HIGHLIGHTS OF VIETNAM

14 Days / 13 Nights
Escorted and departing ex Perth Tuesday 10 October 2006

Tuesday 10 October: Perth to Kuala Lumpur
Home pick-up will be provided to your flight to Kuala Lumpur where you will be accommodated overnight at the Pan Pacific (KLIA) Hotel.

Wednesday 11 October: Kuala Lumpur to Hanoi
On arrival in Hanoi we will be met and transferred to the Thien Thai Hotel for a stay of 2 nights. You can relax and get to know your fellow travellers then, this evening, enjoy a Water Puppet Show, a remarkable Vietnamese art form which combines traditional music, fireworks, underwater puppeteers and elaborate puppets floating gracefully over water. (B)

Thursday 12 October: Hanoi
This morning we visit Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and former residence, One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature then, this afternoon, the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts, Lake of Restored Sword and Ngoc Son Temple . Your day's sightseeing finishes with a 1 hour cyclo tour of Hanoi ’s Old Quarter, including a stop at an ancient Vietnamese “long house.” (B)

Friday 13 October: Hanoi to Halong Bay
This morning we undertake a leisurely drive, stopping at Dong Giao wood-carving village and viewing the production of woodblock prints at Dong Ho. We then proceed to Halong Bay for overnight at the Halong Plaza Hotel. (B)

Saturday 14 October: Halong Bay Cruise & Return to Hanoi
This morning we undertake a 5 hour cruise on picturesque Halong Bay , with limestone outcrops soaring perpendicularly from the water. After a fresh-seafood lunch, we disembark and make our way back to Hanoi for a further night. (B/L)

Sunday 15 October: Hanoi to Hue
We're transferred to our morning flight to Hue where we will be accommodated overnight at the Morin Hotel. This afternoon we visit the Imperial Citadel and Dong Ba Market. (B)

Monday 16 October: Hue to Hoi An (via Danang)
This morning we undertake a cruise through the centre of Hue , along the Perfume River , visit the 7-storey Thien Mu Pagoda (by the river bank), then drive to the elaborate tombs of Emperors Khai Dinh and Tu Duc. After visiting a family business to view the manufacture of Vietnamese conical hats and colourful incenses, we commence the 3 hour journey (by road) to Danang and Hoi An. Our route takes us along the coastline, via emerald-green paddy fields and over the dramatic Hai Van Mountain pass. We see stonecutters at the Marble Mountains , famed as a “Viet Cong” hideout during the Vietnam War. On arrival in the ancient port town of Hoi An, we transfer to the Hoi An Beach Hotel for a stay of 2 nights. (B)

Tuesday 17 October: Hoi An - Sightseeing
This morning we take a relaxed walking tour of this quaint town, visiting ancient houses, a Hokkien temple, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and colourful riverside market then, this afternoon, visit a workshop to see the manufacture of Hoi An’s famous lanterns. Later, we enjoy a sunset boat trip on the Thu Bon river and visit the Thanh Ha pottery village. (B)

Wednesday 18 October: Hoi An to Nha Trang (via Danang)
We transfer to Danang and catch the flight to Nha Trang where we will be accommodated overnight at the Yasaka Hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax and enjoy Nha Trang's turquoise waters and white sandy beaches. (B)

Thursday 19 October: Nha Trang to Dalat
We commence the drive to the highland town of Dalat , enjoying spectacular views of coastal scenery. Nearby the seaside town of Phan Rang , we visit Po Klong Garai, a well-preserved 14th century Cham tower, then continue up the switchbacks to Dalat. On arrival, we tour the summer residence of Vietnam ’s last emperor (Bao Dai) and Dalat’s “Crazy House” and enjoy a horse-drawn cart ride. We stay overnight at the Novotel and with dinner at the Art Cafe - the owner will teach us the rudiments of one-finger painting. (B/D)

Friday 20 October: Dalat to Ho Chi Minh (S aigon )  
This morning we view Dalat Market's flowers, vegetables and fruit, then depart via Prenn Waterfall and rubber, tea and coffee plantations. On arrival at Ho Chi Minh, we're accommodated for 3 nights at the Majestic Hotel. (B)

Saturday 21 October: Cu Chi Tunnels & City Sightseeing
This morning we visit the extraordinary Cu Chi tunnels, just outside Ho Chi Minh city . During their War of Independence, “Viet Cong” guerillas hid within the labyrinth of narrow tunnels virtually underneath US bases, then rose from them to launch surprise attacks. We will also see the Vietnamese in their fields and orchards as well as manufacturing rice paper, a key ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine. This afternoon's sightseeing includes Reunification Palace , Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, Chinatown, Binh Tay Market and Thien Hau Temple . (B)

Sunday 22 October: Mekong Delta Cruise
We depart for a scenic morning drive to Cai Be, stopping enroute at the ornate Cao Dai Temple in Ben Luc. From Cai Be, we take a boat trip along the mighty Mekong and its tributaries to view the daily lives of people who work and play on the waterways of the Mekong Delta. We visit the floating market at Cai Be, an ancient Delta house, and a family-run business producing rice paper. Lunch is served in a local house set amongst fruit orchards and bonsai trees. Return to Ho Chi Minh city . (B/L)

Monday 23 October: Ho Chi Minh to Kuala Lumpur
We say goodbye to Vietnam and fly to Kuala Lumpur where we will be transferred to the Pan Pacific (city hotel) for a stay of 1 night. This afternoon is free for shopping then, tonight, we share a farewell dinner. (B/D)

Tuesday 24 October: Kuala Lumpur to Perth
We depart Kuala Lumpur for our return flight to Perth , where you will be met and transferred to your home. (B)