Itinerary in Brief:Day 1: Hanoi arrival
Day 2; Hanoi city tour ( B, L )
Day 3: Hanoi - Mai chau home stay ( B, L ,D )
Day 4: Mai chau - Ninh Binh ( B, L,D )
Day 5: Ninh Binh - Hanoi ( B, L )
Day 6: Hanoi – Halong bay on board ( B, L,D )
Day 7: Halong – Hanoi - Danang flight - Hoian ( B )
Day 8: Hoian ancient town ( B )
Day 9: Hoian – Hue ( B )
Day 10: Hue city ( B, L )
Day 11: Hue – Ho chi minh ( B, L )
Day 12: Ho chi minh Tay ninh – Cu chi Tunnel ( B, L )
Day 13: Ho chi minh – Caibe floating market – Vinh long – Ho chi minh ( B, L )
Day 14: Ho chi minh departure ( B )
Itinerary in Details:
Day 1: Hanoi arrival Arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to hotel by Asia View Travel’s guide with signboard, check in, relax. Today is free at your leisure to rest or explore, discovering your own first impressions of Vietnam. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Hanoi city tour ( B, L )Breakfast at hotel, This morning we start city tour with the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh (Close on Monday, Friday & October for annual maintenance ), the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow this with the impressive Ethnology Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam, Vietnam’s first university. Constructed in 1070, the gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. We continue to visit the Restored Sword Lake (Hoan Kiem Lake) and Ngoc Son Temple, do a cyclo tour around 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.Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Day 3: Hanoi - Mai Chau - Home stay ( B, L,D )Breakfast at hotel, depart Hanoi at 08 00 am for a 2 hours heading south-west to Hoa Binh town where we stop for refreshments and coffee. Leaving Hoa Binh, we drive towards Mai Chau valley, about another two hours away to White Thai village of Poomcong. Enjoy the stunning views while lunching on tasty local dishes cooked by the White Thai girls of the village. Afternoon we walk to the surrounding village. Our hosts for this evening will be the White Thai minority people. In sampling these peoples hospitality, we find out a little more of their lives and cultures with a cultural exchange following the evening meal. Tonight’s accommodation will probably be a little more rustic than you would be used to.
D
ay 4: Mai Chau - Ninh Binh ( B, L,D )Following breakfast we embark on a lovely walk to Lac village and Van village. As we walk we will encounter the local villagers going about their daily business tilling the fields, logging or herding the buffalo. We enjoy lunch in Mai Chau before driving downhill to Ninh Binh ( 120km )
Overnight at hotel in Ninh Binh.
Day 5: Ninh Binh - Hanoi ( B, L )Breakfast at hotel, Visit Hoa Lu Temple, the ancient citadel of Vietnam in 10th century. Enjoy a trek to the King Dinhs Tomb on a terraced hillside and gaze down at the ancient capital in the beautiful Truong Yen Valley below.
Lunch at local restaurant in Tam Coc, we then take aboard sampans at Tam Coc to ferry down the Boi river, spend some time relaxing on a 2 hour boat trip. The boat goes through 3 cavernous limestone tunnels, offering a cool break from the sunshine and astounding views of the cave structures. After boat tour in Tam Coc, you have the chance to visit the 15th century Bich Dong Pagoda complex. On a limestone mountain three pagodas were built, the Lower, the Middle and the Upper pagoda. Transfer back to hanoi late afternoon, check in, relax at hotel.
Day 6 : Hanoi – Halong bay on board ( B, L,D )Breakfast at hotel, then 8:30 AM start a 3. 5 hour drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. Comfort stop en route for photos and coffee ( by your own ) before arriving to Ha Long City.
11.30 – 12.15 Welcome you at Hòn Gai Tourist International Port
12.30 Check in Overnight Cruise, welcome drink and program introduction
13.00 – 14.30 The cruise start the journey
Lunch served with local cuisines menu and passing the paramount view at Ha Long
such as Kicking Dog Island , Fighting Chicken Islet, Huong Peak, Thien Cung Cave,Dau Go Island…
15.00 – 16.00 Explore Surprise Cave – one of the most famous caves on the Ha Long bay.
16.30 – 17.30 Small boat take you to Titop seaside: visiting islands, climb to Titop Mountain 200m in height to see the whole bay and swimming at Titop Seaside.
18.00 Return to your cruise or relaxation or enjoy sunset on the bay
19.30 – 21.00 Dinner at the restaurant with organized menu
21.00 Free at your leisure like lying on deck or going to catch squid…
Overnight on junk.
Day 7: Halong – Hanoi – Danang flight – Hoian ( Brunch )Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a back up vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3.5 hour journey directly to the airport for flight to Danang. The guide in Danang will pick you up, transfer to hotel in Hoian, check in, relax.
Day 8: Hoian ancient town ( B )Today there are a lot of time 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. Overnight at hotel in Hoian.
