Vietnam - Itinerary
3 Nights in Saigon
Day 1: Arrival in Saigon
Arrive in Saigon, Meet and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Saigon.
Day 2: Saigon - Cu Chi - Saigon
A morning city tour of dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, takes in the former Presidential Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office, a lacquerware factory and Thien Hau Pagoda in the city's bustling Chinatown. In the afternoon, visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long struggle for independence. (B)
Day 3: Saigon - Mekong Delta - Saigon
Our journey today will introduce in the Mekong Delta, a vast area of farmlands, small villages and interlocking canals. En route we plan to cruise on the river visiting Binh Hoa Phuoc Island to see the fruit orchards and farms growing Bonsai plants . We will also have an opportunity to visit a floating market on the Mekong River and to see the villages built on stilts over the river before returning to Saigon. (B,L)
Day 4: Departure Saigon
Transfer to the airport for the onward flight. (B)
3 Nights in Hanoi and Beyond
Day 1 : Arrive in Hanoi
Arrive in Hanoi. Meet and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi
A full day city tour of Vietnam's capital. Hanoi is a unique Asian city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental temples. The city tour includes such sights as Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Fine Arts Museum, the Temple of Literature, the Lake of the Restored Sword. Visit the Old Quarter. In the evening enjoy a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show. (B)
Day 3: Hanoi - Halong - Hanoi
Transfer to Halong by road. A cruise in a private junk on the emerald green waters of Halong Bay, among the 3,000 spectacular limestone islands. The cruise ends with a fresh seafood lunch on board. Return to Hanoi by road in the late afternoon. (B,L)
Day 4: Departure Hanoi
Transfer to the airport for the onward flight. (B)
Essential Vietnam
Day 1: Saigon
Upon arrival in Saigon, meet and transfer to Duxton Hotel - deluxe room.
Day 2: Saigon - Cu Chi - Saigon
After breakfast, enjoy a morning drive through typical southern Vietnamese countryside to Cu Chi district. Upon arrival in Cu Chi, we will start to experience ourselves the underground village of Cu Chi guerrilla fighters, the remain of a real bloody battle field which is simply a network of tunnels built during the long years of wars. On the way back, stop at a local family-run rice paper making village before heading back to Saigon. Afternoon, enjoy a half-day city tour of Saigon to visit the city’s landmarks including the Notre Dame cathedral, the Old Post Office, the Presidential Palace, the Chinese district of Cholon to enjoy the bustling wholesale quarter of Saigon and the Thien Hau temple. (B)
Day 3: Saigon - Danang- Hoi An - Hue
Fly to Danang. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to Hoi An with a stop en route to visit the Cham Museum; the best collection of the Cham ruins dating from 2nd to 15th century. Upon arrival in Hoi An, enjoying a walking tour of this ancient town center and take in the former merchants’ houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colorful market with its stalls brimming with tropical specialties. The market is a good place to buy silk, which can be made upon into fine garments, all within a day. Late afternoon, depart Hoi An for Hue – former Royal city, our scenic drive via Hai Van Pass where a spectacular panorama of the central coastline can be viewed at the summit. We stop en route at the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co located on a sand dune line for photo opportunity before driving toward Hue. Overnight at Pilgrimage Village. (B)
Day 4: Hue
Enjoy a boat cruise upstream the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s most preserved religious monument standing on the riverbank with its seven-floor tower, then drive to visit Minh Mang tomb. Afternoon, continue to visit Tu Duc and Khai Dinh tombs, the most elaborate royal tombs of the Nguyen dynasty. Continue driving to the former imperial city of Hue offering an insightful look into its regal past with visit to the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen emperors once ruled Vietnam between 1802 and 1945. (B)
Day 5: Hue - Hanoi
Fly to Hanoi, meet and transfer to downtown and embark on the interesting city tour of this charming capital Hanoi city including Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and his house, One Pillar Pagoda. After lunch, we visit the Temple of Literature and Ethnology Museum. The trip ends at the Lake of the Restored Sword with enjoying a cycle ride through the Old Quarter of “36 streets and 36 wares”. Evening, enjoy special water puppet performance, an art form that originated in Northern Vietnam over hundred of years. Overnight at Sunway Hotel - Superior room. (B,L)
Day 6: Hanoi - Halong (overnight in junk)
Drive from Hanoi to Halong, embark on the junk and cruise around the bay with marvelous view with limestone islands and explore different caves and grottoes. Sea food lunch and dinner on board. Overnight on the best Huong Hai traditional junk – private twin cabin. (B,L,D)
Day 7: Ha Long - Hanoi
Optional get up early to catch the sunrise in the bay. Cruise around to explore further other grottos and caves until having farewell lunch with the crew. On the way back, have a stop at the Phu Lang ceramic making village, opportunity to interact with the artisans and understand how they preserve the traditional craft over generations. Transfer back to Hanoi for the night. (B,L)
Day 8: Departure
Transfer to the airport for departure flight. (B)
Key:
- B = Breakfast included
- L = Lunch included
- D = Dinner included