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Itinerary for Vietnam Discovery Tour |
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Included meals are indicated as B = Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner |
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10.10.09
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Sydney - Taipei
Depart Sydney at 9.55pm on CI 56, arriving in Taipei at 4.25am the next morning. |
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| 11.10.09 |
Taipei - Hanoi (Sydney passengers)
Sydney
passengers depart Taipei airport at 8.25am
on CI 791, arriving in Hanoi at 10.35am. You will be met and
transferred
to your hotel. In the afternoon there will be a tour briefing before a
cyclo drive around the French Quarter and the Old Quarter of Hanoi.
Brisbane passengers depart at 10.35am on CI 54, arriving in Taipei at
5.35pm. They will have overnight accommodation in a hotel in the Taipei airport area.
Accommodation: Galaxy Hotel (Sydney passengers) |
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12.10.09
(B/D) |
Taipei - Hanoi (Brisbane passengers)
Sydney passengers will have a free day in Hanoi.
Brisbane passengers depart Taipei at 8.25am on CI 791, arriving in Hanoi at 10.35am. You will be met and
transferred to your hotel. A tour briefing before a
cyclo drive around the French Quarter and the Old Quarter of Hanoi.
The whole group enjoys a welcome dinner at a local restaurant tonight.
Accommodation: Galaxy Hotel |
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13.10.09
(B/L/D)
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Hanoi
Morning
city tour with visits to Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, residence and museum,
one pillar pagoda, Temple of Literature which built in the 11th century
and known as Vietnam's first University. Lunch at KOTO. After lunch visit
to the Ethnology museum.
In the evening enjoy the water puppet show, the unique art of the
Vietnamese from the 11th century. Dinner at a nice local restaurant.
Accommodation: Galaxy Hotel |
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14.10.09
(B/L/D)
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Hanoi - Halong Bay
Depart
Hanoi for 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 around 1,969 limestone islets
rising from the clear emerald water, many of them containing beautiful
grottoes.
Arrive in Halong and board a Bai Tho Junk, check-in registration. Lunch on board.
A fascinating cruise in Halong Bay, visit Dinh Huaong Island, Ga Choi
Island, Dog Island, Sail Island and visit Sung Sot Cave and have a swim at
Titov beach. Enjoy dinner on board while watching the sunset. (it
depends on weather conditions)
Accommodation: Bai Tho Junk |
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15.10.09
(B/L/D)
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Halong Bay - Hanoi - Overnight on Train
We
have a few more hours on the junk, before heading back to Hanoi. In
this time we will have a morning cruise to visit Man's Head Island,
Tortoise Island, visit Luon cave by a small bamboo boat, Bai Tu Long
Bay, Toad Island and Bai Tho Mountain.
Early lunch is on board before disembarking. We then make our way back to
Hanoi. Dinner at a local restaurant. After dinner we transfer to the
train station to board the TSC train to Sapa at 9.15pm.
The first class sleeper carriage train has 4 seats to a compartment which convert into 4 sleeping bunks (2upper/2lower) for
the overnight portion of the journey. The bunks are provided with
sheets, pillow and a blanket, though some people prefer to bring their
own sleeping sheet.
Accommodation: TSC Train |
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16.10.09
(B/D)
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Lao Cai - Sapa
Arrive to Loa Cai station at 5.30am and one hour drive to Sapa.
Sapa is a hill station built in 1922. The whole area is spectacular, as
Sapa lies in a valley surrounded by paddy fields in a variety of shades
of green, but is overlooked by Vietnam's highest mountain, Mount
Fansipan. You will see the local minorty groups, the H'mong and the
Dzao people, the largest and the most colourful ethnic groups in the
region.
Breakfast at the hotel, a short walk to orient the town. Afterwards,
take a 4km drive by jeep to the rim of a deep valley.
Along the road you'll see H'Mong, Dzay and Dzao minority people,
dressed in traditional costumes. There is a two hour walk around Ta Van
and Lao Chai, home to all three minorities. Observe their daily lives
for a rare glimpse into their culture and costumes. The rest of the day
at leisure to explore this interesting town. Dinner at a nice
local
restaurant.
Accommodation: Chau Long Hotel |
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17.10.09
(B/L/D)
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Sapa
Morning
at leisure. In the afternoon leaving Sapa for Bac Ha, on the way
stopover at Taphin, a village of Red Dzao people and also stop at Lao
Cai town for an oppurtunity to take photos at the border gate between
Vietnam and China. Arrive Bac Ha late afternoon. Enjoy a local
traditional music show of Tay people while having dinner at the hotel.
Accommoation: Congfu Hotel. |
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18.10.09
(B/L/D)
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Bac Ha - Hanoi
Bac
Ha is a regular market held every Sunday for ethnic minorities.
Different ethnic groups carry their goods and animals from home in the
early morning to the market for exchanging, selling and buying what
they need. At the Bac Ha market, you'll see the gathering of thousands
of people of H'Mong, Phu La, Dao, and Tay ethnic minorities
wearing their colourful traditional costumes. It is a riot of colour
and fun, an opportunity to explore the colourful market and meet the
local tribal people to
appreciate their culture and their own tradition.
After the market and a visit to the house of former King H'mong, a nice
driving journey back to Hanoi. Lunch and dinner on the way.
Accommodation: Galaxy Hotel |
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19.10.09
(B/L/D)
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Hanoi - Hue
Transfer
to the airport for flight VN 245 departing at 10.10am and arriving in
Hue at 11.10am, the royal city of Vietnam's last ruling dynasty. On
arrival transfer to the hotel for check-in and lunch at a local cafe. A
one hour cyclo tour around the citadel and the city of Hue in the
afternoon. Dinner at a nice local restaurant 'Royal Park'.
