Hanoi

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

You will be met at the airport and transferred to your centrally located hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi  (B)

Today we commence our exploration of Hanoi by visiting the Ho Chi Minh complex, starting at the President’s Mausoleum. We continue to his humble “house on stilts”, see the French colonial Presidential Palace and the 11th century One-Pillar Pagoda. Afterwards we go to the Museum of Ethnology, which is an excellent museum containing the ethnic costumes of the various minorities of VN, as well as relics, tools and even full size replicas of their homes and buildings.
After lunch, we visit the Temple of Literature, the first Vietnam University dating to 1070. We then take a Cyclo tour through the Old Quarter, walk around the Hoan Kiem Lake before attending a famous Water Puppet show.

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 3: Hanoi -  Halong Bay (B/L/D)

We leave Hanoi for 3-hour drive to the Halong Bay, a natural wonder with thousands of islands rising out of the water, creating a unique and beautiful landscape. On arrival we board our traditional junk for a journey through the 3000 limestone islands dotted with caves and grottoes.
There is time for exploring the Bay at a leisure pace: swimming, relaxing and experiencing the magic of falling asleep on board in this beautiful part of the world.

Overnight on Junk

Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B/L)

Early risers can enjoy a morning swim in a quite firth. After breakfast, continue enjoy cruising and swimming until time for lunch and check out procedure. The junk arrives at the quay around 10.30am. We drive back Hanoi with a stop at Dong Trieu ceramic and pottery village.

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 5: Hanoi – Hue (B)

A short domestic flight takes you from Hanoi to Hue, the ancient Imperial city. In the afternoon we begin to see the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden City, created in the 19th century for the Emperors under Nguyen Dynasty. We then drive outskirts of Hue to the impressive tomb of King Khai Dinh.

Overnight in Hue

Day 6: Hue – Hoi An (B)

This morning we take a boat ride along the romantic Perfume River. We stop at Thien Mu Pagoda to see the 7-storey octagonal tower and an old Austin car which transported the bonze Thich Quang to Saigon in 1963 for his self-immolation. Continue tour by boat to Minh Mang Tomb built between 1841 and 1843. The Emperor’s tomb complex consists of 40 constructions (palaces, temples, pavilions etc) designed on a symmetric axis.
This afternoon we travel by road over spectacular Hai Van pass to Hoi An ancient town.

Overnight in Hoi An

Day 7: 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 colorful local markets.
The afternoon is free to relax or hire a bicycle to ride to the nearby beach.

Overnight in Hoi An

Day 8: Ho Chi Minh city - Cu Chi Tunnels (B)

In the early morning we transfer to Danang airport to fly to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Upon arrival, we take a half-day city tour. We explore city’s grand boulevards, passing famous sites such as the Re-Unification Palace, the Old Saigon Post Office, and the Notre Dame Cathedral.
We leave Saigon after lunch to Cu Chi tunnels, an incredible underground system covering nearly 250km, was shelter to over 16,000 communist guerillas during the war. Come back Ho Chi Minh city in late afternoon.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city

Day 9: Mekong Delta (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. Upon arrival Vinh Long province, we will boat through the lush green vegetations of the canals to an orchard, where you leave boat for a delicious lunch complete with a local delicacy – the Elephant’s Eye Fish. Continue taking a boat trip to Cai Be floating market which offers great insight into the daily lives of the locals along the rivers and canals. We also visit a snake farm in My Tho on the way back.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City Departure (B)

Free at your leisure until transfer to airport for your return flight.

(B): Breakfast
(L): Lunch
(D): Dinner

Hotels to be used:

In Hanoi:
Deluxe: Sofitel Plaza Hanoi Hotel/ Sheraton Hanoi Hotel/ Melia Hanoi Hotel or similar
Superior: Zephyr Hotel/ Sunway Hanoi Hotel/ Fortuna Hotel/ Serenade Hotel or similar
Standard: Jasper Hotel/ Majestic Salute Hotel/ Galaxy Hotel/ Hoa Binh Palace Hotel or similar
Economy: Hong Ngoc Hotel/ Gia Bao Hotel/ Flower Hotel or similar

In Halong:
Deluxe: Bhaya cruises
Superior: Bhaya cruises
Standard: Hai Long Junk/ Bai Tho Junk or similar
Economy: Hai Long Junk/ Bai Tho Junk or similar

In Hue:
Deluxe: La Residence Hotel & Spa/ Imperial Hotel or similar
Superior: Saigon Morin Hotel/ Huong Giang Hotel/ Pilgrimage Village Resort or similar
Standard: Park view Hotel/ Festival Hotel/ Asia Hotel or similar
Economy: Duy Tan hotel/ Hoa Hong Hotel or similar

In Hoian:
Deluxe: Golden Sand Resort/ Victoria Hoi An Resort/ Palm Garden Resort or similar
Superior: Hoian Beach Resort/ Hoian Trails Resort/ Hoian Riverside resort or similar
Standard: Ancient House Resort/ Hoi an Hotel or similar
Economy: Vinh Hung 2 Hotel/ Hoai Thanh Hotel/Thuy Duong 3 Hotel or similar

In Ho Chi Minh City:
Deluxe: Caravelle Hotel/New World Hotel/ Sofitel Plaza Saigon Hotel/ Renaissance Riverside Hotel/ Legend Hotel/ Equatorial Hotel or similar
Superior: Kim Do Hotel/ Rex  Hotel/ Continental Hotel/ Park Royal Saigon Hotel/ Windsor Plaza Hotel or similar
Standard: Bongsen 1 Hotel/ Palace Hotel/Vien Dong Hotel/ Metropole Hotel/ May Hotel/ Thang Long-Oscar/ Tan My Dinh II Hotel or similar
Economy: Empress Hotel/ Chancery Hotel/ Saigon Hotel/ Elios Hotel or similar

* All hotels are subject to availability