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Rural and cultural highlights of Vietnam
Depending on your arrival time you might like to start exploring this fascinating city by strolling amongst broad tree-lined avenues dating from the French period. There is a faded colonial charm where baguettes and good coffee are sold from doorways of grand buildings of a past era. There will be a welcome briefing this evening with your leader followed by a welcome dinner at KOTO, a social enterprise that trains and employs underprivileged youth to provide a step up in life. The delicious food provides a fitting welcome to Vietnam and chance to meet your fellow travellers. *May De Ville City Centre Hotel or similar*
We make an early start for the approximate 4-hour journey to Halong Bay. This is one of the most stunningly beautiful sights in South East Asia with roughly 3,000 limestone peaks rising directly from the clear emerald sea. We cruise amongst this amazing karst scenery and enjoy a seafood lunch on board. We overnight on board in twin share cabins with en suite facilities. *Overnight Boat*
We continue to cruise around Halong Bay this morning before returning to port. We then drive back to Hanoi where we have a bit of free time to explore this fascinating city. You might like to join the locals by pulling up a plastic stool and sampling one of the many street food offerings; the bun cha (barbecued pork with rice noodles and fresh herbs) is not to be missed! Late afternoon we transfer to the train station to board our overnight train to Dong Hoi, 500km south of Hanoi. *Overnight Train *
Arriving into Dong Hoi at sunrise we journey to the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park and have breakfast at the farm-stay that will be our overnight spot later on. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2003, the National Park contains the oldest karst mountains in Asia. Riddled with hundreds of cave systems and spectacular underground rivers, this is an area very new to tourism but sure to impress with its scale. We will first explore Thien Duong cave, known locally as Paradise Cave. This was only discovered in 2005 by scientists from the British Cave Research Association with the help of a local man who had heard the mountains ‘whistling’ while farming. After lunch we will visit Phong Nha cave by boat before returning to the farm-stay. There will be time to relax and enjoy the peace of the countryside or for those who wish there is the option to cycle around the local villages. *Chay Lap Farm or similar*
We start our journey to Hue today stopping en-route at the Vinh Moc war tunnels. Less well-known than the Cu Chi tunnels in the south, these tunnels were predominantly used as bomb shelters during the Vietnam War. During times of bombing, village life carried on underground; children went to school, hospitals were established and films were even played with a generator. We next stop at the Hien Luong bridge which crosses the Ben Hai River. This formed part of the border between North and South Vietnam from 1954 until reunification in 1975. We will arrive in Hue mid-afternoon and will have some free time before an optional group dinner. *Park View Hotel or similar*
It is claimed that Hue is the cultural and historical centre of Vietnam, and there is plenty to see. The most outstanding sight is the Imperial Citadel with walls six miles in length; inside are the palaces and halls of the Mandarins, and the remains of the Forbidden Purple City, where only the emperor, his eunuchs and concubines were allowed. The Forbidden Purple City was almost totally destroyed during the Vietnam War's Tet Offensive, but the foliage-covered ruins are still atmospheric and the gaping holes left by bombs give an idea of the destruction wreaked upon the country during the war. This morning we visit the Imperial Citadel and the famous Thien Mu Pagoda. The pagoda was a centre for anti-government protest in the early 1960's and it houses the Austin car that transported a monk, Thich Quang Duc, to Saigon in 1963 where he burned himself in protest against the President. The photograph of his self-immolation was printed in newspapers all around the world. After lunch we leave for Hoi An via the spectacular Hai Van Pass; 19kms of road winds up and over the fortress of mountains providing breath-taking views of the coast. *Hoi An River Green Boutique or similar*
This morning will include a walking tour of Hoi An, the original European trading port in Vietnam dating back to the mid-16th century. It is now a living museum, with attractive wooden merchant's houses and pagoda-style temples with Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and European architectural influences. It is also a marvellous place to wander around and enjoy the thriving riverside market and great silk, clothes shopping. This afternoon is free, one popular option is to jump on a bike for a ride through the countryside past local markets, schools and villages before continuing on to Cua Dai beach (5 km). *Hoi An River Green Boutique or similar*
We drive to Da Nang and then fly to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), an exciting and absorbing city where scooters pack the streets and temples stand defiantly alongside modern developments. Devastated by the Vietnam War, it is now a bustling free market city where anything goes. Here, we include a visit to the Ben Thanh Market, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and War Remnants Museum. The Museum has an interesting photographic record of the Vietnam/American War. Please be aware that some images at the museum are very graphic. *Huong Sen Hotel or similar*
Journeying out of the city we head to the lush countryside that is the Mekong Delta for a day tour. Known as the ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam, this region produces most of Vietnam’s fruit, sugar cane and coconuts. We take a boat trip along the many tributaries and stop to see some small cottage industries along the way. We will journey by sampan, a traditional wooden low-riding boat still used by the locals as the main form of transport. After sampling some of the local produce we head back to Saigon where your leader will organise an optional group farewell dinner. *Huong Sen Hotel or similar*
* 6 night's comfortable hotels
* 1 night boat with twin share cabins
* 1 night farmstay/simple guesthouse, all en suite
* 1 night sleeper train, soft-bed berths
All breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners included.
