2013-2014 BRIEF ITINERARY Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13 Day 14 Day 15 HA NOI ARRIVAL HA NOI HA LONG BAY (BLD) HA LONG BAY HA NOI (BL) HA NOI CITY TOUR DA NANG (B) BY OVERNIGHT TRAIN 16 hours ARRIVE AT DA NANG HOI AN (B) HOI AN MY SON SANCTUARY (BL) HOI AN COUNTRYSIDE PORTRAIT BY BICYCLE (B) HOI AN - FREE AT LEISURE (B) HOI AN MARBLE MOUNTAIN HO CHI MINH CITY (B) BY FLIGHT 1 hour HO CHI MINH CITY MEKONG DELTA DAY TRIP (BL) HO CHI MINH CITY - LOCAL LIFE HOMESTAY (BLD) HO CHI MINH CITY SIEM REAP (B) BY BUS 13-14 hours SIEM REAP FLOATING VILLAGE (B) SIEM REAP ANGKOR TEMPLES (BL) SIEM REAP DEPARTURE (B) 32 Tien Giang St., Tan Binh Dist., HCMC l Tel: +84-8-3547 0787 l Fax: +84-8-3547 0788 09 Phan Chu Trinh St., Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province l Tel: +84-510-391 9293 l Fax: +84-510-391 9779 l www.hoianexpress.com.vn
DAY 1 ARRIVE HA NOI OWN FLIGHT Upon arrival, welcome by your guide and transfer to hotel for check-in. Rest of the day free atleisure. Overnight in Ha Noi. 4* option: FLOWER GARDEN HOTEL Deluxe 5* option: SHERATON HANOI HOTEL Deluxe DAY 2 HA NOI HA LONG BAY (BLD) The shuttle bus will pick you up at your hotel and depart for Ha long Bay, we go through the scenic countryside. The wondrous Ha Long Bay is truly one of Vietnam s most impressive scenic sights. Heading out of the town we embark on a boat for an exploration of the legendary Ha Long Bay. This exciting five hour cruise will provide us a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. The limestone karsts formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. Overnight on the Junk Cruise. 4* option: EMOTION CRUISE Deluxe 5* option: BHAYA CLASSIC Deluxe DAY 3 HA LONG HA NOI (BL) After breakfast, swimming andsunbathing. After lunch, return to Ha Noi. Overnight in Ha Noi. 4* option: FLOWER GARDEN HOTEL Deluxe 5* option: SHERATON HANOI HOTEL Deluxe DAY 4 HA NOI CITY TOUR DA NANG (B) BY TRAIN (16 hours) After breakfast, set our for a half-day city tour of Hanoi. With ochre-coloured colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic lakes, Ha Noi is full of charms. Visit some of Ha Noi s heritage sites such as: Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature), the first Imperial school in Vietnam that was built in 1070 during the dynasty of King Ly. We will also visit Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple (Jade Mountain Temple), But Tower (pen shaped tower), Dai Nghien (Ink Stand), and The Huc Bridge (wooden bridge painted in red). We will also take a cyclo (pedicab) ride around the 36 meandering streets of Old Quarter to enjoy the bustling local life. Transfer to train station to catch the overnight train to Da Nang. Overnight in on train. REUNIFICATION EXPRESS TRAIN / Softberth/ cabin-four berths DAY 5 ARRIVE AT DA NANG HOI AN FREE AT LEISURE Arrive in Da Nang station, meet your local guide and transfer to Hoi An for check-in (early check-in subject to availability). Overnight in Hoi An. 4* option: RIVER BEACH RESORT AND RESIDENCES Deluxe 5* option: SUNRISE HOI AN BEACH RESORT - Deluxe Garden View
DAY 6 HOI AN MY SON SANCTUARY (BL) After breakfast, One of the most stunning sights to see in Hoi An area is My Son, Vietnam s most important site of the ancient kingdom of Champa. Located in the heart of a beautiful valley and surrounded by high mountains ranges, My Son is around 45 km away from Hoi An Old Town. Letters from the 4th century were found whist excavating My Son, revealing that complex for offerings and worship of the Hindu god. In 1999, UNESCO conservation protects cultural heritage world. Originally built with wood, they were completely destroyed by fire in the 6th century and restored in the 7th century by Sambhuvarman who rebuilt the temples with locally made bricks. Up to the 13th century, more than 70 similar temples were built, establishing My Son asa sanctuary of Hinduism in the Champa Kingdom. Overnight in Hoi An. 4* option: RIVER BEACH RESORT AND RESIDENCES Deluxe 5* option: SUNRISE HOI AN BEACH RESORT - Deluxe Garden View DAY 7 HOI AN COUNTRYSIDE PORTRAIT BY BICYCLE (B) After breakfast, this half-day