Guidepost Discovery & Cultural Tours in Vietnam

Vietnam by Train from South to North 16 days - VN-S-37

SAIGON - TRAIN - NHA TRANG - HOI AN - HUE - HANOI - SA PA

DETAILED ITINERARY:

Day 1 Saigon Arrival in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) Transfer to Hotel Day 2 Saigon (Breakfast: Hotel ) Excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels and Tay Ninh (Full day, tour will start early morning) From Saigon, drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Never discovered by American forces, these tunnels were an important Vietcong base during the American War. Stretching over 200 km, this incredible underground network, dug by hand out of hard laterite, connected command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapon factories. Today, walk through the area and learn about the day-to-day life of the VC, see the cleverly disguised entrances and elaborate booby-traps, and even venture inside the tunnels, some of which have been modified to accommodate tourists. Afterward, go to Tay Ninh, the birthplace of the unique Cao Dai religion, a fusion of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity, Islam and native Vietnamese spiritual beliefs. Every day at noon, worshipers garbed in colourful robes flock to the Cao Dai Great Temple to participate in the daily prayer sessions, which visitors may respectfully observe from the upper balconies. (Note: shortly before and during the annual TET festival (Vietnamese New Year) the daily ceremony of the priests in Tay Ninh may be cancelled without prior notice). Return to Saigon. Overnight in Saigon. Day 3 Saigon - Train (Breakfast: Hotel ) Sightseeing in Saigon and Cholon (Chinatown) (Full day) A vibrant metropolis, Saigon teems with energy, activity and motion. Everywhere you look, you see the convergence of traditional and modern life. Begin with a tour of the historic centre, strolling along Dong Khoi Street, formerly known as the Rue Catinat, the main shopping thoroughfare and heart of old colonial Saigon. Pass by classic European-style landmarks such as the ornate City Hall (Hotel De Ville), the old Opera House (both may only be viewed from the outside), and pay a quick visit to the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Afterwards dive into modern history with a tour of the Reunification Palace. Formerly the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president, this 60s style building was famously stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975 signifying the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved in its original state, and the original tanks remain on display near the entrance gates. Continue to the harrowing War Remnants Museum, which comprehensively documents the travails

of the long Vietnam- American War. Inside are detailed photographic exhibitions; outside is a collection of tanks, planes and weapons. A powerful experience, this museum is guaranteed to provoke strong emotions. Then visit the Emperor of Jade Pagoda, one of Saigon's most interesting pagodas. In the afternoon, head out to Cholon (Chinatown). Explore the highlights of this fascinating area, beginning with a walking tour from Tran Hung Dao Street through Nguyen Trai and Soai Kinh Lam market (cloth wholesale market), visit Cha Tam Church. Continue to Thien Hau Pagoda, built by the Cantonese congregation and dedicated to the heavenly goddess. End the tour at the central Ben Thanh Market, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts, appealing to every taste. Transfer to/from train station By train from Saigon to Nha Trang. *sleeping berth* * No ICS guide * Overnight in Train. Day 4 Nha Trang (Breakfast: Hotel ) Transfer from train station Breakfast at the hotel Sightseeing in Nha Trang Nha Trang is the capital of Khanh Hoa Province and has one of the most beautiful municipal beaches in Vietnam. YERSIN MUSEUM: which is located within the Pasteur Institute. This museum commemorates the lifelong work of one of the area's most famous scientists who helped to cure diseases in the area during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. MIEU ISLAND has an important fish-breeding farm where over forty species of fish, crustaceans and other marine life are raised in three separate areas. PO NAGAR CHAM TOWERS, which was built between the 7th and 12th centuries, and was used for the worship of Hindu Gods as early as the 2nd century AD. XQ EMBROIDERY: Founded in 1996, XQ has many imitators these days, but none of the competition comes close to matching it for quality. Enter this workshop, you can see masterpieces unraveling before your eyes upstairs where artisans embroider for hours on end. Some of the embroidery is so realistic that it resembles photographs. Afternoon at leisure Overnight in Nha Trang. Day 5 Nha Trang (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Meals incl. in itinerary (Vietnam) ) Excursion by boat to nearby islands, Con Se Tre and fishing village Depart from Nha Trang pier to nearby islands by boat. Continue to Mun Island (Black Island), which has perhaps the best preserved coral reefs in the area and teams with marine life. Spend most of the morning here before continuing to Con Se Tre for lunch and to relax on the beach. Visit a local fishing village and return to Nha Trang in the late evening. Overnight in Nha Trang. Day 6 Nha Trang - Cam Ranh Bay - Danang - Hoi An (Breakfast: Hotel ) Transfer from Nha Trang to Cam Ranh Airport Flight from Cam Ranh Bay to Danang - Transfer

