The fruit orchards and swaying
hammocks in the Mekong Delta are a world away from the steep mountains
and culturally vibrant villages in the far north. In between you will
find the ancient port of Hoi An, influenced by traders from Japan to
Holland over the centuries, and fortified Hue. This journey offers you
the complete 'Vietnam Experience"...
DAY 1: ARRIVE HO CHI MINH CITY
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City. Transfer to hotel. Free at leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
DAY 2: HO CHI MINH CITY – CU CHI TUNNELS – HO CHI MINH (B)
In the morning: Half day city tour
of Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals. Visit the
former Presidential Palace (or Historical Museum), the Notre Dame
Cathedral, Central Saigon Post Office, a lacquer ware workshop and
Thien Hau Pagoda in the city’s bustling Chinatown.
In the afternoon: Excursion to the
famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network
constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long struggle
for independence. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
DAY 3: HO CHI MINH CITY – DA NANG – HOI AN – HUE (B)
Transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for
the short flight to Danang. On arrival in Danang transfer to Hoi An, a
major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries whose
architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years. A
walking tour of the ancient town centre offers visits to the former
merchants’ homes, the over 300 year-old Japanese Style Bridge and the
local market. Leave Hoi An for Hue, the former imperial capital of
Vietnam. Stop over the photogenic fishing village of Lang Co. Arrive in
Hue late in the afternoon and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Hue.
DAY 4: HUE (B)
Boat trip on the romantically Perfume
River to visit Hue’s best-known religious site: Thien Mu Pagoda, the
mausoleum of former emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh and the former
forbidden City (Imperial Citadel) from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled
between 1802 and 1945. Overnight in Hue.
DAY 5: HUE – HANOI – HALONG
Transfer to Hue Airport for the short
flight to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. On arrival in Hanoi transfer
by road to Halong via Hai Phong, which still has many impressive
examples of classic European colonial architecture in its town centre.
Short city with a visit to Hang Kenh carpet workshop and Du Hang
Pagoda. Overnight in Halong.
DAY 6: HALONG – HANOI
A morning cruise in a boat (or junk) on
the emerald green waters of Halong Bay, among the 3,000 spectacular
limestone islands with visit to the wonderful grottoes. Seafood lunch
on board before returning to Hanoi by road in the afternoon. Overnight
in Hanoi. (B,L)
DAY 7: HANOI
Hanoi
is a unique city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial
architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental temples will give you the
unforgettable imagines. Full day city tour with visits to Ho Chi Minh’s
Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Fine Arts Museum and Temple of
Literature, Museum of Ethnology and the Lake of the Restored Sword and
the Old Quarter of Vietnam’s capital. Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese
water puppet show in the evening. Overnight in Hanoi.
DAY 8: DEPART HANOI
Departure day. At leisure until transfer to Noi Bai Airport for onward flight. End of service
Inclusive:
Hotel accommodation on TWIN sharing basis with daily breakfast as per itinerary
Transportation with English speaking guide or French speaking guide on SPOT as per itinerary
Lunch on day 6
Entrance fee at tourist sites and boat fee as per itinerary
Exclusive:
International and domestic air fare and airport tax
All lunches and dinners except lunch on day 6
Visa stamping fee
Optional tours, drinks and other personal expenses
