Vietnam cultural holiday

country:	Vietnam
location:	North Vietnam, South Vietnam
trip type:	A small group adventure
departures:	Up to three departures a month on Sundays throughout the year
price:	From £840 (17 days) excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK

Vietnam holidays

Cultural tours

the amazing things you'll be doing

This journey is a visual feast - stunning cultural highlights interspersed with scenic green paddy fields, ancient cities, tiny fishing hamlets and long white beaches. We start in bustling Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and head for the tranquil hill station of Dalat. In the old port town of Hoi An, Portuguese, Chinese and Japanese influences from bygone eras are reflected in the charming architecture. It’s also an ideal place for shopping or having a silk outfit tailored. At Hue, we visit the crumbling ruins of the Purple Forbidden City and explore an elaborate tomb of one of the former emperors. A trip on the famous Reunification Express takes us to delightful Hanoi, before we head to Halong Bay to cruise amongst the 3000 limestone pinnacles.

For nearly 30 years, we have lead the field in small group adventure travel. See the iconic sights as well as get off the beaten track to discover the 'real' country, and come away understanding something more of the world. Our innovative and interactive itineraries include as much as possible to ensure that you get the most out of your valuable time away, but also contain plenty of time to relax and explore by yourself. Traveling in small group, and by private transport, means that you will have the company of other like-minded travelers, your holiday will be safe and stress-free and that the impact on environment and community is kept to a minimum.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:	Arrive in Saigon and transfer to hotel.
Day 2-3:	Visit Cu Chi Tunnels, dug initially by the Viet Minh and later expanded by the Viet Cong. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accomodation and schools and were used extensively for refuge and storage and also used as a military base for the Viet Cong close to Saigon. Free day to explore Saigon, most places of interest are located close to the centre of town, Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral and Ben Thanh Market.
Day 4-5:	Drive to Dalat, one of Vietnam's most charming towns. The influence of the French is prevelant as Dalat was founded as a hill station to enable the colonials to escape the heat and chaos of Saigon. Optional visit to tribal villages.
Day 6:	Visit a Cham Tower. Drive to Nha Trang to relax on the beaches.
Day 7:	Full day boat cruise around the islands of the South China Sea, with swimming and snorkelling.
Day 8:	Drive through Vietnamese countryside to Quy Nhon. The drive is long, but the views are fantastic and we can make stops as we please to stretch our legs and take photographs.
Day 9-10:	Stop at My Lai, then drive to Hoi An, originally a Cham port town, it has been influenced down the centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. There is a distinctly Chinese appearance with pagodas and assembly halls scattered along the small streets. Walking tour of Old Town and free day to explore.
Day 11-12:	Drive to Hue via Marble Mountain and China Beach. Visit Citadel and Purple Forbidden City, Perfume River cruise. Overnight train to Hanoi.
Day 13-14:	Explore Hanoi, one of Asia's most enchanting cities. The northern capital is a quiet contradiction to its southern counterpart. The city tour includes lunch at KOTO restaurant - an amazing project aimed at providing vocational training and experience in the hospitality industry for underpriviledged young people. We also visit the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda and pay homage to Vietnam's most famous revolutionary, Ho Chi Minh.
Day 15-16:	Drive to Halong Bay. Boat cruise on bay, staying on board overnight. Return to Hanoi where we have free time to wander around and enjoy some of the city's other attractions such as afternoon tea at the Metropole Hotel.
Day 17:	Trip ends in Hanoi this morning.

small group adventure holiday

Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.

highly commended

This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.

Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.

how this holiday makes a difference

See Vietnam through the eyes of a local, as your Vietnamese tour leader gives you a first-hand insight into the colourful and diverse tapestry that makes up this unique country. Wandering around historic towns and visiting pagodas gives travellers an awareness of these important cultural relics and the importance of them being preserved and protected, so that future generations can continue to appreciate them. A prime example is the old trading port town of Hoi An, which has a timeless feel about it that is sure to make any visitor feel as though they have been transported back to bygone era.

The concept of tourism in Vietnam is fairly recent when compared to other countries in Asia and to support programs there, this operator is training their tour leaders on a variety of issues, from environmental awareness to First Aid. This not only assists in the conduct of a tour but also provides leaders with important life skills.

They are involved in assisting a number of community projects in Vietnam aimed at bettering the standard of living for many of the local people. One of these causes is the Loreto Vietnam-Australia Project, based in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), which provides shelter for street kids and has also established a school for the blind. A highlight of this trip is enjoying lunch at the KOTO restaurant in Hanoi. KOTO stands for 'Know One, Teach One' and is based around a restaurant that was established to provide vocational training and experience in the hospitality industry to underprivileged youths. The food there is delicious!

As part of our responsible travel policy we also employ local leaders and actively avoid international hotel chains, preferring to give our patronage to authentic, centrally-located and owner-managed establishments whenever possible. Our locally born and raised leaders are great fun and will be a great part of your holiday because of their intimate knowledge of the sights, culture and customs, history and language of their homeland. Once you have traveled with a local leader you will understand that there is no better way!

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