We have designed this cultural journey for people to experience the diversity of Vietnam but with limited time to spare. We take you to discover the very best of Vietnam has to offer in 11 days. You discover 4 World Heritages listed Sites, the magnificent Halong Bay in Tonkin Gulf, the historical and cultural depth of Hoi An the enigmatic Cham Towers in My Son, and the ancient Capital Hue. This trip starts from colonial Hanoi and ends in vibrant Saigon - Ho Chi Minh city. In charming Hanoi, dine in one of the French colonial villas converted into gourmet restaurants.
Shop at fashionable boutiques and galleries featuring traditional and contemporary artists. Explore the fascinating maze of 36 streets in the Old Quarter. Venturing outside the city, cruise along dramatic limestone islands in Halong Bay. Farther south, Hue, the former Imperial capital that is a quiet city renowned for the magnificent architecture of its citadel, palaces, royal tombs, pagodas and temples, built under the Nguyen dynasty on the banks of the Perfume River. In the Unesco-designated river town of Hoi An, tour centuries-old merchant houses, visit busy silk and fish markets.
In Ho Chi Minh City (former Saigon), Vietnam 's dynamic commercial center, explore colorful produce markets, or perhaps stop in a designer shop to order a haute couture ao dai. Take a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels and watch an unusual, eclectic religious ceremony at the main temple of Cao Daism, a unique fusion of world religions. On another day trip, tour the narrow canals of the Mekong Delta to see a traditional side of Vietnamese life.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Hanoi. Upon arrival at Hanoi 's Noi Bai International airport, you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to your hotel. Evening water puppet performance.
Day 2: Hanoi's tangible and intangible heritage (B/L/-). Vietnam's artistic and intellectual capital. Explore the fascinating Old Quarter and its hundreds of specialty shops selling silk clothing, lacquer ware, embroidered linens, furniture, bamboo, cooking utensils, ceremonial objects and more. Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, ride a cycle to dinner.
Dine in French colonial villas converted into gourmet restaurants. Enjoy people-watching at stylish cafes. Shop for impressive modern art in the city's myriad galleries. Also visit Hanoi's main cultural attractions, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his House on Stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Fine Arts Museum and the Temple of Literature.
Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay Natural Worl Heritage - Hanoi (B,L,-). Upon meeting you at your hotel at 8:00 am, we drive to Halong City, approximately 3 hours away. Once at Halong City you will board our private boat for a four-hour cruise of this stunning area, stopping along the way to visit one of the limestone caves in the area. As we cruise, our boat staff will serve a sumptuous local seafood lunch. After 4 hours, we cruise back to the harbor and return you to your hotel in Hanoi.
Day 4: Hanoi - Hue World Heritage. Transfer to airport for your noon time flight to Hue. Upon arrival at Phu Bai Airport, You will be transfered directly to your hotel. This afternoon we embark on a tour of Hue City including the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City, the Imperial Museum and Dong Ba market. Tonight you enjoy the fine cuisine of Hue in the Tinh Gia Vien Restaurant. Includes: (B, D).
Day 5: Hue World Heritage. Rising up in the ancient land, breakfast in hotel, we board on a private boat for cruising on the romantic Perfume River. This time we head out for the countryside. Being the ancient capital, Hue is surrounded with ancient tombs of emperors past, and a visit to some of these tombs will be on the itinerary for today.
The charming Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) will be the first stop of the day. Setting in the converge of rivers, and gives you a great view on the Perfume River and surrounding area. From here we will cruise further to the ornate Minh Mang's tomb. We will enjoy lunch on boat before getting out the Dragon boat for driving to Khai dinh's stomb. Night in Hue. Includes (B, L).
Day 6: Hue - My Son - Hoian World Heritages. We will travel over the Hai Van pass, stop in Danang for a visit to the Cham Museum, Visit Ruines at My Son Holy Land. My Son is the former capital of the ancient Cham civilization that ruled Central Vietnam from the second to the thirteenth century. Their religion was primarily derived from Indian Hinduism. My Son is considered to be one of the best-preserved Cham structures in Vietnam.
