Vietnam Singles Tour - Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh
December 26 - January 7
$2,299
 
Optional Cambodia Pre-Trip - 4 Days - $790

Vietnam is a country just waiting for those with a sense of adventure, exploration and discovery. Explore ancient temples, view green rice fields dotted with conical hats and hear the blaring of horns and chaos of motorbike traffic. Graceful lakes, slow river life, white sand beaches and traditional dishes will delight you. Welcome in the New Year on our Vietnam Singles Trip, a memorable journey of history and culture.

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Vietnam Singles Tour Itinerary

Day 1:  Monday, December 26 - Depart Home

Your singles vacation begins when you depart from your hometown on an overnight flight to Hanoi Vietnam (Remember your flight home departs from Ho Chi Minh).

Day 2: Tuesday, December 27 - Hanoi, Vietnam

Upon arrival you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to our hotel where you will meet your hostess and the rest of the travelers.

Hanoi, the political capital of Vietnam and located in the north of the country, has always been a symbol of culture. The city is a strange mix of broad boulevards, lush trees, formal governmental institutions and dozens of lakes and temples. Yet everywhere you see small streets with old houses and friendly people with typical Vietnamese smiles.

Our afternoon city tour includes a visit to the Temple of  Literature - the first university of Vietnam, Ba Dinh square, the President palace, a house on stilts, the one pillar Pagoda, the old pagoda Tran Quoc and the Ngoc Son Temple at Hoan Kiem Lake.

The highlight of the day will be our Cyclo tour around Hanoi's Old Quarter. Sit back and relax on your cyclo while the driver peddles you through the narrow streets.

Tonight we enjoy our first dinner together.

Day 3:  Wednesday, December 28 - Hanoi – Ninh Binh

Today we take an excursion to the Dinh and Le Temples, located in the Ninh Binh province. This is also the site of Hoa Lư, the former capitol of Vietnam 1000 years ago. We will explore two small temples dedicated to the Dinh and Le Rulers.

After lunch visit Tam Coc (three caves). Board a small boat and be rowed by a local person along Hoang Long river. The boat will be rowed through three caves, all created by wind and water from a legend time, when the sea had occupied this area. 

Upon our return to Hanoi grab a quick bite to eat because tonight we are going to a Water puppet show, a tradition that dates back as far as the 11th century. The puppets are made out of wood and then lacquered and performed in a waist-deep pool. A traditional Vietnamese orchestra provides background music.

Day 4:  Thursday, December 29 - Hanoi – Ha Long

In the morning we depart for Ha Long Bay, a world natural heritage site. On the way we stop at the Hong Ngoc handicraft village for shopping. Then we continue on to Halong port where our Crew welcomes us onto the Junk.

Enjoy a welcome drink, check into our cabins and have lunch as the junk cruises into Halong Bay. Float along and view the amazing karsts: Mat Qui islet, But Moc islet, Cap De islet, Trong cave, Trinh Nu cave, to a Floating Fishing village. 

We disembark at Sung Sot cave (Cave of Surprises), the largest cave in Halong Bay. Many stalactites hang from the high ceiling creating numerous forms and shapes Of course there will be time for swimming and sun bathing. Enjoy a great sunset dinner and relax before retiring to the comfort of your cabin.

Day 5:  Friday, December 30 - Ha Long - Hanoi

Enjoy the beauty of a Halong Bay sunrise and a morning view of the Bay's landscapes with a cup of tea or coffee. Breakfast is served while we begin cruising the bay to visit Man's head Island, Tortoise Island and the Luzon Cave. Continuing on our cruise through Bain Tug Long Bay passing Toad Island and Bain Thor mountain.

We begin to head back to Halong wharf enjoying the scenic route while we are served with lunch. After arriving back at the wharf we drive back to Hanoi.

Day 6:  Saturday, December 31 - Hanoi

This morning we visit Ho Chi Mind's Mausoleum and his living quarter. Despite Ho Chi Mind's request to be cremated, like communist leaders before him, he was embalmed and put on display. A visit to his mausoleum is a somber experience. Next we visit The Hanoi Hilton (The Hoax Lo Prison) used by the North Vietnamese Army to house, torture and interrogate captured servicemen, mostly American pilots shot down during bombing raids. Today it is a museum.

Tonight we celebrate the coming of the New Year at our wonderful New Years Eve Party and dinner.

