Day 1-2 | HanoiXin ch?o! Welcome to Vietnam.
You can arrive at any time on day 1 as there are no activities planned until the important welcome meeting. Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where and when this important meeting will take place. Please ask a member of reception for this information. The meeting will be followed by an optional group dinner.
Note that your leader will collect your local payment at the group meeting on day 1. Please bring new US$ notes/bills in large denominations.
On day 2, we set out to explore Hanoi, one of Intrepid's favourite cities. We visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his house on stilts and the museum. In the afternoon, there is free time to venture into the Old Quarter, stroll the city's tree-lined boulevards or enjoy the tranquillity of the lakes. In the evening, we attend a performance of traditional water puppetry.
Please note that the day we visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum may change depending on the day your trip beings, to avoid closure days of the Mausoleum.
Our fully equipped hotel in Hanoi is centrally located near the historic Temple of Literature and has modern twin and double rooms, ensuite bathrooms and air conditioning.
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Days 3-4 | Halong BayOn day 3 we enjoy breakfast with the children of the Blue Dragon Charity, before driving to the World Heritage site of Halong Bay (approx. 4 hours). Here, we board our private boat and cruise among some of the 2,000 limestone peaks. We enjoy lunch on board and also have the opportunity to swim in the famed waters of the South China Sea as well as explore caves filled with stalactites and stalagmites. We spend the night on board our boat.
Our overnight accommodation on Halong Bay is on a sailing junk with twin bed cabins that have air-conditioning and private facilities. There is also a dining room and bar where we enjoy a sumptuous lunch and dinner.
On day 4, leaving the magic Halong Bay behind, we return to Hanoi by bus (approx 3.5 hours), stopping at Dong Trieu Factory to watch locals working on the traditional art of ceramics. Their wares can be bought or simply admired. Once back in Hanoi, there's a chance for more exploration. Why not head back to the Old Quarter for a traditional meal of pho? Otherwise, stock up on freshly baked baguettes and bottled water for the trip ahead. Our adventure aboard the Reunification Express begins with an overnight journey to Hue. Compartments are clean, with padded berths (4 to a room), sheets, pillow, blanket and boiling water available. Most trains have a dining carriage and there are snacks available on the train along the way.
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Days 5-6 | HueWe arrive in Hue early this morning, another World Heritage site. The pace of life is slow and tranquillity prevails in this former imperial capital of Vietnam. Here we visit the Imperial Citadel, one of the Nguyen emperors' tombs, the famed Thien Mu Pagoda, and also enjoy a dragon boat cruise on the Perfume River. With 2 full days here, there is time to explore the city's many other Buddhist pagodas, outlying handicraft villages and the busy Dong Ba Market. Enjoying a coffee at one of the atmospheric riverside coffee shops at sunset is also an experience not to be missed.
Our lovely hotel in Hue is located in a quiet yet centrally located street, and has spacious rooms with ensuite bathrooms and air conditioning.
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Days 7-9 | Hoi AnTravelling by bus, we leave Hue and head south through coastal rice paddies to the fishing village of Lang Co, before taking the scenic mountainous route over the spectacular Hai Van Pass. In the afternoon, we arrive at the one-time major river port of Hoi An (about 4 hours' driving time) and take an orientation tour.
Recently declared a World Heritage site, Hoi An is being beautifully restored and preserved. It's also a shopping mecca, with much to browse and buy. Choose from original paintings, handcrafted woodwork, ceramics, embroidery, lanterns and more. Hoi An has also become famous for its tailoring and there is a huge variety of fabrics to choose from. Simply bring along your favourite article of clothing or just a photo of what you want and you'll be pleasantly surprised at how quickly and accurately it's copied. Be sure also to indulge in the local cuisine - seafood is a specialty - and relax on the beaches. For attractions further afield, it's possible to take a day trip to My Son, the ancient city of the Champa. Sitting in the shadow of Cat's Tooth Mountain, this cluster of enigmatic ruins features intricately carved towers, tombs and religious tablets.
Our accommodation in Hoi An is located near all the attractions of Hoi An Ancient Town and has lovely twin and double rooms with private facilities and air conditioning. The hotel also has a restaurant and swimming pool.
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Days 10-12 | Nha TrangBoarding the Reunification Express once again, we marvel at the breathtaking scenery we pass on our journey to the beachside city of Nha Trang. And although long, it's an interesting journey - a chance to check out the stunning countryside as well as to befriend local travellers (approx. 10 hours).
A highlight for most Intrepid travellers on this trip is our boat cruise in Nha Trang. Complete with seafood lunch, the cruise also offers the opportunity to swim in the warm, turquoise waters of the South China Sea. For those who rise early, an experience not to be missed is early morning exercise - tai chi - on the beachfront. Very much a resort town, Nha Trang boasts restaurants featuring a fabulous range of cuisines, as well as a variety of bars and nightlife.
For our two nights in Nha Trang we stay in a centrally located 2 star hotel which has comfortable twin and double rooms, air conditioning, restaurant, bar and two swimming pools.
On the evening of day 12 we re-board the train for our final overnight journey to Ho Chi Minh City.
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Days 13-15 | Ho Chi Minh CityWe have an early arrival in the economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City. Our hotel is located close to the huge, historic Ben Thanh Market and the city's main shopping district, so there is much for you to discover on your own this morning. In the afternoon, we take a cyclo tour of the city, which includes entry to the War Remnants Museum.
Starting early in the morning of day 14, we take a day trip to My Tho where we board our private boat for a cruise to the four beautiful Islets (Dragon, Unicorn, Tortoise and Phoenix) on the Mekong River. We continue our journey from here by rowboat and stop in on a local family of beekeepers who make honey from longan flowers. Later, walk through an off-the-beaten-track village and stop at some local houses to experience the everyday life of Mekong locals, usually hidden from the outside world. Here, you'll also have a chance to try some local specialties for lunch before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for an afternoon of last-minute shopping and sightseeing before our final night's dinner.
Our final nights in Ho Chi Minh City are spent in a new hotel conveniently located near the bustling Pham Ngu Lao area.
There are no activities planned for day 15 and you are able to depart the hotel at any time. Check out time from the hotel is at 12 noon. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel.
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Itinerary DisclaimerPlease note: occasionally our itineraries are updated during the year to incorporate improvements stemming from past travellers' comments and our own research and may change with no prior notice.
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