Vietnam Discovery - Independent Travel

Your adventure commences in Vietnam's ancient capital, Hanoi, where the narrow, chaotic streets of the Old Town, crammed with street markets selling steaming bowls of noodles and fresh, flapping fish, provide a dizzying introduction to the country. Pay a visit to the Mausoleum of the revered Communist leader, Ho Chi Minh; explore the excellent museums and soak up the throng of the city before heading west to savour an altogether different pace of life. In rural Mai Chau, just three hours drive from Hanoi, the transformation is complete: traditional Thai-minority wooden-housed villages, set in an idyllic valley surrounded by wooded mountains feel a world away from the bustle of the city. This is an ideal location to stretch your legs or jump on a bike to immerse yourself in local life.

 

Driving southwest the limestone pinnacles of Ninh Binh provide a tantalising taster of the highlight to come, at UNESCO World Heritage listed Halong Bay, where you have chance to relax and savour the magnificent scenery onboard an overnight cruise. Returning to Hanoi you board the iconic Reunification Express, the train linking north and south Vietnam, for an atmospheric journey south to Dong Hoi. Here you disembark and head inland to the lush jungle of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a mountainous region hugging the Laos border within which lie Vietnam's most spectacular cave systems; the undisputed jewel in the crown being the recently discovered Thien Duong or Paradise Cave.

 

Ancient Hue, seat of the Nguyen Emperors, and laid-back Hoi An provide a well-earned breather midway through your trip, offering the chance to relax on the beach or by the pool, savour a river cruise or simply watch the world go by from a street-side cafe. Picking up the pace again you head into the cool highlands of Dalat, summer-retreat of the colonial French, before driving through the coffee and tea plantations of the Central Highlands on the road to Nam Cat Tien National Park. This beautiful, dense jungle reserve is one of the last refuges of Vietnam's native large mammals, with small populations of elephant, leopard and even tiger believed to remain in the parks interior. Stay overnight in a riverside lodge overlooking Monkey Island, and trek to seek out the rare Siamese Crocodile, gibbons and glorious bird-life.

 

The final leg of your journey brings you to Ho Chi Minh City, the most modern and exciting of Vietnam's cities, and gateway to the Mekong Delta. Learn about Vietnam's war history at Cu Chi and the city's fine museums, before a final night of gentle boat exploration of the delta brings your trip to its conclusion.   

 

 

Your tour commences today in Vietnam's capital; the fantastic jumble of styles and influences that is modern-day Hanoi. On arrival at Noi Bai International Airport youi will be met and escorted the short distance to our hotel. Your accommodation will be centrally located, allowing you to explore the surround streets, crammed with food stalls, markets and cafes.

 

Ho Chi Minh died before the conclusion of the Vietnam War, but the reverence in which he was held was such that his body was preserved and a grand mausoleum created in Hanoi to allow the Vietnamese people to pay their respects. Our exploration of the city commences here, at the complex that houses the Stalinist mausoleum, the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh's more humble private residence. Our next stop is the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university constructed in 1070, with lovely gardens and well-preserved architecture. The afternoon is yours to explore further at your leisure. Meals included: Breakfast

 

The northwest of Vietnam remains a relatively untouched part of the country; the beautiful scenery and picturesque minority villages make this area an appealing contrast to the throng of the city. This morning travel through fertile valleys and along roads snaking through mountain passes, as you head west to the picturesque Mai Chau Valley. After lunch, spend the afternoon exploring the idyllic natural surroundings as well as visiting the extraordinary Mo Luong (Soldier) Cave. This evening visit a local village for a traditional Thai performance of music and dance. The Thai ethnic group has inhabited this area for centuries and much of their lifestyle and traditions have remained unchanged over the years. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

 

Your guide will lead you today on a scenic hike through the hills surrounding Mai Chau, winding your way through jungle and bamboo forests to the villages of the various minority groups who reside in this region. In the hills you'll visit the Green Hmong villages, and coming down into the valleys to the Thai and Muong villages. During the course of the 8 mile route you will do some uphill and downhill stretches but this is not a strenuous option, as you will be dropped of at the high point of the route at the start point of the walk. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

 

Leave Mai Chau early this morning for the drive southeast to Ninh Binh, a beautiful area known as dry Halong Bay for it's spectacular karst scenery. On arrival this afternoon you head to Tam Coc Town and board your private sampan for a boat trip through the idyllic Thung Nang Valley. Pass through a cave formations and fields of lotus and reach a quaint pagoda before returning on the same route. Later take a gentle cycle tour through spectacular scenery of rice fields, karsts formations and quaint rural villages, before meeting your vehicle and transferring to your hotel. Meals included: Breakfast

 

This morning drive on to Halong Bay. Board your comfortable cruise ship in late morning and set sail into the wonderful scenery of the bay. During the afternoon disembark to explore one of the floating fishing villages that shelter in the lee of the towering karst pinnacles that stud the bay. There is also the chance to swim or hire a kayak for some personal water-borne exploration. After dinner you may like to try your hand at a spot of squid-fishing, or watch the stars with a glass of wine in hand. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

A leisurely morning of cruising through the bay brings you back to the harbour in late morning. Drive back to Hanoi in time for a quick dinner before boarding the Reunification Express, the train that links north and south Vietnam, for your overnight journey south to Dong Hoi. Facilities onboard are simple but clean, and very much part of the Vietnam experience! Meals included: Breakfast

 

