Scenic Tours
1300 SCENIC (723 642)
Essence of Vietnam
(14 days, Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City, 2012)
This 14 day journey explores the best of Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, including a two night cruise along Halong Bay and a night cruise in the Mekong Delta.
Your 14 day tour of Vietnam begins in the wonderful capital, Hanoi where you will spend three nights exploring the city, including visits to the Temple of Literature and One Pillar Pagoda. From Hanoi you will travel through the rich fertile farmlands of the Red River Delta to Vietnam’s most famous natural wonder, Halong Bay to board your luxurious cruise boat for a two night journey through this picturesque World Heritage-listed site.
From Halong Bay you will travel back to Hanoi where you will enjoy a water puppet performance, a unique Vietnamese art form that dates back to the 11th century. Your journey continues to Hue, where you will visit the Imperial Citadel and the Dong Ba Market, before enjoying a cruise along the romantically named Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, which dates back to 1602.
From Hue, you will travel through the picturesque Marble Mountains to Hoi An, for the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge. Continuing on to Ho Chi Minh City, you will see Notre Dame Cathedral, the former Presidential Palace, the bustling Chinatown district and the lively Binh Tay Market. Next you will travel to the rural Mekong Delta which passes through truly iconic Vietnamese scapes of colourful floating markets, emerald rice fields, stilt houses and black waterways before returning back to Ho Chi Minh City.
- 13 night tour
- 11 night land tour
- 2 night luxury cruise on Halong Bay
- All-Inclusive Touring
- Authentic cultural experiences
- Four night stay at Sofitel Legend Metropole, Hanoi
- Two night stay at La Residence Hotel and Spa, Hue
- Two night stay at Caravelle Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City
- Two night Luxury Halong Bay Cruise
- Deluxe Cabin on Bhaya Cruises
- Small Group Touring
- Domestic flights throughout
- Professional Tour Director
- Knowledgeable local guides
- Scenic FreeChoice activities INCLUDED
- Scenic Enrich - highlight experiences allowing you to live the destination not just travel through
- Airport Transfers
- ALL TIPPING, GRATUITIES AND PORTERAGE INCLUDED
- Lunch at KOTO Restaurant, a project that helps the disadvantaged youth gain independence
- Spend time with nuns and learn how they are supporting the orphanage through the proceeds from your lunch
- Travel to Cu Chi Tunnels for a personal account with your veteran guide, who lived and fought here
Included Scenic Free Choice
- In Hanoi, learn the history of the Vietnamese revolution; or partake in a cooking class; or discover Hanoi’s art scene
- In Hoi An, visit the ruins of My Son; or sample local delicacies; or unwind on Cham Island
- In Ho Chi Minh City, explore a colourful food market and learn Vietnamese cooking; or explore local neighbourhoods on a walking tour; or indulge in a luxurious spa treatment
Included Scenic Dining
- 30 superb meals including 13 Full Buffet Breakfasts (FB), 2 Highlight Lunches (HL), 6 Lunches (L), 2 Highlight Dinners (HD) and 7 Dinners (D)
Included Scenic Special Stays
- Centrally located in the heart of downtown Hanoi since 1901, the Sofitel Legend Metropole is Hanoi’s most prestigious hotel
- Spend two nights on a luxury cruise in the UNESCO World Heritage listed Halong Bay
- In Hue, the La Residence Hotel and Spa is an elegant, deluxe boutique hotel, stunningly positioned on the banks of the Perfume River
- One of Ho Chi Minh City’s most luxurious hotels, the centrally located Caravelle Hotel offers a traditional refinement and a warm ambience
Included Scenic Highlights
- Enjoy a guided city tour of Hanoi including Temple of Literature and One Pillar Pagoda
- Take a rickshaw ride through the laneways of Hanoi
- Explore the bays and islets at UNESCO World Heritage Halong Bay
- Catch a performance of the unique Water Puppets
- Cruise on the romantically named Perfume River
- Discover the Citadels and Mausoleums of the former imperial capital, Hue
- Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Hoi An on a guided cyclo tour
- Guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City and its markets
- Experience the floating markets and rural life in the Mekong Delta
Day 1: Arrive Hanoi
(HD)
Xin Chao and welcome to Vietnam! On arrival you will be met and transferred* to your hotel. This evening meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a briefing followed by an Included welcome dinner at the acclaimed Spices restaurant in the hotel, a perfect start to a wonderful trip.
Three Night Special Stay: Hanoi
Three Night Special Stay: Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi
(FB,HL,D)
Enjoy an Included tour of Hanoi visiting the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda and stop to view Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum. Included SCENIC ENRICH lunch at KOTO (know one teach one) Restaurant set up to train street children in English and restaurant skills. Glimpse everyday life in the capital on your Included cyclo (rickshaw) ride through the alleys and laneways of Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi
(FB)
Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activity choose from: (1) uncover the history of the Vietnamese revolution with a visit to the History Museum and Hoa Lu Prison; or (2) stroll the bustling markets to buy ingredients for your cooking class; or (3) discover the unseen people and hidden places that make Hanoi the artistic and cultural capital of Vietnam.
