11 days / 10 nights

Inclusions:

• Flights

• Insurance and travel visa

• Accommodation

• Breakfast daily

• Excursions and activities

• One teacher travels free per 10 paying students

• Local English speaking guide throughout

• Departure date of your choice

Itinerary:

Please note that this itinerary is provided as an example and can be changed as required.
 

Day 1 Auckland– Saigon
On arrival in Saigon, you will be met by a representative who will transfer you to your hotel.

Day 2 Saigon
This morning you will visit Cholon, the city’s Chinatown district, FITO Museum, Vietnam’s first traditional medicine museum, and the Ben Thanh Market. After lunch, you will visit the War Remnants or History Museum, the former Presidential Palace, the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street, Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall.

Day 3 Saigon
This morning you will be driven to Tay Ninh with a chance to see the daily activities of farmers along the way. You arrive in Tah Ninh in time to see the services of Cao Dai temple take place at noon before heading to Cu Chi tunnels. On your way, you visit a rice paper making place right at the tunnels or a local house in Cu Chi, before heading back to the hotel.

Day 4 Saigon– Hoi An
Fly from Saigon to Da Nang where you will be met by your representative. You will visit Cham Museum. Then you drive to China Beach and Marble Mountain – the caves have been a temple, battleground & hospital in the Vietnam war where the VC used the mountain to spy on the US troops on China Beach. After lunch, you will visit the ancient town centre, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese communal hall and the colourful market.

Day 5 Hoi An - My Son - Hoi An
Today you will visit the temple complex at My Son. Wander through the ruins then visit the small museum at the entrance to My Son before heading back to Hoi An.

In the afternoon, enjoy a half-day boat trip tour. Embark upon a private boat to take a three-hour cruise on the Thu Bon River with stops at Thanh Ha Pottery Village, Kim Bong Carpenters’ Village, and Hoi An’s large shipbuilding yard.

Day 6 Hoi An – Son My – Hoi An
Today you will be driven to My Lai Village for a visit which includes the site of the massacre in the hamlets of My Lai and My Khe of Son My village. You will then visit My Son which comprises many Champa temples, in a valley roughly two kilometres wide, surrounded by two mountain ranges. It was the site of the religious ceremony of kings of the Champa dynasty, and was also a burial place of Champa royals and national heroes. Though the complex has been destroyed over time, you still see many majestic ancient ruins of temples in the area.

Day 7 Hoi An – Hue
This morning you will be met by your local representative and driven to Hue via Hia Van pass for photo stops. This afternoon you will visit Tu Duc Mausoleum and Khai Dinh tomb. Khai Dinh tomb is situated on one of the Chau Mountains, amongst pine, cassava and sugar cane.

Day 8 Hue
Today you will start at the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Afterwards, you will take a cyclo through dai noi ‘Old City’ to Tinh Tam Lake where the Emperors used to come to relax. You will then continue on to visit Thien Mu Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River. In the afternoon you will see the tomb of the former emperor Minh Mang and Khai Dinh’s Tomb, which is traditional Vietnamese in design with a European touch making it unique from the other tombs in Hue. Before heading back to your hotel you will have time to stroll around Dong Ba Market with your guide.

Day 9 Hue– Hanoi
Today you will be met by your local guide and transferred to the airport for your flight to Hanoi.
On arrival, you will be met by your representative and transferred to your hotel. The rest of your day and evening is at leisure.

Day 10 Hanoi
This morning you will visit the Temple of Literature before seeing the One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049. Close by you will view the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh and the former presidents house on stilts where he lived from 1958 to 1969. Continue to picturesque West Lake and the sixth century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda. From here transfer to the nearby Taoist temple of Quan Thanh which is dedicated to Tran Vu, one of the principal deities in Taoism. In the afternoon visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Finish the day with a Water Puppet show. This is a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history.

Day 11 Hanoi - Auckland
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your departing flight.

Optional excursion to Halong Bay:
Day 11 Hanoi - Halong Bay
Journey there through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta, observe the everyday life of Vietnamese villagers. On arrival, you will be welcomed at the pier of your chosen boat. Lunch is served on board as you cruise into Halong Bay. Cruise by rock formations with such names as Sail, Dog and Dinh Huong (incense pot). At the end of the day set anchor for the night as the sun sets followed by dinner.

Day 12 Halong Bay - Hanoi
Return to Halong bay where you will be met and transferred back to Hanoi.

Day 13 Hanoi - Auckland
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your departing flight.

*Costs are based on the current level of exchange and are therefore subject to change due to currency fluctuation until final payment is received.
We reduce your exposure to currency rate fluctuations by making regular and early payments to overseas suppliers.