Vietnam | Natural Beauty, Culture and Tastes of Vietnam
Women Only Tour
One of the major highlights of travelling through Vietnam is tasting its culinary delights. This journey takes you to visit the key attractions of this beautiful country, as well as introducing you to the delicious local cuisine and cooking classes. Combining the excitement of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), the historic attractions of Hoi An and Hue and the serenity of Hanoi as well as walks through spectacular countryside.
Experience breathtaking mountain views, interact with the locals and get off the beaten track in Vietnam. Spend a day with the children of 15 May School, a school and shelter for ex-street children from the poorest area of District 1, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
| Duration: | 15 Days |
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| Tour Code: | ITW687 |
| Trip Style: | Moderate - 3 star |
| Departure Dates: | 15 Mar 2013 |
| Price: | Please Contact Us |
| Places you'll visit: |
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| Highlights: |
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Ideal for Solo Travellers
Especially designed for women by women, with small group sizes in mind. Every detail of your trip is arranged, while you have an amazing adventure and make enduring friendships. In good company with like-minded women you can be yourself - enjoy the freedom to do what you want, when you want. There's no pressure or competitiveness, but plenty of encouragement.
Trip Details
Day 1 - HANOI
On arrival into Hanoi you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. You will meet your local tour leader this evening for a pre trip briefing, after which you can head out to one of Hanoi's many great restaurants for your first meal together.
Meals included: Welcome Dinner
Accommodation: Maison D'Hanoi Hanover Hotel
Day 2 - HANOI
Mornings are a magical time in this elegant Red River Delta city. Most locals are up early, hustling for the day's freshest produce. We embark on a cooking class run by KOTO Restaurant, an amazing project aimed at providing vocational training and experience in the hospitality industry for underprivileged young people. All the staff you meet at this café have come from poor backgrounds. We begin with a visit to a local market where you can see for yourself the amazing range of fresh ingredients available in Vietnam. You will experience the lively process of choosing the right ingredients, getting the right price and sealing the deal in the hectic, Hanoi environment. We also stop a moment to sample some market breakfast fare and if we are lucky, watch the making of Banh pho (fresh rice noodle pancake roll.) We then head back to the restaurant, where you will make your own dishes with fresh, tasty ingredients.
In the afternoon we head out on a sightseeing tour of Hanoi visiting the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda, and paying homage to Ho Chi Minh. We will have time this evening to enjoy a unique performance of the Water puppets.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Maison D'Hanoi Hanover Hotel
Day 3 - HALONG BAY
You can leave luggage behind at our Hanoi hotel today and pack an overnight bag. It is a three-hour drive to Halong Bay, truly one of Vietnam's most impressive scenic sights. Views of sailing junks navigating past over 3,000 limestone islands and rocky outcrops jutting out of the bay are nothing short of spectacular. We travel to Bai Chay (Halong City West) where we board a boat for an exploration of the bay, enjoying a seafood lunch and dinner (non-seafood also available).
There will also be time to enjoy swimming and kayaking on Halong Bay. You have the option to paddle by kayak to some of the narrow caves and inlets into interior lakes, and explore some of the bay's most hidden corners. We spend the night on board a traditional, character filled Junk Boat. It is a wonderful experience to be spending a night on the bay - weather permitting, the views at sunset are incredible.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Traditional Junk Boat on Halong Bay
Day 4 - HALONG BAY TO HANOI
In the morning we sail back to the port, where we disembark and drive back to Hanoi. Arriving back in the capital, the remainder of the afternoon is free for us to wander around town and check out the lifestyles of Hanoi's people. One of the best places to do this is the city's ‘old quarter', situated to the north of the lake.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation: Maison D'Hanoi Hanover Hotel
Day 5 - MAI CHAU & HILLTRIBE TREKKING
We again leave some luggage behind at our hotel this morning before heading southwest of Hanoi to Hoa Binh province. This area is home to many hilltribe people in the spectacular countryside we will be walking though. We will also enjoy a boat trip on the Hoa Binh Lake which enables us to further experience the real life of the Muong and Dzao people in this area.
