Vietnam Escape

From ZAR33 265 - 17 Days, Fully Inclusive From South Africa

If you desire a holiday where you can relax, yet also experience a culture, cuisine and diverse scenery so unlike your own, then this is the tour for you.

Renamed Ho Chi Minh City in 1975, Saigon is a vibrant city offering a fascinating introduction to Vietnamese culture. Travel further north to the former French hill station of Dalat, where you will witness exquisite countryside.

Take some time to relax and swim in Nha Trang, Vietnam’s premier beach destination. Continue to the quaint town of Hoi An, where you can relax by the riverside and learn to cook Vietnamese cuisine. Finish your tour in the north; visit Ho Chi Minh Complex in Hanoi and cruise around stunning Halong Bay.

For the curious and open-minded visitor, Vietnam offers a wealth of historical and natural treasures.

TOUR ITINERARY

DAYS 1-2: SOUTH AFRICA TO SAIGON

Fly overnight with Cathay Pacific Airlines to Saigon for a four night stay.

DAY 3: SAIGON

Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office to view the French colonial architecture. Learn more about the American War with a visit to the Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum. Later, drive to Cholon (Chinatown) where you will see Thien Hau Pagoda. End the day at Ben Thanh Market for some shopping.

DAY 4: SAIGON - MEKONG DELTA

Travel to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta today. Explore the river by boat, passing stilt houses and fish farms. Paddle through palm-lined canals on sampans and walk through villages, where you can sample local tea. Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda before returning to Saigon this afternoon.

DAY 5: SAIGON - TAY NINH & CU CHI

This morning you will travel to Tay Ninh to experience the midday service at the head temple of the unique Cao Dai religion. This afternoon explore the amazing network of the Cu Chi Tunnels led by a War Veteran who lived in the tunnels for years.

DAY 6: SAIGON TO DALAT

Fly to Dalat this afternoon. Visit Domain de Marie Church and end the day relaxing at a local coffee shop overlooking the Xuan Huong Lake.

DAY 7: DALAT

Drive to Van Thanh flower garden hamlet this morning to learn about traditional gardening methods. Continue driving through the rural outskirts to a family-run silk factory and Elephant Waterfall. After lunch visit the former railway station and take an open-air train ride to Trai Mat Hamlet before returning to town, stopping at an embroidery shop en route.

DAY 8: DALAT TO NHA TRANG

After breakfast you will travel to the coastal town of Nha Trang.

DAY 9: NHA TRANG

Enjoy a boat trip to the nearby islands off the coast of Nha Trang, where you can go for a swim. Return to Nha Trang and enjoy some free time at your leisure this afternoon.

DAY 10: NHA TRANG TO HOI AN

Fly to Danang this morning and transfer to Hoi An, stopping at Marble Mountains en route. This afternoon tour Hoi An by foot, visiting Hoi An Market, a local Chinese temple and the Japanese Covered Bridge.

DAY 11: HOI AN

After visiting a market to purchase fresh ingredients, travel along the river to the Red Bridge Restaurant for a cooking class. Learn a number of traditional recipes and indulge in your dishes for lunch.

DAY 12: HOI AN TO HUE

Head north this morning over the scenic Hai Van Pass to Hue. Take a cyclo to the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. Later, visit Thien Mu Pagoda and take a cruise along the Perfume River.

DAY 13: HUE TO HANOI

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage listed Royal Tomb of Minh Mang before you transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi.

DAY 14: HANOI

Today you will visit Ho Chi Minh Complex to see Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (closed Sep- Dec), Humble House on Stilts and One Pillar Pagoda. Continue to the Temple of Literature and later this afternoon take a walk through Hanoi’s charming Old Quarter. This evening watch the famous Water Puppets show.

DAY 15: HANOI - HALONG BAY

Travel to Halong Bay and board a junk boat for a relaxing cruise around the limestone islets and emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you have lunch onboard. After your cruise you will travel back to Hanoi.

Note: You may choose to leave the group today and stay overnight on a junk boat in Halong Bay, returning to Hanoi airport directly tomorrow afternoon.

DAY 16: DEPART HANOI

This morning is free at your leisure. This afternoon you will transfer to Hanoi airport to board your overnight flight to South Africa.

DAY 17: ARRIVE SOUTH AFRICA

Arrive home this morning.

Price Guide

From ZAR33 265 pp	17 Days Fully Inclusive from Johannesburg
Price Includes	Tour Cost ZAR29 265, Airport taxes of approx ZAR3 400 and Tipping of approx ZAR600, payable on arrival in Vietnam in USD (subject to change)
From ZAR4 695	Single Supplement
From ZAR21 765	Land Only per person (includes tipping)
Optional overnight on Halong Bay	ZAR2 110 per person twin share / ZAR4 075 per single
Compulsory Tipping	USD70 per person payable on arrival in Vietnam

Tour Code	Departure Date	Return Date
2012
VVE1202	02 Feb	18 Feb
VVE1204	01 Mar	17 Mar
VVE1206	05 Apr	21 Apr
VVE1208	16 Aug	01 Sep
VVE1210	13 Sep	29 Sep
VVE1212	11 Oct	27 Oct
VVE1214	15 Nov	01 Dec
2013
VVE1302	07 Feb	23 Feb
VVE1304	14 Mar	30 Mar

Travel Info

Country Info

VIETNAM

Inclusions

Return international economy class airfares
Tipping and Current Airport taxes - Subject to Change (See Pricing Section)
All meals and accommodation as per itinerary
All transportation, daily tours and entrance fees as per itinerary
National Tour Escort accompanying you throughout your destination with a minimum of 10 passengers and/or English speaking local guides in each city.
Visa fees for South African passport holders
A Wendy Wu Tours travel wallet per family

Exclusions

Personal expenditure such as drinks, laundry service and souvenirs
Arrangements and taxes in Singapore/Hong Kong if required
Land Only package excludes visa fees and arrival and departure transfers
Prices do not include camera and video charges
Local airport taxes if applicable
Insurance