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Phoenix
Rising
Vietnam in Depth
May 28 – June 12, 2004
RISING FROM THE ASHES
The Phoenix is a mythical
bird that never dies. As its end approaches the phoenix makes a nest
of aromatic branches and spices, sets it on fire, and is consumed in
the flames. From the ashes then miraculously springs a new Phoenix.
The Phoenix represents rebirth and our
capacity for vision and collecting sensory information about our environment
and events unfolding within. The Phoenix, with its great beauty, has
also become a symbol for intense excitement and deathless inspiration.
The resurrection of this fabled creature
is an apt metaphor for Vietnam, a country once synonymous with tragedy
and conflict. However, Vietnam is a country, not a war. This dignified
land has discarded its post-war fatigues, enabling more relevant and
contemporary portraits to emerge and gain currency in the West. A new
era is dawning in Vietnam as this age-old civilization experiences a
rebirth of its own, once again opening its doors to the outside world.
Vietnam’s past reads like
a romantic legend. It is full of heroic struggles and astounding victories.
Throughout many centuries of attempted occupation by the Chinese and
colonialization by the French, this small country has managed to retain
its culture and sense of history while absorbing and adapting the strengths
of its foes.
Here,
traditions still carry meaning. Its ancient heroes are still venerated
at colorful temple festivals, people honor their ancestors, and village
elders teach the values of hard work, hospitality, and filial loyalty.
With fifty-four ethnic groups, most of whom live in remote areas and
follow age-old customs, Vietnam offers unparalleled opportunities for
cultural exploration.
Most first-time visitors to Vietnam are
overwhelmed by its ancient history, rich culture, and the sublime beauty
of the country’s natural setting. Vietnamese people describe their
homeland as a bamboo shoulder pole slung with two baskets of rice. The
Red River Delta in the north, and the fertile Mekong Delta in the south
are a patchwork of vast rubber plantations and brilliant green rice
paddies tended by women in conical hats.
Almost 2,000 miles of coastline boasts
endless stretches of white sand beaches. Inland mountains soar majestically
from dense, misty forests to heights of nearly 10,000 feet. Hidden away
in impenetrable jungles lie the remains of ancient cities. Vietnam holds
a special allure for the eco-tourist.
Vietnam’s greatest resource, however,
is its friendly, welcoming people. Long closed to intrepid tourists,
the country retains a charming innocence that most vacation hotspots
lack. Yet in the decade since it has reopened its doors to the outside
world, the country has built world-class hotels and tourism facilities
featuring the special Vietnamese hospitality.
Toto
Tours continues its springtime tradition of offering new, exciting,
and exotic destinations with our second visit to Vietnam. Explore the
country’s ancient history, the impact of 19th-Century French colonialism,
and the costly consequences of war. On Memorial Day we pay tribute to
the gay men who lost their lives in the long conflict, and we issue
a special invitation to all gay Vietnam Veterans to be present on that
occasion.
Experience the length and breadth of a
country that has achieved the status of a cultural legend during this
special adventure spanning the Memorial Day holiday. We invite you to
come with us to see first-hand how Vietnam has risen, Phoenix-like,
from the ashes.
Toto Tours is offering a pre-tour excursion to Siemreap in Cambodia
to visit the incredible ruins and religious monuments at Angkor that
once formed the heart of the Khmer empire. Click on the headline above
to read the detailed itinerary.
ITINERARY
Friday, May 28,
2004
Departure from the U.S.
Depart your home city today on an overnight international flight to
Ho Chi Minh City, arriving tomorrow.
Saturday, May
29, 2004
Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City
Arrive today at Ho Chi Minh City, which the locals still call Saigon.
You will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel to enjoy
free time to relax and rest after the long flight. Tonight Toto Tours
hosts a cocktail party at Rex Terrace (the meeting place for many world
faces and American troops during the war) before heading to our Welcome
Dinner. (Dinner included)
Sunday, May 30,
2004
The Mekong Delta
Enjoy a full-day
excursion to the Mekong Delta today. Highlights will include a boat
trip on the Mekong river, a visit to a local village, and a lunch with
folk music and local specialties. (All
Meals)
Monday, May 31,
2004
Ho Chi Minh City / Memorial Day
This morning take a sightseeing
tour around Saigon and Chinatown. Ho Chi Minh City is the bustling,
dynamic and industrious heart and soul of Vietnam. The streets are a
myriad of markets, shops, sidewalk cafes, shops-on-wheels and vendors
selling wares spread out on sidewalks.
The teeming metropolis churns, fumes, ferments,
and bubbles, but within the city are the timeless traditions and beauty
of an ancient culture. Sights include the Reunification Palace, the
neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral, a large open market in Chinatown,
the harrowing War Remnants Museum, and fascinating water puppet shows
created by the Ly king in the Tenth Century. In Chinatown burn incense
for remembrance and good fortune at an ancient Chinese temple, and stroll
through the teeming Binh Tay market.
After lunch, transfer to the Cu Chi
Tunnels where the Vietnamese dug more than 125 miles of tunnels during
the war. We will have a tribute today to gay Vietnam War Veterans, and
a memorial for those who perished. This evening enjoy dinner at a local
restaurant with entertainment featuring Vietnamese music and folk dances. (All
Meals)
Tuesday, June
1, 2004
Nha Trang
This morning fly to Nha Trang, Vietnam’s most picturesque coastal
town and Pacific Ocean beach resort. Upon arrival visit the Po Nagar
temple and eat lunch before check-in at the incredible Ana Mandara Resort.
