Sampan boat, Mekong River Bat Trang ceramic village
DAY 10 • Hoi An • Thien Mu Pagoda boat cruise Board a boat and cruise to Thien Mu Pagoda where we’ ll discover this temple’ s rich history. From there, drive to the coastal village of Hoi An. Along the way, stop at My Khe Beach— also known to Americans as“ China Beach.”
Meals: B, L, D | Hoi An Central Boutique Hotel or similar
DAY 11 • Explore Hoi An • Optional Countryside Cruise & Street Food Experience tour Enjoy a walking tour of Hoi An that includes the Phuc Kien Congressional House and the Japanese covered bridge. The balance of the day is on your own, or take part in our optional Countryside Cruise & Street Food Experience tour.
Meals: B, L | Hoi An Central Boutique Hotel or similar
DAY 12 • Hoi An • Explore Champa Ruins at My Son Sanctuary Spend half of the day exploring the ruins of the Champa Kingdom at the temple complex of My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to Hoi An for lunch.
Meals: B, L | Hoi An Central Boutique Hotel or similar
DAY 13 • Fly to Nha Trang Fly to Nha Trang on Vietnam’ s south-central coast, and enjoy an orientation walk along the beach.
Meals: B, D | Yasaka Saigon Nha Trang Hotel & Spa or similar
DAY 14 • Nha Trang • Grand Circle Foundation: Women’ s Shelter Board motorbikes to visit Phuoc Phuc Women’ s Shelter, an organization that aids expectant and single mothers— supported in part by Grand Circle Foundation. Then, stop by a local market today before visiting a rural village to enjoy lunch at a local’ s home.
Meals: B, L | Yasaka Saigon Nha Trang Hotel & Spa or similar
DAY 15 • Overland to Dalat • Home- Hosted Dinner Travel to the central highlands today. During lunch at a local restaurant, meet members of a local hill tribe. Then, continue to the mountain town of Dalat. Tonight, learn more about everyday Vietnamese people during a Home-Hosted Dinner. Meals: B, L, D | Sammy Dalat Hotel or similar
DAY 16 • Dalat • Optional Dalat Agricultural tour • University student discussion Today, you can choose to join an optional tour that focuses on Dalat’ s agricultural production. Later, gather as a group to visit Dalat University to learn about the Vietnamese education system during a discussion with a professor and local students. Meals: B, D | Sammy Dalat Hotel or similar
DAY 17 • Fly to Ho Chi Minh City( Saigon) Rise early to fly to Ho Chi Minh City( Saigon). Then embark on a city tour to see Notre
Dame Cathedral, the historic Post Office, and more. Meals: B, L, D | Central Palace Hotel or similar
DAY 18 • Mekong Delta experience • Sampan ride • Coconut candy workshop Discover Vietnam’ s Mekong Delta today, as we ride a motorized boat to Ben Tre. Walk through the village, then take a sampan ride along one of the town’ s canals. Later, visit a coconut candy workshop to learn about making sweet keo dua. Meals: B, L | Central Palace Hotel or similar
DAY 19 • Cu Chi Tunnels Tour the Cu Chi Tunnels, a vast underground network that allowed the Viet Cong to control a large area near the former Saigon. Then, we’ ll have the opportunity to discuss what life is like postwar with veterans who fought with the Viet Cong. Later, gather at a local restaurant for a Farewell Dinner. Meals: B, L, D | Central Palace Hotel or similar
DAY 20 • Return to the U. S. Depart early this morning to the airport for your return flights home or to begin your optional post-trip extension in Cambodia: Angkor Wat & the Legacy of the Ancient Khmer Empire.
Meals: B
Want to know more? Find the full itinerary and dates & pricing at www. oattravel. com / svd
48 Inside Vietnam