Vietnam Impressions

As a snap shot of the best that Vietnam has to offer, Vietnam Impressions visits the three cities that encapsulate the romance, history and the resurgence of modern day Vietnam. Starting in Hanoi, the ‘Paris of the Orient’, this tour stops in the UNESCO listed old town of Hoi An before finishing in vibrant Saigon.

TOUR ITINERARY

DAYS 1-2: SOUTH AFRICA TO HANOI

Fly overnight with Cathay Pacific to Hanoi for a three-night stay.

DAY 3: HANOI

Enjoy a city tour today, visiting Ho Chi Minh Quarter, where you will see Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (closed Sep-Dec), Humble House on Stilts and One Pillar Pagoda. We then drive to the serene Temple of Literature and later enjoy a walking tour of the bustling Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake. This evening we enjoy a performance of the famous Water Puppets, which were invented thousands of years ago.

DAY 4: HANOI - HALONG BAY

This morning we travel to the ‘Jewel in the Crown of Vietnam’ - Halong Bay, where we will board a junk boat for a relaxing cruise through the emerald waters and around the limestone islets of the Gulf of Tonkin. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as we have lunch onboard. After our cruise, we travel back to Hanoi through the countryside of the Red River Delta.

DAY 5: HANOI TO HOI AN

Fly to Danang this morning. Upon arrival we transfer to the UNESCO World Heritage listed town of Hoi An, stopping at the Cham Museum, Marble Mountains and China Beach en route. We enjoy a cooking class this evening where we taste our creations for dinner.

DAY 6: HOI AN

Today we will enjoy a walking tour of Hoi An. On our tour we visit an old merchant’s home, the Japanese Covered Bridge, Hoi An Market and a local Chinese temple. The afternoon is free to soak up the atmosphere and visit the tailors for which this town is known.

DAY 7: HOI AN TO SAIGON

This morning we fly to the cosmopolitan city of Saigon. Upon arrival we enjoy a tour of the city, visiting Cholon (Chinatown), Thien Hau Pagoda, the Reunification Palace and the emotional War Remnants Museum. We also visit the Binh Tay Wholesale Market, the French style Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral. We end our day at Ben Thanh Market.

DAY 8: SAIGON - CU CHI & TAY NINH

We explore the amazing network of the communist guerrilla tunnels at Cu Chi this morning, led by a Cu Chi War Veteran who lived in the tunnels for years during the Vietnam War. You can even crawl through the tunnels if you are feeling brave! Afterwards we head further west to Tay Ninh, where we experience the midday service at the head temple of the unique Cao Dai religion before we return to Saigon.

DAY 9: SAIGON

This morning we travel south to the ‘Rice Basket of Vietnam’ - the Mekong Delta. Over the next few hours we take a boat trip along the river and through canals stopping to visit villages and home industries, including a coconut candy workshop. We return to our Saigon hotel late this afternoon.

Note: (Australian & New Zealand tour members will depart tonight). An additional overnight has been included for South African passengers due to flight schedules. Dinner is not included.

DAYS 10-11: SAIGON TO SOUTH AFRICA

Morning at leisure. Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight back to South Africa. Arriving the following day.

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Images from Vietnam Impressions