TRAVEL & CULTURE TARIFF 2005-2006

VIETNAM PRIVATE TOURS

TRAVEL & CULTURE “22 DAYS TRAILS OF VIETNAM” – VTN6036

(Daily departure on private tour, with meals as specified)

**

Hanoi – Son La – Dien Bien Phu – Sapa – Hanoi – Halong - Vinh – Dong Hoi – Hue – Hoi An –

Nha Trang – Dalat – Ho Chi Minh City – Can Tho

The only trip that takes you all around Vietnam, from the stunning North, with its beautiful nature in the mountains by the Lao and Chinese borders to the sea shore in Halong Bay, continues south along the coast through the old Imperial Capital of Hue, the cultural city of Hoian towards the beach resort town of Nha Trang and head next to the mountains of Dalat before arriving in the flat south.

ITINERARY

Day 01  Hanoi – Arrival (D)

Meet on arrival at Hanoi/Noi Bai International Airport and transfer to the hotel.

Afternoon city tour including: the Temple of Literature, built in the 11th century as the first university in Vietnam, the Fine Arts Museum and Quan Thanh Temple. Dinner at local restaurant.

Evening: Water puppet show, a unique and famous Vietnamese traditional art performance.

Accommodation at hotel.

Day 02    Hanoi – Son Tay – Son La   (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Pick up at hotel, drive to Son La via Son Tay. Visit the ancient citadel built by Phung Hung. Continue to Son La through picturesque scenery with stunning views of the mountains in Phu Yen and Bac Yen. Lunch en route.

Continue driving to Son La passing Ta Khoa bridge.

Dinner and accommodation at hotel.

 

Day 03    Son La – Dien Bien Phu   (B/L/D)

Breakafast at the hotel. 

Drive from Son La to Dien Bien Phu.

Lunch at local restaurant.

Afternoon: explore the Dien Bien Phu area, the site of the famous Vietnamese victory over the French in 1954, which ended the first Indochinese war.

Dinner and accommodation at hotel.

 

Day 04  Dien Bien Phu – Lai Chau – Paso (B/L/D)

Breakafast at the hotel.

Visit the Dien Bien Phu Museum, the notorious hill A-1 battlefield, the former French command post and a captured tank. Lunch at local restaurant.

Drive to Lai Chau, then proceed to Paso through absolutely spectacular scenery. Paso offers fine opportunities for hiking, with Hmong and Dzao hill tribes in the area.

Dinner and accommodation at a basic guest house.

  

Day 05  Paso – Binh Lu – Sapa   (B/L)

Breakafast at the hotel.

Drive from Paso to Sapa. From Paso, the road snakes up to Binh Lu,  another breathtaking location with a bowl of terraced rice paddies ringed by mountains, an excellent place for hiking. From Binh Lu, drive through more stunning scenery into the mountains and rolling hills winding up to Sapa. Lunch at local restaurant.

Dinner (at own account)

Accommodation at hotel.   

 

Day 06   Sapa – Ta Van – Cat Cat – Sapa (B/L)

Breakfast at the hotel.

After 8kms on the rim of a deep valley, followed by a 30-minute walk, arrival in the so-called rattan bridge & the ethnic Ta Van village which is dwelled by Dzay people followed by a walking visit to Cat Cat village. You can see along the road many montagnards from surrounding villages. They dress their most colourful costumes and head to the market to exchange goods or sell self-made souvenirs.

Dinner (at own account).

Accommodation at hotel.

Day 07     Sapa – Lao Cai – Hanoi     (B/L)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Drive from Sapa to Lao Cai to board the LC4 train (departure 09.40) and arrive Hanoi at 20.20.  Box lunch.  Transfer to the Hotel for check-in.

Dinner (at own account).

Accommodation at the Hotel.

Day 08     Hanoi – Halong Bay    (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Drive 160 km East Hanoi to Halong, sightseeing on route. Arrive in Halong and board Huong Hai junk, check-in registration. Discover Halong Bay, listed as a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. “Dragon descending to the sea“ as it is known in Vietnamese, picturesque Halong Bay has more than 3,000 limestone islets rising from the clear emerald water, many of them containing beautiful grottoes such as Thien Cung and Dau Go. Seafood lunch on board.

A fantastic cruise in Halong bay, visit Dinh Huong island, Ga Choi island, Dog island, Sail island, visit Sung Sot  cave and a swim at Titov beach.  Enjoy dinner on board while watching sunset. Fishing, drinking Vietnamese wine, and spending a night on board.

Day 09       Halong Bay – Hanoi   (B/L)

Breakfast at the hotel.

A morning cruise to visit Man’s head island, Tortoise island, visit Luon cave by small bamboo boat, Bai Tu Long bay, Toad island, Bai tho  mountain.

Lunch on board. Return to Halong city.

Arrive Halong wharf and transfer back to Hanoi.

