Day 01: Ho Chi Minh City Arrival (Breakfast) |
| On arrival at Tan San Nhat Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel. Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is a center of commerce, finance, culture and tourism in Vietnam. This bustling metropolis, contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping area and sidewalk cafés. (If time permits) we stroll around the downtown to explore the different local ways of life. |
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Day 02: Ho Chi Minh City (Breakfast) |
| Today we enjoy a full day sightseeing tour taking us to some major sights of Ho Chi Minh. We pass the now-demolished wartime American Embassy on our way to the Reunification Palace. This famous edifice was the former residence of the President of Southern Vietnam until end of April 1975. Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office. The following sights are the History Museum and the Jade Emperor Pagoda. We also visit the War Remnant Museum before continuing to the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale! The remainder of the day will be free for you to further explore the town or simply to relax. |
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Day 03: Ho Chi Minh City - Tay Ninh - Cu Chi - Ho Chi Minh City (Breakfast/Lunch) |
| The head quarter of Cao Dai sect is located in Tay Ninh. This religion was founded in 1923 and now numbers over 2 million members. After breakfast we travel by roads to Tay Ninh to see the ornate temple of Cao Dai and attend the fantastic mid-day service when the followers fill the hall wearing colored robes, a symbol of the curious combination of the Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. Afterwards we continue to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, which were an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Vietcong in the American war. |
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Day 04: Ho Chi Minh City - MeKong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City (Breakfast) |
| Heading out of the town, we travel by roads to the Mekong Delta, Vietnam's largest rice bowl. On arrival in My Tho we embark on a boat navigating around the intricate small canals in the delta region, which is a great way to observe the local lifestyle close-up and catch a view dotted by many islands. The exciting excursion will pass the lush green vegetation before arriving at the famous Unicorn Island. Here we have opportunities to stroll around an orchard, taste many seasonal fruits and enjoy wonderful traditional music. The next stop of our trip is Ben Tre Province to visit some fascinating local industries. After feasting on a huge lunch we return to Ho Chi Minh, stopping off along the way to see the beautiful Ving Trang Pagoda and the Cho Lon, Saigon's Chinatown, which is crammed with sacred temples and mysterious, narrow lanes. |
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Day 05: Ho Chi Minh City - Danang - Hoian (Breakfast) |
| An early morning transfer to airport for a flight to Da Nang. On arrival we are greeted and driven a short distance to Hoi An which was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced down centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. There are plenty to see in this tranquil and delightful town, some of which are the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tamky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda and the vibrant market. We visit these sights on an enchanting walking tour past many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls which reflect the town's multi-cultural past. |
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Day 06: Hoian - My Son - Hue (Breakfast) |
The next destination of our trip is Hue. Along the way we visit My Son, the holy land of the Cham people, which has recently been recorgnized as the world heritage site. Upon leaving this landmark we continue our journey to Hue with stopover at the sensational Marble Mountains and the China Beach. The winding roads begin as we make our way up the spectacular Hai Van Pass. At the top of the pass we stop to admire a fantastic view north to Lang Co and south to Danang.
Arriving in Hue we see the massive citadel, containing the Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City. This royal residence was all but destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive, however it is still fascinating to walk among the ruins. |
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Day 07: Hue (Breakfast) |
| The beautiful riverside pagoda of Thien Mu which now becomes the symbol of Hue, and the elaborate royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc are not to be missed. We include these in a half day cruise on the Perfume River which also gives us a taste of the scenic countryside as well as an enjoyable visit to the mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang, in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. After an impressive boat trip we enjoy a walk to the bustling Dong Ba Market that sells a wide variety of local goods and handicrafts. Along the way we pass many fantastic eating spots, all ideal for visitors to sample some local delicacies. |
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Day 08: Hue - Hanoi (Breakfast) |
| After breakfast we explore Hue on our own until transferred to the airport for a short flight north. Ha Noi, Vietnam's capital, is a stylish and gracious city that retains an unique old world charm and some Asia's most striking colonial architecture. The relaxing atmosphere is also a highlight of Hanoi. After checking into hotel, we have time visiting the beautiful lake of Hoan Kiem with its sacred temple, the picturesque West Lake and the Dong Xuan Market. A perfect way to finish the day is to enjoy a short cyclo excursion through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. |
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Day 09: Hanoi - Halong (Breakfast) |
| The sightseeing tour of Hanoi begins with the Ho Chi Minh Complex, containing the mausoleum of the nation's founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts. The complex also comprises the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of Hanoi. We follow this with a trip to the Temple of Literature, well known as Vietnam's first university, and the History Museum which displays an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the Vietnamese history. The peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem and the bustling Dong Xuan Market are also visited before we depart for Halong Bay through the scenic countryside. |
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Day 10: Halong - Hanoi (Breakfast/Lunch) |
| Today we embark on a boat for an exploration of the legendary Halong Bay. This exciting five hour cruise will provide us a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. The limestone karst formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. After a seafood lunch on board we return to Ha Noi, stopping en route at Dong Trieu pottery village. We arrive in time to see an evening performance of Hanoi's famous water puppets. |
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Day 11: Hanoi - Hoa Lu - Tam Coc - Hanoi (Breakfast) |
| The capital of Vietnam from 968 AD to 1010 AD during the Dinh and early Le Dynasties is Hoa Lu, which however has left its legacy in the form of two small temples, each one nearly a thousand years old. After two and half hour drive from Hanoi we visit these remaining structures, dedicated to the Dinh and Le Rulers, then climb 200 steps to the top of Ma Yen mount for a fantastic view over the surrounding areas. The next stop of our trip is Tam Coc which is surnamed "Inland Halong Bay". We take a boat trip on a river through the quiet and peaceful landscape of rice fields surrounded by limestone formations to the grottoes of Tam Coc. |
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Day 12: Hanoi - Departure (Breakfast) |
| There is a free time to relax or further explore Ha Noi. The trip ends after your transfer to Noi Bai Airport for departure. End of the service. |
