The following is a sample Vietnam Itinerary based on our recent President’s Group Adventure tour.

We can duplicate this for your own private tour or make any changes you prefer and customize it to your specifications.

Contact us for more details or to answer your questions at the email listed on the bottom of this page.

VIETNAM IN DEPTH

With Optional Siem Reap, Cambodia Extension (Angkor Wat)

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN HANOI

Arrive in Hanoi, the capital of unified Vietnam. The city was founded in 1010 on the right bank of the Red River and was then known as ‘Thang Long’, roughly translated as "Soaring Dragon." Hanoi is one of the most charming cities in South East Asia with its authentic street scenes, large shady avenues, numerous lakes, manicured gardens and well-preserved architecture. Transfer from Noi Bai international airport to your hotel.

Free evening.

DAY 2: HANOI CITY TOUR (B,)

9:30 - Be picked by your guide and van at the hotel. The day is dedicated to a more in depth discovery of Hanoi beginning with a visit to Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum. Located nearby is Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts and the One Pillar Pagoda, a symbol of Hanoi. Next, visit the Temple of Literature, or Văn Miếu, a structure dedicated to Confucius. The compound, construct in 1070, is the first university in Vietnam. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant where you will have the opportunity to sample some regional delicacies.

Next stop is Hoa Lo prison, the notorious ‘Hanoi Hilton’ from the Vietnam War. You will then have the opportunity to see Hanoi’s famed old quarter from the seat of a cyclo.

Finish your day tour with a performance of the traditional show at Hanoi’s Water Puppets Theatre. Back to hotel.

DAY 3: HANOI FREE (B)

Free day for your own leisure.

DAY 4: HANOI / HALONG (B,L,D)

8:30 - You will be picked at the hotel and transferred to Ha Long city. At 11.30, board the luxury junk and set sail through the bay while lunch is being served. Cruise around the magical bay, where thousands of sculpted limestone islands rise from the waves like dragons’ teeth.

After lunch, take a short trek to a nearby summit for a panoramic view of the bay dotted with golden sails, go swimming on a quiet beach or having a sunbath on the sundeck. Later in the afternoon, visit an interesting fishing village with opportunity to interact with fishers who have been living in the bay for almost three generations.

At sunset time, kayak or simply take a bamboo row boat to discover a water tunnel with many coral reefs in a scenic lagoon. Back to the junk, enjoy cocktails while watching the sunset and unwind on deck.

DAY 5: HALONG (B,L,D)

After breakfast, transfer to your day – trip boat with private crew and cruise to the bay’s most untouched areas. Enjoy swimming on quiet beaches, visiting water tunnels, fishing villages or kayaking. Lunch served on the boat by your private chef. Return to the mother junk for the night.

DAY: HALONG / HANOI/ LAO CAI (BRUNCH,)

Greet the day with a morning Tai Chi exercise with an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay. After breakfast, visit a beautiful limestone grotto then back to the boat for a final glimpse of Ha Long Bay while cruising back to the dock. Transfer back to Hanoi.

19:45, Transfer to the station where your guide sees you off. Take the train to Lao Cai (air-conditioned 4 sleeper car). Overnight on board.

• Upgrade to private cabin is available.

DAY 7: LAO CAI / BAC HA / SA PA (Sunday) (B,L)

5:00 On arrival in Lao Cai, you will be greeted by your local guide at the train station. Have breakfast at a nearby restaurant and begin your exploration of this fascinating area with a visit to the Bac Ha local market, one of the most popular in the region. Held only on Sunday, the market is a focal point for many of the region’s ethnic groups such as the Flower H'mong, the Tay and the Thai coming to trade their handicrafts. Lunch.

Depart Bac Ha. On the way to Sa Pa, you will see the bridge of beauty "Cau Kieu" linking Vietnam and China. Arrive in Sa Pa late in the afternoon and enjoy some free time for exploration of this beautiful hill station. At an altitude of 1650 metres, Sa Pa was founded by the French in an effort to escape the oppressive heat of summer in the plains of the North. Near the town is the imposing Mount Fan Si Pan (3143m), Vietnam’s highest peak. This region can indeed be called the roof of Indochina. The town also retains some of its former colonial feel with many stately mansions set amongst the stunning mountain scenery.

DAY 8: SA PA – TA PHIN - SAPA - Easy trek (B)

Free in the morning.

13:30, guide pick up at hotel, easy trek to a local mountain tribe village

Transfer back to Sapa Town, and to Lao Cai Train station for the night train back to Hanoi.

DAY 9: HANOI / HUE (B)

Arrive in Hanoi at 5:00, you will be picked up by your guide at the train station. Have breakfast in a local restaurant. After breakfast, transfer to Noi Bai airport for your morning flight to Hue (10:10/11:20). On arrival in Hue, transfer to your hotel and check in.

