Hanoi

Tour

Vietnam Overview Tour

Detail Itinerary

Day 1:  Hanoi -  Arrival
Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport our guide who will accompany you to your hotel and assist with your check-in procedures will welcome you. There are no activities planned for today but your guide will be able to offer assistance and advice before taking you out to sample some of Hanoi's superb cuisine.Overnight in Hanoi

Day 2 : Hanoi - Train [B]
Sightseeing Hanoi (full day)
Hanoi, a city of lakes, shaded boulevards and public parks, is the capital of Vietnam. It is a very attractive city with French style buildings and less traffic than other cities in Asia.
ONE PILLAR PAGODA: built by the Emperor Ly Thai Tong, who ruled from 1028 to 1054. Constructed of wood on a single stone pillar, it is designed to resemble a lotus blossom.
TEMPLE OF LITERATURE: founded in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, who dedicated it to Confucius in order to honor scholars and men of literary accomplishment.
HOAN KIEM LAKE: right in the heart of Hanoi, this lake contains an islet with the tiny Tortoise Pagoda, topped with a red star.
HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM: in the tradition of Lenin and Stalin before him and Mao after him, the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh is a glass sarcophagus set deep in the bowels of a monumental edifice that has become a site of pilgrimage. (Closed Mondays and Fridays).
OPERA HOUSE: a magnificent 900-seat opera house built in 1911. (May be viewed from the outside only).
ST JOSEPH CATHEDRAL: a neo-Gothic cathedral finished in 1886, it is noteworthy for its square towers, elaborate altar and stained-glass windows.
BAO TANG LICH: once the museum of the Ecole Francaise d'Extreme Orient, is a building constructed of reinforced concrete completed in 1930. Exhibits include artefacts from Vietnam's turbulent history including some from prehistory, proto-Vietnamese civilisations, the Dong Son culture, the Oc-Eo culture and the Khmer Kingdoms. (Closed on Monday's)
Visit Water Puppet Show
WATER PUPPET SHOW: a fantastic art form originating in northern Vietnam, best seen in Hanoi. The Municipal Water Puppet Theater is located on the shore of Hoan Kiem Lake.
By Soft Sleeper Train from Hanoi to Lao Cai
The Express Train is made up of two carriages and one restaurant car. The two carriages, offering 5 Superior (4 berths) and 2 Deluxe (2 berths) compartments feature air-conditioning, wood paneled interiors, individual reading lights, baggage storage and ample space for hand luggage. The restaurant, with a corner bar and ten four-person tables, offers Vietnamese and Western cuisine, snacks and drinks.
The Express train departs every day a week from Hanoi Railway Station:.The journey takes 10 hours in total.Overnight in train.

Day 3 : Lao Cai - Sa Pa [B]
Transfer from Lao Cai train station to Sa Pa
Sightseeing Sa Pa
Sa Pa is a hill station built in 1922 which lies in a beautiful valley with Fansipan Mountain overlooking the valley. Sapa has both Hmong and Dzao people, the largest and most colorful ethnic groups in the region.
MARKET: Montagnards from surrounding villages don their most colorful costumes and head to the market on Saturday.
THAC BAC WATERFALL: a 100 meter high waterfall, particularly impressive during the rainy season.
TRAM TON PASS: a pass on the north side of Fansipan. At 1900 meters, this is the highest mountain pass in Vietnam. Aside from the magnificent views, it is know for its sudden, dramatic shifts in climate, from fog to sunshine.Overnight in Sa Pa.

Day 4:  Sa Pa [B]
Hiking excursion to visit the ethnic minorities of the Sa Pa area
Explore villages of various hill tribes around Sa Pa.Overnight in Sa Pa.

Day 5 :Sa Pa - Hanoi [B]
By vehicle from Sa Pa to Hanoi
Journey southeast along minor roads past Van Ban and Viet Tri.Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 6 : Hanoi - Danang - Hoi An [B]
Flight from Hanoi to Danang
By vehicle from Danang to Hoi An
Journey south past the Marble Mountains and small villages.Relaxing walk to explore neighbouring streets.Overnight in Hoi An..

