In the Highlights of Vietnam Tour You will see the world’s most beautiful bay of Nha Trang and the World’s Natural Wonder of Halong Bay while historical lessons will be learnt in Hanoi capital city and Imperial City of Hue and many more fun waiting for you ahead….!
TOUR BRIEF
Day 1: Hanoi arrival
Day 2: Hanoi full day city tour
Day 3: Hanoi-drive to Halong Bay-overnight on boat
Day 4: Halong Bay Cruise – Hanoi-fly to Hue Imperial City
Day 5: Full day sightseeing in Hue City – Old Imperial City
Day 6: Full day sightseeing in Hue City – Old Imperial City
Day 6: Thien Mu Pagoda/Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang
Day 7: Hue -drive to Danang/City Sightseeing
Day 8: Hoi An Excursion/Thun Bon River Boat Trip
Day 09: My Son Sanctuary half day Tour & free go shopping
Day 10: Leave Hoi An to Nha Trang Beach City
Day 11. Nha Trang Sightseeing
Day 12. Nha Trang
Day 13: Nha Trang
Day 14: Leave Nha Trang to Saigon/City Sightseeing
Day 15: Full day trip to Mekong Delta/River boat trip
Day 16: Ho Chi Minh City departure
ITINERARY
Day 1: Hanoi arrival
Today you’ll land in Hanoi. Warmly welcome by Tour Guide & Car Driver at airport then transfer to Hanoi Downtown, a city of lakes, shaded boulevards, public parks, and the capital of Vietnam. Check into your hotel. Stay overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi Sightseeing full day (B, L)
Hanoi, a city of lakes, shaded boulevards and public parks, is the capital of Vietnam. It is a very attractive city with French-style architecture. You have a full day of sightseeing ahead, including a visit to One Pillar Pagoda, which was built by Ly Thai Tong and the Temple of Literature, founded by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong. 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 3: Excursion to Halong Bay and Stay overnight on Board. (B, L, D)
Early this morning, we’ll drive from Hanoi to one 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 4: Halong Bay Cruise – Depart for Hue Imperial City. (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. Cruise check-out. Rejoin car drive to airport directly. Arrive Noi Bai Airport (Hanoi) at 3:00pm. Catching flight to Hue City. Arrive Hue City, transfer to hotel for check in. Overnight in Hue.
Day 5: Full day sightseeing in Hue City – Old Imperial City. (B, L)
Spend full day to visit Hue City, 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 6: Full day sightseeing in Hue City – Old Imperial City. (B, L)
Spend full day to visit Hue City, 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 6: 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 7: Leave Hue to Danang/City Sightseeing. (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 East Sea, with spectacular views along the way. Upon arrival in Danang, visit the Cham Museum, which features a fine collection of open-air sandstone carvings. Stop at My Khe 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. Transfer to Hoi An Ancient Town. Check in hotel & overnight in Hoi An.
Day 8: 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 09: My Son Sanctuary half day Tour & free go shopping (B, L)
Leave hotel at 8:00am. Drive to My Son, a World Heritage, 50 km southwest of Hoi An. Located in a lush valley, My Son was a capital and religious center of Cham people, now remaining with red brick towers and sanctuaries. My Son, considered to be in the same league as some of Southeast Asia’s greatest archaeological sites, including Angkor in Cambodia, Bagan in Myanmar, Ayutthaya in Thailand and Borobudur in Indonesia. These towers and sanctuaries was built from the 7 to 13 centuries. Return to Town for lunch. In afternoon, free go shopping in Hoi An Town. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 10: Leave Hoi An to Nha Trang Beach City (B)
Free for leisure in the morning until transfer to Danang Airport to take flight to Nha Trang Beach City – one of the most beautiful Beaches in over the World. Pick up & transfer to hotel. Check in & overnight in Nha Trang City.
Day 11. Nha Trang Sightseeing (B, L)
In the morning you will transfer to Cau Da port for a cruise on the Nha Trang Bay to visit Tri Nguyen Aquarium on Mieu Island to enjoy hundreds of nice and precious marine creatures then continue the trip to Mun Island -the best island for snorkeling with lots of lives colorful corals and fish. Taking a fresh lunch at the Con Se Tre island and relax. Back to hotel. Overnight in Nha Trang.
Day 12. Nha Trang (B)
Today is a free day at leisure in Nha Trang for relaxing and unwinding at the resort overlooking beautiful Bay. Snorkel or dive among the coral reefs in crystal blue waters, hike nature trails, cool off in your private plunge pool, indulge in spa treatments or just relax on the white sand beach and admire the unspoiled mountain and sea views. Overnight in Nha Trang.
Day 13: Nha Trang (B)
Enjoy your time on the one of the most beautiful beaches on the World! Overnight in Nha Trang.
Day 14: Leave Nha Trang to Saigon/City Sightseeing. (B, L)
Leave Nha Trang City in the morning. Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon, the largest Vietnamese city. There are street markets, sidewalk cafes and sleek new bars. This teeming metropolis offers 300 years of timeless traditions and the beauty of an ancient culture. To the west of the city is the huge Chinese neighborhood called Colon, which means “Big Market.” Notre Dame Cathedral, in the heart of Saigon’s government quarter, is of neo- Romanesque architecture with two high square tower and iron spires. The Central Post Office is French-style and City Hall, known as “Hotel de Ville,” is typical of the French architecture that would be seen in any village in France. Visit the War Remnants Museum, featuring collections of weapons and photographs from the two Indochina wars. Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 15: 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 16: Conclude Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City. (B)
You have the morning free to relax before your return flight home. Finish your trip or you can extend some day to Siem Reap (Cambodia), Mui Ne (Phan Thiet) or Phu Quoc Island.
Tour inclusions:
14 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: Hanoi – Hue, Danang – Nha Trang, Nha Trang – Ho Chi Minh City (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, Nha Trang, 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 exclusions:
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.
