Ultimate Vietnam Experience

Travel the length and breadth of Vietnam taking in natural and cultural wonders including UNESCO-listed World Heritage Sites, ancient capitals and seaports, a colonial-era hill station, and one of the world’s best food cities. Highlights include: overnight cruise and scenic seaplane flight in Halong Bay, trekking the terraced rice fields of Sapa, sidecar excursion in Hoi An, a city tour of Hanoi, cruising the Mekong Delta’s largest floating market, a foodie tour of Ho Chi Minh City and much more.

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Sapa

HanoiHa Long

Hoi An

Ho Chi Min hChau Doc

Hoang Sa

Truong S a

Day 1: Hanoi arrivalDay 2: Essence of Hanoi – Overnight train to SapaDay 3: Sapa – Day at leisureDay 4: Sapa – Ta Giang Phin soft trek – Overnight train to HanoiDay 5: Arrive Hanoi – Halong BayDay 6: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Flight to DanangDay 7: Hoi An – Boat trip to Coconut ForestDay 8: Hoi An - Sidecar to the CountrysideDay 9: Hoi An - Flight to Ho Chi Minh – Evening Street EatsDay 10: Essence of SaigonDay 11: Saigon - Cai Be Princess - Can ThoDay 12: Can Tho - Morning Cruise - Chau DocDay 13: Chau Doc - Tra Su ForestDay 14: Departure

ITINERARY BY DAY

TABLE OF CONTENT

Page 4: Day 1-2Page 5: Day 3Page 6: Day 4Page 7-8: AccommodationPage 9: Day 5-6Page 10: Accommodation Page 11: Day 7

Page 12: Day 8Page 13: Day 9-10Page 14-15: AccommodationPage 16: Day 11Page 17: Day 12Page 18: Day 13-14Page 19: Accommodation

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Day 1: Hanoi arrival

Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport and transfer to the Apricot Hotel, a boutique 123-room hotel right on the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake and in the middle of Hanoi’s historic Old Quarter. After checking in to your Sketch Room, the rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the photogenic streets named after traditional crafts, join the locals and walk around the scenic lake, relax by the hotel’s rooftop swimming pool or perhaps enjoy a workout in the panoramic fitness centre.

Day 2: Essence of Hanoi – Overnight train to Sapa

After breakfast, strike out on a full-day tour of some of Hanoi’s fascinating sights showcasing the more than 1,000-year-old history of this graceful capital city. Highlights include: the Temple of Literature. Vietnam’s oldest university, with its ancient collection of peaceful courtyards and gardens built in homage to the Chinese scholar Confucius; a walking tour through some of the Old Quarter’s 36 streets named after the original craft guilds making products of tin, silver, bamboo and more. Stroll through the labyrinthine back alleys for an authentic look at local life amongst temples and traditional houses as your guide makes Hanoi’s history come alive with stories of this ancient capital; the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing structure that houses the preserved remains of the country’s former president revered for leading the fight for Vietnam’s independence from colonial French rule; the iconic Ngoc Son Temple (also known as the Temple of the Jade Mountain) situated on a tiny island on fabled Hoan Kiem Lake; and a traditional water puppet show, an age-old art form which originated in the Red River Delta as a way to fuse puppetry and music to tell fables and folk stories.

Enjoy refreshment stops during the day including a velvety smooth Vietnamese coffee at a café overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake and a traditional Vietnamese lunch with a contemporary twist at Home Restaurant, a vintage-chic eatery housed in a beautifully restored 1930’s French-era villa with views over tranquil Truc Bach Lake.

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon and prepare for check-out. Evening transfer to the train station where you will board the Victoria Express Train to Lao Cai, gateway to fabulous Sapa. Check in to your Deluxe Cabin and perhaps send off a few emails or surf the net with our complimentary Wi-Fi before settling in for the comfortable overnight journey with the gentle swaying of the vintage Pullman carriages to rock you to sleep.

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Day 3: Sapa – Day at leisure

Awaken at dawn, refreshed and ready for your first day in the former French hill station of Sapa, known for its cool temperatures and delightful mix of Nature and Culture in its postcard-pretty terraced rice fields and colourful ethnic minority groups. Transfer 1 hr from the Lao Cai Train Station, just minutes from the Chinese border, to the stylish Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa where a beautiful buffet breakfast awaits. Sip a wonderfully strong Vietnamese drip coffee as you look out over Mount Fansipan, Indochina’s highest peak.

