Vietnam Trails

TOUR ITINERARY

DAY 1: AUSTRALIA TO SAIGON

Fly with Vietnam Airlines to Saigon for a four night 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. End the day at the lively Ben Thanh Market, where you can enjoy some shopping.

DAY 3: SAIGON – MEKONG DELTA

Travel to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta. Explore the river by boat, passing stilt houses and fish farms. Paddle through palm-lined canals in sampans and walk through villages, where you can sample local tea. Later this afternoon you will return to Saigon.

DAY 4: SAIGON – CU CHI & TAY NINH

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

DAY 5: SAIGON TO HOI AN

Fly to Danang. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the UNESCO World Heritage listed town of Hoi An, stopping at Marble Mountains en route. This afternoon explore Hoi An on foot, visiting Hoi An Market, a local Chinese temple and the Japanese Covered Bridge. Later you will have some free time to soak up the atmosphere at one of the many cafés along the river or wander through this charming town.

DAY 6: HOI AN

After visiting a market to purchase fresh ingredients, travel along the river to the Red Bridge Restaurant where you will partake in a cooking class. Learn some traditional recipes and enjoy your own dishes for lunch. This afternoon is free at your leisure to further explore the town.

DAY 7: HOI AN TO HUE

Head north this morning over the scenic Hai Van Pass to Hue. Take a cyclo to the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. Visit Thien Mu Pagoda and cruise along the Perfume River.

DAY 8: HUE TO HANOI (via Danang)

Hue Airport will be closed from the 20th of March until the 20th of November 2013. During this time our group tours that fly in/out of Hue Airport with Vietnam Airlines will be flying in/out of Danang Airport instead.

This morning you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Royal Tomb of Minh Mang before transferring to Danang Airport through the Hai Van Tunnel to fly to Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. Here you will find a blend of French and Vietnamese architecture alongside lakes and tree-lined boulevards.

DAY 9: HANOI

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 later, walk through the bustling Old Quarter. This evening you will watch a performance of the famous Water Puppets, which have a history dating back thousands of years.

DAY 10: HANOI TO HALONG BAY

Travel to the ‘Jewel in the Crown of Vietnam’, Halong Bay. Commence a cruise through the emerald waters and around the thousands of limestone islets. Spend the night relaxing on board your junk boat.

DAY 11: HALONG BAY TO SAPA

Continue cruising around the islands this morning. After brunch on board return to Hanoi. Later this evening you will be transferred to Hanoi railway station where you will board your overnight soft sleeper train to Sapa.

DAY 12: SAPA

You will arrive in Sapa early this morning. Drive to Muong Hoa Valley and take a short hike from Lao Chai Village to Ta Van Village. Return to Sapa this afternoon and visit the local market.

DAY 13: SAPA

Continue to explore Sapa and the surrounding area, including Cat Cat Village, a stunning waterfall and a hydraulic power station built in 1925 by the French.

DAY 14: SAPA TO HANOI

Take a light hike to Suoi Ho Village, Ma Tra Village and Ta Phin Village. This evening you will board your overnight soft sleeper train back to Hanoi.

DAY 15: DEPART HANOI

Early this morning arrive in Hanoi. The remainder of the day is free at your leisure before you are transferred to Hanoi airport to board your overnight flight to Australia.

DAY 16: ARRIVE AUSTRALIA

Arrive home today.

Price guide

Prices are for departures from Sydney and Melbourne (Add $400 per person for Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra and $451 per person for Perth departures).

Important Note: Prices include Vietnam Airlines Fuel surcharges and Tipping of $400 (correct as at May 2013 and subject to change). Please note the Tipping amount of USD80 is payable on arrival in Vietnam.

Though status is regularly updated, availability above is indicative only, not live and hence does not guarantee that space is available on your selected tour when you or your agent calls Wendy Wu Tours to book. Booking early is the only way to ensure availability of your selected departure date.