From a culture-rich
ancient Hanoi to a vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, from a mystically exquisite Halong
Bay to a vast Mekong Delta, this tour will give you a quick yet full view of
Vietnam’s North and the South. While sitting on a xich lo through the old
quarters’ streets and watching a water puppet show in Hanoi bring a deep touch
of culture and nostalgia, visiting the War Remnants Museum and the amazing Cu
Chi Tunnel network nearby Ho Chi Minh City will get you to appreciate Vietnam’s
graceful yet courageous past. Likewise, cruising through the magnificent maze
of craggy karst islets in Halong Bay reminds you how wondrous nature can be.
But navigating through the canals of the Mekong Delta on a sampan and
interacting with warm-hearted locals is most likely to be an experience of
people and land harmony. The contrast of change between two regions will
inspire you to utmost delight.
Arrive at Noi Bai
International Airport, welcome by our guide and transfer to your hotel. The
driving time is approximately 40 munites.
Hanoi or “River-bound City” as its name literally
means is Vietnam’s capital with a thousand-year-old history dating back to
1010. The city’s fascinating beauty which is characterized by unique cultural
relics, ancient streets of antique houses, elegant French colonial buildings,
tree-lined boulevards and romantic lakes has made it one of the most charming
citiesof Asia.
Afternoon, visit Hoan
Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
located on an islet in the lake. Hoan Kiem Lake is the center point of Hanoi
and home to a rare endangered giant turtle species. Its name “Returned Sword”
comes from a legend of a sacred sword being lent to an ancient Vietnamese King
by a holy turtle from the lake and later returned to the turtle. Discover
special Vietnamese traditional art of
water puppetry as well as Vietnamese folklore through a compelling puppet show and walk at leisure in the Old Quarter of 36 ancient streets.
Today included: Private transportation with English speaking guide, entrance fees, 02 bottles of mineral water per pax, Hotel accommodation
Morning pickup at 8:00 AM from your hotel for transfer
to Ha Long Bay, which is about 160 km or 3.5-hour drive away. On the way, you
will see some rural areas of the Red River Delta with plenty of chances to take
photos of Vietnamese farmers working in paddy fields. Stop half way to visit a
handicraft workshop of fine clothes and embroidered paintings. Arrive in Ha
Long City at 11:30 AM and check in aboard the booked junk right after the
welcome drink is served. Start cruising while having lunch on board and enjoy
the mighty bay view. Ha Long Bay meaning Descending Dragon Bay in Vietnamese as
legend has it that it was where a holly dragon landed down from sky. The bay,
famous as one of the world’s wonders and heritage sites whose formation dates
back 500 million years, consists of around 2,000 karst islands and islets
scattered over an area of 1,553 km2. The bay cruise will continue with up close
sighting of Dinh Huong Island, Ga Choi Island, Dog Island, Sail Island, a visit
to Sung Sot Cave and swimming stop at Titov Beach. Relax to enjoy the bay view
at sunset, have dinner after, go fishing at 09:00 PM and spend a night on board
Today
included: Private transportation with
English speaking guide, Hotel accommodation.
Transfer back to Hanoi and take flight to Danang. Your
flight should depart at around 18:00 or a bit later. Arrive
in Danang, welcome by our guide and transfer hotel in Hoi An for check in.
Today
included: Private transportation with
English speaking guide, 02 bottles of mineral water per pax, Hotel
accommodation.
Note: detailed itinerary of Ha Long Bay can be changed
following to your chosen cruise.
Morning,
start touring Hoi An to discover the ancient charm of a renowned World Heritage Site. Once a bustling
maritime commercial port of Asia between 15th and 19th centuries, Hoi An is now a peaceful town of
exceptionally well-preserved architecture, lifestyles and traditions. The town
exemplifies a fascinating fusion of cultures between Vietnam and the outside
world including China, Japan, Thailand and the Philippines. Highlights for
sightseeing include the town’s iconic 400-year-old Covered Bridge with a small
temple attached to one side as a prominent example of Japanese architecture,
the Museum of Trade Ceramics which is an elegant Vietnamese style wooden house
built in 1858 showcasing antique ceramic artifacts, the 200-year-old Tan Ky
House typifying an ancient Chinese merchant residence, the Ong Temple built in
1653 by Chinese settlers to worship Guan Yu, an ancient Chinese general whose
character stands for loyalty, bravery and justice. Last but not least, stroll
through some villages and the vibrant
local market to observe the local daily life still carrying an
old-fashioned touch from the past.
