On this journey we will set out to discover the essential essence of Southern Vietnamese life - so tropically different in style and history from that of the north.
Starting in Danang, once the site of a major American air base , our first stop will be the idyllic, tranquil riverside fishing village of Hoi An where we can gently acclimatise and sleep off the jet lag. Famous for its covered Japanese bridge, narrow streets of mixed Chinese and French colonial traditional shop houses, it has become a favourite for visitors as a place to put one's feet up and enjoy the friendliness of the local people.We will then explore the ancient archaeological ruins of My Son and the former capital of the country under the Nguyen Dynasty, Hu'e9, with its old walled Imperial Citadel. We will take a riverboat cruise and visit some of the exotic tombs and palaces of past emperors.
Travelling overnight aboard the "Reunification Express" sleeper train, we head south to the beach resort town of Nha Trang, before turning inland the cool mountains of the Central Highlands, once a hillstation escape for French colonials and, afterwards, America servicemen living in Saigon.
For Christmas we return to the coast for a few days of relaxation at the quaint little beach resort of Coco Beach on the Mui Ne Peninsular, close to the town of Phan Tiet, famous for producing what is regarded to be the best Ngoc Mam - or fish sauce (an essential ingredient in all Vietnamese cuisine) - in the country.Finally we arrive in the pulsating southern metropolis - and Vietnam's largest city - of Ho Chi Minh City, still known locally by its former name, Saigon, with its blend of startling new glass towers set amongst peeling French colonial villas and tree lines boulevards.
Notes
This is a tailor made holiday concept which can be adapted and tailored to meet your dates, preferences and passions. Please contact one of our bespoke holiday planners to create the ideal itinerary for you.
16 Day Itinerary
Sample Itinerary
Day 1. Danang ~ Hoi An
Arrive Danang where a vehicle and guide will meet you and drive you the 20 km (approx.) to Hoi An. If you are feeling up to it, you could visit the Cham Museum in Danang first which will help to give you a perspective on some of the historical points of interest that you are going to encounter in the following days. Check into an hotel. Afternoon free to acclimatise and to explore Hoi An.
Day 2. Hoi An
Hoi An was once one of the major trading ports in Asia and much of it?s architecture has remained from those days. A walking tour of the ancient town centre takes in the former merchants? houses, the 400 year old Japanese covered bridge and the colourful market with it?s stalls brimming with tropical specialities. In the afternoon enjoy a boat trip on the Boung River. Overnight Hoi An.
Day 3. Hoi An
Full day free to enjoy this lovely riverside town or to visit the beach a few kilometres away.
Day 4. Hoi An ~ Hue
After an early breakfast, set off by road for the ancient capital of My Son, considered as a Holy Land, to see the oldest and most significant historical ruins in Vietnam. From here it is a 4 hour drive over the spectacular Hai Van pass to Hué, the capital of the country under the Nguyen Dynasty and still considered to be the cultural capital of Vietnam. En route stop to admire the spectacular views (cloud permitting) and at the quaint beach side village of Lang Co. there may be many other points of interest that catch your eye so don?t be shy to ask your driver to stop at any time. On arrival in Hué, check in to your hotel and spend the afternoon exploring the ancient citadel with its impressive walls and moats. Sadly the Americans bombed the site heavily and there only remains one temple standing. Overnight in Hué.
Day 5. Hué
Best to rise early (and beat the other tourists) for a leisurely cruise by sampan on the evocative river to the mausoleum of Emperor Ming Mang. There are seven royal mausoleums lining the valley here, each a unique expression of the relevant Emperor?s life, meticulously planned and built within his lifetime. Of all Nguyen architecture, it is these mausoleums which strike the highest chord of harmony between works of man and the natural surroundings, a central theme of the arts at that time. There is also a visit to the Thien Mu Pagoda (1601), standing on the riverbank with it?s 7 storey tower, and the Imperial Citadel from where Vietnam was once ruled. Overnight in Hué.
