Vietnam Sampler - Privately Guided

Day 1 - Welcome to Hanoi!
Check in to your choice of city-center hotel, the superior first class Sheraton Hotel or the deluxe Hilton Hotel. The balance of the day is yours to enjoy as you wish.

Day 2 - Hanoi to Ha Long Bay#WHS#
After breakfast, you journey to Ha Long Bay. The scenic drive is just a few hours, but the breathtaking scenery that greets you will feel worlds away from the city. Ha Long Bay is filled with thousands of limestone islands, forested peaks, hidden coves, secret caves, and emerald green waters that stretch forth as far as you can see. Traditional sailing junks and local fishing boats ply these waters and here you’ll board the ship of your choice…

The traditional Bai Tho Junk is a delightful way to explore this breathtaking region. This charming vessel is comfortable and intimate, with hand-crafted wooden interiors and spacious air-conditioned cabins with private baths.

Styled after the grand junks that were once reserved exclusively for the Emperor, the 5-star Bhaya Classic offers 20 luxurious outside staterooms, each with a picture window, private en suite bath, hand crafted hardwood furniture, colorful textiles and gold and white fittings.

Board your ship around Noon and settle in to your stateroom as your voyage gets underway. After lunch, the afternoon is yours to relax and enjoy as you cruise through the magnificent scenery exploring along tranquil coves and past limestone caves to visit a selection of islands. As weather and sea conditions permit, you might swim or kayak during the afternoon. Of course, there’s plenty of time to just relax onboard, enjoying the vistas, and socializing with fellow passengers. Dinner is served onboard. Meals B,L,D

Day 3 - Return to Hanoi
Arise early to watch the sun cast its first light across the peaks and waters of Ha Long Bay. After a leisurely breakfast onboard and time to take-in the scenery, step off ship in the late morning and return to Hanoi with your private car and driver for a guided city sightseeing tour. Travel along the tree-lined streets of the city, resplendent with French colonial architecture, including the lovely Opera House. Pass by the Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake) and hear the legend behind its name. Visit the 11th-century Temple of Literature and then walk with your guide through the historic Old Quarter, where streets – like Sugar Street and Paper Street - are named for the goods that have been sold there for generations. Overnight again at your choice of hotel, the Sheraton or Hilton. Meals B,L

Day 4 - Onward to historic Hoi An#WHS#
Fly to Danang and visit the Cham Museum, an open-air collection of some of the finest sandstone carvings in the world including temple decorations from the Hindu culture that flourished in Vietnam from the 4th to 14th centuries. Continue on to the Marble Mountains, arriving in picturesque Hoi An. Known as Faifo to early western traders, it was one of Southeast Asia’s major international ports during the 17th to 19th centuries, home to Japanese, Indian, Chinese and Portuguese merchants. Today, Hoi An is remarkable for its collection of original Chinese temples and glorious homes built by these wealthy merchants of earlier times. Sample excellent Vietnamese cuisine at an in-town restaurant and enjoy a leisurely 2-night stay at the resort hotel of your choice: Settle in to a Superior River View room at the Hoi An Riverside Hotel, a superior first class resort on the banks of the Song Do River. Or check in to the 5-star Victoria Hoi An Resort, blending French style and Asian warmth on a beautiful white sand beach. Meals B,D

Day 5 - Explore Hoi An
Today’s sightseeing in this historic town, remarkably preserved, visits former merchant homes, temples, art galleries, and a bustling local market. As you explore with your private guide through the traffic-free cobblestone streets of this ancient seaport, it’s easy to imagine yourself a sailor of the 18th century, when Hoi An was one of the busiest ports in all of Asia. You’ll also enjoy a boat excursion on the Thu Bon River and a visit to a community school. The afternoon is free to explore at your own pace or to relax and enjoy the amenities of your resort. Meals B

Day 6 - Fly to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
If Hoi An and Hanoi reveal Vietnam’s long and colorful history, then Ho Chi Minh City is a look at the future. Situated on the edge of the Mekong Delta, the city is poised and ready for growth – with lots of new construction, new technology, and new opportunities for its residents. Drive to Danang Airport this morning for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City, where you’ll be greeted and escorted to your choice of hotel, the superior first class Majestic Hotel or the 5-star InterContinental Hotel. This evening, we’ve made arrangements for you to dine at the elegant Maxim’s Nam An Restaurant. Meals B,D

Day 7 - The Cu Chi Tunnels and a Saigon city tour
This morning, your private car, driver and guide await to take you outside of the city to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, the incredible underground network that once stretched for 210 miles. This tunnel complex was built by guerilla fighters beginning in 1940 and construction continued throughout the Vietnam War. Marvel at secret trapdoors, underground kitchens, living quarters, and even conference rooms. You’ll have ample opportunity to view the excavated areas from above. The more adventurous can explore the deeper second and even third-level tunnels.

Return to Saigon for lunch at the popular Vietnam House and afternoon sightseeing, including Reunification Hall - formerly known as the Presidential Palace. It was towards this modern building that Communist tanks rolled on the morning of April 30, 1975, as Saigon fell. Visit the History Museum and delight in a Water Puppet performance, a traditional Vietnamese art form. Your tour also features Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Hotel de Ville, and Dong Khoi Street, once the center of haute couture in Saigon when it was known as the famous Rue Catinat. Meals B,L

Day 8 - Depart Ho Chi Minh City
Your program with us finishes this morning. Meals B

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
10/1/2012 - 12/31/2012	$2,299
10/1/2012 - 12/31/2012	$2,499
Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Ratings & Reviews:

This tour has no reviews yet. Have you experienced this tour? Write a review.

Related Travel Articles

• Travel Improves Your Health
• Top Five Things to do in Hong Kong
• Kyoto, Japan
• Yangtze River Cruise
• Adventures by Disney Invites Families to Experience the World in 2010
• Asia Travel
• Asia Cruises For 2010
• Magnificent Asia Tours
• Independent Travel Simplified :: Globus Monograms
• PERSONALIZE YOUR HONEYMOON - STRESS-FREE - WITH MONOGRAMS
• MAKING THE MOST OF A “MINI”: PACK FUN INTO QUICK GETAWAYS WITH MONOGRAMS
• Independent Vacation 2010 Prices Down 10 Percent Worldwide
• Victoria Anna
• Spotlight on Eastern Mediterranean
• Greece: A Land of Timeless Beauty
• Paula Deen Cruise
• Featured Trip: Best of Italy
• Collette Exporations: Small Group Travel...Big Experiences
• Family Tour Vacations
• Featured Tour: Insight Vacations Best of Italy
• New Ships for 2011
• Culinary Cruises 2011
• Exploring the Neighborhoods of Paris
• New Avalon River Cruises 2012
• Where Can Globus Take you in 2012