Best Cultural & Heritage Tour Vietnam 11 Days

Destinations: Hanoi, Trang An, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoian, Saigon, Ben Tre, Can Tho
Set Departure Tour: From 960 USD per person and group maximum 16 people
Departure Date: 25 Oct 2017, 20 Nov 2017, 9 Dec 2017, 30 Dec 2017, 20 Jan 2018, 3 Feb 2018, 12 Mar 2018 and 9 Apr 2018
 
Highlights:

• Soaking up the hustle and bustle of Hanoi’s Old Quarter
• Taking an overnight cruise around the stunning limestone karst filled waterways of Ha Long Bay
• Discover the hidden beauty Trang An, which called as an 'outdoor geological museum' with numerous caves, mountains, valley water, trees and the historic relics.
• Visit Hue Imperial City, discover its historical and cultural riches
• Stroll through Hoi An’s ancient town and savor the local cuisine
• Explore the busy and crowded Ho Chi Minh City and experience its dynamic nightlife
• Discover the Mekong Delta waterways, its colorful floating markets and old houses

Why should you participate this trip?

• Half board included
• 3-4 star hotel and 4 star services!
• All domestic flights are included and oprerate by Vietnam Airlines 4 stars 
• We limit the group to a maximum of 16 people!
• Maximum flexibility for those wishing to extend their trip to Laos, Cambodia, or the sea

 

Price is in United State dollar, based on Double Occupancy accommodations
Set Departure Tour	Hotel 3 & 4 star
Min 4 persons – Max 16 persons	960 USD per person
Single Supplement	280 USD

Best Cultural & Heritage Tour Vietnam

Set Departure Tour: From 960 USD per person and group maximum 16 people
Departure Date: 25 Oct 2017, 20 Nov 2017, 9 Dec 2017, 30 Dec 2017, 20 Jan 2018, 3 Feb 2018, 12 Mar 2018 and 9 Apr 2018

Day 1: Arrival Hanoi (-/-/-)
Xin chao - Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam! You are greeted by your guide and driver at Noi Bai International airport for your transfer to the hotel. Hanoi, one of Asia’s most enchanting cities, full of culture, history and the engaging contradictions of a rapidly developing and deeply traditional society. Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: N/A
Transfer/Guide: Private vehicle/English Speaking Guide
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
 
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B/L/-)
The post-colonial capital city of Hanoi is a unique Asian city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, numerous lakes, pagodas and temples. This full day tour takes you around Hanoi's most interesting sights.


Begin with an exploration of the vast Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex. Visit the mausoleum of the historic figure and father of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh (closed Mon and Fri and from 5^th Sep- 5^th Nov) and the former presidents house on stilts where he lived from 1958 to 1969. Visit his former home, which illustrates the modesty of this Vietnamese revolutionary. Close by is the miniature 11th century One Pillar Pagoda which was rebuilt after being destroyed by the French in 1954. The next stop is the Temple of Literature. In 1076 Quoc Tu Giam - Vietnam's first university, also referred to as Van Mieu, was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Continue to picturesque West Lake and the sixth century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda. Lunch al a local restaurant.
 
In the afternoon visit the fascinating Ethnology Museum (closed on Mondays), which is both a research centre and a public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam. At the end of the afternoon visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter also known as the ‘36 streets’. Take a walking tour through charming Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son temple. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It's a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities all around. Overnight in Hanoi.  
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Transfer/Guide: Private vehicle/English Speaking Guide
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
 
Day 3: Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Trang An Landscape Complex (B/L/-)
Depart the hotel this morning at 8.00 for the 2 and half-hour drive through rural northern Vietnam to the site of Vietnam’s first capital, Hoa Lu. Visit the temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty (968-80), and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty (980-1009). The ancient Hoa Lu Citadel (most of which has since been destroyed) once covered an area of three square kilometers.


Next stop is Trang An Landscape Complex, has just been inscribed in the UNESCO’s World Heritage List, proudly being the Viet Nam’s first site to be acknowledged as a mixed natural and cultural heritage. Tour by local sampan along the stream. The limestone, valleys and rivers gather together constituting a mysterious and amazing scene. Visit caves with stalactites of all shapes and colors. Return to Hanoi in the late afternoon. Overnight in Hanoi.
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Transfer/Guide: Private vehicle/English Speaking Guide
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
 
Day 4: Hanoi – Halong (B/L/D)
Depart from Hanoi and travel to the spectacular World Heritage site of Halong Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin (approximately four hours). Arrive at jetty in Halong City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities. After your welcome onboard, a lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board. A peaceful night on board in your private cabin.
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer/Guide: Private vehicle/English Speaking Guide
Accommodation: On-board an overnight cruise in Halong Bay
Note: 2 days cruise itinerary is subject to change bases on each cruise company. Our tour guide will not accompany aboard the cruise in Halong Bay. Resident English speaking guide on board is available.
 
Day 5: Halong Bay Cruise – Hanoi – Fly to Hue (B/L/-)


Enjoy your fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Halong in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and transfer to the Hanoi’s airport for short flight to Hue. En route, visit Den Do temple. Upon arrival at Phu Bai Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel for two-night stay. Accommodation at hotel in Hue
 
Meals: Brunch
Transfer/Guide: Private vehicle/English Speaking Guide
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
 
Day 6: Hue – Full day Sightseeing (B/L/-)
After breakfast, you will board a private traditional boat for a cruise on the romantic Perfume River as you head out to the countryside. Being the ancient capital, Hue is surrounded by ancient tombs of emperors past, and a visit to some of these tombs will be on the itinerary for today. The charming Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) will be the first stop of the day. Continue along the river to the Royal Tombs of Minh Mang, located in a tranquil setting of gardens and ponds, inspired by the Chinese Confucianism, a harmonious design of balance and symmetry for the emperor’s resting place. After lunch, visit Hue Citadel, the Forbidden Purple City, the Imperial Museum and Dong Ba market. Overnight in Hue.

