PLEASE NOTE (April 2/24): This listing remains valid overall, but has not been updated since February, so recent tweaks are not included here. Those going on the tour should refer to their Travefy app for an up-to-date agenda.
This tour follows the Rotary International Convention to be held May 25-29 in Singapore. As such, guests will depart Singapore Thu May 30 to begin their tour in Hanoi later that day. The tour will end in Ho Chi Minh (aka Saigon) on Fri June 14. Given the complex nature of these flight bookings, TravelMaven will be happy to help with travel plans.
Just the word "Vietnam" conjures up powerful images. For anyone over 60, those images are dominated by what led the nightly news during the Vietnam War. Reinforcing those surreal TV memories are dozens of Hollywood movies set in that place during that time.
Younger folks, especially those who have visited Southeast Asia, have equally powerful images. But those are very positive and often feature spectacular nature - beaches, islands, caves - charming local people and delicious Vietnamese food.
If you look at a map, you will see that Vietnam is long with a bulge at the north, narrow in the centre, and another bulge in the south. As a result, most tours go from one end to the other. This Haliburton Rotary tour will include 6 nights at the top, 5 nights in central Vietnam and 4 nights at the bottom.
The northern part of Vietnam offers an incredibly diverse variety of topography and sights. We will begin with 3 nights in the capital of Hanoi, followed by 1 night off the beaten track in Ninh Binh and finishing with 2 nights on a cruise of Halong Bay.
Our 6 night visit to central Vietnam begins a couple of nights in the 19th century capital of Hue, followed by plenty of time to explore the sights of Danang and Hoi An (probably the favourite destination for most western tourists).
Finally, we will spend 5 nights in southern Vietnam, beginning with the floating markets in the Mekong River delta at Can Tho and finishing with several days in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest city and business capital.
By the end of this 16 day tour, guests will have experienced many of the highlights to be found in this country of 90+ million people. Those wishing to stay longer in the region can also discuss those options with Barry.
LAND PACKAGE: C$5,880 (US$4,410)
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: C$1,900 (US$1,425)
PACE: Moderate (in heat & humidity)
LENGTH: 15 hotel nights
GROUP SIZE: max 24 guests
DATES:
Begins in Hanoi: May 30, 2024
Ends in Ho Chi Minh: June 13, 2024
LAND PACKAGE INCLUDES:
LeaH Silk Hotel Hanoi (or similar) 3 nts
Hang Mua Eco Lodge Ninh Binh (or similar) 1 nt
Bai Tho Cruise ship Halong Bay (or similar) 2 nts
Saigon Morin Hotel Hue (or similar) 2 nts
Little Riverside Hoi An (or similar) 3 nts
TTC Hotel Can Tho (or similar) 1 nt
Harmony Hotel HCM (or similar) 3 nts
Breakfasts (15)
Lunches (11)
Dinners (11)
All tours & activities listed
Halong Bay cruise (3 days)
Flight: Hanoi to Hue
Flight: Danang to Can Tho
Tour Concierge (Barry)
Local guides (Vespa Vietnam Tours)
Private ground transportation
All taxes and fees.
This tour is guaranteed to depart. This Land Package is in Canadian dollars, based on double occupancy, and guaranteed after the 20% deposit is received.
Day 1 (Thu May 30) Fly Singapore to Hanoi; Welcome Dinner (D)
Our group will meet at Changi Airport mid-morning to catch our afternoon flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival we will transfer to our downtown hotel. After an introductory walk around the neighbourhood, we will enjoy our Welcome Dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Day 2 (Fri May 31) Walking tour of Old Hanoi; (B, D)
On this day we will take a more extensive walk through the most historic and significant parts of downtown Hanoi with a local guide. After returning to our hotel for lunch and a break, we will continue our tour in the late afternoon that ends with a group dinner.
Day 3 (Sat Jun 1) Bus Tour of Hanoi; free evening (B, L)
We will take a bus tour of Hanoi beyond the Old Quarter, that includes lunch and multiple stops. Upon returning to the hotel in mid afternoon, guests will have a free evening
Day 4 (Sun Jun 2) Ninh Binh boat tour, cycling to Bich Dong Pagoda (B, L, D)
After checking out, we will transfer by bus to Ninh Binh city for a boat tour at Tam Coc and lunch. Afterwards, we will cycle to nearby Bich Dong Pagoda for a tour. Dinner is at our traditional accommodation.
Day 5 (Mon Jun 3) Day #1 Halong Bay Cruise (B, L, D)
We will depart Ninh Binh and drive to Halong Bay to catch our cruise ship at noon, just in time for lunch. In the afternoon and evening, guests will enjoy a variety of activities and sights.
Day 6 (Tue Jun 4) Day #2 Halong Bay Cruise (B, L, D)
Everyone wants to check out the placeThe day will bring a wide variety of activities, from swimming to caving to kayaking to sunbathing. All meals are buffet style on the boat.
Day 7 (Wed Jun 5) Day #3 Halong Bay Cruise; fly to Hue (B, L, D)
Our cruise will end just before noon, when we will transfer to the Hanoi airport to catch out flight to this 19th century capital of Vietnam. Dinner will be at our hotel.
Day 8 (Thu Jun 6) Tour Historic Capital of Hue (B, L, D)
This day combines tours of the Hue Citadel and free time for everyone to explore this small and charming city on their own. Dinner is at a special local restaurant.
Day 9 (Fri Jun 7) Train to Danang, City Tour; transfer to Hoi An (B, L, D)
First thing is a train ride from Hue to Danang along the spectacular Vietnamese coast. Upon arrival, we will transfer to the Son Tra Peninsula for lunch. Afterwards, we will stop at Marble Mountain on our way to Hoi An, Vietnam's most popular destination for western tourists.
Day 10 (Sat Jun 8) Free Morning in Hoi An; Food Tour in late afternoon; Free Evening (B, L)
Hoi An is a lovely small city to explore on foot. In the late afternoon, a local guide will take those interested in a food tour through the markets and local restaurants. The evening is free.
Day 11 (Sun Jun 9) My Son Sacturary tour; free afternoon & evening (B, L)
On our final dEarly in the morning we will drive to the nearby archeological site of My Son, which dates from the same period as the Siem Reap ruins in Cambodia. Afternoon and evening are free.
Day 12 (Mon Jun 10) Fly to Can Tho; Night Market (B, D)
After breakfast, we will transfer to the Danang Airport to catch out flight to Can Tho in the Mekong River Delta near the Cambodian border. After check-in, we will find dinner at the local Night Market.
Day 13 (Tue Jun 11) Cai Rang Floating Market; Mekong Delta; Ho Chi Minh (B, L)
We will get up before dawn to visit the largest floating market in Vietnam. After returning to our hotel for breakfast, we will check out and head towards Ho Chi Minh, stopping in Con Phung for lunch.
Day 14 (Wed Jun 12) Cu Chi Tunnels; free afternoon & evening (B, D)
For anyone in our group interested in the Vietnam War, a visit to the Cu Chi tunnels is a must. Those who suffer claustrophobia may want to stay outside, but this place offers a fascinating look at how soldiers and their families lived during two decades of war. In the afternoon, several options will be presented.
Day 15 (Thu Jun 13) War Remnants Museum; free afternoon; Farewell Dinner (B, L, D)
On our final day in Vietnam, we will visit the War Remnants Museum which includes many relics of the 'American War'. After some free time for last minute shopping, we will go to a special restaurant for our Farewell Dinner.
Day 16 (Fri Jun 14) End of tour; fly to Toronto (B)
After breakfast and check-out, we will head to the airport to catch our flights home.