VIETNAM
Central Vietnam Modules
BASSAC MEKONG DELTA CRUISE - 2 days/1 nights
| Day 1 |
: |
Ho Chi Minh City
(Saigon) - Cai Be - Tra On (Mekong
Delta)
Leave Ho Chi Minh City for Cai Be by
road. After boarding the Bassac in
Cai Be at noon, passengers are
treated to welcome drinks,
introduced to the ship and crew, and
checked into their cabins. Depart
towards Cho Lach on the Tien Giang
River and enjoy lunch on the upper
deck while en route. Rest on the
deck, or enjoy the open bar while
the ship branches into Cho Lach
Canal for 30 minutes through the
traffic of sand and rice barges, in
scenery of fruit drying facilities
and wooden ship building yards.
Visit of a village on the banks of
river Mang Thít, an opportunity to
appreciate the way of life and
hospitality of the local
inhabitants. Visit of the orchard or
rice fields nearby. After re -
boarding, complimentary welcome
drinks are served. Open bar and rest
on the deck enjoying the sunset. The
crew will serve dinner while the
Bassac is cruising Mang Thit River.
The Bassac sets anchor in front of
Phuoc Huu Pagoda, in Tra On, for the
night. (L,D)
|
| Day 2 |
: |
Tra On - Can Tho
- Ho Chi Minh City
Breakfast is available from 06:30,
while the ship is cruising to the
Tra On floating market. The ship
then departs towards Can Tho. After
arrival in Cai Rang floating market,
check out of cabins and transfer
onto a local boat to visit the
floating market, the nearby arroyos
and gardens and return to the Ninh
Kieu Pier. Arrival at Ninh Kieu, Can
Tho, late morning. Meet again your
driver and return to Ho Chi Minh
City. Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh
City, transfer to your hotel. (B) |
DEEP IN THE DELTA - 3 days/2 nights
| Day 1 |
: |
Ho Chi Minh City
(Saigon) - Chau Doc (Mekong Delta)
Leave Ho Chi Minh City and head
southwest to Chau Doc, on the
Cambodian border, deep in the Mekong
Delta. Break the journey at Sa Dec,
a delta town famous for its
cultivation of exotic fruit and
flowers, to visit the orchards and
garden of Mr Tu Ton. Continue to
Chau Doc and transfer to hotel on
arrival. In the late afternoon drive
up Sam Mountain to watch the sun set
over the Cambodian border. Overnight
in Chau Doc.
|
| Day 2 |
: |
Chau Doc - Can
Tho
After breakfast take a boat to visit
the unique farms where fish are bred
in wooden cages suspended under
floating houses on the river.
Continue by boat to visit a village
of stilt houses belonging to the
Cham minority where colourful
traditional textiles are woven on
old wooden looms. Return to dry land
in time to leave Chau Doc for Can
Tho via Thot Not, 45km to the north
of Can Tho. Visit the bamboo basket
- making hamlet of Long Thanh before
continuing to the Thot Not Stork
Sanctuary. Watch from a viewing
tower above the tree tops as
thousands of egrets, herons and
cormorants arrive to roost in the
branches. Continue on to Can Tho and
transfer to hotel on arrival.
Overnight in Can Tho. (B) |
| Day 3 |
: |
Can Tho - Vinh
Long - Ho Chi Minh City
Leave Can Tho after breakfast for
Vinh Long. On arrival in Vinh Long
take a boat trip to visit the
Cottage industries of Cho Cua
village. Visit a ceramic tile
factory, a tofu and fish sauce
factory, a blacksmith's, a roof
thatcher's and a rice husking
business. Continue to Cai Be
floating market by boat and then
onwards to Ho Chi Minh City by road.