Day 7 : Hoi An - Hue [B]
By vehicle from Hoi An to Hue
Journey north along Highway 1 past Danang, Lang Co and the Hai Van Pass.
HAI VAN PASS: the pass crosses over a spur of the Truong Son Mountain Range that juts into the South China Sea. It is an incredible mountainous stretch of highway with spectacular views.
LANG CO: a pretty, island-like stretch of palm-shaded sand with a crystal-clear lagoon on one side and many kilometers of beachfront facing the South China Sea.
Sightseeing old Imperial City
IMPERIAL CITY: located in the Citadel, it was built in the early 19th century and modeled after the Forbidden City in Peking. There are numerous palaces and temples within these walls, as well as towers, a library and a museum.
NGO MON GATE: the principal entrance to the Imperial Enclosure, facing the Flag Tower. The central passageway with its yellow doors was reserved for use by the emperor, as was the bridge across the lotus pond.
THAI HOA PALACE: built in 1803 and moved to its present site in 1833, Thai Hoa Palace is a spacious hall with an ornate roof of huge timbers supported by 80 carved and lacquered columns.
HALLS OF THE MANDARINS: these buildings, in which the mandarins prepared for court ceremonies held in the Can Chanh Reception Hall, were restored in 1977.
NINE DYNASTIC URNS: these were cast in 1835-36. Traditional ornamentation was then chiseled into the sides of the urns, each dedicated to a different Nguyen sovereign.
FORBIDDEN PURPLE CITY: this was reserved for the personal use of the emperor. The only servants allowed into the compound were eunuchs, who would pose no threat to the royal concubines. (Today the site is in ruins).
Visit Dong Ba Market
DONG BA MARKET: a local market near the Imperial City.Overnight in Hue.

Day 8 : Hue [B]
Sightseeing Thien Mu Pagoda and Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang with boat trip
THIEN MU PAGODA: just outside of Hue, on the bank of the Perfume River, this was a hotbed of anti-government protest during the early 1960s. Behind the main sanctuary of the pagoda is the Austin motorcar which transported the monk Thich Quang Duc to the site of his 1963 self-immolation.
TOMB OF EMPEROR MINH MANG: a complex built in 1840 by King Minh Mang, known for its magnificent architecture, military statuaries and elaborate decorations. It is perhaps the most beautiful of Hue's pagodas and tombs.
Sightseeing Imperial Tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh
TU DUC TOMB: Emperor Tu Duc, who ruled Hue more than 100 years ago, built his tomb when he was still alive and used it for meditation, reading and theater performances. There are pavilions in a tranquil setting of forested hills and lakes. The tomb was constructed between 1864 and 1867. Tu Duc, who was the longest reigning Emperor, lived a luxurious life.
KHAI DINH: this was the last monument of the Nguyen dynasty and was constructed between 1920 and 1931. It sits magnificently on the slopes of Chau E Mountain in Chau Chau Village. It has a long staircase flanked by dragons. There are ceiling murals and ceramic frescoes.Overnight in Hue.

Day 9: Hue - Saigon [B]
Flight from Hue to Saigon
Sightseeing Saigon and Cholon (Chinatown)8 hrs
Saigon is the largest of Vietnamese cities, with the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life visible everywhere. There are street markets, sidewalk cafes and sleek new bars. The city churns and bubbles. Yet within this teeming metropolis are 300 years of timeless traditions and the beauty of an ancient culture. To the west of the city is District 5, the huge Chinese neighborhood called Cholon, which means 'Big Market'.
NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL: built between 1877 and 1883 and set in the heart of Saigon's government quarter. It has a neo-Romanesque form and two high square towers, tipped with iron spires. In front of the cathedral is a statue of the Virgin Mary.
CENTRAL POST OFFICE: a French-style building with a glass canopy and iron frame, situated next to the Notre Dame Cathedral. The structure was built between 1886 and 1891 and is by far the largest post office in Vietnam.
CITY HALL: completed in 1908, also known as “Hotel de Ville”, and located at the northern end of Nguyen Hue Boulevard. With its ornate gingerbread façade, it looks like the town hall of a French town. (May be viewed from the outside only).
OPERA HOUSE: built around the turn of the century and first renovated in the 1940s, the building housed the lower division of the National Assembly. Today it is a Municipal Theatre and also known as the Saigon Concert Hall. (May be viewed from the outside only).
JADE EMPEROR PAGODA: was a key meeting place for Chinese secret societies. It has very colorful and mysterious ambience.
REUNIFICATION PALACE: this was the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president and was stormed by tanks on 30 April 1975, signifying the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved in its original state.
WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM: collections of weapons and photographs from two Indochina wars are exhibited along with the original French 'Guillotine' brought here in the early 20th century.
BEN THANH MARKET: the central market of Saigon, its surrounding streets make up one of the city's liveliest areas. Everything commonly eaten, worn or used by the average resident of Saigon is available here.
GIAC LAM PAGODA: the oldest pagoda in Saigon, built at the end of the 17th century. Because the last reconstruction here was in 1900, the architecture, layout and ornamentation remain almost unaltered by the modernist renovations that have transformed so many other religious structures in Vietnam. Ten monks live in this pagoda, which also incorporates aspects of Taoism and Confucianism.
BINH TAY MARKET: Cholon's main marketplace, much of the business conducted here is wholesale.
THIEN HAU PAGODA: built by the Cantonese congregation in the early 19th century. The pagoda is one of the most active in Cholon and is dedicated to Thien Hau. It is said that she can travel over the oceans on a mat and ride the clouds to wherever she pleases.Overnight in Saigon.

