Vietnam Study Group

Itinerary for 2005 Trip

Vietnam Service Ribbon
Number Of Days Estimated Cost
30
$5,000
Day 01 : Arrive in Saigon On arrival, meet and transfer to hotel with an orientation tour of the city. Overnight at Bong Sen 1 or similar hotel.
Day 02: Saigon - Cu Chi Today's half-day city tour visits Saigon's historic landmarks including the Old Saigon Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, former Presidential Palace and Cholon, the city's bustling Chinatown. Afternoon, head out to Cu Chi to visit the incredible underground tunnel network built by Vietnamese guerrilla fighters during the long years of war. Return to Saigon . Overnight at Bong Sen 1 hotel or similar.
Day 03: My Tho Full day excursion is to My Tho in the Mekong Delta. Take a 2-hour car drive from Saigon to Tien Giang. Upon arriving in My Tho, visit the military snake farm before boarding our private sampan for a river cruise on the upper part of the Mekong River to visit the bonsai, fruit garden to taste diverse types of fruit, tea mixed with bee honey, followed by a visit to a wine factory and local homes. We end the trip by taking a small sampan ride through the winding and tiny canals (subject to the water level) offering a close-up view of daily river life. Return to Saigon late afternoon. Overnight at Bong Sen 1 hotel or similar .
Day 04: Saigon – Dalat Leave Saigon for Dalat (350km scenic drive through rubber and tea plantations en route), stop en route at La Nga Lake for sightseeing / photo taking and Di Linh tea plantation. Arrive in Dalat. Free. Overnight at Golf 4 hotel or similar .
Day 05: Dalat Full day excursions in Dalat and surroundings including such sights as Lat Village, a visit to the art deco former summer residence of Emperor Bao Dai and Lam Ty Ni Pagoda where the Buddhist monk and local celebrity Vien Thuc produces his abstract paintings and writes poetry (subject to availability at the time of arrival) , Cathedral, Dambri Waterfall, then drive to the train station to take a train ride to Trai Mat. Overnight at Golf 4 hotel or similar .
Day 06: Dalat - Nha Trang After breakfast, leave Dalat for Nhatrang in the morning. The drive passes Ngoan Muc Pass and continue to Phan Rang. Break the journey here to visit the 13th century Po Klong Jarai Cham Towers perched on a rocky hill surrounded by prickly pear cacti. Arrive in Nhatrang in the afternoon. Overnight at Vien Dong or similar hotel .
Day 07: Nha Trang A morning cruising the turquoise waters and offshore islands of Nha Trang bay to visit Tru Beach, Con Se Tre islands. There are opportunities to swim and snorkel and after a seafood lunch return to shore, with the rest of the day free to explore the city or just relax under a coconut palm on the sandy beach. Overnight at Vien Dong or similar hotel.
Day 08: Buon Me Thuot – Pleiku After breakfast, leave Nhatrang for 08 hours drive to Pleiku in the morning. The drive is via Ru Ri pass , Ninh Hoa, Buon Methuot, Nhon Hoa village and onto Pleiku, Pleiku was considered as the most strategically important position of the US Military in the central highlands during the Vietnam war. On arrival in Pleiku, transfer to hotel for check in. Overnight at Pleiku or similar hotel.
Day 09: Pleiku After breakfast, drive southward highway 14 to visit (from a distance) Dragon mountain and Camp Enari - the former Headquarter of the 4th infantry Division. Lunch is at local restaurant. Continue driving to Cacteka plantation, Pleime, and Bau Can, the former operational areas of the 4th Division. Return to hotel for the night. Overnight at Pleiku or similar hotel.
Day 10: Pleiku – Da Nang – My Lai – Hoi An (Air) VN342 PXU-DAD @08:25/09:15 (operated on Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri and Sun only)
Early morning transfer to the airport for flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival in Da Nang, pick up and transfer directly to Quang Ngai to visit Chu Lai base and then take a scenic drive to Son My (or the town of My Lai) passing through particularly beautiful countryside of rice paddies, manioc patches and vegetable gardens shaded by casuarinas and eucalyptus. Located 140 km from Da Nang is Son My Memorial where horrific war atrocities took place during the American War. Return to Hoi An for the night.
Day 11: Hoi An – Da Nang – Hue After breakfast, take a walking tour on its narrow cobblestone streets visiting former merchants' houses, Phuc Kien Pagoda, the 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colorful bazaar before driving another 30 km to Da Nang with a stop to visit Marble Mountain and China Beach. Continue drive to Hue via scenic Hai Van Pass where a spectacular panorama of the central coastline can be viewed at the summit. Upon arrival in Hue, check in hotel. Overnight at Huong Giang or similar hotel.
Day 12: Hue Morning take a dragon boat upstream to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue's most preserved religious monument standing on the riverbank with its seven-floor tower. Then drive to visit Ming Mang Mausoleum. Free time in the afternoon . Overnight at Huong Giang or similar hotel.
Day 13: DMZ Early morning depart for the demilitarized zone. The area south of the DMZ was the scene of some of the bloodiest battles of conflict during the American War. Places of military significance in the area include Quang Tri, the Rockpile, Dakrong Bridge, Ho Chi Minh Trails, Khe Sanh, Lang Vay, Hien Luong Bridge at 17 Parallel and Vinh Moc Tunnels . Back to Hue for the night. Overnight at Huong Giang or similar hotel.
