Viet nam Sampler ( Code VNCS01 )

Destinations: Ha Noi - Ha Long - Da Nang - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh

Duration:  8 days / 7 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 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 3: Ha Long Bay to Hanoi (B L)

After breakfast onboard and a full morning in Ha Long Bay, we disembark about noon and return to Hanoi. Today’s sightseeing of Hanoi includes an overview of the city as well as visits to the Temple of Literature, the oldest school in the country. After lunch your city tour continues to the imposing gray marble Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh. Tonight is free for you to enjoy Hanoi and explore on your own.

Day 4: Hanoi to Da Nang and Hoi An (B D)

This morning a flight brings you to the coastal city of Da nang in Vietnam’s Central Region. You visit Cham Museum, an open air collection of some of the finest sandstone carvings in the world, China Beach, and the Marble Mountain, before you continue on to picturesque Hoi An Vietnam’s largest port. Known as Faifo to early western traders, it was one of Southeast Asia’s major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Hoi An was inhabited by Japanese, Indian, Chinese and Portuguese traders; the city is remarkable for its collection of original Chinese temples and glorious homes built by wealthy merchants of earlier times.

Day 5: Explore Hoi An  (B)

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 6: Hoi An - Da nang  to 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. The hotel offers bike rentals. In the late afternoon, we drive to Da nang 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 7: Ho Chi Minh City (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 8: 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.