Destinations: Hanoi , Halong Bay , Hue , Hoi An , Da Nang , Ho Chi Minh City , Cu Chi

OVERVIEW

This tour lets you explore the definitive highlights in a relatively short of time, but at a comfortable and enjoyable place. The 09 days itinerary takes you to the highlights of Vietnam's must-sees – charming Hanoi by Thienphuoc travel to enjoy the Streetfood and enjoy overnight boat trip in Halong Bay, old imperial Hue, charming Hoi An, Da Nang to visit Golden Giant Bridge in Bana Hill, soak up warm atmosphere in modern Ho Chi Minh City, Cuchi tunnel to see how Vietnamese living under the war and My Tho in Mekong delta.

ITINERARY

DAY 1 : HANOI – HALF DAY CITY (N/A)

Arrival in Hanoi. You will be met at the airport by your English speaking guide and transferred to your hotel in downtown Hanoi.

If time permit:

In the afternoon we will see the Museum of Ethnology, then visit Hoan Kiem Lake (The Restored Sword Lake) and the Ngoc Son Temple, which is on an island in the northern part of the lake. We will enjoy a Cyclo tour along the narrow streets of the Old Quarter of Hanoi.

Near sunset we will walk along West Lake and visit Tran Quoc pagoda.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 2: HANOI – HALONG BAY (Breakfast/Lunch)

After breakfast, drive to Halong Bay (3 hours), a UNESCO World Heritage site. Whoever comes to Vietnam should not miss the chance to visit Halong Bay, a picturesque blend of harmonious transition between the mountains and the sea.

Program will be changed depends on which cruise choosing.

Halong Bay is in the Bac Bo (Tonkin) gulf and stretches over an area of 1,500 km2 with three thousand green islands that look like jewels. Upon arrival at the harbor we will embark on a junk. We will enjoy a fresh seafood lunch on the boat while experiencing the majestic beauty of Halong Bay. The junk is a wooden sailboat designed in a traditional Vietnamese style while offering a full range of modern amenities.

Visit the fascinating Dau Go Cave called “The Cave of Marvels” and Thien Cung Cave, the “Heavenly Palace cave” surrounded by spectacular stalactites and stalagmites.

After dinner, enjoy fishing with local fishermen. The reflection of the limestone outcrops, the sight of fishing boats lit up in the darkness; enjoy these precious moments in one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world.

Overnight on board the junk.

DAY 3 : HALONG BAY – HANOI (Breakfast/Lunch)

After gazing at the sunrise, you will navigate through the numerous oddly shaped limestone outcrops. Stop by a cove for a panoramic view of Halong Bay. Seafood feast on board.

On the afternoon, transfer back to Hanoi.

In the evening: enjoy a Vespa tour. Hanoi After Dark

Hanoi After dark begins at our stylish local Café with a beer cocktail and a delicious snack from one of the nearby night time vendors, before jumping on the back of the vintage Vespas. After weaving through the magical, busy back streets of the Old Quarter, we soon arrive at a lively local restaurant serving Bun Cha. This is the quintessential must taste Hanoian dish of rice noodles, grilled pork, and meatballs, with a side of ‘nem’ spring rolls. Simple but delicious.

It’s back riding through the narrow streets again, as we head toward our next foodie stop, a fascinating local joint,  where we try infused rice wine and a buffalo jerky appetizer. We then head out of the Old Quarter, taking in the sites of the Hanoi Flag Tower and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, riding towards the West Lake and Truc Bac area. There we try the local specialty of ‘pho cuon’ and learn the art of wrap ‘n’ roll, Vietnamese style, with these fresh and fragrant ingredients, and the pho noodle!

Our next short ride on the Vespas takes us to our final port of call, next to the superb Opera House. The halcyon days of the 1930’s may be over, however, this Jazz Club will wow you with a truly unique blend of styles – 30’s style Jazz & traditional Vietnamese music!

*Hanoi After Dark Highlights* – hidden café, Bun Cha, rice wine and snacks, pho cuon, live music!

Overnight in Hanoi.

Distance  : Halong-  Hanoi -: 160 km => 4 hour transfer included breaktime on the way

DAY 4: HANOI – FLIGHT TO HUE (Breakfast)

08:00 am.  After breakfast we transfer to the airport for a short flight to Hue about 11h00

Upon arrival in Hue, the local guide will meet you at the airport and accompany you to the hotel.

In the afternoon, We will visit to the Imperial City, an impressive royal complex built in the 17th century based on the ancient feng shui practice of geomancy.  The Imperial City is a UNESCO World Heritage site. We will visit the Khai Dinh tomb.

The tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh, who ruled between 1916 and 1925, was the last grand imperial tomb in Vietnam. It is almost entirely made of concrete and includes many European architectural details.Overnight in Hue.

Distance: Hanoi Central-Noi Bai Airport: 30 km => 50 minute transfer

            Hue airport – Hue centre: 20 km => 40 minute transfer

DAY 5: HUE – HOI AN (Breakfast)

08:00 am.  In the morning we will take a dragon boat trip along the Perfume River. We will stop at the Thien Mu Pagoda, which is located on the southwest bank of the Perfume River and was the centre of Buddhism in Central Vietnam.  We continue to Lang Co, which we will reach after approximately two hours. Optional lunch at the Lang Co Beach Resort. We head on to Hoi An with a photo stop on the summit of the breathtaking Hai Van Pass. In the evening your guide will pick you up for an amazing walk through the illuminated ancient part of Hoi An. .  Hoi An old town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site as an example of a well preserved South East Asian trading port of the 15th – 19th century.  In addition to its unique architecture, it is also noted for its tailors and handicrafts, especially lanterns.