Day 7: Sunday, January 1 - Ha Noi - Hue

Sleep late and have breakfast before we transfer to the airport and our flight to Hue, the ancient imperial capital of the 17th century and located in central Vietnam. It is the capital of Thua Thien province lying on the banks of Huong River (Perfume River) and looks like a massive open-air museum with hundreds of temples, pagodas, palaces and tombs.

After lunch we visit the Imperial Citadel, a sprawling complex of temples, pavilions, moats, walls, gates, shops, museums and galleries with features from Vietnamese history.

Day 8:  Monday, January 2 Hue - Da Nang – Hoi An

Before we depart Hue we stop at the tombs of Emperors, located along the Perfume River mostly dating from 19th to 20th Century. The finest of these tombs are Tomb of Tu Duc, Tomb of Minh Mang and Tomb of Khai Dinh.

We then continue to Hoi An via the Hai Van Pass, Lang Co Beach and Danang. Stopping for lunch along the way. 

We arrive in Hoi An, the largest harbour in Southeast Asia in the 1st century. Then the town became an important trading centre in the 16th and 17th centuries, where Chinese, Japanese, Dutch and Indians settled.  

We take a walking tour of the ancient town center to visit the former merchants homes, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colorful market famous for it's clothing tailors. You will notice the architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years.

Day 9:  Tuesday January 3 - Hoi An

Today is a day at leisure. Explore the ancient city of Hoi An... spend the day at the beach, visit the many historical sites or, have clothes, boots and shoes custom made.  It is amazing everything is made, fitted and completed in one day!

Day 10:  Wednesday, January 4 - Hoi An – Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh 

After breakfast check out (make sure you have all your new purchases) and drive to Da Nang, the past capital of the Champa.  We visit the Cham Sculpture Museum, which boasts the finest collection of Cham sandstone sculptures in the world. The museum displays approximately 300 sculptures collected from Cham Temples and towers throughout Central Vietnam.

We have lunch before transferring to Da Nang Airport for our flight to Ho Chi Minh city. Upon arrival we will be transferred to our hotel.  After check-in we will take a leisurely walk around Dong Khoi street for shopping. Lam Son Square standing at the starting point of Dong Khoi Street is famous for its embroidered tablecloths and napkins.

We continue shopping at the night market. Eating and drinking on the street is very popular in Vietnam, and night markets offer a great window into the life of the city.

Day 11:  Thursday, January 5 - Ho Chi Minh

Today we spend the day in Ho Chi Minh, previously known as Saigon. Our guided tour takes us past the now-demolished wartime American Embassy on the way to the Reunification Palace, the former residence of the President. Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office.

We visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda, believed to be the "god of the heavens". Then we visit the War Remanant Musuem opened in 1975 as "The House for Displaying War Crimes of American Imperialism and the Puppet Government [of South Vietnam]".

In the afternoon, we are heading to the Cu Chi Tunnels, consisting of more than 200km of underground tunnels. The main tunnels have many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels. 

Day 12: Friday, January 6 - Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta

Today we transfer to My Tho to take a boat ride on the Mekong river. Visit an orchard island where almost all the tropical fruits of southern Vietnam can be found and tasted, the 150 year old Vinh Trang pagoda, which combines Vietnamese, Khmer and French architectures, Dong Tam snake farm and the floating market. Lunch at pleasant restaurant inside the garden.

Return to Saigon in the late afternoon. With enough time to purchase that last minute souvenir or relax before our Farewell Dinner Cruise on the Saigon River.

Day 13: Saturday, January 7 - Depart for Home

Time to say goodbye to Southeast Asia and all our new single travel friends as we transfer to airport for flights home.

Vietnam Singles Tour December 26 -  January 7 '12 Price $2,299* Includes * 10 Nights Hotel Accommodations * 1 Night onboard a Junk * Air flights within Vietnam * Breakfast Daily * 6-Lunches 4 Dinners * Guided Tours per itinerary * Best Single Travel Representative * Airport/Hotel Transfers on Day 2 and Day 13 * Admissions and Transportation as stated above * All Taxes and Surcharges Click Here for Hotels *The price per person is for a double room. Best Single Travel provides roommate matching so there is never a need to pay a "single supplement". If you wish to room alone it is an additional $750 Not Included * International Airfare * Airport Taxes * Tips $10 a day collected on day 1

Deposit - $400 Balance Due November 10, 2011

 
Cambodia Pre-Trip
Phnom Penh - Siem Reap
December 23 - December 27, 2011
$790*


One of the great complexes of ancient temples is Angkor in Cambodia was built by the Khmer civilization between 802 and 1220 AD. From Angkor the Khmer kings ruled over a vast domain that reached from Vietnam to China to the Bay of Bengal. The structures one sees today at Angkor, more than 100 stone temples in all, are the surviving remains of a grand religious, social and administrative metropolis.

