Vietnam at a Glance

TOUR ITINERARY

DAY 1: AUSTRALIA TO SAIGON

Fly with Vietnam Airlines to Saigon for a fournight stay.

DAY 2: SAIGON

Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office to view the French colonial architecture. Learn more about the American War in Vietnam with a visit to the Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum. Later, drive to Cholon (Chinatown) where you will see Thien Hau Pagoda. End the day at Ben Thanh Market.

DAY 3: SAIGON - MEKONG DELTA

Travel to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta today. Explore the river by boat, passing stilt houses and fish farms. Paddle through palm-lined canals on sampans and walk through villages, where you can sample local tea. Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda before returning to Saigon this afternoon.

DAY 4: SAIGON - TAY NINH & CU CHI

This morning travel to Tay Ninh to experience the midday service at the head temple of the unique Cao Dai religion. This afternoon you will explore the amazing network of the Cu Chi Tunnels led by a War Veteran who lived in the tunnels for years.

DAY 5: SAIGON TO HOI AN

Fly to Danang this morning and transfer to Hoi An, stopping at Marble Mountains en route. The afternoon is free at your leisure.

DAY 6: HOI AN

Tour Hoi An, visiting an old merchant’s home, the Japanese Covered Bridge, Hoi An Market and a local Chinese temple.

DAY 7: HOI AN TO HUE

Drive over the scenic Hai Van Pass to Hue. Take a cyclo ride to the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City. Continue by coach to Thien Mu Pagoda and take a boat ride along the Perfume River.

DAY 8: HUE TO HANOI

This morning you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Royal Tomb of Minh Mang before flying to Hanoi.

DAY 9: HANOI

Today you will visit Ho Chi Minh Complex to see Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (closed Sep- Dec), Humble House on Stilts and One Pillar Pagoda. Continue to the Temple of Literature and enjoy an afternoon walking tour of Hanoi’s bustling Old Quarter. Watch a performance of the famous Water Puppets show this evening, which were invented thousands of years ago.

DAY 10: HANOI - HALONG BAY

Early this morning you will travel to the ‘Jewel in the Crown of Vietnam’, Halong Bay. Board a junk boat for a relaxing cruise through the emerald waters and around the limestone islets of the Gulf of Tonkin. After lunch onboard you will travel back to Hanoi, arriving later this evening.

Note: You may choose to leave the group today and stay overnight on a junk boat in Halong Bay, returning to Hanoi airport directly tomorrow afternoon.

DAY 11: DEPART HANOI

This morning is free at your leisure. After a late check-out you are transferred to Hanoi airport to board your overnight flight to Australia (via Saigon).

DAY 12: ARRIVE AUSTRALIA

Arrive home this morning.