Dinner (at own account)

Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 10  Hanoi – Hoa Lu - Vinh    (B/L)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Pick-up at hotel in Hanoi, 2-hr drive to Ninh Binh. Take a sampan ride to Tam Coc famous as so called “Halong-on-land”, the same limestone rocks lying on rice fields with a stream instead of the sea. Visit the Bich Dong Pagoda dating from the 17th century, and the Temples of Dinh and Le dynasties.

Lunch at Anh Dzung restaurant.

Transfer to Vinh with stopover at Cuong Temple near Dien Chau Town with the legendary love story of Trong Thuy and My Chau. Check in at the hotel.

Dinner (at own account).

Accommodation at hotel.

Day 11  Vinh – Dong Hoi    (B/L)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning visit to President Ho Chi Minh’s home town in Kim Lien Village where farm houses made of bamboo and palm leaves over 100 years ago are restored.

In the afternoon, onwards to Dong Hoi on Truong Son Road (200km) through war vestiges. Stopover at the Dong Loc T-junction, learn the story of 10 female youth volunteers who fought and sacrificed to the safe of the road under heavy bombing. Drive 200 kms to Dong Hoi, known as the beginning of the legedary Ho Chi Minh Trails in the war.

Visit the Phong Nha cave, known as the longest cave in Vietnam (approximately 14km), listed by the UNESCO as World Heritage Site, and explored by the British caving expedition in 1990. Arrive Dong Hoi late afternoon, relax on the resort private beach.

Dinner (at own account)

Accommodation at hotel.

Day 12 Dong Hoi – Hue  (B/L)

Early morning visit to the Nhat Le fish market nearby, an ideal photo spot with sellers and buyers invariably wearing the ubiquitous conical hat.

Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer Drive to Hue (200km), passing the former demilitarized zone (DMZ) along the Ben Hai River (1954 – 1975) where vestiges of fierce battles can be seen comprising the Vinh Moc Tunnel and Doc Mieu base. Travel on Truong Son Road or Ho Chi Minh Trail - the north-south supply route during the Vietnam War, pass by Truong Son Cemetery and Ben Tac Bridge, back to the highway via Dong Ha Town and the ruins of the old Quang Tri Citadel.

Lunch en route.

Arrive Hue late afternoon for hotel check-in.

Dinner (at own account).

Accommodation at hotel.

Day 13   Hue – Danang – Hoi An   (B/L) 

Breakfast at the hotel.

Boat ride on Huong River to Thien Mu pagoda. Sightseeing including the royal tomb of King King Khai Dinh and Imperial Citadel.

Lunch at local restaurant.

Depart Hue for Danang across the Hai Van Pass, passing through many pretty red-tiled villages with fruit orchards, enjoying spectacular views of sky and sea. Visit the Cham Museum and proceed to Hoi An. 

Dinner (at own account).

Accommodation at the hotel.

 

Day 14     Hoi An  (B/L)

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, drive 40 kms Southwest of Hoi An, a half day trip to visit the capital and religious centre of the former Champa Kingdom, My Son, that has been designated a UNESCO’s World Heritage site. In a lush green valley are dozens of red brick towers and sanctuaries dating from between the 7th and 13th centuries. Drive back to Hoi An for lunch.

In the afternoon take a walking tour of Hoi An, discover the historic town which used to be a prosperous seaport city during the 16th to 18th centuries. Visit Hoi An’s colourful local market, Tan Ky old house, Fukien Assembly Hall, and the 400-year-old Japanese covered bridge. Travellers can also see local residents raise silkworms and produce silk for Hoi An's burgeoning textile industry.

Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 15  Hoi An – Danang – Nha Trang    (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free time for shopping in Hoi An, then transfer to Danang railway station for day train Danang-Nha Trang (S1 train). Lunch Box.

Arrival at Nha Trang’s railway station,transfer to hotel for check-in.

Dinner and accommodation at hotel.

 

Day 16  Nha Trang  (B/L)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Enjoy Nha Trang's turquoise waters and white sandy beaches. Take a morning boat cruise to offshore islands in Nha Trang Bay with lunch on board or island. Afternoon visit Long Son Pagoda and Po Nagar Cham Towers a sacred Hindu site dating back to the 2nd century AD. The town was built between the 7th and 12th centuries and is still used today as a place of pilgrimage for the Cham and Vietnamese Buddhists. Time for shopping at Dam market before transfer back to the hotel.

Accommodation at hotel.

Day 17   Nha Trang – Dalat    (B/L­)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning free at leisure to enjoy the emerald water  and the white sand beach.

Lunch at local restaurant.

Depart for Dalat, a cool mountain resort. Its lakes, waterfall, evergeen forest and gardens make Dalat one of  the most enjoyable places in Vietnam.  On the way, visit Po Klong Garai Cham Tower.

Arrive in Dalat and transfer to the Novotel (4*) Hotel for check in.

Dinner (at own account).

Accommodation at hotel.

  

Day 18   Dalat – Ho Chi Minh City    (B/L)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Visit the Lover's lane. Xuan Huong Lake. Flower Garden and Linh Son Pagoda.

 Lunch at local restaurant.

