Best of Vietnam

For SINGLE TRAVELLERS 44 to 69 Years
Saturday 15 - Sunday 30 October 2011 (16 days)

Itinerary

 PREMIUM HIGHLIGHTS

• Small group touring - maximum of 24 travellers only!
• All sightseeing and attractions on itinerary are included in price
• Leisure time to make your own discoveries
• Mekong Delta boat tour
• Cycle tours at two destinations; cycle past the town boundaries to witness rural life
• 3 night stay in Central Vietnam (Hoi An)
• Overnight cruise on Halong Bay
• Free evenings; in Vietnam where eating locally is a highlight, it's great to have the freedom of choice for many of the evening meals
• 2 domestic flights to reduce travel time
  

TOUR PACE:
This tour is a medium paced tour. There is a mix of days between more leisurely days and other days that require long periods on foot and climbing stairs. This tour is not suitable for anyone not able to stand or walk for long periods and/or unable to comfortably climb stairs without assistance.

PRE-DEPARTURE CONTACT SERVICE:
We offer a pre-departure contact service. With your permission, we share your first name, state and email (or other preferred contact method) to the rest of the group prior to departure. It's a popular choice with many travellers especially as the majority of our guests book solo. It provides the opportunity to get in touch with others prior to departure and especially from your city of departure in Australia. This list is provided after bookings close, about 4-6 weeks prior to departure.

Day 1         Sat                        Discover Ho Chi Minh           Ho Chi Minh    
Today you arrive in Ho Chi Minh. Most flights arrive in the early evening. For all travellers with the designated group flight you will be met at the airport by a tour representative and transferred to the group hotel. This evening at 8pm we gather in the hotel lobby to meet up with your tour director for group introductions and a tour briefing.

Day 2         Sun                        Discover Ho Chi Minh           Ho Chi Minh             
Your first full day in Vietnam starts with a city tour and discovery of all the key iconic places of Ho Chi Minh City; Binh Tay Market, Jade Emperor Pagoda, War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office. Plus some free time to make your own discoveries. 
(Breakfast. Dinner)

Day 3         Mon                       Mekong Delta                       Cantho                       
This morning we transfer to Cai Be (3 hours) for a boat tour with stops along the way to arrive at Vinh Long before transferring to Cantho in the Mekong Delta for the evening. Today, we lunch at a local house during your boat tour of the Mekong Delta. Seafood meals are a focus on the local restaurant menus and you may like to try the local mouse that features on some menus.
(Breakfast. Lunch enroute)
 
Day 4         Tue                        Mekong Delta                       Ho Chi Minh                

Today you are up early to make sure you see the best of the local trade on the Mekong Delta with a boat tour (great photo opportunities this morning) of the floating market and a walk in a local village of Cantho. If you prefer to lie in, you can make your own plans for the morning in Cantho (just let your tour guide know you will not be joining the morning boat tour). In the afternoon, we transfer back by bus to Ho Chi Minh city for the night.   (Breakfast)

Day 5         Wed                       Chu Chi Tunnels         Hoi An

Excursion to the renowned Cu Chi Tunnels. After your visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels there's a packed lunch ready for you en route in the bus before you reach the airport for an afternoon flight to Danang. From Danang we transfer to the historic town of Hoi An for the next three nights. Flight: VN326 Departs 17:30 Arrives 18:40. (Breakfast. Lunch)

Day 7         Thu                      Hoi Ann
Ever wondered or wanted to know how the Vietnamese cook up such delicious food? Well today, get the answers at our special group cooking class at a cooking school in Hoi An. You'll enjoy the fruits of your labour with lunch at the school. The rest of the day is at your leisure; relax by the resort pool, wander around Hoi An, make time for some souvenir shopping and soak up the town's atmosphere or visit the local beach.
(Breakfast. Lunch)

Day 8         Sat                         From Hoi An to Hue              Hue                            
A day out on the road as we transfer to Hoi An via the Marble Mountains and Hai Van Pass. We stop for lunch en route at a local restaurant and enjoy a group dinner this evening to experience the cuisine of central Vietnam.
(Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner)

Day 9         Sun                        The Perfume River               Hue                            
We enjoy a boat tour on the Perfume River to the royal tombs area. In the afternoon, there's a two hour cycling tour which is a highlight as you roam into the countryside around Hue to get you among local village life. If cycling is not your preference you can choose to do your own thing around town (just let your tour guide know that you will not be joining in).
(Breakfast)

Day 10        Mon                       Heading North to Hanoi        Hanoi                        Overnight Train (to Sapa)
A short morning flight to Hanoi with Vietnam Airlines VN240 Departs 08:30 Arrives 09:40.

There's a city discovery with a visit of the Prison Museum, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside only), Temple of Literature and a walk in the Old Quarter. This evening you take the night train to Lao Cai. It's a sleeper train with four beds per berth. No dining facilities are on board and there is a group dinner before boarding the train. There is also time for purchasing snacks and drinks before the train journey.  
(Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner)

TIP:  have a small travel bag/day pack available that you can use for the visit to Sapa.  Large bags will be stored at the hotel in Hanoi as it is not possible to travel with your main luggage bag on the train.

Day 11        Tue                        Market & boat tour                Sapa                        
Excursion to the weekly Coc Ly market with a boat tour before transferring to Sapa. A packed lunch is included with you day out excursion.
(Breakfast.Lunch)

Day 12        Wed                       Silver Waterfall                    Sapa                        
An excursion to Silver Waterfall. The rest of the day is at your own leisure. It's a chance to make your own discovery of this beautiful highland village.
(Breakfast)

Day 13        Thu                        Ta Phin                                 Sapa     Overnight Train (to Hanoi)
Today we have an excursion to Ta Phin and then the rest of the day is at your leisure.
(Breakfast)

Day 14         Fri                         The Cruise            Halong Bay               Huong Hai Junk, Cruise
This morning we make our way to Halong Bay for an overnight cruise.  A major highlight of your Vietnam tour!  Make sure you pack your swimwear.
(Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner) 

Note for single room bookings;  a single cabin cannot be guaranteed on the overnight boat tour on Halong Bay and you may be required to share with another person (of the same gender).  [lunch and dinner onboard]

Day 15        Sat                         Return to Hanoi                    Hanoi                          
We continue the cruise in the morning before transferring to Hanoi in the afternoon. This evening there is a grand farewell dinner. 
(Breakfast. Dinner) 

 Day 16        Sun                        Our Final Day                       Hanoi/Depart
This morning is at your leisure before departing from the hotel to the airport for your return home.
(Breakfast)

VISAS:
Australian passport holders require visas for this tour. Your confirmed flight itinerary and 2 passport size photos are required for the application. Details on how to obtain your visa will be provided during your booking process and following payment of your tour deposit.