ITINERARY:
HO CHI MINH CITY - ARRIVAL (-/-/-)
DAY 1 Meet on arrival at Ho Chi Minh / Tan Son Nhat International Airport, transfer to hotel for check in. The rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
HO CHI MINH CITY - CU CHI TUNNELS - HO CHI MINH CITY (B/L/-)
DAY 2 In the morning drive to Cu Chi, visit the amazing complex of underground tunnels at Cu Chi. There are more than 200 km of underground tunnels, comprising a main axis system with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters and other tunnels. Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. Lunch at local restaurant, continue visit Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office and then take a photo stop at former Presidential Palace, War Museum, Cholon (China town), Thien Hau Pagoda and Ben Thanh market. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
HO CHI MINH CITY - HUE (B/L/-)
DAY 3 Transfer to the airport and flight to Hue, the former royal city of the 13 ruling Nguyen dynasties. Upon arrival and transfer to hotel for check in. lunch at local restaurant. Drive to visit the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden City and if time permits, take a boat trip on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious worship in Hue and we will also visit the colorful local market. Overnight in Hue.
HUE - DANANG - HOI AN (B/L/-)
DAY 4 Today we visit the royal tombs of Tu Duc, Khai Dinh and one of the Hue’s traditional garden house. After lunch we start the spectacular drive over Hai Van Pass to Danang and continue to the charming historic city of Hoi An. Arrival and check-in. Overnight in Hoi An.
HOI AN - DANANG - HANOI (B/L/-)
DAY 5 A short boat trip across the river brings you to the boat builder’s yard and woodcarvers as well as a pottery and brick making village, Known to early Western merchants, Hoi An was one of the major trading centers of Southeast Asia in the 16th century. Hoi An has a distinctive Chinese atmosphere with low, tiled-roof houses and narrow streets; the original structure of some of these streets is still virtually intact. Many of the houses were constructed of rare timbers and decorated with lacquer panels engraved with Chinese characters and pillars carved with ornamental designs. During a leisurely discovery tour on foot you will visit some of the historic merchant and community houses, places of worship and famous bridges. Lunch at local restaurant.. On our journey to Danang we stop at Marble Mountains with its beautiful grottoes and temples, which can be reached by climbing steep steps (please wear appropriate shoes) then visit Cham Museum. Transfer to Danang Airport and flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.
HANOI - HALONG BAY (B/L/-)
DAY 6 Drive to Halong Bay (165 km east of Hanoi), listed as a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. “Dragon descending to the sea“ as it is known in Vietnamese, picturesque Halong Bay has more than 1,000 limestone islets rising from the sea, many of them containing beautiful grottoes. Enjoy a relaxing 5-hour boat trip through Halong Bay, fresh Seafood lunch is prepared and served on board. Return to Halong pier. Overnight in Halong Bay.
HALONG BAY - HANOI (B/L/-)
DAY 7 Own explore the halong Bay in the morning. Drive back Hanoi for lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon, we visit the Ethnology Museum (close on Monday), Temple of Literature and visit Hoan Kiem Lake with Ngoc Son Temple. Discover the Old Quarter of Hanoi.
Evening attend the performance of the famous Vietnamese traditional art of water puppetry at Thang Long Theatre. Overnight in Hanoi.
HANOI - DEPARTURE (B/-/-)
DAY 8 Leisure time until transfer to Hanoi / Noi Bai International Airport for departure.
Our tour prices are inclusive of transfers and tours with English or French speaking guide, accommodation in shared twin rooms with air-condition and private bath room, meals as specified in the program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner), entrance fees, boat fees, domestic air-ticket Ho Chi Minh City - Hue and Danang - Hanoi.
Not included are surcharges for other language guides, compulsory gala dinners during festive seasons and peak season surcharges, which will be advised at time of booking.
NOTE: Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.