Depart for Ho Chi Minh City with stopover to visit Prenn waterfall.

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh and transfer to hotel for check in.

Dinner (at own account).

Accommodation at hotel.

Day 19   Ho Chi Minh City –My Tho – Can Tho    (B/L)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Pick up at hotel. Drive to My Tho (2-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City) and visit Vinh Trang Pagoda. My Tho is a prosperous town of 170,000 inhabitants in the Mekong Delta.  It is famous for its extensive orchards and immense rice fields. Enjoy a boat ride on the Mekong River and visit an orchard on an island. Lunch en route at a local restaurant.  Continue with a visit to a snake farm before proceeding to Can Tho. 

Dinner (at own account).

Accommodation at hotel.

  

Day 20   Can Tho – Cai Rang – Ho Chi Minh City  (B/L)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Boat trip on the Mekong river to visit Cai Rang floating market. 

Lunch at local restaurant.

Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Dinner (at own account).

Accommodation at hotel.

 

Day 21   Ho Chi Minh City  - Cu Chi – Ho Chi Minh City (B/L/D)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Excursion to the Cu Chi tunnels (70 kms northwest of Ho Chi Minh City), an amazing complex of underground tunnels used during the Vietnamese war.

Lunch at local restaurant

Visit to Thien Hau Pagoda, History Museum and former Presidential Palace and a lacquerware workshop.

Farewel dinner at Mandarine restaurant.

Accommodation at hotel.

 

Day 22   Ho Chi Minh City – Departure  (B)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Time at leisure for own activities.

Transfer to Tan  Son Nhat International Airport for departure.

  ** End of service **

PRIVATE PACKAGE TOURS – US Dollar

Number of passengers (Nett per person in half-twin room)

Singlesupp.

Hotel category

1

2

3-5

6-9

10-14

15-19

20 Up

Tourist class

3420

1909

1592

1257

1086

1037

965

385

Superior class

3742

2076

1759

1424

1253

1194

1122

540

First class

4323

2372

2055

1720

1550

1473

1401

824

Deluxe

4977

2716

2399

2064

1893

1834

1762

1135

Validity: 01 November 2006 – 31 October 2007

 
city

5*   Deluxe

4+* First

4* Superior

Tourist

Hanoi

Sheraton

Sofitel Plaza

Sunway

Thien Thai

Son La

Cong Doan

Cong Doan

Cong Doan

Cong Doan

Dien Bien Phu

Hanoi Dien Bien

Hanoi Dien Bien

Hanoi Dien Bien

Hanoi DienBien

Paso

Lan Anh 2

Lan Anh 2

Lan Anh 2

Lan Anh 2

Sapa

Victoria

Victoria

Chau Long NewWing

Khanh Hai

Halong

Halong Dream

Halong Pearl

Mithrin

Bach Dang

Vinh

Saigon Kimlien

Saigon Kimlien

Saigon Kimlien

Saigon Kimlien

Dong Hoi

Sunspa

Sunspa

Sunspa

Sgn Quangbinh

Hue

La Residence

Morin

Festival

Ngoc Huong

Hoi An

Victoria Hoi An

Life Resort

Pacific

Vinh Hung 2

Nha Trang

Ana Mandara

Sunrise

Yasaka Saigon

Green

Dalat

Sofitel Palace

Novotel

Novotel

Empress

Ho Chi Minh

Caravelle

Duxton/Majestic

Palace

Chancery

Can Tho

Victoria

Golf 4

Saigon Can Tho

T. Nguyen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surcharge (USD/room/night):

Sofitel Plaza Hanoi 1-31/10/2007:  USD 12.-

Ana Mandara Nhatrang  20-31/12/06:  USD 63.-

1-15/1/07: USD 65.-

Sofitel Palace Dalat 21/12/06-3/1/07: USD 12.-

Novotel Lalat 21/12/06-3/1/07: USD 6.-

Caravelle Saigon  26-31/12/06:  USD 15.-

1-31/10/07:  USD 12.-

Victoria Sapa Weekend (Sat & Sun):  USD 30.-

24-26/12/06, 31/12/06-2/1/07, 17-22/2/07:  USD 24.-

Victoria Hoian  24-26/12/06, 31/12/06-2/1/07, 17-22/2/07:  USD 24.-

Sunrise Nhatrang  1-10/1/07: USD 36.-

 

Including:

-  Accommodation with indicated meals (B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner)

-  Transfers & tours with English/French/German speaking local guide in each city

-  Train tickets Lao Cai-Hanoi & Danang-Nha Trang

-  Entrance fees and boat fees

-  Service charge, room tax and handling fee

Not included:

-  International airport tax in Ho Chi Minh at USD 14.00 nett per person

-  International airfare to/from Vietnam

-  Personal insurance

-  Expenditure of a personal nature, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, tips & etc.

 

Remarks:

-  Minor programm changes are sometimes necessary, depending on road conditions and room availability.

-  Prices are subject to change in case of VAT or other tax increase.

 

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