CLASSIC VIETNAM

CLASSIC VIETNAM
This classic tour allows you to explore the fascinating cities and towns of Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An and Saigon. In addition, you will also be able to stay in a homestay and learn about traditional Vietnamese ways of life, from rural life to living on the Mekong. This relaxed tour is a well balanced mix of culture, exploration and relaxation, traveling through one of Asias most fascinating countries.

Highlights
Stroll through the Old Quarter of Hanoi & stay in the citys nest hotel Stay in a comfortable homestay, explore small villages and learn about traditional rural Vietnamese life. Cruise in style throughout the hauntingly beautiful limestone karst islands of Halong Bay aboard a luxury Junk ship. Take in the beautiful classical architecture of Hue Wander through the lantern lit streets of the picturesque riverside town of Hoi An Take a Sampan tour of the Mekong Delta Explore the bustling city of Saigon & take time to visit the fascinating Cu Chi tunnels

TAILOR MADE LUXURY HOLIDAY

Standard, Deluxe & Luxury options available - for full price info scroll down to the end of the itinerary.

SUITABLE FOR
Everyone - couples & families alike.

ACTIVITY GRADING
Easy - relaxed pace throughout

ITINERARY OVERVIEW
DAY ACTIVITY REGION

Day 01 Day 02 Day 03 Day 04 Day 05 Day 06 Day 07 Day 08 Day 09 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13 Day 14

Depart for Hanoi Arrive - transfer to hotel - evening dinner at Ly Club Private sightseeing tour of Hanoi Transfer to homestay in Ky Son Explore local villages - transfer back to Hanoi at end of day transfer to Halong Bay - board Junk ship alight from Junk - transfer to Hanoi - y to Hue Drive to Hoi An Walking tour of Hoi An Transfer to airport for ight to Saigon Private sightseeing tour Cu Chi tunnels in morning & Saigon in afternoon Private excursion into Mekong Delta transfer to airport for ight home Arrive back in home country Hanoi Hanoi Ky Son Hanoi Halong Bay Hue Hoi An Hoi An Saigon Saigon Saigon

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Day 1: Depart for Hanoi (Own tickets)

Day 2: Hanoi arrival (D) (the ight to be advised/ Own tickets) Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport, pick up and transfer to your selected hotel. Early evening, transfer for dinner at Ly Club that was built in late 19 century and this French architecture building is redesigned and set in a trendy and elegant concept with a Wine Cellar, Cocktail Bar, Fine-dining Restaurant and Theatre Hall. Overnight in Hanoi Day 3: Hanoi city tour (B) 8.30AM: The day starts with visit to the complex dedicated to Ho Chi Minh - the nations founder, containing Ho Chi Minhs Mausoleum (viewed from outside on Mondays, Fridays and afternoons as closed), and house on stilts. This complex also comprises the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda- Hanois oldest pagoda on the bank of West Lake. In the afternoon, visit Van Mieu- Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature & Vietnams rst university). Constructed in 11th century, the gardens and wellpreserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam's past. Take a cyclo ride around the Old Quarter streets which were named after the specic goods once offered for sale at these places. Stop at Hoan Kiem Lake to learn about legend of the lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple, followed by the Water Puppet show- a uniquely Northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history. Overnight in Hanoi

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Day 4: Hanoi Ky Son Moon Garden (B/L/D) After breakfast, you will be transferred to Ky Son, around 55km from Hanoi and approx 1.5hrs drive away. Here you will be able to explore the local village and learn all about local customs and traditions from your hosts.

Day 5: Moon Garden Duong Lam Ancient town Hanoi (B/L) - 7:00: Joining Yijinjing traditional exercises - 7:30: Breakfast, then participate in burning votive money and gold for the deceased. - 9:00: Leave Moon Garden and transfer to Duong Lam Ancient Village, a purely agricultural village of the Northern Red River delta where many old houses are still preserved.

Upon arrival, take an optional cycle tour along tiny ancient alleys to visit Mong Phu temple in Mong Phu hamlet - the only hamlet whose original village entrance gate remains intact, dedicated to national heroes. Continue riding around the village to discover the daily life and farming and practices of Vietnamese peasants After lunch, visit Ngo Quyen temple and Phung ! Hung temple, dedicated to two national heroes. Again biking to Mia Pagoda, built in 15th century. Drive back to Hanoi for overnight.

