Vietnam Cruise - 12D/11N

Photo of the Halong Bay, courtesy of Tourism Board of VietnamCruise from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and experience the majesty and mystery of Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi and Hue cities. Discover elegant architecture, exquisite art and ancient shrines. Delight in the exotic aromas and flavors of traditional cuisine. Enjoy beautiful dance, spectacular martial arts and colorful puppet theatre.

A fascinating blend of history, culture, natural beauty and unflagging energy, Vietnam’s new revolution of peace and prosperity invites visitors to share it all. The elegant architecture, exquisite art and beautiful boulevards of cities from Hanoi to Hue are reminders of the country’s colonial rule, while the poise and grace of Hoi An and the hustle-bustle of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) are windows on a culture that values its past as it moves eagerly into the future.

Discover pagodas, shrines, painting and sculpture that define the country’s spiritual roots, as well as traditional crafts like pottery and weaving that fill markets with color and vitality. Enjoy dance, martial arts, puppet theater and extraordinary cuisine that perfectly meld past and present. Cruising the coast of Vietnam in the comfort of the Spirit of Oceanus with naturalists and experts on Asian art and culture, experience Vietnam¹s distinctive beauty and welcoming people.

Departure: November 21, 2009.

Rates: From: $5,649.00 USD per person based on double occupancy.

Included: Meals as indicated (B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner) - $452 per person which covers taxes/port charges/fees and on board services - On board gratuities are neither required nor expected.

Not included: Any airfare - Fuel surcharges, which may be added up to the time of departure.

Day by day Itinerary:

  • Day 1 - Saturday, November 21, 2009 - Arrive In Hanoi - Meet fellow travelers at a welcome reception at the Sofitel Metropole Hotel. (D)
  • Day 2 - Sunday, November 22, 2009 - Hanoi - An exciting day of sightseeing. See Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and Museum in Ba Dinh Square, pagodas, temples and the bustling Old Quarter. Hanoi has something for everyone. Stroll elegant boulevards, delight in a private water puppet performance, and enjoy dinner at the imposing Co Loa Citadel. (B, L, D)
  • Day 3 - Monday, November 23, 2009 - Hanoi / Haiphong - Explore the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology for a superb overview of the country and its people. Drive to Haiphong, one of Vietnam’s largest ports. Board the Spirit of Oceanus to begin your Vietnam adventure. (B, D)

    • Photo of the Hanoi River, courtesy of Tourism Board of Vietnam

  • Day 4 - Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - Ha Long Bay - Cruise by junk into Ha Long Bay. Known as “the dragon’s back,” this World Heritage Site in the Gulf of Tonkin includes some 1,600 mostly uninhabited islands and islets. Legend has it that Ha Long Bay was formed when a dragon plunged to earth, its tail carving the seabed. One look at the sharp limestone outcroppings that line the shore and the ancient tale makes perfect sense. (B, L, D)
  • Day 5 - Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - At Sea - Onboard experts share information about the peoples and places you see as we cruise from Ha Long Bay down the Gulf of Tonkin to Hue. (B, L, D)
  • Day 6 - Thursday, November 26, 2009 - Danang / Hue - Hue, the Imperial City on the Perfume River. Legacies of both the ancient Champa Kingdom and years of colonial rule are alive in the city’s art and architecture, including the Forbidden Purple City and the moated Imperial Citadel. (B, L, D)
  • Day 7 - Friday, November 27, 2009 - Danang / Hoi An - Hoi An was a vital seaport in the Champa Kingdom. Harboring a wealth of temples and pagodas, Hoi An is also home to a vibrant market. Explore the Cham Museum. Then discover why Danang’s renowned China Beach became the respite for soldiers during the Vietnam War. (B, L, D)
  • Day 8 - Saturday, November 28, 2009 - Qui Nhon - Ancient remnants of Cham culture abound in Qui Nhon. Stroll among the ruins and visit pagodas, towers, and villages, where people practice weaving, pottery, and other crafts. Enjoy a special private performance of traditional martial arts, a Qui Nhon specialty. (B, L, D)
  • Day 9 - Sunday, November 29, 2009 - Nha Trang - Boasting the best weather in Vietnam, Nha Trang’s clear waters and miles of clean, sandy golden beaches invite swimming and snorkeling, while its lively market and charming streets beg to be explored. See the well-preserved Cham towers, the temples and the picturesque fishing boats. (B, L, D)
  • Day 10 - Monday, November 30, 2009 - Mekong River / Ho Chi Minh City - The tapestry of sights and sounds of the mighty Mekong unfold as we cruise past rice fields, forest and sugar cane. In Ho Chi Minh City, transfer to the classic Caravelle Hotel. Visit the History Museum and the former President’s Palace. See the elegant French architecture of its colonial days. (B, L)
  • Day 11 - Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - Mekong Delta / Ho Chi Minh City - Spend a full day touring the Mekong Delta. Drive through small villages and lush countryside before boarding a local boat to witness the daily rituals of river life. Explore floating markets, gardens, and village life in this unique culture. Or, explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, a massive network of underground living areas, used during the Vietnam War. (B, L)
  • Day 12 - Wednesday, December 2, 2009 - Ho Chi Minh City / Home - After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)

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Also tagged with: Cruise Expeditions, Escorted Journeys, Asia, Special Destinations, Vietnam, Indochina, Educational, Cultural, Nature / Ecology, Join-In Tour, Cruise West, Hosted Tours