Day 1 Saturday 21st February 2009
Australia – Kuala Lumpur
Depart home State with Malaysia Airlines and overnight in Kuala Lumpur. Should you wish to book your luggage through to HCM City Vietnam you need to request same at time of check in, conditions do apply. Please note that your hand luggage should not exceed 5KG and will need to include any requirements for your overnight stay in Kuala Lumpur.

Day 2 Sunday 22nd
Kualu Lumpur – Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City (D)
You are met at the airport and transferred to your central city hotel. After freshening up you are taken on a walking orientation tour of this vibrant city. This evening there is a group welcome dinner.

Day 3 Monday 23rd
Saigon City Tour (B)
Commencing your tour of this historical city you visit many landmarks, including the Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, which was built by the French in 1877, former Presidential Palace, War Remnants Museum, Cholon District, Father Tam's Catholic Church where President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother hid themselves in 1963, and the Ben Thanh markets, where your bartering skills can be honed. Saigon is a shopper’s paradise and this evening you might like to visit the street markets.

Day 4 Tuesday 24th
Saigon - Mekong Delta (B L)
This morning you make an early start and take a scenic drive south to the Mekong Delta. On arrival at Ben Tre, you board your private motorised boat and travel the tributaries of the Mekong Delta to one of the spectacular fruit laden Islands. Stepping ashore you board a horse drawn cart to explore the Island and then sit down to morning tea with seasonal fruits. You then return to your boat onboard an oared Sampan which takes you along the peaceful canals under the shadows of the water coconut trees. After returning to shore you lunch at one of the most picturesque restaurants on the Mekong Delta. Should time and suitable weather conditions prevail, you will also visit the Dong Tam snake breeding farm and zoo.

Day 5 Wednesday 25th
Saigon - Cu Chi Tunnels (B L)
After breakfast you travel northwest to this former underground VC village. On arrival you watch a video filmed by the Vietnamese during the American war, and then explore the widened tunnel systems. For those slim, fit and daring enough you can crawl along some of the original tunnels. Lunch is alongside the picturesque river and you return to your hotel mid afternoon. This is a fun day but expect to get some red dirt on your clothes, and may we suggest to the ladies that they wear shorts or slacks.

Day 6 Thursday 26th
Saigon - Vung Tau (B L)
You depart Saigon and journey south by hydrofoil to the sea side resort of Vung Tau. After booking into your hotel you take a road tour and visit the White Villa, the former area known as “Flags”, the South China sea beach, located across the road from where the Peter Badcoe club once stood, and the VC Memorial located where 1 ALSG once stood. Lunch is provided and the remainder of your day is free to laze by the hotel pool, have a steam bath or sauna, shop or continue your sight seeing.

Day 7 Friday 27th
Vung Tau – Long Tan – Nui Dat – Hoa Long - Long Phuoc (B L)
This mornings travels take you to the Long Tan Battlefield, and Nui Dat, whilst few remnants remain of the former Task Force Base, plenty of time is allowed to explore the area and visit the local school, which is in need of repair and is situated at the end of what was once Luscombe Airstrip. After visiting the township of Hoa Long, you lunch at the Long Phuoc Tunnels and then make your way back to Vung Tau.

Day 8 Saturday 28th
Vung Tau - Baria - Long Hais - Vung Tau (B L)
After breakfast you travel northeast to visit the township of Baria, then the Long Hai’s and former Minh Dam Secret Zone, for a Commemorative Service commencing at 1100 hrs in memory of the members of 1 Pl. A Coy. 8 RAR who lost there lives there on the 28th February 1970. After the Service you visit the Cao Dai monastery at the top of the mountain for morning tea with the Monks. You then meet the caretaker of the Minh Dam area and explore the former site. A boxed lunch is provided on a beach with rest rooms, covering from the sun and relaxing beach chairs. On returning to Vung Tau your time is free to laze by the pool or continue your sight seeing.

Day 9 Sunday 1st March 2009
Vung Tau - Binh Ba - Saigon (B)
This morning you make your way back to Saigon by road, via the village of Binh Ba. A refreshment stop is made along the way and you should be back in the city of Saigon around lunch time. After booking into your hotel the remainder of your day is at leisure.

Day 10 Monday 2nd
Saigon Free Day (B)
Today is at leisure to allow you to recharge the batteries. You may wish to continue your sight seeing or visit the shops and markets for the many bargains on offer. Taxis are cheap and metered, but a Cyclo is a fun way to travel, make sure you agree to an hourly price first.

Day 11 Tuesday 3rd
Saigon – Danang – Hoi An (B)
After breakfast you transfer to the airport for your flight north to Danang. You are met at the airport and driven the short distance south to the former trading port of Hoi An, which retains the feel of centuries past. After booking into your hotel you refresh and then take a walking tour along the narrow streets and across the 400 year old Japanese covered bridge, stopping to visit ancient houses, galleries and a silk tailor shop along the way. Mid afternoon you can relax by the swimming pool or continue your shopping and sightseeing.

