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Vietnam Highlights

Vietnam Holidays - The Imperial City at Hue

Click on the name of the hotel for details

12 days from £1230

excluding international flights

DAY 1 – Depart UK.

Recommended flight from London: Vietnam Airlines direct service from London Gatwick (see below).  If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

DAY 2 – Arrival in Hanoi.  Afternoon city tour.

DAY 3 – Hanoi.

The day is at leisure in Vietnam's capital city.  There are several interesting museums you could visit - the Museum of Ethnology, or the History Museum - or you might simply want to wander through the atmospheric Old Quarter with its shops, restaurants and bars.  In the early evening there is the opportunity to watch a traditional Water Puppet show at the Municipal Theatre.  The World Discovery agents can organise any of these visits for you.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 4 - Excursion to Halong Bay.

Full day excursion to Halong Bay.  Return to Hanoi in the evening.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.

HALONG BAY LUXURY CRUISE

For those with more time, as an alternative to the full day trip to Halong Bay from Hanoi you can now choose to spend a few days cruising through these incredible islands aboard the luxurious 'Jasmine' junk [Halong Bay Luxury Cruise].

DAY 5 - Fly to Hue.

Morning flight to Hue, where you will be met and taken to your hotel. In the afternoon explore the early 19th century Imperial City, modelled on Beijing's Forbidden City and surrounded by a wide moat. Much of the original construction has disappeared but what survives is impressive.
Meals included: Full breakfast .

DAY 6 – Hue.

After breakfast take a cruise on the Perfume River to visit the early 17th century Thien Mu Pagoda, whose seven tiers each represent one of Buddha's incarnations on earth. During the day you will also visit some of the magnificent Royal Tombs of the all-powerful Nguyen dynasty who ruled over Vietnam in the 19th century and who switched the capital from Hanoi to Hue. The most memorable are the Mausoleum of the Emperor Tu Doc, with elegant pavilions reflected in serene lakes, and the Mausoleum of Khai Dinh with its life size statues and dragon-ornamented stairways.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 7 – By road via Danang to Hoi An.

Travel along the scenic coastal road south to Danang to visit the small but interesting Cham Museum. The Cham dynasties ruled over southern Vietnam for more than a thousand years (4th to 15th centuries). Continue to the picturesque port of Hoi An and transfer to your hotel.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

Pictured: Hoi An market.

DAY 8 - Hoi An.

At leisure in Hoi An. An optional excursion could be arranged to the evocative Cham city of My Son, recently recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 9 - Fly to Saigon.

Return to Danang and fly to Ho Chi Minh City, better known as Saigon. Transfer on arrival to your hotel. In the afternoon take a brief tour of this vibrant modern city, including the History Museum and Notre Dame Cathedral.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 10 - The Mekong Delta.

Drive south of the city to join the Cai Be Princess, a deluxe sampan which cruises along the Mekong canals to Dong Hoa Hiep Island, located between Vinh Long and Cai Be.  During this 40 minutes cruise you will observe the typical Mekong Delta rural life.  Lunch is included at a resort in Phu An.  Take a walk alongside a narrow canal before driving back to Saigon in the afternoon.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 11 - Saigon.  Depart for home.

At leisure until your transfer to the airport in the evening for your homeward international flight.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 12 – Arrive London.

Arrive London in the morning.

International Flights

We recommend the direct services of Vietnam Airlines from London Gatwick on Fridays. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Gatwick/Hanoi. Depart at 12.00; arrive Hanoi at 06.40 (next day)
Saigon/Gatwick.  Depart at 23.25; arrive Gatwick at 06.20 (next day)
For other days of the week, Thai Airways International via Bangkok offer the best schedules.

Vietnam Holidays: Vietnam Highlights (Tour Reference: WDVT001)
2012 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Single Room Supplements on request.

The price includes:

• Hotel accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
• 9 full breakfasts and 2 lunches as shown in the itinerary.
• Scheduled flights between Hanoi and Hue, and between Danang and Saigon, including taxes.
• Private transfers throughout.
• All sightseeing as shown (unless indicated as ‘optional’), including guiding and entrance fees.

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance.
• International airport taxes.
  
• Optional sightseeing. The World Discovery representatives in each city will be pleased to organise any sightseeing you may wish to include during your stay.
• Tipping. We will be pleased to give guidance in this often sensitive matter
• Visa for Vietnam. This should be obtained before departure from the United Kingdom. We recommend that you obtain your visa through CIBT in London - www.uk.cibt.com.

A deposit of £250 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your Vietnam holiday must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.