ABSOLUTE VIETNAM
TOUR COST from AUD1,870.00** Per Person Twin Share
Day 01 Arrive HO CHI MINH CITY (L)
You will be met on arrival at Ho Chi Minh City / Tan Son Nhat International Airport, you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, is a centre of commerce, finance, culture and tourism in Vietnam. This afternoon, the sightseeing tour acquaints us with the city's major sights. We pass the now-demolished wartime American Embassy before exploring the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975. Close to this palace are some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office. Then, we continue our trip on to the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale. Dinner on a floating restaurant and cruise on a Saigon River & Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.
Day 02 HO CHI MINH CITY - CU CHI TUNNELS (B/L)
Breakfast at the hotel, drive to Cu Chi (75 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City) to visit an amazing complex of underground tunnels the former stronghold of Viet Cong with a network of tunnels three levels deep stretching over 200km. Return Ho Chi Minh City. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, visit Chinatown, Thien Hau Pagoda, the History Museum (in case this visit falls on Monday we will visit the War Remnants Museum instead) and make a quick photo stop at the former Presidential Palace.
Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.
Day 03 HO CHI MINH – MY THO (Full day) (B/L)
Today, we leave the bustle of the city behind for a day of exploring scenic rice fields, waterways and colourful markets of the Mekong Delta. Arrive My Tho city, get on a private boat (with cover) cruise on the Mekong river(Tien river) visit Quy island, enjoy tropical fruits in the orchard. Continue to a part of Ben Tre province you will have the opportunity to watch local villagers producing coconut candy in the workshop, 5- minutes trekking on the village way and try rickshaw or cart (drawn by horse),Cruising through the smaller canals on local sampans, try honey in bee keeping house…Lunch at a local restaurant with specialty of Mekong region: Deep fried “Elephant ear fish” rolled with rice paper … Back to HCMC in the afternoon(16:00). Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 04 HO CHI MINH – DANANG (Flight) – HOI AN (B/L)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a short flight to the central port city of Danang. On arrival at Danang airport you will be met and transferred to Hoi An, on the way stop to visit Marble Mountain and Cham Museum. Lunch at a local restaurant in Danang. Arrive Hoi An check-in at the hotel.
Day 05 HOI AN WALKING TOUR AND FISHING TOUR (B/L)
After breakfast at the hotel, take a walking tour of the ancient town centre to visit the former merchants' homes, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and Hoi An Culture Museum. Afternoon free for shopping or explore Hoi An Ancient Town. Transfer to a local fishing village. Visit the fishing village community to learn about local fishing way of life. Take a rest for a drink at a small restaurant in the village. Boarding guest to a big boat by small basket boat. Arriving to see the mouth of the sea, joining to fish with local fisherman on the river for example round net fishing, cast net fishing, learning how to use funny adventure basket boat. Start to race basket boats performed by fisherman. Back to the boat have rest with cold drinks. Come and explore the beautiful water coconut palm paradise. Listening and learning about the life of Former V.C. against the Southern U.S ARMY before 1975. Back to the boat for lunch and enjoy the talent of the captain cook on board (captain cook is cooking on board the fish that guest caught with the fishing net…).
Day 06 HOI AN - HUE CITY (B/L)
Morning depart to Hue by road. In the afternoon visit the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945.
Day 07 HUE CITY (B/L)
Begin your day with a boat trip on the romantic Perfume River. Explore Hue's best-known religious site, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. This afternoon, visit the Mausoleum of Tu Duc, which was originally built as a palace retreat before becoming the Nguyen emperors' final resting place. End the day at Khai Dinh's Tomb which boasts a traditional Vietnamese design with a European touch, making it unique from the other tombs in Hue. Overnight in Hue.
Day 08 HUE - HANOI (Flight) (B/L)
Transfer to Hue Airport after breakfast for the short flight to Hanoi. Arrive at Noi Bai airport, you are welcomed and transferred to the city. Our day continues with a city tour including such sights as Fine Art Museum. Then move on to the Temple of Literature, Lake of Restored Sword and the Old Quarter. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show.
Day 09 HANOI - HALONG BAY - HANOI (B/L)
After breakfast, travel by air-conditioned bus through the Red River Delta to beautiful Ha Long Bay. The scenic drive will pass through some of the rural landscape before arriving in the afternoon to the World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay. A Bay with more than 3000 islands, which time, wind and waves have sculptured into fantastic shapes.
You will have about 5 hours cruise to explore the mystery and beauty of Ha Long Bay. Return to Hanoi following lunch of freshly caught seafood served on board. Visit Dong Trieu pottery village on the way to Hanoi.
Day 10 HANOI – COOKING CLASS & CITY TOUR (B/L)
08.30: Meet our guide at Viet Kitchen and take a short cyclo trip to see some markets in Hanoi such as Hang Da market and drop at Hang Be market. The Hang Be market is divided into different sections such as Flower, Seafood, Dry herb, Vegetables, etc… It is also considered as one of the most typical markets in the Old Quarter of Hanoi.
09.15: You will have a budget for shopping and bargaining to buy some of the herbs that we need in the cooking class. Of course, the guide is there to help you with bargaining and talking to the local people. The market tour will give you the chance to discover the traditional Vietnamese market - the core of Vietnamese society.
09.45: Transfer back to Viet Kitchen Restaurant.
10.15 : get kitted out in your chef's outfit whilst our chef talks you through today's dishes. Then our chef will lead you through each dish, giving you plenty of opportunities to get involved and try your hand at reproducing the flavours.
11.30: Enjoy eating the dishes you have just prepared. We will also supply you with a recipe booklet containing all the information you need to reproduce an authentic taste back home as our slogan: Not only food but also local experience.
Afternoon, visit Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, Stilt house, the One Pillar Pagoda and Hoa Lo Prison. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 11 HANOI FAREWELL DINNER (B/D)
Full day free until farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 12 HANOI DEPARTURE (B)
The day is at your leisure for last minute sight-seeing or shopping until your transfer to Noi Bai airport for your onward flight.
TOUR PRICES
Quotation based on Twin Sharing Room – Charged in Australian dollars per person. Valid until 30 Sep. 2017
From AUD1870.00 per person
* All prices are NOT applied for the period from Dec. 24th to Jan. 5th and during Lunar New Year 2017
* All prices are NOT applied for compulsory Gala Dinners on X’mas & New Years’ Eve.
Package includes
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Accommodation with daily breakfast at hotels and homestay
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Private transfers and transportation on tour
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Local English speaking guide
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Entrance fees as per the itinerary
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Boat trips as mentioned
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Meals as specified
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Mineral water on sightseeing days
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Cooking class
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Fishing tour in Hoi An
NOT Included in the tour prices
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Vietnam visa
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Air fares from Australia
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Other meals and all drinks/water at meal
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International and domestic flights and airport taxes
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Other tours and optional tours/ services
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Hotel early check in/late check out
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Personal expenses
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Tips and gratuities.
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Surcharge and compulsory Gala Dinners on Christmas & New Years’ Eve