Vietnam 2013
Contents Saigon Hoi An Hue Hanoi 1 Sa Pa Hanoi 2 Ban Lac Hanoi 3 Cat Ba Finish 
Vietnam 2013

Henning has planned and the tour guides to Vietnam, 2 september - 26 september 2013 and uses contacts from previous visit to Vietnam. Participants are ... and Henning.

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Vietnam Tour - 2th september - 26th september - 2013
2/9: Departure - We travel with Thai Airways from Copenhagen at. 14:35 to Ho Chi Minh City "Saigon" via Bangkok. Arrival at Bangkok. approx. 6:00 the next morning. Forward from Bangkok at. approx. 08:30 and arrival in Saigon approx. at. 11:00.

3/9: Saigon - Pick up at the airport and stay at our hotel Tan Son Nhat. We make an excursion to the Old Presidential Palace (now Independence Museum). In the park in front of the museum, we see the truck, which drove through the gate the 30 quarters in 1975 and marked the end of "American War". There is a supermarket 200 meters. from the hotel, if you want to buy something for the train in the morning. But be careful when you cross the road - the best is to go a little against traffic and always select what you want. We go out to eat at. 19:30 at a local Vietnamese restaurant.

4/9: Saigon - Breakfast at. 06:00 and we drive from the hotel at. 06:45. Before departure, all the suitcases into Hennings room, which used to shower before we drive from the hotel at. 22:00 to reach the train to Da Nang at. 23:00. But before that we have a long day ahead of us - first stop Cu Chi tunnels (about 250 km long tunnels). They built these tunnels under the French 100-year occupation, but they were vastly expanded during the American war from 1955 - 1975. Kl. 10:15 we continue to Tay Ninh - here is the main center of the religious movement Cao Dai, a religion composed of Budhisme, Hinduism and Christianity. We have to be there last time. 12:00 because at this point starts the big parade. We can take pictures from a balcony on the first floor. We eat lunch in Tay Ninh and then back to Saigon. After returning relaxation at the hotel as well as preparation for the train to Da Nang. We eat dinner at. 20:00 before we head towards the train. We are in Da Nang next day between the hours. 13:00 and 14:00.

5/9: Hoi An - We picked up by the hotel Hai Yen in Hoi An. Phuch and Thuy is at the station to pick us up (a car for us and one for luggage). We drive to Marble Mountain, which we visit short. It will be a little tough trip up the mountain. Pagodas on the mountain was built by Emperor Minh Mang. We look after his Mausoleum in Hue on 16/9. After the trip to the mountain we drive to our hotel in Hoi An.

6/9: Danang / Hoi An - After breakfast we drive from the hotel at. 08:15 and visit a handicap school ("Village of Hope") in Da Nang. There are 4 Dane children at the school, ie. children sponsored by the Danes. It is 2 deaf children Chau, aged 18 Phuch, and two who are not deaf - Yhao 9 years old and Fu of 9 years. Henning sponsors Chau and have done so for 10 years, therefore we Chaus mother to Da Nang. We start in the staff room, where we are told about the school and answered questions. We visit the dormitories to see how the children live. Kl. 11:00 we are invited to eat with the children. We drive back to Hoi An at. 12:30 and visiting a clothing store and a silver shop. A little trip to the beach can also be time. Dinner in town at. 20:00.

7/9: Hoi An - Bicycle touring. We start from the hotel at. 9.00 and bikes down to the harbor, rises with bikes on board one of the boats. A voyage around. 15 minutes up the river and we get off on the opposite side at a boatyard, sees a træskæreri. Next stop a brickyard, so a small restaurant where we can get something to drink. We cycle around the small islands. It can be difficult to navigate, so we must have a local guide with. It is an exciting trip, here comes almost never tourists. We cycle in approx. 3 hours, after which we return to Hoi An and is back around. at. 13:00. Now we have lunch. The afternoon is free. Festive Dinner at the hotel at. 20:00.

