Vietnam

Day 1

Saturday 22^nd June

Lunch, Dinner

We fly from Auckland to Ho Chi Minh City, a city with an expansive collection of modern buildings that pulses with the hustle and bustle of the residents. We arrive late evening and are met at the airport by our private transfer to escort us to our hotel in the heart of the business and entertainment neighbourhood of District 1.

Day 2

Sunday 23^rd June

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, we go on a tour of Ho Chi Minh city to visit to the temples and pagodas that make this metropolis so unique. Our stops during this tour include the Reunification Palace, Jade Emperor Pagoda, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Binh Tay Market to name just a few of the many beautiful Vietnamese architectural marvels we’ll be taking in.

Day 3

Monday 24^th June

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We travel to the Mekong Delta to board Le Cochinchine boat to cruise up river then disembark and wander the footpaths of the countryside where we’ll discover tropical fruit orchards and meet local farmers. Watch the sunset whilst sitting on deck of the Le Cochinchine enjoying dinner as the shores of the Mekong pass you by before retiring for the night in your cabin on board the boat.

Day 4

Tuesday 25^th June

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Wake up to the sounds of the floating markets as we cruise through to Can Tho where we explore the Cai Rang markets with hundreds of small boats barging and jostling for space as owners entice you to buy fresh produce and handmade crafts. We enjoy lunch on board the Le Cochinchine before taking an afternoon stroll visiting a local fruit orchard to sample seasonal fruits in Xuan Hiep-Vinh Long. Finish the day with an evening cocktail as we enjoy the sunset.

Day 5

Wednesday 26^th June

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, we visit the lively Sa Dec food market and Cao Dai Temple before heading back to Ho Chi Minh City with lunch at a local restaurant on the way. In the afternoon, we take a quick 1 hour flight to Danang, where we’ll be escorted to our hotel in Hoi An Ancient Town.

Day 6

Thursday 27^th June

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we take a guided tour to see the interesting sights Hoi An. We visit many landmarks that make this ancient town rich with history. We spend the afternoon at a lantern-making workshop in the village where we meet the craftsman and make a lantern yourself with the artisan’s directions. Finishing off the day back at the hotel where we have some time to relax and unwind before dinner.

Day 7

Friday 28^th June

Breakfast

Today is a free day where you can choose to take it easy in the hotel, take a leisurely cycle to the surrounding villages or simply relax on the Cua Dai beach nearby.

Day 8

Saturday 29^th June

Breakfast

Another day which you can take at your own pace. If you choose, you can opt to take a half-day cooking class and tour at Red Bridge Cooking School. You will take a tour of the markets at Hoi An where you’ll have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and learn about the ingredients you’ll be using in the cooking lesson later.

Day 9

Sunday 30^th June

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we take a leisurely drive enjoying magnificent sights along the way. We visit Marble Mountain in Danang and drive over the scenic Hai Van Pass and along the coast. There is a short stop at the spectacular Lang Co beach for refreshments.

After lunch, we travel to Hue Airport for our afternoon flight to Hanoi. We transfer to our hotel and there is some time to relax before dinner.

Day 10

Monday 1^st July

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, we go on a city tour of Hanoi and see many of city’s outstanding historical and cultural sites. We see the various Ho Chi Minh historical sites in the political centre of Vietnam. We visit the One-Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature which will help us learn about the two most popular religions in Vietnam - Buddhism and Confucianism. We also enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Show, a unique atraction that is integral to Vietnamese culture.

Day 11

Tuesday 2^nd July

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We leave the hotel and travel to Hon Gai to join our two night Dragon Legend Cruise to Halong Bay. We board the junk for a welcome drink then have lunch while cruising to the magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay. Along the way, we can marvel at the fascinating rock formations. We continue to Cap La and Tra San. Before dinner, there is the option to go kayaking, swimming or you can just relax on the boat taking in the wonderful view.

Day 12

Wednesday 3^rd July

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we enjoy breakfast on the deck. We see more geological wonders as make our way to Cong Dam. We travel through the hidden lagoons and have our barbecue lunch on the beach. We return to the junk then continue to Cong Do before arriving at Hon Co Island to explore the well-hidden Thien Canh Son Cave. It’s back on the boat and we head back to Cap La where we have dinner on board.

Day 13

Thursday 4^th July

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Taking advantage of Halong Bay’s beautiful landscape, we enjoy breakfast on the boat deck before visiting Thienh Canh Son Cave in Bai Tu Long Bay. After an early lunch, we make your way back to our hotel in Hanoi.

Day 14

Friday 5^th July

Breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel in Hanoi, the day is yours to spend at your leisure. There is an optional day trip to Ninh Binh which includes visiting the Bai Dinh Pagoda, the biggest pagoda in Vietnam and see the biggest bronze Buddha statue in the country as well as exploring the cave complex at Trang An.

Day 15

Saturday 6^th July

Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a farewell breakfast at the hotel, making the most of the remaining leisure time this morning before our transfer to Hanoi airport and our internal flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival, we check-in for our evening flight back to Auckland.

Day 16

Sunday 7^th July

Breakfast

We arrive in Auckland around lunchtime after our overnight flight.

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