From capitals ancient and modern to Hoi An town, the Mekong, rural mountain landscapes and an overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay
Flight - 1 night
Ho Chi Minh - 3 nights
Hue - 2 nights
Hoi An - 2 nights
Ha Long Bay - 2 nights
Hanoi - 2 nights
Ninh Binh - 2 nights
Flight - 1 night
Vietnam is not only historic and scenically beautiful, but also thought provoking and moving. In central Vietnam, the palace and tombs of the former capital, Hue, are reminiscent of the Forbidden City and Terracotta Army in China, whilst Ha Long Bay more than equals the scenic beauty of Guilin. Hoi An old town and the Mekong waterways are a pleasing contrast to the modernity of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. In Hanoi, traditional Chinese influences and French colonial architecture combine with numerous temples and the narrow streets of the Old Quarter whose traders have specialised in local silk, jewellery and handicrafts for centuries.
Ha Long Bay, meaning the “Bay of the Descending Dragon”, is home to almost 2000 limestone islands and islets, each topped with dense jungle vegetation and rising spectacularly from the ocean. Although only two of the islands are permanently inhabited, many are hollow with enormous caves and grottoes and some support entire floating villages of fisherman. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994, Ha Long’s ethereal beauty has survived the ravages of history.
The Cu Chi tunnels and Presidential Palace with helicopter and exhibition present a snapshot of the ‘American War’, as they call the ‘Vietnam War’, and the Ho Chi Minh memorial is reminiscent of Mao or Lenin.
The water puppet show and a village dinner provide contrasting but rewarding experiences.
New for 2019, is the option to extend to the famous terraced rice fields of Sapa, experiencing life of the hill tribes peoples whilst staying in a breathtaking location.
Culture & Natural Wonders
Jules Verne Sightseeing
4 UNESCO Heritage Sites
5 Lunches and 3 Dinners
Local Expert Guides
Guaranteed Departure
Group Size: 2 - 25
Enjoy a medley of cruises on the Saigon River (dinner), Mekong River, Thu Bon River, Perfume River and at Ha Long Bay (overnight).
An excellent, well organised small group tour.
Day 1 Fly overnight direct from London Heathrow to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
Day 2 Transfer to the 4-star Saigon Prince Hotel (early check-in) for three nights. Visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda, Reunification Palace, Opera House and the General Post Office. (B)
Day 3 Visit the underground tunnel network of Cu Chi. Dinner cruise on the Saigon River. (B, D)
Day 4 Discover the Mekong Delta, Vinh Trang Pagoda. Enjoy a cruise at My Tho. (B, L)
Day 5 Fly to Hue to visit the Imperial Citadel. Two nights at the 4-star Saigon Morin (riverside rooms). (B)
Day 6 Cruise on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda. Visit the tombs of the Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Village dinner with a family. (B, D)
Day 7 Cross the Hai Van Pass to Danang to visit the Cham Museum. At Hoi An, a walking tour visits merchants' houses and the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge. Two nights at the 4-star Hoi An Hotel. (B)
Day 8 Visit the My Son ruins of the Champa Kingdom. Cruise on the Thu Bon River. (B)
Day 9 Fly to Hanoi and transfer to Hai Phong for lunch and a city tour. Overnight at the 4-star Wyndham Legend Ha Long Hotel overlooking Ha Long Bay. (B, L)
Day 10 Morning free. Overnight Ha Long Bay cruise with seafood lunch. Visit a variety of islands and caves. (B, L, D)
Day 11 Further cruising, then transfer to Hanoi (4 hrs) to visit the Ethnological Museum. Two nights at the 5-star Melia Hanoi. (B)
Day 12 Visit the One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh's home and Mausoleum, Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake and old quarter. Water puppet show. (B)
Day 13 Excursion to the ancient village of Duong Lam including lunch with a local family. Continue to Ninh Binh for two nights at the 4-star Emeralda Hotel. (B, L)
Day 14 Visit the Tam Coc Caves, an area known as Ha Long Bay on land, Bich Dong Pagoda and the ancient capital of Hoa Lu with temples from the Dinh and Le dynasties. (B, L)
Day 15 At leisure before returning to Hanoi for evening flight to London Heathrow. (B)
Day 16 Arrive early morning.
Notes
Some visits are on foot including uneven surfaces and inclines.
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A 4-star hotel is in the heart of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) on the Nguyen Hue Boulevard. Restaurant, bar, pool, gym, spa and WiFi (free). 191 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, satellite TV and tea/coffee making facilities.
A 4-star French colonial-style hotel on the riverside. Restaurants, bar, pool and gym. 198 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, satellite TV and tea/coffee making facilities.