Day 4: Hanoi - Halong Bay
(FB,L,D)
Drive through the rich fertile farmlands of the Red River Delta to Vietnam’s most famous natural wonder, Halong Bay. Board your luxurious Bhaya Cruise for your special two nights Included journey through this picturesque UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy a sumptuous lunch as you cruise the calm emerald waters through the limestone islets and see Vietnamese life at its most unspoilt and traditional. As the sun sets slowly over the bay, sip a cocktail on deck before a delicious seafood dinner is served. Relax on the Lounge deck or retire to your cabin.
Two Night Special Stay: Halong Bay
Two Night Special Stay: Halong Bay
Day 5: Halong Bay
(FB,L,D)
Wake early as the sun rises over your cruise boat and enjoy Tai Chi on the Sun Deck. After breakfast transfer to a smaller vessel for your Included journey further into quieter bays and limestone islets. Join in some Included activities like swimming, cycling or kayaking as the vessel spends time on Cat Ba Island. Enjoy lunch before venturing on to discover Ho Ba Ham Islet the most remote point in Halong Bay. Late afternoon return to your Bhaya Cruise and sail back through the bay to your overnight stay. As the sun begins to set, learn some of the secrets of Vietnamese cooking during a brief cooking demonstration and then enjoy a delicious dinner.
Day 6: Halong Bay - Hanoi
(FB,L)
As the ship weighs anchor explore caves and other beautiful spots before a buffet brunch on board. Disembark and drive to Hanoi. This evening appreciate your Included Water Puppets performance, a unique Vietnamese art form that dates back to the 11th century.
Overnight Special Stay: Hanoi
Overnight Special Stay: Hanoi
Day 7: Hanoi - Hue
(FB,D)
Transfer to the airport for your Included flight to Hue, the 19th century former capital. Included visit to the Imperial Citadel and to Dong Ba Market.
Two Night Special Stay: Hue
Two Night Special Stay: Hue
Day 8: Hue
(FB,HL,D)
Enjoy your Included cruise along the romantically named Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, dating back to 1602 and continue to the Mausoleum of former Emperor Minh Mang. Visit Duc Son Pagoda for your Included SCENIC ENRICH lunch with a purpose. Talk with the nuns and learn how they are supporting the orphanage through the proceeds from your lunch. Discover the fine antiquities at the Hue Museum during your Included visit.
Day 9: Hue - Hoi An
(FB,L,D)
Leaving Hue your scenic journey to Hoi An travels via the Hai Van Pass to the fishing village of Lang Co and Danang. Included visit to the Cham Museum en-route, before continuing through the picturesque Marble Mountains. Included guided cyclo tour of the ancient town centre and visit the 400 year old Japanese Covered Bridge; the colourful market and the former merchants’ homes who were lured here by the prospect of high grade silk and porcelain.
Two Night Stay: Hoi An
Two Night Stay: Hoi An
Day 10: Hoi An
(FB)
Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activity choose from: (1) travel through the Vietnamese countryside to visit the temple ruins of My Son; or (2) visit a local market and sample local delicacies from sweet to savoury; or (3) unwind on Cham Island with its crystal clear waters and visit a local fishing community. Relax and enjoy a tranquil evening in the Hoi An countryside on your Included sunset cruise.
Day 11: Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City
(FB,L,D)
Transfer to the airport for your Included flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Revel in your Included tour visiting Notre Dame Cathedral, the former Presidential Palace, the bustling Chinatown district and the lively Binh Tay Market.
Two Night Special Stay: Ho Chi Minh City
Two Night Special Stay: Ho Chi Minh City
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City
(FB)
Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activity choose from: (1) take a guided trip to the colourful food market and learn about the local ingredients and then partake in a hands-on cooking class; or (2) explore local neighbourhoods within this bustling city with a walking tour; or (3) indulge yourself in a luxurious spa treatment in one of the city’s most elegant spas. SCENIC ENRICH experience explore the amazing network of the Cu Chi Tunnels used by the communist guerrillas, with your War Veteran, who shares his personal account of life during this time.
Day 13: Mekong Delta
(FB,L,HD)
Travel to the Mekong Delta and board a river boat for your Included cruise passing colourful floating markets, emerald rice fields, stilt houses and back waterways. This evening relish in your Included Vietnamese farewell dinner on board the Lady Hua, a traditional wooden barge, as you relive many memorable holiday moments.
Overnight Stay: Mekong Delta
Overnight Stay: Mekong Delta
Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City
(FB)
Delve into your Included early morning visit to the bustling floating markets of Cai Rang where countless traders with boats loaded with local produce haggle to sell their wares. After breakfast you will be transferred* to Ho Chi Minh City to the airport for your onward or homebound flight (flight not included - Flights should be booked for departure after 12 noon).
Guests choosing the Phu Quoc Island Break (Tour Code: VIPQ) will be transferred to the airport in Can Tho.
Guests choosing the Mekong River cruise (Tour Code: VIML/VIMS) will be transferred to the joining point in the Delta.
*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.
Guests choosing the Phu Quoc Island Break (Tour Code: VIPQ) will be transferred to the airport in Can Tho.
Guests choosing the Mekong River cruise (Tour Code: VIML/VIMS) will be transferred to the joining point in the Delta.
*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.
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