Itinerary in BriefDay 1: Ho chi minh arrival
Day 2: Ho chi minh city - Cu chi tunnel ( B, L )
Day 3: Ho chi minh - Mekong delta - Ho chi minh ( B, L )
Day 4: Ho chi minh – Danang – Hoian ( B, L )
Day 5: Hoian – Myson santuary ( B )
Day 6:Hoian – Hue ( B )
Day 7; Hue city ( B, L )
Day 8: Hue – Hanoi ( B,L )
Day 9: Hanoi – Hoalu – Tam coc – Hanoi ( B, L )
Day 10: Hanoi – Halong bay on board ( B, L,D )
Day 11: Halong – Hanoi ( B )
Day 12: Hanoi departure ( B )
Itinerary in Details
Day 1: Ho chi minh arrival Arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, you will be welcomed and transfered to hotel by Asia View Travel guides with signboard, check in, relax. Overnight at hotel in Ho chi minh city.
Day 2: Ho chi minh city - Cu chi tunnel ( B, L )Breakfast at hotel, we then drive to the
famous Cu Chi Tunnels. At the height of the Vietnam
war, the tunnel system stretched from the outskirts of Saigon all the
way to the Cambodian border of over 250 kilometers of tunnels. The
tunnel system, built over 25 years starting in the 1940s, let the Viet
Minh and, later, the Viet Cong, control a huge rural area. It was an
underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapons
factories, field hospitals, command centers. In places, it was several
stories deep and housed up to 10,000 people who virtually lived
underground for years.... getting married, giving birth, going to
schools.
Transfer back Ho chi minh city and do the short city tour with the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975, and some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Sai Gon Post Office, the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale. Overnight at hotel in Ho chi minh.
Day 3: Ho chi minh – Mekong Delta – Ho chi minh ( B, L )Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Cai Be, stop
for photos at Tan An town over the flat rice fields. Arrive to Cai Be,
start the motorized boat to visit the Cai Be floating market, see how
river life goes on, experience how people exchanging goods, fruit and
many other commodities on their vessels. Visitors then roam into the
small villages to visit the orchard, fruit plantation. Keep cruising to
Vinh Long through small canals to enjoy the charm of the Upper Mekong
Delta. Visit some hand made family business products such as the coconut
candy mill, the crispy rice popcorn. Arrive in Binh Hoa Phuoc village
the green pearl of Vinh Long town where you can indulge yourself into
the nature . Have lunch with fresh river food served in the heart of the
garden. Take a nice walk through the bonsai garden. Meet the car/van in
Vinh Long. Back to HCMCDay 4: Ho chi minh – Da nang – Hoi an ( B, L )Breakfast at hotel, Take the morning flight to Danang. On arrival you are greeted and driven to Hoian, which was originally a
Cham seaport but has been influenced down centuries by a myriad of
traders from various cultures. The ancient architecture of Hoian is a fascinating combination of
Vietnamese traditional characters with Chinese and Japanese influence.
There are plenty to see in this delightful and tranquil town, some of
which are the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the
200 years old Tam Ky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda, the vibrant market. We
visit these on our afternoon walking tour past many low tiled houses
scattered along the small streets and assembly halls which reflect the
town's multi-cultural past. Overnight at hotel in Hoian.
Day 5: Hoi an – My son Sanctuary ( B )We drive to visit holly land My Son. This is a former capital of the ancient Cham civilization that ruled central Vietnam between the second and thirteenth centuries. Hinduism from India heavily influenced their religion. Located 60 km. from Da nang, My Son is considered to be one of the best-preserved Cham structures in Vietnam. The complex is comprised of seventy Hindu-like towers and temples dating from the second century. This site is a must-see for those who are interested in architecture and ancient civilizations. It is one of four World Heritage listed sites in Vietnam. Balance of the day will be at your leisure to do your endless shopping in Hoi an. Overnight at hotel in Hoi an.
Day 6: Hoi an – Hue ( B )This morning free to relax or discover Hoian by yourself. The town is also famous for it's shops in particular it's large number of tailors. If you wanted, you could have a whole new wardrobe made for you here! You might like to take a boat ride with one of the local women across the Thu Bon River. Perhaps you would like to hire a bicycle and head off on a scenic ride to Cua Dai beach, about 4 km away. There's even the chance to improve your culinary skills with a Vietnamese cooking lesson! One thing is for sure - there is no shortage of things to do in this town!
Leaving Hoi An in the afternoon, we drive north to the old imperial city of Hue. Along the way, we make stopover at the sensational Marble Mountains, the China Beach and Da nang City for a visit to the Cham Museum. We then follow the road crossing over the scenic Hai Van Pass before arriving in Hue, Vietnam's last imperial capital of Vietnam. Overnight at hotel in Hue.