Day 14: Hanoi - Hue (Air) VN244 14:30/15:40
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and drive to visit the elaborate mausoleums of Emperor Tu Duc, Khai Dinh, and the Dong Ba market before transfer to the airport for flight HAN-HUI in the late afternoon. Arrive in Hanoi, pick up and transfer to hotel for checking in. Overnight at Sunway or similar hotel.
Day 15: Hanoi Full day sight seeing of Hanoi including such sights as Ho Chi Minh House, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Fine Arts Museum, the Temple of Literature, the Lake of the Restored Sword and the bustling streets of the Old Quarter. There is a chance to witness a traditional form of entertainment from the north of Vietnam in an evening water puppet show. Overnight at Sunway or similar hotel.
Day 16: Hanoi Enjoy a 70km drive through rural northern Vietnam to the site of Vietnam's first capital, Hoa Lu. Situated on the edge of the Red River Delta in a narrow valley surrounded by limestone mountains. After visiting the two remaining sanctuaries of the ancient citadel, take enjoyments from a relaxing ride on small sampans on the river as we are rowed through winding rivers cutting through the rice paddies to the grottoes of the sacred Tam Coc Caves. Enormous limestone karsts jut out from the green rice fields which is why this area is often referred to as 'the dry Halong'. Return to Hanoi for the night. Overnight at Sunway or similar hotel.
Day 17: Hanoi Free, at leisure to explore Hanoi on own. Overnight at Sunway or similar hotel.
Day 18: Hanoi – Cat Ba (Hydrofoil) Morning drive to Hai Phong in time to take a 9:30 a.m. hydrofoil to Cat Ba. Upon arrival in Cat Ba, take a motorbike to visit Huyen Trang Cave and Cat Ba National Park, trek into this park for end the day at Cat Co Beach. Overnight at Sun & Sea hotel in Cat Ba.
Day 19: Cat Ba – Halong Full day junk cruise to caves and Three-Peach Island for 8 hours with a fresh seafood lunch on board. Embark in Halong City. Overnight at Halong 1 hotel in Halong.
Day 20: Halong– Hanoi Depart back to Hanoi with stop en route to visit the old-aged Dong Trieu Pottery village where the villagers have been continuing this traditional business for generations. You can also find out the interesting secret about how their pottery products (to be kept secret). On arrival in Hanoi, transfer to Sunway hotel for the night.
Day 21: Hanoi – Mai Chau Depart from Hanoi to Mai Chau to enjoy the scenic drive passing rural villages, terraces, stopping at Hoa Binh province to visit Muong and Dao villages. Continue to drive to Mai Chau with many stops on the way for photo opportunities. On arrival in Mai Chau, free at leisure to walk around to visit Thai villages. Overnight at Lac village.
Day 22: Mai Chau – Son La Leave Mai Chau for Son La with visits to Black H'Mong villages on the way, i.e. Xa Linh. Stop at Moc Chau for lunch break right on the huge meadow. Continue to Son La. Free to walk around to explore on own. Overnight in Son La/ Phong Lan hotel.
Day 23: Son La Morning city tour around Son La with visits to Son La Prison dating back to French time. Continue to visit Water Cave. Afternoon visit H'Mong, Dao, Thai villages around Son La. Overnight in Son La/ Phong Lan hotel.
Day 24: Son La – Dien Bien Phu Depart from Son La to Dien Bien Phu with stops on the way sometimes to hike and cross hanging bridges and visit ethnic villages. Stop at Tuan Giao for a coffee/tea-break. Continue to Dien Bien to visit Army Museum, A1 Hill.. Overnight in Dien Bien Phu/ Muong Thanh hotel .
Day 25: Dien Bien Phu – Tam Duong Morning shuttle to the Bang Quang Lake where the former Vietnamese leaders spend their holidays and go fishing. Leave Dien Bien for Tam Duong, stopping on the way at Muong Lon and Muong Lay to visit Red H'Mong & Thai villages. Continue to Tam Duong. Check in at hotel. Overnight in Tam Duong/ Phuong Thanh hotel.
Day 26: Tam Duong – Sapa Depart from Tam Duong to Sa Pa, stopping to have leisure walks and enjoy the fantastic sceneries of mountains and hills. You may be lucky to meet the Red H'Mong groups. Arrive Sa Pa about noon in time for lunch/ coffee break. In the afternoon take a walk around market or to Cat Cat village. Overnight at Gecko or similar hotel in Sapa.
Day 27: Sapa – Ma Cha – Ta Phin – Sapa Morning drive from Sa Pa to Ma Cha. On arrival, start to walk to Ta Phin, a Red Dao village, and take a rest at the old ruined church dated back to French time. Continue to Ta Phin, visit Red Dao and Black H'Mong villages. Return to Sa Pa. Afternoon (if in good condition) trek to Ta Van village to visit Zay group. Overnight at Gecko or similar hotel in Sapa.
Day 28: Sapa – Bac Ha – Hanoi (train) Leave Sa Pa for Bac Ha (today should be Sunday) to visit the most colorful market of String H'Mong groups and others. Transfer to Lao Cai train station for Lao Cai – Hanoi Tulico train. Overnight on train.
Day 29: Hanoi Free time at leisure to explore Hanoi on own. Overnight at Sunway or similar hotel.
Day 30: Departure
Thanks to Tu Nguyen, John and Dy from Trails of Indochina for their help in my travel plans.
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Don Haney