Single women travel tours of Vietnam, Venus Adventures single women travel

Vietnam

Vietnam is an exciting, vibrant, culturally rich country, with spectacular natural environments. Wander the fascinating maze of Hanoi's ‘Old Quarter', meet the unique and enchanting highland peoples of the north, cruise the twisting arms of Halong Bay, bask in the historical charms of Hue and alluring Hoi An with its myriad silk tailors, explore Saigon's chaotic districts and markets, and take an insightful day trip to the Mekong Delta.

Date & Duration:	10th-27th November 2011 - 18 days
Cost:	£2,400 / NZ$5,200 / US$3,600 / AUS$4,300 - What's included?
Arrival & Departure points:	Hanoi/Saigon
Group size:	min 8, max 12
Accommodation:	hotels, junk, overnight train
Meals not included:	6 lunches, 7 dinners
Adventures:	hiking, sea kayaking

Vietnam Tour Highlights

• Meeting the fascinating and diverse highland peoples of northern Vietnam
• Visiting villages and markets in northern Vietnam
• Taking a day hike into Sapa Valley with the option of an overnight stay in a highland village
• Cruising stunning Halong Bay visiting floating villages and secluded beaches from our live-aboard ‘junk'
• A morning sea kayaking Halong Bay's tranquil waters exploring caves and lagoons
• Exploring Hanoi's fascinating 'Old Quarter'; visiting Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum; watching the intriguing art form of water puppetry
• Moto-tour of Hue's historic pagodas and palaces
• Soaking up the ambience in the World Heritage town of Hoi An – historic buildings, silks and textiles, artisans
• Vietnamese cuisine – half day cooking course in Hoi An
• Markets and museums in Saigon
• Morning excursion to the infamous Cu Chi tunnels
• Fascinating Mekong Delta day trip
• Cambodia 3-day extension: see the bottom of this page for details

Vietnam Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Hanoi

Our Vietnam experience begins in Hanoi's fascinating 'Old Quarter'. On arrival, you'll check into our hotel and have free time to freshen up and rest, or wander down to Hoan Kiem lake for coffee, patisseries and people watching on the lake front. We'll enjoy a delicious dinner together at one of Hanoi's contemporary French-inspired cafes, before hotel for a refreshing night's sleep.

Meals - D

Day 2 Hanoi

Hanoi is a beguiling and vibrant city steeped in history, with a wonderful fusion of French colonial and Vietnamese architecture and cuisine. We take the day to visit the city's key sights such as Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, the Museum of ethnography and the tranquil Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university.

There'll also be time to explore the colorful streets of the Old Quarter, where streets are named for the products they sell and everything imaginable is being bought and sold. We'll have an insightful meal at an NGO restaurant which trains and looks after 'street kids', giving them skills to pursue careers in the hospitality and tourism industries. This evening we enjoy the centuries old tradition of water puppetry, before taking an overnight train journey north, to Lao Cai.

Meals - B,L,D

Day 3 Lao Cai - Sapa

From Lao Cai we travel up into the hills to the lofty town of Sapa. Once a resort for French colonialists escaping Hanoi's summer heat, Sapa is now a centre for highland people to trade their goods, and is the best place in Vietnam to see many of the different ethnic minorities. Within moments of stepping from our bus you are sure to be 'adopted' by one of the delightful Black Hmong girls, who will enthusiastically wander around town with you showing you the weekend market and local sites. If you feel like stretching your legs we'll walk down valley, past terraced rice fields to a village nestled on the valley floor, which is home to many of the Hmong girls.

Meals - both B, L, D

Day 4 - 5 Sapa

We head down the valley by foot or bike through highland villages and mountainous rice terraced terrain, with the option of an overnight village-stay, which gives a unique insight into their ancient subsistence lifestyle. The highland women are adept embroiders and this is a great place to pick up wonderful handmade cotton textiles. Returning to Sapa, the balcony café of our guesthouse has the most spectacular views in town and is a fantastic place to dine and soak up the rural tranquility and lush environs.

On our final evening we return by train to Hanoi.

Meals - B, L and B

Day 6 - 8 Halong Bay

After an early morning arrival and breakfast in Hanoi we board our private bus for the interesting trip to Halong City. From here, we embark on our live-aboard Vietnamese 'junk' to explore spectacular Halong Bay. Studded with 1500 limestone islands rising sheer from the sea, its reputation as one of the natural wonders of the world, is well deserved and the bay has World Heritage status.

We encounter caves, hidden lagoons and floating villages. We can swim, sea kayak, relax on secluded beaches and have plenty of time to unwind. Our skipper guides us through the maze of twisting passages, and the wonderful crew serves us bountiful seafood feasts.

