HIGHLIGHTS OF VIETNAM ( Code VNCN01 )

Destinations:  Ha Noi - Ha Long - Sa Pa - Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh - My Tho

Duration:  13 days / 12 nights

itinerary:   

Day 1: Hanoi, Welcome to Vietnam

You’ll be greeted at the Noi Bai International Airport and transfer to Ha Noi Check into your hotel. Today you’ll land in Hanoi, a city of lakes, shaded boulevards, public parks, and the capital of Vietnam.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B L D)

Today's sightseeing illustrates the cultural link between China and Vietnam. Visit Ho Chi Minh's house, the Temple of Literature, One-Pillared Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple, the city's Fine Arts Museum. After a rickshaw ride through the Old Quarter, join fellow travellers at tonight's welcome dinner.

Day 3: Hanoi to Ha Long Bay (B L D)

This morning, we’ll drive from Hanoi to one of the most magnificent scenic environments in the world, Ha Long Bay. Covering 577 square miles, this vast bay is filled with more than 3,000 limestone “peaks” or karsts that jut from the deep blue water as far as the eye can see. We’ll spend a day and a half, including an overnight with dinner and breakfast onboard, exploring this overwhelming seascape from the decks of a traditional Vietnamese boat. Comfortable and intimate, your boat features hand-crafted wooden interiors including a dining room and pleasant air-conditioned cabins with private baths. Since we’re overnight on the water, we’ll be able to explore Ha Long Bay’s most beautiful spots with time to swim and even visit some of the largest rock formations and caves. This promises to be one of your most memorable travel experiences in Viet Nam.

Day 4: Ha Long Bay to Hanoi (B L D)

After breakfast onboard and a full morning in Ha Long Bay, we disembark about noon and return to Hanoi. On arrival in Hanoi, transfer to the Hotel for a chance to freshen up and have dinner before transfer to the rail station to set off on an overnight journey aboard the air-conditioned 'Tulico' train.

Day 5: Lao Cai to Sapa (B L)

Leave the train at Lao Cai, to travel by road to the French-built hill station of Sapa. The town shares a little-visited and beautiful valley with six traditional ethnic minority villages; today you visit the H'mong Dao hill tribe, the Silver Waterfall and Rattan Bridge. Tonight is free for you to enjoy Sapa and explore on your own.

Day 6: Sapa to Lao Cai (B L D)

A walking tour in Sapa this morning visits the busy market where Red Dzao, Black H'mong and other minority peoples from the surrounding countryside converge to sell their embroidery, silver jewelry and handicrafts. Then transfer by road to Lao Cai Station to rejoin the 'Tulico' for an overnight journey back to Hanoi.

Day 7: Hanoi to Hue (B L)

On arrival in Hanoi, transfer to the Hotel for a chance to freshen up before flying to Hue, former imperial capital of Vietnam. Arrive in Hue, Check into your hotel. Then go for a tour round Hue by "Xich Lo" or Bicycle to visit the Forbidden Purple City and Dong Ba Market.

Day 8: Hue to Da Nang & Hoi An (B L)

Boat trip on Perfume River to Thien Mu pagoda and the lavish Tu Duc and Minh Mang Mausoleums before driving to Hoi An via the scenic Hai Van Pass, Lang Co beach, Cham Museum's. Upon arrival, enjoy the balance of the evening to explore Hoi An on your own.

Day 9: Explore Hoi An (B L D)

A full-day tour here includes the Japanese Covered Bridge, the beautiful Chinese Assembly Halls, the Phuoc Kien Pagoda, and the local market. You’ll also take a boat trip on the Thu Bon River to a village of woodworkers and boat building families on Thanh Ha Island, My Son holy land. Later visit a local school for a very special visit with what are sure to become your newest friends. The evening is free.

Day 10: Hoi An to Da Nang & Ho Chi Minh City (B D)

The day is free, Hoi An is a beach resort that’s easy to explore on your own, especially by bicycle. In the late afternoon, we drive to Danang and fly on to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Here you’ll see the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life everywhere – in the street markets, sidewalk cafes and sleek new restaurants and pubs. Yet within this teeming metropolis are 300 years of timeless traditions and the beauty of an ancient culture. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the Good Restaurant. The remainder of the evening is free.

Day 11 Ho Chi Minh City Tour (B L)

This morning enjoy a city tour that includes the Reunification Hall, formerly known as the Presidential Palace. It was towards this modern building that Communist tanks rolled on the morning of April 30, 1975, as Saigon fell. This fascinating building is filled with history still fresh in the minds of many. The tour also includes the Old Post Office, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Jade Emperor Pagoda, Chinatown and Binh Tay Market – the central market for the city and one of the liveliest areas. Next we visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, the incredible network of tunnels that once stretched for 210 miles. This underground complex was built by guerilla fighters beginning in 1940 and construction continued throughout the Vietnam War. We return to our hotel where the evening is free.

Day 12 My Tho/Mekong River Boat Trip (B L )

Today takes you to My Tho, the capital of Tien Giang Province. Situated on the Mekong River, 75 kilometers southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, the city is surrounded by orchards and rice fields, which produce grain for the entire country. Visit one or two of the islands that produce traditional handcrafts, coconut candy and bee farms. Visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda, the oldest one in the delta on your boat trip on the Mekong River. We return to our hotel where the evening is free.

Day 13 Departure Ho Chi Minh City (B)

Your program with us finishes after breakfast, and then transfer to the airport for your flight home. "Goodbye and see you again! - Chao tam biet va Hen gap lai!"  

Price : USD/Person

All This Included

Meals as specified: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D)

Transfers, flights Ha Noi to Hue, Danang to Ho Chi Minh.

Fully guided sightseeing as noted in the itinerary including park and entrance fees.

Bottled water supplied during sightseeing.

Accommodations on this Tour: Standard is 2 stars, Superior is 3 stars, Deluxe is 4 stars hotels.

Excluded: Airport taxes, fees, Vietnam departure taxes, optional tours, tips to local guides, drivers & visa fees.

What to bring: It is wise to travel light, here are things you have; passport, good shoes for trekking, rain gears, hat, sun cream, extra clothes, camera with lots of films, your sense of adventure, meeting and trying locals.

Notes: Upgrade is available upon requests. This tour costs are for private tours.