You arrive early this morning, and after a chance to freshen up and have a spot of breakfast you drive an hour inland to the towering peaks of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, home to the region's most spectacular cave systems. spend the day exploring this remote and beautiful jungle region; swimming at Nuoc Mooc Spring, where warm waters usher forth from a nearby cavern, and experiencing some of the largest and finest caves in Asia. An undoubted highlight will be the vast cathedral-like space of Paradise Cave, deep in the mountains of the park. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

 

From Dong Hoi where you have stayed overnight head south this morning toward Hue. En route stop in at the DMZ and Vin Moc Tunnels, constructed at the height of the war by local villagers living close to the notorious 17th Parallel of the Vietnam War-era, to protect themselves from the relentless carpet-bombing. Cross the Ben Hai River and continue to Hue, arriving mid-afternoon; after checking in to your hotel overlooking the Perfume River the remainder of the day is at leisure to explore. Meals included: Breakfast

 

Day 10 Hue 

Following a morning guided exploration of the vast Citadel, home of the Nguyen Emperors, take a picturesque boat ride up the Perfume River, named for the fragrance of tropical flowers carried down from orchards upriver, to the Thien Mu Pagoda. The countryside surrounding the city is dotted with the tombs of the former emperors, and this afternoon you will pay these a visit. Two of the finest are the imposing Mausoleum of Tu Duc, and Khai Dinh's Tomb. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

 

After breakfast continue your journey with one of the most scenic drives in the country, ascending the Pass of Ocean Clouds before dropping down to Danang and following the coast south to the ancient trading port of Hoi An. Your hotel is located on the edge of the pedestrianised Old Town, making it an ideal spot for personal exploration. The narrow, meandering streets of Hoi An's Old Town are perhaps the most appealing places in Vietnam to wander at your own pace. The many delightful riverside cafes and restaurants might appeal for a spot of people-watching, or you may fancy letting one of the tailors for which the town is famed measure you up. For those of a more active persuasion bikes can be hired to get out into the countryside. Meals included: Breakfast

 

Today take a half day to visit the capital and religious centre of the former Champa Kingdom, My Son. Here, 40km southwest of Hoi An, in a lush green valley, are dozens of red brick towers and sanctuaries dating from between the 7th and 13th Centuries. On the way back to Hoi An stop to visit Tra Kieu, formerly known as Simhapura or the Lion Citadel, the capital of Champa between the 4th and 8th Centuries. Some of the finest sculptures in Danang's Cham Museum originated from here. The afternoon is at leisure to explore. Meals included: Breakfast

 

A short flight early today takes you from Danang to the former colonial hill station of Dalat in the Central Highlands. Take an orientation tour of Dalat this afternoon, a region that is home to vast flower gardens, pine forests, vineyards and perhaps the most colourful market in Vietnam. Start the tour with Truc Lam Monastery of Meditation - one of the largest Zen Meditation study centres in Vietnam, with equally large numbers of nuns and monks. Reach Truc Lam by a scenic tram ride from a hilltop overlooking Dalat. Visit the Dalat Railway Station which dates back to 1932, Linh Phuong Buddhist Pagoda, an organic vegetable farm, the palace of the last Emperor of Vietnam and the fascinating Lam Dong Museum. Meals included: Breakfast

 

This morning drive southwest through coffee and tea plantations to the lush, dense jungle of the Nam Cat Tien National Park. You stay at Forest Floor Lodge, a thoughtfully designed eco-lodge overlooking the Ben Cu rapids and Monkey Island, home to the excellent gibbon rescue and rehabilitation centre. This afternoon have a short jungle trek, and stop in at the Bear Rehabilitation centre close to the National Park entrance. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

 

Rise early for a short drive and five mile trek through the jungle to Crocodile Lake, providing plenty of opportunity to see many varieties of bird life and, if you are lucky, the critically endangered Siamese crocodile. Return to the lodge and in the afternoon take a boat trip along the Ben Cu River to view wildlife on the riverbank. This evening take a night drive into the park using a spotlight to view nocturnal wildlife. Meals included: Breakfast

 

This morning we pay a visit to the gibbon rescue centre to learn more about the vital rehabilitation and teaching operation conducted there, before we head on to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's most energetic and electric city. Meals included: Breakfast

 

Depart Ho Chi Minh City this morning for the drive to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels which consist of an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese fighters (Viet Cong) during both the French and American wars. Start the visit with the Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc sections of the tunnel. Here you can imagine what it was like to be a guerrilla fighter, crawling through the narrow tunnels or clambering over captured US tanks. In the afternoon return to the city and take a walking tour of the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City: the former Presidential Palace,  the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall. Meals included: Breakfast

 

Head south from the city today into the evocative Mekong Delta. There are few more relaxing experiences than a cruise through the laid-back tropical, watery world of the delta, and you can kick-back and savour the scenery as you join an overnight cruise. This afternoon you have the opportunity to explore the local villages on foot or by bike, before returning to your boat to stay overnight. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

A brief visit to Tra On floating market after breakfast is followed by a chance to explore the largest floating market in the region at Cai Rang, where much of the Delta come to trade fruit and other produce from their barges. Here you disembark and return to Ho Chi Minh City for a final afternoon of exploration. Meals included: Breakfast

 

Sadly your trip comes to an end today, and your guide will collect you at a pre-arranged time today for the short transfer back to the International Airport for your onward flight.  Meals included: Breakfast