Day 1: Arrive Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
You arrive Tan Son Nhat (Saigon) International Airport. Transfer from Airport to Ho Chi Minh City at any time then transfer to hotel in Ho Chi Minh City for check in. Free for leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 2: Full day Sightseeing in Ho Chi Minh City & Cu Chi Tunnels. (B, L)
This morning enjoy a city tour that includes the Reunification Hall, formerly known as the Presidential Palace. It was towards this modern building that Communist tanks rolled on the morning of April 30, 1975, as Saigon fell. This fascinating building is filled with history still fresh in the minds of many. The tour also includes the Old Post Office, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Jade Emperor Pagoda, Chinatown and Binh Tay Market – the central market for the city and one of the liveliest areas. Next we visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, the incredible network of tunnels that once stretched for 210 miles. This underground complex was built by guerilla fighters beginning in 1940 and construction continued throughout the Vietnam War. We return to our hotel where the evening is free.
Day 3: Full day to Mekong Delta/River Boat Trip. (B, L)
Today takes you to My Tho, the capital of Tien Giang Province. Situated on the Mekong River, 75 kilometers southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, the city is surrounded by orchards and rice fields, which produce grain for the entire country. Visit one or two of the islands that produce traditional handcrafts, coconut candy and bee farms. Visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda, the oldest one in the delta on your boat trip on the Mekong River. Return to Ho Chi Minh City. Check in hotel & stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 4: Fly to Hue/Tour the Old Imperial City. (B, L)
Today you leave Ho Chi Minh City fly to Hue in the morning, Vietnam's political capital from 1802 to 1945 under the 13 emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Traditionally, the city has been one of Vietnam's cultural, religious and educational centers. Visit the Imperial City, which is located in the Citadel. Modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Imperial City was built in the early 19th century. Explore the Thai Hoa Palace, with its spacious hall and ornate roof of huge timbers supported by 80 carved and lacquered columns. See the Halls of the Mandarins, the Nine Dynastic Urns and the site where the Forbidden Purple City once stood. Overnight in Hue City.
Day 5: Thien Mu Pagoda/Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang. (B, L)
Just outside Hue, visit the Thien Mu Pagoda on the bank of the Perfume River, which was a hotbed of anti-government protest during the early 1960s. Next, visit the complex of the Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, built in 1840, which is known for its magnificent architecture and elaborate decorations and is considered one of Hue's most beautiful pagodas. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Tu Duc Tomb, which was built for meditation, reading and theater performances in a tranquil setting of forested hills and lakes. Your final stop is at Khai Dinh, the last monument of the Nguyen dynasty. It has a remarkably long staircase flanked by dragons, ceiling murals and ceramic frescoes. Return to your hotel on the riverbank where your Art Deco inspired rooms are reminiscent of the 1920s and 1950s. Overnight in Hue City.
Day 6: To Danang/City Sightseeing – Hoi An. (B, L)
Today, journey south past the Hai Van Pass and Land Co, over a spur of the Truong Son Mountain Range that juts into the South China Sea, with spectacular views along the way. Upon arrival in Danang, visit the Cham Museum, which features a fine collection of openair sandstone carvings. Stop at China Beach, made famous in the American TV series of the same name. It stretches for many miles north and south of the Marble Mountains. The Marble Mountains surrounding the area are five stone hillocks - once islands made of marble - and each is said to represent one of the five elements of the universe. There are many natural caves in which Buddhist sanctuaries have been built over the centuries. Arrive Hoi An Town, check in hotel & overnight in Hoi An.
Day 7: Hoi An Excursion/Thun Bon River Boat Trip. (B, L)
Enjoy a full-day excursion to Hoi An, a major trading center, once known as "Faifo" to the earliest Western traders. It was also an important port for the Dutch, Portuguese, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and other merchant vessels from the Far East. Visit a temple with partially gilded statues in the center, a pagoda dedicated to sailors and fishermen and a chapel with origins in the 1700s that reflects the influences of Chinese and Japanese styles. Stop at the Sa Huynh Museum, located near the Japanese Covered Bridge, which contains exhibitions from the earliest period of Hoi An's history. Late this afternoon, take a boat trip on the Thun Bon River to Kim Bing Village on Cam Kim Island to see the wood workers and shipbuilding families. Return to your haven on world-famous "China Beach," with the evening at your leisure. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 8: Leave Hoi An for Halong Bay, stay overnight on Board. (B, L, D).
You leave Hoi An transfer to Danang Airport in the morning fly to Noi Bai International Airport. Pick up & transfer to Halong Bay of the most magnificent scenic environments in the world, Halong Bay. Covering 577 square miles, this vast bay is filled with more than 3,000 limestone “peaks” or karsts that jut from the deep blue water as far as the eye can see. We’ll spend a day and a half, including an overnight with dinner and breakfast onboard, exploring this overwhelming seascape from the decks of a traditional Vietnamese boat. Comfortable and intimate, your boat features hand-crafted wooden interiors including a dining room and pleasant air-conditioned cabins with private baths. Since we’re overnight on the water, we’ll be able to explore Ha Long Bay’s most beautiful spots with time to swim and even visit some of the largest rock formations and caves. This promises to be one of your most memorable travel experiences in Asia. Stay overnight on Boat.
