3 NIGHTS

Our South East Asian adventure begins as we fly to Vietnam, landing in Hanoi, one of the most ancient capitals in the world. Located on the banks of the Red River, Hanoi is sure to surprise and delight you with its picturesque pagodas, well preserved colonial buildings, unique museums, delectable cuisine and rich culture.

Overnight: Hanoi

Enjoy a relaxed morning before our city highlights tour that includes a visit to the final resting place of Vietnamese Revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh. Contrary to Uncle Ho’s desire for a simple cremation, his Mausoleum is a monumental marble edifice. Next door the humble, traditional stilt house where Ho lived intermittently from 1958 to 1969 may be a better reflection of the man himself; take the opportunity to walk around the garden and look into the house that has been preserved just as he left it.

Nearby is the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, a beautiful and beloved replica of the original structure that was built in 1049. From here we visit the 1500-year-old Tran Quoc Pagoda at West Lake. This Buddhist temple is the oldest pagoda in Vietnam, and its tranquil setting provides wonderful respite after the bustle of the chaotic city.

Overnight: Hanoi

Vietnam has a Christian population of almost 10 million and this morning we attend the International Fellowship Church to share Sunday worship. Enjoy lunch at KOTO, a restaurant with a difference as it trains and employs street children and disadvantaged youth. Now there is a meal to make you smile!

After lunch a Cyclo Tour takes us into the Old Quarter, a bustling commercial centre where the narrow streets are roughly arranged by trade, before we enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Show at the Thang Long Theatre. This performance has its roots in a 900-year-old art form and is accompanied by a traditional orchestra and authentic Vietnamese operatic songs.

Overnight: Hanoi

We leave the hubbub of Hanoi behind us when we travel to the coast to otherworldly Halong Bay, which has to be seen to be believed. Here we board our beautiful cruise ship to enjoy a comfortable sun-deck lounge and bar plus deluxe cabins with sea-view windows and modern ensuite bathrooms. As we cruise the tranquil emerald waters through the 2000 limestone islands you will be truly amazed. This is God’s creation at its finest, a magnificent natural wonder of the world and well deserving of its UNESCO World Heritage Listing.

Choose from a range of excursions or simply relax onboard and soak up the scenery from the sundeck before a delicious dinner is served.

Overnight: Halong Bay Cruise

Greet the new day by taking part in some morning exercise with the ship’s Tai Chi master, although you may be too busy taking photos of the sun rising over the Bay to join in!

We return to Hanoi to enjoy some time at leisure; relax at the hotel, go shopping or further explore this fascinating city before dinner. You may wish to go shopping or perhaps visit the ancient Temple of Literature or the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” prison.
Later tonight we take an overnight train to Sapa – all aboard!

Overnight: Sapa Night Train

An early arrival in Lao Cai from which we will enjoy a scenic trip into the colonial hill station town of Sapa – take in the views of the rice terraced mountains and be enchanted by the locals’ colourful costumes. Spirits soar as we take the cable car to the top of Mount Fansipan, the highest peak in Vietnam, for views over the Hoang Lien Son mountain range.

After lunch we do a walking tour to the Cat Cat Ethnic Village of the Black H’Mong tribe -this part of North Vietnam is especially beautiful and the waterfall and surrounding mountains at Cat Cat are a photographer’s dream.

Overnight: Sapa

A fascinating day as we walk down through the terraced paddy fields to visit a local village. Such visits offer a unique opportunity to observe the traditional lifestyle of the ethnic minority groups. Enjoy a warm welcome and soak up the incredible scenery before returning to Lao Cai. After dinner we will board the overnight train back to Hanoi.

