See the sun set over Halong Bay, marvel at the expanse of water which is the Mekong River,walk the streets of old Hanoi, and take in the old imperial city of Hue. And then there's Hoi An, quirky and cute, a former seaport,where you can learn to cook Vietnamese style, and Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon as it's known,with its memories of the French and American occupations. Just a few of the experiences available in the upcoming trip to

BEAUTIFUL VIETNAM

This will be my third trip to Vietnam, and the second China Bird trip to that country. As I've had feedback from my recent China tour participants that they like the idea of more free time, I've included some here.Low cost meals are available on the free days. Hotels and food are all great and the Vietnamese people are so friendly.

Click on the photos to see them in more detail- all taken on one of my trips- and all have great stories behind them

 Day 1- Tuesday, 10th February  Melbourne -Hanoi

Meet at Melbourne Airport at 0830. Depart at 1135 VN. Arrive Hanoi 2000 via Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival met by guide, transferred to hotel.

Majestic Salute Hotel- 2 nights

 Street, Hanoi Old Quarter

Day 2- Wednesday, 11th February-  Hanoi

A full day to explore the architecture and history of Hanoi. In the morning, visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh's former residence, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, visit the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts, The Lake of Restored Sword, Ngoc Son Temple and the Old Quarter. The tour includes a stop at an ancient Vietnamese "long house". Evening - Water Puppet Show. Lunch and Dinner at local restaurants. (B,L,D)

Day 3- Thursday, 12th February- Halong- Hanoi

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. (B, Lunch and Dinner on Board).

Overnight on junk- Jasmine or Ginger- 1 night

 Sunset, Halong Bay

Day 4- Friday, 13th February- Halong- 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 enroute at Dong Trieu ceramics factory. ( B,L,D at local restaurant)

Note- Boat check in/out is noontime.

Majestic Salute Hotel- 2 nights

Day 5 -Saturday 14th February- Hanoi

Free at leisure in Hanoi. Explore the Old Quarter. Shopping is great. Go for a cyclo tour around the City. Have a massage or a manicure. There are some 1-day tours which are available at an extra cost if you wish to go further afield. (B)

Day 6 Sunday 15th February- Hanoi-Hue

Transfer to airport for flight to Hue.

Depart Hanoi    1010

Arrive Hue        1120

Upon arrival, met by guide and transferred to hotel. Lunch. Afternoon you are free until Dinner. ( B, L,D).

Huong Giang Hotel- 2 nights

Day 7 Monday 16th February- Hue

In the morning boat cruise on the romantic Perfume River. Visit the seven-storey Thien Mu Pagoda along the river bank, visit the Imperial Citadel. Afternoon drive to visit the elaborate tombs of Emperor Khai Dinh and To Duc. Boat cruise through these tombs. Lunch and dinner at local restaurant. (B,L,D)

Day 8 Tuesday 17th February- Hue-Hoi An

Proceed to Danang by road on a trip that is a highlight of central Vietnam. The three-hour drive hugs the coastline, winds through emerald-green paddy fields and climbs over the dramatic Hai Van Mountain pass. Visit stonecutters at the Marble Mountains, a place famed for being a "Viet Cong" guerillas' hideout during the Vietnam War. Continue to Hoi An. Check in to hotel. The rest of the day, take a rest at the hotel, or explore. If you would like some new clothes, now is the time to investigate styles and fabric for your new wardrobe- there are many tailors in Hoi An. Lunch and Dinner at a local restaurant. ( B,L,D)

 House, Old Town, Hoi An

Day 9 Wednesday 18th February- Hoi An

Morning, cooking class at Red Bridge Cooking School. In the afternoon, your guide will take you a half day walking door (easy walking), of this quaint town, visiting the former home of a merchant, a Hokkien temple, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and the colourful riverside market. Visit to a family-run business, making lanterns. This work is very simple and easy to do- you can try it.

Lunch of your cooking class, Dinner at local restaurant. (B,L,D)

 Chinese Temple, Hoi An

Day 10 Thursday 19th February- Hoi An

Half day trip to My Son (pron "Me Sun"). 55 kms from Hoi An, these ancient ruins are an example of Champa architecture. A UNESCO World Heritage site, they are similar to those at Angkor Wat. The rest of the day is yours- time to have a massage or facial at L'Occitane or in the market ( if you are game!), or explore the Old Town. If group is agreeable, we will meet for Happy Hour at one of the restauants in the Old Town.(B)

 My Son

Day 11 Friday 20th February- Hoi An

Free at leisure. Enjoy the very special ambience of Hoi An. Hire a bike and ride to the beach. Or take a taxi. Finalise your clothes. ( And did I mention shoes ?)Take a boat across the river or cross by bridge and explore the other side. Check out the many artists studios in the Old Town- you can see them at work. The art work is fantastic. Meet at one of the Restaurants along the river for Happy Hour ??  (B)

 Hoi An. Looking towards the Japanese Covered Bridge.

