A Vietnam Odyssey - 24D/23N

photo of Nha Trang, courtesy of Vietnam Tourism BoardThe most complete visit to Vietnam to experience and enjoy its beautiful variety of landscapes. Vietnam conjures up images of a country at war for decades, of a fiery people filled with pride and strong will to persevere. Other images that come to mind immediately are the spectacular Halong Bay, farmers in seemingly endless rice fields, the Perfume River and bustling Saigon street life. The truth is that Vietnam is much more than these images. Emerging from decades of war and self-imposed socialism, the country is struggling to establish itself again as a strong industrial and commercial hub in Southeast Asia. From architecturally beautiful but poor Hanoi to fast-living and bustling Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) the visitor revels in the sights of splendid Halong Bay, the famous Perfume River, the scenic Hai Van Pass (pass of the clouds), the ancient Cham temple ruins, stretches of white sandy beaches, ethnic minorities at Pleiku, the extravagant church of Cao-Daism in Tay Ninh and Cholon, the China town of Saigon. Moreover, the historical and socio-political aspects of Vietnamese life make travelling in Vietnam an unforgettable experience and will more than likely leave the visitor deeply impressed.

Highlights:

Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu - Halong - Ninh Binh - Vinh - Dong Hoi - Hue - Hoi An - Qui Nhon - Pleiku - Buon Ma Thuot - Nha Trang - Saigon - Saigon

Included: Accommodation and meals as described (please note that some hotels provide only Continental Breakfast) - All transfers within the journey, including pick-up at airport - Economy class on domestic flights - All entrance fees - English, French or German speaking guides (other languages available upon request) - Accommodation and American Breakfast - Visa-approval letter for Vietnam.

Not Included: Visas and passports - Any personal expenses (like tipping, laundry, telephone/fax calls, alcoholic beverages, camera/video camera fee at monuments, medical expenses, airport departure tax etc) - Meals other than those specified in the itinerary - International airfare - Airport taxes.

Departures: Being private, you and your party will be the only ones traveling and departure can be: Daily.

Accommodation: There are three levels of Hotels to choose: Standard, First Class and Deluxe.

photo of the Hanoi River, courtesy of Vietnam Tourism BoardDay by day Itinerary:

  • Day 1 Hanoi - Arrival in Hanoi. Transfer. Overnight in Hanoi.
  • Day 2 Hanoi - Sightseeing in Hanoi. Visit a Water Puppet Show with transfer to/from restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi.
  • Day 3 Hanoi / Dien Bien Phu - Flight from Hanoi to Dien Bien Phu. Transfer. Excusion by boat to Pakhoang. Overnight in Dien Bien Phu.
  • Day 4 Dien Bien Phu - Sightseeing in Dien Bien Phu. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Dien Bien Phu.
  • Day 5 Dien Bien Phu / Hanoi - Transfer. Flight from Dien Bien Phu to Hanoi. Transfer. Overnight in Hanoi.
  • Day 6 Hanoi / Halong Bay - By vehicle from Hanoi to Halong Bay. Excursion by boat through Halong Bay including lunch (4 hours). Overnight in Halong.
  • Day 7 Halong / Ninh Binh - By vehicle from Halong to Ninh Binh with sightseeing at Hai Phong. Overnight in Ninh Binh.
  • Day 8 Ninh Binh - Excursion to Cuc Phuong National Park and Kenh Ga floating village, with boat trip. Overnight in Ninh Binh.
  • Day 9 Ninh Binh - Excursion to Tam Coc (”Dry Halong Bay”) with boat trip. Visit Phat Diem. Overnight in Ninh Binh.
  • Day 10 Ninh Binh / Vinh - By vehicle from Ninh Binh to Vinh. Excursion to Kim Lien and Hoang Tru. Overnight in Vinh.
  • Day 11 Vinh / Dong Hoi - By vehicle from Vinh to Dong Hoi. Excursion to the Phong Nha Caves. Overnight in Dong Hoi.
  • Day 12 Dong Hoi / Dong Ha / Hue - By vehicle from Dong Hoi to Dong Ha. Excursion to Vinh Moc Tunnel and Quang Tri Citadel. By vehicle from Dong Ha to Hue. Overnight in Hue.
  • Day 13 Hue - Visit the Thien Mu Pagoda and Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang with boat trip. Visit the Imperial Tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Overnight in Hue.
  • Day 14 Hue / Danang / Hoi An - Sightseeing in the Old Imperial City. Visit Dong Ba Market. By vehicle from Hue to Danang. Sightseeing in Danang. By vehicle from Danang to Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An.
  • Day 15 Hoi An - Sightseeing in Hoi An with a boat trip on the Thu Bon River. Overnight in Hoi An.

    • photo of Qui Nhon, courtesy of Vietnam Tourism Board

  • Day 16 Hoi An / Qui Nhon - By vehicle from Hoi An to Qui Nhon. Sightseeing in Qui Nhon. Overnight in Qui Nhon.
  • Day 17 Qui Nhon / Pleiku - By vehicle form Qui Nhon to Pleiku. Sightseeing in Pleiku. Overnight in Pleiku.
  • Day 18 Pleiku / Buon Ma Thuot - By vehicle from Pleiku to Buron Ma Thout. Sightseeing in Buon Ma Thuot. Overnight in Buon Ma Thuot.
  • Day 19 Buon Ma Thuot / Nha Trang - Excurstion to Lak Lake with boat trip and elephant riding. By vehicle from Buon Ma Thuot to Nha Trang. Overnight in Nha Trang.
  • Day 20 Nha Trang - Sightseeing in Nha Trang. Excursion by boat to nearby islands, Con Se Tre, with a visit to the seawater. Overnight in Nha Trang.
  • Day 21 Nha Trang / Saigon - By vehicle from Nha Trang to Saigon with sightseeing at the Cham Towers. Overnight in Saigon.
  • Day 22 Saigon - Sightseeing in Saigon and Cholon (Chinatown) - Overnight in Saigon
  • Day 23 Saigon - Excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels and Tay Ninh - Overnight in Saigon
  • Day 24 Saigon - Transfer

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Also tagged with: Escorted Journeys, Asia, Special Destinations, Vietnam, Indochina, Educational, Cultural, Art / Architecture, Classic Visit, Hosted Tours, Private Tour, Private Escorted Journey


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