Good Morning Vietnam

When you go somewhere new on holiday, if your like me, you want to fit in as much as you possibly can.  I mean, we all go on holiday to see new things right?

Sometimes though, especially when you visit somewhere with a completely different culture to your own, it can be a little overwhelming with the amount of things you want to see.  Trying to fit them all in and organise everything, can sometimes leave you feeling like you need another holiday just to relax and recover after it.

Queue, cruise.co.uk.  We have the perfect solution to just that problem (see, you knew this was going somewhere didn’t you)  Escorted Touring.

We have recently been working very closely with our local ground handlers to put together some fantastic escorted tours that can be added on to a lot of our far East cruises.

What are the benefits of an escorted tour I hear you say.  Well am glad you asked…

With an escorted tour you get to see everything you need to see all in one go.  Local guides who specialise in these destinations, take you round to see all the site, often queue jumping to get you there first ensuring you can beat the crowds to get those perfect shots for Instagram.  As well, in travelling with a group you get to meet some new people, all with similar interests as you. I have done some tours like this in the past and I still speak to a lot of the people I made friends with on the tour.  (Shall we end the cheese right there?)

In all seriousness, I have picked out one of my favorite add on tours that we have put together.  

The tour is called The Cu Chi Tunnels of Vietnam with Hanoi, Halong Bay and Saigon.

Try saying that after a few Gins

In all seriousness, Vietnam is one of those countries that you HAVE to go to.  It is so rich in culture and heritage, that it is at the top of my bucket list (before you ask, yes i have swallowed a guide book).  

The great thing about this tour, as it ends in Singapore, you can add this on to over 50 cruises that start here.  The hard part will be deciding which one! But if you give me a call I can help with that! Yes you can see Vietnam as part of a cruise, but there is so much more to this country that cannot be seen by a cruise alone.  You need to delve further into land to fully experience what this country has to offer

I won’t go into too much detail with what is included as you can see all that below, but this tour has a lot of the highlights of Vietnam that you MUST see.  

Halong Bay.  This has to be one of the most photographed places in the world.  You will probably be so familiar with this image that you will have seen it hundreds of times, but might not be sure where it is.  Well now you know. And as if by the magic of Blue Peter, here’s an image a prepared earlier to jog your memory…

This place (I am told by past guests) has to be seen to believed and to experience it’s magic.  Not only do you get to see it, but we include a cruise out on to the bay to give you maximum opportunity to see the beauty that it holds and get perfect shot for Instagram and Facebook to make your friends jealous (the guidebook is out again).

For me though, the absolute must do for this tour is the Floating Markets of the Mekong.  Apparently they have existed for hundreds of years, with just as many boats floating past selling everything you could possibly imagine from food and drink to turtles and lizards (although I wouldn’t recommend you try and bring these through customs).  For anyone that loves bargain, this the the place to visit like no other.

Take a look at the full itinerary below and see what you think :

Day 1

On arrival into Hanoi, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for a two-night stay. The rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

Day 2

Hanoi. You will be transferred out to Ba Dinh Square and start your touring with the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilt and the nearby One Pillar Pagoda. Next, visit the 11th century relic, the Temple of Literature, which was built in homage to the Chinese scholar Confucius as well as the Imperial Citadel. Take a rickshaw ride through the Old Quarter to see daily life of Hanoians before taking a walking tour of the city to discover the unique flavours of the Vietnamese cuisine on a food tour.

Day 3

Hanoi to Halong Bay . After breakfast, you will be transferred to Halong Bay, where, on arrival, you will board your overnight cruise and set sail. In the afternoon, discover Tien Ong cave, a beautiful and archaeological site, before some free time back at the boat for relaxing or swimming. Other activities to choose from back at the boat are a Masterchef Competition show and fruit carving demonstration, or an optional traditional massage.

Day 4
Halong Bay to Saigon.Start the day with calming Tai Chi accompanied by sunrise before sailing to Cua Van floating village, voted one of the most beautiful small towns around the world. Opt to kayak or use a traditional rowing boat to discover the local life on these waters. Enjoy brunch as we sail through Lom Bo Islet, Soi Sim Island, HoaCuong Islet, Chicken Cock Islet, and Ba Hang Village. Once back at the dock, you will be transferred to Noi Bai Airport for an evening flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival, you will be met by a local guide and transferred to your hotel.

Day 5
Saigon . This morning, begin your full day tour of the Mekong Delta, known for its floating markets. Hop aboard a small boat to take a trip around the floating market. Cruise along deeper into the countryside to see the traditional houses made of wood and palm tree leaves and see the locals living their daily life activities. This afternoon, take a walk around the surrounding and enjoy traditional fruits while listening to the southern traditional music. Enjoy a leisurely cycle on the village paths to see local farms, houses and lush orchards of the Mekong Delta. End the cruise in Vinh Long where you will be transferred back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 6
Saigon . Start your day by driving through the countryside to the Cu Chi Tunnels, stopping en route to visit a rice paper making village. Upon arrival, learn about what life was like for soldiers who lived within these tunnels during the war and take a tour around the site. Spend the morning here before heading back into Ho Chi Minh city for lunch and a city tour. Visit the Reunification Palace, where a North Vietnamese tank crashed through the gates in 1975, symbolising the end of the Vietnam War. Make a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral, the iconic landmark built between 1863 and 1880. Next to the Cathedral stands the Saigon Post Office, designed by the renowned French architect Gustav Eiffel. Finish your tour off with a visit to the War Remnants Museum.

Day 7
Saigon to Singapore. Spend the morning at leisure before being transferred to the airport in the late afternoon for your onward flight to Singapore. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for a one-night stay.

Day 8

After check-out, you will be transferred to the cruise terminal for your onward cruise.