We stay in a mouthwatering selection of beautiful and historical establishments from a French colonial hotel to a luxury sampan in Halong Bay. We visit all the major highlights of the region including the quiet capital of Hanoi which contrasts so surprisingly with the vibrant and lively city of Saigon, the quaint streets of Hoi An and the imposing imperial architecture of Hue. We sample the local cuisine - one of Asia’s finest - and have many an opportunity to meet with the friendly locals.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Hanoi. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel, the colonial-style Hilton Hanoi Opera. After an evening briefing we go out to sample some of Hanoi’s superb cuisine. (D)
Day 2: Halong Bay. Travel to the World Heritage listed area of Halong Bay where we board the exquisite ‘Jewel of the Bay’ sampan. This traditional-style boat is lavishly furnished with private cabins, sun deck and a dining room. We carry sea kayaks on board so you can take to the sea amidst the towering karst peaks and swim in secluded bays. We also moor at small karst islands to visit huge caves that have been hollowed out over the millennia. (B, L, D)
Day 3: Halong Bay. Spend the morning on our sampan and transfer back to Hanoi after lunch. In the afternoon we enjoy a walking tour of Hanoi. (B, L)
Day 4: Hanoi - Hue. Morning flight to Hue. In the afternoon we take a tour in traditional cycle rickshaws (cyclos) around the city to visit the Citadel, the Imperial Museum and the Dong Ba riverside market. We stay for two nights at the Saigon Morin Hotel, a lovely old colonial building built by a Frenchman in 1901 and impeccably restored. (B, D)
Day 5: Hue. Cruise along the Perfume River to the tombs of Nguyen Emperors Minh Mang and Tu Duc. On the way back to Hue we have lunch on board our boat and stop to visit the Thien Mu or Heavenly Lady Pagoda. (B, L)
Day 6: Hue - Hoi An. Today we continue south by road to Hoi An. The scenery en route is beautiful as we hug the coastline of the South China Sea before winding our way up the spectacular Hai Van Pass. We stop along the way to visit the Cham Museum and take a walk along China Beach. In Hoi An we stay in a hotel that has been created in the style of a traditional fishing village, lit by silk-covered Chinese lanterns. (B)
Day 7: Hoi An. Hoi An is a charming small town which can be easily explored on foot. More than any other place in Vietnam, it retains the feeling of centuries past and is a favorite with all travelers for its beautiful Chinese architecture, lively markets and picturesque seafront. (B, D)
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). A morning flight from Danang takes us to bustling Ho Chi Minh City. We have an early lunch before we embark on a tour of the city. We visit the War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace and Cholon (Chinatown) as well as some of the older colonial buildings dating back to the French period. We’ll also have a chance to visit a Cao Dai Temple. We stay in a French colonial building, the Majestic Hotel, which exudes old world charm. (B)
Day 9: Cu Chi Tunnels. Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, built by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War as a place of refuge from the American forces. Perhaps more than any other site in Vietnam, this brings to life the appalling hardships experienced during the war and we have the chance to walk in the tunnels and experience what it must have been like to live like this. (B, D)
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Tour ends. Transfer to airport. (B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Local Payment: $265 USD
- Maximum Group Size: 12
- Transfers: Airport transfer to hotel on day 1 and from hotel to airport on day 10
- Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveler tour leader, services of local guides
- Transport: Private air-conditioned minibus or coach, luxury sampan on Halong Bay
- Flights: Hanoi to Hue, Hue to Saigon
- Activities: Cruise on Halong Bay, cycling around Hue, extensive walking at sites
- Accommodation: 8 nights deluxe accommodation in luxury or historical hotels, 1 night on board the ‘Jewel of the Bay’ sampan in Halong Bay
- Meals: As per itinerary. B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner
- Entrance Fees: Included for all sites visited as part of the itinerary
- Local Payment: Must be paid in cash on day 1 of your tour
- Single Supplement: Single travelers and those occupying a single room must pay this supplement.
- Trip Reference: SCVS
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Vietnam
Local Culture
Cultural Journey
Walking Tours
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