Vietnam Adventure

Depart London

Day 2

The day is free to recover from the flight or stroll amongst broad tree-lined
avenues dating from the French period. There is a faded colonial charm where
baguettes and good coffee are sold from doorways of grand buildings of a past
era.

This evening there will be a welcome briefing followed by an optional group
dinner at a local restaurant.

*May de Ville City Centre Hotel or similar*

Day 3

In Hanoi we take a sightseeing tour of the city that includes a visit to the
Temple of Literature; the site of the oldest university in Vietnam with over
2000 graduates, Hoa Lo Prison & the Old Quarter of the city with its '36
Streets' where each street is home to shops selling particular products -
e.g. 'silk street', 'gold street', 'paper street' and 'tourist souvenir
street'. Another stop is the grounds of the Presidential Palace where Ho Chi
Minh refused to live in the grand structure for symbolic reasons. We visit
his traditional Vietnamese stilt house here. In the evening there is the
option to enjoy a performance of Hanoi's famous water puppets.

*May de Ville City Centre Hotel or similar*

Day 4

We make an early start for the approximately 4-hour journey to Halong Bay.
This is one of the most stunningly beautiful sights in South East Asia with
roughly 3,000 limestone peaks rising directly from the clear emerald sea. We
cruise amongst this amazing karst scenery and enjoy a seafood lunch on board.
We overnight on board in twin share cabins with en suite facilities.

*Overnight Boat*

Day 5

We continue to cruise around Halong Bay this morning before returning to
port. We then drive back to Hanoi, and transfer to the train station and
board the Reunification Express for the overnight train ride to Hue, 688km to
the south.

*Overnight Train*

Day 6

Arriving mid-morning in Hue we transfer to our hotel. Hue claims to be the
cultural and historical centre of Vietnam, and there is plenty to see. The
most outstanding sight is the Imperial Citadel with walls six miles in
length. Inside are the palaces and halls of the Mandarins, and the remains of
the Forbidden Purple City, where only the emperor, his eunuchs and concubines
were allowed. The Forbidden Purple City was almost totally destroyed during
the Vietnam War's Tet Offensive, but the foliage-covered ruins are still
atmospheric and the gaping holes left by bombs give an idea of the
destruction wreaked upon the country during the war.

This afternoon we visit the Imperial Citadel and the famous Thien Mu Pagoda.
The pagoda was a centre for anti-government protest in the early 1960's and
it houses the Austin car that transported a monk, Thich Quang Duc, to Saigon
in 1963 where he burned himself in protest against the president. The
photograph of his self-immolation was printed in newspapers all around the
world. 

*Park View Hotel or similar*

Day 7

This morning after breakfast we visit the mausoleum of Tu Duc, one of the
most extravagant mausoleums of the great Nguyen emperors who ruled Vietnam
from Hue between 1802 and 1945.

Heading back to Hue, the afternoon is then free to further explore and get to
know this historical centre or to simply relax by the riverside and absorb
the local sights. 

*Park View Hotel or similar*

Day 8

Leaving Hue, our 130km journey drives through the beautiful peninsula of Lang
Co between the crystal waters of a lagoon and the Eastern Sea, and then
passes over the spectacular Hai Van pass ('Pass of the Ocean Clouds') where
the views are stunning. In Da Nang we first stop at the Cham museum where
there are altars, statues and decorative works collected from Hindu and
Buddhist temples and towers from the Kingdom of Champa that flourished
between the 7th to 17th centuries in Central Vietnam. We then climb Marble
Mountain where we explore the large caves which were used by the Viet Cong as
a hospital base during the war. From the mountain peak, there are fantastic
views over My Khe beach and the surrounding countryside leading on to Hoi An
where we spend the next three nights.

*Le Pavillon Hoi An Boutique or similar*

Day 9

This morning will include a walking tour of Hoi An, the original European
trading port in Vietnam dating back to the mid-16th century. It is now a
living museum, with attractive wooden merchant's houses and pagoda-style
temples with Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and European architectural
influences. It is also a marvellous place to wander around and enjoy the
thriving riverside market and great silk clothes shopping.

This afternoon is free, one popular option is to jump on a bike for a ride
through the countryside past local markets, schools and villages before
continuing on to Cua Dai beach (5 km).

*Le Pavillon Hoi An Boutique or similar*

Day 10

This morning we will visit My Son, the Cham civilisation's spiritual home,
where Cham kings were buried as early as the 4th century. Although wartime
bombing has destroyed much of the site, there are a number of interesting
stone towers and sanctuaries. Upon returning to Hoi An the rest of the
afternoon is free to carry on enjoying this historic town.

*Le Pavillon Hoi An Boutique or similar*

Day 11

We drive to Da Nang and then fly to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), an exciting
and absorbing city where scooters pack the streets and temples stand
defiantly alongside modern developments. Devastated by the Vietnam War, it is
now a bustling free market city where anything goes. This afternoon's walking
city tour includes a visit to the Ben Thanh Market, Reunification Palace,
Notre Dame Cathedral and War Remnants Museum. The Museum has an interesting
photographic record of the Vietnam/American War. Please be aware that some
images at the museum are very graphic.

*Huong Sen Hotel or similar*

Day 12

Today we leave the city behind us and head north to visit the infamous Cu Chi
tunnels. Used by the Viet Cong during the war, the network covers 3 levels
and approximately 240km of tunnels. Traditionally these were very narrow but
some areas have been widened to allow tourists to explore the system.
Claustrophobes may prefer to stay outside in the sunshine! In the afternoon
we return to Saigon and the rest of the day is free for individual
exploration.

*Huong Sen Hotel or similar*

Day 13

In the morning we drive to Vinh Long (approx. 2.5-3 hrs) in the Mekong Delta,
known as the 'rice bowl' of Vietnam. This region produces most of Vietnam's
fruit, sugar cane and coconuts. We take a boat trip on the mighty Mekong
River to Cai Be. Recently, Cai Be floating market is becoming less crowded
and smaller as fruit trading is mostly now done by trucks due to the bridge
being built. However, this is still a great opportunity to see a local market
and the trade being conducted traditionally on a smaller scale.

En route we pass many orchards and friendly locals also travelling by boat.
We stop to see some small cottage industries such as rice paper and coconut
candy, getting a chance to sample the local produce along the way. The
evening is tranquil as we have dinner on an Island and enjoy some 'Delta'
hospitality. We spend the night sleeping at a simple homestay guesthouse
built in the style of a local house. Bedding, a mosquito net and a small
towel are provided.

*Mekong Homestay Guesthouse*

Day 14

This morning we take a walk through the fruit orchards and navigate our way
through the small canals in a traditional wooden sampan. Later we rejoin our
boat to rendezvous with our vehicle for the journey back to Saigon via a
little visited Cao Dai temple used by devotees of this strange indigenous
religion, which fuses all the great religions of east and west.

*Huong Sen Hotel or similar*

Day 15

Free time before flying to London. The group flight is usually scheduled to
depart Saigon in the late afternoon.

Day 16

Arrive London