Evening departure with Singapore Airlines.
Airline schedule subject to change
Dec. 27 SQ 25 JFK SIN 8:15 pm 06:50 am+1. ( fuel stop in Frankfurt. Passengers are not required to get off the plane)
Dec. 29 SQ 192 SIN HAN 9:15 am 11:30 am (+2) Thu. Dec. 29, 2022
Meal: Dinner
Upon arrival at Noi Bai airport, you will meet your driver and local guide and travel by car to your hotel. Rooms will be ready around 1:30 PM. The rest of the day is free at your leisure. To relax and settle at the hotel.
Late in the afternoon, your guide will take you for a warm dinner. This is a chance for you to get to know him; he will be with you for the rest of the trip.
Meal: Breakfast
Hanoi Sightseeing: the group departs the hotel to enjoy a full-day guided tour of the highlights of Vietnam’s capital city, such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the restored One Pillar Pagoda, the Taoist Quan Thanh Temple, and Vietnam’s first university, the thousand-year-old Temple of Literature.
Your visit continues in the afternoon with the beautiful Museum of Ethnology where you will learn about the variety that’s found among Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. Take a walking tour through the Old Quarter and sip on a cup of traditional Vietnamese coffee at a local coffee shop.
Later towards the evening, attend a traditional water puppet show, a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form especially designed for depicting scenes of rural life as well as many episodes of national history.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Transfer to Halong Bay After breakfast, drive to Halong Bay (180km / ~ 4 hrs), a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site with its 3,000 islands of towering limestone dotting the bay and Gulf of Tonkin. You will head off today in the direction of Hai Phong to the Got Ferry Terminal – Cat Hai township via the newest and longest bridge in SouthEast Asia, arriving at the end of the morning. Upon arrival, you will travel by tender boat to the cruise to discover a different route to Halong Bay from Hai Phong. At lunch time, the cruise boat will set off to Da Chong Islet to where you will see a lighthouse built by the French. You will then sail to Con Vit and Gia Luan islets which are impressive limestone karst formations rising straight up out of the sea. Then, you will take a bus to explore the Trung Tang Cave located in a beautiful valley. The cruise continues through to Cat Ba island and Lan Ha Bay. You will have time to enjoy the sunset as well as the chance to join a traditional cooking class with the chef before dinner.
Meal: Breakfast
You can begin the day with an early morning Tai Chi class before enjoying your breakfast. After that, you will explore the Ao Ech area by kayaking. Then, back at the cruise boat, it will be time to enjoy a tea ceremony and a tasteful brunch while cruising back to the pier. Disembark around 11 AM and return to Hanoi. You will pay a visit to Hoa Lo Prison upon returning to Hanoi. This was well-known to American soldiers (like former prisoner, late US Senator John McCain) as the “Hanoi Hilton”. The prison closed during the 1990s, but the gatehouse and a small part of the prison still remain as a museum, a somber historical reminder.
In the evening. It is time to board the overnight train to Hue (Vietnam’s former Imperial City). The train cabin consists of 4 soft sleeper berths – There is no individual cabin available. (Estimated train schedule: SE 3 HAN HUE 19:25 08:25)
Meal: Breakfast
On your arrival at Hue Railway Station in the early morning, your local guide will welcome you and transfer to the hotel for check in and enjoying breakfast. Rooms are ready for early check-in.
After a short rest, take a cyclo tour of the citadel city and enjoy the refined and distinct atmosphere of the town. Driving to visit Thien Mu Pagoda a beautiful seven storey ancient pagoda and also an iconic Buddhist temple of Vietnam which is located by Perfume River. Visit a typical garden house of Hue city, which was built according to precise rules of geomancy; experience the serene and pleasant feelings it might bring you. Sipping a cup of Vietnamese green tea while the host and the hostess share their interesting life story…
In the afternoon visit Tu Duc Mausoleum, one of the most beautiful tombs of Hue. It was inspired by the calm and is a model of Vietnamese traditional art. It is also an opportunity to learn about the history of Nguyen Dynasty and the French colonial period. On the way back to the city center, we will stop by a local house at the nearby village for a short visit. Your guide will take this chance to tell you more about animism – local belief of Vietnamese which is widely followed and worshiped in Hue and its surrounding area. You will also get a glimpse at local life when you make a stop to visit the Dong Ba Market.
Meal: Breakfast
At about 05.00am, begin your interesting motorbike tour (about 12 kilometers) along poetic Nhu Y River, from Vinh Ve village to Chuon Lagoon – a part of famous Tam Giang Lagoon (around 1 hour). The scenery of the ancient village captivates visitors by the traditional architectural beauty of old pavilions, the sophisticated pattern of family temples with charming dragon carvings, rustic winding paths, meandering streams of river leading visitors through golden paddy fields stretching as far as Chuon Lagoon. Here, you embark a boat to start your amazing lagoon excursion. You will not only enjoy the beautiful scenery but also learn about the daily floating life of local people on the lagoon: very interesting but also very poignant. Then, visit 1 or 2 local stilt houses on the lagoon, enjoy some delicious dishes of grilled seafood and local beer. At the end of the tour, your private vehicle takes you back to your hotel at about 08:15. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and spend time free at leisure.
