Splendours of Vietnam
Escorted Tour
17 Days From £1795
Marvel in the delights of this in-depth 17 day, 15 night journey spanning the entire length of Vietnam. Discovering rich history whilst exploring more remote areas, this tour combines the famous landmarks and hidden gems.
Including...
- Fully Escorted Tour with local English Speaking Guides throughout
- Scheduled Flights from the UK.
- All internal travel including air-conditioned/heated transportation.
- Accommodation, meals as specified and entry fees to all sights.
- All airport taxes and security charges.
17 Day Itinerary:
Day 1: UK to SaigonDepart London on your scheduled, overnight flight to Saigon International Airport. |
Day 2: SaigonAlso known as Ho Chi Minh, the dynamic city of Saigon is the start point of the tour. Spend half a day visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral, the former Presidential Palace and the War Remnants Museum before enjoying a local Vietnamese welcome dinner.
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Day 3: Saigon to Can ThoAfter breakfast visit Cao Dai temple before experiencing the fascinating network of rivers in the Mekong Delta. Journey, by motor boat, to the atmospheric Cai Be floating market to watch the locals trading. Visit a small family business and immerse yourself in the nature of Binh Hoa Phuoc Village. Fresh river food, traditional folk music and a bonsai garden await you before continuing to Vinh Long and then on to Can Tho, the largest town in the Mekong Delta.
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Day 4: Can Tho to SaigonYour morning in Can Tho will begin with a gentle trip through the picturesque canals and waterways in a small boat, taking in the sultry scenery and daily activities of the small boat vendors of the floating markets who live along these Mekong canals, as well as stopping at the spectacular Cai Rang floating market - the largest in the entire Mekong Delta. Before cruising back to land enjoy tasting tropical fruits at the Ba Cong Garden House. After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant you will be transferred back to your hotel in Saigon.
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Day 5: Saigon to DalatThis morning travel to the underground village of Cu Chi and discover the incredible 200km network of tunnels where the Viet Cong lived and fought during the war. Transfer to Saigon for a local lunch before catching your flight to Dalat.
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Day 6: DalatDuring this full day tour you will visit the French colonial town of Dalat, located in the South Central highlands. Explore the unique Railway Station and marvel at the Linh Phuoc Pagoda. The cultural north gives you the chance to understand the daily life of the Lach minority, the indigenous people of Dalat and enjoy a traditional Gong Music show. A cable car ride allows you to take in the panoramic views of Dalat before heading down to the beautiful Tuyen Lam Lake, surrounded by pine forests and the serene Truc Lam Zen Monastery. Finishing in the west, visit the Bao Dai Summer Palace to learn more about Vietnam's history.
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Day 7: Dalat to Nha TrangLeaving Dalat, you will transfer to the beach resort of Nha Trang for lunch. In the afternoon, visit some of the cultural attractions in and around the area to gain an excellent insight into the history and culture of the area. Begin with Long Son Pagoda, built in commemoration of the monks and nuns who died whilst fighting the Diem Government, and then see the Po Nagar Temples - fascinating examples of Cham architecture situated on Mount Cu Lao. Finish the day with some shopping at Dam Market.
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Day 8: Nha TrangToday you will enjoy a day of island hopping, starting with a trip to Tri Nguyen Aquarium on the Mieu Island. Continue to Mun Island, the best place for snorkelling in Nha Trang and blessed with a wealth of colourful coral reefs and marine life. Have time to relax or take part in some water sports at Mot Island or Tranh Beach Island. Enjoy lunch on Con Se Tre Island, before transferring back to your hotel in Nha Trang.
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Day 9: Nha Trang to Hoi AnAfter breakfast fly to Danang for your transfer to Hoi An for lunch before an afternoon tour. You will visit the Japanese Covered Bridge Pagoda, constructed in 1593 by the Japanese community. Next see the Sa Huynh Museum which contains exhibitions from the earliest period of Hoi An's history. You will also see the Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall, a Chinese pagoda dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea. Finally, finish the tour with a visit to a lantern making workshop and visit one of the many local tailors who can make up bespoke clothing at incredible prices.
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Day 10: Hoi AnFrom your hotel, you will be taken to a port where you will embark on a boat trip to Thanh Ha pottery village to learn about the daily life of the local people that live there. See various pottery items being made before returning to the boat to visit Kim Bong carpentry village where you will learn about the history of the village and see their local handicrafts.