Day 6: Hanoi Halong Bay (B/L/D) Breakfast at your hotel and then proceed to Ha Long City. Upon arrival, welcome on aboard. Enjoy welcome drink before check in. Then, sea food lunch served on board while the junk cruises pass by Thien Cung, Dau Go Caves and Fighting Cock Rock. Later on the cruise docks for short visit to Sung Sot Grotto. On the return, we will have some spare time on Titop Island: Relaxing, swimming, kayaking (with extra charge), sunset watching etc overnight stay on Junk Ship Legend has it that the islands of Halong Bay were created by a dragon as it descended into the sea. Declared a World Heritage site in 1994 by UNESCO it is perhaps the norths premier tourist attraction and it is no surprise given their astonishing natural beauty. Hidden lagoons, caves and deserted beaches are strewn throughout the 3000 odd islands, Cruising through the emerald waters, one can hear all sorts of birdsong from the treed hilltops of the limestone islands, adding to the enchanting ambience of this haunting natural wonder of the world. Day 7 Halong Bay - Hanoi (Brunch) Hanoi Danang/ Hue Breakfast served while the junk cruises around Ha Long Bay passes by many rocks, islets, named by their shape such as Dog, Man Head, and beaches etc. The junk continues cruising toward Halong Tourist port. Brunch buffet served from 09:30am and you should be ready for disembarking at 11:00am. You will then be transferred back to Hanoi in time for your ight to Hue. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to your selected hotel Overnight in Hue Day 8: Hue Danang Hoi An (B) After breakfast, transfer to visit Thien Mu Pagoda on the bank of scenic Perfume River. Continue by road to visit the Imperial Citadel. In the afternoon, visit Tomb of Tu Duc, the poet Emperor, set in an elegant garden with a magnicent lake and pavilion complex. Later in the day transfer by road to Hoi An Overnight in Hoi An

Day 9 Hoi An city tour (B) After breakfast, take a guided walking tour around Hoi An Ancient Town. Visit the Japanese covered bridge, Chinese assembly hall, a typical Vietnamese merchants house, one of the interesting museums and the local market. There are numerous art galleries, souvenirs and tailoring shops where you can get some express made-toorder clothes if you like. The next visit is to home of a craftsman in the old streets. Here youll have a brief introduction to the history, shape and color of the lanterns as well as stages of making them. After that you can make a lantern by your own, decorate it and keep it as a souvenir of your time in Hoi An. The rest of the day is free at leisure Overnight in Hoi An Day 10: Hoi An/ Danang - Saigon (B) After breakfast, free time until transfer to the airport for ight to Saigon. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to your selected hotel. Overnight in Saigon Day 11: Saigon Cu Chi tunnels Saigon city tour (B) Depart at 8.00AM from your hotel to visit the incredible underground Cu Chi Tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese ghters during the long struggle for independence and reunication. In the afternoon, visit the Reunication Palace, former residence of the Indochina Governor General and later President of the Republic of Southern Vietnam until the fall of Saigon in April 30, 1975. The day ends with visit to Notre Dame Cathedral and the bustling Ben Thanh Market for shopping. Overnight in Saigon

Day 12: Saigon Mekong Delta/ Cai Lay My Tho (B/L) After breakfast, pick up from your hotel and drive (two hours) to Cai Lay, a small but fertile town in the Mekong Delta through the new national free way. Upon arrival, drop off at the towns local pier and board a small motorized boat for a 30 min boat trip on one of the small branches of the Mekong River. Witness the daily life on the water of the locals. Disembark at Cam Son bridge where you start a leisure cycling trip (alternative transportation is our xe loi, a fun local transportation) into a deep Mekong Delta exploration. The ride is about 7km on shady narrow village roads curving over tiny canals and past fruit gardens and sleepy villages. Many kids will greet you with a big smile and xin chao or Hello. During the village road, you will have a chance to stop and visit local village factories, sh farm & rice paddies to learn about life in the Mekong. Arrive at a lush orchard with diverse tropical fruits. Have a friendly chat with the owner Mr Hai Cu, a former veteran with interesting topics about his motherland as well as his daily life both past and present. He will be very happy to walk you around his garden. Enjoy the opportunity to taste fresh fruits picked right from the trees. Then relax with a 10 min sampan ride to Ba Da Bridge and continue with a 7 min bicycle ride to the main road for the transfer back to Saigon.

