Vietnam Insight 12 Days

Tour Highlights:
 

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival Hanoi (Meal: - / - / -)
On arrival at Hanoi's Noi Bai International airport, you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi
 
Day 2: Hanoi Full Day City Tour (Meal: B / L / -)
Today's full day of touring takes in the highlights of Hanoi. In the morning, we first drive to Ho Chi Minh's complex, including the mausoleum of the nation's founder and leader. Here, large crowds gather to pay there respects to the man they simply call Uncle Ho as they silently file past his glass sarcophagus. The Presidential Palace and Uncle Ho's wooden stilt house can also be seen here. One of must-see places in the complex is One Pillar pagoda dating back 11th century. From far view its shape looks like a huge lotus flower. The next stop is the Temple of Literature, the site of Vietnam's oldest university and dedicated to one of the world's most famous scholars, Confucious. Inside the temple grounds, huge steles rest on the backs of even larger stone turtles (in Vietnam's culture, the turtle represents longevity). The stele recorded the names of the successful candidates who later became mandarins in the Emperor's court.


In the afternoon, you will visit to the very impressive Museum of Ethnology, among the finest of Vietnam's museums. You will see many exhibits, photographs and actual houses inhabited by some of the 54 ethnic people in Vietnam. It will offer a truly colorful introduction to these ethnic tribes. Then we enjoy one hour cyclo tour of Hanoi 's vibrant Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, the focal point of the city. This is great fun! Lastly, in the late afternoon, you will be enchanted by the legends and stories told at the Thang Long Water Puppet show that no one should miss while visiting Hanoi.
 
Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay Cruise & stay overnight on Board (Meal: 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 guidse is available on board.
 
Day 4: Halong Bay Cruise – Hanoi (Meal: 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. Check-in hotel. Free at leisure and overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Day 5: Hanoi - Hue (Meal: B / - / -)
To day, you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Hue, a beautiful and welcoming city. 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. Upon arrival you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to hotel. This afternoon you embark on a tour of the Imperial City, which is located in the Citadel. 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.


Day 6. Hue – Danang – Hoian (B / L / -)
After breakfast at your hotel, 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).
 
Afternoon, drive to Hoi An ancient town. 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. Overnight in Hoian.

Day 7: Hoian – Free and Easy (Meal: B / - / -)
Free time at the resort to enjoy the facilities and comforts of the nice resort in Hoi An, with breakfast included. Hoi An is now one of five UNESCO-designated World Heritage sites in Vietnam. For your leisure time, you are free to meander in Hoi An, unwind at Cua Dai Beach, or take an optional half day trip to My Son Cham Ruins or Tra Que village. Overnight in Hoi An.


Day 8: Hoian – Ho Chi Minh (Meal: B/ - / -)
After a morning at leisure in Hoian, you will be transferred to the airport in Danang for the flight to Ho Chi Minh, 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.
 
Day 9: Cu Chi Tunnels - Ho Chi Minh City Tour (Meal: B/ L / -)
Embark on an early morning visit to the world famous Cu Chi Tunnels. Having never been discovered by American Forces during the Vietnam-American War, these tunnels stretch over 200 km and was an important base for the Viet Cong. This underground network sports hand connected command posts, a hospital shelter and former weapon factories.
In the afternoon, tour starts at District One, you will see such landmarks as the Cathedral of Notre Dame as well as the Centre Post Office and pass by the ornate City Hall (Hotel De Ville) and old Opera House (both can only be visited from the outside). 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. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.
 
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta - Can Tho (Meal: B/ L / -)
After breakfast, drive to My Tho, in the Mekong Delta. Upon arrival at My Tho, cruising along small creek to Mekong River estuary, to Con Phung (Phoenix Island) and stop over at fruit gardens, honey bee and coconut candy workshop. Have lunch at local restaurant with specialties, take small rowing sampan along small canals, then  on going to Can Tho, check-in to your hotel. Overnight in Can Tho.


Day 11: Can Tho – Cai Rang floating market - Ho Chi Minh (Meal: B/ - / -)
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. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.
 
Day 12: Depart Ho Chi Minh City (Meal: B/ - / -)
Your trip ends after breakfast today. There are no activities included and you’re free until our driver (no guide) come and transfer you to Tan Son Nhat Airport for your onward flight. 

- 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