Your Itinerary
Day 1: Bangkok - Hanoi (-/-/-)
Transfer from hotel to the airport for own morning flight to Hanoi, flying time approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes. Arrive Hanoi Airport where you will be met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2: Hanoi (B/L/-)
A full day tour to the Ho Chi Minh Complex, containing the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. The complex also comprises of the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. Visit the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam and the impressive Ethnologic Museum, dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. The beautiful West Lake and the History Museum, with an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the Vietnamese history, are not to be missed. Continue to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem with Ngoc Son Temple.
In the evening, attend a performance of the famous Vietnamese traditional art of water puppetry at Thang Long theatre, in front of the Hoan Kiem Lake.
Day 3: Hanoi - Haiphong - Halong (B/-/-)
After early breakfast take the 3-hour drive to Hai phong, the largest seaport in North Vietnam, 102km east of Hanoi. Visit Du Hang Pagoda and Hang Kenh Communal House, both with fine examples of traditional wood carvings. Continue to Halong Bay for overnight.
Day 4: Hai Phong - Hanoi (B/L/-)
Take a full-day boat trip to explore the legendary Halong Bay, truly one of Vietnam’s most impressive scenic attractions. This exciting five-hour cruise offers a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery with some 3,000 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald-green water and blending with the sky. The limestone karst formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. After a seafood lunch on board return to Ha Noi, stopping en route at Dong Trieu pottery village.
Day 5: Hanoi - Hue (B/-/-)
Transfer to the airport for own morning flight to the small and quiet city of Hue, Vietnam’s last feudal capital and widely known for its magnificent architecture, pagodas and royal tombs scattered among small villages and surrounding hills. Check in to hotel. Take a tour to visit the massive Citadel, containing the Imperial Museum and the Purple Forbidden City. After an delightful boat trip on the Perfume River to visit the beautiful riverside pagoda of Thien Mu which has now become the symbol of Hue. Return to town and enjoy a walk to the bustling Dong Ba Market that sells a wide variety of local goods and handicrafts. Along the way you will pass by many fantastic eating spots, ideal places for visitors to sample some local delicacies.
Day 6: Hue - Danang - Hoian (B/-/-)
Morning visit the elaborate royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc before driving south to Hoi An. Hoi An was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced down the centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. The scenic road is hugging the coastline before crossing over the winding Hai Van Pass. The view from the top of the pass is another of Vietnam’s most impressive panoramic scenes. Stop en route to visit the Cham Museum in Danang City, China Beach and the Marble Mountain, whose peaks represent the five elements of the universe.
Day 7: Hoian - My Son - Hoian (B/-/-)
Drive to My Son, the imperial city of the Champa Empire from the 4th to 12th centuries. My Son sanctuary is a large complex of religious ruins comprising more than 70 architectural remains. Afternoon, transfer back to Hoi An, visit the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200-year-old Tam key House, the Chula On Pagoda and the vibrant central market.
Day 8: Hoian - Danang – Ho Chi Minh (B/-/-)
Morning transfer to airport for own flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel for check-in. Afternoon tour of the city with its French colonial architecture, starting with the elegant Historical Museum to trace the country’s history from the ancient Dong Song periond until the present day. Drive past the twin-spired Notre Dame Cathedral and the sumptuous City Hall, visit the lively Thien Hau Pagoda with its enormous burning incense-coils, the Presidential Palace , the mysterious temples of Cholon and Chinatown.
Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City (B/L/-)
Morning depart to Tay Ninh Province which used to be the bastion of Caodaism, a unique fusion of western and eastern philosophies and religions. Observe the strictly orchestrated, colorful ceremony at noon from the balconies in the "cathedral".
Afternoon drive to Cu Chi and visit the extraordinary network of tunnels dug and used by Vietcong activists during the war as a hideout and secret village. The Cu Chi Tunnels have been widened in places for visitors, however they are still dark, hot and claustrophobic inside so please bear this in mind if you do not like enclosed spaces. For those who choose to stay above the ground there are plenty of easily accessible rooms and excavated areas to visit. Back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City (B/-/-)
Time at leisure until transfer to airport for own flight to Bangkok.
Notes:
The itinerary is subject to change without prior notice due to local conditions, but the essential concept will be maintained.
Prices for optional extensions, meal supplements are available upon request.
International & domestic flights are not included in the tour prices and subject to change without prior notice. Promotional airfares are available upon request.
Any supplement for high season and/or compulsory dinners will be advised at the time of booking, if applicable (normally during Christmas & New Year period).
Services included in the price:
- Accommodation throughout based on two persons sharing a
twin-bedded room on B&B basis.
- Surface transport, transfers and sightseeing by air-conditioned car, minibus or coach. Non air-conditioned transport may be used in moe remote areas.
- Sightseeing and excursions as detailed.
- Admission fees where applicable.
- The services of local English- or French-speaking guides.
Services not included in the price:
- International flights.
- Visa fees.
- Domestic flights Hanoi - Hue and Danang - Ho Chi Minh City.
- Airport taxes.
- Transfer upon return to Bangkok (US$16.00 per person).
- Meals other than breakfast (except where stated).
- Personal expenses.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Standard Class ( 01 Oct 07 - 30 Sep 08 )
946 US$ per person for a group of minimum 2 persons.
797 US$ per person for a group of minimum 4 persons.
Single Supplement 228 US$
Accommodation: First Class ( 01 Oct 07 - 30 Sep 08 )
1,044 US$ per person for a group of minimum 2 persons.
893 US$ per person for a group of minimum 4 persons.
Single Supplement 339 US$
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Thailand
Cultural Journey
Archeology/History
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