Vietnam School Tour (example)

Travelling from Saigon in the south to Hanoi in the north this tour includes many highlights for all students. It includes a city tour of Saigon, a day tour to the Long Tan battlefield, farming in Hoi An, a train trip from Hue a visit to a local school in Hanoi and many other exciting sights of this wonderful country.

• Saigon
• Nui Dat
• Long Tan
• Cu Chi Tunnels
• Danang
• Hoi An
• Tra Que
• Lang Co Beach
• Hue
• Hanoi
• Hoa Lu

Itinerary

Day 1
Saigon (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 in a traditional Vietnamese restaurant

Day 2
Saigon City Tour (B L D)
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 3
Saigon – Nui Dat – Long Tan – Saigon (B L D)
After an early breakfast you board your coach for the journey south east to visit the former Australian Task Force Base Nui Dat. A small school, consisting of two class rooms has been built at the end of the former runway and you will be invited to interact with the children of the area, and present them with small gifts such as coloured pencils and books. After a picnic lunch you travel to the Long Tan battlefield. A memorial cross was erected on the battle site in 1969 in memory of the 18 Australian soldiers who lost their lives during this heroic battle. You should arrive back in Saigon mid to late afternoon.

Day 4
Saigon - Cu Chi Tunnels (B L D)
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 5
Saigon – Danang – Hoi An – Tra Que (B L D)
After breakfast you transfer to the airport for your flight north to Danang. On arrival you are driven the short distance south to the former trading port of Hoi An. After booking into your hotel you take a cycling tour to visit Tra Que herb growing village. Here you will be given a demonstration on growing herbs and the opportunity to assist the farmers.

Day 6
Hoi An (B L D)
Hoi An, retains the feel of centuries past and this morning you 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. This afternoon you join an authentic Vietnamese cooking class which also includes a visit to the food markets. The remainder of the day can be spent relaxing at the hotel swimming pool.

Day 7
Hoi An – Danang – Lang Co Beach – Hue (B L D)
This morning you farewell Hoi An and board your coach 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. After lunch in Danang you travel north and cross the stunning Hai Van Pass, the scenery is awesome, late afternoon you arrive in the former capital Hue.

Day 8
Hue - Hanoi (B L D)
This morning you take a cruise by Dragon boat along the scenic Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda. After an orientation tour of this historic city you lunch and then 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. This afternoon you board the Reunification Express for your overnight rail journey to Vietnam capital Hanoi. Accommodation is in 4 berth soft sleepers with air-conditioning. Your evening meal will consist of assorted sandwiches, fruit and bottled water

Day 9
Hanoi (B L D)
On arrival in Hanoi you are met and transferred to your accommodation for early check-in . After breakfast you freshen up and then board a cyclo for a fun ride around this historic city with its blend of French, Chinese and Vietnamese architecture. You will also visit Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword) the former POW Prison “the Hanoi Hilton”, 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. The remainder of your afternoon is at rest and this evening you attend the world popular water puppet show.

Day 10
Hanoi City Tour (B L D)
This morning you visit several landmarks, including, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the former Presidential Palace, the modest stilt house of President Ho Chi Minh, and the One Pillar Pagoda built in 1049. This afternoon you visit a local high school and communicate with children from the English intensive-training classroom. Today all Vietnamese students study English, perhaps you can learn a little Vietnamese? The Vietnamese students will be very impressed.

Day 11
Hanoi - Hoa Lu – Hanoi (B L D)
This morning you drive south to Hoa lu, which was the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th and early 11th century. Upon arrival you board a Sampan and visit Tam Coc (so called dry Halong Bay). Once ashore you can ride a bicycle or board a buffalo cart to the village and visit an embroidery shop. You return to Hanoi late afternoon and this evening you attend a farewell dinner.

Day 12
Hanoi (B)
Your day is at rest until you transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Note: B Breakfast L Lunch D Dinner

Highlights
• Saigon - Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, former Presidential Palace, War Remnants Museum, Cholon District, Father Tam's Catholic Church and Ben Thanh markets
• Vung Tau area - Australian Task Force Base Nui Dat, Long Tan
• Cu Chi - tunnel system
• Hoi An - visit Tra Que herb growing village, Japanese covered bridge, ancient houses, galleries and silk tailor shop
• Danang - Marble Mountains, China beach, Cham museum, Hai Van Pass
• Hue - Dragon boat along the scenic Perfume River, Thien Mu Pagoda, Royal Citadel, Forbidden Purple City, Reunification Express
• Hanoi - Hoan Kiem Lake, former POW Prison “the Hanoi Hilton”, Old Quarter, Water Puppet Show, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the former Presidential Palace, stilt house of President Ho Chi Minh, One Pillar Pagoda, local high school visit, Tam Coc (so called dry Halong Bay)

Tour Includes
• International airfares
• Accommodation
• Domestic air tickets from Saigon / Danang
• Boat trip with private boat in Hoian, Hue, Hoalu
• Train ticket Hue / Hanoi (A/C compartment 4 pax/cupe x 4 soft sleepers)
• Transfer with private A/C vehicles
• Sightseeing with local experienced english speaking guide
• Australian historical guide at Long Tan
• Meals as per itinerary
• Entrance fees as per itinerary.
• Fee for permit to battlefield sites
• Cold bottled water and face towels on bus on days of tour
• Vietnam Visa
• Travel insurance
• Information kit inclucing travel information, maps, certificate and travel wallet.