Itinerary in brief:Day 1:
Hanoi arrival
Day 2: Hanoi city tour ( B, L )
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay on board ( B, L,D )
Day 4: Halong – Hanoi – Danang - Hoian ( B, )
Day 5: Hoian free ( B )
Day 6: Hoian - Danang - Hue( B, L )
Day 7: Hue city ( B, L )
Day 8: Hue- Ho chi minh ( B, L)
Day 9: Ho chi minh – Mekong Delta - Ho chi minh ( B, L )
Day 10: Ho chi minh departure ( B )
Itinerary in Details:
Day 1: Hanoi arrival Arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you will be welcomed and transferred to hotel by Asia View Travel guides with signboard, check in, relax. Today is free at your leisure to rest or explore, discovering your own first impressions of Vietnam. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Hanoi city tour ( B, L )This morning we start city tour with the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh ( Close on Monday, Friday & November), the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow this with the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, visit the impressive Ethnology Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups, Quan Thanh Temple, West lake, 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. 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 Hanoi.
Day 3: 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 4: Ha Long - Hanoi – Danang - Hoian (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 3.5hour journey back to Hanoi. Transfer directly to airport for flight to Danang. The guide in Danang will pick you up, transfer to hotel in Hoian, check in, relax.
Day 5: Hoian free ( B )Today there is plenty of time to relax or discover Hoian by yourself. You can spend your time walking around exploring the many Chinese assembly halls and fascinating ancestral homes, some of which have been occupied by the same family for fifteen genera ions. 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! Overnight at hotel in Hoian.
Day 6: Hoian - Hue ( B, L )We spend this morning to discover what Hoian offers. Take a walk to visit famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tamky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda, the vibrant market. Passing many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls which reflect the town's multi-cultural past. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, drive to Hue, the ancient capital. Along the way, we will stop to visit Cham Museum in Danang, the China Beach and the Marble Mountain, stop at Lang Co beach for coffee ( by your own) and refreshment. Overnight at hotel in Hue.
Day 7: Hue city tour (B, L)This morning we explore Hue, 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.Overnight at hotel in Hue.
Day 8: Hue - Ho chiminh city (B, L)Breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport for short flight to Ho chi minh city. The guide in Ho chi minh will pick you up at Tan Son Nhat airport, transfer to city center. We then start to discover dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals 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. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, we visit War Remnant Museum, free for shopping in Ben Thanh market .Overnight at hotel in Saigon
Day 9: Ho chi minh – Mekong Delta - Ho chi minh ( B, L )Breakfast at hotel, then drive to My Tho. After arrival in My Tho, you will ride on a local motor boat along Dragon Island, Unicorn Island, Phoenix Island, Turtle Island and stop at the famous Unicorn Island. While at the Unicorn Island, While at the Unicorn Island, you will visit natural pure honey at the bee keeping farm. Taste some honey tea, rice wine, banana wine… Walking on the village and taking rowing boat along the natural water coconut canal to see the local lifestyle in the Mekong Delta. From there, you will continue your motor boat trip to Ben Tre province to visit a handmade coconut candy workshop. Then transfer to a small motor boat and travel along the lush, green canals that are so beautiful for photography. Stop at local restaurant for lunch. After that we walk to another area on the Unicorn Island to visit the tropical fruit garden, enjoy the fruits & listening to the Southern traditional music. Then the local motorboat will take you back to My Tho, where the car/van will drive you back to Ho chi minh city.Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 10: Ho chi minh 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
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Location
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Standard
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Superior
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First class
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Deluxe
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Hanoi
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Hanoi Paradise 3 *
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Hanoi Imperial 3*
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Hanoi flower garden 4*
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Moevenpick 5*
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Hue
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Hue holiday 2*
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Asia hotel 3*
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Huong Giang 4*
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Imperial 5*
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Hoian
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Vinh hung II 2*
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Southern Hoian*
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Hoian Beachresort 4*
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Life heritage resort 4 *
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Saigon
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Le Duy 3 *
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Tan Hai long hotel& spa 3*
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Norfolk 4*
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Majestic 5*
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Boat in Halong
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Bai tho
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Bai tho
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Emotion
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Victory star
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Tour includes:• All accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels
• 2 days1 night cruise on Halong Bay
• All tours & transfers in private air-conditioned vehicle
• 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
• Domestic airfare & airport taxes: Hanoi – Danang, Hue – Ho chi minh
• 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