8/9: Hoi An - This day, we at Island tour to Champ Island, located 10 km off the coast. We will be picked up at the hotel by car and sailing at. 09.00. First stop is the port on Champ Island and we go a little tour of the city. There is almost no tourists. On board the boat again we sail to a Robinson Krusoe beach with bananas and coconuts. There is a bathroom and a toilet. You can dress on the swimsuits on the beach. There is also the opportunity for snorkeling. We eat lunch on the beach, which is included in the ticket (20 U.S. $). We sail from the island at. 15:00 and is back home at. 16.00. Dinner in town.

9/9: Hoi An - A half-day cycling tour around the area around Hoi An. Then lunch. Afternoon free to explore the city. There are opportunities to explore the historic town of Hoi An, which was a prosperous seaport in the 16-18. century. As a result of the visit of a considerable number of foreign merchants, the city is characterized by a unique architectural style with both Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese influence. You can visit the Phuc Kien hall, the Japanese Covered Bridge, the old merchant's house, Tan Ky house and a workshop for traditional crafts in the old town. Dinner in town.

10/9: Hoi An - This day is a day off. There are many shops, for example. clothing and silver. Remember to pick up clothes and silver before we go on! Dinner in town.
11/9: Hue - Drive to Hue at. 07:30 and arrive at. 11:00. We will be accommodated at the hotel Hoa Hung. There are ordered bikes. Kl. 12:30 we cycle away with the first stop at The Deaf Restaurant, recommended by Lonely Planet. Then we drive into the citadel, where the old royal palace is located. Here we go round and see what is rebuilt. We cycle back to the hotel. Kl. 19:30 we're going to eat at an interesting restaurant.

12/9: Hue - We eat breakfast at. 06:00. There are ordered bikes and boat. There are 1700 mtr. to berth will and we bicycles at. 07:00 to the boat. The bikes out on the boat. We also eat lunch on the boat (3 U.S. $). We cruise on the Perfume River and the first stop is Thien Mu Pagoda, which is a very exciting and very beautiful pagoda and a peaceful place. It was here a monk in his car in 1963 drove to Saigon, drove up in front of the Presidential Palace, went out on the square, poured gasoline over himself and lit himself on fire. The picture went around the world. This action turned the war for the Americans, for they had public opinion against him both in the U.S. and in Europe. At that time there were about. 750,000 allied soldiers in Vietnam. We sail on to Minh Mang Mausoleum - a very nice mausoleum in a nice park. Back to the boat and across the river to Kai Dinh Mausoleum. Now cycles of order is approx. 3 km to the mausoleum. It is a completely different mausoleum - a large stone colossus and a lot of stairs, but very pretty at the top with large mosaics. There is a good view from the top. We cycle back to the boat. There are now 2 options: we can either ride home (about 10 miles) or take the boat home. They are flying home must have bicycles on the boat (but comes around. 45 minutes later home). We provide 3 U.S. $ for a nice lunch on the boat. On the boat can also buy silk - one of the good shopping places. Buy something to eat to train and keep plastic cups - we must namely to Hanoi by train at. 16:00. We have rented bicycle taxi the 1750 meters to the railway station.

13/9: Hanoi - Arrival in Hanoi early in the morning (between the hours. 05:00 and 06:00). We take a taxi to our hotel Camilia 4, 44 Hang Gaiy where we eat breakfast. It is not certain that we can get rooms so early. We make a small hike in the vicinity of the hotel, we walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, the most central point in Hanoi. On the way we order cycles of time. approx. at. 09:00, we test our skills on the bike in Hanoi. Be careful - and learn the Vietnamese bike style! It will be an exciting trip until we get accustomed to traffic and learned technique. It will look bad, but it is important to understand the way the Vietnamese do it. Forget all Danish rules and use the Vietnamese! Rules: When you pass other bikes or motorcycles, show what you want, highlight what you are doing and not undo! Are you going to the left at an intersection, then drive on the wrong side, so there are as few passengers as possible! After the ride we get nerves in place at Hoan Kiem Lake. And so were the rooms would be ready. We unpack and eat lunch at Little Hanoi. Rest of the day free. Dinner time. 20:00 in the city.

