Day 1: HANOI / Arrival (D)
Meet
and greet with Viettours’ guide, have an orientation tour before
transfering to hotel. Take a cyclo, the Vietnamese version of the
rickshaw to Indochine Restaurant for an introduction to Vietnamese
food. The restaurant is a well restored French villa, Indochine serves
specialties originating primarily from southern Vietnam. You will no
doubt be introduced to “nuoc mam”, a fermented fish sauce that
compliments most dishes in Vietnam and “cha gio”, Vietnamese spring
rolls. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: HANOI (B-L-D)
A
full day city tour of Vietnam’s capital – Hanoi – cradle of Vietnamese
civilization. Hanoi is a unique Asian city with tree-lined avenues,
French architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental temples. Tour includes
Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, the
Fine Arts Museum, the Lake of the Restored Sword and the Old Quarter.
Lunch at “Cha Ca La Vong” a hundred – year restaurant (to eat history
here!) serving seasoned fish. In the evening a visit to a performance
of the famous water puppets is followed by dinner at the Le Tonkin
restaurant, which specializes in superbly prepared northern Vietnamese
cuisine. Northern Vietnamese food has a strong Chinese influence with
stir-fried dishes and less spicy food popular. Specialties of Hanoi
include “Cha Ca” Hanoi and the ubiquitous noodle and meat soup known as
“Pho” which is usually eaten at pavement food stalls for breakfast,
Vietnam’s answer to fast food. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: HANOI – HALONG (B-L-D)
An
early start for the 160km drive to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage
Site, where 3,000 rocky islands emerge from the emerald green waters. A
fresh seafood lunch is served on board. In the evening a barbecue of
local specialties is served on the terrace of the colonial Halong Bay
Hotel. Overnight in Halong.
Day 4: HANOI – HUE (B-L-D)
Return
to Hanoi by road with a picnic lunch before transferring direct to
Hanoi Airport for the early afternoon flight to Hue (Flight time varies
depending on day of week). On arrival in Hue, transfer to the hotel. In
the evening, have a cyclo ride to Tinh Gia Vien restaurant for dinner.
Food in Hue is spicy with considerable use of chilli and, reflecting
its imperial roots, is often presented in carefully displayed small
servings, a kind of Oriental nouvelle cuisine. Overnight in Hue.
Day 5: HUE (B-L-D)
At
7:30 in the morning, we follow Mrs. Cuc, the owner of Y Thao Garden
House to Dong Ba central market, where she gives an instruction on how
to choose food for our cooking lesson at 9:30 at Y Thao Garden House.
Lunch is the food we prepare. In the afternoon, travel by Dragon Boat
on the romantically named Perfume River to Thien Mu pagoda standing on
the riverbank with its seven-storey tower. Transfer by car to the
Imperial Citadel from which the Nguyen emperors once ruled Vietnam.
Royal banquet at the Huong Giang Hotel on the banks of the Perfume
River.
Day 6: DANANG – HOI AN (B-L-D)
In the
morning, drive to visit Tu Duc Mausoleum with its traditional
Vietnamese architecture. Leave Hue mid-morning for a scenic journey on
Highway One. The Vietnam’s most scenic route passes through the
wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co to the pass of Ocean
Clouds. Lang Co is well known for its fresh seafood restaurants and a
lunch of locally caught shrimps and squid on the edge of the lagoon is
a must. Stop off at Danang to visit the famous Non Nuoc Beach, once a
'rest and recreation' resort for American GIs and pass by the sacred
Marble Mountains whose caves contain dozens of Buddhist shrines. Arrive
at the former trading port of Hoi An around five o’clock in the
afternoon. Transfer to hotel and stroll down to the picturesque river
front for a refreshing drink before dinner at Tam Tam Restaurant,
located in a meticulously restored colonial property and appropriately
run by a French man. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 7: HOI AN (B-L-D)
During
the 17th and 18th centuries, Hoi An was a major Asian trading centre
and much remains as it was then. A morning walking tour of the ancient
town centre takes in former merchants' houses, the 400 year-old
Japanese Covered Bridge and the colorful market. For lunch try the
local specialty, “cao lau”, a delicious soup made with noodles, pork
and greens. This is an original dish found only in Hoi An and made
using the water from the town's ancient well (duly boiled). The
afternoon is free to cycle through rice paddies to the nearby beach,
shop for souvenirs among the antique shops and art galleries or just
sit at a pavement café and soak in the atmosphere of this friendly
little town. For a dinner visit a Hoi An institution, Cargo Restaurant,
whose the owner, Ms Vy, dishes up sumptuous five-course meals featuring
Hoi An's unique cuisine. Expect to sample more Hoi An delicacies like
“hoanh thanh” and “banh vac”. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 8: HOI AN – HO CHI MINH CITY (B-L-D)
Transfer
to Danang Airport after breakfast for the early flight to Ho Chi Minh
City, still called Saigon by many locals. Transfer to hotel with an
orientation tour. After a lunch of “pho” on Pasteur Street, a half day
city tour includes the Unification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral,
General Post Office and Cholon, the city's lively Chinatown. Dinner at
one of Saigon's best-known restaurants, Vietnam House. The cuisine of
the south uses many herbs and spices and has been influenced by
Cambodia, Thailand and India among others. Curries using coconut milk
are an example of this influence. The south also has a wide selection
of tropical fruits and vegetables. Overnight in Saigon.
A
relaxing "Health and Beauty" package is optional. Participants can
enjoy 30 minutes of one of the following: shampoo and head massage;
manicure; foot massage or facial massage.
Day 9: HO CHI MINH CITY – MEKONG DELTA – HO CHI MINH CITY (B-L-D)
Full
day trip to the watery world of My Tho in the Mekong Delta, just a
couple of hours by road from the hustle and bustle of Saigon. Take a
boat trip along the narrow waterways overhung with dense vegetation and
try exotic fruits in one of the many orchards. Try the local specialty
of Elephant's Ear Fish at a riverside restaurant. A fascinating glimpse
into the daily life of the people who work, rest and play on the mighty
Mekong and its numerous tributaries. Finally to Indochine Restaurant in
Saigon, where we can enjoy the chef's cooking demonstration in the
restaurant's airy, open-plan kitchen. Dinner at this beautifully
restored colonial villa is the last supper our culinary tour through
Vietnam. Overnight in Saigon.
Day 10: HO CHI MINH CITY / Departure (B)
Departure day. At leisure until being transfer to the airport for onward flight. Home sweet home.
Days: | >= 5 days |
Price: | 500usd - 1000usd |
Start from: | Hanoi |
Name: viettourism |
Hanoi | Ha Long Bay | Hue | ||
Da Nang | Hoi An | Ho Chi Minh City |