Day 9: Hoian – Hue ( B )This morning there is plenty of time to discover Hoian by yourself. You might like to take a boat ride with one of the local women across the Thu Bon River. Perhaps you would like to hire a bicycle and head off on a scenic ride to Cua Dai beach, about 4 km away. There's even the chance to improve your culinary skills with a Vietnamese cooking lesson. One thing is for sure - there is no shortage of things to do in this town!.
Afternoon, say good bye Hoian and embark on northern bound journey to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Stop en route at the beautiful Non Nuoc Beach and the Cham Museum, which contains the finest collection of Cham sculpture in the world. In Danang you will visit the Marble Mountains, five sacred hills containing dozens of Buddhist shrines. The guide and driver will take you over the beautiful Hai Van Pass - Vietnam's geographical and psychological boundary between north and south. The peak of the pass lies perpetually shrouded in clouds.
Arrival Hue in Hue late afternoon, check in, relax.
Day 10: Hue city ( B, L )Breakfast at hotel, we then set out for the exploration of Hue's famous highlights, 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, viewing the city and the tranquil villages on the riverbank. We will walk up to visit the Thien Mu pagoda, a nicely located pagoda, overlooks the Perfume River and the beautiful scenery beyond, where you get to learn more about the Buddhism in Vietnam. 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, built decades before its occupant's death the tomb was used as a palace retreat before the emperors final resting place. End of city tour with 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 11: Hue - Ho chi minh ( B, L)Morning after breakfast transfer to airport for the flight to Ho chi minh. Pick up at Tan Son Nhat airport, transfer to city center. We spend the rest of the day to visit the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975, and some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Sai Gon Post Office before we shall see the exhibition on Vietnam War to the famous War Museum. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, we pass a place with its famous lacquers and the tour ends at the city's finest shopping street, Dong Khoi Street and the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale. Overnight at hotel in Ho chi minh.
Day 12: Ho chi minh – Cu chi – Tayninh ( B, L )Pick up at hotel, travel by roads to Tay Ninh to see the ornate temple of Cao Dai and attend the fantastic mid-day service when the followers fill the hall wearing colored robes, a symbol of the curious combination of the Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. After wards we continue to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. At the height of the Vietnam war, the tunnel system stretched from the outskirts of Saigon all the way to the Cambodian border of over 250 kilometers of tunnels. The tunnel system, built over 25 years starting in the 1940s, let the Viet Minh and, later, the Viet Cong control a huge rural area. It was an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers. In places, it was several stories deep and housed up to 10,000 people who virtually lived underground for years.... getting married, giving birth, and going to schools.
Transfer back Ho chi minh city. Overnight Ho chi Minh City.
Day 13: Ho chi minh – Mekong delta – Caibe floating market ( B, L )Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Cai Be, stop for photos at Tan An town over the flat rice fields. Arrive to Cai Be, start the motorized boat to visit the Cai Be floating market, see how river life goes on, experience how people exchanging goods, fruit and many other commodities on their vessels. Visitors then roam into the small villages to visit the orchard, fruit plantation. Keep cruising to Vinh Long through small canals to enjoy the charm of the Upper Mekong Delta. Visit some hand made family business products such as the coconut candy mill, the crispy rice popcorn. Arrive in Binh Hoa Phuoc village the green pearl of Vinh Long town where you can indulge yourself into the nature . Have lunch with fresh river food served in the heart of the garden. Take a nice walk through the bonsai garden. Meet the car/van in Vinh Long. Back to Ho chi minh city.
Day 14: Ho chi minh departure ( B )Breakfast at hotel, free time until transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Say goodbye Vietnam. Thank you for traveling with Asia View Travel.
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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Hanoi
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Hanoi Paradise 3 *
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May De Ville Old Quarter 3*
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Hanoi Flower garden 4*
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De L' Opera 5*
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Maichau
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Home stay
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Ninh Binh
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Queen hotel 3 *
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Queen hotel 3 *
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Legend 4 *
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Legend 4 *
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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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Hoian
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Vinh hung II 2*
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Thuy Duong 3 *
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Hoian Beach resort 4*
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Palm Garden Resort 5 *
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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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Halong Boat
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Bai tho
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Bai tho
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Emotion
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Victory Star
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Tour includes:• All accommodation in double/ twin room with daily breakfast at selected hotels
• 2 days 1 night cruise on Halong Bay ( private cabin - sharing boat )
• All tours & transfers in private air-conditioned vehicles
• Domestic airfare & airport taxes: Hanoi – Hue, Danang – Ho chi minh
• Private English /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
• 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
• Kayak in Halong Bay
• Surcharge on Christmas, New Year and our Lunar New Year
• Personal travel insurance (Compulsory)
• Personal expenses such as Telephone and Laundry bills
• Tips and gratuities