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VIETNAM COMPREHENSIVE - 25 Days

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi - Transfer to hotel. 1/2 day sightseeing.

Hanoi, a city of lakes, shaded boulevards and public parks, is the capital of Vietnam. It is a very attractive city with French style buildings and less traffic than other cities in Asia.

SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS YOU WILL VISIT:

ONE PILLAR PAGODA: built by the Emperor Ly Thai Tong, who ruled from 1028 to 1054. Built of wood on a single stone pillar, it is designed to resemble a lotus blossom.

TEMPLE OF LITERATURE: founded in1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong who dedicated it to Confucius in order to honor scholars and men of literary accomplishment.

HOAN KIEM LAKE: right in the heart of Hanoi, this lake has the tiny Tortoise Pagoda topped with a red star, on an islet in the middle of the lake.

HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM: in the tradition of Lenin and Stalin before him and Mao after him, the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh is a glass sarcophagus set deep in the bowels of a monumental edifice that has become a site of pilgrimage. (Closed Monday's and Friday's)

OPERA HOUSE: magnificent 900 seat Hanoi Opera House built in 1911. Just view from outside - no inside sightseeing possible.

Day 2: Hanoi Sightseeing (full day) - Overnight in Hanoi

Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay
Drive to Halong Bay (3 hrs). Journey east along Highway 5 across Hai Hung Province and around Halong Bay. Boat trip Halong Bay (4 hrs) past the islands of Trong, Mai, Am, Chen and Cong Troi (Heaven Gates). Stop at one of the islands and visit of one of the following caves.

HANG DAU GO: huge cave consisting of three chambers which are reached via 90 steps. The cave derives its Vietnamese name from the third of the chambers, which is said to have been used by Trang Hung Dao during the 13th century to store bamboo stakes, used against the Mongol invaders.

BO NAU: 'Pelican' caves of interest. THIEN CUNG: "Heaven Palace" - Overnight in Halong

Day 4: Halong - Hai Phong - Ninh Binh By vehicle from Halong to Hai Phong - Sightseeing Hai Phong - By vehicle from Hai Phong to Ninh Binh - Overnight in Ninh Binh

Day 5: Ninh Binh - Cuc Phuong National Park Excursion to "Dry Halong Bay" by boat - By vehicle from Ninh Binh to Cuc Phuong National Park - Overnight in Cuc Phuong National Park

Day 6: Cuc Phuong National Park - Hoa Binh Sightseeing Cuc Phuong National Park - By vehicle from Cuc Phuong National Park to Hoa Binh - Overnight in Hoa Binh

Day 7: Hoa Binh Sightseeing Hoa Binh and excursion to Mai Chau - Overnight in Hoa Binh

Day 8: Hoa Binh - Son La By vehicle from Hoa Binh to Son La - Overnight in Son La

Day 9: Son La - Dien Bien Phu By vehicle from Son La to Dien Bien Phu - Overnight in Dien Bien Phu

Day 10: Dien Bien Phu - Hanoi Sightseeing Dien Bien Phu. Flight from Dien Bien Phu to Hanoi - Transfer - Overnight in Hanoi

Day 11: Hanoi - Vinh By vehicle from Hanoi to Vinh - Overnight in Vinh Day 12: Vinh - Dong Ha Excursion to Kim Lien and Hoang Tru - By vehicle from Vinh to Dong Ha - Overnight in Dong Ha

Day 13: Dong Ha - Hue By vehicle from Dong Ha to Hue - Afternoon at leisure - Overnight in Hue

Day 14: Hue Visit Tien Mu Pagoda and Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang with boat trip - Sightseeing Hue - Visit Imperial Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc - Visit Imperial Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh - Overnight in Hue

THIEN MU PAGODA: just outside of Hue, on the bank of the Perfume River, was a hotbed of anti-government protest during the early 1960s. Behind the main sanctuary of the pagoda is the Austin motorcar which transported the monk Thich Quang Duc to the site of his 1963 self-immolations.

TOMB OF EMPEROR MINH MANG: complex built in 1840 by King Minh Mang and its known for its magnificent architecture, military statuaries and elaborate decorations. It is perhaps the most beautiful of Hue's pagodas and tombs. By vehicle from Hue to Danang Journey south along Highway 1 past the Hai Van Pass, and Lang Co.

Sightseeing Tombs of the Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh

TU DUC TOMB: Emperor Tu Duc, who ruled Hue more than 100 years ago, built his tomb when he was still alive and used it for meditation, reading and theater performances. There are pavillions in a tranquil setting of forested hills and lakes. The tomb was contructed between 1864 and 1867. Tu Duc, who was the longest reigning Emperor, lived a luxurious life.

