Highlights of Vietnam

Your exploration of Vietnam would be filled with lots of excitements and surprises.

Some fantastic tour features include a tour of Ho Chi Minh City, an opportunity to explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, which served as an underground city during the Vietnam War. The tunnel network stretches over 250 km and descends to three underground levels, providing a remarkable insight into the method and determination of Communist forces; you would be amazed to find residences, hospitals, schools and much more! A trip to the Cao Dai Great Temple and attend a memorable mass, a special boat tour to Hon Mieu Island where you can explore the Tri Nguyen Aquarium, a scenic drive from Han Van Pass to Hue, which is often rated the most fabulous in Vietnam; a tour at the Citadel--the Royal palace of the Nguyen Dynasty, a special trip to visit “Hanoi Hilton” which used to be Hanoi's former central prison and a fabulous overnight cruise in Halong Bay to enjoy the great sceneries along the ocean area that is very much similar to China's Guilin.

Day 1 : USA/HONG KONG/HO CHI MINH CITY
accommodations: n/a
meals: n/a
Depart the USA today to begin your Highlights of Vietnam Tour.
Day 2: EN ROUTE
accommodations: n/a
meals: n/a
Cross the International Dateline enroute to Asia.
Day 3: HONG KONG/HO CHI MINH CITY
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: L
Arrive in Hong Kong early this morning and transfer to your connecting flight to Ho Chi Minh city. Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City and meet your local English-speaking tour guide and driver for a transfer to your hotel. Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s economic center and is still often called Saigon even though the name of the city was officially changed in 1975 upon the reunification of North and South Vietnam. After lunch, begin your exploration of Ho Chi Minh City. Your tour will take you through the heart of the city along Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), pass the prominent and well-known Rex Hotel, Ho Chi Minh Square, Municipal Theatre and Notre Dame Cathedral. Visit the Reunification Palace (previously the Presidential Palace) originally constructed in 1868 as the residence of French governor of Cochin China. Tour the War Remnants Museum, established in September 1975, with its countless artifacts, photographs and papers documenting the Vietnam War. Drive to Cholon, the China town district of the city, where you could visit the Binh Tay Wholesale market and the ornate Thien Hau Pagoda, which is dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea and the protector of fishermen.
Day 4: HO CHI MINH CITY/MEKONG DELTA/HO CHI MINH CITY
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
After breakfast, depart Ho Chi Minh City for My Tho and cross the Mekong Delta by boat to see the manufacturing of coconut tree handicrafts. After lunch, continue to Ben Tre to see the orchards and visit a bee-keeping farm to taste natural honey and honey wine. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in late afternoon.
Day 5: HO CHI MIN CITY
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
This morning, visit Cao Dai Great Temple, which is considered as the main temple of the Cao Dai religion and the focal point of the Cao Dai complex "Holy See", followed by an opportunity to attend a memorable prayer service. After lunch, travel to the Cu Chi tunnels. The Cu Chi tunnel network stretches over 250km and descends to three underground levels, providing a remarkable insight into the method and determination of Communist forces during the Vietnam War. Return to HoChiMinh City in the late afternoon.
Day 6: HO CHI MIN CITY/NHA TRANG
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Vietnam as you travel by car from Ho Chi Minh City today, checking into your hotel this afternoon upon arrival in Nha Trang. Nha Trang is a famous coastal destination with pristine beaches, offshore islets, Cham towers, hot springs and abundant water sport options.
Day 7: NHATRANG
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
This morning, take a short boat trip to Hon Mieu Island where you can visit the Tri Nguyen Aquarium built in 1971 by a local fisherman; the museum is especially popular among foreign tourists. Travel to Hon Mun Island afterwards to visit a local fishing village and return to Nha Trang in the late afternoon.
Day 8: NHATRANG/HOIAN
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
Depart Nha Trang for Hoi An this morning. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy a relaxing visit to Southeast Asia's most attractive town filled with centuries old houses, handicraft villages and impressive pagodas constructed in Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese styles.
Day 9: HOIAN/DANANG
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
This morning, visit the Hoi An Museum, the Chinese Assembly Hall, an ancient house and the Japanese Covered Bridge. On the way to Danang stop at Tra Kieu Church and My Son “Beautiful Mountain” where architectural treasures and sculptures of Cham culture dating from the 7 th to 13 th century could be explored.
Day 10: DANANG/HUE
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
Travel north this morning over the spectacular Hai Van pass to Hue. This drive is considered one of the most beautiful in Vietnam and takes you through a combination of both rural and coastal settings. Your first stop is the Cham Museum displaying the best examples of Cham sculpture in the world. Arrive at Hue, the beautiful and capital city of Vietnam throughout the Nguyen Dynasty after lunch; Hue still remains the unique door to Vietnam and its complex past. Then visit the impressive home of the Nguyen Dynasty's emperors (1802-1945), also known as the Citadel. Much of the home was destroyed during the Tet Offensive in 1968 and reconstruction has been conducted gradually.
Day 11: HUE/HANOI
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
After breakfast, visit the much-revered Thien Mu Pagoda before enjoying a dragon boat cruise on the Perfume River. After lunch, visit two of the magnificent Royal Mausoleums that surrounded Hue. Explore the tomb of Tu Duc, the fourth emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty before traveling to the French influenced tomb of the 12 th emperor Khai Dinh. Transfer to the airport at Hue in the late afternoon for an early evening flight to Hanoi. Your local English-speaking guide and driver will meet you and provide a transfer to your hotel.
Day 12: HANOI/HALONG
accommodations: Hanoi Bay Cruise Ship
meals: B/L/D
Today's tour begins at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, located near the Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh first declared Vietnam's independence from French rule in 1945. Then visit his humble house on stilts from which he ruled Vietnam until his death in 1969. Continue your tour at the intriguing Ho Chi Minh Museum, which shows an amazing surreal exhibition of the life of Ho Chi Minh; you will also explore the Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda. Your journey continues at Hanoi's first University—the Temple of Literature, which was built in 1070. Visit the infamous “Hanoi Hilton”—Hanoi's former central prison afterwards. Travel to Halong bay after lunch and transfer to your cruise ship upon arrival.
Day 13: HALONG/HANOI
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L/D
Continue your relaxing cruise on Halong Bay to visit Thien Cung Cave and Dau Go Grotto before enjoying a freshly prepared seafood lunch. In mid-afternoon your cruise ship will dock for your return trip back to Hanoi. Visit the Ceramic production house at Hai Duong Town and then en route to Hanoi this afternoon for dinner and a traditional water puppet show.
Day 14: HANOI/HONG KONG/USA
accommodations: n/a
meals: B
Get onboard a morning flight to Hong Kong for your connecting international flight back to the United States. Cross the International Dateline and arrive home the same day.