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Day 11: Hoi AnEnjoy a free day to relax or further explore the town.
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Day 12: Hoi An to HueThe scenic drive from Hoi An hugs the coastline to Hue, the former capital of Vietnam. With a stop at the Marble Mountain to see the five marble and limestone hills, you will then reach Hue to visit the ancient Forbidden City. You will have some free time at Dong Ba Market before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant.
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Day 13: Hue to HanoiBegin your day by boarding a traditional Dragon boat for a tranquil trip along the Perfume River. Stop at Thien Mu Pagoda and the Royal Mausoleums of Emperor Tu Duc, who ruled Hue over 100 years ago, before visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Royal Tomb of Khai Dinh. Later, fly to Hanoi.
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Day 14: HanoiA full day tour of this historic city begins with the Ho Chi Minh Complex where the father of modern day Vietnam declared the nation's independence in 1945. Visit sites including the Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda, then drive to the Temple of Literature. After lunch, visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology before the evening highlight - a Water Puppet Performance, a unique form of Vietnamese art derived from the wet rice civilisation of South East Asia.
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Day 15: Hanoi to Halong BayThis memorable day takes you to the awe-inspiring Halong Bay where you will explore these tranquil islands on a luxury cruise boat, passing local towns and intricate limestone formations on the way. Take a tour of Thien Canh Son Cave, an ethereal wonderland of ancient carvings and suspended stalactites that hang beneath a canopy of glistening gems. Anchoring in the Cong Do area, a Vietnamese cooking demonstration will take place on the sundeck, followed by a sumptuous seafood dinner on board before you retire to your cabin for the evening.
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Day 16: Halong Bay to HanoiStart your day with a calming Tai Chi session before a rowing boat takes you to Vung Vieng fishing village, a settlement completely floating on water and dating back hundreds of years. In the afternoon you will travel back to Hanoi.
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Day 17: Hanoi to the UKFollowing breakfast you will depart for Hoa Lu to visit the temples of Dinh King and Le King, built in the 10th Century for the heroic kings in Chinese War. Next travel on to Tam Coc for lunch and travel on a local bamboo boat in Hoang Long River. On the way you will pass through three enormous caves and the striking limestone formations that the area is renowned for, before returning to Hanoi for your evening flight back to the UK.
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Your Meals
- Breakfast will always be served at your accommodation each morning during the tour.
- Lunch and Dinner, where included, will be served in local restaurants or at your accommodation.
Splendours of Vietnam
17 days from
£1795 per person
Prices subject to availability & change
Important Information
Visas
A visa is required for entry into Vietnam. We work closely with The Travel Visa Company who will be able to arrange your visa for you on your behalf. Please call them on 01270 250 590 and quote "Mercury Holidays". The cost of the visa is £98.50. The visas take around 10 working days to issue and are only valid for 3 months from the date of entry. We therefore recommend that you apply for your visa 8 weeks before travel, however please be aware that your passport will be required for the application so make sure that you will not need it during this time.
Payment
If booking more than 10 weeks before departure a deposit of £250pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 10 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 10 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
Flight Information
All flights are operated by Vietnam Airlines. Each passenger is entitled to 20kg of hold luggage & hand luggage of 5kg not exceeding 56cm x 36cm x 23cm in size. Flight times are for guidance only & subject to change.
Health and Vaccinations
We recommend that you consult your local GP for advice on vaccinations and travel health before your departure.
Physical Accessibility
This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves full days of sightseeing, often on foot, and includes some climbing of stairs and getting on and off coaches and boats. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
Group Size
The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 10, and the maximum will be 40. If in the unlikely event there are less than 10 people booked on your tour date then you may be asked to change to a different date. A full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
Tour Guide
This is a fully escorted tour, meaning that you will be met on arrival by your national guide who will remain with you for the duration of your trip. You will also be joined by a local guide in each of the cities which you visit, ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times.
Currency Information
The currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong, known as VND. You can exchange your currency in Vietnam, however US Dollars are widely accepted in Vietnam should you wish to keep an alternative currency on you. The currency in Cambodia is the Cambodian Riel, known as AHR. You can exchange your currency in Cambodia, however US Dollars are widely accepted in Cambodia should you wish to keep an alternative currency on you.
Personal Expenses
You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any personal purchases, such as souvenirs, laundry and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £100 - £200 will be sufficient for the duration of the tour, depending on how much of a bargain-hunter you are!