Vietnam Insight A private travel opportunity with Global Minnesota HaNoi – HaLong – Hoi An – Hue – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Oct 28 – Nov 8, 2019 Brought to you in partnership by Vietnam Insight Tour with Global Minnesota and Borton Overseas Vietnam today stands at a crossroads. It has been at peace for over a decade, but since the 1986 introduction of the "Renovation" or Doi Moi policy that began dismantling the country's socialist economy in favor of a market economy, the country has experienced tremendous social and economic change. Vietnam has a vast and rich history with a sophisticated civilization influenced by a thousand year’s occupation. It has labored under the Chinese Dynasty, the Khmer Empire, in the late 19th century Vietnam became a French colony and finally regained independence in the 20th Century. During this special Global Minnesota tour we will explore the country’s past and the present; we will visit HaNoi, the current capital of Vietnam, and Saigon, the vibrant and commercial center of the county. We will visit Hue from where the Chinese Dynasty and the Nguyen lords ruled, and Hoi An, once a major international port now a UNESCO site. An optional tour is offered to My Son, where you can learn about the unique Champa Kingdom. Monday Oct 28: HaNoi Overnight HaNoi Hilton Opera Fly into HaNoi Airport, where a guide will meet us for transfer to the centrally located Hilton Opera HaNoi Hotel. Tuesday Oct 29: HaNoi Overnight HaNoi Hilton Opera B L D A city of lakes, parks and colonial mansions, HaNoi retains much of its historical charm and, with an eclectic mix of Asian tempo and French refinement, Vietnam’s capital is a city to be savored. The labyrinthine streets of HaNoi’s Old Quarter are the ideal place in which to wander and observe daily life. Here street traders jostle for space on the sidewalks and crumbling houses are crammed into narrow alleyways that are still named after the goods that were traded there - Silk Street, Gold Street and even Fried Fish Street! A stroll around West Lake reveals a different side of the city and nearby you will find the somber Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, which is usually crowded with Vietnamese of all ages wishing to show their respect. The elegant French Quarter is home to fine colonial architecture such as the Opera House, whilst an early morning wake-up call and a visit to Hoan Kiem Lake will be rewarded by a display of local residents practicing their tai chi. HaNoi is steeped in history from the infamous 'HaNoi Hilton’ to the religious pride that constructed the 11th century Temple of Literature, the heart of the Confucian education system. HaNoi is a delightful city of contrasts and the ideal city in which soak up the ebb and flow of life in Vietnam. We start our journey with a tribute to Ho Chi Minh, the father of modern Vietnam. We will visit Ba Dinh Square where silent sentries guard the marble mausoleum in which Ho Chi Minh lies in state, and his stilted wooden house where he lived and worked, a symbol of his simplicity and gentleness. Then onto the One Pillar Pagoda, a Buddhist pagoda with history steeped in folklore and to Thang Long Royal Citadel; a UNESCO Site built in the 11th century by the Ly Viet Dynasty. Vietnam Insight Tour with Global Minnesota and Borton Overseas We continue to Hoa Lo, the infamous “HaNoi Hilton” prison museum, where so many captured American POWs were incarcerated. Lunch today will be at the KOTO restaurant, an Australian Vietnamese charity for underprivileged youth in Vietnam. After lunch we’ll visit the Temple of Literature. Built in 1070, the Temple of Literature is an excellent example of traditional Vietnamese architecture. The pagoda housed Vietnam’s first university, established in 1076 to educate the sons of Mandarins. The temple, dedicated to Confucius, consists of 5 walled courtyards leading to a pavilion where 82 stelae of an original 117 record the names and places of birth of successful candidates of the grueling Mandarin examinations from 1498 to 1787, the years of the Ly dynasty. The best way to experience HaNoi's colorful Old Quarter is on foot and on a cyclo, a Vietnamese rickshaw. We start our tour walking through an area of the city known as ’36 Streets’. This densely populated section of HaNoi was once an important center of commerce where goods were sold on the streets named for particular guilds. This evening we will watch the famous Vietnamese water puppets, a tradition that dates to the 11th century when villagers would wade into the flooded rice fields and entertain one another with puppet play. The ‘stage’ is a pool of water in which the puppeteers stand waist deep, hidden by a