Vietnam
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Ship: Silver Shadow
Voyage Number: 3834 (Pre-cruise)
Departure Date: 19 November 2018
Program Nights: 6 Nights
Start of Program: Hanoi
End of Program: Singapore
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Highlights:
● Discover the art and culture scene in Hanoi with a local art researcher
● Visit the B-52 memorial at Huu Tiep Lake
● Explore Hao Lo Prison with former US Army soldier Chuck Searcy
● Enjoy a culture and food tour with a gastronomic guide, savoring the delights of Vietnam
● Participate in a hands-on cooking class with Chef Rice who has appeared alongside the likes of Gordon Ramsay
● Fly by helicopter to Mai Chauand witness an unchanged way of life in the countryside
● Take part in a blessing ceremony with a village elder
● Cycle your way through the stunningly beautiful countryside
● Enjoy a yoga class in the open air with tranquil views of the rice paddies
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Day 1 - HA NOI
Arrive at Hanoi airport and meet up with chauffeur, who will shuttle you to your accommodations at the award-winning Sofitel Hotel for post-trip relaxation. Enjoy pool and other hotel offerings, and dinner of your choosing.
Day 2 - HA NOI
Start your day taking a bicycle tour around lake west. Enjoy stops at local sites, including the Golden Lotus Temple, an exquisite 13th Century structure built for Princess Tu Hoa. After lunch the tour will delve deeper into the arts, with visits to the Fine Arts Museum and to select galleries. You'll be joined by a local art researcher who will guide you through Revolutionary Era Vietnamese art and the art of the white Thai people. Dinner will be served at Phu Thanh Chuong, an architectural heritage site, and will be accompanied by a very special Water Puppet performance and making-workshop that dates back to the 10th Century.
Day 3 - HA NOI
Greet the day with a morning tour at Ba Dinh Square; the home of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. A continued day of activities include a scenic walk around Truc Bach Lake on the Youth Road, a visit to the B-52 Memorial at Huu Tiep Lake, and a stop at the Hanoi Hilton Museum. At Hao Lo Prison you'll be joined by former soldier of the US Army Mr. Chuck Searcy, who will give you an insider's perspective on the experience of being a resident at the prison. For the afternoon join a gastronomic expert on a tour of the best, hard-to-find dining destinations. Delectables will include the Hanoi delicacy Bun Cha, Bánh Cuốn, and the iconic Pho. There will be plenty of walking between tastings, with stops at the 13th Century Ngoc Sơn Temple, Hang Be market, and the Temple of Silver. End this culinary adventure by getting your hands into it with a cooking class with Chef Rice in the old French Quarter.
Day 4 - HA NOI/ MAI CHAU
Experience rural Vietnam by checking out and taking a helicopter ride to Mai Chau, about 160km from Hanoi. Explore the iconic stilt houses made with bamboo and timber, and experienced an unchanged way of life. Bicycle through a rich, verdant countryside to converse and experience the local hill-tribe villages, and learn about social history of Vietnam at the Museum of Thai Ethnic People. Enjoy lunch on in a stilted house located amidst the paddy fields. In the afternoon, venture out to explore the beautiful ethnic villages of Mai Chau, including Na Phon and Na Meo. This cultural immersion experience is finalized with the traditional performance for a good rice harvest, reigned over by a village elder.
Day 5 - MAI CHAU
Start the day with a trek to Pu Luong Nature Reserve with breathtaking scenery of terraced paddy fields, hidden valley and peaceful villages, with a Water Wheels walk and rafting on Cham River. Enjoy lunch at the restaurant at Pu Luong retreat, with views of breathtaking mountains and vibrant rice terraces. Return to Mai Chau then set off on another bicycle tour of the local valleys. Stops along the way include the beautiful ethnic villages of Mai Chau, including Poom Coong, Chieng Sai village, Cha Long and Na Tang villages. At Van village you'll visit a local home that contains more than 1,000 precious antiques, including hunting equipment, musical instruments and jewelry. Dinner will be served at the resort.
Day 6 - MAI CHAU/ HANOI
Enjoy a day of relaxation at your own leisure, with pre-breakfast Hatha yoga in the paddy fields offered, as well as pool access and general unwinding. AfEter lunch an air-conditioned coach will deliver you to Hanoi to check in at the hotel and refresh before a celebratory farewell dinner hosted at the History Museum, which will include a Ca Trù performance. The Ca Trù is an ancient genre of chamber music inscribed on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in need of Urgent Safeguarding in 2009, and associated with a geisha - like form of entertainment.
Day 7 - HANOI
At appointed time, you will be picked up and transferred to Noi Bai International Airport for your flight to Singapore to embark on your cruise aboard Silver Shadow.
Program Inclusions:
· Four nights at Sofitel Legend Metropole in Hanoi
· Two nights at Mai Chau Ecolodge in Mai Chau
· Entrance fees to above mentioned sightseeing.
· Meal Plan: 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
· Transfers between airport, hotel, and pier in air-conditioned vehicles.
· Gratuities to drivers, guides, hotel staff for baggage, cyclo driver
Flight Details:
Day 4: Hanoi/ Mai Chau via Helicopter - duration approximately 01hr00
Flight durations may vary due to changes in flight schedules.
Luggage Information:
Your entire luggage will accompany you on this program.
Visa Information:
Please check with your travel professional for details regarding visa requirements for Vietnam. It is the responsibility of the guest to obtain all appropriate visas before your cruise.
Accessibility:
The sights visited on this program are not well equipped for mobility-impaired guests. Therefore we do not recommend this tour to those who may rely upon a wheelchair and who might have mobility issues.
Vaccinations:
Consult your physician for information regarding vaccinations or medications which may be appropriate for your state of health.
Please note:
All Land Programs require a minimum number of participants in order to operate as described. If this minimum number is not obtained, Silversea reserves the right to offer the program at a different rate based on private arrangements, or to cancel a specific departure.
This description is a general overview of the highlights of this program. The local Silversea representative will do everything possible to insure that all of the sites described here are visited, though the tour sequence and specific sites mentioned is subject to change. Closure of some sites due to local or national holiday observances, flight schedules, weather or other factors may affect the program, and the local operator reserves the right to substitute other sites if necessary.
Lunches and dinners (except in-flight meals) include two glasses of local beer, soft drinks or mineral water.
Gratuities to guides/drivers, meals and alcoholic drinks other than those noted in itinerary, and other personal expenses are not included in the price of this tour. This program is subject to a 100% penalty for any cancellation notices received 90 days or less prior to sailing.
All Land Adventure fares are subject to change and are not guaranteed until payment is received in full by Silversea. All Land Adventures are non-transferable and non-refundable for any reason, within 90 days of sailing and are recommended to guests 18 years or age and older. Our local operator reserves the right to substitute other sites if local situations, including holidays and weather, require. Silversea shall have no obligation or liability of any kind to guests for the business practices, acts or omissions in connection with or arising out of arrangements with independent contractors, including but not limited to airline carriers, ground-tour operators, and hotels since they are neither agents for nor employees of Silversea Cruises. Silversea's liability does not extend beyond the vessel.