transfer back Saigon Overnight in Saigon Day 13: Saigon departure (B)( Own tickets) After breakfast, free time until transfer to the airport for your departure ight

Tour Includes All transfers as per itinerary in a private air conditioned vehicle All sightseeing as per itinerary with an English speaking guide. Excursions as per itinerary All accommodation on a B&B basis, unless otherwise specied Meals as per itinerary (B = Breakfast, L= Lunch & D= Dinner - excludes drinks) Public liability insurance All applicable taxes Tour Excludes: All International ights & Visa fees Domestic ights we organize these on your behalf however the price is quoted separately and this is payable directly to the ground agent or airline. Additional Meals, unless mentioned Differently Optional tours & activities mentioned in the itinerary. Beverages and personal expenses Other excursions and entrance fees Travel insurance (cover against all cancellation costs, medical expenses, including repatriation, in the event of accident of illness)

GREIG SMITH TRAVELS LTD. REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER 7786310. TRAVEL TRUST MEMBERSHIP NUMBER U9657. 32 DRAKE ROAD. CHAFFORD HUNDRED. ESSEX. RM16 6PS. TEL. 07414 00 66 03. EMAIL: PAUL@GREIGSMITHTRAVELS.COM WEB: WWW.GREIGSMITHTRAVELS.COM

ACCOMMODATION

Destinations Hanoi

Superior Silk Path hotel/ Silk Deluxe

Deluxe Sotel Plaza Hanoi/ Superior

Luxury Sotel Legend Metropole/ Premium (Opera Wing)

Moon Garden Homestay (room options below)

Ky Son

- Frangipany house: 1 big room with 2 double bed - Pomelo house: 2 private rooms + 1 living room with private toilet (1 double bed in living room) - Mango house: 2 private rooms + 1 living room without private toilet

Halong Hue Hoi An Saigon

Victory Cruise/ Superior Gerbara Hue/ Deluxe River View Boutique Hoi An resort/ Superior Duxton hotel/ Deluxe

Bhaya Cruise/ Deluxe Imperial Hue/ Deluxe River View Victoria Hoi An resort/ Superior Majestic Saigon hotel/ Colonial City Deluxe

Jasmine Junk/ Premium La Residence Hue/ Superior River View Life Hoi An resort/ Junior Suite Garden View Intercontinental Asiana/ Deluxe room

01 Jan - 30 Apr 2012 & 01 Oct - 30 1598 per person sharing 1775 per person sharing 2098 per person sharing Nov 2012 01 May 0 1533 per person sharing 1727 per person sharing 1930 per person sharing 30 Sep 2012 Prices based on 2 people traveling) & approximately 250 per person local payment to ground agent for domestic ights. All prices serve as a guide price and are Subject to Change & Availability
Entry requirements All UK passport holders and most other nationalities require visas for Vietnam It is possible to get visas on arrival in Vietnam, however this is only possible with a pre authorization letter which must be obtained before hand and taken with you (please enquire as to how to get these). Alternatively you can get it in advance from your nearest embassy. Typically 6 month multiple entry visas are usually sufcient. No vaccinations are mandatory for entry, however it is advisable to a be protected against TB, polio, typhoid, tetanus and hepatitis A and to take malaria prophylactics. Above all, it is essential to consult your GP about your individual requirements as soon as possible before travelling. In addition, the following website National Travel Health Network and Centre is useful in preparing for your trip: http://www.nathnac.org/ds/map_world.aspx Flights There are now a number of direct ights to Vietnam each week with Vietnam Air, however there are only a few departures each week. Alternatively it is possible to y via hubs such as Bangkok. Bangkok is an excellent hub and the frequency and number of ights means any stopover is usually just a few hours. Unless you would like an extension in Bangkok, in which case please enquire for details. Preferred airlines include BA, Thai Airways, Eva Air, Emirates and Quatar for the main international sectors and airlines such as Air Asia & Vietnam Airlines are used for ights between countries in Indochina. We can help organise all your ights for you, through our preferred ATOL registered partners and also through our ground agents.