The day is yours to enjoy as you like. Walk down to the nearby central square dominated by the colonial-era Stone Church and people-watch as locals come out to play volleyball or sit and talk over snacks sold by vendors. The town of Sapa is compact and pedestrian-friendly with scores of quaint boutiques and homey cafés. You’ll also want to take advantage of the many complimentary services from Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa including one-way transfers to the Sapa Market where handicrafts, ethnic-style clothing and all sorts of dried local fruit are for sale, or to the Fansipan Station for a trip to the “Rooftop of Indochina” on the highest and longest cable car ride of its type in the world. After a full day of exploring, book yourself for a complimentary 60-minute Couple’s Package at the Victoria Spa, with time to enjoy its heated pool and outdoor tennis courts.

In the evening, sit down to a lovely dinner (included) at Ta Van Restaurant, with a seat by its large central fireplace or on the outdoor terrace with views over the nearby mountain range. The restaurant also features traditional performances by H’mong and Thai minority dancers on select evenings.

Overnight at Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa, a 77-room boutique property designed to embody the spirit of Sapa, from its stone and wood buildings that evoke the feel of an exclusive Alpine lodge to the wooden floors and locally-woven textiles in each stylish guest room.

The day is yours to enjoy as you like. Walk down to the nearby central square dominated by the colonial-era Stone Church and people-watch as locals come out to play volleyball or sit and talk over snacks sold by vendors. The town of Sapa is compact and pedestrian-friendly with scores of quaint boutiques and homey cafés. You’ll also want to take advantage of the many complimentary services from Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa including one-way transfers to the Sapa Market where

handicrafts, ethnic-style clothing and all sorts of dried local fruit are for sale, or to the Fansipan Station for a trip to the “Rooftop of Indochina” on the highest and longest cable car ride of its type in the world. After a full day of exploring, book yourself for a complimentary 60-minute Couple’s Package at the Victoria Spa, with time to enjoy its heated pool and outdoor tennis courts.

In the evening, sit down to a lovely dinner (included) at Ta Van Restaurant, with a seat by its large central fireplace or on the outdoor terrace with views over the nearby mountain range. The restaurant also features traditional performances by H’mong and Thai minority dancers on select evenings.

Overnight at Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa, a 77-room boutique property designed to embody the spirit of Sapa, from its stone and wood buildings that evoke the feel of an exclusive Alpine lodge to the wooden floors and locally-woven textiles in each stylish guest room.

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Day 4: Sapa – Ta Giang Phin soft trek – Overnight train to Hanoi

After a hearty buffet breakfast to fuel you for the morning’s hike, travel approximately 1 hr to the small village of Ban Suoi Thau. This picturesque village on the edge of the Hoang Lien National Park is the starting point for a 2 hr walk through the gorgeous Sapa highlands. Go on a peaceful hike through this area inhabited by Red Dao ethnic groups with the opportunity to interact with these friendly locals. Explore the village to gain insight into how they live – spending their days tending the terraced rice fields, caring for their homes and creating the most elaborate and colourful of textiles. Finish your 4 km walk with a beautifully prepared picnic against jaw-dropping landscapes of green forested mountains, golden rice fields and big blue sky.

Return to Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa in the early afternoon and enjoy 10% off in-house services (advance reservation required) before a late check-out (subject to availability) and evening transfer to the Lao Cai Train Station for your return journey to Hanoi aboard the Victoria Express Train.

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ACCOMMODATION

Located at a historic location on Hang Trong Street, with sweeping view of the legendary Hoan Kiem Lake, Apricot Hotel is a prime destination to explore the quintessence of Vietnamese art and culture. Shrouded in neo-classical design with artistic Vietnamese touches, Apricot’s 123 elegant rooms exude luxury in an inviting and intimate atmosphere.

APRICOT HOTEL

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ACCOMMODATION

VICTORIA SAPA RESORT & SPA

Nestled amongst the mountains of Sapa in Northern Vietnam lies the Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa, modelled after a traditional mountain chalet. The resort’s stone and wood construction blends seamlessly with the surrounding environment, overlooking Indochina’s highest peak, Mount Fansipan. Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa features 77 well-appointed rooms and suites.

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Day 5: Arrive Hanoi – Halong Bay

Arrive in Hanoi just in time for a leisurely breakfast in the Victoria Lounge before traveling approximately 180 km to beautiful Halong Bay by private vehicle. From the Tuan Chau Island Marina, take an unforgettable 25-minute scenic sightseeing flight for bird’s eye views of the highlights of this UNESCO-listed World Heritage Centre. Fly over the spectacular seascape of some 1,600 islands and islets, most untouched by humans and marked by towering limestone pillars rising out of the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin.

