Tour Highlight

♦  Visit the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City: the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall.

♦   Spend the day cruising the narrow canals of the Mekong Delta and stay in the boutique hotel in Can tho, the heart of the Mekong Delta

♦  Take a boat down Hue’s tranquil Perfume River to see ancient tombs, pagodas, temples

♦  Visit  Hoi An, a UNESCO-designated World Heritage site. It is a riverfront port town crammed with historic homes, tiny museums, cafes, and bustling silk and fish markets. Nearby, see ancient sculpture in the Cham Museum, and tour Buddhist cave temples in the Marble Mountains.

♦  Sail in the fantastic world of Halong Bay with over 2,000 islands of different sizes and shapes rising from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin is a perfect way to enjoy this masterpiece of nature.

♦  Wrap up in Hanoi, Vietnam's artistic and intellectual capital. Explore the fascinating Old Quarter and its hundreds of specialty shops selling silk clothing, lacquerware, embroidered linens, furniture, bamboo, cooking utensils, ceremonial objects and more.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 : Ho Chi  Minh  Arrival (D)

On arrival at Tan San Nhat Airport, you are met and transferred to the hotel. Ho Chi Minh City is a center of commerce, finance, culture and tourism in Vietnam. This bustling metropolis, contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping area and sidewalk cafes. If time permits, we stroll around the down town to explore the different local ways of life. Dinner at local restaurant.Overnight in HCM city.

Day 2 : HCM city –TayNinh – Cuchi Tunnel (B,L)

The head quarter of Cao Dai sect is located in Tay Ninh. This religion was founded in 1923 and now numbers over 2 million members. After breakfast we travel by roads to Tay Ninh to see the ornate temple of Cao Dai and attend the fantastic mid-day service when the followers fill the hall wearing colored robes, a symbol of the curious combination of the Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. Afterwards we continue to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, which were an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Vietcong in the American war. Overnight in HCM city

Day 3 : HCMcity – Mekong Delta – HCM city (B,L)

Heading out of the town, we travel by roads to the Mekong Delta, Vietnam's largest rice bowl. On arrival in My Tho we embark on a boat navigating around the intricate small canals in the delta region, which is a great way to observe the local lifestyle close-up and catch a view dotted by many islands. The exciting excursion will pass the lush green vegetation before arriving at the famous Unicorn Island. Here we have opportunities to stroll around an orchard, taste many seasonal fruits and enjoy wonderful traditional music. The next stop of our trip is Ben Tre Province to visit some fascinating local industries. After feasting on a huge lunch we return to Ho Chi Minh, stopping off along the way to see the beautiful Ving Trang Pagoda and the Cho Lon, Saigon’s Chinatown, which is crammed with sacred temples and mysterious, narrow lanes. Overnight in HCM city

Day 4 : HCMcity – Danang - Hoian (B,D)

Today we spend a half day seeing some major sights of the city. We pass the now-demolished wartime American Embassy before we visit the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975, and some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Sai Gon Post Office. After seeing the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum, we continue our trip on to the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale!. The next stop of our trip is Danang via a short flight from Ho Chi Minh. On arrival you are greeted and driven to Hoian, which was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced down centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. Overnight in Hoian.

Day 5 : Hoian – Hue (B,D)

The ancient architecture of Hoian is a fascinating combination of Vietnamese traditional characters with Chinese and Japanese influence. There are plenty to see in this delightful and tranquil town, some of which are the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tam Ky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda, the vibrant market. We visit these on our morning walking tour past many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls which reflect the town's multi-cultural past. Upon leaving Hoi An, we drive north to the old imperial city of Hue. Along the way, we make stopover at the sensational Marble Mountains, the China Beach and Danang City for a visit to the Cham Museum. We then follow the road crossing over the scenic Hai Van Pass before arriving in Hue, Vietnam's last imperial capital of Vietnam. Overnight in Hue

Day 6 : Hue (B)

After breakfast we embark on a boat for cruise upstream on the Perfume River which also gives us a taste of the scenic countryside as well as an enjoyable visit to The beautiful pagoda of Thien Mu. Upon leaving this symbol of Hue we continue navigating to the mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang, in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. The next stop of our trip is the elaborate royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc and the famous pagoda of Tu Hieu. On return to the city, we then take a walk to the bustling Dong Ba Market and pass many fantastic eating spots where visitors have a chance to sample some local delicacies. Overnight in Hue

Day 7: Hue - Hanoi (B,D)

The massive citadel of Hue, containing the Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City, is not to be missed. This royal residence was all but destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive, however it is still fascinating to walk among the ruins. We visit this masterpiece and have free time to explore the town before boarding a short flight to the north. On arrival in Hanoi, visit Hoan KiemLake, Ngoc Son Temple, take cyclo to discover the Hanoi Old Quarter and enjoy the life of Hanoian.Dinner at local restaurant. Enjoy water puppet show.Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Day  8 : Hanoi - Ha Long (B,L,D)

Breakfast at hotel and then start a 3-hour drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. Comfort stop en route for photos and coffee before arriving to Ha Long City. We then transfer to a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. While on board we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. When the sun comes down we drop anchor for the night nearby a remote island. Overnight on Junk.

Day 9 : Ha Long –Hanoi (B,L,)

Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a back up vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi , free rest of the time. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Day 10: Hanoi - Departure (B)

There is free time to relax or further explore Ha Noi. The tour ends after your transfer to Noi Bai Airport for departure.

Cost  in  USD per person based on private tour ( valid 30 April 2012)

Acommodation list

Trip includes:

ü  English Speaking Guide.
ü  All accommodation on twin share basis with daily breakfasts
ü  Meals as indicated (B= Breakfast; Lunch = Lunch : D=Dinner)
ü  All tours & transfers in private car/ van/ bus
ü  Entrance fees and permits during guided time.
ü  Boat Trip in Mekong Delta
ü  Flight HCM city - Danang; Hue - Hanoi

ü  Cool towel & water ( 1 bottle per day)
ü  Government taxes & service charge

Trip does not include:

ü  International Airfares.
ü  International departure tax
ü  Visas and visa arrangement
ü  Personal travel insurance (Compulsory).
ü  Personal expenses such as Bar, Telephone and Laundry bills.
ü  Tips and gratuities
 

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