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Inter-Cultural Arts Exchange

Cultural and Historic Highlights + Tribal Villages: 15 Days

Small Groups: October 28-Nov 12, 2007

March 9-22 and October 26-November 8, 2008

OR - choose your own dates and go privately

From north of Hanoi to Saigon, explore tribal villages, historic monuments, art, architecture, ancient ruins and life on the Mekong Delta. This comfortable journey covers all the highlights of an extensive tour in only 15 days. If you have more time, add a tour to Cambodia and or Laos. Please inquire for details!

Day 1: Morning Arrival in Hanoi - Transfer to hotel. Independent morning to relax.
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. Rice paddy outside Hanoi

Afternoon sightseeing tour to include: Hoan Kiem Lake,Temple of Literature (Van Mieu Temple), One Pillar Pagoda (Chua Mot Cot), Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. In the evening enjoy a traditional waterpuppet show.

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

TEMPLE OF LITERATURE: founded in 1070 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 contains an islet with the tiny Tortoise Pagoda, topped with a red star.

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 Mondays and Fridays). OPERA HOUSE: a magnificent 900-seat opera house built in 1911. (May be viewed from outside only).

WATER PUPPET SHOW: a fantastic art form originating in northern Vietnam, best seen in Hanoi. The Municipal Water Puppet Theater is located on the shore of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Day 2: Hanoi -Sa Pa (tribal area) - Overnight train/superior berths
Morning visit Old Quarters. Evening transfer to train station for deluxe overnight train toLao Cai for our excursion to Sa Pa; train departs at 930 pm.

OLD QUARTERS: have well over a thousand years of history and remain one of Vietnam's most lively and unusual places, where one can buy anything from a gravestone to silk pyjamas. Exploring the maze of back streets is fascinating and there are endless things to buy - wool clothes, cosmetics, gold and silver jewellery, silk clothes and herbal medicines.

Transfer - By Victoria Express Train from Hanoi to Lao Cai The Victoria Express Train is made up of two carriages and one restaurant car. The two carriages, offering Superior (4 berths) and 8 Deluxe (2 berths) compartments feature air-conditioning, wood paneled interiors, individual reading lights, baggage storage and ample space for hand luggage. The restaurant, with a corner bar and ten four-person tables, offers Vietnamese and Western cuisine, snacks and drinks. If you prefer a deluxe berth, plse request (supplement cost applies).

Day 3-4 Sightseeing Sa Pa - Hiking in the Sa Pa area - Overnight in Sa Pa
As we have an early arrival, breakfast breakfast will be provided in a local restaurant in the area and not at the hotel.
Sa Pa is a hill station built in 1922 which lies in a beautiful valley with Fansipan Mountain overlooking the valley. Sa Pa has both Hmong and Dzao people, the largest and most colourful ethnic groups in the region.

Explore villages (Cat Cat, etc) of various hill tribe minorities and visit the following sights:

MARKET: Montagnards from surrounding villages don their most colourful costumes and head to the market on Saturday. THAC BAC WATERFALL: 100 m high and very impressive during the rainy season. TRAM TON PASS: pass on the north side of Fansipan. At 1900m, this is the highest mountain pass in Vietnam. Aside from the magnificent views, the bizarre thing is how dramatically the climate changes. EXCURSION TO TAVAN: Jeep ride to Lao Chai village of the Hmuong minority people, pass terraced fields to Tavan to see the Zay people.

Day 5: Return to Hanoi - by car, visiting villages enroute. Lunch stop at restaurant mid-way. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 6: Fly Hanoi - Danang; Drive to Hoi An past the Marble Mountains and small villages. Overnight in Hoi An 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.

Day 7: Hoi An - Half Day Morning Sightseeing/Afternoon Independent. You may wish to relax at the beach or shop! 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.

QUAN DONG 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 is 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 8 Excursion to My Son, one of the most stunning sights in the Hoi An area, and Viêt Nam's most important Cham site. Overnight in Hoi An

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 artifacts, including some of the finest carvings in the Cham Museum in Danang, were found here.