The walking is not too strenuous; however you need to carry your own daypack for trekking days. Anyone of reasonable fitness should have no problems. After a short walk in the afternoon we arrive in a hill tribe village near Mai Chau, where we will stay overnight in a local longhouse. The accommodation is simple and dormitory-style, and the washing and toilet facilities are basic.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Homestay in Longhouse
Day 6 - MAI CHAU & HILLTRIBE TREKKING
After breakfast we transfer to Sam Khoe where we trek to see the H'mong people. In the afternoon we go back to Mai Chau for overnight.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Homestay in Longhouse
Day 7 - MAI CHAU TO CUC PHUONG NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, it is a short morning trek back into Mai Chau town. After a relaxing lunch and an opportunity to shop for local ethnic handicrafts, we drive to Cuc Phuong National Park. Once we have settled into our rooms we will visit the Endangered Primate Rescue centre and learn a little of the work that is being done to preserve the endangered native primates. Established in 1962, Cuc Phuong is Vietnam's oldest national park. The Park's primary tropical rain forest contains rare hardwoods and is home to an amazing variety of wildlife. Some say the natural splendour of the Tam Coc area rivals that of Halong Bay.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Guest House
Day 8 - CUC PHUONG NATIONAL PARK
Rising this morning in the park lodge with the sounds of the forest all around us, we take a drive to the centre of the park where we commence trekking through lush rainforest, past centuries old trees and to caves once inhabited by prehistoric humans. In the afternoon we return to our vehicle and drive back to Hanoi.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Maison D'Hanoi Hanover Hotel
Day 9 - HANOI TO HUE
This morning we transfer to the airport and board a flight to Hue. Hue was the last imperial capital of Vietnam (1802-1945) and also one of its cultural centres. We enjoy a boat trip in the morning along Perfume River to see the historic temple, Thien Mu Pagoda. We then visit the Citadel and the Purple Forbidden City. This royal residence was all but destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive, however it is still fascinating to walk among the ruins. In the evening you might like to sample the local delicacy known as ‘banh khoai'.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation: Saigon Morin Hotel
Day 10 - HUE TO HOI AN
This morning we embark on one of Vietnam's most spectacular road trips by crossing over the Hai Van Pass, towards Danang. We continue south to China Beach, enjoyed as an ‘R & R' spot during the Vietnam War, which lies against a backdrop of the sensational Marble Mountains. We also visit these ‘mountains', which consist of five peaks that are actually limestone with marble outcrops and are seen to epitomise the five elements: fire, water, earth, wood and metal.
The history of the mountains is a rich one. They were once used by the Chams for religious purposes, but in more recent times became a haven for the Viet Cong, with their clear view of the Danang air base - at one time the busiest airport in the world. Good footwear is essential, as the paths between the rocks are sometimes slippery. Our destination at the end of the day is Hoi An. There are many street-side cafes and restaurants in Hoi An - ideal places to finish off the day by sampling the culinary delights of this town.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hoi An Beach Resort
Day 11 - HOI AN
Hoi An was originally a Cham port town, but has been influenced down the centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. There is a distinctly Chinese appearance with pagodas and assembly halls scattered along the small streets. Hoi An was once a bustling port in centuries gone by, before the river silted up. Today it is a delightful backwater town with an air of liveliness about it. The tranquillity and charm of Hoi An, coupled with its low tiled houses, makes it one of the most delightful places to visit in Vietnam. It is a constant favourite of travellers.
A walking tour takes us to see a historic house (formerly home to a prominent trader), the Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese assembly hall and a museum. During a free afternoon you might like to organise to have some clothing made - the market is a good place to buy silk, which can be made up into fine garments, all within a day.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation: Hoi An Beach Resort
Day 12 - HOI AN
Today is a day to learn more about Vietnamese cooking. We meet our local chef for a guided tour through the markets in Hoi An, where we assist with buying (and haggling for!) food for our culinary adventure. After walking down to the pier, we enjoy a boat cruise on the Tu Bon River to the Red Bridge Restaurant, where our chef will show us how to prepare some of the exotic local dishes.
Because of its position as Vietnam's historic port on the South China Sea, Hoi An attracted a multitude of traders and merchants from around the world, such as various Chinese groups, Japanese, Portuguese and Dutch. Their influences can be seen today all around town and have indeed been a major contribution to the uniqueness of Hoi An's cuisine. The afternoon is free to further explore the town and its surrounding areas which can be reached easily by bicycle or rickshaw.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hoi An Beach Resort
Day 13 - HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)
We transfer to Danang airport this morning and board a flight to Saigon. On arrival we will be transferred to our hotel in the heart of the city. Today we visit the 15 May School in Saigon, which is a school and shelter for ex-street children from the poorest area of District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City. Not only does it provide primary and secondary level schooling free of charge to up to 200 students in the area, but it also has the capacity to provide shelter for 20 children who have nobody to care for them.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation: Lavender Hotel
Day 14 - HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)
Today is free for some last minute shopping or some optional pampering at the L'Apothiquaire Day Spa? Alternatively you can take in an optional tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, an extensive underground network (approximately 200 kilometres) of tunnels dug initially by the Viet Minh and later expanded by the Viet Cong. Those who have travelled to Cu Chi will return to Saigon in the afternoon. This evening we will enjoy a Farewell dinner.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: Lavender Hotel
Day 15 - HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)
Today your time is your own until your transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Meals included: breakfast
Inclusions
- Accommodation: 10 nights Hotels/Resort, 3 nights Homestay/Longhouse/Guest House, 1 night Junk Boat
- Meals as per the itinerary
- English speaking guide
- Park entrance fees
- Activities as detailed in the itinerary
What's Not Included
- Tips
- Travel insurance (compulsory) - we can assist you with this
- Spa treatments
Terms & Conditions
Click here for our Terms & Conditions
For more information, availability and pricing and options, please contact our expert travel specialists at Inspired Travel Worldwide on (02) 9449 8598 or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.
