Tour Itinerary:
We have designed this cultural journey for people keen to experience the diversity of Vietnam but the limited time. We take you to discover the very best attractions of Vietnam within 11 days. You will 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 of 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. Then, travelling to Hoi an – the cultural heritage of the world recognized by UNESCO, visiting
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.
* This tour can also be taken in reverse, visiting Hanoi first, ending in HCM.
Day 1: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City
Upon arrival at Hanoi Noi Bai International airport in Hanoi, you will be greeted by Vietnamtourism’s guide and transferred to your hotel. 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. Overnight in HCMC.
Day 2: Mekong Delta Excursion
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. You also visit the Dong Tam snake-farm that breeds snakes for, among other things, snake wine and enjoy a bonsai garden in Trung Luong before heading back to HCMC. Overnight in HCMC. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 3: Cu Chi Underground 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 visitors 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. Overnight in HCMC. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 4: Ho Chi Minh - Hue World Heritage. Transfer to airport for flight to Hue. Upon arrival at Phu Bai Airport, you will be transferred directly to your hotel. In the afternoon we embark on a tour of Hue City including the Citadel, the Forbidden Purple City, the Imperial Museum and Dong Ba market. In the evening, you enjoy the fine cuisine of Hue in the Tinh Gia Vien Restaurant. Overnight in Hue. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 5: Hue World Heritage
After 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 at local restaurant before driving to King Tu Duc's tomb. Overnight 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 of the Cham Museum. Visitting My Son Holy Land where it 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. Overnight in Hoi An. 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 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. Overnight in Hoi An. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 8: Hoian - Danang - Hanoi. Transfer and flight to Hanoi for three nights - Vietnam’s capital city of tree-lined streets and centuries-old temples. In the afternoon, visiting 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.The sightseeing day ends with a water puppet show, a theatrical genre reflecting the agricultural civilization of thousands of years ago. Overnight in Hanoi. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 9: Hanoi's tangible and intangible heritage
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 cyclo 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. Overnight in Hanoi. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 10: Hanoi - Halong Bay Natural World Heritage - Hanoi. 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 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. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 11: Departure. There are no activities planned for today. You enjoy your free time until transfer to airport for your onward flight. Includes: (B).
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- All private transfer and transportation
- Accommodation in twin share basis with daily breakfast
- French or English Speaking Guide
- Domestic flights: Hanoi-Saigon and airport tax
- Boat trip in Halong Bay
- Meals as stated in the itinerary
- Entrance tickets
- Vietnam visa on arrival approved letter (complimentary)
- Services charges and government taxes.
Price Excludes:
- International flights
- International departures taxes
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Meals and beverage
- Visa stamp fee.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Vietnam
Local Culture
Cultural Journey
Archeology/History
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