Itinerary in Brief:Day 1 : Ho Chi Minh Arrival
Day 2 : Ho chi minh - Mekong Delta ( B, L )
Day 3 : Ho Chi Minh City - Hue ( B, L )
Day 4 : Hue - Danang - Hoi An ( B )
Day 5 : Hoian - Danang - Hanoi ( B, D )
Day 6 : Hanoi - Halong - Hanoi ( B, L )
Day 7 : Hanoi Departure ( B )
Itinerary in Details:
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh Arrival Upon your arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, you will be welcomed by Asia View Travel 's guide and transferred to hotel in city center, still called Saigon by many locals, is crowded with motorbikes and cars, excited by numerous shopping area and sidewalk cafés. An afternoon city tour takes us to the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until the end of April 1975. Close to the palace are some beautiful French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Saigon Post Office. We also visit the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 2 : Ho chi minh - Mekong Delta ( B, L )Heading out of the town, we travel by roads to the Mekong Delta, Vietnam's largest rice bowl. On arrival in My Tho we embark on a boat navigating around the intricate small canals in the delta region, which is a great way to observe the local lifestyle close-up and catch a view dotted by many islands. The exciting excursion will pass the lush green vegetation before arriving at the famous Unicorn Island. Here we have opportunities to stroll around an orchard, taste many seasonal fruits and enjoy wonderful traditional music. The next stop of our trip is Ben Tre Province to visit some fascinating local industries. After feasting on a huge lunch we return to Ho Chi Minh, stopping off along the way to see the beautiful Ving Trang Pagoda and the Cho Lon, which is crammed with sacred temples and mysterious, narrow lanes. Overnight at hotel in Ho chi minh city.
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh - Hue flight ( B, L)Transfer to the airport for morning flight to Hue. The guide in Hue will pick you up, transfer to city center. We then explore Hue, including the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. Built in the 19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the City was home to the former Emperors of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. We embark on a boat for cruise upstream on the Perfume River which also gives us a taste of the scenic countryside as well as an enjoyable visit to The beautiful pagoda of Thien Mu. One of the most poignant displays here is a car belonging to a former monk, who in 1963, drove to Saigon and set himself alight to protest against the South Vietnamese regime and its treatment of Buddhists. Disembark the board for a visit the elaborate mausoleum of former emperor Tu Duc. On return to the city, we then take a walk to the bustling Dong Ba market and pass many fantastic eating spots where visitors have a chance to sample some local delicacies. Overnight at hotel in Hue.
Day 4: Hue - Danang - Hoi An (B, L)As we bid Hue farewell this morning we continue our south bound journey. Today's destination is the old trading town of Hoi An. Along the way though we will stop at Lang Co beach for coffee ( by your own ) and refreshments. From here we head up to the Hai Van pass, stopping at the top to take in the stunning views north over Lang Co beach and south over Danang city. Continuing on our way down the other side and into Da nang, where we will stop at the Cham Museum, the famed Danang Beach, and the Marble Mountains. Arriving in Hoi An, check in, relax.
We spend the rest of afternoon to explore Hoian ancient town, once a major Asian trading port in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Hoi An’s architecture and relaxed lifestyle have changed little over the years. Take a leisurely walking tour of the ancient town center and visit the sites of former merchants’ homes, a 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and a Chinese Communal Hall. Believed to have been settled no less than 2,200 years ago, Hoi An was known as Faifo to early Western traders. Hoi An was one of the major ports of Southeast Asia from the 17th to 19th centuries. Chinese, Japanese, French, English, Spanish, Portuguese and other traders had small communities here, and the old wooden houses, bridges and temples that remain are reminiscent of a Vietnam of centuries past. This unique old trading town slowly became isolated due to its river silting up and by destroyed rail lines, leaving it untouched by war and frozen in time. Nowadays, this absolutely charming and relaxed town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Free at leisure.
The town is also famous for it's shops in particular it's large number of tailors. If you wanted, you could have a whole new wardrobe made for you here!
Day 5: Hoian - Danang - Hanoi ( B, D )Breakfast at hotel, free until transfer to Danang international airport for flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, you will be greeted and transferred to hotel. Hanoi is a stylish and gracious city that retains an unique old world charm and some Asia‘s most striking colonial architecture. The many lakes and parks make for relaxing atmosphere.
Afternoon, short city tour to 11th century Temple of Literature - the first University of Vietnam, the Restored Sword Lake (Hoan Kiem Lake) and Ngoc Son Temple. Take a cyclo tour around the 36 streets of the Hanoi old quarter to learn more about simple life of Hanoian. Enjoy water puppet show- a remarkable Vietnamese art form that combines traditional music, fireworks, underwater puppeteers, and elaborate puppets floating gracefully over water. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Day 6: Hanoi - Halong bay - Hanoi (B, L)Breakfast at hotel and depart for Halong bay from your hotel. Halong is located in Quang Ninh province, 170 km north-east of Hanoi. (Listed by UNESCO as natural heritage site in 1994, Halong bay has been a famous tourist destination in Vietnam). We will take some stop-overs on the way for photo or refreshment. Boarding upon arrival. Lunch will be served on board with welcome drink. Cruising around the Bay with famous sites such as : Fighting cock's islet, Stone dog or Joss stick bowl islet. Visit Thien Cung cave- the Cave of the heavenly palace. Round walking to visit beautiful stalactites which have been formed millions of years ago. Back to the Junk boat and keep cruising to view fabulous scenery of Halong bay. After a 4 hour boat trip. we will take a coach trip back to Hanoi. We will be back in Hanoi around 19:30. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Day 7: Hanoi - Departure ( B )Breakfast at hotel, free at leisure until time transfer to airport for flight back home. Say good bye Vietnam. End of tour.
Accommodation Options
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Location
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Standard
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Superior
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First class
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Deluxe
|
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Saigon
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Le Duy 3*
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Tan Hai long hotel
& Spa 3*
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Norfolk 4*
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Majestic 5*
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Hoian
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Vinh hung II 3*
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Van loi 3 *
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Hoian Beach
resort 4*
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Palm Garden
5 *
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Hue
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Hue
Holiday 2*
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Asia
hotel 3*
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Gerbera 4*
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Imperial 5*
|
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Hanoi
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Hanoi
Paradise 3 *
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Hanoi imperial 3*
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Hanoi flower garden 4*
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De L’ Opera 5*
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Tour includes:• All accommodation in double/ twin room with daily breakfast at selected hotels
• All tours & transfers in private air-conditioned vehicle
• Private English or French speaking guide
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary at local restaurant with local foods (B= breakfast; L=Lunch; D = Dinner)
• Boat cruise as stated
• Domestic airfare & airport taxes: Ho chi minh - Hue, Danang - Hanoi
• Entrance fees and permits for all sights visited
• Mineral water & towel
• Government taxes & Service charges
Tour excludes:• International flights to and from Vietnam
• Vietnam visa arrangement (upon request visa on arrival at 10 USD, not including stamping fee at 25 USD)
• Meals not indicated in the itinerary
• Surcharge on Christmas, New Year and our Lunar New Year
• Personal travel insurance
• Personal expenses such as Telephone and Laundry bills
• Tips and gratuities