EXPLORE VIETNAM HIGHLIGHTS • Take a cyclo tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, and learn to make traditional lanterns in Hoi An. • Set sail on Ha Long Bay in a traditionalstyle junk boat. • Hike through hill tribe villages to experience rural life. • Cook up a delicious noodle dish at a G Adventures–supported youth-training culinary school.
I N F O R M AT I O N FROM ITINERARY
|
1 3 DAY S
Hanoi Ha Long Bay
Mai Chau V I ETNAM LAOS
Hue Hoi An T H A I LAND
CAMBODIA
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
DAY 1 | HANOI Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included. DAYS 2 & 3 | MAI CHAU Start off the day with breakfast at Hoa Sua, a training restaurant for underprivileged Hanoi youth. Continue to the lush Mai Chau Valley and spend a night in a rural lodge, our base for exploring the area and learning about Vietnam’s ethnic hill tribes. DAY 4 | HANOI Return to Hanoi to discover the city’s colonial architecture and historic sites. Tour the museum of Hoa Lo Prison, ironically referred to as the “Hanoi Hilton” by American POWs during the Vietnam War. Take a guided tour of the mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh’s body is embalmed in a glass case, and visit the museum to learn about Ho Chi Minh’s life. Later, take a seat on a three-wheel cyclo for a tour of Hanoi’s lively Old Quarter. Keep your camera handy as your driver navigates through the bustling streets.
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DAY 5 | HA LONG BAY Transfer to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay, where our traditional-style wooden junk boat (pictured above) awaits. Set sail in turquoise waters dotted with hundreds of tiny islands and sculpted limestone formations. Cruise through Bai Tu Long Bay, and opt to go squid fishing. Spend a peaceful night anchored in the bay. DAYS 6 & 7 | HUE Continue to cruise around the bay and explore the Thien Canh Son cave with our local guide. Have an early lunch on board before returning to land and heading back to Hanoi to catch our short flight to Hue, the capital of the Nguyen dynasty from 1802 until 1945. The next day, explore the ancient walled citadel containing the imperial palace and travel into the countryside to visit the final resting place of former emperors. DAYS 8 & 10 | HOI AN Enjoy a scenic drive to the coastal city of Hoi An and take a walking tour of the charming old city. Learn to make a traditional lantern at the G Adventures– supported Lifestart Foundation, which provides employment to local residents with chronic disabilities. The next day, take an Oodles of Noodles cooking class during which you’ll visit local markets to learn about noodles, then head to a culinary school to cook lunch with the students. Enjoy a full day to explore on your own. DAYS 11 & 12 | HO CHI MINH CITY Fly to Ho Chi Minh City and opt to take a cyclo tour around the markets and shops. Visit the famous Cu Chi tunnels, known for the role they played during the Vietnam War. DAY 13 | HO CHI MINH CITY Depart at any time.
2,099
$
PER PERSON. AIRFARE TO/FROM IS NOT INCLUDED
+ 1,289
MY OWN ROOM OPTION: $ MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE: 16
D AT E S 2017: July 2–14 • July 16–28 • Aug. 13–25 Sept. 10–22 • Oct. 15–27 • Nov. 5–17 Nov. 19–Dec. 1 • Nov. 26–Dec. 8 • Dec. 3–15 Dec. 17–29 • Dec. 24–Jan. 5, 2018 Dec. 31, 2017–Jan. 12, 2018 2018: Jan. 14–26 • Jan. 28–Feb. 9 • Feb. 11–23 Feb. 18–Mar. 2 • Feb. 25–Mar. 9 • Mar. 4–16 Mar. 11–23 • Mar. 18–30 • Mar. 25–Apr. 6 Apr. 1–13 • Apr. 15–27 • Apr. 29–May 11 May 13–25 • June 3–15 • June 17–29 • July 1–13 July 15–27 • Aug. 12–24 • Sept. 9–21 Sept. 23–Oct. 5 • Oct. 7–19 • Oct. 14–26 Nov. 4–16 • Nov. 18–30 • Nov. 25–Dec. 7 Dec. 2–14 • Dec. 16–28 Dec. 23, 2018–Jan. 4, 2019
W H AT ’ S I N C L U D E D Arrival transfer, internal flights, transport between destinations, and activities as listed in the itinerary. The optional excursions are at an additional cost. ACCOMMODATIONS
Comfortable, mid-range hotels (9 nights), Ha Long Bay junk boat (1 night), lodge (2 nights) MEALS INCLUDED
12 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners. Allow an additional $155–205 per person for meals not included. TR ANSPORTATION
Bus, boat, cyclo, plane
GUARANTEED DEPARTURES: IF YOU’RE BOOKED, YOU’RE GOING
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