Essential Vietnam is specially designed for people who keen to experience the diversity of Vietnam but with limited time to spare. This new Vietnam tour covers all must-see pl"/>

Ho Chi Minh City


Tour

ESSENTIAL VIETNAM

Essential Vietnam is specially designed for people who keen to experience the diversity of Vietnam but with limited time to spare. This new Vietnam tour covers all must-see places in Vietnam, from bustling Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Noi to the enchanting port town of Hoi An and finally the majesty of Ha Long Bay. It is also easy to connect to tours of neighbour countries.


 Day 1: Arrival Ho Chi Minh City

Meet & Greet at Tan Son Nhat international airport and transfer to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. In the evening we have a Welcome dinner in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.



Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City - Vinh Long - Ho Chi Minh City

We depart from the hotel in the morning and drive southwards to the Vinh Long Province, which is situated between two branches of the downstream Mekong River. The lusciously green and beautiful Mekong Delta is the southernmost region of Vietnam. It was formed by sediments deposited by the Mekong River, one of the great rivers of the world and known to the Vietnamese as Song Cuu Long, river of the Nine Dragons. The Mekong originates high in the Tibetan plateau, flowing 4500 km through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia before it reaches Vietnam as its final gate to the South Chinese Sea. A system of tangled river streams and canals has made the Delta a real water world.



On arrival, we enjoy a boat trip along the river�s narrow waterways, overhung with dense vegetation to see around Cai Be floating market with local people selling, buying, exchanging goods from their boats.


We will have the opportunity to walk around to see orchards, rice paper making, and rice crisp cake producing process, etc... For lunch, the local people will serve you the local delicacy - an Elephant�s-Ear fish. Continue taking a boat trip through a village to see peaceful tranquil life of villagers, admire marvelous natural setting of Mekong Delta region.


Stop at Vinh Long market for 30 minutes to enjoy local business before we drive back to Ho Vi Minh City. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.


Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City tour - Da Nang

Built on the site of an ancient Khmer settlement and an outpost for early pioneers in the 14th century, Ho Chi Minh City did not begin to come into its own until the early 17th century. The derivation of the name, Saigon, is somewhat vague and centers on its water location. Some say that Saigon comes from the Annamese word Thay Ngon, meaning a highly populated area near a dammed river. Others claim that Sai Gon is a transcription of the Khymer word Prei Kor or The Kapok Tree Forest. In any case, the city is fast regaining its reputation as one of Asia�s most vibrant cities. The tree-lined boulevards and French colonial architecture hearken to the city�s recent past, while the bustling markets, changing infrastructure and dynamism of the people look to the future.



In the morning, we discover the city and come to visit to the Reunification Palace, the former palace of President Thieu and his predecessors. Today this building is a museum and venue for official receptions. Inside you can visit the private rooms of the president, the �War Room� from where the South Vietnamese forces were controlled, and, most poignantly, the room where the North Vietnamese army finally took control in 1975. Nearby are the Post Office and the Notre Dame Cathedral, built between 1877 and 1883 and one of the city�s major landmarks. Neo-Romanesque in form, Notre Dame is the major seat of the Catholic religion in modern Vietnam. Continue to the War Remains Museum, where you can learn a lot about the Vietnam War


Afternoon, you are free for a walking tour around Dong Khoi St (formerly Rue Catinat) and Le Cong Kieu St., two of Saigon�s most famous street or just shopping in Ben Thanh market until time transfer to airport for flight to the central coastal city of Da Nang. Upon arrival, transfer to the ancient port town of Hoi An. Check in and free at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An.


Day 4: Hoi An tours

Morning we will visit Hoian ancient town with it�s the Japanese Covered Bridge, the different Chinese Assembly Halls and old pagodas and especially old houses.


