Images of South Vietnam

Day 1 Depart the UK

Today depart the UK on the Singapore Airlines flight to Singapore. (N)

Day 2 Arrive Singapore/ Singapore to Danang – by air/ Danang to Hoi An – 30kms

Arrive into Singapore and connect onto a Silk Air flight to Danang. On arrival continue south towards Hoi An and stay for three nights at a resort on China Beach close to the town. On arrival in Danang it is also possible to visit the Cham Museum which houses the largest collection of Cham art in the world. (N)

Accommodation in Hoi An: Boutique Hoi An Resort (or similar)

Upgrade option: Victoria Hoi An Resort and Spa

Alternative upgrade option: The Nam Hai, Hoi An

Day 3 Hoi An

Today visit the quaint, picturesque town of Hoi An. Explore the winding cobbled streets, colourful merchant houses and pretty pagodas by foot or bike and stop at the Japanese Covered Bridge which dates back to the 18th century. In the afternoon, relax at nearby China Beach or travel to a local fishing village outside of Hoi An to experience this integral part of Vietnamese life. (B)
Accommodation in Hoi An: Boutique Hoi An Resort (or similar)

Upgrade option: Victoria Hoi An Resort and Spa

Alternative upgrade option: The Nam Hai, Hoi An

Day 4 Hoi An

You will have a day at leisure today so choose to continue to explore the UNESCO old town or relax at the beach or hotel pool. A local cooking class in one of the excellent schools or restaurants is recommended, or if you’d prefer to discover the ancient Cham culture a day trip to the city of My Son can also be arranged. (B)
Accommodation in Hoi An: Boutique Hoi An Resort (or similar)

Upgrade option: Victoria Hoi An Resort and Spa

Alternative upgrade option: The Nam Hai, Hoi An

Day 5 Hoi An to Kon Tum – 285kms

After breakfast leave Hoi An and travel south by road to Kon Tum where you will stay overnight. Later visit some of the hill-tribe Bahnar villages which surround the town. Mainly matriarchal societies, each village has a communal house called a rong built on stilts and characterised by a tall, steeply pitched thatched roof. Generally located in a prominent central location, visit the rong and gain an understanding into central highland village life. (B)

Accommodation in Kon Tum: Indochine Hotel Kon Tum (or similar)

Day 6 Kon Tum to Kon Ko Tu – 50kms

Today visit the villages of Kon Ray and Kon Bil then travel on to Kon Du which is renowned for its hand weaving. In the early afternoon continue to Kon Ko Tu for an overnight stay in a local homestay. In this tiny hamlet of bamboo homes and mud dwellings life remains largely untainted by the modern world. Meet the villagers or follow the river through fields of crops and ploughing buffalo. (B)

Accommodation in Kon Ko Tu: Local homestay (or similar)

Day 7 Kon Ko Tu to Buon Ma Thuot – 280kms

Returning to Kon Tum, this morning visit the town’s century old French-built wooden church then spend time with the animist hill-tribes of Pleitenghia and Kanhnogokotu. Leaving Kon Tum, drive south through coffee, rubber and pepper plantations to Buon Ma Thuot for a three night stay. Later visit the main market and spend the remainder of the afternoon in a local coffee shop watching the world pass by. (B)

Accommodation in Buon Ma Thuot: Dakruco Buon Ma Thuot (or similar)

Day 8 Buon Ma Thuot – visit Buon Don

Following breakfast, this morning drive to Buon Don. Over the centuries the inhabitants of Buon Don garnered a reputation for excelling in the taming of elephants. Crossing the Srepok River using the large suspension bridge, explore the area then return to Buon Don in the afternoon stopping en-route to visit the local market at Trung Nguyen which is famous for its coffee. (B)

Accommodation in Buon Ma Thuot: Dakruco Buon Ma Thuot (or similar)

Day 9 Buon Ma Thuot – visit Lak Lake

The region around Buon Ma Thuot is rightly thought by many to be the gem of the central highlands and today travel outside of the town to Lak Lake. The area surrounding Lak Lake supports numerous hill-tribe villages – including those of the M’Nong, Jun and Le – and time will be spent exploring them. Later take an elephant ride, then take to the lake in a local canoe boat before arriving in a village for a local gong music performance which ends with a rice wine drinking ceremony. (B)

