We are planning a tour in 2011, please watch this space. If you are interested please contact China Birds.

Enjoy a cruise on Halong Bay in a converted wooden junk, lulled to sleep by the waves: a great start to your Vietnam holiday. Back to Hanoi,then it's imperial Hue and quaint and quirky Hoi An where you can learn to cook and make lanterns- something to do while you wait for your clothes to be made.

Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City are next. Lots to see and do in

2010 itinerary -Beautiful Vietnam.

Day 1 Wednesday 27/01/10 Melb/Hanoi

Depart for Hanoi via Ho Chi Minh City by VN780. On arrival at airport, met by guide and transferred to hotel.

That first glimpse of Hanoi- those amazing narrow houses- breathtaking.

Day 2 Thursday 28/01/10 Hanoi/ Halong Bay

Morning drive to Halong Bay. Board a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Halong Bay. Drop anchor for the night nearby a remote island.OVERNIGHT ON JUNK. ( B,L,D) Lunch and dinner on board.

2009- some of the group enjoyed fishing for squid ( someone caught one !) whilst the rest watched a video provided by our guide. Everyone loved the cute, wood-lined cabins, with shutters and windows which looked out over the sea.

Day 3 Friday 29/01/10 Halong Bay/Hanoi

Spend a half day cruising through new waters, stopping to visit colourful grottoes and to swim at deserted beaches . Return to Hanoi in the afternoon stopping en route at Dong Trieu ceramics factory. ( B,L,D) Note: Boat check in/out time is noon. Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant.

2009- most of the group woke up early and many took photos of the sunrise. Most waltzed around in their nighties, tho' some grabbed the styish dressing gowns provided. It was all so sweet and casual.

The boat trip to the grottoes was wonderful, and we were able to see the monkeys on the hills- usually they are so shy.

Day 4 Saturday 30/01/10 Hanoi

A full day to explore the architecture and history of Hanoi. In the morning, Quan Thanh, Ngoc Son, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature.( Fabulous handcraft shop across the road is also a must!). In the afternoon, visit the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts, the Lake of the Restored Sword, and the Old Quarter. The tour includes a stop at an ancient Vietnamese "long house". Evening water puppet show. ( B,L,D) Lunch and dinner at local restaurant.

2009- we actually went on a cyclo tour around the city before the Puppet Show. It was an extra cost, but well worth it. Everyone noticed the Silk Street ( the old city is divided up into specialist streets). And made a beeline for it the next day.

Day 5 Sunday 31/01/10 Hanoi

Free at leisure ( B) So much to do. So much to buy. So many little restaurants saying " try me".

Day 6 Monday 1/02/10 Hanoi/Hue

Transfer to airport for flight to Hue. On arrival transfer to hotel. Free time. (B,L,D). Lunch and dinner at local hotel. ( Flight VN 245 leaves HAN 1010, arr, HUE 1120)

Hotel is gorgeous and it has a lovely pool. Also, an outdoor bar. The restaurant for breakfast overlooks the Perfume River- think boats, lotus and serenity.

Day 7 Tuesday 2/02/10 Hue

Morning boat cruise through the centre of Hue on the romantic Perfume River. Visit the elegant Thien Mu Pagoda along the riverbank. Then drive to visit the elaborate tombs of Emperor Khai Dinh and Tu Duc. In the afternoon visit the Imperial Citadel and Dong Ba market. ( B,L,D) Lunch and dinner at local restaurants.

Soak in the atmosphere of the city.

Day 8 Wednesday 3/02/10 Hue/Hoi An

Transfer from Hue to Hoi An. On the road visit Cham Museum, Marble Mountain. Arrive in Hoi An, check in and take a rest at hotel, or explore. The drive to Hoi An is one of the features of the trip. The scenery is breathtaking- you can see the sea whilst travelling through the mountains- vivid greens and blues, so colourful. You are also able to pass through Danang, which is remembered as it was prominent in the Vietnamese War- there was an American Base there. ( B,L,D)

Day 9 Thursday 4/02/10 Hoi An

Collected from hotel, and driven to Hoi An old town to the Hai Scout Cafe for a soft drink, then walk with the owner of the restaurant to the nearby colourful market. Experience the amazing sights and sounds and aromas of the market. You will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and purchase some of the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later on. Board the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely cruise ( 25 minutes) along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge cooking school. You will have a chance to view local river life along 2 sides of river ( make sure your camera is handy). On arrival, we have a chance to explore the cooking school's herb and vegetable garden before learning about some of Hoi An and Vietnam's well-known dishes introduced and guided by the chef. You will learn 4 main courses. Cooking class is an interesting and fun way to learn about the local cuisine- the class runs for about 1 and a half hours- but whole experience, including boat trips and market- 4-5 hours.

