Day 1: Hanoi arrival
Arrival at airport, our guide and driver will pick you up and transfer to hotel. You are free at leisure, overnight at hotel Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B, L)
Today, we have full-day tour of Vietnam’s capital city. You will visit the house on - stilts of Ho Chi Minh (this is where our uncle Ho spent the rest of his life) and the One Pillar Pagoda (it was constructed in 1049) and the Literature Temple (a habitual symbol of Hanoi), the Museum of Ethnology. After lunch, pay a visit to the Hoan Kiem Lake with its Ngoc Son temple, Hoa Lo prisonwas a prison used by the French colonists in Vietnam for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for prisoners of war during the Vietnam War when it was sarcastically known to American prisoners of war as the"Hanoi Hilton". The prison was demolished during the 1990s, though the gatehouse remains as a museum
Enjoin water puppet show. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Day 3: Hanoi – Dien Bien Phu by flight (B, D)
Breakfast at hotel, you are free until our guide and driver pick you up at hotel then transfer to airport for flight to Dien Bien Phu,
This afternoon you will visit Dien Bien cemetery and the museum, explore the local market. Overnight at hotel in Dien Bien.
Day 4: Dien Bien Phu Tour (B,L)
You spend the day around Dien Bien Phu visiting the former battlefields . It was here that the French planned to lure the Viet Minh, led by Ho Chi Minh, into the valley by sending 16,000 French troops as bait. The French however did not count on the brilliant leadership of General Vo Nguyen Giap who somehow managed to place the Vietnamese artillery on the surrounding ridges. From March until May 1954 the Viet Minh pounded the French positions until the French capitulated with the loss of 3,000 men. It's estimated that the Viet Minh lost more than twice that number. Later you visit the head quarter of General Giap during the Dien Bien Phu campaign. We will have the chance to meet several of the different ethnic minority tribes here, when we visit the villages of both the Thai and H'mong people. Overnight at hotel in Dien Bien Phu.
Day 5: Dien Bien Phu – Hanoi by flight (B)
You have a morning at leisure and then you take a transfer to the airport for flight back to Hanoi where you will be picked up and dropped off at your hotel
Day 6: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B, L,D)
This morning we head out for a 3 hour drive through verdant Red River Delta to Halong bay by shuttle bus where we board our own private boat for a five-hour cruise around the secluded and majestic Ha Long Bay giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. Whilst on board a sumptuous fresh local seafood lunch will be served. There will be opportunities for a swim and time to explore some of the limestone caves in the area.
12h15: Check-in registration , Boarding Junk.
12h45: Start cruising.
13h00: Have lunch board.
13h30: A fantastic cruise in Ha Long bay, pass through Dinh Huong island, Ga Choi. island, Dog island, Sail island, then visit Sung Sot cave and a swim at Soi Sim beach or TiTov beach.
17h30: Relax and enjoy sunset.
19h00: Enjoy dinner on board.
21h00: Fishing or relax and spending a night on board.
Day 7: Halong Bay – Hanoi - Hue (B, L)
7h00 : Have tea – breakfast.
8h00 : Visit Luon cave on small bamboo boat, then cruise to pass so that tourists can have a look Man’s head island, Tortoise island from the Junks.
9h00: Arrange luggage and check-out.
9h30 : Set brunch ( breakfast and lunch).
11h00: Arrive Halong wharf. End the trip, then transfer back to Hanoi. Drop off at hotel in Hanoi. Our driver will pick you up then transfer to airport for flight to Hue, overnight at hotel in Hue
Day 8: Hue City Tour (B, L)
08.30: Pick up at hotel
- Hat and incenses stick making village: learning the traditional job of people here and you can buy some for souvenirs…
- Tu Duc tomb: Tu Duc designed the exquisitely harmonious tomb, which was constructed between 1864 and 1867, for use both before and after his death.
- Minh Mang tomb: Said to be the most majestic of all of the Royal Tombs. Renowned for its architecture, which harmoniously blends into the nature surroundings
- Khai Dinh tomb: unlike Hue’s other tombs, being a synthesis of Vietnamese and European elements. Even the stone faces of the mandarin honour guards are endowed with a mixture of Vietnamese and European features.
- Thien Mu Pagoda: from here you can see the ferfume river with beautiful sightseeing.
12h00: Back to the city to enjoy Vietnamese food
Afternoon, we will visit Imperial capital during Nguyen Dynasty, finish tour, overnight at hotel in Hue
Day 9: Hue – DMZ Quang Tri – Khe Sanh – Vinh Moc (B,L)
In the morning, after breakfast, our tour guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel in Hue and head out on a scenic drive along the coastal area to visit the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), set in the rugged, jungle-shrouded mountains along the Laotian border of South Vietnam. Visit a bullet ridden church and at the remains of the Quang Tri Citadel., Visit Hien Luong bridge and the Seventeenth parallel, At Dong Ha town, take Highway 9 towards Laos, visiting some of U.S. outposts during the war, including Camp Carol and the "Rock Pile". Continue to Khe Sanh where there is the biggest U.S. base in central Vietnam during the war. Proceed to the Lang Vei Special Forces Camp, where North Vietnamese forces first used tanks against U.S. forces.