Day 9: Halong Bay Cruise - Hanoi. (B, L)
Rising to the sound of lapping bay waters, we have time for an early morning dip followed by breakfast. Sitting on the upper deck, you can relax while taking in the breath-taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the emerald water of the bay.
After breakfast, explore Sung Sot cave, swim and relax. Cruises back to the jetty while brunch is served while you are cruising through the bay, along the way seeing more of the fascinating formations. Cruise check-out. Rejoin car drive back to Hanoi for overnight. Arrive Hanoi at 2:30pm. Stop in the heart of Hanoi at Hoan Kiem Lake, which contains an islet with a tiny Tortoise Pagoda. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Opera House and St. Joseph Cathedral. Conclude with a visit to Bao Tang Lich, once the museum of l'Ecole Francaise d'Extreme Orient, which includes artifacts from Vietnam's turbulent history. Water Puppet Show, Cyclo visiting Old Quarter. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 10: Hanoi Conclude/ Departure. (B)
You have the morning free to relax before your return flight home. Finish your unforgettable trip or you can extend some days in Sapa or Siem Reap (Cambodia)
Tour Cost included:
+ 8 nights hotel accommodation on a twin-share basic with daily breakfast
+ 1 night stay overnight on Board in Halong Bay in twin-share cabin.
+ Internal flight tickets: Ho Chi Minh City – Hue, Danang - Hanoi (economy class) Vietnam Airlines including fuel charge & Airport taxes.
+ Meals as mentioned in the itineraries: Vietnamese food, Asian Food basic.
+ All landed transfers within the tour by air-conditioned vehicle, including pick-up and drop-off at airports on arrival and departure days
+ English Speaking Tour guide. Other languages on request
+ Boat trips in the Mekong Delta, Hue & Hoi An
+ All entrance and sightseeing fees
+ Water Puppet Show & Cyclo Tour in Hanoi Old Quarter.
+ Approval letter for landing visa to Vietnam: single entry, one month valid
+ All taxes & services charge.
Tour Cost Non Included:
+ International airfare and airport taxes in Vietnam
+ Beverages and other meals do not indicate in the program
+ Visa fees to Vietnam
+ Early check-in and late check-out at all hotels
+ Kayak, Massage onboard
+ Travel insurance
+ Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, shopping...)
+ Tipping/ Gratuities
+ Single supplement
Any additional expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such as natural calamities (typhoon, floods), flight delays, rescheduling or cancellations, any accidents, medical evacuations, riots, strikes etc...
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Destinations
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Hotels/Resorts/Cruises Name
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Room Type
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First Class
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Ho Chi Minh City
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Bong Sen Saigon Hotel or Best Western Chancery Saigon
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Superior
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Da Lat
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Empress hotel
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Superior
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Nha Trang
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Que Huong Hotel
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Superior
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Hoi An
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Glory Hoi An Hotel or Ha An Hotel Hoi An
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Superior
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Hue
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Asia Hotel Hue or Camellia Hotel Hue
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Superior
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Hanoi
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Star View Hotel or La Dolce Vita Hotel
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Superior
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Halong Bay
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Huong Hai Deluxe Junk or Bai Tho Cruise
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Deluxe
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Sapa
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Bamboo Sapa Hotel or Chau Long Hotel (Old Wings)
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Deluxe Old wing
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Superior Class
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Ho Chi Minh City
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Grand Hotel Saigon or Kim Do Hotel Saigon
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Superior
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Da Lat
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Novotel Dalat Hotel
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Standard
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Nha Trang
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Yasaka Saigon Nha Trang
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Deluxe room
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Hoi An
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Hoi An Pacific Hotel or Hoi An Riverside Resorts
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Deluxe Riverview
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Hue
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Saigon Morin Hotel or Huong Giang Hotel Hue
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Hanoi
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Flower Garden Hotel or Silk Path Hanoi Hotel
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Superior
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Halong Bay
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Halong Emotion Cruise
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Deluxe
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Sapa
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Chau Long Sapa Hotel (New Wings)
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Superior
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Deluxe Class
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Ho Chi Minh City
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Caravelle Saigon Hotel or Majestic Saigon Hotel
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Superior
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Dat Lat
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Sofitel Dalat Palace Hotel
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Deluxe
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Nha Trang
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Sunrise Resort
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Superior Room
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Hoi An
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Palm Garden Resorts or Hoi An Golden Sand Resorts
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Deluxe Oceanview
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Hue
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La Residence Hotel Hue or Celadon Hotel Hue
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Superior
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Hanoi
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Sofitel Plaza Hanoi or Sheraton Hotel Hanoi
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Hanoi View Room
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Halong Bay
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Paradise Cruises or Victory Star Cruise
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Deluxe
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Sapa
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Victoria Sapa Resorts
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Superior
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