In the early afternoon, depart for Hoi An via the scenic Hai Van Pass, where we enjoy the spectacular panorama of the central coastline from the summit. Stop at Lang Co stretch your legs on the white sands of this peaceful beach. Upon arrival in Hoi An, check in your hotel and spend the evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
In the morning, you will go on a bicycle ride through the rural scenery of Hoi An to Tra Que herb village, known for its aromatic herbs. Join in with the local farmers and observe their daily work of planting and picking vegetables. At lunch, you will have a chance to enjoy the village specialities: tam huu (small skewers of pork and prawns), various kinds of shrimp, pork and herbs, as well as six other dishes of the region. Enjoy some foot massage after lunch.
You will return to Hoi An in the early afternoon and take a walk to explore Hoi An ancient town, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site for its well-preserved century-old streets and houses. After the visit, head back to your hotel and spend the balance of the day at leisure.
Meal: Breakfast
Spend the day at leisure in Hoi han, a Unesco World Heritage site. Exploring the city on your own.
Meal: Breakfast
After check-out, travel to Da Nang Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Welcome at the airport and transfer to the city for exploring some highlights of the former capital of French Indochina.
On the tour, you will notice that the architecture in the center of Ho Chi Minh City is still representative of the colonial era and has Chinese influence. Your discovery of the capital of the South would not be complete without a visit to the city’s main historical sites: the central post office, whose metal structure was designed by Gustave Eiffel; Notre-Dame Cathedral, constructed from red bricks and resembling Notre-Dame in Paris.
Visit the Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine (FITO Museum) located in a peaceful quarter about 25 minutes from the Opera House. FITO is the first private museum in Vietnam where you can discover many artifacts and information about traditional Vietnamese medicine: ancient documents, herbs slicers, cutting tools, pestles, mortars, bottles and paraphernalia of herbal medicine… The museum itself is an ancient house made of wood in a traditional Vietnamese style. Then, go and visit to the Ben Thanh market, in the center of the city with everything from tourist souvenirs and t-shirts to fresh produce and stalls selling local snacks. The evening is free at your leisure.
Notre Dame Cathedral is closed for renovations
Suggested flight VN 119 DAD / SGN 10:00 11:30 AM
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
In the morning you will depart from Ho Chi Minh City to explore Ben Tre in the Mekong delta, also known as the “Green Venice” of Vietnam. After visiting a brick factory in Phong Nam where bricks are still hand-made, step onto a boat for a cruise along the Chet Say river (one of the Mekong’s arms). You will make several stops along the way to discover different local workshops, allowing you to understand better the specialities of the local economy. The boat will then cross a small canal and stop at a small village, where you will continue your discovery of the delta by visiting a workshop specializing in carpet-weaving. You will even be able to try this activity yourself, before hopping in a xe loi (a kind of motorized rickshaw) or on a bicycle to wander around the village. You will see traditional farms and vegetable plants, before stopping at a small local restaurant to taste a delicious (and generous) lunch made of regional specialties, such as “elephant-ear fish” and freshwater shrimps.
In the afternoon you will get back on the sampan for some leisure time along the narrow canals. You will travel back to Ho Chi Minh City by car.
Late in the afternoon, transfer to a local restaurant for the farewell dinner together. Say goodbye to your guide and companies before your flight home.
Meal: Breakfast
After check-out, you will leave early in the morning for the Cu Chi Tunnels, located about 2 hours from Ho Chi Minh City. Originally dug by hand by the Viet Minh (Resistance Force) during the French-Indochina War, this network of underground tunnels was expanded during the Vietnam War. At its peak, it was 200 kilometers long, 3-to-4-meters deep, and was very well-equipped with meeting rooms, medical, and sanitary posts.
Today, it is one of the most important historical sites of the Vietnam War. You will begin the visit by watching a documentary on the tunnels and the war in the 60s-70s, and then you can pass through various narrow underground ducts in order to discover the many rooms: offices, kitchens, bunk rooms, weapons stores, and even hospitals. At the end of the tour, you will have the chance to taste a culinary specialty of Cu Chi, khoai mi luoc (boiled cassava), a Vietnamese dish eaten daily during the war. After your visit, you will return to Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Rooms will be at your disposal until noon time
Distance to Cu Chi: 75 kilometers – 1 hr 55 min
Note: Cu Chi visit is not recommended for people with claustrophobia
Jan 8 SQ 185 SGN SIN 7:50 pm 10:55 pm
Jan 8 SQ 26 SIN JFK 11:55 pm 11:15 am + 1 Sunday Jan 9, 2023
Arrive at JFK at 11:15 AM.
***SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON HEALTH, SAFETY, AND TRAVEL ASSESSMENTS (COVID)
Molloy is committed to delivering high-quality educational experiences to our students while optimizing the health and well-being of the Molloy community to the greatest extent possible. The College reserves the right to cancel any program at any time and for any reason, it deems necessary for the good of the participants in the program or the interests of Molloy College.
Student Price: $2700 includes Land and Air
Deposit: $300
Payment received after November 10 will be subject to a late fee of $100
HANOI
HONG NGOC DYNASTIE HANG
Address: 30-32-34 Hàng Mành, Hàng Gai, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Phone: +84 24 3828 5053
Overlooking Hoan Kiem lake and an 8-minute walk from the Water Puppet theatre, this upscale hotel occupies a 19th-century building, and is 1.9 km from Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Polished rooms feature contemporary and traditional carved furniture and come with marble bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, flat-screens and minibars. Room service is offered 24/7. Freebies include parking, as well as a fitness room, a spa area with a whirlpool/sauna/steam bath.
HALONG BAY AZALEA CRUISE
Overnighttrain
HUE
VILLA HUE
Address: 4 Tran Quang Khai, Hue, Vietnam
Phone: +84 234 3831 628
Villa Hue Hotel is 1,650 feet from Huong River and 0.6 mi from Citadel and Dong Ba Market. It features complimentary Wi-Fi access throughout its premises.
The hotel is 0.9 mi from Hue Train Station and 1.9 mi from Ngu Mountain. Phu Bai Airport is 9.3 mi away. Featuring garden views and a seating area, air-conditioned rooms offer a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a mini-bar. The private bathroom comes with a bathtub, hairdryer and toiletries.
HOI AN
ANCIENT HOUSE RESORT
Address: 377 Cửa Đại, Cẩm Châu, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Phone: +84 235 3923 377
Featuring a historic 200-year-old rice noodle-producing house, this relaxed resort with clay-tile roof houses and a 6,600 sq m garden is 2 km from the Museum of Trade Ceramics.
Featuring beds with mosquito nets, the elegant rooms offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, safes and minibars, as well as sitting areas. Some have balconies with garden views.
27-28 Thomson Ave., Suite WS 11 • Long Island City, NY • 11101
+1 (212) 203-1021
The resort offers 2 restaurants (1 is open air) and a bar with a terrace. There’s a spa, a fitness room, an outdoor pool and a beauty salon.
HO CHI MINH CITY
SANOUVA
Address: 177 Lý Tự Trọng, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Phone: +84 28 3827 5275
This unpretentious hotel in Downtown is a 4-minute walk from Bến Thành Market, 14 minutes’ walk from the War Remnants Museum and 8 km from Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
Relaxed, warmly decorated rooms come with minibars, free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, as well as safes, and tea and coffee making equipment. Room service is available.
Other amenities include an informal restaurant, a fitness room and meeting rooms.
| Date | Flight # | Departure City | Departure Time | Arrival City | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 27, 2022 Tues | SQ 25 | JFK, New York | 8:15 PM | Singapore | 6:50 AM +2 (fuel stop in Frankfurt for 1.5 hrs) |
| Dec 29, 2022 Thurs | SQ 192 | Singapore | 9:15 AM | Hanoi | 11:30 AM |
| Jan 8, 2023 Sun | SQ 185 | Saigon | 7:50 PM | Singapore | 10:55 PM |
| Jan 8, 2023 Sun | SQ 26 | Singapore | 11:55 PM | JFK, New York | 11:15 AM +1 |
Cancellations, Penalties, and Fees outside COVID Covid situation
All changes and cancellations must be provided in writing.
The following penalties apply with the number of days prior to departure:
● $300 deposit payment is non-refundable
● $500 if cancellation is received between September 24 – October 24, 2022
● $1200 if cancelation is received between October 25 – November 25, 2022
● 100% of the total trip cost after November 25 or in case of no-show
We advise all travelers to purchase travel insurance in case of any unforeseen circumstances and if you are no longer able to travel. We offer the following insurance policies through Allianz Travel Insurance: Basic, Classic, and Classic with cancel anytime. Prices vary with age and amount insured.
Click on the link below for more details:
https://celestialvoyagers.com/leisure/leisure-insurance-passports-visas/
Most countries require that a passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of a trip. If your passport expires sooner than July 9, 2023, you must apply to renew your passport.
If you are not an American citizen you may need a visa. Please check with the Vietnam consulate or a visa agency for the latest requirements.
Gineth is in charge of the Operations Department, supervising ticketing and travel planning. With over twelve years of experience in the travel industry, Gineth has exceptional leadership experience, and her passion for travel has contributed to her successful career.