Transfer to hotel on arrival in Ho
Chi Minh City. (B) |
GOLFER'S DELIGHT - DALAT / PHAN THIET - 8
days/7 nights
| Day 1 |
: |
Arrive in Ho Chi
Minh City and transfer to hotel. The
rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
|
| Day 2 |
: |
Ho Chi Minh City
- Thu Duc - Ho Chi Minh City
Transfer to the Vietnam Golf &
Country Club in Thu Duc. Considered
as one of Vietnam's top golf
courses, Vietnam Golf & Country Club
is located in the municipality of
Thu Duc. The 6,400 metres of the
west course was designed by Cheng
King Shih, a renowned Taiwanese
designer. Right on the year of its
opening in 1994, the West Course
hosted the first Amateur
Championship in Vietnam. Its
fairways are narrow and lined with
trees and its greens are mild but
quick. The 6,200 metre east course
was designed by Lee Trevino,
celebrated golfer of the USPGA.
Return transfer to the hotel upon
completion of your golfing
experience. The remainder of the day
is free at leisure. Overnight. (B) |
| Day 3 |
: |
Ho Chi Minh City
- Dalat
Transfer to the airport for the
short flight to Dalat. 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. It is
located on the Lang Biang Plateau,
some 300 kilometres north of Saigon.
All kinds of flowers and vegetables
found in Europe are grown here, too.
Many varieties of orchids are
cultivated in Dalat. The town
suffered little from years of war
and its characteristic colonial
houses still stand. Upon arrival,
transfer to the hotel for a welcome
drink and to check in. In the
afternoon, visit the Love Valley,
Xuan Huong Lake, a Chinese pagoda,
the Flower Garden and enjoy a walk
through Hoa Binh Market, where you
will meet ethnic minority people of
the region. Continue with a visit to
Prenn Waterfall, arguably one of the
nicest waterfalls of the region. The
waterfalls are situated at an
altitude of 1,120 metres and the
falls themselves are 15 metres high.
The remainder of the day is free at
leisure. Overnight in Dalat. (B) |
| Day 4 |
: |
Dalat - Golfing
Transfer to Dalat Palace Golf Club.
Dalat has been known for decades as
the 'City of Eternal Spring'. This
is due to its year round crisp
mountain climate. Built in 1922 but
expanded and restored in 1994, the
Dalat Palace Golf Club is a
masterpiece in design. Gently
crafted into the rolling hills of
Dalat and overlooking the majestic
Xuan Huong Lake, the course weaves
its way through stately pine trees
to oversized and delicately
manicured bent grass greens. Dalat
Palace Golf Club was ranked the #1
golf course in Vietnam for 2003 by
Golf Digest. Patrick J. Rielly, the
former President of the PGA of
America called Dalat Palace Golf
Club 'one of the most beautiful
courses in Asia'. At 7,009 yards in
length and par 72, Dalat Palace Golf
Club is an enjoyable challenge for
golfers of all levels. Return to the
hotel and free time. Overnight in
Dalat. (B) |
| Day 5 |
: |
Dalat - Phan
Thiet
Drive on a panoramic route south to
Phan Thiet. Phan Thiet is a little
harbour town that lives on fishing
and that produces a renowned nuoc
nam, or fish sauce. The population
of Phan Thiet is approximately
80,000; a majority of whom find
their roots in the Cham ethnic group
that used to rule the area until
1692. Today, Phan Thiet has turned
to tourism and enjoys the opening of
luxury beach resorts and of an
international class golf course.
Upon arrival, direct transfer to
your hotel. Overnight in Phan Thiet.
(B) |
| Day 6 |
: |
Phan Thiet -
Golfing
Transfer to the Ocean Dunes Golf
Club. Designed by Nick Faldo, the
6,749 - yard, par 72 course at Ocean
Dunes Golf Club winds through
seaside dunes, with the coastal
breezes shaping its character from
day - to - day. It is an engaging
and playable course for higher
handicap players who will enjoy the
openness of the links - course, yet
offers exciting opportunities for
more experienced players who will
appreciate the challenges posed by
the winds. 'Ocean Dunes Golf Club is
an outstanding natural site with the
sand dunes, sea breezes, beach
vegetation and Sea Views. We have
let the dunes determine the routing
and the look of the golf course. It
should have the feel and the
playability of the early seaside
courses, but with a tropical
climate' says Nick Faldo. Return to
the hotel. The remainder of the day
is free at leisure. Overnight in
Phan Thiet. (B) |
| Day 7 |
: |
Phan Thiet -
Dong Nai - Ho Chi Minh City
Return to Saigon by road. En route,
stop at Bochang Golf Resort in Dong
Nai for a round of golf. The
dreamlike beauty of the golf resort
belies the fact that the club is
located just one hour (50 kilometres)
from the centre of Ho Chi Minh City.
