Most visitors to Vietnam are overwhelmed by the sublime beauty of the country's natural setting: the Red River Delta in the north, the Mekong Delta in the south and almost the entire coastal strip are a patchwork of brilliant green rice paddies tended by women in conical hats.
There are some divine beaches along the coast, while inland there are soaring mountains, some of which are cloaked by dense, misty forests. Vietnam also offers an opportunity to see a country of traditional charm and rare beauty rapidly opening up to the outside world.
Despite its ongoing economic liberalization and the pressures of rapid development, this dignified country has managed to preserve its rich civilization and highly cultured society.
In brief:
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Day 2: Hanoi City Tours
Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay
Day 4: Halong Bay - Hanoi
Day 5: Hanoi - Hue
Day 6: Hue
Day 7: Hue - Danang - Hoi An
Day 8: Hoi An
Day 9: Hoi An - Saigon
Day 10: Saigon - Cu Chi Tunnels - Tay Ninh Caodaism
Day 11: Saigon Departure
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (Meals : N/A)
Our representative/tour guide will meet and greet you at the airport. Drive to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi City Tours (Meals : B)
Enjoy 5 hour sightseeing tours to visit the city's landmarks such as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, The Temple of Literature (First University built in the 11 Century), Hanoi Hilton Museum. Free walking around Hanoi old quarter for shopping and short visit Dong Xuan market. Enjoy 1 hour cyclo tours around the Hanoi City's old quarters and the traditional water puppetry show. Transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi
Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay (Meals : B/L/D)
Morning depart for Halong Bay, we go through the scenic countryside. The wondrous Halong Bay is truly one of Vietnam’s most impressive scenic sights. Heading out of the town we embark on a boat for an exploration of the legendary Halong Bay. This exciting five hour cruise will provide us a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. The limestone karsts formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. Stay overnight on the Junk Cruise
Day 4: Halong Bay - Hanoi (Meals : B/L)
Waking up and having breakfast served onboard. Continue cruising around the bay. Take sampan to visit Luon Cave and come back to the boat. Having brunch before disembarking and van will pick you up at the pier and transfer back to Hanoi. Visit Dong Trieu ceramic and pottery village on the way. Arrive in Hanoi at 04:00 pm. Free at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi
Day 5: Hanoi - Hue (Meals : B/L)
Transferring to the airport to catch morning flight to Hue. Check-in hotel upon arrival and take refresh for a while. This quiet city is widely known for the magnificent architecture of its citadels, palaces, royal tombs, pagodas and temples built under the Nguyen Dynasty. We visit the major sites including the Imperial Citadel with Forbidden Royal City like in Beijing. Free shopping in Dong Ba market. Overnight in Hue
Day 6: Hue (Meals : B)
Morning boat trip on Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda and Ming Mang Emperor's mausoleum. Overnight in Hue
Day 7: Hue - Danang - Hoi An (Meals : B/L)
This morning we drive to Hoi An, we will cross Hai Van Pass where you will have magnificent view of the China Sea. Stop at Lang Co to have break. Visit the fascinating Cham Museum, famous China Beach and the Marble Mountains en route to charming Hoi An. Known as Faifo to early Western traders, it was one of South East Asia's major international ports and today it still retains that special old-world feel. Enjoy a walking tour through the Old Quarter and try some of the local specialties. Hoi An is also famous for its large number of tailor shops, so if you want to have a new wardrobe made up, this is the time to do it. Overnight in Hoi An
Day 8: Hoi An (Meals : B)
Morning tour to visit local market and boat trip on Thu Bon River to visit handicraft villages. Back to hotel and you will be free at leisure on the beach or wandering around the town for the rest of day. Overnight in Hoi An
Day 9: Hoi An - Saigon (Meals : B)
Free at leisure until transferring to Danang airport to take flight to Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam's largest city has an exciting buzz as millions of people rush around on their daily business. We'll see the historic Reunification Palace and some great examples of French colonial architecture from the comfort of a cyclo. You will be free at the rest of day to make your own exploration to discover the city. Overnight in Saigon
Day 10: Saigon - Cu Chi Tunnels - Tay Ninh Caodaism (Meals : B)
Enjoy a morning drive through typical southern Vietnamese countryside to Cu Chi district, and Tay Ninh Province. Upon arrival in Cu Chi district, make a couple of stops for photo opportunities and a visit to a rice paper making factory at Tan Phu Trung Village. Experience ourselves the underground village of Cu Chi guerrilla fighters, which is simply a network of tunnels built during the long years of wars. Continue to drive another an hour and half from Cu Chi towards Tay Ninh to visit the incredible Cao Dai Great Temple, and attend the noon time service with architecture that could have come straight from a Walt Disney fantasy and where all the major faiths of the world blend together in a unique religious cocktail; photo opportunities during the ceremony. Lunch is at a local restaurant. Drive back to Saigon and arrive at 4 pm. Free at leisure for the rest of day. Overnight in Saigon
Day 11: Saigon Departure (Meals : B)
Free at leisure until transferring to Tan Son Nhat airport to take departure flight onward. HOME SWEET HOME. End of service.
We can arrange additional customized trips for you if the above itinerary does not match your expectations.
CATEGORY |
Price per person in USD in the party of
01 Nov 2008 - 30 Oct 2009 |
2p |
3-4 |
5-6 |
7-8 |
9-12p |
Sql |
Standard 2* |
1198 |
1148 |
1098 |
1048 |
1000 |
|
Superior 3* |
1296 |
1216 |
1168 |
1118 |
1088 |
|
First Class 4* |
1598 |
1568 |
1500 |
1468 |
1438 |
|
Deluxe 5* |
1989 |
1926 |
1858 |
1808 |
1776 |
|
Accommodation |
Mid-range (3+*) |
Superior (4*) |
Deluxe (5*) |
Premium (5+*) |
Hanoi hotels |
Hoa Binh, Majestic Salute |
Sunway, Guoman |
Sofitel Plaza, Melia, Horison, |
Sofitel Metropole |
Sapa hotels |
Royal, Chau Long |
Bamboo |
Victoria Sapa |
Victoria Sapa |
Quang Binh Hotels |
Sun Spa Resort |
Sun Spa Resort |
Sun Spa Resort |
Sun Spa Resort |
Hue hotels |
Asia Hue, Heritage Hue |
Huong Giang, Riverside |
Saigon Morin |
La Residence |
Hoi an hotels |
Hoi An Pacific, Hoi An Hotel |
Vinh Hung, Hoi An Beach |
Life Resort, Golden Sand |
Victoria Hoi An |
Nha Trang Hotels |
Green Hotel, Hai Yen Hotel |
Nha Trang Lodge, Yasaka |
Sunrise Beach, Vinpearl Resort |
Ana Mandara |
Sagon Hotels |
Palace, Metropole |
Majestic, Rex, Grand |
Duxton, New World, Legend |
Caravelle, Sofitel Plaza |
Can Tho hotels |
Saigon Can Tho |
Golf Can Tho |
Victoria Can Tho |
Victoria Can Tho |