DAY 10: HUE CITY TOUR (B)

8:30, The day is spent discovering Hue, capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945 during the reign of the Nguyen dynasty emperors. Declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1993, the Citadel is only one of many well-preserved historical sites in the city and its environs. Cruise in a sampan on the Hương River (Perfume River) to Thien Mu Pagoda, or pagoda of the Heavenly Lady, a Buddhist shrine dating from the mid-seventeenth century.

Located on the banks of the Perfume River, it can be seen from a distance by its octagonal tower. Continue your tour with a visit to the Citadel, seat of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors. Lunch at a local restaurant provides an opportunity to sample some of Hue’s famously refined cuisine.

In the afternoon visit the intricately decorated tomb of Khai Dinh, which contains a beautiful altar and a bust of the king. Next, visit Minh Mang’s mausoleum located on the left bank of the Perfume River, which represents the perfect harmony between nature and architecture. Return to Hue..

DAY 11: HUE / HOI AN (B)

Depart Hue for Hoi An along Highway 1 which links Hanoi to Saigon. This route is considered one of the most spectacular drives by road in all Vietnam, taking you past coastal fishing settlements, most notably Lang Co with its stunning lagoon backdrop. The drive also takes you over Hai Van Pass, or ‘pass of the ocean clouds’.

On the way to Danang, you can stop for a visit to the informative Cham Museum, which houses one of the largest collections of Cham artifacts in the world or visit a village of stone carvers at the foot of the Marble Mountain. Continue on to the delightful town of Hoi An which stands on the banks of the Thu Bon river, some thirty kilometers southeast of Danang. Around the fifteenth century, this old port town in the kingdom of Champa was known as Faifo. Hotel check-in on arrival. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

The afternoon is free for your own leisure.

DAY 12: HOI AN - Half Day Kim Bong Carpentry trip (B)

Pick up at Bach Dang port. Leave for Kim Bong carpentry village by boat (15 min/1 way). Visit Mr. Huynh Ry's home and ship-building yard (20min).
Bicycle tour explores: Tien Hien temple, Kim Buu pagoda, Phan homestead; former French-styled constructed house , paddy-field, Huynh family’s temple, village school, coracle boats, mats weaving, bamboo bridge.
Seeing the local games played by children: shoot marbles, skipping, hop, Chinese chess, ong lang, co ganh ... Have a snack with: corn, cassava, sweet potato and local season fruits such as watermelon & pineapple.  Lunch at a local home.
Go back to the wharf for transfer back to Hoi An.

Afternoon free. Hoi An is famous for its custom clothing and shoes available within 24 hours from local tailors and cobblers.

DAY 13: HOI AN (B)

Free for your own leisure. Go to the beach, wander the scenic town streets, check out the market or shop for tailor made goods and handicrafts.

DAY 14: HOI AN / DANANG / SAIGON (B)

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). On arrival transfer to hotel.

DAY 15: SAIGON - MEKONG DELTA TOUR (B,L,D)

:00 am – Your guide and the van will pick you up at the hotel. The excursion starts from Cai Be town pier at around 10:30 am.

Upon embarkation on your river junk, you will be welcomed with fresh cotton towels.

The cruise begins with a visit to Cai Be’s colourful floating market cruising among local barges full of fruits and vegetables. You will then proceed to Phu An hamlet, an untouched beautiful area reflecting some of the best sights the Mekong Delta can offer.

On the way, you will stop by some local home factories to observe how rice paste, coconut candies and other regional specialties are made. A delicious lunch will await you at a superb Indochinese villa located by the river in a lush tropical garden surrounded by fruit plantations.

After lunch, your private sampan will cruise deeper to Dong Hoa Hiep and An Binh islands, a peaceful escape where you will be able to discover the rural life style and daily activities of the delta inhabitants such as roofs made with palm tree leaves, bricks & tiles artisanal factories, net fishing, an ancient Mandarin house dating from late 19^th century…

ruising along Dong Phu canal, you will make a last stop at a fruit orchard and bonsai plantation near Binh Hoa Phuc islet. These evergreen islands amidst the Mekong River are surrounded by large networks of meandering rivers, criss-crossed with countless arroyos still unknown to many people.

Late afternoon, disembarkation and check-in at a traditional charming house built on pillars by the river. Rest of the day at leisure in a peaceful and romantic atmosphere.

Dinner and overnight.

DAY 16: AN BINH / VINH LONG / SA DEC / SAIGON (B,L)

After breakfast, return to your private sampan for your second day cruise in the delta.

Crossing the Co Chien River, one of the largest Mekong arm, you will cruise under the spectacular My Thuan Bridge.