At noon, check in to your Deluxe Cabin aboard the Emeraude, a boutique sailing vessel modelled after a turn-of-the-century paddle steamer. Enjoy lunch in the stylish restaurant that recalls the Golden Age of Travel with dark woods, vintage photographs and elegant table settings.

The rest of the day is a pleasing mix of relaxation and exploration with shore excursions to visit caves and islands as well as afternoon crepes, cooking demonstrations and movies on board or simply lounging on deck and watching the ever-changing scenery of glorious Halong Bay glide on by. Dinner is served in the restaurant.

Day 6: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Flight to Danang

You are invited to wake up with the sun and participate in one of the most scenic Tai Chi sessions you’ll ever encounter on the sundeck of the Emeraude. Enjoy pastries and a morning cup of coffee or tea with the glittering islands of Halong Bay as a backdrop before visiting a pearl farm or kayaking around the islands (nominal fee applies). After checking out of your cabin, sit down to a final brunch at the restaurant as the ship cruises through the bay.

Disembark at the Emeraude Cafe just before noon with private transfer back to Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport in time for your late afternoon flight to Danang International Airport. Transfer approximately 30 km to Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa, an elegant 109-room boutique hotel situated directly on Cua Dai Beach and backed by the Thu Bon River.

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ACCOMMODATION

Every day, the Emeraude journeys through one of the world’s most dazzling natural wonders and into the sepia realm of a dream in Halong bay. Named for a cruising vessel that plied these waters between 1906 and 1937, the Emeraude aspires to the magnificence of the bay itself. Its air-conditioned cabins, en suite bathrooms, award-winning cuisine and spacious deck space set the stage for the voyage of a lifetime. Massages, facials and body scrubs are now being added to the already luxurious on-board package. The opening of the onboard spa adds another layer of relaxation to supplement the dazzling views of Halong bay. The trip is completely flexible offering we variety of options for all.

EMERAUDE CLASSIC CRUISE

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Day 7: Hoi An – Boat trip to Coconut Forest

After breakfast, set off on a morning cruise on the De Vong River to the Bay Mau Water Coconut Forest. This “green lung” of Hoi An features tranquil waterways flanked by water coconut palms and rustic villages. Gain insight into the lives of the local fishermen as you watch them manipulate the large “ro” nets from your vantage point on a traditional circular basket boat. Back on board the ship, observe the mesmerising riverscapes glide on by as you feast on tasty tapas freshly prepared by our chef and enjoy a blissful foot massage by therapists from the Victoria Spa.

The afternoon is at your leisure. Take advantage of the many complimentary services from Victoria Hoi An Resort & Spa, including a 30-minute Couple’s Spa Package, a Tai Chi session (reservation required), or perhaps a set of tennis. We also highly recommend taking the complimentary shuttle into the pedestrian-friendly Ancient Town and strolling among its historic shop houses-turned-boutiques, visiting the many atmospheric Chinese temples or Hoi An’s iconic Japanese covered bridge. Hoi An is also famed for its high-quality, custom-made clothing and leather goods, many of which can be tailored in as little as 24 hours.

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Day 8: Hoi An - Sidecar to the Countryside

Enjoy a lovely buffet breakfast spread, including Hoi An’s famed Cao Lau noodle soup, at L’Annam Restaurant overlooking the resort’s beachside infinity pool. Spend the morning exploring the picturesque countryside of Hoi An by vintage sidecar, providing a unique perspective from which to photograph the area’s lush rice fields and single-craft villages that grew from when Hoi An was a prosperous port city in the Middle Ages.

Choose from one of two 2-hour routes: Route 1 explores the nearby countryside with its organic gardens, quiet fish and shrimp ponds, and gentle water buffalo working the rice fields. Also visit the Thanh Ha Pottery Village on the banks of the Thu Bon River where multi-generational families still hand-make ceramics from local clay using a foot-powered potter’s wheel. Route 2 explores life lived on and by the water at the Cam Thanh Coconut Village where fishermen can be seen casting their circular nets on the river bordered by coconut palms. Stop at the Kim Bong Carpentry Village to see artisans hand-crafting everything from intricate sculptures with mother-of-pearl inlay to large river and seagoing vessels out of wood.

Spend a lazy afternoon by the resort’s private stretch of golden sand beach or on a sun lounger by the palm-fringed infinity pool or perhaps return to the Ancient Town for some last-minute souvenirs.