Day 6. Hué: O/n train to Nha Trang
Full day free to enjoy Hué in your own time. You could Continue exploring the mausoleums of the Nguyen emperors visiting those of the Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. The Emperor Tu Duc was a romantic - ineffectual as a leader - he retreated into beauty and libertine excess enjoying the harmonious surroundings of his ?death palace? for 16 years before he died. Tu Duc?s walled mausoleum complex is a full 12 hectares in area and is reckoned the finest example of man-nature harmony amongst the mausoleums. The Emperor Khai Dinh by contrast was vain, conceited and effective puppet ruler of the French. He loved all things Western and this is reflected in the buildings of his mausoleum, a confection of European Baroque, Cham and highly ornamental Sino-Vietnamese styles. In the late afternoon, pack your bags and set off with your guide to the railway station to board the night train to Nha Trang. Overnight on board.
Day 7. Nha Trang
Arrive Nha Trang. Check in to your hotel then set off for a brief exploratory tour of the beach, fishing village and Cham Towers. Overnight in Nha Trang.
Day 8. Nha Trang ~ Dalat
After breakfast, rejoin your guide and vehicle and set off for the scenic drive up the switch back roads to the mountain town of Dalat. Just after Phan Rang, the point at which you turn inland, visit the ancient Cham ruin of Ponagar. then, as you progress up the hill, keep you eyes open for anything of interest - I once visited a primitive kind of sugar refinery on the side of this road which was a highlight of my day.
Established as a hill station at the beginning of the century, Dalat is reminiscent of an alpine town with its French chalets and pine forests. You will take a short sightseeing tour of the city stopping to see the Truc Lam pagoda, the old Dalat Railway Station, and Lam Ty Ni Pagoda where a Buddhist monk, Vien Thuc, produces his abstract paintings and writes poetry. Overnight at the Dalat Palace, a restored colonial French hotel - the best in town.
Day 9. Dalat
In the morning explore the lively market then spend the day discovering environs of Dalat. There are several former palaces of the last emperor, Bao Dai, some of which are open to the public to view, still featuring the 1950?s formica furniture and linoleum floors. Overnight in Dalat.
Day 10. Dalat
Full day from to explore by yourselves. You might consider hiring bicycles to peddle around the little hill roads. Overnight in Dalat.
Day 11. Dalat ~ Phan Tiet
After breakfast, set off by road down the windy, hairpin strewn road towards the coast and the South China Sea. En route enjoy the panoramic view of Song Pha Pass, one of the highest passes in Vietnam. Once you reach the coast, turn right and drive south to Phan Tiet where there are some nice beaches on the Mui Ne peninsular nearby. Check in to one of the many fine beach resorts in Mui Ne.
Days 12 & 13. Phan Tiet
Relax on the beach or explore the area. Phan Tiet is famous for the production of Ngoc Mam - fermented fish sauce and you can see houses along the roadside with large jars outside in which the fish are fermenting. Is is also renowned for its sand dunes along the ocean front where you can take long walks. Bicycles and motorbikes can be rented to give you some freedom. Overnight at the Saigon Mui Ne.
Day 14. Phan Tiet ~ Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
Enjoy a last morning on the beach, then set off along Route 1 for the three hour drive to Saigon, Vietnam?s southern capital and largest city, population approx. 8m. Check in to the Continental Hotel, the famous French colonial hotel right in the centre of town where Somerset Maugham would stay and where Graham Green wrote The Quiet American that became a Hollywood film with Michael Cane starring. Afternoon to explore the city.
Day 15. Saigon
After breakfast set off for a city tour which will introduce you to all the main sights and historic points of interest in Saigon, including a visit to the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels where the Viet Minh, and later the Viet Cong, tunnelled right underneath their respective enemies, the French and the Americans, living, eating etc. underground. This is the final day of the scheduled group trip. Hereafter you are on your own personalised extension.
Day 16. Depart Saigon
Ends
Notes
This is a tailor made holiday concept which can be adapted and tailored to meet your dates, preferences and passions. Please contact one of our bespoke holiday planners to create the ideal itinerary for you.