Before the river silted up, Hoian was one of the most important trading ports in Southeast Asia, and a center for East-West exchange and trade. From the 2nd until the 10th century, Hoian was one of the principal Cham cities. Over the years, Indian, Dutch, Portuguese, French, Thai, Indonesian, Spanish, American, Japanese, Filipino and Chinese ships docked in Hoi An. In the 19th century, as the result of warfare and environmental changes, Hoian was replaced by Da Nang as a major port. Reflecting the diversity of the traders and missionaries that settled in the port (including the Jesuit priest Fr. Alexander de Rhodes), the ancient architecture is a fascinating mix of Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese. The rooftops of Hoian retain a magical old world Oriental feel and are a favorite subject for Vietnamese artists. In the early 1980s, Hoian�s ancient quarter and historical monuments came under the protection and restoration efforts of UNESCO and the Polish government.


Hoian is also a wonderful town to shop for silk and cotton cloth, especially fast tailor-made clothing. The afternoon is free to browse for souvenirs in Hoian or perhaps hire a bicycle to ride to the nearby Cua Dai Beach. Overnight in Hoian.


Day 5: Hoi An - Da Nang - Ha Noi

In the morning we will have a short drive to Da Nang airport for a short flight to Hanoi, the charming capital of Vietnam. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel and enjoy a lunch before spending the half day to discover the city.


Hanoi, located at the confluence of the Red and Duong Rivers, has come a long way from the stilt houses of the stone and bronze age dwellers of four and five thousand years ago. Myths link Hanoi�s origins to the center of the earth, with visions of soaring dragons, and fears of invasions or fierce winds from the north.


Between Chinese power struggles, peasant rebellions, invasions from warring Mongols, the French occupation and American bombing attacks, the city has undergone and continues to undergo tremendous growth and change. Today�s Hanoi, �the city inside a bend of the Red River,� is a blend of thousand-year-old temples, tube houses, neo-Parisian buildings, and new, modern hotels and office buildings.


One of the most interesting shrines in Hanoi is the Temple of Literature, called �Le Pagoda des Corbeaux� by the French, because of the huge flocks of crows gathering in the mango trees near the entrance. Built in 1070, the complex consists of five courtyards dedicated to Confucius and the pursuit of Confucian thought and behavior. It is here that Vietnam�s first university was founded. You will begin the afternoon with a visit to this very popular place.


From here, you will enjoy a cyclo ride to the Hanoi Old Quarter. Here many tiny streets join to sell a huge diversity of products. In the old days, each street bore the name of the product sold � �Shoe Street,� �Noodle Street,� and the like. Today, the streets sometimes sell a variety of items, but often the names are accurate. The Old Quarter also houses some of the most interesting art galleries and fashion houses.


Leaving the cyclo tour, you will walk around Hoan Kiem Lake in the middle of the city and visit Ngoc Son pagoda. Continuing attend a performance of the Hanoi Water Puppets.It may be a bit touristy, but it is fun and gives you a good sense of Vietnamese mythology. Overnight in Ha Noi.


Day 6: Ha Noi - Halong - Ha Noi

After breakfast we cross the Red River towards Halong city. The three-hours-drive stops en route at Hong Ngoc, where we will have time for a drink and see local people manufacturing different kinds of handicrafts.


On arrival Halong city we get in boat for a fantastic cruise through Ha Long Bay (approx. 4 hours). Declared as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, Halong Bay is one of Vietnam�s most spectacular natural attractions. Located about 200 km from Hanoi, the bay covers an area of more than 1500 square meters and is dotted with thousands of limestone islands, which rises from the clear green waters like sculptures crafted by the gods.


We will enjoy lunch with fresh sea food while having a cool drink before leave the boat to see the Heavenly Palace Grotto and Driftwood cave, one of the highlights around the bay. Come back boat and return Hanoi in the late afternoon. Overnight in Ha Noi.


Day 7: Ha Noi - Departure

Free at leisure in Ha Noi until time transfer to airport for departure or extension.



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Days:>= 5 days
Price:N/A
Start from:  Ho Chi Minh City

Sender

Name: Huong Giang tourist

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Related Places

Ho Chi Minh City Vinh Long Da Nang
Hoi An Hanoi Ha Long Bay