destination
asia
Vietnam Explorer
trip specifics
price
2012
|
Ctgy |
Type |
Price ($US) |
|
B | Ocean Suite |
$6,600 |
|
A |
Ocean Suite | $7,695 |
|
AA |
Ocean Suite |
$8,425 |
|
JS |
Junior Suite |
$9,155 |
|
DS |
Deluxe Suite |
$10,530 |
|
BS |
Balcony Suite | $11,905 |
|
PHS |
Penthouse Suite |
$13,285 |
duration
9 daystrip dates
Mar 12 - Mar 21, 2012Mar 21 - Mar 30, 2012 *
Mar 30 - Apr 08, 2012
* Reverse Itinerary
trip level
view explanation
highlights
Ho Chi Minh CityNha Trang
Baie de Cu Mon/Bai Nam Beach
My Son & Hoi An (Da Nang)
Chan May (for Hue)
Ha Long Bay/Cat Ba
Hai Phong (for Hanoi)
accomm types
Small Ship
Days 1-2 - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
The Song Sai Gon (Saigon River) will take us on a remarkable journey of several hours into Ho Chi Minh City. The 60km of river that we will travel to get to the city is an attraction in itself. Fisherman, traders, floating markets, the river is the life blood of the city. Once in the city itself, the influence of the former French colonial masters is still evident with wide elegant boulevards and historical colonial buildings. The markets are jumping with life and items such as the stylish lacquer ware found throughout Vietnam are on display everywhere to tempt those looking for local souvenirs to take home. The reunification museum is a popular attraction, the reminders of the turbulent and violent history of this vibrant nation are never far away.
To make the most of this vibrant city of 9 million people, spend the first day making our way up into the city along the Song Sai Gon. After overnighting onboard Orion you will have a full day at your leisure to explore this incredible city, with the final overnight before disembarkation the following day.
Accommodations: Orion II
Included Meals: day 1 - dinner; day 2 - breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 3 - Nha Trang, Vietnam
Nha Trang is well known for its extensive white sand beaches and excellent and is fast becoming a recognized destination on the international travel map. Not far from the town the 7th century venerated towers of the Cham Ponagar Temple complex is still very much intact.
An exclusive Nha Trang village tour is included for our visit to Nha Trang. You will leave the port aboard your coach to visit the Po Nagar Cham Towers, also known as Thap Ba (or the Lady of the City), a remnant of the ancient Cham civilization. The towers, built and renovated between the seventh and twelfth centuries from loose brick with neither plaster nor mortar, were used for the worship of the goddess Po Nagar. From the hillside where the towers stand you will have a spectacular view of Nha Trang Bay and its shores lined with numerous colorful fishing boats.
Next, take a motorboat cruise along the Cai River, where you will have the chance to see a fishing village, a large yard for the construction of wooden boats and coconut islands, shaded by countless palms. Your next visit will be to Vinh Ngoc Commune, situated 10 km from the center of Nha Trang. Upon arrival you will visit the central area, which was once the site of the village's paddy fields and cemetery. It is now home to the offices of the local authority, the clinic and medical station and the local market. Stop at a nearby typical house of a local family, where you will discover that ancestor worship plays a vital part in everyday life.
After, visit the rice paddy and another family who weave the rush matting commonly used throughout Vietnam. A walk down the street where there are local beer sellers, hair salons in open structures on the side of the street and past the local communist party office. This tour is an excellent insight into the culture and life of Vietnamese people.
A shuttle bus will also be available to access the town and beaches.
Accommodations: Orion II
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 4 - Baie de Cu Mon/Bai Nam Beach
Very much a true expedition day we will set out in our Zodiacs to explore the bay, it's fishing village and it's inhabitants. Landings will be opportunistic and we will take advantage of situations on the day as they arrive. Many of the villagers have "fish pens" attached to their houses where they "grow" fish and crustaceans. The Zodiac cruise will be great for photography and interacting with the local people in the village The afternoon will be one of leisure at Bai Nam beach where we can swim, relax and explore the headland and sandy beaches.
Accommodations: Orion II
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 5 - Da Nang (for My Son)
Approximately an hour drive away, via the undulating countryside of Central Vietnam you will arrive in a range of beautiful mountains called “My Son” in Vietnamese - the Holy land of the long lost Champa kingdom. Upon arrival you will be taken on a short drive by a local van or jeep for 5 minutes to gain access to these valued relics. Historically, this land used to be ruled by the Civilziation of Champa from the early of 7th Century until 14th Century. Being chosen as the holy land for their peoples more than 70 brick-temples were built to worship their Hindu Gods. All the temples were found by the West at the end of the 19th century by French explorers but, sadly, most of them were destroyed in 1969 by American bombing raids during the war. Today, however, visitors can still admire the exquisite spiritual architecture and appreciate their historical value for a long lost kingdom. After lunch a shuttle service will continue to Da Nang city for further exploration and to China Beach, to relax and swim if you choose.
- Optional Excursion Available for Extra Cost.
