Vietnamese Highlights
Travel from south to north through Vietnam and feast on an array of distinctive culture, sumptuous food, dramatic scenery and delightfully diverse walks.
- Exquisite cuisine
- Colourful hill tribes and exotic villages
- Historical sites from ancient to recent past
Detailed information
| 2009 Tour
Itinerary |
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Day: 1 Depart UK |
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Days 2-3: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City (2 nights)
where we sample the sights of this vivacious city
and, by contrast, visit the astonishing labyrinthine
underground city at Cu Chi, where guerrillas
famously lived during the Vietnam war.
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Days 4-5: After a short flight to our base at the
ancient village of Hoi An (2 nights), with its narrow
winding streets, we explore the Marble Mountains
also called Ngu Hanh Son and the ancient temple
complex of My Son, a World Heritage Site.
Days 6-7: Take the coastal road to Hue
(2 nights), a centre of learning and former capital
where we enjoy a dragon boat trip on the Perfume
River and walk in the Bach Ma National Park, a
haven of natural beauty and wildlife.
Days 8-9: Fly to Hanoi (2 nights) where we will
explore the historic capital by foot, with a rickshaw
ride, and visit the surrounding area including Thien
Tru temple and Giai Oan pagoda.
Day 10: Travel to Halong Bay (1 night), known as the‘Bay of the Descending Dragon’ with it’s picture
postcard islets and traditional fishing villages. We
take a cruise around the bay and a walk on one of
the islands.
Day 11: A leisurely journey back to Hanoi and see
the interesting Water Puppet show, before we take
the night train to Sapa.
Days 12-14: We arrive in Sapa (2 nights) in the early
morning for three full days of walks in the northern
mountains, through rice terraces, rolling hills and
small villages with people in traditional dress, where
we can get a glimpse of the traditional way of life.
We will visit the lively and colourful market of Bac Ha
before taking the night train back to Hanoi.
Day 15: Early morning arrival in Hanoi (1 night), we
walk along Hoan Kiem lake where locals practice Tai
Chi and see more of the city including Ho Chi Minh’s
mausoleum.
Day 16: transfer to the airport for departure.
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| About
the walks |
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A mixture of easy walks to historic and evocative sites and longer walks in varied countryside, with a choice
of difficulty in the mountains.
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Guided Walks:
Walks are between 1 and 5 miles with some gradual ascent on some days. In the
area there will be a choice of walks on two days with the harder walks up to 9 miles with
ascents of about 2,500ft. |
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| Dates
and prices |
|
| 9 February 2009 (14nts) |
£2,095 |
£1,350 |
| 26 October 2009 (14nts) |
£2,095 |
£1,350 |
| 23 November 2009 (14nts) |
£2,095 |
£1,350 |
Single room supplement: £370
# Land Itineraries start on day 2 and finish on day 16.
* Internal flights are included.
Independent travellers who book the no flight option can join the HF Holidays' airport transfers for £20 per person return.
Airport Parking: To book secure airport parking throughout the UK visit Purple Parking or Holiday Extras to book on-line.
Airport Hotels: To book airport hotels throughout the UK visit Holiday Extras to book on-line.
Airport Lounges: To book airport lounges visit Holiday Extras to book on-line.
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| Temperatures |
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Our departures are in seasons considered best for sightseeing and walking in comfortable conditions, usually warm during the day in coastal areas and cooler in the mountains of North Vietnam, avoiding the high humidity of summer.
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| Accommodation |
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Accommodation is of a luxurious standard for the most part: 5 nights in five-star hotels, 8 nights in four-star hotels and one night in a two-star hotel in Dien Bien Phu, the best available in the town.
Where you'll stay
Ho Chi Minh City - 2 nights
Hoi An - 2 nights
Hue - 2 nights
Hanoi - 2 nights
Halong Bay - 1 night
Sapa - 2 nights
Hanoi - 1 night
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| Flight information |
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Latest HF Holidays Flight Information - updated 28.11.2008 (provisional)
Departure for 16 March
Thai Airways
Heathrow - Ho Chi Minh (via Bangkok)
Out 21:35 (Mon) - 20:05 (Tues)
Ho Chi Minh - Heathrow (via Bangkok)
Return 20:45 (Tues) - 07:15 (Tues)
All other departures
Thai Airways
Heathrow - Ho Chi Minh (via Bangkok)
Out 21:35 (Mon) - 20:05 (Tues)
Ho Chi Minh - Heathrow (via Bangkok)
Return 10:40 (Tues) - 19:35 (Tues)
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| What
the holiday includes |
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- Return economy class air travel UK / Vietnam on scheduled airlines, with appropriate
in-flight meals.
- 14 nights' accommodation in twin/double en-suite rooms.
- Full Board
- All internal flights.
- Services of local tour director.
- Services of local guides and HF Holidays' leader.
- Walks, sightseeing and entrance fees for the itinerary as described.
- Travel by air-conditioned coach or minibus/landcruiser.
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