Highlights of Vietnam 10 Days

This tour is perfect for those travelers who wish to maximize their exposure to the cultural and natural highlights of this vibrant country while traveling in comfort and style. Begin in Hanoi, one of Asia’s most beautiful and enjoyable cities. Stroll around the lake, and attend an evening theater performance. Visit ancient temples, excellent art and culture museums, and the city's best contemporary Vietnamese art galleries. Explore the fascinating Old Quarter and its hundreds of specialty shops selling silk clothing, lacquerware, embroidered linens, furniture, bamboo cooking utensils, ceremonial objects and more. One night will be spent on a boat in beautiful Halong Bay. Cruise among the limestone islands while enjoying fresh seafood, swimming, visits to local islands, and activities on board.
 
Next, fly to Hue, established as the capital of unified Viet Nam in 1802, Hue was not only the political but also the cultural and religious centre under the Nguyen dynasty until 1945. The Perfume River winds its way through the Capital City, the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City and the Inner City, giving this unique feudal capital a setting of great natural beauty.
 
Continue on a coastal drive to the Hoi An Ancient Town, which is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site. Nearby, also see My Son Sanctuary, a unique culture which owed its spiritual origins to Indian Hinduism developed on the coast of contemporary Viet Nam. This is graphically illustrated by the remains of a series of impressive tower-temples located in a dramatic site that was the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom for most of its existence.
 
The tour concludes in dynamic Ho Chi Minh, the country’s bustling commercial center. With your own expert guide and driver, experience the city's most interesting sights, historic attractions, museums, and shops, markets, and excellent restaurants. Also spend a day cruise along narrow canals of the Mekong Delta. Finish your trip or you can extend some day to Siem Reap (Cambodia), Mui Ne beach (Phan Thiet) or Phu Quoc Island.
 
Itinerary Overview
 
Day 1: Arrive Hanoi, transfer to hotel for 2 nights
Day 2: Full-day Hanoi city tour;
Day 3: Halong Bay Cruise, stay overnight on board;
Day 4: Sunrise cruise, travel back to Hanoi for flight to Hue for 2 nights;
Day 5: Hue touring;
Day 6: drive to Hoian for 2 nights, afternoon Hoian touring;
Day 7: Excursion to My Son, afternoon at leisure;
Day 8: Fly to Ho Chi Minh city for 2 nights, afternoon touring;
Day 9: Excursion to Mekong Delta
Day 10: Depart Ho Chi Minh

Day 1: Arrival Hanoi
On arrival at Hanoi's Noi Bai International airport, you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to your hotel in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.
 
Day 2: Hanoi city’s highlights (B/L)
Although it is the modern-day capital of Vietnam, Hanoi still retains the mystery and charm of past centuries, with its narrow lanes and traditional shop houses. Begin with an exploration of the vast Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex. Visit theHo Chi Minh Mausoleum which contains the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh (closed Mondays, Fridays and during September and October); and Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House where Ho Chi Minh lived from 1958 until his final days in 1969. Preserved in the same condition as during his life, it may be viewed through the windows. Continue to the miniature 11th century One Pillar Pagoda which was rebuilt after being destroyed by the French in 1954, and then to the Temple of Literature with its walled courtyards and graceful gateways. Founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, this was also the site of Vietnam's first university. Afterwards head to the Museum of Ethnology (closed Mondays and during Vietnam New Year). This museum showcases art, traditional clothing and reconstructions of traditional longhouses from 54 different ethnic groups. Also on the tour will be the Lake of the Restored Sword, Ngoc Son Temple, and the Old Quarter, known for its 36 streets and former craft guilds. Overnight in Hanoi.
 
Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay Cruise & stay overnight on Board (B/L/D)
Following breakfast, cruise shuttle bus picks you up from your hotel and travel to the spectacular World Heritage site of Halong Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin (approximately four hours). Arrive at your 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. Overnight aboard on Halong Bay
 
Note: 2 days cruise itinerary is subject to change bases on each cruise company, transfer by cruise’s shuttle bus (driver pick-up, there is no tour guide on the bus), english speaking guide is available on board.
 
Day 4: Halong Bay Cruise – Hanoi – Fly to Hue (B/-/-)
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 by the cruise shuttle bus back to Hanoi.
 
