Tripology

An Exciting Interview with Arthur Frommer

Grand Vietnam

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Detailed Trip Description

In this 29 day Grand Vietnam trip, you will visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Thay (dedicated to Tu Dao Hanh monk under Ly dynasty) and Tay Phuong (built in 8th Century with its well-known 76 statues carved out of jact-tree wood) pagodas, and many more places in Vietnam.

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Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Hanoi

 
Arrive in Hanoi.
Airport Transfer

You’ll be meet at the airport, and transferred to the hotel.

Sightseeing

We have some free time to relax and freshen up, before we tour the streets of Hanoi’s vibrant Old Quarter, by cyclo!

Performing Arts

In the evening will have an opportunity to view a performance of Vietnam’s famous Water Puppets. (D)


Day 2 - Hanoi

 
Sightseeing

Today begins with a must do! A visit to Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (except Monday & Friday). We’ll continue on to see the stunning One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Temple Of Literature (Vietnam’s first University - 1070), Fine Arts Museum (a collection of Vietnams finest painters), Museum of Ethnology, Ngoc Son Temple, Hoan Kiem Lake, Opera House and St Joseph Cathedral.

Hotel

Tonight is spent in the Capital. (B – L – D)


Day 3 - Hoa Binh

 
Hanoi -Thay & Tay Phuong pagodas -Hoa Binh.
Sightseeing

It’s time to start thinking Ethnic Minority Groups as we head out west to Hoa Binh. On the way, we stop over for visit of Thay (dedicated to Tu Dao Hanh monk under Ly dynasty) and Tay Phuong (built in 8th Century with its well-known 76 statues carved out of jact-tree wood) pagodas. After being hosted and drinking "Ruou Can" (Drinking Wine by bamboo straw) with one of the Muong or Dzao ethnic families in Giang Mo hamlet, we drive to Mai Chau. Expect to meet many wonderful locals and be amazed by the spectacular views of the terraced rice paddies!

Country Inn

Tonight we stay in a traditional stilt house, allowing us to learn first hand about the daily life, customs and cultures of these unique people. (B-L- D)


Day 4 - Vietnam

 
Mai Chau - Son La.
Hotel

Travel along the scenic route to Son La. Arrival in the afternoon, check in at the hotel.

Relaxation

Your time for relax. O/N in Son La. (B-L-D)


Day 5 - Dien Bien Phu

 
Son La - Dien Bien.
Sightseeing

Short easy trek to Thai villages, visit old French prison and Thuan Chau market. Crossing the Pha Din pass (1300m high) we drive to Dien Bien. Some stops for spectacular view and photographs.

Hotel

Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. Your time for refreshment. (B-L-D)


Day 6 - Lai Chau

 
Dien Bien Phu - Lai Chau.
Sightseeing

Visit Dien Bien Phu battle field, then drive along scenic route to Lai Chau. You will see ethnic ladies of H’Mong, Kh’Mu, Black Thai, Muong, Dzao seemed to be colorful flowers. With our delicate guide, we can stop and communicate with them. (B-L-D)


Day 7 - Lai Chau

 
Lai Chau - Sa Pa.
Shopping

Depart for Sa Pa. Along the way we will stop at some morning markets.

Relaxation

Arriving Sa Pa, check in at the hotel. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is yours to relax and enjoy. (If in Saturday, you may attend at the Saturday lovers’ market held at mid-night). (B-L-D)


Day 8 - Vietnam

 
Sa Pa treking.
Hiking

Full day hiking for visits of ethnic villages of H’Mong and Dzay minorities. Now is your chance to enjoy stepping through suspension rattan bridges as well as to learn about daily life, culture, tradition and customs of hill-tribe people. Lunch in a Dzay family.

Hotel

In the afternoon we return to Sa Pa town for dinner & overnight. (b-L-D)


Day 9 - Hanoi

 
Sa Pa - Hanoi.
Sightseeing

Today we are free for relax or walk around the town, visit of Sapa church, market where we can buy special souvenirs of the trip.

Train

Return to Hanoi by night train. (B-L-D)


Day 10 - At Sea

 
Hanoi - Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba island.
Ocean Cruise

This morning we drive to Halong City where we board our boat and begin cruising the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay. The afternoon is full of spectacular views of the mystical limestone karsts, a visit to Dau Go and Thien Cung Caves, before cruising to Cat Ba Island where we spend the night on the boat. (B-L-D)


Day 11 - Vietnam

 
Kayaking on Lan Ha bay.
Kayaking

Wake up to a Halong Bay sunrise and a swin in the South China Sea! Our crew serve up a fantasic breakfast, then its time to hit the water as explore the bay on kayaks. You’ll see pearl farms, monkey Island, visit floating fishing villages and explore hundreds of limestone inlets.

Hotel

Over night on Cat Ba Island. (B-L-D)


Day 12 - Vietnam

 
Cat Ba hiking.
Hiking

Cat Ba National Park is renowned through out the world for its rare species of primates. Today we hike 18km form the Park Headquarters through to the stunning Viet Hai Fishing Village. A picnic lunch will be served through the trek. Tonight we stay on Cat Ba Island. (B-L-D)


Day 13 - Hanoi

 
Cat Ba - Hai Phong - Hanoi.
Sightseeing

The morning is free to relax, before we board the express ferry to Haiphong City. Before leaving for Hanoi, we’ll stop at Du Hang Pagoda and Hang Kenh Carpet Workshop in Haiphong.

Relaxation

Some free time in the afternoon to relax or explore Vietnams Capital. (B-L-D)


Day 14 - Hue

 
Hanoi -Hoa Lu - Tam Coc - Hue.
Sightseeing

Travel south to Hoa Lu Ancient citadel and visit temples of Dinh and Le Kings. Cruising with a small rowing boat on the rice field and get into Tam Coc water caves, the so-called Halong on land.

