Vietnam > Ho Chi Minh City > Tour

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 01 : ARRIVAL HOCHIMINH CITY (D)

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam’s commercial heart and largest city. Transfer to your hotel followed by a tour briefing, welcome drinks and your first taste of Vietnamese cuisine. Accommodation

Day 02 : HOCHIMINH - CU CHI (B, L)

Start with a walking tour of Saigon visiting the many famous and historic landmarks of the city. We walk up famous Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat) past the theatre, Rex Hotel, Town Hall and the Notre Dame Cathedral. We tour inside the Presidential Palace and War Crimes Museum and then drive to the bustling Cholon district (Chinatown). Visit Binh Tay, the huge wholesale market and the ornate Thien Hau temple before lunch. In the afternoon travel to the famous Vietcong tunnels at Cu Chi. This incredible system, covering nearly 250km, was shelter to over 16,000 communist guerillas during the war. We gain an insight into the tenacity of these soldiers and have the opportunity to go inside the tunnels. We return to Saigon late in the afternoon, with the remainder of the day free to explore on your own.

Day 03 : MEKONG DELTA (B, L)

This morning travel south into the heart of the Mekong Delta. En route, pass farmers tending their fields and drying produce on the road-side. At My Tho, we board our boat for the journey along one of the Mekong’s main tributaries. We stop at islands such as Phoenix or Unicorn and visit local farmers and cottage industries, including a coconut candy factory and a honey farm. We walk through tropical fruit orchards and sample the local produce. Finally, we board sampans and travel the narrow canals of the Delta before returning to Saigon via My Tho. We arrive midafternoon, with the remainder of the day free for last minute shopping or exploration of Vietnam’s biggest city.

Day 04 : SAIGON - DA NANG - HOI AN (B, L)

This morning fly to Danang, Vietnam’s forth largest city on Central coast. At Danang we stop at the unique Cham museum, dedicated to the Hindu inspired sculpture of the Cham people. We continue south to the numerous caves and Buddhist shrines of the Marble Mountains and stop at famous China Beach. Finally, we arrive in the enchanting port town of Hoi An in the late afternoon, and enjoy a brief walking tour. We follow narrow lanes lined with centuries -old buildings influenced by Chinese, Japanese, French and European architecture, and visit the town’s traditional market and riverfront area. In the evening we enjoy a fun cooking class at a friend’s restaurant.Accommodation

Day 05 : HOI AN (B, L)

Today is free to enjoy this quaint town and its numerous places of interest. Explore art and handicraft galleries, get some clothes tailor-made, relax at the riverside restaurants or take the short journey to the nearby beach. In the late afternoon there is the option of gentle cruise on the Thu Bon River.

Day 06 : HOI AN - HUE (B, L)

We leave Hoi An for the spectacular road journey north to Hue, Vietnam’s former capital, on the scenic central coast. Hue, divided by the beautiful Perfume River, is the centre for Buddhism, art and literature, and was the last imperial capital of Vietnam. On the way to Hue we drive through beautiful rural and coastal scenery climbing impressive Hai Van Pass and a short stop at Lang Co fishing village for a cup of coffee. On arrival at Hue our first stop is the Citadel, former home to the emperors, and then to Thien Mu pagoda, Hue’s oldest and most beautiful pagoda. We travel back by dragon boat along the Perfume River. Later, we drive to the outskirts of Hue and the impressive tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, 4th King of the Nguyen dynasty. In the evening sample Hue’s famous cuisine. Accommodation

Day 07: HUE TO HANOI (B, L)

This morning we fly to Hanoi, Vietnam’s gracious capital. We begin with a walk throughout the Ho Chi Minh quarter, then continue on to the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” prison. In the evening see a unique display of water puppetry. Accommodation:

Day 08 : HA LONG BAY

This morning we travel east to Halong Bay, Vietnam’s greatest natural wonder. We spend the day cruising among some of the 3,000 limestone islands that rise out of the sea, and explore spectacular caves and grottoes. There’s an opportunity to take a swim (weather permitting) and we enjoy a superb seafood lunch on board. In the afternoon we return to Hanoi, stopping at a ceramic village en route. This evening is free to relax or explore on your own.

Day 09 : HANOI CITY TOUR (B,L,D)

This morning we return to the Ho Chi Minh Quarter. We start with a visit to the mausoleum – set on the spot in Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh first declared independence from the French in 1945.We continue to the humble “house on stilts” from where Ho Chi Minh ruled north Vietnam until his death in 1969. We also see the French colonial presidential palace, the amazing Ho Chi Minh museum and One Pillar Pagoda, dating from the 11th century. We then visit the Temple of Literature, Hanoi’s first university, dating to 1070. Slightly damaged during B52 bombing, the Temple has been restored and today remains a place of Confucian worship. The remainder of the afternoon is free for last minute shopping or your own exploration. In the evening, join the group for a farewell with our last taste of Vietnamese cuisine.

Day 10: HANOI - DEPARTURE

Free untill transfer to NOI BAI airport for flying to your next destionation.