We return to Hanoi at the end of Day 8.

Meals - B, L and B, D and B, L

Day 9 - 10 Hue

We take a short midday flight from Hanoi to Hue. Situated on the banks of the Perfume River and celebrated by Vietnamese poets for its romantic air and beauty, Hue was home to the Royal Dynasty until 1945. On our first afternoon we'll explore the city and local market by cyclo. The next day we take a wonderful tour of Hue's countryside, chauffeured on motos, visiting emperors' tombs, Buddhist pagodas and historic sites.

One evening we enjoy a delicious gourmet buffet and cultural performance at the famed Saigon Morin. You will have time to relax by the hotel's pool or enjoy a cocktail on its rooftop bar.

Meals - B, D and B, L

Day 11 Hue - Hoi An

We travel the scenic coastal road by private bus to our favourite Vietnamese town, Hoi An. En route we stop for a short walk up Marble Mountain to see caves and temples embedded in the rock. We arrive in Hoi An in time for an early dinner at one of the town's excellent restaurants - a great way to begin sampling the rich history and culture.

Meals - B, D

Day 12 - 13 Hoi An

Hoi An was an important trading port from the 17th-19th centuries. Wandering the streets, you really feel embraced by history. The town now has UN World Heritage status and its profusion of old houses, quiet streets and covered bridge are being preserved and restored.

These days Hoi An is renowned for its diverse architectural heritage, masterful tailors, abundant silks and superb cuisine. Hoi An is also the ultimate place to have affordable clothes made to order.

There's a gorgeous beach nearby and people-watching on the riverfront, cool drink in hand, is hard to beat. We get a real taste for the local culture with a great half-day cooking course in Vietnamese cuisine. We take a day trip to My Son to explore the ancient temple ruins of the Cham kingdom – the most significant Cham site in Vietnam.

While in Hoi An you will have some free time to relax at the beach, shop for a new outfit (or new wardrobe!) and dine at your choice of the town's riverside cafés.

Meals - B, L and B

Day 14 Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)

A short early morning flight south takes us to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), a city of stunning contrasts. We hail cyclos and zigzag our way to the War Remnants Museum, a sobering memorial to the Vietnam War, and then lighten up with a stroll around the unusual Presidential Palace and Ben Thanh - the central market and a great place to stock up on fine roasted coffee from the highlands.

Meals - B, D

DAY 15-16 Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta, Vietnam's rice bowl, is one of the largest deltas in the world. You'll experience its fertile abundance and beauty as we explore by bicycle and boat, visiting small farms and workshops on islands among its branching water ways and tributaries. We enjoy a simple night, close to the people and nature in a comfortable and rustic homestay. After a morning visit to floating markets we return to Saigon for the afternoon.

Meals - B, L, D and B

Day 17 Saigon, Cu Chi daytrip

Today you have the choice of visiting the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels. These comprise over 250kms of tunnels where Viet Cong forces built pseudo-cities underground, enabling them to infiltrate and control large areas around Saigon virtually undetected. You'll be able to experience, first hand, the claustrophobic existence.

On our return you'll have free time to explore the lively district around our hotel and dine at your choice of restaurants. Alternatively, you may like to spend the day in Saigon and enjoy some great food, colourful street markets, a relaxing massage at the Blind Institute, and endless shopping options.

Meals - B, L, D

Day 18 Farewell Vietnam

Our journey concludes today and we are sure you will depart with a special affection for this intriguing country. Transfer to the airport and flight home.

Meals - B

Cambodia Extension, 27 - 30 November 2010 (approx US$450 - depending on numbers)

• Fly from Ho Chi Minch City to Siem Reap
• From vibrant Siem Reap we explore the impressive remnants of the Angkor Empire, renowned for their superb temples and monuments. They are a UNESCO World Heritage site, the largest temple ruins on earth, and truly awe inspiring. See the restoration of some temples, and the disintegration of others, as the jungle reclaims them. The temples are best explored at dawn and dusk. In between, we'll be visiting the Landmine Museum, Artisans D'Angkor (silk weaving NGO), and the Angkor Children's Hospital. There's also plenty of time for indulging in a poolside massage, and shopping at the wonderful night market.
• Accommodation: 3 nights in Siem Reap at a locally owned boutique guest house with pool
• Meals: All breakfasts and dinners (independent lunches)
• Included: some meals, transfers and ground transport, temple pass
• Not included: International flight from Vietnam to Cambodia, but we will assist with the booking and advise which flight to book