14/9: Hanoi - This day we train to Sa Pa, but the train runs until the evening, so we have a full day in Hanoi. We bicycles from the hotel at. 07:30 and visiting first Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (remember long pants) and then his home. At the end of the park is the one-legged Pagoda Chua Mot Cat, then a short visit to Ho Chi Minh Museum. We cycle as the old university also called Literature Museum. We eat lunch close. We cycle back to the hotel and must be out of the rooms before noon. 12:00. We packets to a 4-day trip, for we are only left in Hanoi on Wednesday morning (22/9). Then suitcases into the trunk compartment and luggage to Sa Pa packed in hand luggage. Now the afternoon free we must water the theater. After dinner theater in Hanoi and taxi to the railway station. The train runs at. 20:00.

15/9: Sa Pa - We are in Lao Cai at. approx. 06:00 and the train does not run anymore. Taxi 38 km up the hill to the mountain town of Sa Pa in 1700 mtr.'s Height, so up here the temperature may be different than in Hanoi. We are now on the border with China and will be accommodated at Hotel Lotus overlooking the valley. Sa Pa is an exciting city and we will be here for 3 days (2 nights). After accommodation, we eat breakfast. Kl. 09:00 we drive on motorcycles 14 km to a red Dzau village. When we arrive, there are many familiar faces, and on our way around the village follows many red Dzauer with. Everyone wants to sell, but wait until we have completed our trip. When we reach the end of the village and saw one of the homes we need across the rice fields. Here it is important to get a red Dzau to hold your hand, because we go on breakwaters, and it can be nice to have a supportive hand. It will help you to not have money for it, but you can buy at the red Dzau. We take a drink and say goodbye to Darvin Village and a lovely ethnic people living as they did 1000 years ago - just added mobile and TV. We drive back to Sa Pa and eat lunch at Luyen and her daughter Phung-Dung. They've made a nice lunch for us for 3 U.S. $ + drinks. Afternoon free to enjoy life in Sa Pa - a peaceful place. Dinner in town.

16/9: Sa Pa - Now wait a little tougher trekking trip down the mountain. We start at. 09:00 and get lunch from the hotel. It will be a fantastic journey through many villages. When we have gone 2 km, we come to a place where we can buy sticks to support us by. Here you will also follow many local black Hmunger with. At one point we come to a place where we can eat our lunches and buy drinks. We continue and see many ethnic villages both Jaffa, Seiol and black Hmung, but they are similar. When we reach the last suspension bridge, waiting a motorcycle on us, and we pay £ 30 to drive the 20 km back to Sa Pa. Dinner in town.

17/9: Sa Pa - In the evening train back to Hanoi, but first we visit the black Hmung villages. The area is called Cat Cat. We walk through the market and continue down a poorly paved road. After 2 km we left and takes a lot of stairs to visit a few black Hmung home. Black Hmungerne also live as 1000 years ago, except that many have TV. Since it is mountainous area, you can also cultivate only as 1000 years ago. When we come to a waterfall, we have reached the bottom of the mountain, then we continue to the right, go up some stairs and through the next suspension bridge, we take motorcycles (20 kr) back to the market. Then there is time to walk around a bit until we have late lunch / early dinner. Khao tell when we need a taxi to Lao Cai to catch a train back to Hanoi.

