Asia Tours

Our transport for the first half of today is a traditional cyclo, a three wheeled bicycle with a carriage at the front for the passenger to sit in, while the driver uses pedal power to power us along. A  This allows us to take in the sights, sounds and smells of Ho Chi Minh City without the barrier of a car window or the sound of an engine, very environmentally friendly.

Our journey takes us through Tao Dan Park to the War Remnants museum, originally opened in September 1975, the museum displays old military equipment and other related items from the Vietnam War. A  In the courtyard we will find some larger exhibits including a F5A fighter and a UH1-Huey helicopter.

From here we continue our journey past the Reunification Palace, previously referred to as the Presidential Palace, it is the sight of the official South Vietnamese surrender on April 30th, 1975.A  We will not go into the palace however our local guide will provide you with information and a chance to take come photographs.

Leaving our cyclos and cyclo drivers behind we walk to the Notre Dame Cathedral, built by the French during the colonial era. It and our next destination, the General Post Office, are fine examples of architecture from the colonial period. We meet our cyclos again and ride to the Saigon Opera House and City Hall, situated in the centre of Ho Chi Minh city where scenes from the movie "The Quiet American" were filmed, not far from the Opera House we will find the Continental Hotel where Graham Greene, amongst other famous journalists and writers, called home during their stays in Vietnam.

We leave our cyclos behind at the intersection of Ton That Dam St & Huynh Thuc Khang St and dive into a real local food market. Continuing we explore Antique shop street and shoe street. A  Our final visit for the day is the Ben Thanh market where your local guide will assist you in getting a taxi back to your hotel or alternatively you are free to continue exploring the area. Why not practice your bargaining skills in the Ben Thanh market. The markets original location was close to the Ben Nghe River and the old fort of Gia Dinh was where it derived its name (Ben meaning "pier" and Thanh meaning "Fort"). The market was destroyed in 1859 during the French invasion of Saigon. It was rebuilt and later moved to its present location in 1899.

At the end of the trip you are free to continue exploring the area or your guide will assist you in getting a taxi back to your hotel.

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Climb aboard a bicycle to discover the sights, sounds and smells of the villages surrounding Hue. Set off early, escaping the city for the peaceful streams and verdant fields of the surrounding countryside. Ride past rice paddies and small villages to arrive at Thanh Toan, a small village that is home to a legendary market.  

Climb off your bike to explore the market stalls, stopping to chat with the locals and learn more about life in this part of Vietnam. Pay a visit to the Thanh Toan Agricultural Museum to discover more about the role of agriculture in local society. Spend time soaking up the atmosphere in town and perhaps call by the beautiful Thanh Toan covered bridge or just take it all in while enjoying a coffee at the village cafe.

Climb back on your bike to continue exploring the area, passing over small streams, riding through pretty villages and stopping to chat with locals fishing, farming ducks and going about everyday life. Pay a visit to a family to learn how they make rice wine and perhaps even visit a local kindergarten to meet the local kids.  

This biking tour will give you a unique insight into life in the Vietnamese countryside and by the time you pull back into Hue, you'll have worked up an appetite ready to feast on a delicious lunch.

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We start our evening walking tour at Hanoi's largest covered market, Dong Xuan. Along the perimeter of the market, dozens of street hawkers sell a staggering variety of produce from live seafood to exotic fruits and spices. Your expert English-speaking local guide will give you an insight into the intricacies and traditions of Vietnamese food culture including details on ingredients and historical backgrounds of popular northern dishes. We eat as we go, trying seasonal fruits and sampling a tasty French-inspired snack from a street cart.

Walking through the maze of bustling streets that make up Hanoi's Old Quarter, we tempt our tastebuds with the famed Hanoi dish Banh Cuon at a local eatery. Watch in awe as the skilled chefs demonstrate for you how this tasty dish is put together. Continuing into the atmospheric heart of the Old Quarter, we wander past street stalls and quiet residential lanes where you can observe local life that has changed little since Hanoi was founded over 1000 years ago.

Our next two snack stops are at outdoor barbeque stalls. We sit down with the Hanoi locals and sample various meat, vegetable and bread specialties that are flame grilled over hot coals for extra flavour. It's then time for dessert as we venture down a small alley to join in the local tradition of feasting on fresh fruit served in a cup and smothered with crushed iced and condensed milk - this speciality is one not to be missed.