Upon arrival in Hanoi, private transfer to the Noi Bai airport for the flight VN1545 (19.55 – 21:05) to Hue, where you will be met and transferred to hotel for a one-night stay. Accommodation at hotel in Hue.
 
Day 5: Hue – Full day Sightseeing (B/L)
Afterbreakfast, 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, the second emperor of the Nguyen Dynesty who reigned until 1841. The tomb blends traditional architecture with a magical natural setting, and consists of 40 constructions (palaces, temples, and pavilions). After lunch, visit Hue Citadel, the Forbidden Purple City, the Imperial Museum and Dong Ba market. Overnight in Hue.
 
Day 6: Hue – Danang – Hoian (B/L)
Today, your guide and driver will pick you up for the drive through the Hai Van tunnel to Hoi An ancient town, which is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site. The drive takes approximately 3 hours and passes through some of Vietnam’s most breathtaking landscape. En route, visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture, which contains one of the finest collections of Indo-Hindu carvings and documents the history and culture of the Cham people. Also visit the handicraft villages on the foot of Marble Mountain. Upon arrival in Hoi An, settle into your hotel.
 
Hoi An was Vietnam's most active trading center over many centuries and has been largely preserved. The architecture of the city reflects the influence of Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, French and British traders. In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour of this enchanting town visiting an old merchant house, the Hoi An Museum, a Chinese Assembly Hall and the Japanese Covered Bridge. There may be many interesting things waiting for you here, lanterns, clothes shop, Hoian calligraphy, night foods… Overnight in Hoi An.
 
Day 7: Hoian (B/L)
This moring we will 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. Back to your hotel (resort) and spend the rest of time at your own leisure. Stay overnight in Hoi An.
 
Alternatively, morning tour with bicycle ride to a local farm in Tra Que herb village. Tra Que is a charming little village on the edge of Hoi An, the village is named after the sweet scented vegetables that spice up the every day meals of the Pho Hoi people. Here a new spirit for traditional Hoi An dishes like Cao Lau, Quang noodles, enjoy cooking class served by host with the local ‘Tam Huu’ spring roll which were primarily made from Tra Que vegetables and cake with meat (Banh xeo) has been enlivened.
 
Day 8: Hoian – Danang – Ho Chi Minh (B/L)
This morning, you will be transferred to the airport in Danang for the flight to Ho Chi Minh. Start your explorations of this city with some afternoon touring, which will include a visit to the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office. Next, stop at the 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 Cholon (Chinatown) before returning to your hotel.
 
Day 9: Mekong Delta Excursion (B/L)
The Mekong's Vietnamese name, Cuu Long, means Nine Dragons for the nine mouths that terminate the flow of this great river as it, is absorbed by the sea. After breakfast, a two hour drive to My Tho will expose you to the colorful outskirt life as well as picturesque rice fields along the journey. On arrival, take a boat trip on Mekong river that covers areas of My Tho fish-farm and four islands of Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle and Phoenix. Visit Phoenix island, explore Dua Religion relics and manufacture of handicraft made from coconut trees. Continue to Thoi Son island. On arrival, visit traditional rice paper and coconut candy factory, walking along the rural village for visiting local house, where you can enjoy taste of seasonal fresh fruits, honey tea with many kind of jams while enjoy Southern traditional music show “Don Ca Tai Tu” - the lovely and romantic melody of one of local artists in Mekong Dalta. Rowing on sampans along the canals of Mekong river covered with shady water coconut trees. Have lunch at local restaurant. Return to Ho Chi Minh later this afternoon. Accommodation at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.
 
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh – Departure (B)
You have the morning free to relax before your return flight home. Finish your trip or you can take flight to Hanoi for the night departure flight.

Prices are quoted in US dollars per person base on minimum two travelers

- Check-in time at hotel: 14:00 -  Check-out time: Before 12:00

- The Hung Kings Anniversary from 6 April 2017 to 7 April 2017
- Victory Day & Labour Day from 29 April 2017 to 02 May 2017
- Independent Day from 02 September to 03 September 2017
- Christmas Eve gala dinner (December 24, 2017)
- New Year’s Eve gala dinner (December 31, 2017)
- New Year & Holiday: 24 December 2017 to 10 January 2018
- Lunar New Year from 15 Feb 2018 to 20 February 2018