The resort, designed by Ward W.
Northtrup, opened for play in March
1997, and features three 9 - hole
courses. Dong Nai is a very popular
resort for both golfers and non -
golfers alike. The former benefit
from a well - designed, immaculately
maintained course which is as
challenging as it is charming. The
latter for the great facilities that
are on offer away from the greens.
The course itself is embraced by
picturesque trees and exotic flowers
from a tropical forest, and is
dominated by the spectacular Cloudy
River Lake which comes into play on
12 of the 27 holes. Luckily, winds
from the water are kept to a minimum
by the location of the resort at the
bottom of a valley, although the
lack of breeze also makes the course
feel hotter than usual. Dong Nai's
signature hole is the 165 - yard par
3 third on the 'A' course with its
tee - shot over the lake to the well
- guarded green. The par 3 fourth on
the 'C' course also features water
strongly with a tee - shot on to a
virtual island green. All this is
combined with majestic scenery and
tranquillity, which ensures that
whatever score you shoot, you will
leave feeling refreshed. Head to Ho
Chi Minh City by road. Upon arrival,
direct transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. (B) |
| Day 8 |
: |
Depart Ho Chi
Minh City
Depart Ho Chi Minh. Free at leisure
until transfer to Tan Son Nhat
Airport for your onward flight. (B) |
HIGHLIGHTS MEKONG DELTA - 4 days/3 nights
| Day 1 |
: |
Ho Chi Minh City
(Saigon) - Cai Be - Tra On (Mekong
Delta)
Leave Ho Chi Minh City for Cai Be by
road. After boarding the Bassac in
Cai Be at noon, passengers are
treated to welcome drinks,
introduced to the ship and crew, and
checked into their cabins. Depart
towards Cho Lach on the Tien Giang
River and enjoy lunch on the upper
deck while en route. Rest on the
deck, or enjoy the open bar while
the ship branches into Cho Lach
Canal for 30 minutes through the
traffic of sand and rice barges, in
scenery of fruit drying facilities
and wooden ship building yards.
Visit of a village on the banks of
river Mang Thít, an opportunity to
appreciate the way of life and
hospitality of the local
inhabitants. Visit of the orchard or
rice fields nearby. After re -
boarding, complimentary welcome
drinks are served. Open bar and rest
on the deck enjoying the sunset. The
crew will serve dinner while the
Bassac is cruising Mang Thit River.
The Bassac sets anchor in front of
Phuoc Huu Pagoda, in Tra On, for the
night. (L,D)
|
| Day 2 |
: |
Tra On - Can Tho
Breakfast is available from 06:30,
while the ship is cruising the Tra
On floating market. The ship then
departs towards Can Tho. Arrival in
Cai Rang floating market, check out
and transfer onto a local boat to
visit the floating market, the
nearby arroyos and gardens and
return to the Ninh Kieu Pier.
Arrival at Ninh Kieu, Can Tho, late
morning. Transfer to hotel for check
- in. Leave the hotel mid -
afternoon for Thot Not, 45km to the
north of Can Tho. Visit the bamboo
basket - making hamlet of Long Thanh
before continuing to the Thot Not
Stork Sanctuary. Watch from a
viewing tower above the tree tops as
thousands of egrets, herons and
cormorants arrive to roost in the
branches. Return to Can Tho in the
late afternoon. Overnight in Can Tho.