Thanks to the tropical climate, the long coast and the gigantic range of
mountains, Vietnam is blessed with numerous varieties of culinary offerings
and consequently maintains its reputation as one of the healthiest cuisines
in the world that still packs a punch with delicious, fresh and fiery
flavours.
Vietnamese food relies on fresh fish, vegetables, rice and a whole myriad of
verdant herbs and spices; lemongrass, ginger, basil and lime all play an
important role in the cuisine. The Chinese and French influence is felt
throughout the country where you are just as likely to be offered a Banh Mi
(stuffed baguette) as you are a hot steaming bowl of Pho (noodle soup).
Each dish is prepared with the Asian principle of Wu Xing in mind (the five
elements); meaning that the perfect combination of spicy, sour, bitter, salty
and sweet is the ultimate aim. Be sure to also seek out the national
beverages; Vietnamese coffee is served iced and sweet with condensed milk, a
real sugar and caffeine hit, and beer hoi (local beer, brewed daily) is
served on most street corners in the North out of large plastic jugs that are
perfect for sharing.
Food is cheap in Vietnam and you can generally avoid the spicier food if you
wish. Western food is readily available almost everywhere.
Vegetarian food is widely available, however the offering will be fairly
similar in most places. Please advise at time of booking if you have any
dietary requirements.
* 6 night's comfortable hotels
* 1 night boat with twin share cabins
* 1 night farmstay/simple guesthouse, all en suite
* 1 night sleeper train, soft-bed berths
*This trip is rated Activity Level 2- Leisurely/Moderate*
This is a busy itinerary that visits the main highlights of Vietnam. We
travel by private minibus, 1 night on an overnight train and we take one
internal flight to allow you to experience as much as possible of this
beautiful and diverse county in a short space of time. You should be aware
that there are some long travelling days on this trip that can be tiring. The
weather can be hot and humid and cold in the winter months in the north
around Hanoi and Halong Bay.
Hotels, Guesthouses, Homestay and Boat
You will spend 6 nights in comfortable hotels, 1 night aboard a boat in a
twin share cabin and 1 night will be spent in a standard guesthouse at a
farmstay. All of these have en suite facilities. All of the hotels have
either fans or air conditioning.
There is also a night aboard a sleeper train. During the overnight sleeper
train journey, you will be accommodated in soft-bed berths (usually 4
passengers to a berth). Vietnamese trains are safe to travel on but we
recommend that you keep valuables with you at all times. Snacks are often
offered on board (at an additional cost). Whilst most trains have
western-style facilities, some train services are also equipped with squat
toilets.
Please be advised that the accommodation listed in each location on the day
to day itinerary are the standard hotels used. However, there may be some
departures where groups stay at similar hotels of the same standard and
quality.
Single supplements are available (on request) and only available for 6 nights
of the trip (hotel nights). Please advise the sales team at the time of
booking if you would like to request a single supplement.
All breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners included.
Thanks to the tropical climate, the long coast and the gigantic range of
mountains, Vietnam is blessed with numerous varieties of culinary offerings
and consequently maintains its reputation as one of the healthiest cuisines
in the world that still packs a punch with delicious, fresh and fiery
flavours.
Vietnamese food relies on fresh fish, vegetables, rice and a whole myriad of
verdant herbs and spices; lemongrass, ginger, basil and lime all play an
important role in the cuisine. The Chinese and French influence is felt
throughout the country where you are just as likely to be offered a Banh Mi
(stuffed baguette) as you are a hot steaming bowl of Pho (noodle soup).
Each dish is prepared with the Asian principle of Wu Xing in mind (the five
elements); meaning that the perfect combination of spicy, sour, bitter, salty
and sweet is the ultimate aim. Be sure to also seek out the national
beverages; Vietnamese coffee is served iced and sweet with condensed milk, a
real sugar and caffeine hit, and beer hoi (local beer, brewed daily) is
served on most street corners in the North out of large plastic jugs that are
perfect for sharing.
Food is cheap in Vietnam and you can generally avoid the spicier food if you
wish. Western food is readily available almost everywhere.
Vegetarian food is widely available, however the offering will be fairly
similar in most places. Please advise at time of booking if you have any
dietary requirements.
