• Prices include:
  - 12 night accommodation in a twin sharing room at specified hotels (breakfast included)
  - All transfers and land transportation in private vehicles
  - Local English or French speaking guides. Entrance fees and sightseeings as indicated in the program
  - Meals plan as mentioned in the program
  - Private boat for sightseeing at Halong, Hue, Nhatrang and Vinhlong as mentioned in the program
  

   Prices exclude:
  - International air ticket
  - Domestic air tickets Hanoi - Hui // Danang - Nhatrang // Nhatrang - Ho Chi Minh City.
  Domestic Airfare: USD 172 per person (Subject to change without prior notice)
  - Drinks, personal expenses, meals and other services not mentioned in the program
  - VISA fee
  - Surcharge for VINPEARL RESORT in Nha Trang from 06 Jan - 31 Mar 08: USD XXX per room / night.

  If you plan to arrive in Vietnam from Bangkok (Thailand), we can arrange the air ticket for you upon request.

• Visa Application:
  * Visa is required to enter Vietnam for all nationalities. If visas on arrival are to be obtained via Circle Of Asia Limited, the following document must be supplied to us at least 2 weeks prior to your arrival in Vietnam:
  * Full name as per passport
  * Passport number/ date of issuance and expiry
  * Date and place of birth
  * Occupation and nationality

  You can apply for a visa at Vietnamese Embassy in Bangkok or a Vietnamese consular office in your homecountry with the supply of 2 passport sized photos and your passport. The aplication process takes about 5 days before the visa is issued. An approval letter, which is necessary when applying for a visa on arrival at any of Vietnam's immigration checkpoints, can only be requested via Circle Of Asia in connection with the booking of travel arrangements to Vietnam.

  Booking during New Year period
  Any booking on 31st of December 2007 is subject to compulsory gala dinner at the hotel. Please check with our travel consultant for the rates.

  The Deluxe Package includes accommodation at Melia Hanoi or Sheraton or Horison Hotel in Hanoi, Halong Plaza or Saigon Halong or Royal Hotel in Halong, Saigon Morin Hotel or Le Reisdence in Hue, Hoi An Riverside Resort , Golden Sand or Palm Garden in Hoi An, Sunrise Beach Resort or Sofitel Vinpearl Resort & Spa in Nhatrang, and Sofitel Plaza Saigon,  Renaissance Riverside, New World Hotel or Legend Hotel in Ho Chiminh City.

  The Superior Package - A includes accommodation at Guoman, Hanoi Hotel or Fortuna Hotel in Hanoi, Heritage Halong Hotel or Dream Halong Hotel in Halong, Saigon Morin or Huong Giang in Hue, Hoi An Trails or Hoi An Beach in Hoi An, Yasaka Hotel or Nhatrang Lodge in Nhatrang, Duxton Hotel, Norfolk Hotel or Grand Hotel in Ho Chiminh City.
  
  The Superior Package - B includes accommodation at Sunway Hotel, Lake side Hotel or Zephyr Hotel in Hanoi, Grand Halong or Dream Halong Hotel in Halong, Huong Giang Hotel or Green Hue Hotel in Hue, Hoi An Pacific or Vinh Hung Resort in Hoi An, Yasaka Hotel or Nhatrang Lodge in Nha Trang, Rex Hotel or Continental Hotel or Amara Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

  The First Class Package includes accommodation at Majestic Hanoi Hotel or Hoabinh Hotel or Platinum I, II Hotel in Hanoi, Halong 1 or Spring Hotel in Halong, Heritage Hue or Hue Queen in Hue, Hoi An Hotel, Ancient House or Van Loi Hotel in Hoi An, Bao Dai Villas or Que Huong in Nhatrang, Liberty 3 Hotel, Oscar Hotel or Palace Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

For those who prefer a leisurely walk in a French colonial atmosphere, try strolling down Kong Khoi Street. This clean, well-paved avenue has a public park and a collection of French colonial-style buildings, most of which have been converted into boutique hotels. Look out for the Hotel Continental building. This legendary structure was the place where foreign journalists and diplomats gathered to discuss the latest events and drink away their blues during the Vietnam War.

If you seek to understand more of this controversial war, there are a couple places that can give you some insights. The first is the Cu Chi Tunnels. This extensive network of tunnels total about 155 miles in length and consists of many larger sections housing such necessities as kitchens and field hospitals. The tunnels were first used in the French Indochina war right through the American Vietnam war. (It is interesting to note that most Vietnamese call it the “American War”) After a description of the tunnels by the guide, you will be invited to crawl into the maze yourself. The tunnels are located in Tay Ninth, about 24 miles northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. Another place that illustrates some frightening realities of the war is the War Remnant Museum, which includes a display of military vehicles, bombs, weapons and a photo gallery depicting the horrors of this conflict

Hanoi
There are some sightseeing activities you can do before heading out to the countryside. Most center around Hoan Kiem River; the river shares its name with the district. The area, north of Nguyen Du Street, comprises charming old streets, a cluster of French colonial-style buildings including hotels and embassies alongside bustling markets, museums and temples. The lake is a pleasant place for a leisurely stroll to take in the local way of life. For shoppers, there are plenty of shopping options around the lake, mostly on Trand Tien Street and Hang Gai Street – look out for Dong Xuan Market for local and foreign goods. Like anywhere in Asia, bargaining is a way of life. Make sure you agree on the price you feel comfortable with. Patience and smiling face are always the best policy when negotiating the price – bargain hard but keep it friendly.

