This trip offers a thorough understanding of Vietnam, especially in terms of the people and daily life through typical sites, activities, villages and home stays.

Schedule: First Sunday of the month

Tour code: ST - VN 03

Day 1: Home – Hanoi (B-L-D)
Arrival in Hanoi, the ancient intricate capital of Vietnam, airport pick-up, hotel check-in
Afternoon: 1 hour rickshaw tour around the town center to be amazed by the unique hustle and bustle of the city.

Day 2: Hanoi (B-L-D)
Full day for exploring the fascinating city of Hanoi where old and new things blend together, Vietnamese, Chinese and French cultures mix together.
Activities: a pleasant walk around the peaceful Ho Chi Minh area, another pleasant walk at the beautiful Temple of Literature, a fascinating walk through the famous 36 busy streets of the Old Quarter, and a good visit at the Fine Arts Museum
The day is ended with an interesting water puppet performance.

Day 3: Hanoi – Mai Chau (B-L-D)
Morning drive to Mai Chau, visit Van Phuc traditional silk village on route, arrival in Mai Chau, a lovely valley with dotted villages of the White Thai tribe.
Afternoon a lovely walk around Pom Coong village
Overnight at home stay

Day 4: Mai Chau – Hanoi (B-L-D)
Morning a nice visit to a village of the Muong tribe in Hoa Binh
Afternoon drive back to Hanoi by bus

Day 5: Hanoi – Halong bay (B-L-D)
A scenic drive through rice paddies and mountains to Halong bay, a World Natural Heritage Site.
Check-in aboard, enjoy fabulous lunch and cruise along the terrific sceneries.
Overnight aboard

Day 6: Halong – Hue (B-L-D)
Morning drive to Noi Bai airport, take mid-day flight to Hue, the last Royal capital of Vietnam, a World Cultural Heritage Site.
Afternoon: excellent motorbike trip with drivers to interesting traditional villages and beautiful sceneries around Hue.

Day 7: Hue (B-L-D)
Full day enjoy Hue’s typical features: peaceful, traditional and beautiful.
Activities: lovely boat trip on the Perfume River to the beautiful Thien Mu pagoda, Tu Duc tomb, and enjoy 1 hour cooking lesson aboard to have some first impressions of the artistic style of Hue cuisine; then drive to the Royal Citadel of Hue, enjoy a pleasant walk in this interesting area, then visit the amazingly full Dong Ba market.

Day 8: Hue – Hoian (B-L-D)
Enjoy a scenic drive to Hoian with many nice stops for photos, local market, village on route. Visit the Cham museum, the traditional marble stone carving village in Danang.
Arrival in the charming ancient city of Hoian, a World Cultural Heritage Site.

Day 9: Hoian (B-L-D)
Full day enjoy the wonderful features of Hoian: relaxing, charming, and great shopping
Activities: Early morning optional visit to the unique fish market, then enjoy 2 hours’ boating along fishing villages, palm plantations and gardens, pleasant city walk to a temple, old Chinese merchant’s houses, the famous Japanese pagoda bridge, and many beautiful shops.
Afternoon enjoy a uniquely fabulous bicycle ride through the gorgeous sceneries of the countryside.

Day 10: Hoi An – HCMC (B-L-D)
Morning flight from Danang to HCMC, the biggest city of Vietnam, a modern hustle and bustle city.
City tour: visits to busy China town, beautiful Jade Emperor pagoda, interesting War museum, charming city center, interesting lacquer ware factory.

Day 11: HCMC – Tay Ninh – Cu Chi
(B-L-D)
Full day excursion to visit two contrast sites: the colourful Cao Dai Holy See of the most egalitarian religion and the impressive tunnels system of the most violent battlefield of the Viet Nam War

Day 12: HCMC – Ben Tre (B-L-D)
Transfer to Tien Giang, the upper branch of the Mekong River, visit Vinh Trang pagoda on route, enjoy boating, walking, and horse-cart riding in Ben Tre, a province famous for huge green palm plantations and fruit orchards.
Overnight at a lovely home stay

Day 13: Ben Tre – Can Tho (B-L-D)
Transfer by boat from the home stay back to the bus. Then take a bus drive to Xeo Quit, a former communist military base, and enjoy wonderful boat trips around scenic swamps and forests of eucalyptuses and ivies.
Late afternoon drive to Can Tho, the capital of the Mekong delta

Day 14: Can Tho – HCMC (B-L-D)
Morning terrific boat trip to floating markets, fantastic tuk tuk ride along evergreen rice fields and fruit gardens.
Afternoon drive back to HCMC by bus

Day 15: Departure for Home Sweet Home (B)
Transfer to the airport for departure

End of service

Price: VND/pax (valid till May 2006)

Inclusions:

• Hotel accommodation with breakfast (based on twin sharing, superior rooms)
• All meals indicated in the program
• All ground transport on tour with A/C vehicles , boats, motorbike, bicycle, rickshaw, tuk tuk, etc., all the domestic flights
• All entrance fees
• Local English, French, German speaking guides
• Gifts and maps

Exclusions:

• International flight tickets to and from Vietnam
• Visa for VN (840,000 VND/pax)
• Domestic and International Insurance surcharge
• Personal Insurance
• Personal expenses such as d r inks, camera fees
• All other accounts not mentioned in the above inclusions.
Exchange Rate: 21,000 VND/USD