biking tour offers a good way to discover the rural local life and enjoy the beautiful hidden landscapes. You will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the dock where we will take a boat ride to Cam Kim Commune to visit the carpentry village of Kim Bong. There, you will discover the ancient architectural construction, with wooden furniture, and shipbuilding using traditional techniques. We will ride around the village and enjoy stunning rural scenes, rice paddies, fishing village, water buffalos, and/or bamboo bridge. We will learn some local techniques such as how farmers plant and dry sedges for making weaving mats. We will also stop at the place where basket boats are made; this unique small boat has a round shape and is used for fishing. Overnight in Hoi An. 4* option: RIVER BEACH RESORT AND RESIDENCES Deluxe 5* option: SUNRISE HOI AN BEACH RESORT - Deluxe Garden View DAY 8 HOI AN FREE AT LEISURE (B) Today is full day free atleisure on your own relaxation. Overnight in Hoi An. 4* option: RIVER BEACH RESORT AND RESIDENCES Deluxe 5* option: SUNRISE HOI AN BEACH RESORT - Deluxe Garden View DAY 9 HOI AN MARBLE MOUNTAIN HO CHI MINH CITY (B) BY FLIGHT 1 hour The Marble Mountain is a popular sightseeing location in Da Nang because of its alluring beauty. Stone steps carved into the mountain lead to a Buddhist Pagoda. You can also discover stunning caves and enjoy the beautiful view from the top of the mountain. Upon arrival to the mountain, we will climb up the stone stairs and visit the caves and pagodas as well as admire the beautiful panoramic view. We will then head down the mountain and visit the stone village where the local skilled sculptors create many marble products. Transfer to airport to catch the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to hotel for check-in. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city. 4* option: GOLDEN CENTRAL HOTEL Deluxe 5* option: HOTEL EQUATORIAL HO CHI MINH CITY - Deluxe
DAY 10 HO CHI MINH CITY MEKONG DELTA DAY TRIP (BL) After breakfast, enjoy a ride from Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta, we enjoy a cruise to visit the Cai Be Floating Market where you can watch locals aboard their small boats trading fresh goods and commodities. Then, you discover the Binh Hoa Phuoc Islet and learn the secrets of their bonsai gardening and sample local products. We then continue to Vinh Long Town crossing the My Thuan Suspension Bridge. Experience a traditional lunch meal ata local home. After lunch, drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. 4* option: GOLDEN CENTRAL HOTEL Deluxe 5* option: HOTEL EQUATORIAL HO CHI MINH CITY - Deluxe DAY 11 LOCAL LIFE & SAI GON HOME-STAY (BLD) A Unique Tour SEE the true Vietnam! Through this tour, you will have the opportunity to discover places in the city where no tourists go. The tour will start with a stop by a local school and spend a short time observing Vietnamese students starting their day. We will give you insights on the Vietnamese scholar system, what they study, what a normal day for a student is like, etc. We will continue our journey to a very famous and special temple. You can observe and make a wish in an odd gesture to find out if you will be lucky this year. We will walk to a local Vietnamese market. At the market, we will be surrounded by local merchants selling meats, fishes, vegetables, and flowers. We can buy some samples of local food, allowing you to try the unique tastes of Vietnam. Moving on, we will explore very small streets where cars cannot go through. There, you will have a glimpse of the real Vietnam and get the feeling that truly captures its essence. We will cross Pho s stalls, typical hair cut salons, motorbike mechanics, and grocery stores. We will cross over small bridges where you will discover typical poor straw made houses on stilts. We will get back to the car and go to a local Vietnamese house where you will be able to cook a traditional lunch. What better than a relaxing afternoon at the massage parlor after lunch? We will head to a massage parlor where you will enjoy various services such as hair wash, facial