Throughout the tour we use a private coach/mini-bus, usually with
air-conditioning. Road conditions are generally good and improving all the
time in Vietnam. However progress can be slow in the main cities due to
traffic.
There is one internal domestic flight during the trip from Da Nang to Saigon.
The train journeys are normally on time, but you may experience delays and
departure times can change without notice. Boats are used at various points
in the itinerary; these are nearly always private, and vary from converted
trawlers to small riverboats.
*Tet Holiday Period (Vietnamese New Year)*
During the Tet holiday period, 21-30 January 2020 and 10- 17 February 2021,
and two weeks either side of Tet, our itinerary is subject to minor change as
despite booking hotels and trains in advance, rooms and seats are difficult
to obtain during this busy festive period when people are travelling home to
celebrate with their families. It is unlikely that changes will occur and if
they do it is likely we will just need to use alternative accommodation.
*Travelling flight inclusive from London: 12 Days*
The group flight from London is an overnight flight departing the day before
Day 1 of the itinerary.
*Flights from London*
We normally use the scheduled services of Vietnam Airlines (depending on
availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend
you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm
up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and
cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure.
*Travelling land only: 10 days starting in Hanoi and ending in Saigon*
Your trip normally starts at our accommodation in Hanoi in the afternoon of
Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided
in the Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two weeks before
departure.
Free transfers are only applicable if booked in advance directly through
Exodus before a trip commences.
The weather will be hot and humid throughout with temperatures during the day
usually between 28ºC and 34ºC. It is only a little cooler at nights.
There is quite a range of seasons between the north and the south: the south
up to Hue has a distinct dry season between December to April and then a
rainy season from May to November when it tends to come in short heavy bursts
with bright sunshine in between. Hanoi is cool in autumn, and even gets
chilly between November and February (with a drizzly rain).
There is no ideal time to visit Vietnam; it is quite pleasant at any time of
year, though due to the shape of the country it is unlikely that the weather
will ever be perfect for the entire duration of any trip.
Please be aware that the boat trip on Halong Bay can be subject to short
notice change if certain adverse weather conditions develop during your trip.
These could occur all year round, but especially in monsoon season (from
October to April). Boat trips on Halong Bay are governed by the local
authorities who are authorised to make such appropriate safety decisions. If
your Halong Bay trip is affected by adverse weather, this could either result
in a reduced excursion on Halong Bay for your group, or less likely, the need
to re-arrange the itinerary if it is not possible at all to go out on Halong
Bay. Whilst this is not a frequent occurrence, our local team and leaders are
well equipped to handle such situations and have long offered appropriate
options to groups in the instances where this may occur.
If you go to Cambodia for the Angkor Wat extension, the weather will be hot
and humid all year round. The dry season is late October to May and the
monsoon is normally between May and October; though there is an obvious
transitional time between those settled periods.
The dry season is as it sounds, with hot days and generally clear skies,
though you can expect the odd shower. The monsoon is characterised by short,
sharp bursts of rain and is generally overcast all day though this does not
detract from the enjoyment of the place; you just need to take an umbrella or
buy a cheap local poncho!
* Casual clothes. As it is generally hot and humid, light cotton clothing
is recommended for most of the trip, though it will be cold in Hanoi
between November and early March and you should bring a warm jacket,
woolly hat, and trousers if you are travelling at that time.
* A first aid kit is carried on each trip, but you should bring your own
first aid kit with diarrhoea treatment, painkillers, rehydration sachets,
plasters and a blister treatment kit.
* Insect repellent is also highly recommended. Repellent containing DEET is
thought to be highly effective.
* You may wish to pack a bag that can be used as an overnight bag. For the
night in Halong Bay you will be required to leave your main bag behind at
the previous hotel for the night.
* Refillable water bottle (1-2 litre capacity)
* For the overnight train journey, you should pack some warmer clothing as
some people can find the overnight train journeys a little cooler.
Internal flights in the destination country are subject to a weight limit of
20kg.
As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject
to change, we suggest you check the airline's website for the latest
information prior to your departure.
You will need about 170‐200 GBP /220‐260 USD for all other meals, which
will allow you to eat well. Apart from the food, you should allow money to
cover drinks (more if you like a beer/alcohol) and souvenirs.
Tipping is at your discretion, but is customary in Vietnam. In order to take
the hassle out of tipping, the leader will suggest you contribute to a
tipping kitty of approx 23GBP/29USD per person. This is used by the leader to
tip drivers, staff at hotels, on boats etc. but it is not used at
restaurants.
In addition (entirely at your discretion), a tip for the leader at the end of
the trip is greatly appreciated if you are happy with the service you have
received. As a guideline we recommend a contribution of 2-4GBP/3-6USD per
day for your leader.
* Travel insurance
* Single accommodation (available on request)
* Visas or vaccinations
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.
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