Vietnam ExperienceFrom the vibrant markets on the Mekong River to the spectacular mountain scenery of Sapa, the Vietnam Experience encompasses the very best Vietnam has to offer, and all in fifteen days. Along the way we stay in some of the most historic and luxurious hotels in Vietnam and travel in comfortable transport throughout, including a night on the stylish Victoria Express Train to Sapa.Our journey begins in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Saigon is a cosmopolitan city with eternal optimism that belies the turbulent past. Landmarks such as the Hotel Continental, the former town hall and Notre Dame Cathedral date from the French-colonial period. The tamarind lined Dong Khoi Street, known as Rue Catinat during Graham Greene’s time, is home to the city’s best shopping, dining, and our lovely, historic hotel – the Caravelle, which overlooks the historic municipal theatre on one side and the Saigon River on the other. The Caravelle was opened in 1959 and quickly became ‘the place to be’ for foreign dignitaries and businessmen. During the American War, journalists would gather to write and exchange information in the Saigon Saigon Bar on the hotel’s tenth floor. In 1998 the Caravelle was restored and a 24-storey tower was built alongside the original ten-storey structure, and the Saigon Saigon Bar is once again the place to see and be seen. Enjoy a cocktail here and enjoy the best views of the city. A short distance from Saigon is where we will discover the remarkable Cu Chi tunnels. This massive network of layered tunnels, stretching over 250km from the Cambodian border to within 30km of Saigon, became one of the most important strategic areas and fiercest battlegrounds during the American War. Despite massive bombing and other tactics to destroy the tunnels, they were instrumental in the final assault on Saigon in 1975 and today provide a fascinating insight into guerilla warfare. No visit to Vietnam would be complete without experiencing the Mekong Delta. The Mekong River ends it's incredible 4,000km journey through Tibet, China, Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Thailand and Cambodia here in Vietnam, in what is known as the 'rice basket' of the country. On a day trip to My Tho, just a two hour drive from Saigon, we will experience the sheer immensity of this river, and sample some of the local produce; including tropical fruits, coconut candy and rice wine! The following day we fly to Hue, former seat of power for the Nguyen dynasty, who ruled the country from 1802 until the last emperor abdicated in 1945. Hue is a gentile city, Vietnam's cultural and religious capital. To this end, a visit to Hue wouldn't be complete without exploring the Citadel, modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing. The Citadel was the centrepiece of the royal empire, a massive, moated palace that was extensively damaged during the Tet Offensive in the 1960s. We also visit the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, famous for his decadence (Tu Duc enjoyed 104 concubines, 50 dishes at every meal and a tomb that covered 10 hectares and took 4,000 men to build). We also visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, perched above the shores of the Perfume River. While in Hue we stay at the Saigon Morin Hotel, a renovated colonial building with loads of charm. The drive south to Hoi An is probably the most beautiful in all of Vietnam. The journey passes through fields of rice and spectacular coastal scenery around Lang Co and the Hai Van Pass before descending to Danang, China Beach, and finally, Hoi An. Many travellers would agree that Hoi An is a highlight of any journey to Vietnam. Hoi An came to prominence as Vietnam's major port from the 16th to 18th centuries and brought traders from China, Japan and the first documented Europeans to Vietnam’s shores. Influences from these cultures can still be seen in the architecture of the Old Town, a fact recognized by UNESCO in the early 1990s. The town’s World Heritage listing ensures Hoi An's future is free of modern development. When we tire of shopping and eating our way through the many local delicacies on offer in Hoi An’s acclaimed array of restaurants and cafés, we can return to the luxurious riverside Life Resort, a short walk from the town centre’s maze of streets filled with tailors, art galleries, temples and tea houses. We then fly to Hanoi, Vietnam's capital city, where we stay in the Sofitel Metropole hotel. Refurbished in 1990, the Sofitel Metropole was originally opened in 1901 and was, at the time, one of the finest hotels in Southeast Asia. Charlie Chaplin honeymooned here and writers from Graham Greene to Somerset Maugham found inspiration in spacious rooms overlooking lovely interior courtyard gardens. The hotel fell into disrepair during the American War and the subsequent victory of North Vietnam; however, in 1990 the hotel was restored to its former glory. The original 1901 exterior has been retained, as have the dark timber floors. As Nguyen Truc Luyen, Secretary-General of the Vietnamese Architects' Association, commented when he visited in 1993, "Once the threshold of the hotel has been crossed, right from the entrance hall, the interior conveys a real sense of the bygone days of Hanoi." The Sofitel Metropole is ideally located in the French Quarter, very close to Hanoi's heart and soul – Hoan Kiem Lake. While in Hanoi we visit many interesting sites, such as Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, an imposing structure built between 1973 and 1975. The Temple of Literature, Hanoi's first university, originally opened in 1070 and has been used continuously as a temple of Confucian worship ever since. Today it has been lovingly restored, and its ponds and tree-lined paths provide a sanctuary from the bustle of the surrounding city streets. A visit to Hanoi would not be complete without a visit to the city's Old Quarter, a chaotic jumble of narrow streets at the northern end of Hoan Kiem Lake. A fascinating and vibrant place, it provides endless opportunities for photography, shopping, and simply absorbing the frenetic energy of the streets. We also travel to Halong Bay and cruise amongst thousands of stunning limestone karst islands, made famous in the film Indochine. We then are ready to travel from Hanoi to Sapa, a hill station in Vietnam’s far northwest, near the border with China. In the tradition of the great trains of Europe and Australasia, the Victoria Express is all about travelling in style. From the cabins to the dining car, no detail has been overlooked. Nowhere in Asia will you sleep this comfortably whilst covering so much ground! Arrive early and refreshed in Lao Cai, where we transfer by bus to Sapa, surrounded by the spectacular mountain scenery that typify the area. Sapa is set in a valley amongst these beautiful mountains and terraced valleys. It is home to the colourful H’mong and friendly Red Dzao hilltribes as well. After exploring Sapa’s countryside and learning more about the region’s fascinating hilltribe cultures, we return to Hanoi on the Victoria Express day train from Lao Cai. We enjoy lunch in the dining car along the way as the train follows the course of the Red River through lush hills, valleys, farming villages and finally on to the delta flats with their endless rice fields. On our return to Hanoi we enjoy a delicious farewell dinner at a fine Vietnamese restaurant, a fitting end to a wonderful Vietnam Experience. Click here to find out more about our Vietnam Experience Small Group Journey. |
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