Inclusions

  • Prices listed above include Super Deluxe hotels.
  • Tour price includes sightseeing and meals as specified on the itinerary; intra-Vietnam airfare, private transfers, ground transportation, hotel accommodations, and the services of an English- speaking guide and driver.
  • All prices are quoted in US Dollars, and are subjected to change without notice. Please check at the time of reservation.
  • All prices are quoted per person, based on two travelers sharing a room (double occupancy). Single supplement applies for single travelers.
  • International airfare is included in air and land packages.

Exclusions

  • Passport or Vietnamese visa application fees.
  • Tips to guides and drivers.
  • Expenses of a personal nature.

Important Remarks

  • Prices are valid April 01, 2008 -- March 31, 2009. All prices are subject to change without notice.
  • For different scheduled tour, please contact us for a price quote.
  • All prices are quoted in US dollars, per person based on two people sharing a room (double occupancy).
  • All prices exclude International airfare, visa, tipping, and personal expenses.
  • For international flight departing from your city, please contact our agents for special discount airfare.
  • Lotus Travel highly recommends clients to purchase travel insurance. The Travel Plus Plan offered by the Travelex Insurance Company has excellent travel benefits and children 15 and under are free of charge when traveling with an adult.
  • A Chinese visa issued at the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles is good for 6 months. We recommend applying for travel visas at least two months before your departure. For detailed information, please visit the Web page at http://www.lotustours.net/promo/visas/index.shtml
  • Lotus Travel offers a very affordable cell phone rental package to help you stay in touch with families while in China. Please contact our cell phone rental specialist Theresa for more details.
Tour Overview
  • Tour Code:
    HOV-24
  • Trip Duration:
    12 days/11 nights
  • Price:
    Adult: $2,199 (Land Only)
    Chile: $1,760
  • Departure Dates:
    2008: 9/09, 10/10, 11/07, 12/12

    2009: 1/09, 2/13, 3/13, 4/11, 5/09, 6/13, 7/11, 8/08, 9/12, 10/10, 11/07, 12/12

    2010: 1/09, 2/13, 3/13

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