Stop at Dinh Tan Hoa, an ancient provincial house built some one hundred fifty years ago…

Afterward, you will proceed up-stream on the Tien Giang River, another large arm of the Mekong. On the banks, some dark smoke in the sky will lead us to one of the biggest bricks and tiles factory where we will you have an interesting visit.

Back on board, we will cruise to Sa Dec. On both sides of the river, locals are harvesting water hyacinth, another famous Mekong delta product used for furniture and baskets.

You will reach Sa Dec by noon. Lunch will be served on your boat while cruising or at a local ancient house in Sa Dec (Nha Co).

The town appears like a little “Venice” with numerous narrow canals and various kinds of activities on the banks.

You will disembark at Sa Dec local market, one of the biggest of the delta, at around 3:00 pm.

Visit the charming and peaceful Sa Dec town, walk along its narrow streets and beautiful old houses dating from the last century, see some old Chinese temples, ancient Dinh and the primary school of Marguerite Duras whose novel inspired the famous movie, “The Lover”.

The excursion will end at around 4:00 pm. Transfer back to Saigon.

DAY 17: SAI GON/ PHU QUOC (B)

Transfer by van to the airport for your flight to Phu Quoc. Pick up at the airport in Phu Quoc. Transfer to your beach resort for some R&R on a beautiful island, still untouched by the tourist masses

DAY 18: PHU QUOC (B)

Free for your own leisure. Enjoy the beach, strolling, spa treatments or a book and cool drink by the pool.

DAY 19:PHU QUOC (B)

Free for your own leisure.

DAY 20: PHU QUOC / SAI GON (B)

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Saigon. In Saigon, connect with your flight to Cambodia for the optional trip extension as follows or your return home. Upon arrival transfer to our hotel in Siem Reap.

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QUOTATION in USD (For illustration only as of 2009 – Subject to change - Please enquire for current pricing)

SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA EXTENSION – Optional

DAY 21: SAIGON – SIEMREAP (B)

This morning we will visit Banteay Srei temple (Citadel of the Women), dedicated to Siva. The architecture and its sculptures of pink sandstone figures, lintels, pediments and friezes present a main work of Khmer art. On the way back, drive through village and paddies to Banteay Samre. This temple was constructed late 9th century by King Surayavarman II. Many of its carvings are still in excellent condition.

Afternoon, continue to visit Neak Poan supposed to be a symbol of the Universe, and Preah Khan which was built in 1191 on a spot where the king fought a crucial battle against the Cham. Afterwards, enjoy a sunset view from the top of Phnom Bakheng. Overnight in the hotel.

DAY 22: SIEMREAP (B)

In the morning, discover the Angkor temples of the small circuit. First, visit Banteay kdei. The temple was constructed by Jayavarman VII during the 12th and 13th Centuries (Citadel of the Cells) and used to be a religious monastery. Next, visit Ta Prohm, a monastery built by Jayavarman VII as a residence for his mother. It has been largely overgrown by the jungle and as you climb through the dilapidated stone structures you see many giant banyan trees growing out of the top of the temple itself. Complete the small circuit in the morning with a visit to Takeo, one of the first to be built out of sandstone.

Afternoon, you continue to visit the South Gate, Angkor Thom. This Royal city was first built under the reign of Udayadityavarman II in the 11th Century. Next, you will move on to the famous Bayon Temple in the centre of the city of Angkor Thom. The temple built Jayavarman VII is a three-tiered pyramid with its entrance facing east. The central shrine is surrounded by 54 towers all crowned by gigantic faces, representing okiteshvara but with the features of Jayavarman VII.

You will then visit Baphuon.

Conclude the day tour with Phimean Akas – the temple constructed late 10^th – early 11^th century by Jayavarman V and Elephants and Leper King Terraces. The first terrace owes its name to the outstanding depiction of elephants, while the second gets its name from the magnificent sculpture of King Yasovarman, popularly known as the Leper King. Overnight at your hotel.

DAY 23: SIEMREAP (B)

Morning: visit one of the 7 modern wonders of the world "Angkor Wat". The temple is one of the largest monuments to religion ever built and is truly one of the wonders of the world. Believed to have been constructed as a temple and mausoleum for King Suryavarman II at the peak of the Khmer empire in the first half of the 12th century, Angkor Wat is probably the best-preserved of the Angkorean temples.

Afternoon: Excursions on Tonle Sap Lake, visit the floating village, mangrove forest, fresh fish exhibition and the activities of people’s daily lives. Overnight at your hotel.

DAY 24: SIEMREAP DEPARTURE (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight and connections to your flight to Canada.

QUOTATION in USD (For illustration only as of 2009 – Subject to change - Please enquire for current pricing)

• Price is subject to change due to availability, currency and seasonal rate changes etc. until time of final payment.