CTV8: Vietnam discovery Tour 18 days 17 nights

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Itinerary in brief:

Day 1: Hanoi arrival
Day 2: Hanoi city tour (B)
Day 3: Hanoi – Hoa Binh –  Mai chau (B, L, D)
Day 4: Maichau - Hanoi  (B, L)
Day 5: Hanoi – Halong bay on board (B, L, D)
Day 6: Halong – Hanoi – Hue flight (B , L)
Day 7: Hue city tour (B, L)
Day 8: Hue – Danang – Hoian (B)
Day 9: Hoian – Myson sanctuary (B)
Day 10: Hoian – Nha trang day train (B)
Day 11: Nha trang island tour (B, L)
Day 12: Nha trang relaxation (B)
Day 13: Nha trang – Dalat (B, L)
Day 14: Dalat – Ho chi minh (B, L)
Day 15: Ho chi minh city ( B, L )
Day 16: Ho chi minh - My tho - Ben tre home stay( B, L,D )
Day 17: Ben tre - Ho chi minh ( B, L )
Day 18: Ho chi minh departure (B)

Itinerary in Details

Day 1: Hanoi arrival
Arrival at Noi Bai Airport, Welcome and transfer to hotel by Asia View Travel guides with signboard, check in, relax. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi city tour (B)
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, the Restored Sword Lake (Hoan Kiem Lake) and Ngoc Son Temple.  Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, visit the impressive Ethnology Museumthe, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups, Quan Thanh Temple, West lake, 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.

Day 3: Hanoi – Hoa binh – Mai chau  ( B, L , D)
We depart Hanoi and head west toward Hoa Binh City where we stop for refreshments and coffee. Leaving Hoa Binh, we drive towards Mai Chau valley, about another two hours away to White Thai village of Poomcong. Enjoy the stunning views while lunching on tasty local dishes cooked by the White Thai girls of the village. Afternoon we walk to the surrounding village. Our hosts for this evening will be the White Thai minority people. In sampling these peoples hospitality, we find out a little more of their lives and cultures with a cultural exchange following the evening meal. Overnight at home stay in Mai chau.

Day 4: Mai chau – Hanoi ( B, L )
Following breakfast we embark on a lovely walk to Lac village and Van village. As we walk we will encounter the local villagers going about their daily business tilling the fields, logging or herding the buffalo. We enjoy lunch in Mai Chau before we drive back to Hanoi. Visit Muong village in Hoa Binh before tour finish at your hotel in Hanoi. Check in, relax.

Day 5: Hanoi – Halong bay on boat ( B, L,D )
Breakfast at hotel, 8:30 AM 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 6:Halong  Bay – Hanoi  - Hue flight ( 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 directly to the airport for flight to Hue. The guide in Hue will pick you up, transfer to hotel in city center, check in, relax.

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.

Day 8: Hue – Danang – Hoian (B)
As we bid Hue farewell this morning we continue our south bound journey. Today's destination is the old trading town of Hoi An. Along the way though we will stop at Lang Co beach for coffee and refreshments. From here we head up to the Hai Van pass, stopping at the top to take in the stunning views north over Lang Co beach and south over Danang city. Continuing on our way down the other side and into Da nang, where we will stop at the Cham Museum, the famed China Beach, and the Marble Mountains. Arriving in Hoi An, Take a walk to visit famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tamky House, the vibrant market. Passing many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls which reflect the town's multi-cultural past. 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

Day 9: Hoian – 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 60km from Danang, 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 Hoian. Overnight at hotel  in Hoian.

Day 10 :Hoian - Nha trang day train ( B )
Today there is plenty of time to discover what Hoi An  has to offer. 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. 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! We then transfer to train station for train, take the afternoon train to Nha Trang. Pick up at Train Station in Nha Trang, transfer to hotel for late check in.

Day 11: Nha trang island tour ( B, L )
Start from your hotel to Cau Da port. Tri Nguyen Aquarium on Mieu Island is the first place to visit, many sea species of Nha Trang/Khanh Hoa province make a small ocean world there. Mun Island is the best island for snorkeling where you can see lots of lives colorful corals and fish. Visit a fishing village and taking a fresh lunch at the island. On the way back you will be able to see caves in which the sea swallows make their nest.

Day 12: Nha trang relaxation ( B )
Breakfast at hotel. Free today for the beach relaxation. Overnight at resort in Nhatrang.

Day 13: Nha trang – Dalat ( B ,L )
After breakfast at hotel we drive up to Dalat and see its waterfalls, cathedral, key pagodas, Lang Buang ethnic village and the lovely old French colonial houses. Check in hotel up on arrival in Dalat city and then visit the Linh Phuoc Pagoda, a large Buddhist pagoda with ornate architecture and a spacious interior dominated by a large seated Buddha. You'll be taken to have a look at an embroidery workshop in an attractive garden setting. Overnight in Dalat.

Day 14: Dalat  –  Ho chi minh (B , L )
Breakfast at hotel. we will ride a cable car to Truc Lam Pagoda and Tuyen Lam Lake to visit attractive Flower Garden, we will visit Emperor Bao Dai's Summer Palace that is indicative of Bao Dai's status as the puppet ruler of an occupied countr, Crazy House, waterfalls and then transfer to airport for flight to Hochiminh city. Pick up at airport, transfer to hotel in Ho chi minh city.

Day 15: Ho chi minh city ( B, L )
This morning we will take city tour of dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals. We pass the now-demolished wartime American Embassy before we visit 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 continue to visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda,  the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale. On the way back bustling Chinatown is not be missed as well. Overnight at hotel in Ho chi minh.

Day 16: Ho chi minh –  My tho – Ben tre( B, L,D )
Pick up at hotelthen drive to My Tho. Board a boat for a cruise   along the bank of the Mekong River.  Visit the Bee garden on the Unicorn island where you will enjoy honey lemon tea and fruit sweets. Boat to BenTre (Coconut Island) where has more coconut palms than any other place in the country and visit farmer's traditional house. Take some catch fishing-tools. The farmers will show you how to catch fish in the canals and learn to cook Vietnamese prawn pancake. Evening you will have dinner with Mekong family atmosphere. After the meal , we take a coconut leaf torch for the light to travel in the garden , walk along the riverbank for strange- looking with full of light trees by fire-flies . Go back the garden house – Overnight at the home stay.

Day 16: Ben tre – Ho chi minh ( B, L )
AM: Take a bicycle and ride on the country roads to visit the village market, fruit gardens, and Bonsai gardens and learn about the country morning cultural life on coconut island. Boat to visit the fish farm on the Mekong River – visit local handicraft village, a traditional house on the island – Enjoy fresh fruits. Listen Mekong music .Take a rowing boat to explore a small natural canal .
PM: Stop at Bon Sai garden restaurant where you enjoy lunch then drive back to Ho chi minh.

Day 17: Ho chi minh departure ( B )
Breakfast at hotel, free time until  transfer to  the airport for your departure flight. End of tour.

Thank you for traveling with Asia View Travel.

Tour includes:
• All accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels
• 2 days 1 night cruise on Halong Bay ( private cabin - sharing baot )
• 1 night at home stay in Mai chau
• 1 night at home stay in Ben tre
• 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 - Hue, Dalat – Ho chi minh
• Train ticket Danang – Nha trang
• 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