6 minute read
SVietnam Panorama ...................................... 19 days
VIETNAM PANORAMA
19 DAYS FROM
PER PERSON $5,880
FULLY INCLUSIVE WITH FLIGHTS FROM NEW ZEALAND
ALL MEALS
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Visit Cai Rang floating market Ride Dalat’s steam train Unwind in stunning Nha Trang Discover the past of Qui Nhon Wander charming Hoi An Marvel at Hue’s Imperial Citadel Cruise spectacular Halong Bay
PRICE INCLUDES
•16 breakfasts, 15 lunches, 16 dinners •International flights and current taxes •Domestic transportation •3 – 4 star accommodation •Touring with guides and entrance fees •Visa fees for NZ passport holders
Explore the vibrant streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter by cyclo, stopping off at a café to sample a traditionally-made, local speciality, egg coffee. Take your seats for ‘the Quintessence of Tonkin’, an outdoor spectacular that perfectly showcases the rich culture and daily life of Vietnam’s northern river delta through talented performers, water puppetry, and lights. Cruise lazily through the crystal-clear waters of Nha Trang bay, passing amongst beach-fringed islands, stopping off at small fishing villages and, if you feel like it, taking a dip in the balmy waters yourself.
Explore Hanoi by cyclo
EXPERIENCES YOU’LL LOVE
Explore Central Vietnam’s stunning coastal towns
ITINERARY
DAYS 1-2: FLY OVERNIGHT TO SAIGON Fly overnight to Saigon, Vietnam’s largest and most evocative city. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
DAY 3: VISIT THE CU CHI TUNNELS Contemplate the horrors of guerrilla warfare at the astonishing Cu Chi Tunnels before returning to Saigon. Seamlessly blending past and present, Saigon is the city that is driving Vietnam towards a brighter future. See Notre Dame Cathedral and visit the Central Post Office, both legacies of a colonial past. Spend time at the Reunification Palace and the chilling War Remnants Museum.
DAY 4: CRUISE THE MEKONG DELTA Pop down to Ben Tre to take a cruise through the Mekong Delta. This area is known as the ‘Rice Basket of Vietnam’ – paddle through the maze of palm-lined canals and enjoy a typical Mekong lunch. Travel to Can Tho for an overnight stay. DAY 5: EXPLORE FLOATING MARKETS Visit the Cai Rang floating market to see the goods on sale and learn how vermicelli rice noodles are made. Return to Saigon.
DAY 6: TRAVEL TO DALAT Head up into the cooler climes and picturesque scenery of the highlands to the colonial town of Dalat, stopping at a Bao Loc tea plantation en route. This afternoon is free to enjoy locally grown coffee and the picturesque views.
DAY 7: THE CITY OF FLOWERS Visit the Domaine de Marie Church, the Flower Gardens and an embroidery workshop before boarding an open-air train to journey out through the fantastic scenery to Trai Mat village. End the day with a local coffee by Xuan Huong lake.
DAY 8: TRAVEL TO NHA TRANG Today, take the winding road down from the highlands and along the coast to Nha Trang, Vietnam’s beach capital. Take to the turquoise waters for a cruise around the bay’s many islands with a stop off at one to enjoy a swim in the balmy waters.
DAY 9: VISIT THE CHAM TOWERS Wander Dam market before visiting the Po Nagar Cham Towers and continue on to the city of Qui Nhon.
DAY 10: VISIT SON MY The Son My area saw one of the most horrific crimes of the Vietnam War – the My Lai massacre. Pay respects at the memorial placed in honour of these unarmed civilian victims and hear their story before continuing to Hoi An.
HANOI (2N+1N) OVERNIGHT FLIGHT
HALONG BAY (1N)
VIETNAM
HUE (2N)
HOI AN (2N)
QUI NHON (1N)
CU CHI NHA TRANG (1N) DALAT (2N) SAIGON (2N+1N)
CAN THO (1N)
PLANE COACH BOAT VIETNAM
PHYSICAL RATING
1
IS THIS TOUR FOR YOU?
This all-encompassing tour not only showcases Vietnam’s highlights but fully absorbs you in the rich history and culture too. Spend more time interacting with locals and visiting lesserknown places alongside the usual highlights.
Admire stunning Halong Bay
DAY 11: EXPLORE HOI AN ON FOOT Take a morning walking tour of charming Hoi An – a wonderfully laidback and wilfully traditional town that has managed to retain the charms of a bygone era. Visit a historic family home, the Japanese Bridge, a Chinese temple and the market. This afternoon is at leisure.
DAY 12: SEE THE ROYAL TOMB Take the scenic route to Hue over the Hai Van Pass. Once the seat of the Nguyen emperors, dignified and scholarly Hue is the epitome of Vietnam’s dynastic past. Visit the Royal Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, a complex of over 40 monuments surrounded by pools and gardens.
DAY 13: DISCOVER HUE’S IMPERIAL CITADEL Take a drive to the imposing Imperial Citadel to explore. Cruise along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda after visiting the charming An Hien garden house.
DAY 14: OLD QUARTER CYCLO TOUR Exuding a wonderfully exotic aura, Hanoi is the perfect combination of old Asia and new. Fly here to admire the collections of the Fine Arts Museum and take a cyclo through the atmospheric tangle of streets that make up the Old Quarter. Later enjoy a flavourful Vietnamese coffee.
DAY 15: DISCOVER HANOI Explore the Ho Chi Minh Quarter, where you will pass the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, visit the Stilt House, One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature.
DAYS 16-17: CRUISE HALONG BAY Spend the day aboard your comfortable cruise boat sailing through the awe-inspiring beauty of Halong Bay. You’ll even explore one of the bay’s many caves. Spend a night onboard before returning to Hanoi the next day. On your last evening, attend the Quintessence of Tonkin show, a spectacular open-air performance celebrating the rich history of northern Vietnam.
DAYS 18-19: FLY HANOI TO NEW ZEALAND Fly to New Zealand, arriving home the following day.
AVAILABLE AS YOUR OWN PRIVATE TOUR Enjoy flexibility, your own guide and vehicle.
EXTEND YOUR STAY...
HANOI & NINH BINH 5 days from $1,290pp twin share
MUI NE BEACH SHORT STAY 4 days from $1,175pp twin share
HONG KONG IN FOCUS 4 days from $952pp twin share
Visit page 64 to learn more about all of our extensions and stopovers. PRICES & DEPARTURES
Prices are per person, twin share
2022 DATES
18 Sep - 06 Oct $5,880 16 Oct - 03 Nov $6,080 02 Oct - 20 Oct $6,080 13 Nov - 01 Dec $6,080 2023 DATES
12 Feb - 02 Mar $6,280 17 Sep - 05 Oct $5,980 19 Feb - 09 Mar $6,280 01 Oct - 19 Oct $6,180 05 Mar - 23 Mar $5,980 15 Oct - 02 Nov $6,180 12 Mar - 30 Mar $5,980 12 Nov - 30 Nov $6,180 26 Mar - 13 Apr $5,980 19 Nov - 07 Dec $6,180 30 Apr - 18 May $5,980
Flight and supplement information
•Based on departures from Auckland, Wellington &
Christchurch •Departures from other cities and flight upgrades available upon request •Land only (Saigon - Hanoi) 17 days from $4,680 per person, twin share •Single supplement from $880
Important note
Prices include all airline taxes. Correct as of 01 June 2021, subject to change. Depending on airline schedules, you may depart and/or arrive on Day 2. Extra nights’ accommodation (pre or post tour) or stopovers may be required at an additional cost.
