BEAUTIFUL VIETNAM Sample Itinerary Speak to an expert today!

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your lodge for some time at leisure, soaking up the mountain views. Stay: Ha ... This morning enjoy time to relax at the
BEAUTIFUL VIETNAM

Sample Itinerary

Speak to an expert today! Call us: 01242 253 073

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First-hand Knowledge | Sensible Prices | Honest Opinions

CONTENTS Map / Overview Your Itinerary Your Accommodation Price Examples Next Steps

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MAP AND OVERVIEW Sapa & The Northwest Hanoi

Halong Bay

Experience some of the most spectacular natural landscapes in Northern Vietnam; from the green rice terraces of Sapa to the magnificent limestone karsts and emerald waters of Halong Bay and finish your epic adventure relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Danang & Hoi An. This 15 day tour is the perfect introduction to Vietnamese culture for the slightly more adventurous travellers (and great for families too!). For those with more time to spare extend your beach break or travel South to explore Saigon and the Mekong Delta. After a little more adventure? Why not ask us about a home-stay option or a multi day trek in to the far North!

Hoi An & Danang

This is just a suggested itinerary; you can either book it as it stands, or use it as a starting point and tailor it to fit your exact requirements. Please contact us to discuss the trip in more detail.

Speak to an expert: 01242 253 073

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YOUR SAMPLE ITINERARY Day 1 Overnight flight from the UK to Hanoi.

International flights included. Day 2 Arrive in Hanoi and check in to your hotel. Spend the day exploring Hanoi like a local - visit colourful markets, wander around the narrow alleys in the Old Quarter and enjoy a traditional lunch in a local home. The perfect introduction to local culture.

Temple, Hanoi

Stay: Hanoi Day 3 After a leisurely breakfast, leave the city behind and travel through the countryside to Panhou Lodge (approx 6 hours drive). The journey is stunning and will take you through colourful hill tribe communities. Enjoy a local lunch and an afternoon at leisure to explore the area at your own pace. Enjoy dinner tonight in your mountain lodge. Stay: Ha Giang

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Rice Paddles, Northern Vietnam

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YOUR SAMPLE ITINERARY Day 4

Your day begins with an easy trek through the local village of Nam Hong (around 4 hours walking). Pass through lush forests, small waterfalls and terraces rice paddies and cassava crops. Meet members of local Tay, Flower H'mong, Man Ta Pan and Long Tunic Dao groups along the way. Learn about life in local settlements before trekking back towards your lodge for some time at leisure, soaking up the mountain views. Stay: Ha Giang

Little Boy, Northern Vietnam

Day 5

This morning depart for Bac Ha by private transfer (around 3 hours drive). Arrive and take a short walk to a local hill tribe village where you will spend time with a family and learn about their culture and traditions, taking part in their morning activities. Enjoy a delicious local lunch in the family home before driving to a much more remote Red Dao village. Here you can see one of the most diverse and colourful ethnic groups who are skilled at herbal medicine and beautiful embroidery. Stay: Bac Ha

Rice Paddles, Northern Vietnam

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YOUR SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 6 This morning enjoy time to relax at the Nam Cang Riverside Lodge or explore the area on foot with a jungle walk. This afternoon visit a local village to learn about traditional crafts include silver jewellery production, embroidery, rice paper before returning to the river for a refreshing swim Stay: Sapa Local Women, Sapa

Day 7 Transfer from your riverside lodge to your lodge in the middle of the Sapa mountains. This afternoon enjoy a trek to the local villages or relax at leisure. Stay: Sapa Day 8 Full day at your leisure in the mountains to explore Sapa and the surroundings. The views from the Topas Lodge are breathtaking and a day of rest will be well deserved! Stay: Sapa

Mount Fansipan, Sapa

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YOUR SAMPLE ITINERARY Day 9 A second day at leisure (or enjoy trekking to local villages) before checking out of your lodge (late check out is included). You will be transferred to the train station for your overnight train to Hanoi (private sleeper cabin included). Stay: Overnight Train

Day 10 Arrive to Hanoi train station this morning and transfer to a local hotel to refresh and enjoy breakfast. Afterwards you will continue to Halong Bay (3-4 hours by private car) and check in to your boat for your overnight cruise. This afternoon sail in to the bay and explore hidden beaches and caves or kayak around the limestone karts.

Market, Hanoi

Stay: Hanoi Day 11

An early morning Tai Chi lesson is the best way to start your day as you cruise back towards the port in the late morning. This afternoon fly South to Danang and transfer to your hotel in Hoi An by private vehicle. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Bridge, Hoi An

Stay: Hoi An

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YOUR SAMPLE ITINERARY Day 12 Full day at your leisure in Hoi An to relax on the beach or by the pool (additional sightseeing can be added if preferred) Stay: Hoi An Day 13 Second full day at your leisure in Hoi An Stay: Hoi An Bicycle, Hoi An

Day 14 Today we have included one of our favourite activities in Hoi An - a half day cooking class! Start with a tour of the market to buy your fresh ingredients and then take a river cruise to a cooking school for a hands on lesson in Vietnamese cuisine. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Stay: Hoi An Day 15 The morning is free at leisure before your private transfer to the airport for your departure flight back to the UK (or onwards to another destination).