Accommodation: Saigon Morin Hotel. |
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20.10.09
(B/D)
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Hue
Morning
tour vist to the Citadel, a city inside a big wall which built by
Nguyen Emperors from 1804-1833. Bus to Thien Mu Pagoda then a boat trip
on the Perfume river back to the hotel.
Mid afternoon a tour visit to the tomb of Khai Dinh, the second last
Emporer of the Nguyen Dynasty which reigned the country from 1916-1925
then the tomb of Tu Duc, the fourth Emperor of the same Dynasty which
reigned the country from 1848-1883. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Saigon Morin Hotel |
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21.10.09
(B/L)
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Hue - Hoi An
Leave
Hue for Hoi An, a beautiful drive along the road passing through many
pretty red-tiled villages with fruit orchards, enjoy spectacular views
of sky and sea, crossing the interesting Hai Van Pass (Pass of the
Ocean Clouds).
A drive though Danang, a famous R&R city for the Americans in the
Vietnam War. Stopover at the famous China Beach and the area of the 5
marble mountains.
Lunch at a nice local restaurant in Hanoi 'Ly Cafee'.
After lunch there will be a guided walking tour of historic Hoi An
which used to be a prosperous seaport city during the 16th to 18th
centuries. Its sizeable community of foreign merchants resulted in a
unique architectual style with Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese
influences.
Accommodation: Hoi An Hotel |
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22.10.09
(B/D)
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Hoi An
Today is at leisure.
In the afternoon there will be a one hour cruise on the Hoi An river
before a cooking demonstration at a nice restaurant the 'Morning
Glory' in town.
Accommodation: Hoi An Hotel |
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23.10.09
(B/L)
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Hoi An - Nha Trang
Driving back to Danang to the airport for the morning flight VN 335
departing at 9.40am and arriving in Nha Trang at 10.40am. On
arrival in Nha Trang you will be transferred to your hotel. Lunch is at PHO 24.
The rest of the day is at leisure.
Accommodation: Nha Trang Lodge Hotel. |
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24.10.09
(B/L)
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Nha Trang
Today there will be a boat trip to visit an offshore fishing village
and aquarium, then enjoy swimming and snorkelling in the South China Sea.
Lunch at Bao Dai summer villa.
Afternoon at leisure for your own exploration of Nha Trang.
Accommodation: Nha Trang Lodge Hotel |
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25.10.09
(B/L/D)
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Nha Trang - Dalat
Depart Nha Trang for Dalat, a cool mountain resort. Its lakes,
waterfall, evergreen forest and gardens make Dalat one of the most
enjoyable places in Vietnam. On the way visit Poklong Garai Cham Tower
and have a picnic lunch.
A stopover at the Chicken Village, the village of the original people
to this area before arriving in Dalat. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Hoang Anh Resort |
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26.10.09
(B/L/D)
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Dalat
Morning tour to cable car station with a 15 minute ride overlooking
fine forest, vegetable and flower farms then visit to the Crazy House,
Bao Dai's summer villa and famous embroidery workshop in town and
Vietnam. Lunch
at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon visit to the Valley of Love and the city flower garden
then enjoy a train ride to Trai Mat then visit Long Phuoc
Pagoda, a famous beer bottle and ceramic pagoda in town. Dinner at a
local restaurant.
Accommodation: Hoang Anh Resort |
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27.10.09
(B/L)
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Dalat - Saigon
Depart Dalat for Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). A beatiful drive through
coffee,
tea and rubber plantations. On the way stop in Bao Loc to try
local coffe and tea. A late lunch on the way. Arrive Saigon mid
afternoon. Free time to explore this interesting city.
Accommodation: Rex Hotel. |
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28.10.09
(B/L)
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Saigon - Cu Chi Tunnels
A short walking tour passing the Opera House, City Hall, Central Post
Office and Notre Dame Cathedral, and then a visit to the former
Presidential Palace and the War Museum. Lunch will be 'Pho' Vietnamese
noodles and spring rolls. In the afternoon there will be a visit to a fascinating
network of tunnels built by the Vietcong during the Vietnam War (which
is called the American war in Vietnam).
Accommodation: Rex Hotel. |
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29.10.09
(B/L/D)
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Saigon - Mekong Delta
A coach trip to My Tho (a two hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City), the
gateway to the Mekong Delta, a prosperous town in the Mekong Delta. It
is famous for its extensive orchards and immense rice fields. Enjoy a
boat trip on the Mekong River stopping to visit an orchard on one of
the small islands, sampan ride along a natural canal, you will also
visit a coconut workshop and a bee-keeping farm, lunch at the farmer's
house. On the way back to Saigon driving through China Town.
Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Rex Hotel. |
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30.10.09
(B)
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Saigon departure
Free morning in Saigon. In the afternoon transfer to Saigon Airport
departing at 5.20pm on CI 784, arriving in Taipei at 9.35pm. Transfer
to a hotel in the Taipei Airport area.
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31.10.09
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Sydney passengers depart Taipei at 8.45am on CI 55, arriving in Sydney at 8.55pm.
Brisbane passengers have a free morning. They will transfer to Taipei
airport at about 12 noon to join a Taipei city tour. Return to
Taipei airport, departing at 10.20pm on CI 53, arriving in Brisbane at
8.55am on 01.11.09.
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