Vietnam People and Traditions 14 Days

Vietnam People and Traditions

(14 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Hanoi, Halong, Hue, Hoian, Ho Chi Minh, Ben Tre, Can Tho, Cai Rang

Day 1: Arrive Hanoi
On arrival at Hanoi's Noi Bai International airport, you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.
 
Day 2: Hanoi Full Day City Tour (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 (B/L)
Depart this morning for the 3.5 hour drive that takes you through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta to Halong Bay, which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arriving in Halong, cruise by boat to discover the extraordinary landscapes of Ha Long Bay. Discover the mysteries of the 8th wonder of the world; visiting the caves and some of the bay of Islands; summer stop on one of the beaches where you can swim. Seafood lunch on boat. Return to Ha Long and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation at hotel in Halong.
 
Day 4: Ha Long – Hanoi – Hue by overnight train (B/D)
Drive to Hanoi and visit But Thap pagoda en route, a 300 year old pagoda. In the evening, transfer to the station to board a sleeper train for Hue. Overnight in the train in shared 4-berth compartment.
 
Day 5: Hue (B/L)
Morning arrival in Hue. Your guide for the centre of Vietnam will meet you at the train station and take you to the hotel. In the afternoon, visit Hue Citadel, the Forbidden Purple City, the Imperial Museum and Dong Ba Market. Accommodation at hotel in Hue.
 
DAY 6: HUE (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, 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). Also visit visit to King Tu Duc's tomb, set among lotus ponds, fragrant pine, and frangipani trees. Accommodation at hotel in Hue.
 
Day 7: Hue – Hoian (B/L)
This morning, depart by road for 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. Accommodation at hotel in Hoian.
 
Day 8: Hoian (B/L)
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 farewell to your host family before riding back to your hotel.
 
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. Also explore its many craft and silk shops and the colorful fish and produce market. Accommodation at hotel in Hoian.
 
Day 9: Hoian – Da Nang – Fly to Ho Chi Minh city (B/L)
This morning, you will be transferred to the airport in Danang for the flight to Ho Chi Minh. On arrival at Ho Chi Minh's Tan Son Nhat International airport, you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to your hotel for three-night stay. After settling in to your hotel, head out with your guide on an introductory tour which will include a visit to the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Post Office and China town. If you desire, you can visit the powerful War Remnants Museum. Conclude the day with a visit to colorful outdoor markets and Dong Khoi Street, the city’s main shopping boulevard with fashionable boutiques and accessories designed by up-and-coming Vietnamese designers, hill tribe crafts, high quality linens and house-wares. Accommodation at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.
 
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta - 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, take a boat on Ben Tre river – one of tributaries of  Mekong river, sight-seeing  lively activities along river as fishing, water transfering… Stop at brickwork to see how to make bricks in handy traditional style by printing and baking. Visite one of plenty of coconut processing workshops located along canal. Turn on natural scissors creeks where they look smaller and smaller to go to village. Take a walk to family workshop making sleepmats and enjoying some fruits. Take a tuk tuk or ride on shady paths, pass by green rice fields and vegetable plains to be able to touch on realy life and find out about tropical culture from peasants. Lunch at restaurant riverside. Then take rowing-boat along water palm creek and boat back to Hung VÆ°Æ¡ng pier. Continue drive to Can Tho, check-in to your hotel. Overnight in Can Tho.
 
Day 11: Can Tho – Cai Rang floating market - Ho Chi Minh (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. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.
 
Day 12: Cu Chi Tunnels Excursion (B/L)
In the morning you will enjoy a half-day private excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels. The tunnels consist of more than 200kilometers of underground tunnels. This main axis system has many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrancesto 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. You will have free time in the afternoon. Accommodation at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.
 
Day 13: Ho Chi Minh (B)
Day at free. Accommodation at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.
 
Day 14: Depart Ho Chi minh city (B) 
There is no activity planned for today. Enjoy your free time for souvenir shopping or relax until transfer to the airport for your onward flight.