Thu Bon River, Hoi An

International flights included. Speak to an expert: 01242 253 073

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SAMPLE ACCOMMODATION These are some recommended hotels from a 3* to 5* rating within Vietnam to give you a taste of what is on offer…..

Three-star options

La Fairy Sails, Halong Bay

Moon Garden Homestay, Ky Son

Essence d’Orient, Hanoi

Victoria Beach Resort & Spa, Hoi An

Jasmine Junk, Halong Bay

Apricot Hotel, Hanoi

Anantara Resort, Hoi An

Four-star options

The Lapis Hotel, Hanoi

Five-star options

Hyatt Regency, Danang

Speak to an expert: 01242 253 073

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PRICE Price Options:

Our prices are normally based on 2 people sharing and include international flights. The exact costs for your holiday can vary a lot depending on availability, special offers and airfares, so please contact us to put together an itinerary for your exact dates with an exact price.

Price Includes: ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

International flights return to Hanoi All accommodation as stated in the itinerary Daily breakfasts & additional meals as indicated in the itinerary Local English speaking station guide Private driver and air-conditioned vehicle Domestic flights as mentioned in your itinerary including taxes Entrance fees to all sites mentioned Cold water and refreshing towels on touring days

Speak to an expert: 01242 253 073

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NEXT STEPS Perfecting Your Holiday: We know you want this holiday to be exactly right for you, so nothing in this sample is set in stone. The next step is to get in touch and we can work with you on any tweaks, changes or amendments you’d like to make; this is also a great opportunity for us to answer the many questions you’ll undoubtedly have now that the trip seems a little more real! You can either give us a call on 01242 253 073 or fill out our quick quote form online found here: Booking Your Holiday: Once you’re completely happy with everything we’ll check availability and hold provisional reservations of the flights, hotels and services for your trip. Only at this point, when we know everything is available and being held for you, will we take payment of the deposit (except in rare circumstances). You can pay the deposit for your trip by card over the phone (*), bank transfer or cheque (unless we require cleared funds quickly in order to secure certain services). We’ll also send you a booking form to complete and return at this stage. We can then wrap up your invoices and confirmation documents and get them sent out to you. * There are no card processing fees charged when paying your deposit. When paying the balance of the cost of the holiday, MasterCard and Visa credit cards will attract a 1% processing fee and AMEX cards a 2% processing fee, which is marginally less than the full processing fee we are charged by our card payment system provider. Debit cards never attract any processing fees. Approaching Your Holiday: We require payment of the final balance of the holiday 10 weeks prior to departure. About a month before you leave you’ll get our travel documents through the post; this is the essential stuff like flight e-ticket references, as well as additional information and tips from us to help make the most of your trip. During Your Holiday: At all times before you go, you can call or email us with any questions you might have. Whilst you are away on your holiday, you’ll have office numbers for both us and our local agents, as well as 24hr emergency contact numbers for both us and our local agents: you’re completely covered in any eventuality.

Speak to an expert: 01242 253 073

[email protected]

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ABOUT HOLIDAY ARCHITECTS We’re a company of dedicated and experienced professionals, averaging over ten years each in the industry and with countless trips to Vietnam under our belts. We use that experience to give you honest advice and plan your individuallytailored itinerary. We like to push the boundaries a little bit, getting you away from the crowds and enjoying excursions that are crafted to your interests, as well as smaller, more characterful hotels and guest houses. We’re committed to fair pricing, believing tailor-made travel should not be a luxury; all of which means you can experience the true Vietnam and not the Vietnam most visitors buy off-the-shelf.

Meet the team: Sophie Rowley - Vietnam Specialist

Call us: 01242 253073

Sophie’s passion for travel developed at an early age after being lucky enough to jet around the world on long haul holidays with her adventurous family. Realising the rewards of travel, Sophie later studied International Tourism Management at university and moved to New Zealand to live, work and travel the country by campervan. Not long after she was off again, this time landing in India to begin a solo journey throughout South East Asia. Her travels have seen her cycling through the fabled temples of Angkor, living in jungle lodge tree-houses in Thailand and evening training to be a mahout in Burma. After falling in love with South East Asia, Sophie has been lucky enough to travel through Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia & Burma. She continues to return to Asia on a regular basis to scout out the best hotels, guides and excursions to keep our product on the quirky side!

Financial Protection…. Every Vietnam holiday is fully bonded through the ATOL scheme and the Travel Vault. All our holidays are 100% financially protected through either our ATOL bonding (for all holidays where we are providing flights to / from the UK) or through the Travel Vault.

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