In afternoon, visit to a family-run business making lanterns. This work is very simple and easy to do, only using hands. Have a chance to design your own lantern, choosing a colour and taking it from frame to glueing cloth. Sunset boat trip on Thu Bon river to Thanh Ha pottery village. (B,L,D)

On the 2009 trip, we took the sunset cruise the day before so as to break up the activities a little. We had some fun with the boatmen, and some members of the group had a turn at steering the boat.

Day 10 Friday 5/02/10 Hoi An

Free Day ( B) Have clothes made. Take a day tour. Explore the old town. Wonderful to have some free time. There is a shuttle bus from the hotel into Hoi An old town. You can meet the locals on the beach. On the 2009 trip, some girls were invited to visit a village close by. They had a great time.

Day 11 Saturday 6/02/10 Hoi An

Free Day ( B) Sleep in. Take a swim in the pool. Take the bus into town, Have a facial at L'Occitane .

It's your day!

Day 12 Sunday 7/02/10 Hoi An/HCMC

Transfer to Danang airport ( 30 mins trip by coach) for flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Transferred to hotel (B,L,D) (Flight VN 323 leaves Danang 1340, arrives HCMC 1450)

Once again, a wonderful hotel with a great pool. In 2009 they offered welcome drinks.

Day 13 Monday 8/02/10 HCMC/ Cai Be/Can Tho

Drive to Cai Be and take a boat to the floating market to practise the age-old art of bartering. Visitors will be supplied with sweets, sugar, milk, etc which they can then barter for different kinds of local fruits. Continue by river to see family-run businesses producing a local version of popcorn and rice paper. Lunch is in a local house on Binh Hoa Phuoc islet set amongst fruit orchards and bonsai trees. Drive to Can Tho. ( B,L,D). Lunch and dinner at local restaurant. Are you game to try snake as a little extra dish ?

Day 14 Tuesday 9/02/10 Can Tho/HCMC

Morning boat cruise to visit a Cai Rang floating market. The market is filled with small boats darting through the water as vendors sell their wares. Cruise through small canals and stop at a fruit orchard to taste some of the succulent fruit. Fancy a pinapple expertly carved ? Return to HCMC, (B,L,D) Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 15 Wednesday 10/02/10 HCMC

After breakfast drive to the extraordinary Cu Chi tunnels just outside HCMC. During the war Viet Cong guerillas built the labyrinth of narrow tunnels virtually underneath US bases. Return to HCMC in the afternoon for a half day tour. Visit the former Presidential Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Post Office, Chinatown, Binh Tay Market and Thien Hau Temple. (B,L,D) Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant.

Maybe the Cu Chi tunnels will be the highlight today ? Certainly makes you think about what people are capable of doing. Amazing.

Day 16 Thursday 11/02/10 HCMC

Late check out until 1800. Transferred to airport for departure at 2110 to Melbourne. Arrive Melb 12/02/10 (B)

2009- Most people made for the Market, around 15-20 minutes from the hotel. Two brave souls tried the local public transport- and had a hilarious time ( and lots of local help).

Day 17- Friday 12/02/10 Melbourne

Home Sweet Home.

Goodbye Vietnam- you really are gorgeous and it's hard to say Goodbye!

Cost : $3,760.00 pp twin share. Special price for the month of October only, Total cost of trip will need to be paid by Friday, October 30th, 2009.

Single supplement $1240.00

Includes: International and domestic flights with Vietnam Air. Twin share accommodation with breakfast, late checkout on 11th Feb. English speaking guide and transportation on tour. Entrance fees and boat trips as above. Meals as indicated. Vietnam visa. Tips.

Does not include : Departure and related taxes- at present $255.00 but this may change. Insurance.

Booking conditions are as follows : a non-refundable deposit of $250.00 to be paid asap, and balance by 30/10/09.

There may be changes to this itinerary, due to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances.

Notes:

Small group travel.
Men and women are welcome.
Meals are mainly local food.
Weather is mild to warm in Hanoi and Hoi An and hot in Ho Chi Minh City. Chilly at night on Halong Bay.
With both Halong Bay and Mekong Delta trips, large luggage is left at the hotel and an overnight bag only taken.
An information session for tour participants will be held.

Any questions about the trip, please call Di Clanchy, 03 55 681343. Di will accompany the trip.

China Birds and Travelscene.

China Birds Pty Ltd, Box 210 Port Fairy, Vic 3284 Australia, Di Clanchy. ABN 98109248124 Phone 03 55681343, 0408361552, diclanchy@chinabirds.com.au

Travelscene Shop 21, Gateway Plaza, Warrnambool Vic 3280, Australia
Phone: 03 55612233, Fax : 03 55612235 travel@ansonic.com.au

* Conditions apply