Treasures of Vietnam

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, a French-infused city with a dynamic atmosphere. If you arrive early, perhaps head to Pham Ngu Lao Street to see the local open-aired market or visit Vinh Nghiem Pagoda. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you will meet your tour leader and fellow travellers. • Hotel – (1 night) • Room Type – Based on leading Standard Rooms • Included Meals – No meals included this day Included Activities Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer Special Information The arrival transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Intrepid. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel, as we may not be able to confirm a request made within 14 days of travel. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Start your tour of Ho Chi Minh City with a visit to the Reunification Palace. Formerly known as the Presidential Palace, it was the site of South Vietnam's surrender at the end of the war. Next, head over to the War Remnants Museum where you’ll see old military equipment including an F5A fighter and a UH1-Huey helicopter. Finally, you’ll tour the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. This former Viet Cong stronghold provides an insight into the resourcefulness and tenacity of the Vietnamese people, as well as underground life during the Vietnam War. • Hotel – (1 night) • Room Type – Based on leading Standard Rooms • Included Meals – Breakfast Included Activities Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels Ho Chi Minh City - Reunification Palace Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum Ho Chi Minh City - City tour  

Say goodbye to Ho Chi Minh City and fly to Danang (1 hour 30 minutes). From here you’ll make your way to My Khe Beach, a beautiful spot which lies against a backdrop of the Marble Mountains. This location was significant for both the Americans and the Vietnamese during the war. Enjoy a visit to the Marble Mountains to explore its caves and pagodas. Access is via rock hewn staircases or for a fee of VND40,000 you can use the elevator. After your visit continue to Hoi An where you’ll stay for the night (approximately 30 minutes by private minibus). • Hotel – (1 night) • Room Type – Based on leading Standard Rooms • Included Meals – Breakfast Included Activities Danang - Marble Mountain Danang - My Khe Beach

Your leader will take you on a walk around Hoi An’s Old Town today. The city was a major trading port from the 17th century onwards, and has various architectural influences from Europe, China and Vietnam. Today the city is being restored and looks exactly like it did over a century ago. The tour will take you to a historic house, the Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese assembly hall and a museum. The rest of the day is free for you to do some optional activities or soak up the ambience of the place. You may like to wander the street stalls selling paintings, woodwork, ceramics, lanterns and much more. Hoi An is also famous for its talented tailors who can make beautiful items to order within a few hours. • Hotel – (1 night) • Room Type – Based on leading Standard Rooms • Included Meals – Breakfast Included Activities Hoi An - Old Town walking tour Optional Activities Hoi An - Food Adventure Urban Adventure - USD31 Hoi An - Hoi An Boat & Bike with Sunset BBQ Urban Adventure - USD54

This morning, transfer to the airport and fly to Vietnam’s charming capital of Hanoi (1 hour 30 minutes). You’ll be taken on a guided half-day tour of Hanoi, visiting major sites such as the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda and the former residence of Vietnam’s most famous revolutionary, Ho Chi Minh. The tour will also include lunch at the KOTO cafe, an amazing project which provides vocational training for disadvantaged young people. You’ll have some free time this afternoon. Hanoi is a strangely quiet city compared to its southern counterpart. Escape from the noise by visiting the various parks and lakes, or hire a bike and cycle around town for the best view of the city. • Hotel – (1 night) • Room Type – Based on leading Standard Rooms • Included Meals – Breakfast and Lunch Included Activities Hanoi - Koto Restaurant lunch Hanoi - Temple of Literature Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh's stilt house Hanoi - Old Quarter Walking Tour Hanoi - One Pillar Pagoda Optional Activities Hanoi - Fine Arts Museum - VND30000 Hanoi - Water puppet show - VND100000 Hanoi - Hanoi Street Food By Night Urban Adventure - USD29

Travel by private minibus to the famous Halong Bay (approximately 4 hours), one of Vietnam's most spectacular natural wonders. Once you arrive at the bay, you’ll take a long, slow cruise through the area, exploring the beautiful green waters and amazing Surprise Cave. Access to Surprise Cave is via staircases. Once inside the cave the pathways are a little uneven and slippery. You may also have the opportunity to go swimming from Ti Top Island beach. You’ll spend the night on the boat. The traditional junk-style boat has twin-share cabins with air-conditioning and private facilities. There's also a dining room and bar where you’ll enjoy all of your meals, including fresh seafood for lunch and dinner. • Overnight boat (1 night) • Cabin Type – Based on leading Standard Cabin • Included Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included Activities Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise Halong Bay - Lunch on Boat Halong Bay - Dinner on Boat Special Information It is recommended to pack a smaller overnight bag to take to Halong Bay for ease of boarding and disembarking. You can store your main luggage in Hanoi for tonight. Kayaking and swimming is restricted to designated zones within the bay. There are restrictions on the number of boats that are permitted to stay in the bay overnight, sometimes resulting in a shortage. To ensure all Intrepid travellers can enjoy the experience of a night on the water, occasionally you will stay on a larger boat (with approximately 12 cabins) and share your boat with another group. Or your group may be split across different vessels, in which case an Intrepid group leader will be present on each boat, and the route taken and inclusions on board will remain the same. The boat is not likely to be a traditional sailing junk, as many older or imported vessels do not comply with waterway traffic safety laws.

Head back to Hanoi by private minibus (approximately 4 hours). This afternoon take in a unique water puppet performance. This evening is free for you to explore this delightful city. Why not relax at a cafe or stop for a bia hoi (freshly brewed draught beer) at one of the microbars in the Old Quarter? • Hotel – (1 night) • Room Type – Based on leading Standard Rooms • Included Meals – Breakfast Included Activities Hanoi - Local water puppet performance  

After breakfast, you are free to leave at any time, as there are no activities planned today. If you would like to spend some more time in Hanoi, we’ll be happy to organise some additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). • Hotel – (1 night) • Room Type – Based on leading Standard Rooms • Included Meals – Breakfast Optional Activities Hanoi - Village Discovery by Bike Urban Adventure - USD36 Hanoi - Citadels, Karsts & Cycle Urban Adventure - USD79 Hanoi - Hoa Lo 'Hanoi Hilton' Prison - VND30000 Inclusions Meals: 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner Transport: Boat, Plane, Private minibus Accommodation: Hotel (6 nights), Overnight Boat (1 night) Included activities Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels Ho Chi Minh City - Reunification Palace Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum Ho Chi Minh City - City tour Danang - Marble Mountain Danang - My Khe Beach Hoi An - Old Town walking tour Hanoi - Koto Restaurant lunch Hanoi - Temple of Literature Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh's stilt house Hanoi - Old Quarter Walking Tour Hanoi - One Pillar Pagoda Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise Halong Bay - Lunch on Boat Halong Bay - Diner on Boat Hanoi - Local water puppet performance