Your local guide will then take you to one of Hanoi's best kept secrets, a hidden cafe with stunning views over the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake. This hard-to-find cafe is one of the few left in the city that still serves egg coffee, a scrumptious local delicacy that we will sample whilst admiring the hustle and bustle of the city centre below. Or, if coffee is not your style, a cold beer awaits. At the end of the trip you are free to continue exploring the area or your guide will assist you with directions or a taxi back to your hotel.

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HIGHLIGHTS: Hanoi - Halong Bay

Prepare to be whisked away from the cosmopolitan streets of Hanoi to the serene landscape of the World Heritage-listed Halong Bay. Cast away on a traditional junk boat and set sail through hundreds of limestone karsts that rise dramatically from the emerald waters of the bay. Sit back, relax and soak up this epic landscape while enjoying scrumptious meals cooked on board. Relax on deck with friends, chat to the friendly crew, meet the locals as they row between boats or explore the myriad of hidden caves by kayak. This short trip is the perfect way to add a few days of well-deserved relaxation onto any Vietnam adventure.

Day 1 Hanoi/Halong Bay
Hanoi is famous for its tranquil lake settings, French-colonial architecture, ancient temples, delectable cuisine and as the resting place of the revered former leader, Ho Chi Minh. Halong Bay is a place of surreal beauty, with ethereal limestone islands jutting out of jade waters and atmospheric caves and grottoes carved out by time.

Day 2 Halong Bay/Hanoi
With a vibrant Old Quarter to explore, delicious food to discover and a city where ancient meets modern with ease, no wonder Hanoi is a favourite with travellers.

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HIGHLIGHTS: Beijing city, Great Wall of China, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square.

The perfect city stay for those in transit through Beijing, it is now possible to stay for up to 72 hours without needing a visa. See the Great Wall and the Forbidden City and experience the wonder that is mysterious China.

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The perfect city stay for those in transit through Beijing, it is now possible to stay for up to 72 hours without needing a visa. See the Great Wall and the Forbidden City and experience the wonder that is mysterious China.

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HIGHLIGHTS: Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Anglo-inspired Bund and old city area, Huangpu River, Nanjing Road

Short and to the point, this is a perfect city stay for those in transit through Shanghai, it is now possible to stay for up to 72 hours without needing a visa. See the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the Anglo-inspired Bund and old city area, cruise the Huangpu River and enjoy some retail therapy on Nanjing Road.

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Short and to the point this is a perfect city stay for those in transit through Shanghai, it is now possible to stay for up to 72 hours without needing a visa. See the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the Anglo-inspired Bund and old city area, cruise the Huangpu River and enjoy some retail therapy on Nanjing Road.

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HIGHLIGHTS: Delhi - Agra - Taj Mahal - Tordi Garh - Jaipur

We'll take you around India on foot, train, local bus and auto rickshaw. What's that smell, you ask? Why its India's contagious zest for life Cue Bollywood dance scene.

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HIGHLIGHTS: Bangkok - Chiang Mai

From the luxury of Bangkok's malls and gleaming highrises, head north to Thailand's hills. Eating and sleeping with the hilltribes will bring you face to face with these colourful cultures. We'll leave plenty of time for fun in historic Chiang Mai with its night market and delicious cuisine. Our CEOs will help you get off the beaten path-but you'll stay flexible by being able to choose the activities you really want.

Day 1 Bangkok
Arrive in Bangkok at any time.

Day 2 Bangkok
Explore the city. Opt to visit Wat Po and the Grand Palace or check out the city's klongs by boat. Overnight train to Chiang Mai.

Day 3 Chiang Mai
Opt to visit Doi Suthep temple, comb the night markets for souvenirs or participate in a Thai cooking class.

Day 4-6 Hilltribe Trek
Guided hilltribe trek and village stays with bamboo rafting and an elephant ride.

Day 7 Chiang Mai
Opt to go shopping, enjoy a Thai massage or explore Chiang Mai's many temples. Overnight train to Bangkok.

Day 8 Bangkok
Trip ends on arrival at Bangkok train station. Onward travel can be booked for 3pm or later.

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