Tours
The South and Central Vietnamese Coast
July 23 – August 9, 2011 (18 days, plus international transit time)
This tour will combine cultural and war era sightseeing with some of the world’s most fabulous beaches and resorts. Contrary to what you might think, North Vietnam is terribly hot in the summer, while the South and Central areas are delightful along the coast.
July 23: Arrange your travel to arrive in Saigon on this day. We will meet and transfer you to the 5 star Caravelle Hotel in the city center. Open afternoon to get over jet lag, walk the city, or relax by the pool. Welcome dinner and orientation talk provided.
24: After breakfast, enjoy a ½ day guided tour. We will take a van an hour outside the city and tour the VC tunnel system at Cu Chi. Despite the irony of turning such carnage into a tourist attraction, this is a fascinating way to experience a taste of the insanity of the “American” war. Return in the early afternoon for a brief city tour, including the war and historical museums. Open time in the evening to explore on your own or with us.
25: Fly (1 hour) to the oceanside city of Nha Trang and transfer to the Sunrise Beach Hotel for 3 nights. Enjoy dinner at the famous Lac Canh Restaurant, where you barbeque your own seafood right at your table!
26-27: Open days to explore the area. We will set up several options to choose from, including boat excursions to local islands, scuba/snorkeling trips, or a visit to the mud baths and spa at Mai Le.
28: Transfer by van an hour north and then take a short ferry ride to the Whale Island Resort. Our accommodations turn much simpler here, as we trade air conditioning for mosquito netting in our beach bungalows. All food is included during our stay on Whale Island, where the small staff will take care of us as we relax and explore.
29—31: With plenty of time for relaxation on the beach, we will also explore this conservation area and go diving/snorkeling at local reefs. While this will be the end of the prime season, we stand a good chance of being able to swim with whale sharks that frequent the area through July.
August 1: Ferry back to the mainland, where a van will transport us along the coast north to Quy Nhon. The drive will take 5-6 hours, and we will have frequent stops along this seldom seen section of the South China Sea. Lunch included. We will stay at the Life Resort Quy Nhon.
2: Continue north about 2 hours to the charming town of Hoi An—a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and transfer to the Hoi An Hotel for 2 nights. One of the few towns in this part of Vietnam to escape destruction in the war, Hoi An has been a key port city for over 500 years. Today, travelers love to linger in this charming town where old and new come together in myriad ways. Hoi An is famous for its clothing shops where you can have nearly anything you want hand made for amazingly low prices. After a brief guided tour to get your bearings, you’ll be turned loose to explore on your own.
3: Open day to wander the streets, art galleries and clothing shops, and to take in the rich history of Hoi An.
4: After breakfast, we will take a 30 minute van transfer to Danang, the 3rd largest city in Vietnam. Our home for the next 4 nights will be the Furama Resort Danang, one of the finest hotels in the country. Located on China Beach where US troops went for R&R during the war, you are centrally located for an amazing array of activities on this spectacular stretch of coast. Enjoy a dinner of local seafood prepared by a family on China Beach. The next 3 days will weave in fascinating tours of the area with plenty of free time to relax on the beach.
5: Take a guided tour to the Cham civilization ruins at My Son, considered a “mini-Angkor Wat”. Afterwards, tour the Marble Mountains, a cave system housing ancient Buddhist devotional structures and later used as a hospital site by the North Vietnamese during the war.
6: If ocean conditions permit, we will organize an optional boat trip with scuba/snorkeling to the reefs off Danang. (seasonal availability at extra cost). If the ocean does not cooperate, we will have an open day to body surf and take advantage of the many recreational opportunities at the Furama (Tai Chi, badminton, volleyball, fishing, the list goes on and on…)
7: Today is left intentionally open to pursue your own interests. Many opt to return to Hoi An on this day. You can also take a free shuttle to the huge markets in central Danang. You might also choose to visit the City of Hue, which can be booked through the hotel.
8: Fly back to Saigon and transfer to the Caravelle Hotel (or the airport hotel if your flight leaves in the early AM). Farewell dinner provided at the Café Indochine.
9: Plan your travel to fly out on this day. You will take a taxi to the airport on your own.
Cost: $3400 per person, double occupancy. (Less for children sharing parents’ room.)
Includes: Double occupancy lodging in 4 and 5 star hotels, All breakfasts and some other meals as mentioned in itinerary, internal airfares, all ground transportation except on last day, tour guide fees, entrance fees.
Not Included: International airfare, drinks and other hotel extras, independent excursions on open days, meals not mentioned in itinerary, airport taxes, tips, taxi ride to airport on the last day.
GENERAL TOUR INFORMATION:
Visas:
Visas are strictly required to visit Vietnam.See the VISAS link for more info, or Click here for a printable visa application and instructions.
Trip Cancellation Insurance:
While we have never encountered problems, we of course live in uncertain times. If world events or other unforseen circumstances interfere with your trip, you need to have this coverage. It will even refund your air ticket cost if we need to cancel a trip at the last minute. Coverage is around a hundred dollars, and we require it unless you sign a form specifically declining it.
Our Style of Travel:
Generally, we like to stay in the very best hotels because they are comfortable and secure and are some of the best hotel values to be found in the world. However, the downside to using 5 star accommodation is that it tends to insulate you from the real culture and surroundings of the country. We want our trips to be cultural learning experiences as well as great vacations, so we tend to avoid the hotels and other Western spots for meals and entertainment (except for breakfast buffets that combine every Western and Asian delight you could hope for). At lunches and dinners, we seek out local Vietnamese hole in the wall type restaurants. These are safe and delicious but very different from what you may be used to. Of course, you are free to eat anywhere you want if you would rather stick to Western fare at the hotels.
Immunizations: Please check with your doctor or a travel vaccination clinic. There are no immunizations required for Vietnam, but several are a good idea.
Health Concerns: We do not as yet travel into any of Vietnam’s “hot zones” for Malaria. The only place we are likely to encounter mosquitos at all is during a hike in Cat Ba National Park. Bug spray is generally the only protection we use, but you should still check with your doctor and the Center for Disease Control web-site as conditions are always changing.
We tend to stick to areas and hotels that do not present significant health hazards. We will provide you with more detailed information and suggested personal medications to bring once we receive your deposit.
Personal Safety: We have experienced no problems at all. Pickpockets are a definite concern in the urban areas. The biggest danger is learning to cross the chaotic streets!
For More Information: Please call us or consult the Lonely Planet Guide on Vietnam. It is the best and most concise source of information.
Recommended Reading:
NOVELS:
“The Quiet American”, by Graham Greene. You can always buy a copy from the hundreds of street hawkers in Hanoi. “Paradise of the Blind”, by Doung Thu Houng. The first Vietnamese novel to be published in the USA. Takes place in Hanoi and a rural village in northern Vietnam.
NON-FICTION:
“River of Time”, by Jon Swain. An account of the war years by a journalist in Southeast Asia. “Vietnam, Now” by David Lamb. This is hands-down the best book to orient you to Vietnam and its history.
GUIDEBOOKS:
Lonely Planet Guides are always the mainstay. Insight Guides offer more cultural information and better photos.
test reply