Sightseeing in Danang Danang is a thriving regional centre and one of the largest cities in Vietnam. Tour the Cham Museum, an elegant colonial building which now houses the finest collection of Cham sculpture in the world and briefly pass Non Nuoc Beach, a famous spot for American soldiers during the Vietnam-American War in the 1960s. The Non Nuoc Beach stretches for many kilometres north and south of the Marble Mountains. During the American War, soldiers were airlifted here for 'rest and relaxation'. Continue south to Hoi An, stopping enroute to visit the Marble Mountains, five stone hillocks, once islands, that now rise sharply from the surrounding rice fields. Riddled with caves and shrines, they are said to each represent one of the five elements of the universe. By vehicle from Danang to Hoi An Journey south past the Marble Mountains and small villages. Overnight in Hoi An. Day 7 Hoi An (Breakfast: Hotel ) Sightseeing in Hoi An by cyclo Enjoy a cyclo ride through the cobbled streets, past low tile roofed buildings, the bustling central market and the small harbour where colourfully painted boats are moored. Visit a private house, where members of the same family have lived continuously for centuries in a traditional setting; and to a typical assembly hall. Continue to a one of a kind museum in the heritage quarter. Visit a unique temple followed by handicraft workshops in Hoi An where local products are being made with great care and skill. Boat trip on the Thu Bon River (3hours) Board one of the colourful local boats at the Hoi An harbour front and begin the leisurely cruise down the Thu Bon River, enjoying views of the unspoiled countryside. Stop to visit Thanh Ha Pottery Village, where local families specialise in producing simple earthenware products; and Kim Bong Village, famous for woodcarving and boat building. Overnight in Hoi An. Day 8 Hoi An - Danang - Hue (Breakfast: Hotel ) Excursion to My Son Journey to My Son, the former religious centre of the Champa Kingdom, a sophisticated civilization which held sway over the region from the 4th to the 13th centuries. Today, all that is left are five archaeological sites from different periods, in a beautifully green setting of hills and winding streams. After a brief visit to the Visitor's Centre for an overview of Cham history and culture, visit each ruin in turn, walking along forested paths. By vehicle from Hoi An to Danang By train from Danang to Hue. *sleeping berth* Transfer Overnight in Hue.

Day 9 Hue: Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Meals incl. in itinerary (Vietnam) Excursion to Thuy Bieu village with lunch at local house Arrive Toa Kham Wharf to get on boat and cruise on Perfume River. Stop to visit the iconic Thien MU Pagoda before heading to Thuy Bieu Village. Upon arrival, optional walking or biking around the village to visit a garden house as well as an old ancestral temple. Keep visiting incense or joss paper making families and learn more Vietnamese's traditions. Enjoy Hue traditional specialties lunch at a local house. End of tour. Visit the Imperial Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh Khai Dinh was the last monument of the Nguyen dynasty and was constructed between 1920 and 1931. It sits magnificently on the slopes of Chau E Mountain in Chau Chau Village. It has a long staircase flanked by dragons. There are ceiling murals and ceramic frescoes. Visit the Old Imperial City Located in the heart of Hue is the Imperial Citadel, a vast complex built in the early 19th century and modelled after the Forbidden City of Peking. The original walls stretched for 10 km and were surrounded by a wide moat. Today, most of the buildings have been destroyed due to bombing during the Vietnam-American War, but the monuments that remain provide a fascinating glimpse into the court life of the Nguyen Dynasty. Approach the city past the striking Flag Tower, where a giant Vietnamese flag waves proudly overhead, to the imposing Ngo Mon Gate, the main entrance to the Imperial Enclosure. Enter into an area of spacious courtyards and serene lotus ponds, and visit Dien Tho Residence (Dien Tho palace) where the Queen mother lived, visit Thai Hoa Palace, the magnificently decorated reception hall, the Halls of the Mandarins, and the original Nine Dynastic Urns, among other sites, including a visit to the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum.. Overnight in Hue. Day 10 Hue - Hanoi (Breakfast: Hotel ) Sightseeing in Hue Hue served as the capital of Vietnam for more than 140 years. It houses ancient temples, imperial buildings and French-style edifices. It was established in the 17th century. Excursion to Thien Mu Pagoda and Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang with boat trip Enjoy a leisurely boat ride down the Perfume River, stopping first at the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda, an elegant seven-tiered octagonal tower which has become Hue's most widely recognizable monument. Continue cruising into the countryside to the Imperial Tomb of Minh Mang, a majestic complex of courtyards, pavilions and temples in a beautiful natural setting. Transfer Flight from Hue to Hanoi Transfer - Overnight in Hanoi. Day 11 Hanoi (Breakfast: Hotel ) Sightseeing in Hanoi

