Overview: The Essential Vietnam Tour is designed to grasp the essence of the country. This is the best introduction to most captivating country in Southeast Asia. The essence of Vietnam is wrapped in its special destinations of timeless culture and century-long tradition Hanoi as well as its present vibrant features; the enchanting waterways of Mekong delta and the unusual karst formation of Halong Bay besides the cosmopolis city of Ho Chi Minh.
Hanoi: the alluring capital, home to ancient pagodas, picturesque lakes, French-style colonial buildings and wide tree-lined avenues. Stroll across the tranquil compound of the Temple of Literature, wander through the narrow alleyways of the Old Quarter and marvel at the fascinating exhibits in artifacts-rich museums.
Ho Chi Minh City: known as Saigon to many locals, this throbbing metropolis still retains many traditional enclaves and mesmerizing sights. Feast your senses at the bustling Chinese district of Cholon, trace the development of Vietnamese medicine in FITO Museum, browse for interesting souvenirs at Ben Thanh Market and uncover the architectural legacy of French colonialism in the city’s downtown.
Halong Bay: located 3 and a half hours drive away from Hanoi. This essential Vietnam tour will embark you on an overnight cruise and take in the magnificent vistas of soaring limestone cliffs jutting out of emerald waters.
Hoi An: this is ancient port city, wander through the well-preserved streets to discover the fascinating potpurri of cultural influences on its architecture and history.
Hue imperial city: the mesmerizing collection of old tombs, mausoleums and citadels provide insights into the grandeur of an imperial city that for centuries shaped Vietnam’s cultural and intellectual development.
Mekong Delta: In this fertile region criss-crossed with countless lush plantations and waterways, spend a day cruising the colorful floating market and cottage industries to catch a glimpse of rural Vietnamese lifestyles.
Tour route: Saigon, Mekong Delta, Hoian, Hue, Hanoi and Halong Bay
Itinerary
Day 1: Saigon Arrival.
Welcome to Vietnam’s financial hub: Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Arrive in the late morning and enjoy an orientation tour through Saigon’s bustling streets en route to the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure to recover from jet lag and explore the city on your own.
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon.
Day 2: Saigon City Tour(B).
Enjoy a full day to tour Saigon’s diverse attractions. Start with a visit to Saigon’s China Town, then learn about traditional Vietnamese medicine at the FITO Museum and browse through the amazing array of goods at Ben Thanh Market. Stop for lunch then continue on the city tour with a visit to the War Remnants Museum and former Presidential Palace. You conclude the day exploring the city’s French colonial architecture, stopping at the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office.
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon.
Day 3: Saigon – Mekong Delta – Saigon (B,L).
Today you travel to the Mekong River Delta on a day trip to explore the rich culture and lush fluvial landscape. Your driver and guide will meet you at your hotel and take you to Cai Be. Start your tour with a visit to Cai Be’s colorful floating market, cruising among the local barges stuffed-full of fruits and vegetables. Visit some local workshops then enjoy a delicious lunch served in the cool shade of An Binh Island’s orchards. In the afternoon, take a traditional rowboat and venture deeper into the countryside, floating through narrow canals to enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Stop at a nursery garden to discover how farmers along the delta produce their world famous fruits and vegetables. The cruise ends around 3:30 PM in Vinh Long. Your driver will meet you at the dock and take you back to Saigon
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon.
Day 4: Saigon – Danang – Hoian (B).
After breakfast, you are transferred to the airport for your internal flight to Danang. Your guide and driver will meet you at the airport and take you on the short drive to the sleepy riverside town, Hoian. Take a half-day walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the ancient quarter, visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Hall, the 200-year old Tam Ky ancestral house and the famous Japanese Bridge. End the day with a relaxing sunset boat trip.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian.
Day 5: Hoian – Danang – Hue (B).
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then check-out and drive over the 500m-high Hai Van pass to Hue. Enjoy a stop at the scenic Lang Co Beach for a drink before continuing on to Hue – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Vietnam’s former capital. Spend the afternoon on a leisurely walking tour through the ancient city. Visit the Royal Citadel, the Imperial Museum, as well as the Mausoleum of King Tu Duc (a replica of the king’s palace built for the next reincarnation of the king)
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue.
Day 6: Hue – Fly to Hanoi (B).
Spend the morning on a private boat cruise down the romantic Perfume River to visit the Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda), Dong Ba Market and the ornate Minh Mang’s tomb. Drive to Phu Bai Airport to catch your short flight to Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi. Upon arrival, get transferred to your hotel in the city centre. Free at your leisure.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.
Day 7: Hanoi City Tour (B).
Today you have a full day to explore Vietnam’s charming capital. With its wide tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and ancient oriental pagodas, Hanoi is an eclectic mix that offers something for everyone. Your city tour will take you to Hanoi’s key sites: the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and stilt house), the Presidential Palace, the nearby One Pillar Pagoda; the Temple of Literature; West Lake including the sedate Tran Quoc Pagoda & Quan Thanh Temple; and one of the city’s museums (a choice between the History Museum and the Ethnology Museum). Later in the afternoon, enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Performance – a unique folk art that originated a thousand years ago during the Ly dynasty. A water puppet show depicts the daily activities in Vietnamese rural life as well as important historical events and ancient legends. Each water puppet is hand-carved and given five layers of lacquer paint to protect the puppets from the water and to add vital colors to the performance
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.
Day 8: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight on cruise (B, L, D).
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, before setting out on a 3 to 4 hour drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Halong Bay.
* The following Halong Bay itinerary is a sample for our standard service on a 3 star junk/ cruise. Different programs are available through our luxury cruise itineraries on the Violet, Jasmine, Ginger, Paradise or Au Co. Please contact us for more details.*
Spend 24 hours on a traditional Junk Cruise in the amazing bay: a natural wonderland composed of jutting limestone islands and sparkling turquoise waters. Arrive at the dock around noon and board your junk. Savor a gourmet lunch of fresh seafood onboard as sailing out into the mystical bay. In the afternoon, cruise around some of Halong’s many islands, including Dinh Huong and Ga Choi. Along the way visit one of the bay’s 3 largest caves (Thien Cung, Dau Go or Sung Sot). Stop at an island cove with a sheltered white-sand beach and take a dip in the warm waters of the Gulf of Tonkin (weather permitting). Pass the night on your junk, lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of calm waters.
Accommodation: on cruise.
Day 9: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Departure (B).
Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore the nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for brunch then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay as you navigate back to Halong City, where your driver will meet you at the dock and take you to Noi Bai International Airport to catch your departure flight home.
Accommodation: N/A
| Tour Includes: – Accommodation (3 star in average) – Breakfast & meals as mentioned in the itinerary – Transportation by private car with A/C – English-speaking guides – 2 domestic flights (Saigon – Danang, Hue – Hanoi) – All entrance fees, performances, boat trips & excursions. |
Tour Excludes: – International Flights – Travel insurance – Vietnam Visa – Gratuities for tour guides/ drivers – Beverages & other personal expenses. |
