Throughout VietnamDay 1 - Hanoi ArrivalArrive in Hanoi, welcome by your guide and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight in Hanoi. Day 2 - Hanoi City tour (B)With ochre-coloured colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic lakes, Hanoi is full of charm. Start the tour at the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument lavishly built using marble and granite, and where the preserved body of “Uncle Ho” resides. (Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed every Monday & Friday, all afternoons and from early September until mid November). A short walk from the mausoleum is the lotus shaped One Pillar Pagoda – resting on a single stone pillar emerging from the water. Wind your way afterwards to the Temple of Literature, the first University for the sons of mandarins, for an overview about Hanoian culture and appreciation for ancient Vietnamese architecture. In the afternoon, visit the serene Museum of Ethnology is a 20 minute drive out of town that offers a fascinating insight into Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority groups (Museum of Ethnology is closed on Mondays). Drive back to central Hanoi for a walking tour through the Old Quarter to enjoy the bustling local life, then cap off the day with a show at the water puppet theatre - a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes of rural life and episodes of national history.
Overnight in Hanoi. Day 3 - Hanoi – Mai Chau – Hanoi (B, L)Located in Hoa Binh Province, about three hours drive southwest of Hanoi, Mai Chau is home to many ethnic minority people. The road winds through a splendid vista of mountainous scenery until you reach a valley surrounded by a lush landscape and stilt houses inhabited mainly by the White Thai ethnic group. Upon arrival, walk through typical villages to discover the rustic life of these mountainous people as well as learning about the traditional craft of brocade making. Mai Chau is very popular for its handmade woven scarves and fabrics. Enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant at hamlet and if you are game, a taste of the country’s finest rice wine with a local family. Transfer back to Hanoi late evening.
Overnight in Hanoi. Day 4 - Hanoi – Halong Bay (B,L,D)Depart for the 3.5-hour drive to Halong Bay. Journey there through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta, observe everyday life of Vietnamese villagers as they work the rice fields, take pigs to the market on motorbikes and plough the fields with their water buffaloes. Arrive from Hanoi late morning and welcome at the pier of your boat. Check-in procedures and transfer to your boat for the overnight journey into the Bay. Lunch is served on board as you cruise into Halong Bay. Cruise by rock formations with such names as Sail, Dog and Dinh Huong (incense pot). Towards the end of the day set anchor for the night as the sun sets followed by dinner.
Overnight on Halong Bay. Day 5 - Halong Bay – Noi Bai Aiport – Danang – Hoi An (B)On your return to Halong City enjoy a full breakfast (or brunch) as your boat weaves its way back to the dock. Upon disembarkation your driver will meet you for the transfer to Noi Bai Airport for the flight to Danang.
En route visit Thanh Chuong Palace, the home and studio of Thanh Chuong who is one of the most celebrated painters in Vietnam today is an architectural gem showcasing Vietnamese traditional cultural objects and structures. A living space rather than a museum which showcases Vietnamese archaeology, art, history and other culture values.
After the visit it’s a quick transfer to the airport for the short flight to the central port city of Danang. On arrival in Danang transfer to Hoi An, a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries whose architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years.
Overnight in Hoi An. Day 6 - Hoi An tour – My Son Holy Land (B)Today take a half day to visit the capital and religious centre of the former Champa Kingdom, My Son. Here, 40km southwest of Hoi An, in a lush green valley, are dozens of red brick towers and sanctuaries dating from between the 7th and 13th centuries. On the way back to Hoi An stop to visit Tra Kieu, formerly known as Simhapura or the Lion Citadel, the capital of Champa between the 4th and 8th centuries. Some of the finest sculptures in Danang’s Cham Museum originated from here.
In the afternoon return to Hoi An, a destination with two faces – the charming, old-world trading port of narrow streets and traditional houses, and the beach with its new resorts and long stretch of clean white sand. In keeping with Hoi An’s heritage as a trading port, the town’s tiny shophouses now host a range of craft shops and artisans including some of Asia’s best bespoke tailors. Despite the passing of 200 years and the ravages of weather and war, the centre of Hoi An remains much the same as it was in its heyday. Take a walking tour of the ancient town centre to visit former merchants’ houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese communal hall and the colorful market.
Overnight in Hoi An. Day 7 - Hoi An – Hue (B)Have this morning at leisure before leaving Hoi An for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. It’s mesmerizing tombs and mausoleums of the last emperors of Vietnam reveal fascinating insights into the lives of the imperial families and their subjects. The ancient citadel reflects the pomp and ceremony of the dynastic rulers as well as the scars of many years of turmoil, both ancient and modern (the Royal Citadel was badly damaged in the latter stages of the war) but retains a sense of grace and majesty even today.
Drive through Danang before climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds and dropping down to the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co.
Overnight in Hue. Day 8 - Hue City tour (B)Start your day with a visit to the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. After exploring the ruins of this wonderful monument take a cyclo through the ‘Old City’ to Tinh Tam Lake where the Emperors used to come to relax, full of lotus flowers in summer there are many local style coffee shops around the lake where university students come to study. Drive onto Thien Mu Pagoda, constructed in 1601, the 21-meter tall tower is the centerpiece of the pagoda.
In the afternoon depart for the Mausoleum of Tu Duc, built decades before its occupant's death the tomb was used as a palace retreat before the emperors resting place. Finish up the day at Khai Dinh’s Tomb which is traditional Vietnamese in design with a European touch making it unique from the other tombs in Hue.
If time permits pass by the city’s vibrant Dong Ba Market.
Overnight in Hue.
Day 9 - Hue – Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels (B)After breakfast, Depart Ho Chi Minh City in the morning for the drive to Cu Chi Cu Chi. An important role during the Vietnam resistance war, to gain independence and unify for Vietnam. Visitor will be amaze at this manual hand-done tunnel, starts in the early. 1940, Tunnel & Bunkers network of over 200km underground from 10 meter to 70 meter depth, levels with living quarters, armory, command post & hospital. Start the visit with the Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc sections of the tunnel. Here you can imagine what it was like to be a guerrilla complete with Russian Carbine rifles and AK 47’s. In the late afternoon drive back to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch at local restaurant.
Afternoon, visit the Reunification Palace - the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 30, 1975 when the North Vietnamese tanks came crashing through the front gates, bringing the U.S.-Vietnam War to a dramatic end. Close to the Palace some of the best examples of French colonial architecture are represented in the forms of Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Notre Dame Cathedral was built between 1877 and 1883, and the stones used to create it were exported in its entirety from France. Next to the cathedral stands the Central Post Office, finished in 1891. Then, visiting the bustling Ben Thanh Market - a fantastic place for bargains of every kind! There are several interesting sights in Saigon. Following your tour head back to your hotel.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. Day 10 - Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)The colorful floating market, vast emerald rice fields and lush back waterways; these are the things that make Cai Be such a desired destination. This morning, leave bustling Ho Chi Minh for the 2.5-hour drive to the delta town of Cai Be.
On arrival board your boat for a cruise of Cai Be floating market. Traders work the river and some have been living on these waters for generations. Produce at the market are hung on a pole in front of boats to attract customers and make it easier for people to see from afar what is on offer. After visiting the market continue to a cottage factory where ‘pop-rice’, rice paper and coconut candies are made. Return to the boat for the cruise to Dong Hoa Hiep Island, along the way admire the scenery and the daily life of the local villagers. Lunch will be local Mekong style serving specialties of the area. Following your cruise, drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. Day 11 - Ho Chi Minh City Departure (B)Departure day. At leisure until transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for onward flight.
Tour Duration: 11 Days / 10 Nights
Tour Destination: Vietnam
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