Day 10 : Saigon [B]
Excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels and Tay Ninh
CU CHI TUNNELS: Cu Chi was an important base during the American War, because of its strategic location. The Vietcong built a 200km long network of tunnels connecting command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapon factories. Dug out of hard laterite by hand tools without the use of cement, this amazing network was never discovered.
TAY NINH: this town serves as the headquarters of one of Vietnam's religions, Caodism. The Caodai Great Temple at the sect's Holy See is one of the most striking structures in all of Asia and was built between 1933 and 1955. The area's dominant geographic feature is Nui Ba Den (Black Lady Mountain), which towers 850m above the surrounding plains.
Please note that shortly before and during the annual TET festival (Vietnamese New Year) the daily ceremony of the priests in Tay Ninh may be cancelled without prior notice.Overnight in Saigon.

Day 11 : Saigon - Vinh Long - Can Tho [B]
By vehicle from Saigon to Vinh Long
Journey southwest to the Mekong Delta past My Tho.
MY THO: capital of Tien Giang Province. The economy is based on fishing and the cultivation of rice, coconuts, bananas, mangoes, longans and citrus fruit.
Excursion to Mekong River Islands
MEKONG RIVER ISLANDS: there are many of these beautiful small islands in the river, totally given over to agriculture, especially the growing of tropical fruits, which are shipped to Saigon. Some of the most popular islands to visit include Binh Hoa Phuoc and An Binh Island with their 'monkey bridges', or makeshift footbridges built of uneven logs above the canals.
By vehicle from Vinh Long to Can Tho
Journey southwest in Vinh Long Province and then via ferry across the Hau Giang River.
Overnight in Can Tho.

Day 12 : Can Tho - Saigon [B]
Excursion to Cai Rang Floating Market with boat trip
By vehicle in the direction of Soc Trang to the Cau Dau Sau landing and then by boat about 15 minutes to reach the floating market.
By vehicle from Can Tho to Saigon
Journey first across the Hau Giang River by ferry between Can Tho and Vinh Long and then past Vinh Long and My Tho.
VINH LONG: capital of the province, this is a medium-sized town along the banks of the Mekong River about midway between My Tho and Can Tho. From Vinh Long, one can access all the islands in the river, all of which which are totally given over to agriculture.
MY THO: capital of Tien Giang Province and one of the poorest cities in the delta. The economy is based on fishing and the cultivation of rice, coconuts, bananas, mangoes, longans and citrus fruit.Overnight in Saigon.

Day 13 : Saigon - Departure [ B]
to day we have free time until transfer to airport for your fligt to your home

More: GTT

Green Trail Tours … Taking the Paths Less Travelled International Travel License No.0595/TCDL - GPLHQT
Add: Suite #1016 - B4 Building - Tran Dang Ninh Street - Cau Giay district - Hanoi - Vietnam
Telex: + (844 ) 37 54 52 68 # 103
Fax: + (844) 37 54 52 77
Website: http://www.greentrail-indochina.com / http://www.greentrailtourism.com
Email: greentrailtours@fpt.vn / info@greentrail-indochina.com / tours@greentrailtourism.com

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Related Places

Hanoi	Lao Cai	Sapa
Da Nang	Hoi An	Hue
Ho Chi Minh City	Cu Chi Tunnel	Vinh Long
Can Tho