Vietnam at a Glance

Itinerary

1. Day 01

   HANOI ARRIVALWelcome to Vietnam! Our local tour guide will ...
   HANOI ARRIVALWelcome to Vietnam! Our local tour guide will be welcoming you at Noi Bai airport; it takes us 35 minutes driving to the centre of Hanoi to check-in hotel. It’s then your own time to relax after a long haul file. Overnight in Hanoi.  
2. Day 02

   HANOI CITY TOUR (B/L)
   The bus and tour guide will pick you up from hotel in the Old Quarter at about 8 AM, driving to Tran Quoc Pagoda is located on an island east of West Lake (Tay Ho District), with a 1500-year history, which is considered to be the oldest in Thang Long-Hanoi. It was the Buddhist center of the Thang Long citadel in the Ly and Tran dynasties. With its historical and architectural values, Tran Quoc pagoda is famous for its sacred Buddha land, which attracts many Buddhists and visitors to Vietnam. Then, you will visit Ho Chi Minh complex (Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, the presidential palace, house on stilts, the final resting place of  Uncle  Ho, where he lived and worked from  1954-  1969).  After that, visit the Ethnology Museum, which is the most recent yet probably the largest and undoubtedly the most interesting museum in Ha Noi and Viet Nam. There are both indoor and outdoor sections, while the in–house exhibition is particularly informative, the outdoor display and activities make the museum stand out from the rest. There are many houses modeled after the traditional architecture of ethnic minorities, especially those who live in the Northern and Central highlands. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature, an ancient school of Thang Long and the first university in Vietnam. The Temple of Literature is acknowledged as an ancient historical-cultural heritage that gives tourists a deeper understanding of Hanoi's years of culture and tradition. Continue the visit to Hoa Lo Prison which was built in 1899. The French kept mainly political prisoners here along with those awaiting sentencing at the nearby Court of Justice, also where American pilots who had been shot down and captured were kept as prisoners of war.  The  pilots  called  it, sarcastically, the “Hanoi Hilton.” John McCain was held here at various times during his five and a half years as a POW. In the evening, experience the Water Puppet Show before returning to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi. Please note:  - On Monday and Friday morning Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and museum are closed, instead of the Vietnamese women museum. - Wearing short clothing is not recommended to visit the mausoleum and temple.
3. Day 03

   HANOI – HALONG – OVERNIGHT ONBOARD (B/L/D)
   From Hanoi, at 8AM, take the shuttle bus to head East for more than 3 hours to Halong Bay, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO in 1994. The road will pass by the Red River delta with green paddy fields and rural villages, where hard-working farmers are busy with their farming jobs, ploughing with buffaloes or planting seedlings. Upon arrival in Halong, we’ll take a big boat to cruise the Bay to discover the magnificent beauty of this “Descending-dragon” bay, created by thousands of odd-shaped limestone rocks and karst grottoes. After a lunch of fresh seafood on board, we can visit the Surprising Grotto, stop for swimming or kayaking, passing floating villages and approach islets to enjoy their beauty in close distance. Back to the boat for dinner late afternoon. Evening attend activities on the boat or relax at your own leisure. Overnight on the boat near Titov Beach.  Please note! The program may be little varied upon the cruise you choose.
4. Day 04

   HALONG BAY - HANOI (B/Br/-)
   After breakfast, visit by boat to Luon Cave, a ring-shaped pool inside an island in Halong with an absolutely tranquil landscape and emerald water. Back to the Wharf of Halong, passing the most densely populated area with many islands that have been named like the Cock-Fighting Rock, Sail Island, Incense burner rock or Sea Dog Rock. Arrive at Halong Wharf around 11.00.  Take the shuttle bus back to Hanoi. Arrive in the city around 3-4 pm. It’s your own leisure time to explore the town. Overnight in Hanoi. (Dinner at your own account).  
5. Day 05

   HANOI - DA NANG - HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN (B)
   Our driver shall wait for you at your hotel for the transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for a short flight to Danang. Welcomed at Danang airport by the local guide and driver to transfer to Hoian, a tranquil ancient seaport developed and collapsed during the 17th – 19th century. When strolling around old traders’ houses, shrines, small museums and the famous Bridge Temple of Hoian, we can feel the inspiration of numerous Vietnamese and foreign artists, who consider Hoian a museum-in-the-open-air. Overnight in Hoian.
6. Day 06