(B) |
| Day 3 |
: |
Can Tho - Chau
Doc
After breakfast check out of the
hotel and head northwest to Chau
Doc, situated on the Cambodian
border. Transfer to Victoria Chau
Doc Hotel on arrival. In the
afternoon take a boat to visit the
unique farms where fish are bred in
wooden cages suspended under
floating houses on the river.
Continue by boat to visit a village
of stilt houses belonging to the
Cham minority where colourful
traditional textiles are woven on
old wooden looms. Return to dry land
in time to drive up Sam Mountain to
watch the sunset over the Cambodian
border. Overnight in Chau Doc. (B) |
| Day 4 |
: |
Chau Doc - Ho
Chi Minh City
Breakfast at hotel. Driving back to
Ho Chi Minh City. From Chau Doc, you
can combine tour to Cambodia with
speedboat to Phnom Penh. (B) |
HO CHI MINH CITY STOPOVER - 2 nights
| Day 1 |
: |
Welcome at the
airport and transfer to hotel. Two
overnights with breakfast.
Optional visa on arrival:
Day trips available on request
|
MEKONG DELTA & CAMBODIA GATEWAY - 3 days/2
nights
| Day 1 |
: |
Ho Chi Minh City
(Saigon) - Xeo Quit - Can Tho
(Mekong Delta)
Transfer by car to My Hiep, in the
heart of the Mekong Delta, and
embark on a private river cruise to
Xeo Quit through the local river
side. Take a sampan tour into Xeo
Quit, an old Viet Cong base
surrounded by a cajuput forest.
Cruise back and continue to Can Tho
and transfer to hotel on arrival.
Overnight in Can Tho.
|
| Day 2 |
: |
Can Tho - Chau
Doc
Cruise to the colourful Cai Rang
floating market while having a
buffet breakfast on board the
traditional Mekong - style Mystic
Sampan. Back on dry land in Can Tho
take a two - hour bike tour of the
countryside. Leave Can Tho for Chau
Doc via Thot Not, 45km to the north
of Can Tho. Watch from a viewing
tower above the tree tops as
thousands of egrets, herons and
cormorants arrive to roost in the
branches. Visit the bamboo basket -
making hamlet of Long Thanh before
continuing to Chau Doc. (B) |
| Day 3 |
: |
Chau Doc - Phnom
Penh
After breakfast take a boat to visit
the unique farms where fish are bred
in wooden cages suspended under
floating houses on the river.
Continue by boat to visit a village
of stilt houses belonging to the
Cham minority, where colorful
traditional textiles are woven on
old wooden looms. Take a boat to the
Cambodian border and after
formalities with the border
authorities, cruise along the Mekong
River to Phnom Penh. (B) |
MEKONG DELTA OVERNIGHT - 2 days/1 night
| Day 1 |
: |
Ho Chi Minh City
(Saigon) - Cai Be - Vinh Long - Can
Tho (Mekong Delta)
Depart for Cai Be, deep in the
Mekong Delta, and embark on a cruise
on the Cai Be Princess junk boat.
The tour begins with a visit of the
colourful Cai Be floating market,
followed by a visit to some locale
home factories that produce rice
paste, rice popcorn and coconut
candy. Proceed to evergreen islands
among the Mekong River through a
large network of meandering
tributaries, crisscrossed with
countless arroyos. Lunch is eaten at
a fruit orchard before the cruise to
Vinh Long to discover beautiful
landscapes along the river and
observe the typical Mekong Delta
rural life. Drive to Can Tho and
transfer to hotel on arrival.
Overnight in Can Tho. (L)
|
| Day 2 |
: |
Can Tho - Ho Chi
Minh City
Cruise to the colorful Cai Rang
floating market while having a
buffet breakfast on board the
traditional Mekong - style Mystic
Sampan. Then it is back to dry land
in Can Tho for a two - hour bike
tour of the countryside. Leave Can
Tho for Ho Chi Minh City. (B) |
|