Although it is the modern-day capital of Vietnam, Hanoi still retains the mystery and charm of past centuries, with its narrow lanes and traditional shop houses. Begin with an exploration of the vast Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum which contains the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh (closed Mondays, Fridays and during September and October); and Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House where Ho Chi Minh lived from 1958 until his final days in 1969. Preserved in the same condition as during his life, it may be viewed through the windows. Continue to the miniature 11th century One Pillar Pagoda which was rebuilt after being destroyed by the French in 1954, and then to the Temple of Literature with its walled courtyards and graceful gateways. Founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, this was also the site of Vietnam's first university. Afterwards head to the Museum of Ethnology (closed Mondays and during Vietnam New Year). This museum showcases art, traditional clothing and reconstructions of traditional longhouses from 54 different ethnic groups. In the afternoon, visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple which contains an islet with the tiny Tortoise Pagoda. Along the way pass by other colonial landmarks such as the magnificent Opera House (may be seen from the outside only) and St Joseph's Cathedral. Visit a Water Puppet Show See a Water Puppet Show, a fantastic art form originating in northern Vietnam, best seen in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi. Day 12 Hanoi: Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Meals incl. in itinerary (Vietnam) Excursion to Halong Bay with boat trip including lunch Depart from Hanoi in the morning for the drive to Halong Bay. On arrival at around noon, board a traditional wooden junk and begin cruising through the beautiful Halong Bay. Enjoy lunch while passing strange rock formations including Stone Dog, Incense Burner (Dinh Huong) and Fighting Cock (Ga Choi). Visit one of the caves in the centre of the islands such as Thien Cung (Heavenly Residence Grotto). Cruise back to Halong Pier, disembark at approximately 16.30pm and return to Hanoi by road. Overnight in Hanoi. OPTIONAL HALONG BAY EXTENSION can be added to the itinerary before travelling on to Sa Pa or at the end of the tour. Day 13 Hanoi - Train (Breakfast: Hotel ) Excursion to Duong Lam ancient village Travel west of Hanoi to the Northern Red River Delta and visit the beautiful Duong Lam Village, one of the country's few remaining ancient villages containing many hundred-year-old houses. Explore the temple, walk through the narrow alleyways and see the old literate houses in Mong Phu Commune, the only hamlet whose village entrance remains intact. After lunch in a local house, visit Ngo Quyen Temple and Phung Hung Temple, dedicated to two national heroes. Transfer back to Hanoi. Transfer to/from train station By train from Hanoi to Lao Cai

Overnight in Train. Day 14 Lao Cai - Sa Pa (Breakfast: Hotel ) Arrival in Lao Cai (Vietnamese/Chinese border) Transfer from Lao Cai to Sa Pa Breakfast at the hotel Excursion to Cat Cat and Y Linh Ho with trek (Black Hmong)(Half day, medium trek) Journey through the market and leave the busy town behind. After a couple of minutes, follow a road going downhill to Cat Cat Village. Stop by a waterfall and a hydroelectric station for a while before continue trekking on a dirt trail through rice paddy terraces. Enjoy spectacular scenery while walking along a narrow river. The area is still covered by rain forest under the protection of Hoang Lien National Park. Arrive in Y Linh Ho Village of the Black Hmong minority, where you can take a rest in a nice spot near the beautiful river before climbing up to the road, where guests return to Sapa by vehicle. Overnight in Sa Pa. Day 15 Sa Pa - Lao Cai - Train (Breakfast: Hotel ) Excursion to Lao Chai, Ta Van, and Giang Ta Chai with trek From Sa Pa, travel by jeep to the village of Lao Chai, where the trek begins. Visit the Hmong, Dzay and Dzao people, while enjoying spectacular scenery of terraced rice paddies, waterfalls and the small bamboo forests that are unique to the northern region. From Ta Van, continue to Giang Ta Chai, another minority village populated by Hmong and Dzay, after which visitors transfer by jeep back to Sa Pa. Transfer to Lao Cai train station By train from Lao Cai to Hanoi Overnight in Train. Day 16 Train (Breakfast: Hotel) Arrival in Hanoi Transfer to/from train station Breakfast at hotel or airport Time at leisure if late flight

Prices from US $2285, based on twin-sharing in double rooms - prices are subject to currency fluctuation. We recommend checking with our office for a firm quote for dates required or for “sole room use” surcharge.

GENERAL INFORMATION ON VIETNAM IS AVAILABLE FROM OUR OFFICE

Please note: This is a private tour which operates any day with a minimum of 2 people. Discount prices are available for groups of 4 or more people travelling together on independent tours.

INCLUDED SERVICES:

- Program is based either on English or German speaking guide. For other languages a supplement charge will apply. - accommodation is at contracted hotels based on the standard requested.

- where very early morning flights are scheduled, a breakfast box may replace the standard ABF. - meals according to itinerary / Breakfast box in lieu of ABF when early morning flight.

- flight ticket(s), in economy class unless otherwise specified, according to the itinerary. Flight from Cam Ranh Bay to Danang

Flight from Hue to Hanoi - Porter fees at the airport where guide service is booked.

- Current fuel surcharges are included, however, these are subject to change prior to tour start date. - train ticket(s) according to the itinerary. - boat ticket(s) according to the itinerary.

- ground transportation in private A/C vehicle. - 1 complimentary bottle of drinking water and 1 cold towel per person per half day tour/ 2 bottles of water and 2 cold towels per person per full day tour.

- sightseeing incl. admission fees according to itinerary. - International and domestic airport taxes in Vietnam are automatically included in ticket.

EXCLUDED SERVICES:

- visa fees, drinks, personal expenses. ** Visa Procedures: (our office can advise & assist) For bookings of roundtrip or module packages, we will confirm one of the hotels according to the selected category. Please note that compulsory gala dinners

and peak season surcharges may apply during peak periods surrounding the public holidays of Christmas and New Year and Lunar New Year (TET Festival) - these surcharges will be confirmed at the time of booking.