In the afternoon, cross the Dakrong Bridge to visit a village of Van Kieu ethnic minorities, drive back towards the coast to visit the intriguing network of underground tunnels at Vinh Moc where guerilla fighters lived and planned attacks, in late afternoon, drive back to Hue. Tour ends at your hotel in Hue.
Day 10: Hue – Danang – Hoian (B,L)
This morning we head out on a lovely journey southbound to Hoian via Hai Van Pass to view sencery. Afternoon visit to Cham Museum in Danang, where display finest Cham artefacts, statues in sandstone, marble stone in the world. We have a look at a craft village before arriving in Hoi An. Hoi An is a charming little township. Between the 17th and 19th centuries Hoi An was thriving international trading port. Afternoon, we can spend time walking around the historic town, exploring the many Chinese assembly halls and fascinating ancestral homes, some of which have been occupied by the same family for fifteen generations. The riverside market is always a hive of activity, especially in the early morning when the day’s catch arrives.
Overnight Hoi An
Day 11: Hoian Tour (B,L)
Morning we will take part in cooking class and enjoin your lunch there. Afternoon, we wisit Hoian town. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries Hoi An was a major Asian trading centre and much remains as it was then. A morning walking tour of the ancient town centre takes in former merchants' houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colourful market. Overnight at hotel
Day 12: Hoian – Saigon (B)
Breakfast at hotel, the we will transfer you to airport for flight to Saigon. Arrival saigon, our guide and drvier will pick you up then transfer to hotel, you are free at leisure, overnight at hotel in Saigon.
Day 13: Saigon – Cu Chi Tunnel (B,L)
In the morning, we have an excursion to the famous Cu Chi tunnels. This network of tunnels, which stretched for over 200km, became legendary during the 1960s. The Cu Chi tunnels played a vital part in the U.S.-Vietnam War in that they allowed the Viet Cong to control a large rural area only 30 to 40 km from Saigon. At its height, the tunnel system stretched from Saigon to the Cambodian border. The network, parts of which were several levels deep, included innumerable trap doors, specifically constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and feel of what underground life during the war must have been like. The tunnels have been widened for our benefit (otherwise we would not be able to enter them!). For those interested there's even the opportunity to try an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range.
Afternoon, we visit Saigon city. Don't miss the bustling Ben Thanh Market - a fantastic place for bargains of every kind! There are several interesting sights in HCMC. The War Remnants Museum has a wealth of images from the wars, the most moving being a gallery entitled 'Requiem' which is dedicated to Vietnamese and foreign journalists and photographers who perished during the French and American conflicts. The Reunification Palace was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 30, 1975 when the North Vietnamese tanks came crashing through the front gates, bringing the U.S.-Vietnam War to a dramatic end. Close to the palace some of the best examples of French colonial architecture are represented in the forms of Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Notre Dame Cathedral was built between 1877 and 1883 and the stone used to create it was exported in its entirety from France. Next to the cathedral stands the Central Post Office, finished in 1891. It is another fine example of French architecture and is Vietnam 's largest post office. For all its French colonial history though, Ho Chi Minh City is by far and away Vietnam 's most modern city. It has numerous shopping malls, cinemas, discotheques and a bewildering number of bars.
Day 14: Saigon – Mekong Delta (B,L,D)
10h00 boarding LE COCHINCHINE boat.Explore the lively Cai Be floating market.Walking for visit the handicraft village of the local people. Sightseeing the old house and sample various tropical fruits
10h00 Up for cruise to continue to Cantho via Cho LACH and TRAON
12h00 Disembark Cho LACH villages, make a pleasant walking or biking on the footpaths of the countryside to discover tropical fruit orchards and the local people's activities, especially some orchards (orange grove) with its famer
Cruise to continue to Traon. Enjoy the magnificent sunset on the
river. Leisurely cruise up the Mekong River while enjoying the beautiful scenery and the
aperitifs, sunset cruise
A wonderful day with picturesque ferry crossings over Mekong River branches. Dinner and nite on board in TRAON
Day 15: Mekong delta – Saigon (B)
The noise of the floating market wakes you up early in the morning. After breakfast, the cruise to continue to Can Tho to enjoy the magnificent sunrise on the river, leisurely cruise up the BASSAC River while enjoying the beautiful scenery
Arrive Cantho, a small boat will take you explore the CaiRang market one of the most bustling floating markets in Mekong Delta with hundreds of small boats barging and jostling for space as owners attempt to sell their goods. And through the palm-shaded creek to see local houses and green orchards
10h00 Disembark then return SGN by car. Tour end
Day 16: Saigon departure (B)
Breakfast at hotel, you are free at leisure until transfer to airport for flight departure. End of services.
Trip includes:
ü English speaking guide
ü All accommodation on double/twin basis with daily breakfast
ü Meals as indicated (B = breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Diner). Special requirements (vegetarian, diet etc.) could be arranged upon request
ü Private transfer (transfer with shuttle bus from Hanoi – Halong – Hanoi)
ü Cruise in Halong,
ü Tours with entrance fees, transfers during guided time
Trip excludes:
ü International airfares & airport taxes
ü Pre/post trip arrangement
ü Visa and visa arrangement
ü Travel insurance
ü Meals not indicated
ü Other personal expenses
ü Tips and gratuities
ü Surcharge for Chrimast’s Day, New Year’s