Afternoon, free at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An.
Today
included: Private transportation with
English speaking guide, entrance fees, 02 bottles of mineral water, Hotel
accommodation.
Morning,
transfer to Hue via Hai Van Pass
(Ocean Cloud Pass). Enjoy a stunning headland-and-bay panoramic view from the
pass, which for miles hugs the mountainside along the shoreline and overlooking
the Pacific Ocean. Stop by Da Dang City on the way to visit the once Buddhist
sanctuary Marble Mountains and a Buddhist cave shrine on the mountain. Proceed
to arrive in Hue.
Upon arrival, visit Hue Citadel, a well-known
UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site, which is a 520 ha fortress-like grand
complex built in the early 1800s and featuring three enclosures separated by
heavy ramparts namely Kinh Thanh Hue (Civic City) as the outer, Hoang Thanh
(Royal City) as the middle and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden City) as the inner. Move
on to Khai Dinh Tomb, the burial
site of Khai Dinh, Vietnam’s second-to-last king, and the most elaborate
compared to other kings’ tombs. The tomb shows a vivid European influence in
architecture despite its Asian style.
Afternoon,
take a boat cruise along the Perfume River for sightseeing and
visiting two prominent historical landmarks namely Minh Mang Tomb, where Minh Mang, the 2nd Emperor of the Nguyen
dynasty was buried, and Thien Mu Pagoda, a Buddhist monastery still in use with
its origin dating back to 1601.
Today
included: Private transportation with
English speaking guide, entrance fees, boat trip, 02 bottles of mineral water
per pax, Hotel accommodation.
Morning, take flight to Ho Chi Minh then meet our guide to take a half-day tour to the Cu
Chi Tunnels, 75 km Northwest of downtown Ho Chi Minh City, which were once
a major underground hideout and resistance base of Viet Cong forces during the
two wars against the French and later on Americans. The tunnels, entirely
hand-dug, formed a highly intricate network of interlinked multilevel
passageways at times stretched as far as the Cambodian border and totaling over
120 km in length. Its complexity was beyond imagination containing meeting
rooms, kitchens, wells, clinics, schools, depots, trenches and emergency exits
all aimed for guerrilla warfare. The tunnels were deep and strong enough to
withstand destructive bombings and self-contained enough to outlast prolonged
sieges. Back to Ho Chi Minh City and spend time at leisure. Back to Ho Chi Minh
City.
Afternoon,
come on city tour with a visit to the Reunification
Palace which was formerly the South Vietnam President’s residence
and symbol of the Southern Administration’s reign until end of April 1975.
Proceed to the War Remnants Museum,
which features an extensive collection of exhibits including weaponry, photos
and documentation on Vietnam’s wars with the French and Americans.
Today
included: Private transportation with
English speaking guide, entrance fees, 02 bottles of mineral water per pax,
Hotel accommodation.
Morning,
after breakfast, travel by road to the Mekong
Delta, the world’s largest delta and Vietnam's largest rice bowl. On
arrival in My Tho City, capital of
Tieng Giang Provine, embark on a boat and navigate through intricate canals
while observing the local daily life up close as well as the landscape of
waterways and lush islands. Land on the Unicorn Island to enjoy wandering
through verdant orchards, tasting fresh fruits and listening to some Southern
style traditional music. Move on to the second delta province, Ben Tre, where
you will watch local villagers make coconut candy in a rural workshop, walk
around briefly and try riding a horse-pulled carriage. More cruising to some
bee-keeping households to taste fresh homegrown honey and honey tea.
Go
back Ho Chi Minh City and spend time at leisure.
Today
included: Private transportation with
English speaking guide, entrance fee, boat fee, 02 bottles of mineral water per
pax, Hotel accommodation.
Free
at leisure until transfer to airport for departure flight.
Today
included: Private transportation with
English speaking guide.