18/9: Hanoi - Breakfast at hotel in Hanoi and ride to a large market before we get rooms at midday. Then lunch and free afternoon. Dinner in town

19/9: Ban Lac - breakfast early at the hotel in Hanoi, because we must run away at. 7:00 and 145 km from Mai Chau, where we will visit a silk factory. We see the entire production from silk worm to the finished product. We can taste silkworms snaps, buying goods or silk by the meter. We are now running past Hoa Binh, where we have Vietnam's largest power plant, which once supplied the whole of northern Vietnam with power. Now you build 2 new power plants that are even larger. But we will first break here on the way back and running in place on the left to Son La and come to Mai Chau valley and the village of Ban Lac where we say hello to Hoa and Thu, who is white Thais. White Thai people immigrated 300 years ago to settle in this valley. Almost everyone can speak and write both Thai and Vietnamese, many also English. When we arrive we check in at first floor and eat lunch at Hoa and her husband, they make some of the best food in the village. So we go on a little bike ride - the bikes we rent in the village. After dinner, we go for a walk in the village before we take a beer or coffee at first floor terrace.

20/9: Ban Lac - We cycle from the village at. 08:00. We will visit a school that is about. 10 km from Ban Lac. It will be a tough journey with many increases, we must withdraw. It is so easy on the way home, we must remember to slow down, so the move is not too strong. It is now more than 10 years ago, Henning visited the school for the first time. Kl. 12:30 lunch in Ban Lac and time. 15:00 we go on another bike ride - an incredibly beautiful trip, but maybe a little difficult for some places we must carry bikes. We are back from the trip, so we can eat at. 19:30 and be ready to see the village dance ancient dances for us. We also get to try. It happens at HOAs sister Tue, she is a very talented weaver, as the Vietnamese government uses when displaying ethnic art abroad. Coffee or the like the first floor terrace.

21/9: Hanoi - We're back to Hanoi, says goodbye to Hoa and Thu and running at. 07:30. First stop on the trip home will be mentioned power plant in Hoa Binh. Then it goes to Hanoi, where we are promoting at lunchtime. Afternoon free. Dinner in town.

22/9: Hanoi - We go on a bike ride to the Ethnic Museum, where we see an exhibition about the 54 ethnic groups living in Vietnam. It is an open air museum with a large indoor area. Lunch near our hotel. Afternoon free. Dinner in town.

23/9: Cat Ba - We leave the hotel at. 07:00 because we go sailing on Halong Bay. On the way we visit, however, only a center with many disabled people - especially the hearing impaired who are affected by their parents of the U.S. orange married. It was here Oanh worked before Henning had sent her to school. She had until then never been taught because of her disability. We have probably already on the trip met this happy and positive girl. When we reach Ha Long, we change to a boat that sails us to Cat Ba. We eat lunch on board and visit a beautiful stalactite cave "Grotto". Khao tells of the cave. In Cat Ba we check in and have time for a rest. Cat Ba is situated in the Tonkin Gulf, which is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Kl. 20:00 we sail out to a restaurant on the water where we get fish and shellfish.

24/9: Cat Ba - We make a trekking trip around. 3 hours. Kl. 08:00 we drive by car the first 20 km, so we come out in the mountains. We are not stronger, than that all is with. Halfway we stop at a beekeeper, where we can buy beer and water. Kl. approx. 12:00 we land on a bay where a small boat flying us out to a bigger boat. On the boat, lunch, we ordered in advance (3 U.S. $ + drinks). Then sail to a beach on an island inhabited by monkeys - the only place in Ha Long Bay. When we do not want to swim more we sail back to Cat Ba. We eat in the city.

25/9: Hanoi - We must get up early and back to Hanoi. We sail from Cat Ba at. 07:30 to Halong Bay and head towards Sao Do, the way we visit a pottery factory, where you can buy cheap stuff in ceramics. In Sao Do we welcome Hang and Oanhs families. Skip to Hanoi and Camilia fourth Here we package for the return journey, it is possible to change clothes and shower at the hotel. Kl. 17:00's departure from the hotel. Flight time. 20:30 with arrival at Bangkok. approx. 22:30

26/9: Return - After midnight (at approx. 01:00) we fly to Copenhagen with arrival time. approx. 07:30