Train

Driving back to Hanoi for a night train to Hue. (B-L-D)


Day 15 - Hue

 
Hotel

Arrival in the Imperial City of Hue and check in into our hotel.

Sightseeing

Spend the afternoon visiting Hue’s Royal Citadel, Fine Arts Museum and Dong Ba Market. (B-L)


Day 16 - Hue

 
River, Barge or Yacht Cruise

This morning our Dragon Boat will take us along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, the home of Buddhism in Vietnam, Hon Chen Temple and Minh Mang Tomb. Lunch today will be served on the boat, before we visit Tu Duc Temple and Khai Dinh Tomb.

Hotel

Over night in Hue. (B-L-D)


Day 17 - Hue

 
Hue - Hoi An.
Sightseeing

Today we head to the Ancient town of Hoi An. Along the way we stop to visit Marble Mountain and the infamous China Beach. This afternoon we have some free time for you to explore this fascinating town. (B-L)


Day 18 - Vietnam

 
Sightseeing

This morning we take a guided tour of the Old Town, taking in many of the historic sites that surround this beautiful town. Ancient Homes, Family Chapels, Chinese Assembly Halls and vibrant markets will amaze you. Free time in trhe afternoon. (B-L)


Day 19 - Nha Trang

 
Hoi An - Nha Trang.
Commercial Flight

Transfer to Danang airport for 1-hour flight to Nha Trang.

Beach

We have some free time today to explore some of many attractions or relax on the beach! Check out Long Son Pagoda (Big Buddha), Hon Chong Promontory, Nha Trang Cathedral, Bao Dai’s Summer Palace, Thap Ba Hot Springs or relax on Nha Trangs famous beach! (B-L)


Day 20 - Nha Trang

 
Nha Trang - Islands tour.
Adventure

Departing from Nha Trang Harbor, we spend today cruising around Nha Trangs spectacular islands. You can try snorkeling, swim, visit to a local fishing village, try rowing a basket boat, hang out along side our “Floating Bar” or just relax and soak up the sun and dazzling views. Our boat crew serve up a fabulous seafood buffet, before we return to Nha Trang in the late afternoon. (B-L)


Day 21 - Nha Trang

 
Nha Trang - Buon Ma Thuot.
Sightseeing

Jumping onto the bus, we head west in the Central Highlands. Today we travel to scenic town of Buon Ma Thuot.. After checking in to our hotel, we visit Draysap Waterfall and the Ede Ethic Village.

Hotel

Tonight we stay at our hotel in Buon Ma Thuot. (B-L-D)


Day 22 - Vietnam

 
Sightseeing

Beginning at the Ethnology Museum, we continue on to Yun and the stunning Lak Lake to visit the M’Nong Ethnic Village and the village of M’lieng. Then it’s time for elephant rides back around the lake to Yun.

Hotel

Over night in Buon Ma Thuot. (B-L)


Day 23 - Vietnam

 
Buon Ma Thuot - Saigon.
Commercial Flight

After a short flight in the morning, we’ll arrive in Vietnams largest city, Ho Chi Minh!

Relaxation

This cosmopolitan city is modern and vibrant. We have some free time for you to explore this fabulous city. (B-L)


Day 24 - Vietnam

 
Sightseeing

Full days visits of the exciting city: Reunification Hall, Notre Dame, General Post Office, Emperor Jade pagoda, City Hall, Museum of War Remnants in Vietnam, Giac lam pagoda, China town, Binh Tay market, Thien Hau temple, panoramic view of Nha Rong wharf. (B-L)


Day 25 - Vietnam

 
Saigon - Cao Dai - Cu Chi - Saigon.
Sightseeing

This morning we visit the Great Temple of Caodaism in Tay Ninh, about 100 km from Ho Chi Minh City. The Temple is built on nine levels that represent nine steps to heaven at which you will see a prayer session at noon. Caodaism is a Vietnamese religion with its philosophy based on Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and Christianity. Its tenets include believing in one God, the existence of the soul and the ability to communicate with the spiritual world.
The afternoon, we stop for about 2 hours to visit Ben Dinh tunnel, a section of the 200 km-long Cu Chi tunnel network that was built over 2 decades and used as an army base during the Vietnamese-American War . Visitors will be amazed at the tunnels with their underground storeys including trap-door, living areas, storage, weapon factories, field hospitals, kitchen, command centres, etc. It's the chance to try also M-16, AK-47, carbine rifle. (B-L)


Day 26 - Can Tho

 
Sai Gon - Mi Tho-Ben Tre-Can Tho.
Sightseeing

After a short drive through HCM City, we’ll arrive in Mytho ready to board our boat that will take you on a spellbinding tour of the Mekong Delta. Traditional music, local fruits, floating markets, coconut candy, tropical orchards, bee farms and local handicrafts made form coconut wood will fascinate!

Bus

In the afternoon we travel by bus to the town of Can Tho. (B-L-D)


Day 27 - Can Tho

 
Can Tho - Saigon.
Sightseeing

Beginning early, we witness the hustle and bustle of Can Tho largest floating markets from our private boat. Before returning to Can Tho we see how vermicelli is made and a rice mill. We return to HCM City in the afternoon. (B-L)


Day 28 - Vietnam

 
Shopping

Today is free to relax after a very long journey. Final souvenir shopping should be made and ready before leaving! (B)


Day 29 - Vietnam

 
Sai Gon - Leave.
Airport Transfer

After breakfast, transfer to airport and say goodbye. End of the trip. (B)


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