Vietnam > Ho Chi Minh City > Tour

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 Saigon and Hanoi to the enchanting port town of Hoian and finally the majesty of Halong Bay. It is also easy to connect to tours of neighbour countries.

FULL ITINERARY

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City Arrival

You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel; the rest of the day will be at your leisure.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 2: Mekong Delta - My Tho (B/L)

After breakfast we travel out of Ho Chi Minh city and spend full day floating through waterways on an exploration of the lush Mekong Delta region. We will boat through the lush green vegetations of the canals to an orchard, where you disembark for a delicious lunch complete with a local delicacy - the Elephant's Eye Fish. We later visit bonsai garden, boat building workshop, coconut candy and girdle cake shops. Drive back to Sai Gon.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh city - Hoi An (B)

This morning begins a walking tour of Saigon's famous and historic city landmarks. We visit the Reunification Palace, the Central Post Office, the Notre Dame Cathedal, and the War Remnants Museum. The afternoon is free for further exploration of the city until take a short flight to Da Nang and then transfer to ancient town of Hoi An.
Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 4: Hoi An (B)

In the morning, we will enjoy a half-day walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the Ancient Quarter visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Halls, the 200-year old Tam Ky ancestral house, the Japanese Covered Bridge and the lively local markets.
The afternoon is free to relax or hire a bicycle to ride to the Cua Dai beach nearby.
Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 5: Hoi An - Hanoi (B)

After breakfast we transfer to Da Nang airport for your flight to Hanoi, the charming capital of Vietnam. In the afternoon, we start our city tour with visit to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam�s first university dating to 1070. We then explore the fascinating Old Quarter of Hanoi by cyclo, a series of 36 ancient streets named after the traditional products they sell. We continue walking around the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake to visit Ngoc Son pagoda before enjoy a performance of the unique art of traditional water puppetry.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 6: Halong Bay (B/L)

This morning we travel east to Halong Bay, one of natural wonders of the world. We will enjoy a four-hour cruising among some of the 3,000 limestone islands that rise out of the sea, and explore spectacular Heavenly Palace Grotto and Driftwood Cave. A superb seafood lunch will served on board. We come back Hanoi in late afternoon.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Free at leisure in Hanoi until transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

TOUR PRICES

Price are in USD for per person. As Essential Vietnam is a private tour, the price per person varies and depends on your group size as below:

Valid from 01 Oct to 31 Dec 2008

Valid from 01 Jan to 30 Sep 2009

Price Inclusions

- Private boat trips on Halong Bay and Mekong Delta.
- 06-night hotel accommodation on a twin-share basic .
- 06 Breakfasts (B), 02 Lunches (L) as shown in the itinerary.
- 02 domestic flights (economy class): Saigon- Da Nang, Da Nang - Hanoi.
- Local English speaking guide throughout.
- All land transportation by private air conditioned vehicle.
- Tour arrival and departure airport transfers.
- Sightseeing fees.

Price Exclusions

- Visa fees
- Personal Expenses
- Early check-in and late check-out at the hotels

- International flights to Indochina
- Additional expenses in case of force majeure

DEPARTURE

Tour departs daily upon your request as it is operated on a private basis.

OPTIONAL TOURS

If you are able to spend more time discovering Indochina, it is a great opportunity to combine Essential Vietnam with one of the following options tours:

- Sapa Mountain Retreat (2days/3nights)

- Laos Basix with visits of Luang Prabang and Vientiane (4days/3nights)

- Cambodia Basix with visits of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap (4days/3nights)