The remainder of the day is free to relax and enjoy the wonderful amenities
of this world-class resort. (Breakfast
/ Lunch)
Wednesday, June
2, 2004
Nha Trang
This morning enjoy an excursion to one of the deserted islands off
the coast to swim and snorkle, followed by lunch at a quaint fishing
village. In the early afternoon return to the mainland to see the marketplace
and the large Buddah statue on a hill. The remainder of the day is free. (Breakfast
/ Lunch)
Thursday, June
3, 2004
Da Nang / Hoi An
Fly to Da Nang, once the
capital of the Hindu kingom of Champa which extended from central to
southern Vietnam. Visit the Cham Museum with its ancient stone statues.
Near Da Nang are the Marble Mountains, the five peaks of which are each
named after one of the natural elements: water, earth, metal, fire,
and wood. The mountains have caves and secret passageways containing
Buddha images and shrines. Beneath these peaks is the famed China Beach,
where U.S. troops froliced during their military leaves.
Continue on to the World Heritage Site
of Hoi An, a very busy commercial port in the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries,
where merchants from Japan, China, India and Holland came to trade.
Almost all of the original architecture of streets, ports, and religious
buildings are intact. Main sites include the ornate Tan Ky merchant
house, the lavishly decorated Kwangdung Assembly Hall, a Japanese covered
bridge, nightly music at the Traditional Performance House, and the
Historical Museum, where century-old photos prove how remarkably little
it has changed. We overnight at the Victoria Resort, another amazing
property on the beach. (Breakfast /
Lunch)
Friday, June 4,
2004
Hue
This morning transfer to Hue, the former capital of Vietnam under the
decadent rule of the 19th-Century Nguyen dynasty. Enjoy the beautiful
landscape on Hai Van pass and at the Phu Loc fishing village. We also
visit the city’s Imperial Citadel, which still bears the battle
scars of 1968’s Tet Offensive. Afterwards take a leisurely boat
trip on the Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest
found in the region. This evening enjoy a dinner feast with imperial
formality. (All Meals)
Saturday, June
5, 2004
Hue / Hanoi
This morning tour the tombs of Nguyen kings Khai Dinh and Tu Duc, situated
in the Valley of Kings on the southern bank of the Perfume River. These
tombs are among the best in Vietnam. After lunch, transfer to the airport
for a flight to Hanoi, capital of Vietnam. After checking in at the
Hanoi Hilton enjoy a brief rest before dinner and a visit to a local
gay friendly bar. (All Meals)
Sunday, June 6,
2004
Hanoi / Ha Long Bay
This morning visit the military museum, the Ho Chi Minh Tomb and Museum,
and other important sights in the capital city. After lunch drive to
Ha Long Bay. This slice of the South China Sea has thousands of beautiful
limestone peaks rising out of the water. A group of more than 1,900
of these islets has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The
views at sunset and sunrise are truly unforgettable. We overnight in
this place of other-worldly beauty. (All
Meals)
Monday, June 7, 2004
Ha Long Bay Cruise / Train to the Highlands
After breakast enjoy a scenic boat trip through the craggy islands
which make this area famous. Continue to Cat Ba Island with lunch on
board. Enjoy free time at Cat Ba before boarding a hydrofoil bound for
Haiphong. We make a short drive back to Hanoi and enjoy dinner at a
local restaurant before checking in at the train station for our unforgettable
overnight journey aboard the luxury Victoria Sleeper Train into the
highlands to Sapa, a French hillside resort tucked into the remote mountain
terrain near the Chinese and Laotian borders. (All
Meals)
Tuesday, June
8, 2004
Lao Cai to Sapa
This morning disembark the train at Lao Cai and transfer to the beautiful
village of Sapa. Check in at our hotel, where we have breakfast. Sapa
is a terrific place to encounter some of the more than 50 ethnic groups
(also known as hill tribes) that inhabit the country. These groups range
in size from several hundred to more than a million. The surrounding
hills offer prime trekking. Today is devoted to walking in the countryside
and experiencing the life of the hill tribes.After breakfast visit the
colorful local market and a hill tribe village whose inhabitants wear
colorful costumes and practice different customs. Overnight at the Victoria
Hotel. (All Meals)
Wednesday, June
9, 2004
Adventures in Sapa
A full free day for adventures in Sapa, hikes to neighboring villages,
or simply relaxing and enjoying the amenities of the Victoria Hotel. (All
Meals)
Thursday, June
10, 2004
Sapa to Hanoi
Depart Sapa this morning and return to Lao Cai, where we board the
Victoria Train to Hanoi. This time we make the journey during daylight
hours to enjoy the magnificent scenery and the wonderful service aboard
coaches and a dining car that hark back to the grand era of train travel.
Upon arrival in Hanoi we check into the Hanoi Hilton again, enjoy dinner
together, and the remainder of the evening is free. (All
Meals)
Friday, June 11,
2004
Hanoi Free Day
Enjoy a full free day to sightsee and do your souvenir shopping in
this wonderful city. Tonight Toto Tours hosts a festive Farewell Dinner
to celebrate the conclusion of our adventures in Vietnam. (All
Meals )
Saturday, June 12, 2004
Departure
After breakfast we use the morning hours for hurried last-minute shopping
then provide one group transfer to the airport for departure. (Breakfast)
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