Day 12 Wednesday 4th
Hoi An – My Son – Kim Bong (B L)
This morning you drive south west to My Son, located in Quang Nam Province. The Champa ruins of My Son date from the 4th to the 13th centuries and represent a series of constructions. On your return journey you stop at Cau Lau Bridge and board a private boat for a cruise on the Thu Bon River to the Kim Bong wood carving village. The more adventurous can then ride a bicycle along the paths of this scenic village to a private home for lunch. Those unable to ride bicycles will be transported on the back of motor scooters. After lunch you visit a wood carving workshop, and then re board your boat for a fun and scenic cruise back to Hoi An.

Day 13 Thursday 5th
Hoi An – Danang (B L)
Mid morning you take the short drive to Danang to visit the unique Marble Mountains . Providing the weather and your fitness allows you can at your pace make the long climb to the top and enter Huyen Khong cave. You will be rewarded with magnificent views of Danang, the surrounding mountains and China beach. Those unable to make the climb can visit the marble factory to learn and watch how the statues are carved. Next you visit the Cham museum with its artefacts dating from the 7th to the 15th centuries, and the original China Beach.

Day 14 Friday 6th
Hoi An – Danang – Lang Co Beach – Hue (B L)
Mid morning you farewell Hoi An and travel by road north across the stunning Hai Van Pass, stopping at Lang Co Beach for lunch. After a relaxing stop in this scenic area, you continue your drive to Hue and on arrival book into your hotel.

Day 15 Saturday 7th
Hue (B)
After breakfast you take a cruise by Dragon boat along the scenic Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda. Returning to your hotel you freshen up and then take an orientation tour of this historic city and visit the magnificent Royal Citadel, surrounded by a moat, the defensive wall is 10 kilometres long and encompassed within is the Imperial Closure and the Forbidden Purple City.

Day 16 Sunday 8th
Hue – Hanoi (B)
You breakfast and then transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi . After booking into your hotel and freshening up you board a cyclo for a fun ride around this historic city with its blend of French, Chinese and Vietnamese architecture. You will visit the bustling Old Quarter with its 36 streets which were formally named after the products sold and where for centuries peddlers have traded their wares. This evening you attend the world popular water puppet show.

Day 17 Monday 9th
Hanoi City Tour – Lao Cai – Sapa (BD)
Today you visit several landmarks, including, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the former Presidential Palace, the modest stilt house of President Ho Chi Minh, One Pillar Pagoda built in 1049, Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword) the Army Museum and former POW Prison “the Hanoi Hilton”.
After dining together you are picked up from your hotel and driven to the Railway Station. The overnight train departs at approximately 2100 for Lao Cai in the north west and arrives at approximately 5.30am.
Your carriage is an air-conditioned 4 berth soft sleeper, no meals are provided on the train. Your main luggage can be left at your hotel in Hanoi. A smaller bag with warmer clothes is all that is required for this 3 day journey. Please ensure you have comfortable walking shoes and your camera at the ready, the views are sensational.

Day 18 Tuesday 10th
Lao Cai – Coc Ly - Sapa (B L)
On arrival in Lao Cai, you breakfast at a local restaurant and then visit the Coc Ly tribal market. The market allows you to mix with the locals and see the H'mong and Dzao minority people in their most colorful costumes. You then take a scenic boat trip down stream on the Chay River to visit the Dzao, Tay minority villages. Along the way you will visit the International border gate of Vietnam and China. Lunch is provided and this afternoon you make the 34km scenic journey from Lao Cai to Sapa and on arrival book into your hotel. The remainder of your day is at leisure. Sapa is an old French hill station nestled among the Hoang Lien Son Mountains near the Chinese border, it is the most scenic mountain location in Vietnam. Members of the Black Hmong ethnic minority are present in the town, and other ethnic minorities come into town for the weekly market.

Day 19 Wednesday 11th
Sapa – Lao Cai – Hanoi (B L D)
After breakfast you explore Sapa Town, with its charm and breathtaking views. You also visit Cat Cat village, home to the H’Mong, and learn about their daily life. This afternoon you make your way to Lao Cai and this evening board your train to Hanoi. The train departs at approximately 2000, 8.00pm and arrives in Hanoi at approximately 5.30am. Lunch and dinner are provided on this day.

Day 20 Thursday 12th
Hanoi – Free Day (B)
On arrival in Hanoi you transfer to your hotel for breakfast. The remainder of the day is at leisure to allow you to recharge your batteries. You may wish to continue your sightseeing or visit the Old Quarter for shopping bargains.

Day 21 Friday 13th
Hanoi – Ninh Binh - Tam Coc - Hoalu (B L D)
This morning you drive south to Ninh Binh and Tam Coc, which is also known as Dry Halong Bay. It is an exciting day highlighted, by a 2 hour boat ride in a hand woven bamboo rowing boat. The scenery is spectacular, you are surrounded by rice paddies and towering limestone mountain peaks. After lunch in a local riverside restaurant you make the short trip down a peaceful country road to Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s ancient capital eleven centuries ago. Here there are two temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le, the founders of the ancient capital during the 10th century. This evening there is a group farewell dinner.

Day 22 Saturday 14th
Hanoi – Australia (B)
Late morning you transfer to the airport for your flights to Kuala Lumpur where you board your overnight flights to your home states.

NB: B Breakfast L Lunch D Dinner

Whilst in the area why not visit Laos and Cambodia. Please speak to us about this or any other extension you may be considering.

Additional accommodation, sightseeing, private transfers, insurance, visa or any other travel options are available.