   HOI AN AT LEISURE (B)
   There will be nothing better than a day at leisure in the ancient town of Hoian to refresh yourself and chill out your recent impression of your visits in Vietnam. At leisure the whole day in Hoian. OPTIONAL TOUR: BA NA HILLS – GOLDEN BRIDGE FULL DAY TOUR     (L) – Group tour Pick up time: 07:30 am – 08:00 am                      Duraton: 6-8 hours Program: Our Minivan and a tour guide pick you up at the hotel lobby. Reach Ba Na Hills via Cable Car. Spend your time on the most modern Cable Car in Southeast Asia, visit Dream Stream Cable car Station and see the panorama of Quang Nam  After finishing the first cable car, you will visit The Golden Bridge, which has the most exotic structure and also the world's most prominent pedestrian bridges highlighted by the British Guard newspaper, France wine cellar, Le Jardin D’amour (consists of 9 gardens), and Linh Ung pagoda. Continue the 2nd Cable Car to visit the French Village - enjoy Street Music, watch Art’s statue, Campanile, Nine Floor Goddess Shrine, Tombstone Temple, Watch Carnival Performance Show, Square Du Dome ...Challenge the most popular adventure ride - Slide of Tube Car (free ride)… Lunch at Restaurant (Buffet). Take the Lava Train from Sun Kingdom to many new attractions for check-in such as Helios waterfall, Time Gate, and The Moon Kingdom …Join in Fantasy Park by Walking in Fairy Forest, discovering Dinosaur Park, playing 5D wild west, enjoying 4D death race ride, watch 3D mega 360 degrees, ride on Journey into the underground, enter Jurassic Park, challenge Freefall Tower and participate in an adventure in Horror House and over 90 free games. 15:00: Return to the Cable Car for leaving Ba Na Hills 16:45 – 17:45: Our minivan brings you back to your hotel. Included services:  transfer, English-speaking guide, cable car, entrance fee in the Fantasy Park & Alpine Coaster. Golden Bridge, Funicular, Le Jardin D’amour, Debay Wine Cellar fee, Lunch, a bottle of water. Excluded services: Wax Statue Museum, tips, and personal expenses 
7. Day 07

   HOI AN AT LEISURE – DA NANG – SAIGON (B)
   Breakfast at hotel. Relax till transfer to Danang Airport to take the afternoon flight to Saigon. You will be welcomed at the Tan Son Nhat airport and transfer to the hotel to check-in. Overnight in Saigon.   OPTIONAL TOUR: LANTERN MAKING – BE A REAL FARMER AT TRA QUE VILLAGE     (L) – Group tour Pick up time: 08:30 am – 08:30 am Duration: 5 hours Program: The tour will begin at your hotel or our office. Our tour guide will greet you and provide your bicycle for your trip. Cycling through the paddies and the shrimp farm After that, we will head to Tra Que vegetable village, where you can relax and enjoy the peaceful countryside, and then stroll through the vegetable village. As a special treat, you will be involved with digging, sowing, planting, and harvesting the vegetables with the farmers' rudimentary tools for hundreds of farmers. You will enjoy E Water, a specialty of Tra Que vegetable village, where you can feel the strong medicinal flavor from many kinds of vegetables. You could well be a farmer with many interesting activities. Finish your time in Tra Que vegetable village, you will ride your bicycle leisurely passing the rice fields and villages, to come to the art of making lanterns. You will visit craftsmen with skillful hands, showing you how to create brightly colored lanterns. Expertly guided, you could make yourself a lantern as a gift to your family. Finish your learning, the tour guide will take you back to your hotel, and finish your trip. Included services: bike, English-speaking guide, entrance fee, lantern, lunch, mineral water (500ml/pax) Excluded services: tips and personal expenses
8. Day 08

   SAIGON CITY TOUR (B)
   08:00 AM: Take the morning trip to visit Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace, which was built on the site of the former Norodom Palace. The Independence Palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral and the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum, the museum has a vast display of both the Indochina wars.  12:00 PM: Transfer back to your hotel or meeting point.    OPTIONAL TOUR:  CU CHI TUNNELS – Group tour Pick up time: 12:30 PM Duration: 6-7 hours Program: Pick up at your hotel and depart for Cu Chi, which will take approximately one and a half hours by bus. Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have a short introduction followed by an introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of wartime. Then, spend your time exploring the remaining area and tunnel systems, which include the specially constructed living areas with kitchens, bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers, helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purposes during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerrilla’s food during the war) will be served. Break time for relaxation or time for those who want to try the real shooting gun (on your own account). Return to Saigon.  Included: A/c van pick up (centrally located hotel in Dist 1), transfer & sightseeing as per program, English speaking guide, entrance fees. Excluded: Other services not mentioned in the program; Personal expenses
9. Day 09

   SAIGON AT LEISURE (B)
   At your leisure the whole day for your own discovery of Saigon (no services provided). Overnight in Saigon.   OPTIONAL TOUR  MEKONG DELTA DISCOVERY – Group tour Pick up time: 07:30 AM – 08:00 AM Duration: 7-8 hours  Program: Leave the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and start your trip to depart for My Tho, a town that lies on the left side of the Mekong River. Upon arrival, visit Vinh Trang pagoda, which dates back to the late 19th century. Then, boarding the sampan and cruising down the river around the four beautiful islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise Islands. Stop over at Unicorn Island, go walking around the country lane and see orchards, and enjoy tropical fruits, and folk song music performed by the local people. Visit the fruit plantation. Ride a hand-rowed sampan through the Thoi Son canal and treat yourself in the beauty of the countryside, visit the family business, visit the honey-bee farm, and enjoy a honey tea and coconut candy workshop.  Have lunch at a local restaurant. Break time. In the afternoon, time for cycling around Tan Thach village, and meeting the local villagers to experience the local daily life in the Mekong Delta. Hammock relaxing and enjoying the cool breeze for those who can’t join the cycling trip. Return to Ho Chi Minh City.  Included services: A/c transfer & sightseeing as per program, boat trip in the Mekong delta, English speaking guide, entrance fees, local lunch with set menu. Excluded services: tips and personal expenses.
10. Day 10

    SAIGON DEPARTURE (B)
    It’s your own time today for more relax and shopping in Saigon, the biggest commercial centre of Vietnam. Your driver will see you at the hotel on time to transfer you to the Tan Son Nhat Airport for the flight leaving Vietnam.

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