Vietnam Experience (12 Days)

Guide

Expert Trip Manager + Local Guides

Meals

11 Breakfast (B) 3 Lunch (L) 2 Dinner (D) Danang: When you travel with Contiki, your accommodation, in-country transport and breakfasts are all included with the cost of your trip – so when it comes to budgeting, you only need to worry about your spending money. Vietnam is heralded as an extremely affordable tourist destination too (depending on flights of course!) . As a rough guide, you should easily get by on $50-80 a day. Mekong River Delta: Grab your buddies and take a shot at catching an elephant ear fish for dinner. FYI: it tastes better than it looks.

Others

Danang: The visa requirements for entering Vietnam will change depending on: - The length of your visit - The purpose of your visit - Your country of origin Visit https://www.contiki.com/resources/visas-guide to find the visa requirements for your specific situation. Danang: This will depend on what you want to do and which part of the country you plan to visit. Generally, April - May is thought to be the best time to visit Vietnam because of the weather. December - March is a slightly cooler period, so could be ideal for hiking trips or city-dwelling. July - August is classed as Vietnam’s high season and sees the largest number of tourists enter the country, while low season runs from April - June and September - November. Contiki operates trips to Vietnam all year round, so whichever time works best for you, you can always book a spot with us. Danang: The currency used in Vietnam is the Vietnamese dong (₫). 1 US dollar equates to around 23,585₫. Danang: Vietnam is renowned for its food! You’ll find plenty of street food stop-offs, serving up freshly made gems including rice, noodle and battered pancake-based dishes, plus the world-famous Pho. Pork is a common feature of Vietnamese cuisine. Generally, Vietnamese food isn’t too spicy (except if your dish has fresh chillies in it!) Oh, and the best thing about the food here? It’s very very cheap. Danang: It’s customary for your shoulders to be covered in Vietnam – and this will be insisted on in some of the more traditional tourist spots. Local Vietnamese women tend to wear swimming costumes instead of bikinis, but it’s generally accepted for tourists to dress in the swimwear of their choice. The country also gets very hot and humid (especially during the summer), so make sure you pack lots of loose-fitting clothes made from a lightweight and breathable material. Big up the baggy shirts! Danang: Tipping is pretty common in Vietnam’s tourism and hospitality sectors. Usually you’ll pay 10% of the total bill, which will amount to roughly $1-5. Mekong River Delta: Watch and learn as local craftspeople make rice wine, tea, sweets and more local delicacies. Ho Chi Minh City: Brave this subterranean world. The hand-dug tunnels were built by the Viet Cong to hide out during the war. Ho Chi Minh City: Tick off all of the landmarks on your bucket list – Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office and the Presidential Palace. Ho Chi Minh City: A meaningful reminder of the atrocities of the Vietnam War and its impact on local people and wildlife. Ho Chi Minh City: Passports at the ready folks. Nha Trang: Next stop, Hoi An. But before we hit the streets, it’s time to hit the sky one more time. Hoi An: Immerse yourself in all the crazy sights and sounds, then take a photo by the ornate Japanese bridge. Hoi An: This 15th century port and UNESCO site is best explored on two wheels with a local expert. Don’t forget your Go-Pro! Hue: Probably one of the world’s best road trips. You’ll feel like you’re climbing up into the clouds. Hue: Always secretly wanted to go on one of these? Us too. But watch out for the shell shocked tourists! Hue: Visiting Thien Mu Pagoda and Imperial Citadel will give you goosebumps, as they conjure up visions of an ancient world. Hue: Next stop, Hoi An. But before we hit the streets, it’s time to hit the sky one more time. Hanoi: Listen up culture-lovers. This shrine – dedicated to ancient philosopher Confucius – is known as ‘Vietnam’s first university’. Halong Bay: Grab your new BFFs and hang out in this mini paradise. The powdery sand and turquoise waters will bless you with #islandvibes Halong Bay: The best way to drift off into dreamy sleep? Drifting along the Gulf of Tonkin in a traditional Chinese-style Junk Boat, of course! Halong Bay: Yet another work of art from Mother Nature. These huge underground caves are made for exploring. But can you spot the ‘mammoth’?

Flights

Internal flight included. *** All other flights are not included.

Transport

Private Coach, Junk Boat

Accommodation

9 nights in Hotels, 2 nights in Special Stays

Hygieneprotocol

All guests travelling with Contiki through December 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep the vaccination status current and valid, depending on the travel destination. Children not eligible for vaccination and/or booster at the time of travel must provide a verifiable and negative Covid-19 test result, taken within 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) for all tours departing until December 31, 2022. For guests travelling with Contiki from 1 January 2023, Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters are highly recommended, but no longer required. Please note that regardless of time of travel guests will need to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destination visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be more restrictive than above. It is guests’ responsibility to ensure that they comply at all times with these requirements. No refunds will be given if guests are unable to undertake some or all of their vacation due to their failure to comply with these requirements.

Others

Other activities and services not included.

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Optional

Mud Bath Excursion (US$17) Luxuriate in a mud bath before relaxing in the sun to allow the mud to work it's magic. Next scrub the mud off in a warm mineral shower. Top it all off with a long soak in a thermal hot pool. Bliss!! Cruise to offshore islands to swim and snorkel (US$20) This cruise is the perfect way to explore some of the South China Sea & get a good look at Nha Trang & the surrounding islands from the water. Stop off at Hon Mun, where cliffs rise steeply out of the turquoise waters & try some snorkelling or jump off th Vietnamese cooking class and dinner (US$20) With the guidance of a local master chef, learn to cook delicious street food favourites (like spring rolls) & popular Vietnamese family dishes in an old French-style colonial building. Situated in the centre of Hoi An’s UNESCO World Heritage listed Old T Marble Mountain (USD $15.00) Group Photo at Hue’s Imperial Citadel (US$6) Keep your travel memories fresh with a photo of your Contiki group in front of one of Vietnam’s national icons – the Imperial Citadel of Hue, palace to the former Emperors of Vietnam. Street Food Walking Tour