Day 7: Hue city tour ( B, L ) Breakfast at hotel, we then set out for the exploration of Hue's famous highlights, including the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. Built in the 19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the City was home to the former Emperors of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. We embark on a boat for cruise upstream on the Perfume River which also gives us a taste of the scenic countryside as well as an enjoyable visit to The beautiful pagoda of Thien Mu. One of the most poignant displays here is a car belonging to a former monk, who in 1963, drove to Saigon and set himself alight to protest against the South Vietnamese regime and its treatment of Buddhists. Disembark the board for a visit the elaborate mausoleum of former emperor Tu Duc, Emperor Khai Dinh. On return to the city, we then take a walk to the bustling Dong Ba Market and pass many fantastic eating spots where visitors have a chance to sample some local delicacies.
Day 8: Hue – Hanoi ( B, L)Transfer to the airport for flight to Hanoi. On arrival in Hanoi, pick up and transfer to hotel, check in, relax. We the start city tour with 11th century Temple of Literature - the first University of Vietnam, the Restored Sword Lake (Hoan Kiem Lake) and Ngoc Son Temple. Take a cyclo tour around the 36 streets of the Hanoi old quarter to learn more about simple life of Hanoian. We continue with Quan Thanh Temple, Tran Quoc Pagoda and West lake - the biggest lake in Hanoi. Enjoy water puppet show- a remarkable Vietnamese art form that combines traditional music, fireworks, underwater puppeteers, and elaborate puppets floating gracefully over water. Overnight at hotel in Ha noi.
Day 9: Hanoi – Hoa lu – Tam coc – Ha noi ( B, L )Pick up at your hotel in Ha noi, drive to Tam Coc, arrived in Tam Coc at approx. 10am. Visit Hoa Lu Temple, the ancient citadel of Vietnam in 10th century. Enjoy a trek to the King Dinhs Tomb on a terraced hillside and gaze down at the ancient capital in the beautiful Truong Yen Valley below. PM take a board sampans at Tam Coc to ferry down the Boi river. The boat goes through 3 cavernous limestone tunnels, offering a cool break from the sunshine and astounding views of the cave structures. Transfer back to hanoi. End of tour.
Day 10: Hanoi – Halong bay on board ( B, L, D)Breakfast at hotel and then start a 3-hour drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. Comfort stop en route for photos and coffee before arriving to Ha Long City. We then transfer to a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. While on board we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. When the sun comes down we drop anchor for the night nearby a remote island. Overnight on Junk.
Day 11: Halong – Hanoi ( Brunch )Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a back up vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi, free rest of the time. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Day 12: Hanoi departure ( B) Breakfast at hotel, free time until transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Say goodbye Vietnam. Thank you for traveling with Asia View Travel.
Accommodation Options
|
Location
|
Standard
|
Superior
|
First class
|
Deluxe
|
|
Saigon
|
Le Duy 3*
|
Tan Hai long hotel & spa 3 *
|
Norfolk 4*
|
Majestic 5*
|
|
Hoian
|
Vinh hung II 2*
|
Van loi 3 *
|
Hoian Beach resort 4*
|
Life Heritage resort 4 *
|
|
Hue
|
Hue Holiday
2*
|
Asia hotel 3*
|
Huong Giang 4*
|
Imperial 5*
|
|
Hanoi
|
Hanoi Paradise
3 *
|
Hanoi Imperial 3*
|
Hanoi Flower garden 4*
|
Moevenpick 5*
|
|
Halong Boat
|
Bai tho
|
Bai tho
|
Emotion
|
Victory Star
|
Tour includes:• All accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels
• 2 days 1 night cruise on Halong Bay ( private cabin - sharing boat )
• All tours & transfers in private air-conditioned vehicles
• Domestic airfare & airport taxes: Ho chi minh – Danang, Hue - Hanoi
• Private English or French speaking guide
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary at local restaurant with local foods (B= breakfast; L=Lunch; D = Dinner)
• Boat cruise as stated
• Entrance fees and permits for all sights visited
• Mineral water & towel
• Government taxes & Service charges
Tour excludes:• International flights to and from Vietnam
• Vietnam visa arrangement (upon request visa on arrival at 15 USD, not including stamping fee at 25 USD)
• Meals not indicated in the itinerary
• Kayak in Halong Bay
• Surcharge on Christmas, New Year and Our Lunar New Year
• Personal travel insurance (Compulsory)
• Personal expenses such as Telephone and Laundry bills
• Tips and gratuities