Dinner is served in the stylish L’Annam Restaurant with its Indochine-inspired dark wood furnishings and ochre-coloured walls or as a private affair on the beach (subject to weather conditions).

Overnight at Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa.

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Day 9: Hoi An - Flight to Ho Chi Minh – Evening Street Eats

After a leisurely buffet breakfast featuring French pastries, freshly squeezed juices and iced Vietnamese coffee, transfer to the Danang International Airport for the short flight to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s vibrant economic and entertainment hub. Check in to the Majestic Hotel, a regal Saigon landmark overlooking the river right in the heart of downtown District 1.

In the late afternoon, explore Saigon’s amazing street food scene on a culinary walking tour. As Vietnam’s largest city, Saigon draws residents from all over the country who bring with them their favourite regional specialties, making Saigon one of the world’s best foodie destinations. Come with an empty stomach and an adventurous spirit as you sample some of Vietnam’s best street foods including stuffed “banh mi” baguettes, flame-grilled barbecue skewers, tasty noodle dishes, Vietnamese sweet puddings and perhaps even a grilled rice paper “pizza” served at streetside stalls which pop up just in the evenings.

Overnight at the Majestic Hotel.

Day 10: Essence of Saigon

Bustling Saigon with its 8 million residents and 8 million motorbikes retains a charm all its own through its carefully choreographed chaos, tree-lined boulevards, and pale yellow colonial-era buildings next to modern skyscrapers. See some of the highlights of this metropolis once known as the “Pearl of the Far East” on a full-day tour.

In the morning, visit some of the city’s downtown sights by private car, including: the graceful Central Post Office and the Opera House, both reflecting French-Vietnamese architectural elements from the late 19th century; Ben Thanh Market with its iconic clock tower; the Reunification Palace with its stately meeting rooms and beautifully landscaped gardens; and the War Remnants Museum for a sobering look into the American War through the eyes of the Vietnamese people.

Enjoy a cooking demonstration and lunch at the elegant Mandarine Restaurant featuring traditional Vietnamese cuisine with touches of French influence.

In the afternoon, swap car for cyclo, a traditional pedal-powered form of transportation that’s ideal for exploring the alleyways of Saigon’s Chinatown, also known as Cho Lon. Originally a separate city established by Chinese immigrants in the late 19th century, Chinatown provides a fascinating look back in time with its incense-filled pagodas, traditional herbal medicine shops and colourful neighbourhoods. In the late afternoon, head up to Saigon’s highest building, the 68-storey Bitexco Tower, for sweeping views of the Saigon skyline including the Saigon River as it winds its way past skyscrapers and rice fields. Enjoy a leisurely cocktail at Café EON on the 50th floor as the sun begins to set over Saigon. Transfer by car back to the Majestic Hotel with the evening at your leisure.

Overnight at the Majestic Hotel.13

ACCOMMODATION

Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa is located along Cua Dai Beach, just 15 minutes from Hoi An Ancient Town by shuttle bus or private car and 30 minutes from Danang International Airport. The resort is modelled after a traditional fishing village with small laneways, picturesque ponds and village houses with clay tiled roofs. Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa features 109 rooms, inspired by the style of ancient Hoi An.

VICTORIA HOI AN BEACHRESORT & SPA

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ACCOMMODATION

The 5-star Hotel Majestic Saigon harmonizes a unique heritage concept with luxurious accommodation, fine dining restaurants, high-class facilities and legendary service. The Majestic Saigon provides the perfect companion to your stay in downtown of Saigon, either for a business meeting, a magical holiday, or a romantic wedding and honeymoon.

HOTEL MAJESTIC SAIGON

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Day 11: Saigon - Cai Be Princess - Can Tho

Morning departure from Saigon by private car for a 2 hr drive southwest to Cai Be, gateway to the Mekong Delta. The friendly crew of the Cai Be Princess welcomes you on board the luxury sampan with a chilled towel and refreshing drink as you begin cruising the local waterways. Observe as life unfolds on the river banks, an ever-changing kaleidoscope of peaceful landscapes and industrious river folk, while enjoying a cup of hot tea and fresh fruit from the Delta, Vietnam’s “Rice Bowl”.

The morning’s shore excursions include a row boat trip at Tan Phong Islet to explore its narrow canals and hidden mangroves, a visit to a 19th-century home to admire Indochinese architecture and stops at local workshops turning out treats like coconut candy and puffed rice (the local equivalent of popcorn).