Day 9 Drive Hoi An-Hue Sightseeing old Imperial City - Visit the Dong Ba Market - Overnight in Hue
Journey north along Highway 1 past Danang, Lang Co and the Hai Van Pass.

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: a pretty, island-like stretch of palm-shaded sand with a crystal-clear lagoon on one side and many kilometers of beachfront facing the South China Sea. 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** DONG BA MARKET: local market near the Imperial City.

Day 10 Hue Visit Tien Mu Pagoda and Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang by boat - Visit the imperial tombs of the Emperors Tu Duc and 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.

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 11: Fly Hue-Saigon - 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 neighborhood 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. There is an excellent section on the war photograpers. 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 congregation in 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 12 Mekong Delta Journey south west by car to the Mekong Delta past My Tho and across the river by ferry from Vinh Long to Can Tho. (3-4 hours) Overnight in Can Tho

MY THO: capital of Tien Giang Province and one of the poorest cities in the delta. The economy is based on fishing and the cultivation of rice, coconuts, bananas, mangoes, longans and citrus fruit. VINH LONG: capital of the province, this is a medium-sized town along the banks of the Mekong River about midway between My Tho and Can Tho. From Vinh Long, one can access all the islands in the river which are totally given over to agriculture.

Day 13: Can Tho
Morning: four hour boat ride on the Mekong Delta to experience Phong Dien Floating Market. This market is very large and authentic; not one that most tourists visit. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon exploring this unspoilt Mekong Delta village. Located close to the Cambodian border, this small village is home to a large Khmer community as well as Chams and Chinese. Can Tho is the capital of the province and the political, economic, cultural and transportation centre of the Mekong Delta. Rice-husking mills provide a major local industry.

MUNIRANGSYARM PAGODA: the ornamentation of this pagoda is typical of Khmer Hinayana Buddhist pagodas, lacking the multiple Bodhisattvas and Taoist spirits common in Vietnamese Mahayana pagodas. Built in 1946, the pagoda serves the Khmer community of Can Tho, which numbers about 2000. CANTONESE CONGREGATION PAGODA: this small Chinese pagoda was built by the Cantonese Congregation and built with funds recently donated by Overseas Chinese. The pagoda occupies a splendid location facing the Can Tho River. CENTRAL MARKET: many local farmers and wholesalers arrive here by boat to buy and sell. The fruit section is particularly notable and stays open until 10pm. HO CHI MINH MUSEUM: the only museum in the Mekong Delta devoted to Ho Chi Minh. PHONG DIEN FLOATING MARKET: the best floating market in the Mekong Delta with many stand-up rowing boats around. The market is visited by boat first and then one returns to Can Tho by car. CAI RANG FLOATING MARKET: the biggest floating market in the delta with a bridge here that serves as a great vantage point for photography. It is very interesting to reach this market by boat.

Day 14: Enjoy a leisurely morning. Journey first across the Hau Giang River by ferry between Can Tho and Vinh Long; then drive to Saigon. Overnight in Saigon

Day 15: Transfer to airport for onward flight

Price 2007: $2050 Per person (based on min 3 people); Single room supplement $690

Price 2008: $2565 Per person (based on min 3 people); Single room supplement $765

Includes:

accommodations, dbl occ
daily breakfast
flight ticket(s) as mentioned in the itinerary
boat ticket(s)and train ticket according to itinerary
train tickets as indicated in itinerary
ground transportation in private A/C vehicle (complimentary cold towels and drinking water)
sightseeing incl. admissions fees according to itinerary
accompanying escort throughout (min 3 people).

Not included: international flight, international and domestic airport tax, visa fees, tips, drinks, personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, phone calls.

HOTEL LIST - based on availability
Hanoi Hilton Hanoi Opera 5* Deluxe
Sa Pa Victoria Sapa 3-4*/Deluxe
Hoi An Hoi An Beach Resort 4*/seaview rm
Hue Saigon Morin Hotel 3-4*/Deluxe
Saigon Majestic 5* Superior
Can Tho Victoria Can Tho Hotel 4* Superior, riverview

Note: Itinerary subject to change due to flight schedules.

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