Accommodations: Orion II
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 6 - Da Nang (for Hoi An)
An included guided tour of Hoi An is available today. A scenic drive from the port takes you to an little town called HoiAn or Faifo. The presence of Eastern and Western merchants in Hoi An influenced the architecture, culture and customs of this community during 19th and 20th century. As many wooden buildings date from the first half of the 19th century, the town retains its distinctive charm. Take a step back in time during your guided walk through its narrow streets. Continue through the narrow street to the ornate Phuoc Kien Temple, lavishly decorated with lacquered boards engraved with Chinese characters, and dedicated to Thien Hau, Goddess of the Sea. The walking tour continues to the ancient Japanese Bridge, built in 1593 to connect the Japanese and Chinese communities of Hoi An. The bridge has become a symbol of Hoi An town as its beautiful construction. Your visit to a traditional merchant’s house will reveal a unique mix of European, Japanese and Chinese styles. After the walking tour, that is the time to explore the rest of the ancient town such as the museums, photographs or shopping. Before returning to the ship, you will pause at China Beach as it is known to the local people. This was a favourite military recreation spot during the war and one that became world famous through the television series of the same name. It is also a great chance to see the beauty the Marble Mountains along side of the road. After lunch a shuttle service will continue to Da Nang city for further exploration and to China Beach, to relax and swim if you choose.
Accommodations: Orion II
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 7 - Chan May (for Hue)
Chan May, a commercial port, serves us no other purpose other than being the easiest access point to the ancient imperial city of Hue. As soon as you leave the port and head north to Hue you will experience the cliché “true” Vietnamese scene - rice paddies filled with workers in traditional bamboo conical (“coolie”) hats. Between 1802 and 1945, Hue was the imperial capital of the Nguyễn Dynasty, the most famous dynasty to rule Vietnam. The seat of the Nguyễn emperors was the Citadel, which occupies a large, walled area on the north side of the Perfume River. Inside the citadel was a forbidden city where only the emperors, concubines, and those close enough to them were granted access; the punishment for trespassing was death. Today, little of the forbidden city remains, though reconstruction efforts are in progress to maintain it as a historic tourist attraction. Hue is today a UNESCO World Heritage Area.
Accommodations: Orion II
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 8 - At Sea
Take this time to relax and enjoy some of the onboard luxuries the Orion II has to offer you. Reflect on the diverse cultures and places you have encountered the past few days, while gazing out at the vast ocean plain.
Accommodations: Orion II
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 9 - Ha Long Bay & Cat Ba
The day today is split between Cat Ba Island and Ha Long Bay proper. At Cat Ba Island we will use our Zodiacs to explore the area, including visiting a floating village and exploring the interesting caves and grottoes carved out of the limestone by the tides. Depending on tides we may be able to land on one of the small beaches nearby. After relocating to Ha Long Bay proper we will transfer to local 'junks" to sail around the bay and take in all the sights. Local guides will accompany us to point out the highlights as we cruise the bay in these traditional boats.
Accommodations: Orion II
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 10 - Hai Phong (for Hanoi)
Whether you are departing or arriving, Hanoi deserves a longer visit. Haiphong though, a major port, is just that, and our exit point to Hanoi. A city with a blend of Parisian grace and Asian pace, an architectural museum piece evolving in harmony with its history, rather than bulldozing through like many of the region’s capitals. Hanoi is where imagination becomes reality.” Spend the early morning exploring before departing for home.
Accommodations: Orion II
Included Meals: breakfast
Deposit and Final Payment: To secure your reservation a deposit of 25% of the fare is required. The deposit must be accompanied by a completed and signed Guest Booking Form and is due within 7 days of booking. Final payment must be received no later than 90 days before sailing. Separate conditions apply to the Cancellation Protection Plan.
Cancellation Policy: The following cancellation fees will apply to all reservations. The day on which written notice is received will determine the applicable penalties.
Day on Which Notice is received Penalty
121 days and over - 50% of deposit
120 - 91 days prior 100% of deposit
90 days or less 100% of fare
No show - no written notice 100% of fare
Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with Travel Insurance. Please note that you must purchase your Travel Insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions.
Shoreside Expeditions: We include a number of complimentary shore experiences utilizing our Zodiacs. In addition we offer an exciting and diverse selection of optional shore experiences which can be either booked for in advance or reserved on board and charged to your on board account. Due to limited numbers on some experiences we recommend you pre-register to avoid disappointment. Details will be provided with your ticket.
Arrival/Departure Information: The Vietnam Explorer cruise begins in Ho Chi Minh City and ends in Hai Phong. Embarkation time is between 3:00 – 4:00pm on day of departure. Disembarkation is after breakfast on final day between 9:00 – 10:30am. Please schedule flights based on these time frames.
Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health and leads an active life. Any medical condition, advanced pregnancy or disability must be advised to AdventureSmith Explorations when a request for accommodation is made. On every Orion voyage extensive use of the ship’s Zodiacs will be made transporting guests between ship and shore. It is anticipated this travel may be physically demanding from time to time. In order for the crew to determine if safe passage can be offered, guests may be asked to provide additional information, such as a medical assessment of their fitness for expeditionary travel. All guests must sign a disclaimer on board to participate in offship activities. Guests should be sure to bring on board sufficient supplies of any prescription medication they may require.
General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms & Conditions:. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.
We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.
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