massage, manicure, and pedicure to make you feel relax. We will finish our day with a nice and refreshing drink in a Vietnamese coffee shop. We will finally go back to the hotel, full of unforgettable moments andtypical pictures of Vietnam. Advice: we advise you to wear closed shoes between June and October as the market andstreets may be very dirty during to rainy season. Home-stay overnight (well-equipped facilities, clean andcomfortable) DAY 12 HO CHI MINH CITY SIEM REAP (B) BY BUS 13-14 hours Enjoy breakfast with the local family and leave for the bus station to go to Siem Reap. It will take 13-14 hours to travel from Ho Chi Minh City Siem Reap. 20:00 21:00 Arrive at Siem Reap. Overnight in Siem Reap. Option to exchange bus ride to flight is available at extra AUD 200pp 4* option: FRANGIPANI BOUTIQUE Deluxe room 5* option: LE MÉRIDIEN ANGKOR Superior room
DAY 13 SIEM REAP FLOATING VILLAGE (B) Free atleisure in the morning. In the afternoon, visit one of Siem Reap s authentic floating villages. Located on the north-western tip of the Tonle Sap, Me Chhrey village allows for an authentic floating village experience. The small village is home to families who unlike other floating communities still live in wooden house boats. The village moves throughout the year, depending on the water levels of the lake. At the end of the dry season when the lake s water levels are at its lowest, the villagers move closer to shore and live primarily from agricultural activities on land. By visiting a local home you get a better understanding of life on the lake and your guide would be more than happy to translate your questions to your hosts. Return to the port and visit the Silk Farm of Artisans d Angkor, located a 15 minute drive away. Here people with underprivileged backgrounds are given an opportunity to improve their livelihoods by reviving the ancient crafts of making art and producing silk. A local representative accompanies you and walks you through the farm and explains all the steps necessary to produce quality silk. Return to town for a free evening. Overnight in Siem Reap. 4* option: FRANGIPANI BOUTIQUE Deluxe room 5* option: LE MÉRIDIEN ANGKOR Superior room DAY 14 ANGKOR TEMPLES (ANGKOR WAT ANGKOR THOM) (BL) Start the day early and visit Angkor Wat for sunrise. The temple dates back to the first half of the 12 th century. King Suryavarman II constructed this magnificent masterpiece and built it to become the largest religious monument in the world. Its perfection in composition, balance, proportions, reliefs and sculptures make it one of the finest in the world. This temple is an expression of Khmer art at its highest point of development. It took in its entirety roughly 30 years to construct Angkor Wat. Continue afterwards to the former capital of the Angkor Kingdom, Angkor Thom, which translates to Great City. The city covers an area of 9km² in which numerous breath-taking monuments were built. The South Gate offers the grandest access to the city where the Victory Gate grants access on the East side, leaving the East Gate, which is also known as the Gate of the Death beautifully untouched in a very quiet part of the complex. The centrepiece of the city is the Bayon. Its most distinctive features are the 216 serene stone faces that seemingly face all directions. The Baphuon and Phimeanakas are structures built in the 11 th and 10 th century respectively and both were built in the pyramid style. The Terrace of the Elephants is a 300 meters long terrace that has three main platforms and two subsidiary ones. The south stairway is framed with three-head elephants gathering lotus flowers with their trunks. The central stairway is decorated by lions and garudas in bas-reliefs in a stance of support for the stairways. One of the main attractions of this terrace is the facade decorated with elephants and their riders depicted in profile. Likewise, the Terrace of Leper King was constructed in the 12 th century. The curious name of this terrace refers to a statue of the Leper King that is on the platform of the terrace. Lunch can be enjoyed in between the visits at Sras Srang.