Day 12 Saturday 21st February- Hoi An- Ho Chi Minh City

Transfer to Danang for flight to Ho Chi Minh City

Depart Danang     1340

Arrive HCMC          1450

On arrival, met at the airport, and transferred to hotel. (B,Lunch and Dinner in local restaurants)

Rex Hotel- 2 nights

Day 13 Sunday 22 February Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast drive to the extraordinary Cu Chi tunnels, just outside Ho Chi Minh City. During the Vietnam War, Viet Cong rebels built the labyrinth of narrow tunnels virtually underneath U.S bases, using them to hide in during the bombing raids and to stage surprise attacks. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in then afternoon for a half day city tour. Visit the former Presidential Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Post Office, Chulon ( Chinatown), Binh Tay Market and Thien Hau Temple. ( B,Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant).

Day 14- Monday 23rd February   Ho Chi Minh City-  Cai Be - Can Tho ( Mekong Delta)

Drive to Cai Be and take a boat to the floating market to practice the age-old art of bartering. Visitors will be supplied with sweets, sugar, milk, etc, which they can then barter for different kinds of 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 among fruit orchads and bonsai trees. Drive to Can Tho. Dinner at local restaurant. ( B,L,D)

 Children, River Bank, Mekong Delta

Victoria Can Tho Hotel - 1 night.

Day 15- Tuesday 24th February Can Tho- Ho Chi Minh City

Morning boat cruise to visit 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 orchad to taste some succulent fruit. Return to Ho Chi Minh City. (B.L.D)

 House on water, Mekong Delta

Rex Hotel- 1 night

Day 16 Wednesday 25th February  Ho Chi Minh City- Melbourne.

Your day is free until transferred to the airport for departure flight. You have LATE CHECK-OUT from your hotel until 1800. Shop at local market or enjoy a swim at the hotel ? (B)

Depart Ho Chi Minh City  2110

Day 17 Thursday 26th February Melbourne

Arrive Melbourne 0925

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Hotels : Hanoi : Majestic Salute ( Deluxe)

              Halong Bay Junk: Ginger or Jasmine (Premium)

              Hue: Huang Giang ( Deluxe)

              Hoi An: Hoi An Hotel ( Superior)

              Ho Chi Minh City: Rex ( Rear of Hotel)

              Can Tho: Victoria Can Tho ( Superior)

Cost: $3,987.00 per person twin share ( Single supplement $1,080.00)

Includes-

* Flights Vietnam Airlines

* Hotel accommodation on twin share basis with breakfast

* Lunches and dinners as indicated

* Sight-seeing, including cooking lesson and craft lesson

* Touring and transfers with English speaking guides

* Entrance fees, boat trips

* Vietnam Visa fee

Does not include

* Departure taxes- approx $375, but may increase.

* Personal insurance

* Tips

Booking conditions are as follows:

A non-refundable deposit of $250 can be paid to Travelscene as soon as possible.( Travelscene details appear below). Your name as it appears in your passport is due at same time.

Balance of trip due to Travelscene 60 days prior to departure.

There may be changes to this itinerary because of weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances.

 Making rice paper, Mekong Delta

Notes:

Small group travel ( 14 people)

Women and men welcome

Meals are mainly local food, with 1 or 2 Western meals.

Weather is mild 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.

List of suggested activities for your free days will be available. It may be possible to change arrangements to 2 half day tours instead of 1 full day and 1 free day, where applicable.

An information session for tour participants will be held. Any questions about the trip ? Please call Di on 55681343.

                          Selling Fruit, Mekong Delta

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China Birds Pty Ltd, Box 210, Port Fairy,Vic., 3284 Australia

(Di Clanchy) ABN 98109248124

Phone : 0355681343  0408361552 Email: diclanchy@chinabirds.com.au

Website: www.chinabirds.com.au

Travelscene Shop 21, Gateway Plaza, Warrnambool,3280 Australia

Phone: 0355612233. Fax: 0355612235. Email: travel@ansonic.com.au

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Tour organised by China Birds and Travelscene.

Mekong Delta