ITINERARY:
HANOI - ARRIVAL (-/-/-)
DAY 1 Meet on arrival at Hanoi / Noi Bai International Airport and transfer to hotel for check in. In the evening, attend a performance of the famous Vietnamese traditional art of water puppetry at Thang Long Theatre. Overnight in Hanoi.
HANOI - HALONG BAY (B/L/-)
DAY 2 Visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (closed on Monday, Friday and whole months of October and November) and his Residence, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, built in the 11th century as Vietnam’s first university, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. After Lunch, drive to Halong Bay. Arrival and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Halong Bay.
HALONG BAY - HANOI (B/L/-)
DAY 3 Discover Halong Bay, 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. Afternoon drive back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.
HANOI - HUE (B/-/D)
DAY 4 At leisure until transfer to Hanoi domestic airport for flight to Hue, the former Royal City of the 13 ruling Nguyen dynasties. In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Citadel and Tu Duc Tomb. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Hue.
HUE - DANANG - HOI AN (B/L/-)
DAY 5 Boat trip on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious worship in Hue, then depart to Danang. The scenic 4-hour drive via Hai Van pass offers spectacular views of mountains, the sea, idyllic beaches and villages. Visit Cham Museum on the way. Lunch at local restaurant. We continue further south to the charming historic city of Hoi An. 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. Overnight in Hoi An.
HOI AN - DANANG - NHA TRANG (B/L/-)
DAY 6 Drive to Danang and transfer to airport for flight to Nha Trang. Transfer to hotel. Lunch at local restaurant. Visit the Institute of Oceanography, and boat trip to visit Tam Islands & Fishing Villages. Overnight in Nha Trang.
NHA TRANG - DALAT (B/L/-)
DAY 7 Depart Nha Trang for Dalat, a cool mountain resort. It’s lakes, waterfalls, evergreen forest and gardens make Dalat one of the most enjoyable places in Vietnam. On the way, visit Long Son Pagoda, Po Nagar Cham Tower, a secret Hindu site dating back to the 2nd century AD, and Po Klong Garai Cham Tower. Lunch at local restaurant. Arrive in Dalat and enjoy a scenic drive around Xuan Huong Lake before checking in at hotel. Overnight in Dalat.
DALAT - HO CHI MINH CITY (B/L/-)
DAY 8 In the morning, visit Bao Dais Villa, Truc Lam Thien Vien Pagoda and the infamous Crazy House. Depart for Ho Chi Minh City with lunch en route. Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
HO CHI MINH CITY TOUR (B/L/-)
DAY 9 City tour: Thien Hau Pagoda, Chinatown, former Presidential Palace, Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral. Lunch at local restaurant. Continue visit War Museum, a lacquer ware workshop and a local market. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
HO CHI MINH CITY - DEPARTURE (B/-/-)
DAY 10 Leisure time until transfer to Ho Chi Minh City / Tan Son Nhat 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-tickets Hanoi - Hue and Danang - Nha Trang.
Not included are surcharges for German speaking guide, 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.