KHAI DINH: this was the last monument of the Nguyen dynasty and was constructed between 1920 and 1931. It sits magnificently on the slopes of Chau E Mountain in Chau Chau Village. It has a long staircase flanked by dragons. There are ceiling murals and ceramic frescoes.

Day 15: Hue - Danang
Visit Old Imperial City - Visit the Dong Ba Market - Drive to Danang (3 hrs)- Overnight in Danang

IMPERIAL CITY: this is in the Citadel and was built in the early 19th century and modeled after the Forbidden City in Peking. There are numerous palaces and temples within these walls, as well as towers, a library and a museum.

NGO MON GATE: this is the principal entrance to the Imperial Enclosure and faces the Flag Tower. The central passageway with its yellow doors was reserved for use by the emperor, as was the bridge across the lotus pond.

THAI HOA PALACE: built in 1803 and moved to its present site in 1833, Thai Hoa Palace is a spacious hall with an ornate roof of huge timbers supported by 80 carved and lacquered columns.

HALLS OF THE MANDARINS: these buildings, in which the mandarins prepared for court ceremonies, held in Can Chanh Reception Hall, were restored in 1977.

NINE DYNASTIC URNS: these were cast in 1835-36. Traditional ornamentation was then chiselled into the sides of the urns, each dedicated to a different Nguyen sovereign.

FORBIDDEN PURPLE CITY: this was reserved for the personal use of the emperor. The only servants allowed into the compound were eunuchs, who would pose no threat to the royal concubines. **today site in ruins**

On the drive to Danang:

HAI VAN PASS: the pass crosses over a spur of the Truong Son Mountain Range that juts into the South China Sea. It is an incredible mountainous stretch of highway with spectacular views.

LANG CO: has a pretty, island-like stretch of palm-shaded sand with a crystal-clear lagoon on one side and many km of beachfront facing the South China Sea.

Day 16: Danang - Hoi An
Sightseeing Danang - Drive to Hoi An (45 min) - Sightseeing Hoi An by cyclo - Overnight in Hoi An

Vietnam's fourth largest city marks the northern limits of Vietnam's tropical zone, boasting a pleasant year-round climate.

CHAM MUSEUM: founded in 1915 by the Ecole Francaise d'Extreme Orient, the open-air collection of Cham sculpture is the finest in the world. Many of the sandstone carvings are breathtaking.

CHINA BEACH: made famous in the American TV series of the same name, it stretches for many kilometres north and south of the Marble Mountains. During the American War, soldiers were airlifted here for 'rest and relaxation'.

MARBLE MOUNTAINS: consist of 5 stone hillocks, once islands, made of marble. Each is said to represent one of the five elements of the universe. The largest and most famous, Thuy Son, has a number of natural caves in which Buddhist sanctuaries have been built over the centuries. When the Champas ruled this area, these same caves were used as Hindu shrines. By vehicle from Danang to Hoi An Journey south past the Marble Mountains and small villages

Hoi An is a picturesque riverside town south of Danang. Known as Faifo to early western traders, it was one of South East Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. It is best to visit some of the following sites of Hoi An by walking around and/or by cyclo.

QUAN CONG TEMPLE: founded in 1653, the main altar is dedicated to Quan Cong, whose partially gilt statue is in the central altar at the back of the sanctuary. Stone plaques on the walls list contributors to the contruction and repair of the temple. The temple was open to all Chinese traders or seamen and is dedicated to Thien Hau.It has a small chinese style temple with a lintel gate, a rockery courtyard and lucky animals depicted in statuary.

PHUOC KIEN PAGODA: Chinese pagoda built around 1690 and then restored and enlarged in 1900. It is typical of the Chinese 'clans' that were established in the Hoi An area. The temple is dedicated to Thien Hau Thanh Mau (Goddess of the Sea and Protector of Sailors and Fishermen).

JAPANESE COVERED BRIDGE: the first bridge on this site was constructed in 1593. It was built by the Japanese community of Hoi An to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream. The bridge was provided with a roof so it could be used as a shelter from rain and sun.

TRAN FAMILY CHAPEL: thishouse for worshipping ancestors was built about 200 years ago with donations from the family members. The Tran family traces itsorigins to China and moved to Vietnam around 1700. The architecture of the building reflects the influence of Chinese and Japanese styles.

SA HUYNH MUSEUM: located near the Japanese covered Bridge, it contains exhibitions from the earliest period of Hoi An's history.

PHUNG HUNG HOUSE: one family has been living here for already 8 generations. The house is a combination of Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese style.