Accommodation in Buon Ma Thuot: Dakruco Buon Ma Thuot (or similar)

Day 10 Buon Ma Thuot to Dalat – 210kms

This morning leave Buon Ma Thuot and drive to Lak Lake to visit the minority village of Jun where traditional fishing techniques and water farming practices remain in operation. From here continue through the central highlands to the charming French colonial hill station of Dalat for a two night stay. Developed during the early 1900s as a summer escape from the heat of the lowland cities, much of Dalat’s colonial heritage has remained. (B)

Accommodation in Dalat: Ana Mandara Villas (or similar)

Day 11 Dalat

Today explore Dalat with your guide. There is much to see, starting at the colourful central market which, aside from the usual commodities, has a popular flower section with gladioli, rose, marigold and chrysanthemum in abundance. Leaving the market, explore the town’s colonial past. Much French architecture remains however highlights include the Art Deco Summer Palace, Cathedral, Pasteur Institute and fine Railway Station as well as the numerous pastel yellow villas that dot the town. (B)

Accommodation in Dalat: Ana Mandara Villas (or similar)

Day 12 Dalat to Ho Chi Minh City – by air

After breakfast transfer to Dalat Airport and fly to Ho Chi Minh City where you will stay for the next three nights. Renamed at the conclusion of the Vietnam War, the city is still known to many as Saigon. Growing from a small 15th century Khmer trading port, today Ho Chi Minh City is the modern face of Vietnam – a bustling dynamic metropolis of crumbling colonial buildings, chaotic streets, colourful markets and informal pavement cafes. (B)

Accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City: Majestic Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: Caravelle Hotel

Alternative upgrade option: Park Hyatt Saigon

Day 13 Ho Chi Minh City

Today you will explore Ho Chi Minh City with your guide. Highlights include the former Presidential Palace, now Reunification Hall, the city’s colonial centre including Notre Dame Cathedral and General Post Office and colourful Chinatown with its historic pagodas. For lunch try the southern Vietnamese speciality bánh mì at one of the excellent roadside food stalls. It is also recommended to visit the War Remnants Museum, which delicately tells the story of the harrowing Vietnam War. (B)
Accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City: Majestic Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: Caravelle Hotel

Alternative upgrade option: Park Hyatt Saigon

Day 14 Ho Chi Minh City – visit Mekong Delta

Today drive south towards the Mekong Delta and Cai Be where you will board the Cai Be Princess, a traditional riverboat made of bamboo, wood and rattan, for a private cruise. Cruise the canals and palm-covered waterways, stopping to visit the delta’s remote river communities. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon. (B/L)
Accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City: Majestic Hotel (or similar)

Upgrade option: Caravelle Hotel

Alternative upgrade option: Park Hyatt Saigon

Day 15 Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc – by air

After breakfast transfer to Danang Airport and fly via Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc Island for a three night stay. Alternatively, fly to tropical Con Dao Island and stay at the luxurious Six Senses Con Dao. Located at the southern tip of Vietnam, the largely undeveloped Phu Quoc offers calm crystal-clear waters and soft sandy beaches ideal for swimming and snorkelling. (B)

Accommodation on Phu Quoc: Fusion Resort (or similar)

Upgrade option: La Veranda Resort

Accommodation on Con Dao: Six Senses Con Dao

Days 16 - 17 Phu Quoc

At leisure to relax and enjoy your hotel. (B)

Accommodation on Phu Quoc: Fusion Resort (or similar)

Upgrade option: La Veranda Resort

Accommodation on Con Dao: Six Senses Con Dao

Day 18 Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh City – by air/ Ho Chi Minh City to the UK via Singapore

Today transfer to Phu Quoc Airport and fly to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival catch the onward flight to Singapore and connect onto the Singapore Airlines flight non-stop to the UK. (B)

Day 19 Arrive in the UK

In the morning arrive back into the UK. (N)

19 days from £4800 per person

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Pettitts guide to price for this itinerary would be £4800 per person

Itinerary: Images of South Vietnam

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