Disembark at Le Longanier Restaurant for lunch at this exquisite colonial-style villa set in a lush tropical garden by the river, an elegant throwback to life during Indochinese times. The beautifully presented set lunch showcases some of the wonderfully unique products of the Mekong Delta. After lunch, drive 1.5 hrs to Can Tho, the largest city in the Delta.

Overnight at Victoria Can Tho Resort, a graceful, colonial-inspired hotel set on the banks of the Hau River, a tributary of the mighty Mekong. You have the late afternoon and evening free to enjoy a complimentary spa treatment at the resort, lounge about the two swimming pools, walk the riverside gardens or take a complimentary shuttle boat to explore the nearby city centre.

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Day 12: Can Tho - Morning Cruise - Chau Doc

Begin the day with a scenic early morning breakfast cruise to the famed Cai Rang Floating Market. Arriving at the market’s peak, you will see dozens of colourful boats laden with fresh produce from all over the Delta. Note the long poles with produce hung on top advertising the products on offer. After some time to view the market from several different vantage points, you will slowly cruise back to the resort taking in sacenes of stilt homes, women doing laundry in the river and children playing on its banks. Go ashore for a closer view of rural life, including stops at a small noodle workshop and a tropical fruit orchard.

After lunch, drive 3 hrs to Victoria Chau Doc Hotel, just minutes from the Cambodian border. Set next to Chau Doc’s river walk, a pedestrian-only area where families come out to watch the river and where children play pick-up football games, the Victoria Chau Doc Hotel features 92 wood-floored rooms, most offering spectacular views of the Hau River. Each room combines the elegance of traditional Vietnamese handicrafts and colonial Old World charm, accented with bright, locally-produced textiles. Enjoy the late afternoon and evening at your leisure, perhaps walking to the busy Chau Doc Market to see the many products from the Delta on display.

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Day 13: Chau Doc - Tra Su Forest

After breakfast at the hotel featuring several specialties of the Mekong Delta including “bun ca”, a rice noodle soup made with local fish , the morning is yours to relax or to explore Chau Doc. This fascinating multi-cultural border town is home to colourful temples and mosques reflecting the area’s Vietnamese, Chinese, Cham and Khmer communities.

At noon, make the short drive to Victoria Nui Sam Lodge for a private lunch in the gazebo overlooking the plains below with spectacular, uninterrupted views stretching into neighbouring Cambodia. Nui Sam (Sam Mountain) is a famous pilgrimage site known for its many hilltop pagodas and temples.

In the afternoon, visit an ethnic Khmer village to learn about the role of Buddhism in the community with the opportunity to speak with monks at the local monastery. Continue 20 km to the enchanted Tra Su Forest, an 850 ha eco-reserve which is home to more than 100 species of water birds. Traveling by sampan along the picturesque waterways is truly an unforgettable experience as you cruise by submerged forests on a living carpet of water plants.

Overnight at Victoria Chau Doc Hotel.

Day 14: Departure

After a hearty buffet breakfast, prepare for your onward travels, either continuing to Phnom Penh, Cambodia by Victoria Speed Boat or arranging transportation back through the Delta to Ho Chi Minh City.

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ACCOMMODATION

The only luxury hotel in the centre of the Mekong Delta, the four-star Victoria Can Tho Resort blends colonial-style architecture with the natural beauty of the river. Close to the city of Can Tho, this quiet retreat lies on the banks of the Hau River, set amidst lush gardens filled with exotic plants. Can Tho is located 170 km (3.5 hours) from Ho Chi Minh City. Can Tho Airport is only 13 km (25 minutes) from the resort. Victoria Can Tho Resort features 92 French colonial-style rooms.

VICTORIA CAN THO RESORT

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ACCOMMODATION

Situated near the Cambodian border, Chau Doc is a six hour drive (280km) from Ho Chi Minh City with the closest airports being Can Tho (3 hours) and Ho Chi Minh City. It is also accessible to and from Phnom Penh by speedboat (5 hours). The Victoria Chau Doc Hotel is located on the Bassac River, a tributary of the Mekong River. Its French colonial architecture and style is unique in the region, and together with its warm service makes it a mandatory stop en route to or from Cambodia. Victoria Chau Doc Hotel features 92 rooms.

VICTORIA CHAU DOC HOTEL

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VICTORIA VOYAGES - Sales & Reservation Address: Level 11, 70-72 Ba Trieu streetHoan Kiem district, Hanoi, VietnamTel: +84 243 926 3148 - ext. 315Fax: +84 243 926 3148 Email: voyages@victoriahotels.asia