A 4-star hotel located close to the Old Town. Restaurants, bar, pool, gym, spa and WiFi (free). 150 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, TV and tea/coffee making facilities.
A 4-star hotel set on the coastline of Bai Chay and within easy access to downtown Ha Long. Restaurants, bars, gym, pool and WiFi (free). 217 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-fridge, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
Located in the heart of Hanoi, this 5-star hotel is a short distance from Hanoi's Old Quarter. Restaurants, bar, pool, gym, spa and WiFi (free). 306 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, satellite TV and tea/coffee making facilities.
Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh is nestled in the Van Long Natural Reserve and surrounded by spectacular mountains. Restaurants, bars, pools, gym, sauna and spa. 172 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, satellite TV and tea/coffee making facilities.
The Indochina Sails offers a dining room, bar, jacuzzi and sundeck. Cabins are air-conditioned with private facilities, hairdryer, safe and mini-bar.
Siem Reap Extension
Fly to Siem Reap for four nights at the 4-star Tara Angkor Hotel. Explore the temples of Angkor, including Angkor Wat, Banteay Srei and Ta Prohm. Visit a floating village and art studio.
Day 1 Fly to Siem Reap for four nights at the 4-star Tara Angkor Hotel. (B)
Day 2 Visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Royal Enclosure and the Elephant Terrace. Visit Angkor Wat for sunset. (B)
Day 3 Visit the temples of Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre. Stop at a local village en route back to Siem Reap. Visit Ta Prohm, Preak Khan and Neak Pean temples. (B)
Day 4 Afternoon boat ride on Tonle Sap Lake (National Khmer Ceramic Revival Centre and Krousar Thmey if water levels too low). Visit Theam's House, a unique art studio set up in a traditional Khmer house and visit Les Senteurs d'Angkor. (B)
Day 5 Evening overnight flight to London. (B)
Day 6 Arrive London.
Stylish 4-star with a distinctively feel that blends Khmer culture and modern elegance, ideally located between downtown and the Angkor Temples. Restaurant, bar outdoor pool, spa and WiFi (free). 206 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, mini-bar, safe and satellite TV.
Sapa Extension
Take the overnight train from Hanoi to Lao Cai on the Sapaly Express (Jules Verne guests allocated together in shared cabins). Two nights at the 4-star Topas Ecolodge located near Sapa town on a beautiful hilltop overlooking terraced rice fields. Includes visits to Hmong and Dzao hill tribe villages. Return to Hanoi by road.
Day 1 Take the overnight Sapaly Express Train from Hanoi to Lao Cai. (B, D)
Day 2 On arrival take breakfast at a local restaurant then, transfer to the 4-star Topas Ecolodge for two nights visiting en route the Hmong village of Ta Giang Phin. (B, D)
Day 3 Visit Lech Dzao, a hill tribe village. (B, D)
Day 4 Morning free. Return to Hanoi by road (5 hrs) for the evening overnight return flight to London. (B)
Topas Ecolodge is a 4-star small hotel located on a beautiful hilltop deep in the mountains of Hoang Lien National Park, near Sapa. Restaurant, bar, WiFi (free) and 25 rustic chalet styled bungalows with private facilities, hairdryer, tea/coffee making facilities, mosquito nets and private balcony.
2019
Wednesdays
per person in a twin/double room
Vietnam Airlines from Heathrow
| July 3 | £1995 |
| August 14 | £2295 |
| September 18 | £2095 |
| October 23 | £2245 |
| November 6 | £2295 |
| November 20 | £2245 |
| December 18 | £2795 |
2020
Wednesdays
per person in a twin/double room
Vietnam Airlines from Heathrow
Wednesdays
per person in a twin/double room
Vietnam Airlines from Heathrow
Wednesdays
per person in a twin/double room
Vietnam Airlines from Heathrow
Supplements per person
Single Supplement
Single supplement £645
(Apr-Sep 2019 £595; Oct 9-Mar 11 £695)
Flight Options
London-Ho Chi Minh City/Hanoi-London
Vietnam Airlines Premium Economy from £645
Vietnam Airlines Business Class from £3295
Extension Options
Extension - Siem Reap
4 nights £545
(Apr-Aug £445)
Single supplement £95
(Apr-Aug £65)
Extension - Sapa
3 nights £595
Single supplement £225
Privately Guided
Add £495 per person
Independent Arrival
Save £400
Transfers to/from airport with group included.
Price Includes
Air travel and taxes, transfers, 13 nights' accommodation, breakfast daily, 5 lunches and 3 dinners, itinerary as described, services of guides and local representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Not Included
Travel insurance, visa procurement, overseas airport taxes, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
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