Transfer after lunch to Preah Kahn Temple. Largely unrestored, Preah Kahn is one of the excellent monuments that is often given a pass for no obvious reason. Regarded to as one of the largest structures in the Angkor Kingdom, Preah Kahn was home to 100.000 officials and servants. The temple offers a serene jungle like environment and allows visitors to regain that exploring feeling. After visiting this beautiful structure, visit Ta Prohm, which is considered to be the most photographed temple within the Angkor complex. Constructed in the Bayon style between the late 12 th and early 13 th century, Ta Prohm was left pretty much untouched by archaeologists. The trees that grow out of the ruins allow for a mysterious feeling filled with photogenic opportunities. King Jayavarman VII constructed the temple as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university and it is estimated that close to 80.000 people resided at the temple. Return to Siem Reap afterwards or opt to catch sunset at Sras Srang, the Royal Bathing Pool of the previous Kings of Angkor. Overnight in Siem Reap. 4* option: FRANGIPANI BOUTIQUE Deluxe room 5* option: LE MÉRIDIEN ANGKOR Superior room DAY 15 SIEM REAP DEPARTURE (B) After breakfast, free time at leisure until transfer to Siem Reap airport to catch the departure flight. END OF SERVICES.
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS Inclusions: Pre-approval for visa upon arrival for visa to Vietnam Hotel pick-up and return by new air-condition minivan Accommodations (twin/double/triple share), check-in time: 14:00, check-out time: 12:00 All entrance fees Boat trip in Ha Long, in Mekong delta Mineral water Meals specific in the itinerary (B = Breakfasts, L = Lunch, D = Dinner) Stationed English speaking tour guides Travel insurance Train ticket (Ha Noi - Da Nang), 16 hours - soft berth, 4 berths in 1 cabin - option of exchanging train ticket to flight ticket and 1 extra night in Hoi An. Bus ticket (Ho Chi Minh City Siem Reap) 13-14 hours, air-conditioned, modern, spacious, comfortable 40 seats buses, with tinted window glass, curtains, on-board toilet. Option of exchange bus ride to flight is available at extra AUD 200pp Domestic Flight ticket in Vietnam (Da Nang Ho Chi Minh City), 20 kg checked baggage, 7 kg hand baggage Child 0 5 years old: 10%, 6 10 years old: 50% (sharing bed with parents, maximum 2 children), full charge for adult price if request separate bed Exclusions: Visa to Cambodia USD 25 (paid at the border) Visa stamp fee USD 45 (paid to the Visa office at Noi Bai Airport) Tips and gratuities Personal expenses such as: shopping, telephone, beverage, etc. All International air tickets from/ to Australia All others services not mentioned in inclusion Hotel standard Public rate (twin/double/triple share) Public rate (single room) 4* option AUD 2,299 AUD 3,199 5* option AUD 3,235 AUD 4,880
DEPARTURE DATES 2013 1-Sep-2013 8-Sep-2013 15-Sep-2013 22-Sep-2013 29-Sep-2013 6-Oct-2013 13-Oct-2013 20-Oct-2013 27-Oct-2013 3-Nov-2013 10-Nov-2013 11-Nov-2013 17-Nov-2013 24-Nov-2013 1-Dec-2013 8-Dec-2013 15-Dec-2013 18-Dec-2013 2014 5-Jan-2014 12-Jan-2014 19-Jan-2014 26-Jan-2014 2-Feb-2014 9-Feb-2014 16-Feb-2014 23-Feb-2014 9-Mar-2014 16-Mar-2014 23-Mar-2014 30-Mar-2014 6-Apr-2014 13-Apr-2014 20-Apr-2014 27-Apr-2014 4-May-2014 11-May-2014 18-May-2014 25-May-2014 1-Jun-2014 8-Jun-2014 15-Jun-2014 22-Jun-2014 29-Jun-2014 6-Jul-2014 13-Jul-2014 20-Jul-2014 27-Jul-2014 3-Aug-2014 10-Aug-2014 17-Aug-2014 24-Aug-2014 31-Aug-2014 7-Sep-2014 14-Sep-2014 21-Sep-2014 28-Sep-2014 5-Oct-2014 12-Oct-2014 19-Oct-2014 26-Oct-2014 2-Nov-2014 9-Nov-2014 16-Nov-2014 23-Nov-2014 30-Nov-2014 2-Dec-2014 7-Dec-2014 14-Dec-2014 21-Dec-2014 *** Note If you cannot choose any from above departure dates, please contact us at info@hoianexpress.com.vn, we will check the availability and we may arrange the trip departing on your request date.
