14 Days Simply Vietnam - ASIA

Transcription

1 14 Days Simply Vietnam - ASIA Vacation Overview With its long history, interesting culture, and gorgeous scenery, Vietnam offers something for everyone. On this Vietnam tour, you ll overnight in Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City. Sightseeing tours in the cities feature the mustsee, historic sites, including Hanoi s Temple of Literature, built in 1070, and One Pillar Pagoda, built in 1049; Hoi An s Japanese Covered Bridge; and Hue s Forbidden Purple City, the emperor s residence constructed in In Ho Chi Minh City, your sightseeing includes Notre Dame Cathedral, constructed with materials brought from France in the 1800s; the War Remnants Museum; and the Cu Chi region, where you'll have a chance to enter and explore the deep, narrow tunnels constructed by the Viet Cong during the war. You'll enjoy seeing some of Vietnam's gorgeous scenery and destinations via the water. Take an overnight cruise on Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with some of the world's most amazing scenery. You'll cruise by islets, caves, beaches, and floating villages. You'll also enjoy a cruise in Hoi An on the Thu Bon River, where you'll pass unspoiled countryside. In Hue, a boat trip on the Perfume River takes you to Thien Mu Pagoda, built in 1601, and the Imperial Tomb of Minh Mang, dating to Learn about life on the Mekong River as you journey on sampans at Cai Be and Cai Rang, a bustling floating market where you'll see the colorful throng of vendors jostling for space and vying to sell their wares. These are just some of the many highlights on this tour through Vietnam. From the historic sites to the gorgeous scenery, this Vietnam tour designed for savvy, value minded travelers is a vacation of a lifetime! Sightseeing: In Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City. Inside visits as shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.

2 14 Days Simply Vietnam - ASIA Accommodations MEALS: 13 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 6 dinners HOTELS HANOI Moevenpick Hotel Hanoi (MD) HA LONG BAY La Vela Classic (MF) HOI AN Essence Hoi An Hotel (SF) HUE Indochine Palace (MF) HO CHI MINH Pullman Saigon Centre Hotel (SF) CAN THO Victoria Resort (SF) Transportation: Private, deluxe, air conditioned motor coach while touring

3 Itinerary: Day 1 Hanoi, Vietnam. Welcome to Vietnam s capital city, an attractive, laidback city with charming FrenchColonialstyle buildings. Day 2 Hanoi. Today s included sightseeing tour takes you to many of the city s highlights, including the TEMPLE OF LITERATURE, a peaceful series of walled courtyards and gateways, and ONE PILLAR PAGODA, designed to resemble a lotus blossom. You will also see Ho Chi Minh s stilt house, Hoan Kiem Lake, and the fascinating network of alleyways and shop houses that make up the Old Quarter. (B,L,D) Day 3 Hanoi. Today s fullday excursion begins with a drive through the tranquil countryside to CHUA THAY PAGODA, home to an ancient stage where it is believed the first water puppet show was performed. Later, admire the carved wooden roof and unique architectural shape of TAY PHUONG, one of Vietnam s first pagodas. (B,L) Day 4 Hanoi Ha Long Bay Cruise. Drive to Ha Long Bay, one of Vietnam s favorite destinations, and board your CRUISE. After lunch, set sail through the dramatic limestone islands. Explore the Sung Sot (Surprising Cave) grotto before visiting Luon Cave by rowing boat. Anchor in a secluded lagoon overnight. (B,L,D) NOTE: An overnight bag is recommended for your Halong Bay cruise. Day 5 Ha Long Bay Hanoi Danang Hoi An. Continue cruising this morning. Visit Titov, one of the most beautiful beaches in the bay, where you can climb 400 steps to be rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view. Disembark late this morning, and journey back to Hanoi to board your flight to Danang, Vietnam s fourthlargest city. Upon arrival, drive to the charming town of Hoi An. (B,L,D) Day 6 Hoi An. Start today with a leisurely WALKING TOUR, taking in sites such as the JAPANESE COVERED BRIDGE and the SA HUYNH MUSEUM with its early Hoi An history. This afternoon, CRUISE on the Thu Bon River, passing unspoiled countryside. (B,L,D) Day 7 Hoi An. Today is free to further explore the quaint streets of Hoi An. Perhaps take a cooking class, visit a spa, or simply stroll the shops and galleries of this unique little town. (B)

4 Day 8 Hoi An Danang Hue. Journey back to Danang and visit the CHAM MUSEUM. Continue through spectacular Hai Van Pass (weather permitting) to the imperial walled city of Hue. Here, visit the FORBIDDEN PURPLE CITY, modeled after Beijing s famed Forbidden CIty. During your visit, you will see Thai Hoa Palace, the Halls of the Mandarins, and the Nine Dynastic Urns. (B,L,D) Day 9 Hue Ho Chi Minh City. Begin today with a BOAT TRIP on the Perfume River to the pretty THIEN MU PAGODA, made up of seven tiers, each dedicated to a step assumed by Buddha to reach enlightenment. Continue up the river to the IMPERIAL TOMB OF MINH MANG, a majestic complex of courtyards, pavilions, and temples in a beautiful setting. Later, fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam s largest and most vibrant city, packed with timeless traditions. (B,L) Day 10 Ho Chi Minh City. Today s sightseeing tour takes in Dong Khoi Street, the main shopping thoroughfare, NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL, and the CENTRAL POST OFFICE. Afterward, visit the REUNIFICATION PALACE, the WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM, JADE EMPEROR PAGODA, as well as the Cholon Chinese district. (B,L) Day 11 Ho Chi Minh City. Cu Chi Tunnels Excursion. Today, visit the CU CHI TUNNELS, an extraordinaty network of tunnels more than 120 miles long that was used by the Viet Cong as a hideout and secret village during the war. See secret trapdoors, underground kitchens, living areas, and meeting rooms. If you are feeling adventurous, you may enter and explore the deep, narrow tunnels. (B) Day 12 Ho Chi Minh Can Tho. Journey south to Cai Be, known for its large floating markets, and board a SAMPAN for an introduction to life on the Mekong River. Continue across the upper reaches of the river to a maze of tributaries and fruit plantations before ending at Vinh Long. Later, travel to the Mekong Delta s economic hub city of Can Tho. (B,L,D) Day 13 Can Tho Ho Chi Minh. This morning, enjoy a CRUISE to Cai Rang and sail through the colorful floating market where the locals jostle for space to sell their wares. Return to Can Tho for lunch on your own before returning to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon. (B) Day 14 Ho Chi Minh. Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

5 Available Departures Dates & Prices do not include air travel. Participation in this vacation requires purchase of the following flights from Cosmos, not included in pricing: (1) roundtrip air from your U.S. gateway and intravacation air segments; or (2) intravacation air segments only, starting at $300. Required intravacation air segments: Hanoi/Danang; Hue/Ho Chi Minh City. Air prices were effective on August 17, 2016, and their availability is limited. At the time you purchase your tour, air prices may be higher. Gratuities for Tour Director, driver, and Local guides are available for prepurchase on the base vacation. For vacations that include an extension to the base, prepaid gratuities only include the base portion. Any additional gratuities would need to be paid on trip. Prices based on double room occupancy.