Day 17: Hoi An - My Son - Qui Nhon - Overnight in Qui Nhon

Journey south west of Hoi An to one of the most stunning sights in the Hoi An area, and Vietnam's most important Cham site.

MY SON: considered to be Champa's counterpart to the grand cities of South East Asia's other Indian-influenced civilisations: Angkor, Bagan etc. The monuments are set in a verdant valley surrounded by hills and overlooked by massive Cat's Tooth Mountain.

TRA KIEU: formerly known as Simhapura, it was the first capital city of Champa, serving in that capacity from the 4th through to the 8th century. A large number of artefacts, including some of the finest carvings in the Cham Museum in Danang, were found here.

Day 18: Qui Nhon - Pleiku - Buon Ma Thuot Drive to Pleiku - By vehicle from Pleiku to Buon Ma Thuot - Overnight in Buon Ma Thuot

Day 19: Buon Ma Thuot
Sightseeing Buon Ma Thuot - Excursion to Dray Sap Waterfalls - Overnight in Buon Ma Thuot

Day 20: Buon Ma Thuot - Nha Trang Drive to Nha Trang - Afternoon at leisure - Overnight in Nha Trang

Day 21: Nha Trang All day excursion visiting several islands for white sand beaches, great snorkeling and relaxing. - Overnight in Nha Trang

Day 22: Drive Nha Trang - Phan Thiet (4 hrs drive)
Phan Thiet is a small fishing village with great beaches and a nice halfway stop to Saigon. There are scores of weathered towers left from the ancient Champa kingdom just outside Phan Thiet.

Day 23: Drive to Saigon (4 hrs) Sightseeing Saigon and Cholon (Chinatown) - Overnight in Saigon

Saigon is the largest of Vietnamese cities, and one will see the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life everywhere. There are street markets, pavement cafes and sleek new cafes and pubs. The city churns and bubbles. Yet within this teeming metropolis are 300 years of timeless traditions and the beauty of an ancient culture. To the west of the city is district 5, the huge Chinese neighbourhood called Cholon, which means 'Big Market'.

NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL: built between 1877 and 1883, is set in the heart of Saigon's governement quarter. It has a neo-Romanesque form and two high square towers, tipped with iron spires. In front of the cathedral is a statue of the Virgin Mary.

CENTRAL POST OFFICE: this is a French-style building with its glass canopy and iron frame right next to the Notre Dame Cathedral. The structure was built between 1886 and 1891 and is by far the largest post office in Vietnam.

CITY HALL: completed 1908, also known as Hotel de Ville at the northern end of Nguyen Hue Boulevard. With it s ornate gingerbread facade it looks like the town hall of a French town. **view from outside only**

WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM: collections of weapons and photographs from 2 Indochina wars are exhibited along with the original French 'Guillotine' brought here in the early 20th century.

BEN THANH MARKET: this is the central market of Saigon and the market and the surrounding streets make up one of the city's liveliest areas. Everything commonly eaten, worn or used by the average resident of Saigon is available here.

BINH TAY MARKET: is Cholon's main marketplace with much of the business here being wholesale.

THIEN HAU PAGODA: built by the Cantonese congregationin the early 19th century. The pagoda is one of the most active in Cholon and is dedicated to Thien Hau. It is said that she can travel over the oceans on a mat and ride the clouds to wherever she pleases.

Day 24: Saigon Excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels and Tay Ninh - Overnight in Saigon

Day 25: Saigon Excursion to My Tho with boat trip on the Mekong Delta

MY THO: capital of Tien Giang Province. The economy is based on fishing and the cultivation of rice, coconuts, bananas, mangoes, longans and citrus fruit.

MEKONG DELTA: this is the southernmost region of Vietnam and it was formed by sediment deposited by the Mekong River. Silt deposits extend the delta shoreline at the mouth of the river by as mush as 79m per year. The area is known as Vietnam's 'bread basket' and produces rice to feed the entire country. Visit one or two of the islands with traditional handcrafts, bee farms and coconut candy production.

DRAGON ISLAND: the island has many longan orchards which can be visited andthe lush, palmfringed shores of the island are lined with wooden fishing boats.

PHOENIX ISLAND: until his imprisonment and the consequent dispersion of his flock, the coconut Monk (Ong Dao Dua) led a small community on this island.

VINH TRANG PAGODA: a beautiful and well maintained sanctuary. Oldest pagoda in the delta. The charitable monks here provide a home to orphans, disabled and other needy children.

Late night transfer to international airport for flight home, or overnight and next day departure.

(888) 367-6147 - Intl (415) 381-5861
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