FLEXIBLE BOOKING For daily tours in HCMC or in Hoi An, guests can request to exchange one full day for other full day tour or 2 half day tours without surcharge. Other daily tours can be added to the program with 20% discount. Ho Chi Minh City tours Half day tours SSG0002 SSG0024 SSG0029 SSG0003 SSG0035 SSG0041 Explore Ho Chi Minh City Exploring the biggest & busiest city Explore Cho Lon Discovering China Town by cyclo Ho Chi Minh City tour Shopping in Ho Chi Minh City Cu Chi Tunnels Experiencing Vietnam war Home cooking class Motorbike tour Ho Chi Minh City adventure Moto tour Full day tours (with lunch) SSG0012 Ho Chi Minh City tour Historical Discovery (Depart daily except Monday) SSG0037 Have fun in Vietnam SSG0004 Historical excursion Cu Chi tunnels & Cao Dai temple SSG0015 Historical excursion Cu Chi Tunnels & Ho Chi Minh City tour SMK0001 Mekong Delta My Tho Ben Tre coconut village SMK0002 Mekong Delta Cai Be floating market Vinh Long town SSG0020 Temple & Mountain excursion Cao Dai temple Black Lady Mountain SVT0002 Historical excursion Long Tan battlefield SSG0028 Monkey island excursion Exploring world biosphere reverse SMK0010 Mekong Delta Cai Be floating market Ben Tre Lach market Hoi An/Da Nang tours Half-day tours CHA0001 CHA0004 CHA0002 CHA0006 CHA0035 CHA0036 CHA0043 CHA0027 CHA0049 Hoi An City tour Hoi An and lantern making discoveries My Son Sanctuary Hoi An boat trip to traditional villages Marble Mountain Bicycle tour Foodie tour Villages adventure by motorbike Countryside portrait by sidecar Full-day tours (with lunch) CHA0003 My Son Sanctuary and Hoi An City tour CHA0031 Bicycle tour CHA0034 Handmade villages tour CHA0011 Hue, the imperial city CHA0010 Da Nang discovery CHA0009 Cham island CHA0017 Hoi An City tour and Marble Mountain CHA0036 My Son Sanctuary and Marble Mountain CHA0053 Hai Van pass and Lang Co beach
CONTACT TERMS & CONDITIONS Contact Pham Que Anh (Annie) Info@hoianexpress.com.vn l Cell: +84-903 731 899 Copy of passports International flight tickets *** Documents to provide Minimum 2 vouchers per booking Booking at least 30 days in advance Booking Hotels/cruise will be at 4 or 5 star standard and will be booked at similar standard when the ones listing are fully booked. Terms & Conditions - CHANGES BY THE CUSTOMER PRIOR TO DEPARTURE A modification of booking by the customer won t lead to complementary charges in the following cases: Increase of the number ofpax Increase of the number ofservices In case of a change arising during the trip, the supplementary charges will be directly paid atthis time. - CANCELLATION CHARGES ALL cancellation from the customer arise additional charges as follows: More than 90 days before departure: 10% of the tour price 30-90 days before departure: 50% of the tour price 7-29 days before departure: 75% of the tour price Less than 7 days or No show: 100% of the tour price - VALIDITY OF VOUCHER During the year 2013, 2014