BOOK THIS TRIP
colonial vietnam northbound
Trip Valid:
01/01/2008 to 31/12/2008
Duration:
12 days (Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi)
Highlights:
Tap into the energy of Ho Chi Minh City, Take a private tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, Take time out along the coast, Soak up the old-world atmosphere of Hoi An, Visit imperial Hue, Enjoy an overnight boat trip on Halong Bay, See old Saigon from a cyclo
Trip Code:
VAC
Price:
Prices from USD $2265
Valid for departures 1JAN08-30SEP08
We offer a number of alternatives for the beach break portion of this trip.
Surcharges apply for the Xmas and New Year Period as well as some Local Festivals.
pricing for United States: change country
Extras:
view 2008 airport transfers and pre- & post-trip accommodation prices
Elegant hotels and knowledgeable private guides set this trip apart from the pack. Take a tour of the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, traverse the historic streets of Hoi An, travel back in time in Hue and look for traces of French colonial rule in charming Hanoi. A short sojourn on the coast and a serene night on a boat in Halong Bay break up this dramatic journey into the past.
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meals included: 11 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 1 Dinner
transport: Plane, minibus, private vehicle, boat, cyclo, walking
accommodation: Hotels (10 nts), wooden junk (1 nt)
budget: Allow USD $250 for meals not included.
departs: Daily, subject to availability
important notes:
1. First class and deluxe hotels carefully selected for their local character and charm or for being the best available resort. 2. Roundtrip airport to hotel transfers are included, please advise of flight details at least 14 days in advance
we also recommend:
Want to add a visit to the temples of Angkor? See our trip Highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia in Style (VAB)
Day 1 Ho Chi Minh City
From ancient pagodas to the former Presidential Palace and Chinatown markets, there is plenty of contrast and history in this fabulous city.
Day 2 Cu Chi Tunnels
Enjoy a private tour of the famous Cu Chi Tunnels before returning to Ho Chi Minh City to hone bargaining skills at the Ben Thanh Market or to take in more city sights from a cyclo.
Days 3-4 Nha Trang
Indulge in a luxurious beach break by the beautiful South China Sea. There are five wonderful options to choose from at either Nha Trang, Quy Nhon or Hoi An.
Days 5-6 Hoi An
Much of Hoi An looks exactly as it did a century ago and a walking tour includes the Japanese Covered Bridge, fish markets and traditional wooden buildings.
Days 7-8 Hue
Cross the scenic Hai Van Pass to Hue, pausing at the Cham Museum and Lang Co fishing village. Take a boat trip on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, the imperial Citadel and the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc.
Day 9 Hanoi
Get a feel for this charming city on a private tour, followed by a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter. With its wide boulevards and yellow painted buildings, the city centre still retains an air of a provincial French town of the 1930s.
Day 10 Halong Bay
Jump aboard a traditional wooden junk and cruise magnificent Halong Bay. Spend a serene night on the boat among thousands of limestone islets.
Days 11-12 Hanoi
Spend a final morning swimming or kayaking in the bay before visiting a ceramics village. Back in Hanoi enjoy the beautiful lakes, shaded boulevards and lush public parks at your leisure.
This trip is part of our Intrepid Independent range. As it is not a group trip it has no fixed departure dates. Select your preferred start date from the menu below and our reservations team will process your booking request. Please note that is a booking request and is subject to availability at your preferred travel time.
If you are travelling within the next 30 days, we will require full payment before we can request your booking. Please contact us directly to make your request.
The Trip Notes provide you with detailed information about your trip.
This is where you will find everything you need to know... from what's included to suggestions about what to take. This is also where you will find the most up-to-date itinerary and any late changes.
The Trip Notes provide you with a detailed outline of your trip itinerary, and important information like where to meet your group, what to pack, what's included, estimates of spending money requirements and much more. They make great reading.
These documents have been prepared by Intrepid staff to give you a brief introduction to the places you are visiting. We think it's important to understand the culture you are visiting, and the expectations of their society.
Intrepid is committed to a style of travel that is environmentally, culturally and socially responsible - we call this 'Responsible Travel'. Download this document and visit the About Intrepid section of this site for more information about how to be a Responsible Traveller.
Please also read our safety guidelines for further information on the operational safety standards you can expect on every Intrepid trip.
On 07 June the Australian Government issued an updated travel warning for East Timor strongly advising against travel to East Timor because of the extremely dangerous security situation. Australians in the country are advised to leave. The Travel Warning remains at Category 5 - Do Not Travel.
On Tuesday 07 June we have taken the decision to cancel the remainder of our East Timor trips scheduled to depart in 2006. All travellers will be notified and given the opportunity to transfer to another trip or obtain a full refund (land content only). We very much regret having to take this action and our thoughts and sympathies are with the people of East Timor during this troubled time.
We are confident of being able to resume our normal schedule of trips to East Timor in 2007 and hope that those travellers who have had to cancel their plans this year will travel with us to East Timor in 2007.
For other safety updates, please see our general safety updates page.
Every day, hundreds of happy people return from Intrepid trips, and their comments are here for you to read. We do not screen the feedback on this site, all comments are posted here as they were written (unless they used inappropriate language).
Fantastic trip. Incredible country to visit, as there is so much to see! Great organisation - they never missed a beat with the drivers and guides always there to meet us / pick us up at the nominated times etc, which made the whole experience so smooth and easy.
Robyn Farrell
The whole trip was fantastic. All guides were excellent. Accommodation was 5 Star
Andrew Grudnik
Intrepid independent travel: superb way to travel if you don't want to bother with organizing a trip in a country where tourism is not fully developed and you don't care about traveling in a group. Had a great time, wonderful country, excellent to superb hotels, great guides!
Peter Castro
hotels were outstanding. local guides,with exemption of hue,were friendly yet poor english,annoying habit of not identifing themselves on pick up involving endless asking if the person was from intrepid.
Mark Walton
Accomodation excellent, countryside great, organisation of tour left me in tears
Tricia Bubner
Sorry, only passengers from Australia, New Zealand or the United Kingdom are able to request flight quotes online at this stage.