 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Transfer/Guide: Private vehicle/English Speaking Guide
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
 
Day 7: Hue – Hoian Ancient Town (B/L/-)
Following breakfast transfer from Hue for Hoi An, a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries whose architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years. The scenic route passes through the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co before climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds. Drive through Danang and make a stop at the Cham Museum, which contains the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world. Upon reaching Hoi An, transfer to your hotel for check in.
 
This late afternoon take a walking tour of the ancient town centre to visit former merchants’ houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese communal hall and the colorful market. There may be many interesting things waiting for you here, lanterns, clothes shop, Hoi An calligraphy, night foods… Overnight in Hoi An.


Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Transfer/Guide: Private vehicle/English Speaking Guide
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian
 
Day 8: Hoian – Ho Chi Minh (B/L/-)
After a morning at leisure in Hoian, you will be transferred to the airport in Danang for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City, where you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Transfer/Guide: Private vehicle/English Speaking Guide
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh city
 
Optional tours:
 
OP1: Halfday Excursion to My Son Sanctuary
This morning, travel more than 60 km to visit My Son Holy land, another UNESCO Heritage. My Son is considered to be one of the best-preserved Cham centers in Vietnam. My Son is the former capital of the ancient Cham civilization that ruled Central Vietnam from the second to the thirteenth century. This site is a must-see for those people who are interested in architecture and ancient civilizations and is now one of five World Heritage listed sites in Vietnam.
Price: 30 USD per person (Includes transfer, English speaking guide, entrance fee)
 
OP2: Tra Que Vegetable Village Halfday
This morning, depart from your hotel and ride bicycle in 30 minutes to Tra Que herb village. Take a short stroll around the vegetable garden and listen to the history of the village. Then join gardening activities in preparing the land, fertilizing with seaweed, raking the ground, sowing, watering, picking vegetables... Enjoy foot soak before getting to preparing lunch with a local family. Join cooking with ‘Tam Huu’ spring roll, ‘Banh xeo’ - a local pancake of people in Viet Nam middle region ... After your morning excursions and lunch, you learn how to harvest and wrap the vegetables. Bid fare well to your host family before riding back to your hotel.
Price: 30 USD per person (Includes English speaking guide, Bicycle, Farming tools, Lunch at a local family house)
 
Day 9: Cu Chi Tunnels - Ho Chi Minh City Tour (B/L/-)
Embark on an early morning visit to the world famous Cu Chi Tunnels which consist of more than 200 km of underground tunnels. This main axis system has many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels. The network included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life was like during the U.S.-Vietnam War. Lunch at local restaurant.


Afternoon private city tour of Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, which will include a visit to the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office. If you desire, you can visit the powerful War Remnants Museum, featuring collections of weapons and photographs from the two Indochina wars. Conclude the day with a visit to Thien Hau, arguably the most important Buddhist pagoda in Saigon, and then spend some time shopping at Binh Tay market in Cho Lon (the area of China town in Saigon) before returning to your hotel.
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Transfer/Guide: Private vehicle/English Speaking Guide
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh city
 
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh – Ben Tre - Can Tho (B/L/-)
After breakfast, a two hour drive to Ben Tre will expose you to the colorful outskirt life as well as picturesque rice fields along the journey. On arrival in Hung vÆ°Æ¡ng Pier, boating on Ben Tre river – one of tributaries of Mekong river- is along mangrove tree from town to country. Witness lively activities in morning as fishing, coconut cargo boats carrying on river.... Stop at traditional brickwork to see how to make bricks by hand. Go on by boat to My Long village, walking to hamlet to see making rice paper and enjoy some rice cake. Turn on Cai Son canal winding through coconut jungle, visit coconut workshop, have a look stages of coconut processing from husk off, prize out to peel out by hand. Go on small waterway and stop at a bee garden, enjoy some fruits, honey tea and listen to local music as well. Visit candy mill and enjoy some sweet by the way. Continue short walking to visit farmer house who making sleepmats.
 
Cycle rural tracks or drive tuk-tuk through coconut grove, vegetable plains (cucumber, bitter melon...). Keep going by row boat on shady palm tree canal and stop for lunch at Green Garden riverside restaurant. Boating back Hùng vÆ°Æ¡ng pier by motorboat. Continue drive to Can Tho, check-in to your hotel. Overnight in Can Tho.


Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Transfer/Guide: Private vehicle/English Speaking Guide
Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho
 
Day 11: Can Tho – Ho Chi Minh – Departure (B/L/-)
Transfer to the river and board a boat to visit the Cai Rang floating market, where each morning hundreds of farmers, with their boats full of fresh fruits and vegetables, gather to trade goods. Visit a colonial home in Binh Thuy. Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat Airport for your onward flight. Finish your trip or you can extend some day to Siem Reap (Cambodia), Mui Ne beach (Phan Thiet) or Phu Quoc Island.
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Transfer/Guide: Private vehicle/English Speaking Guide
Accommodation: N/A