Overnight: Sapa Night Train

We fly to the coastal city of Da Nang which was once a French colonial port. Today Da Nang is best known for its sandy beaches and incredible sights in the nearby Ba Na Hills, a former a colonial Hill Station. We take a cable car to Ba Nang Hills and walk across the surreal Golden Bridge; it is like an enchanted road into the sky, supported by two gigantic “stone” hands. From here we visit the famous Linh Ung Pagoda, the old French wine cellar (dug deep within the mountain) and the wonderful Le Jardin Flower Garden. This beautiful 5-acre garden is often described as ‘the way to heaven” and includes 9 different themed gardens including “Garden of Eden”, “Garden of Thought” and “Sacred Garden” to name a few. Back in Dan Nang we top off an enchanting day watching the Dragon Bridge across the Han River breathing actual fire!

Overnight: Da Nang

2 NIGHTS

This morning we are off to Hoi An, an ancient trading port with a 2000- year history. Our hotel is located close to the historic heart of the Old Town; full of winding lanes and cut through with canals you will find this area particularly atmospheric in the evening as the sun goes down.

Hoi An’s Old Town is UNESCO World Heritage Listed and it is easy to see why on our guided walking tour. The different architectural styles reflect the melting pot of cultures so common to port cities – view ancient tea warehouses, merchant houses, Chinese temples, ornate Vietnamese tube houses, colourful French colonial buildings and the iconic 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge complete with a pagoda. Hoi An has long history as one of the Asian leaders in the pottery trade and this afternoon we will take a boat along the river to the local pottery villages. Enjoy time at leisure to wander and immerse yourself in Hoi An’s past before we come together for dinner.

Overnight: Hoi An

Morning worship for our “travelling church” before we head off to Hoi An’s colourful central market. Take the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and learn about some of the ingredients that are used in local food. Then it is a cruise down river to the Red Bridge Cooking School; with a chef at our side we will learn the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food before enjoying the delicious lunch that we have helped make. Yum!

This afternoon we will drive to Cam Thanh Village for a buffalo cart tour of farming villages and rice fields. Dubbed “the BMW of Vietnam” water buffalo are indispensable out here in the countryside and not only will you learn all about them, but you can feed them as well.

Visit a local farming family who will share with us a little about their lifestyle as well as an authentic Vietnamese rice meal. A memorable day!

Overnight: Hoi An

A relaxed morning to shop or further explore ancient Hoi An at leisure. After lunch we transfer to Da Nang to fly to Ho Chi Minh City, still commonly referred to as Saigon. Originally part of the Khmer kingdom of Cambodia the port settlement was absorbed by Vietnam in the 17th century, becoming the base for the Nguyen lords. In 1859 the region was conquered by France and 70 years later almost one-tenth of the population was French, leaving an architectural legacy of charming, colonial style buildings and wide boulevards.

Saigon played a pivotal role in the Vietnam War and was the capital of the Republic of Vietnam from 1956 until 1975, before it fell to advancing North Vietnamese forces and was renamed Ho Chi Minh City. Today Saigon is the country’s most populous city, and its bustling markets, unique culture and recent war history have become a real drawcard for Westerners. Enjoy a tour of this vibrant city before dinner at a local restaurant. This evening you may wish to experience the excitement of the city centre’s iconic Ben Thanh Night Market; this bustling market is a feast for the senses and boasts a vast selection of clothing, handicrafts, souvenirs, and traditional Vietnamese delicacies. Last minute shopping anyone?

Overnight: Saigon

“Looking forward, never back” is a popular unofficial saying, one that reflects Vietnam’s forward-looking, resilient spirit. Yet the legacy of the Vietnam War can still be seen today and this morning, we visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels; learn about their construction and then spend time exploring the maze of tunnels and mantraps that were used by the Viet Cong fighters. On our way to the tunnels, we will visit a craft factory that employs these disabled locals to make traditional, wooden Lacquer Ware.
We transfer to the airport to farewell Vietnam and new friends as we board our overnight flight back to Australia.

Overnight: In-Flight

We return home with a greater understanding of both Vietnam and its warm-hearted people, feeling blessed to have shared our travel experiences with like-minded people.