screen, skillfully maneuvering the lacquered wooden puppets. The puppets appear to dance and play on the water’s surface. A traditional Vietnamese orchestra provides the musical accompaniment whilst performers sing songs telling a story of daily life and Vietnamese folklore. After the performance we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner. Wednesday Oct 30: HaNoi Overnight HaNoi Hilton Opera B L HaNoi has an incredibly vibrant art scene and this tour will showcase some of the best galleries in and around the city. In the northwest corner of Hoan Kiem Lake, Hang Gai Street is home to the galleries and studios of emerging and established artists. We will visit selected galleries to view the collections and perhaps have the opportunity to meet with and chat to some of the artists about their lives, aspirations and inspirations. Afternoon free for Global Minnesota special activities Thursday Oct 31: HaLong Overnight on board HaLong Cruise B L D HaLong Bay is often called Vietnam's eighth wonder of the world. 3000 spectacular limestone outcroppings, cliffs, arches and coves compete for space in an area that is without doubt the most outstandingly naturally beautiful coastal scenery in the country. In a traditional Chinese-style sailing junks meander through the area whose name translates as 'Where the Dragon Descends into the Sea', stop off at an islet and climb through a series of caves and grottoes, marvelling at some of the most impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations anywhere in the world. Vietnam Insight Tour with Global Minnesota and Borton Overseas We depart HaNoi early this morning and travel to Hai Phong for our overnight cruise on HaLong Bay. The cruise begins with a welcome drink followed by lunch served while cruising into magnificent bay along the fascinating limestone karsts rising out of the sea. Kayaking, massage, a cooking class and more are offered on board. Watch the sunset from the top deck or from the balcony of your own suite and then enjoy a wonderful candlelight dinner. Friday Nov 1: Hoi An Overnight Victoria Hotel Beach Resort & Spa B Rise early to witness the bay at its very best while enjoying an invigorating tai chi session on the sundeck; after a light breakfast head out in canoes to explore the bay. Vietnam is home to some of the best coffee and tea in the world. While cruising back to the port you will participate in a Tea Ceremony which has long been a part of the Vietnamese culture. Our cruise ends at around noon and then we transfer to HaNoi Airport for our flight to DaNang and transfer to our beachfront hotel in Hoi An. Saturday Nov 2: Hoi An Overnight Victoria Hotel Beach Resort & Spa B Strolling along the waterfront in tranquil Hoi An, it is hard to imagine that this river-town was once an important port and a major player in the South- East Asian trading markets. Today, Hoi An Ancient Town is listed by UNESCO and without doubt is one of the most attractive destinations in Vietnam. This exceptionally well-preserved example of a trading port, which was active between the 15th and 19th centuries, reflects centuries of influences from both local and foreign residents. Colorful scenes of traditional merchant houses painted yellow and blanketed in purple bougainvillea present picture- perfect scenes and as night falls, delicate silk lanterns create a rainbow of hues against the night sky. We start the morning with a visit to a silk lantern workshop. These traditional lanterns, which give Hoi An a special glow, hold a deeper meaning for the locals. They believe that hanging lanterns in front of their houses will bring luck, happiness and wealth to the family living in the house. Once we’ve learned the history and the special meaning of the shape and color of the lanterns, we will make our own lantern to take home with us. As we stroll through the streets of Hoi An we will see beautifully preserved old merchant houses, atmospheric temples and the lively markets of this enchanting town. We will walk down to the iconic 400-year-old Japanese Bridge and the busy waterfront, with colorful fishing boats on the Thu Bon River. Numerous boutiques and galleries line the narrow streets. The rest of the day is free to continue exploring the old town, including its famous shopping, on your own or simply relax at your wonderful resort. Optional tour: My Son For those wishing to further explore the history of Vietnam we recommend an afternoon tour to the Champa site of My Son. Departing from Hoi An we travel through rustic countryside, passing fields of rice and small market towns. The final approach to the temples of My Son is a 500-metre walk through lush vegetation before finally emerging at the main site.