One Pillar Pagoda
The original motive to build the famous One Pillar Pagoda (Chua Mot Cot) stemmed from the celestial dream of the Emperor Ly Thai Tong, reigning from 1028 to 1054. The heirless emperor dreamt that he had met Quan The Am Bo Tat (Goddess of Mercy), who handed him a male child while she seated in the middle of a lotus flower. After that, the emperor married with a young peasant girl who bore him a son. The One Pillar Pagoda was then constructed as a gratitude to the goddess in 1049.

The pagoda bears a resemblance of a lotus blossom, built as a wooden shrine on a single stone pillar of 1.25m in diameter. It was reconstructed after being destroyed by the French in 1954. The child is well respected by the locals and located near Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, another revered monument.

Temple of Literature
The Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) was founded in1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong in order to honor scholars of literary. Later in 1076, the place was reestablished as Vietnam’s first university that is used to educate sons of mandarins. During that time, the fifth courtyard, Ouac Tu Giam or School for the Sons of the Nation, was used as classrooms and dormitories. The temple is actually a complex made up of five main courtyards and divided by gates -the two courtyards in front of the temple were newly added in the early 19th century. The temple is now a peaceful asylum for urban people. Most of the spaces in the compound are devoted to gardens, fishponds, gates and footpaths through avenues of trees.

The place was truly a tribute to the greatness of the knowledge as it can be seen on the inscription on the gate at the main entrance requiring any visitors in the ancient time--ordinary citizens or kings--to dismount their horses before entering.

Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum
The resting place of Ho Chi Minh, the legendary leader of Vietnam, is Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. This granite museum was built from 1973 and 1975 with the stern cubicle look, absolutely contrasting to the characteristic of the man called ‘Uncle Ho’ and to the traditional architectural style. It is erected upon the foundations of the old rostrum on the Ba Dinh Square where President Ho Chi Minh usually held the national meetings in the past. Inside lies the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh, wearing faded khaki clothes and plain rubber shoes. The body is placed in the glass sarcophagus that allowed people to visit all year round, except a three-month period from September to December in which the body will be sent for maintenance in Russia. Restrictions must be strictly followed, such as no photo taking, no belongings inside the building and polite attire. No admission fee.

Hue
This ancient capital, also known as Thua Thien Hue, was founded on the northern bank of Perfume River in the 17th century by Nguyen Dynasty. Nowadays, the city, about 660 kilometers from Hanoi, looks more like a massive open-air museum with hundreds of temples, pagodas, palaces and tombs. Some parts of the city were badly damaged during the war but there are still many notable structures worth a visit.

If you are short on time, some must-see places you can visit in one day are The Citadel & Forbidden City, Khai Dinh Emperor’s Tomb, Tu Duc Emperor’s Tomb and Thien Mu Pagoda. The first is an ancient city, a replica of the Forbidden City in Beijing while the last is 19th century 7-story pagoda perched on a hill. The complex consists of three temples and a tower looking out to Perfume River. It is the oldest pagoda in Hue and built in honor of Nhu Lai Buddha. Citadel

Built in the style of the French military architect, Vauban, the royal Citadel of Hue complex has the characteristic of many strongholds and fortresses. Gia Long Emperor had it constructed in 1804, originally in earth, but additionally covered in brick later in the early 19th century.

Surrounded by a wide zigzag moat, the first layer of the royal Citadel is the defensive wall fort of 10 kilometer long, 7 meters high and 21 meters thick. The fort itself has 10 gates for pedestrians and 2 gates for water routes. Within, it also encompasses two other monarchal areas. The Imperial Enclosure, or Dai Noi, is encircled within a wall of 2.5 km long and 6 m wide. The Forbidden Purple City, within a perimeter of 1.3 km, was the reserved place for the private life of the kings and the royal members only.

Inside the complex, there is also a large cluster of smaller constructions. All of them lie around the main axis of the complex, running from north to south. Beginning with the northernmost Flag Tower, followed by the Ngo Mon (Noon) Gate, which was only reserved as a path only for the royal, and some others that show significant architectural value. Entering the Ngo Mon Gate, one will see the Belvedere of Five Phoenixes, also constructed by Emperor Gia Long in 1823 as a pavilion to list the names of successful scholars in the past. The abdication of the last Emperor Boa Dai in 1945 was announced here as well. Another remarkable building is Thai Hoa Palace or the Palace of Supreme Harmony, built 1833, and used as the reception hall and the throne room of the emperor.

Flag Tower
Standing right in front of the Ngo Mon (Noon) Gate on the south, the Flag Tower (Cot Co) is also part or the royal Citadel. The 37m-high tower, also known as the King’s Knight, is Vietnam’s tallest flagpole, erected in 1809 and almost completely destroyed in 1947. It was erected again in 1949 in its present form of three tiers, representing the natural order of earth, human beings and heaven.

Thien Mu Pagoda
Situated on the left bank of the Perfume River is the age-old elegant Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the most beautiful architectural structures in Vietnam. With the outstanding octagonal seven-story tower, it was constructed under the reign of Emperor Thieu Tri in 1844. The king had the pagoda built after having heard that Thien Mu, a Fairy Women, appeared to the people and prophesied that a lord would come to build a pagoda for the kingdom’s prosperity. After that some other small constructions were erected within the compound. For example, there is a six-sided pavilion that shelters an enormous bell of 2052 kg called Dai Hong Chung, which was cast in 1710. In addition the pagoda was the site of the anti-government demonstrators in the early 60s. A shrine and an Austin car behind the pagoda are worth taking a look. The story is the monk Thich Quang Duc, who resided at the shrine, drove the car from the temple to Saigon in 1963 to commit the self-immolation in protest of the government.