Vietnam Panorama

This is our most popular tour to Vietnam as it is perfect for those who want a good overview of the whole country in one trip. Travelling overland for the majority of the journey, this tour enables us to fully appreciate the changing countryside as we head north on Highway One. The tour visits the beautiful and romantic hill station retreat of Dalat and includes an overnight stay in Can Tho in the Mekong Delta.

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: Australia to Saigon

Fly to Saigon with Singapore Airlines. Upon arrival we will be met by our Vietnamese National Escort and transferred to our hotel.

Day 2: Saigon

Begin sightseeing today by visiting the former Presidential Palace, War Remnants Museum, the imposing Notre Dame Cathedral built between 1886-1890, and the French style central Post Office. We also visit Cholon, the Chinatown of Saigon, where we drive past the huge Binh Tay wholesale market and visit the beautiful Thien Hau Pagoda dedicated to the goddess of the sea. After stopping at Ben Thanh Markets for some shopping the remainder of the day is at leisure.

Days 3-4: Saigon to My Tho/Can Tho

During the next two days explore the Mekong Delta, known as the ‘Rice Basket’ of Vietnam. Take various boat trips amongst the smaller tributaries to visit local floating markets, villages, home industries and plantations before staying overnight in Can Tho. On the second day continue our explorations before returning to Saigon.

Day 5: Saigon – Cu Chi Tunnels

Today we have an in depth look at the determination and ingenuity of the Vietnamese when we explore the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. Then continue to Tay Ninh to experience the midday service at the head temple of the unique Cao Dai religion before returning to Saigon.

Day 6: Saigon to Dalat

This morning depart for the cooler climate of the Central Highlands and drive to Dalat, a beautiful hill station established by the French in the late 1890’s. Dalat is often referred to as the City of Eternal Spring, with its lush green forests and waterfalls.

Day 7: Dalat

Dalat is the honeymoon capital of Vietnam with thousands of couples travelling to the city each year. This is not surprising as the entire area has a romantic flavour, especially the graceful architecture of the older buildings. Today visit Lat Village, where numerous ethnic groups live in thatch roofed houses and earn their living from growing crops and producing charcoal. From here journey to the Lake of Sighs, where legend tells of a distraught girl who threw herself into the lake when she thought she had lost her love.

Day 8: Dalat to Nha Trang

We travel by coach to Nha Trang, the capital of Khanh Hoa Province. Upon arrival commence cruising around the islands off Nha Trang visiting the Tri Nguyen Aquarium, Tam Island and a local fishing village.

Day 9: Nha Trang to Qui Nhon

We say goodbye to Nha Trang and continue journeying north along Highway One. Because of the distance to Hoi An we spend a night at Qui Nhon, the capital of Binh Dinh Province. En route to Qui Nhon stop at the Cham Po Nagar Towers, ruins from the Hindu Kingdom of Champa, which ruled this part of Vietnam from the late 2nd Century through to 1471, after which the Vietnamese captured the Champa capital, Cha Ban.

Day 10: Qui Nhon to Hoi An

Leaving Qui Nhon stop at Son My to pay homage to the victims of the My Lai massacre before continuing on to the UNESCO listed town of Hoi An. A former merchant trading port, Hoi An is a mixture of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and French architecture and is a real treasure of Vietnam.

Day 11: Hoi An

Undertake a walking tour of the old centre of Hoi An. Visit an old merchant home still lived in by descendents of the original merchant, the Japanese Bridge, Hoi An market, a local Chinese pagoda and assembly hall.

Day 12: Hoi An

Today is free to visit the tailors for which this town is known and soak up the charming atmosphere of Hoi An at one of the many riverside cafes along the Thu Bon River.

Day 13: Hoi An to Hue

Leaving Hoi An visit Marble Mountains and China Beach before continuing over the Hai Van Pass to Hue. Hue was Vietnam’s ‘Imperial Capital’, the former home to the Nguyen Dynasty that ruled over the country from 1802 until the last emperor abdicated in 1945. A visit to Hue wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Imperial Citadel which was modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing. The Citadel was the centre piece of the royal empire, a massive moated palace that was extensively damaged during the Vietnam War. This afternoon take a cyclo ride to the Imperial Citadel, continue by coach to Thien Mu pagoda and enjoy a relaxing boat trip on the Perfume River. This evening partake in a cooking class focusing on select local dishes and cuisine originally designed for the Royal Courts of Hue.

Day 14: Hue to Hanoi

This morning visit Tu Duc Tomb and Khai Dinh Royal Tomb, before boarding our Vietnam Airlines flight to Hanoi. This evening enjoy a performance of the famous Water Puppets, a specialty of the north.

Day 15: Hanoi - Halong Bay

Today travel to the area that is regarded as the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ of Vietnam - Halong Bay. Cruise through spectacular scenery whilst enjoying our seafood meal onboard. After the cruise travel back to Hanoi through the striking rural countryside of the Red River Delta.

Day 16: Hanoi

Hanoi is a charming and richly historic city of lakes, shaded boulevards and public parks. It is the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and some have called it the ‘Paris of the Orient’. Its centre is an architectural museum piece, with its blocks of ochre buildings retaining the air of a provincial French town of the 1930s. Our city tour today includes visits to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed Sep-Dec), Stilt House and Museum, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, drive around Hoan Kiem Lake and enjoy a walking tour of the Old Quarter and its markets.

Days 17-18: Hanoi to Australia

Enjoy a last minute shopping spree before boarding our overnight flight to Australia, arrive home the following morning.

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Exclusions

Images from Vietnam Panorama