The complex is comprised of seventy Hindu-like towers and temples dating from the second century. This site is a Must-See for those people who are interested in architecture and ancient civilizations and is now one of five UNESCO World Heritage sites in Vietnam. Once in Hoi An, we will check into our hotel and have some free time to explore. Includes (B, L).
Day 7: Ancient Town Hoian. From the 16th to 18th centuries, Hoi An was a thriving international commercial port for Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab traders. These people came primarily to trade in the high grade silk, which is still produced in the area, as well as ceramics. Today, Hoi An is a quaint riverside town, popular with tourists for its eclectic architecture, tailors shops, and numerous cafes.
Some of the buildings in the narrow streets have remained unchanged for more than a century. We enjoy a half-day walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the Ancient Quarter visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Halls, the 200- year old Tam Ky ancestral house, and the Japanese Bridge. Following the tour there will be free time to shop or relax. Includes (B, L).
Day 8: Hoian - Danang - Ho Chi Minh City. Transfer and flight to HCMC for two nights. Afternoon, private tour of Ho Chi Minh City, the country's commercial center and home to a growing number of upscale restaurants and shops. Visit Chinatown, the Thien Hau Pagoda, the Reunification Palace, the Opera House and Hotel de Ville. If desired, also visit the powerful War Remnants Museum. Explore colorful outdoor markets and Dong Khoi Street, the city's main shopping boulevard with fashionable boutiques and accessories designed by up-and-coming Vietnamese designers, hill tribe crafts, high quality linens and housewares. Includes (B, L).
Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta. The Mekong Delta is the southernmost region of Vietnam. It is often referred to as the rice bowl of Vietnam as it produces three crops of rice per year. The fertile Mekong Delta is also famous for its tropical fruits and flowers. The Delta area marks the end of a 4,500 km journey made by the Mekong River after having traveled through six countries. Traditional transportation in the Delta is by boat along a vast network of canals and channels. Boating along these canals and visiting the floating markets always proves to be a fascinating and rewarding experience for all visitors.
Leave HCMC to lush My Tho where you will board a private boat to go through the green vegetation of the canals to an orchard, where guests are treated to a delicious lunch in a bonsai garden in the heart of the Mekong, complete with succulent tropical fruits. We also visit the snake farm Dong Tam that breeds snakes for, among other things, snake wine and enjoy a bonsai garden in Trung Luong before heading back to HCMC. Includes (B, L).
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels. Half-day private excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels. At its height, the tunnel system stretched over 250km. from Saigon to the Cambodian border and was three levels deep. The network included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life during the U.S.-Vietnam War must have been like. Afternoon free at leisure in town. Includes: (B, D).
Day 11: Depart Vietnam. There are no activities planned for today. You enjoy your free time until transfer to airport for your onward flight. Includes: (B).
Notes: This tour can also be taken in reverse, visiting HCMC first, concluding in Hanoi.
Hotels Category Vietnam Hotels:
- Luxury (5*) Metropole(Hanoi), Imperial(Hue), Golden Sand(Hoian), Park Hyatt(Saigon)
- Deluxe (5*) Melia Hanoi Hotel, La Residence de Hue, Palm Garden Resort Hoian, Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon
- First Class (4*) Zephyr Hotel, Morin Hotel Hue, Hoian Beach Resort, Rex Hotel Saigon
- Superior (3*) Hanoi Galaxy Hotel, Asia Hotel Hue, Ancient House Resort, Bong Sen Hotel Saigon.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- A private transfer and transportation
- Accommodation in twin share basis with daily breakfast
- French or English Speaking Guide
- Domestic flights: Hanoi - Hue, Danang -Saigon
- Domestic departures taxes
- Boat trip in Halong Bay and Mekong Delta
- Meals as stated in the itinerary
- Sightseeing tickets
- Services charges and government taxes.
Price Excludes:
- International flights
- Entry Visa and visa fees
- International departures taxes
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Meals and beverage
- Optional surcharge for business class flight from $60 per person.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Vietnam
Cambodia
Laos
Cultural Journey
Archeology/History
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