Afternoon take the Coconut Boat ride (Rung Dua).

Overnight in Hoi An 

Distance:        Hue centre- Hoi An: 150 km => 3 hour transfer.

DAY 6: HOI AN – DANANG – BANA HILL – SAIGON (Breakfast)

08:00 am.  Transfer to visit Bana Hill:

25 km to the southwest of Da Nang at an altitude of 1,487m, Ba Na Hills are considered as “One temperate place in the tropical forest” because the climate is cool all the year round and you can enjoy four seasons within a single day.

Ba Na cable cars hold two Guinness World Records: the world’s longest single cable car system (5,042.62 m long) and the world highest gap between its departure and arrival station (1,291.81 m high). A series of a four-star hotel with 137 rooms and standard restaurants which can serve every demand of tourists. Bana is still being invested and expanded to offer tourists with more attractive options. Old French villas have been restored with high-class standards. Sport leisure centers, food and cultural exhibition are being designed. Eco-tourism destinations, nature exploitation and other new-fangled ideas about a hidden mountain and forest area are continuously taken shape. All of these features promise a changeable, unheard-of and unique space, beckoning near and far tourists to come and to fly up with Ba Na.

You can visit:

Golden Bridge

The image of a yellow bridge supported by giant hands only appeared on social networks not long ago but immediately attracted the community.

Located in the middle of the mountain, the bridge is designed to look soft and charming, with the entire bridge covered with a magnificent yellow. From a distance, the bridge is like a silk strip floating in white clouds. What makes the bridge more special is the large supporting hand.

Standing on the bridge, a majestic natural landscape will appear in front of you with white clouds and mountains.

After Bana Hill tour, then transfer to Danang airport for the short flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

On arrival we transfer to the hotel and

Overnight in Saigon.

Distance:        Hoi An- Da Nang Airport: 30 km => 1 hour transfer

            Tan Son Nhat airport – Ho Chi Minh City centre: 10 km => 30 minute transfer

DAY 7: EXCURSION TO MEKONG DELTA (Breakfast/Lunch)

08:00 am.  We depart from the hotel in the morning and drive southwards to Vinh Long Province, which is situated between two branches of the downstream Mekong River.

On arrival, we enjoy a boat trip along the river’s narrow waterways, overhung with dense vegetation. We will have the opportunity to try exotic fruits in one of the many orchards. For lunch, we will serve you the local delicacy - Elephant’s-Ear fish. We continue with a visit to the Cai Be floating market before heading back to Saigon.

Overnight in Saigon.

Distance       Ho Chi Minh Central – Cai Be: 100 km => 2hour transfer

DAY 8 : CU CHI TUNNELS – SAIGON HALF DAY CITY TOUR (Breakfast)

08:00 am.  Morning departure to the small town of Cu Chi, located 35 km from Saigon (1h30), an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long struggle for independence.

Visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels Network which became legendary during the 1960s for its role in facilitating Viet Cong control of a large rural area. At its height, the tunnel system stretched from the South Vietnamese capital to the Cambodian border; in the district of Cu Chi alone, there were over 250 km of tunnels. The network, parts of which were several stories deep, included innumerable trapdoors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. The tunnels of Cu Chi were built over a period of 25 years beginning in the late 1940s.

After Cu Chi tour, back to Saigon, then enjoy a city tour to visit Reunification Palace, Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the beautiful French-style Post Office with its glass canopy and iron structure designed by Gustave Eiffel. Visit the famous War Remnants Museum, with armored vehicles, artillery pieces, bombs and infantry weapons displayed in an outside walled courtyard.

Evening at leisure.

Overnight in Saigon.  

Ho Chi Minh Central – Cu Chi: 50 km => 1hour 20 minute transfer

DAY 9: DEPARTURE (Breakfast)

Free time at leisure for last minute shopping before transferring to the airport for departure home

Distance:        Tan Son Nhat airport – Ho Chi Minh City centre: 10 km => 30 minute transfer

INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS

What’s included?

• Accommodation in the category chosen or similar based on double/twin sharing with daily breakfast.
• Meals as mentioned in the program. B:8 Breakfast, L:03  Lunch.
• All local boat rentals as mentioned in the program. Cruise on Seat in coach (SIC) junk in Ha Long bay.
• Transfer from and to the airports by private vehicle with A/C. Transportation by private vehicle with A/C.
• All entrance fees and sightseeing as mentioned in the program.
• Local English speaking guide(s) in Vietnam.
• 01 FOC in ½ Twin room for group of 16pax onward (excluding internal airfares and visas).

What’s excluded?

• Late check out or Early check in
• International flight/ Domestic flight tickets and airport taxes.
  All internal/ regional flight tickets in economy class with/without departure tax
• Visa fee upon arrival in Vietnam
• Tips & personal expenses. Personal insurance. Any service not clearly mentioned in the program.

IMPORTANT INFO

LIST OF HOTELS OR SIMILARS