Cambodia Singles Vacation Itinerary

Day 1: Friday, December 23 - Depart Home

Your singles vacation begins when you depart from your hometown on an overnight flight to Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Remember your flight home departs from Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam). Plan to arrive in the morning of the 24th.

Day 2: Saturday, December 24 - Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Upon arrival you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to our hotel where you will meet your hostess and the rest of the travelers.

Our afternoon tour will begin with a visit to the Royal Palace, a complex of buildings which serves as the royal residence of the kings of Cambodia since it was built in 1866. The Silver Pagoda, located in the palace complex features a royal temple and houses many national treasures such as gold and jeweled Buddha statues. Our tour will end at the Russian Market where you can shop for all your souvenirs and handmade Cambodian goods.

Enjoy our Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 2: Sunday, December 25 - Phnom Penh  - Siem Reap, Cambodia

Before we depart Phnom Penh we will pay our respects at Choeung Ek, The Killing Fields, where the Khmer Rouge regime executed about 17,000 people between 1975 and 1979. Today, Choeung Ek is a memorial, marked by a Buddhist stupa. The stupa has plexiglass sides and is filled with more than 5,000 human skulls. We will stop at The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a memorial and a testament to the madness of the Khmer Rouge regime. Much has been left in the state it was in when the Khmer Rouge abandoned it in January 1979. The prison kept extensive records, leaving thousands of photos of their victims, many of which are on display. 

 

Upon arrival in Siem Reap we will have lunch before we travel to the Great Tonle Sap Lake, the largest lake in Southeast Asia. After driviing through beautiful countryside to reach the water’s edge, we will board our boat and sail through mangroves, visit floating and stilted villages, and experience a fascinating, traditional and unique way of life.

No visit to Cambodia is complete without attending a traditional Khmer dance performance, often referred to as 'Apsara Dance' after one of the most popular Classical dance pieces. Tonight we will enjoy dinner and a performance .

Day 3: Monday, December 26  - Siem Reap, Cambodia

Angkor Wat, built during the early years of the 12th century by Suryavaram IIm is considered the biggest Asian pyramid. Angkor Wat honors the Hindu god Vishnu and is a symbolic representation of Hindu cosmology. This temple is the largest and most breathtaking temple of the whole complex and is 213 feet high and divided in several layers. The central part has four towers in the shape of a lotus flower and the most famous decorations of Angkor are the more then 300 heavenly nymphs (Apsara).

Angkor Thom (Khmer: "Great City"), established in the late 12th century, was the last capital city. We enter the South Gate of this walled and moated royal city recaptured from the Cham invaders in 1181. The building of Angkor Thom began with existing structures such as Baphuon and Phimeanakas, then a grand enclosed city was built around them, adding the outer wall/moat and some of Angkor's greatest temples including the state-temple, Bayon, set at the center of the city. There are five gates to the city each crowned with 4 giant faces.

After our explorations of the temples we will watch the sunset from the top of Bakheng hill.

Tonight will be a free evening to have a local meal and check out the night market.
 

Cambodia Extension December 23 -  December 27 '11  Price $790* Includes * 3 Nights Accommodations * Domestic Air - Siem Reap to Phnom Penh * Breakfast Daily * 2 Dinners * Guided Tours per itinerary * Best Single Travel Representative * Airport/Hotel Transfers on Day 2 and Day 4 * Admissions and Transportation as stated above * All Taxes and Surcharges Click Here for Hotels *The price per person is for a double room. Best Single Travel provides roommate matching so there is never a need to pay a "single supplement". If you wish to room alone it is an additional $250 Not Included * International Airfare * Flight to Hanoi, Vietnam * Airport Tax * Visa Fees * Tips $10 a day collected on day 2

Deposit - $200 Balance Due November 10, 2011