/London
Depart Ho Chi Minh City today with Thai Airways for your journey home via Bangkok, or alternatively fly with Vietnam Airlines for three nights in Siem Reap and visit the temples of Angkor staying at the standard Sokha Angkor or the deluxe Sofitel Royal Angkor . Depart for Bangkok with Bangkok Airways for your Thai Airways flight to Heathrow.
Vietnam Beach Extension
Vietnamese Discovery 8 nights
Vietnam Beach (Nha Trang/Phu Quoc/Phan Thiet) 3 nights
Day 1 to Day 9
As per detailed itinerary
Day 10 Ho Chi Minh/Nha Trang (Phu Quoc/Phan Thiet)
Fly Vietnam Airlines for three or more nights at the standard Sunrise Beach or deluxe Ana Mandara in Nha Trang, or the Grand Mercure in Phu Quoc. Alternatively transfer by road for three nights or more at the standard Blue Ocean Resort or in a Deluxe room at the Novotel Ocean Dunes.
Day 13 Nha Trang (Phu Quoc/Phan Thiet)/Ho Chi Minh/Bangkok/London
Return to Ho Chi Minh City by Vietnam Airlines or from Phan Thiet overland, connecting with your Thai Airways flight to Heathrow via Bangkok.
