Highlights of Vietnam

Hanoi full fay city tour begins with drive through French area to the Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh read the independence declaration in the morning of September 2nd 1945. 

Lining up for entering inside the Soviet-style mausoleum where late president Ho Chi Minh’s corpse has been reserved for years. Then walk through the gardens of the Presidential Palace to House 54 where Ho Chi Minh lived during 1954-1958. Strolling along the little pond, you will see Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts, the humble dwelling was modeled of hill tribes traditional dwelling far north of the country where Ho Chi Minh and his government ever lived during French war. Take photos of the distinctive One Pillar Pagoda - one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples which was built since 11th century. 

Continue to picturesque Ho Tay (West Lake) where houses  the 6th century Tran Quoc Pagoda.
 
Short drive to the 900-year-old Temple of Literature, which served as the first national university of Vietnam till end of 18th century.

Lunch with Ha Noi specialty at a local restaurant. 

Visit Hoan Kiem lake which has been considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Hanoi. Stroll through the red bridge to Ngoc Son temple which is dedicated national heroes as well as Saint Van Suong, here you will learn about why the story of  "Lake of the Restored Sword” as well as take photos of Turtle tower. 

Explore the fascinating Old quarter  by cyclo before wrapping the tour with water puppet show, an unique folk art of Viet Nam from about 11 century.  

Please note: The Ho Chi Minh mausoleum is closed every Monday and Friday (outside grounds and garden area will be open on these days) and normally closed from June 15 through August 15 for preservation and maintenance of the building. 

   Meals: Breakfast / lunch 
   Accommodation: Hanoi

9:00 embark your 3-hour drive through Red river delta’s peaceful villages. Upon arrival in Halong, board luxurious boat. 

Your overnight cruise journey in Ha Long Bay includes visits to a sandy beach and a limestone cave full of stalactites and stalagmites. Doing kayaking to a lagoon and partaking in cooking demonstration are part of your activities as well. 

Ha Long Bay has been twice recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, in 1994 and 2000 as well as named one of the seven natural wonders of the world,  Ha Long Bay, located in the Gulf of Tonkin and 165 kilometres from Hanoi, covers an area of 43,400 hectares and includes over 1,600 islands and islets. The exceptional scenic beauty of the limestone pillars complemented by biological interest is an ideal model of a mature Karst landscape developed during a warm and wet tropical climate. The outstanding value of Ha Long Bay is centered around the drowned limestone karst landforms, displaying spectacular pillars with a variety of coastal erosional features such as arches and caves which form a majestic natural scenery.

    Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner
    Accommodation: Cruise boat

Start your day with early get up and practicing Tai Chi exercise with help of a crewmember. Then continue your unforgettable Halong Bay cruise until a big brunch is finished and then disembark the cruiser at around 10:00 am.  Our guide and driver will meet you at the pier then drive back to Hanoi for an hour  flight to ancient capital of Hue. Upon arrival, you are welcome by our tour guide for short drive to your preferred hotel for check in. 

    Meals: Brunch
    Accommodation: Hue

Make tour of the former Imperial capital built early 19th century.  Enter the Ngo Mon Gate, main entrance to the Imperial Enclosure and the central passage reserved for use by the Emperor. Continue to the Supreme  harmonious Palace or Thai Hoa in Vietnamese with its spacious hallways and ornamental roof, the Halls of the Mandarins, the Nine Dynastic Urns, and the ruins of the Forbidden Purple City, once home to the royal family. 

Short drive to legendary Thien Mu pagoda on the north bank of Perfume river. Take boat excursion on the iconic Perfume River as to explore the life along the banks of the ancient royal capital city. 

Lunch with local dishes.

Our exploration continues with visit to the tomb of King Tu Duc, the dynasty’s longest reigning ruler. Unlike other tombs, the 12ha tomb complex with theater, bedroom, moon viewing house, pagoda, fishing pond was used by the King and his entourage as summer palace during his lifetime. Make our next visit to Tomb of Khai Dinh, built in Chau Chu mountain. Built for the Emperor Khai Dinh between 1920-31, the last tomb of its kind is an impressive structure combining western and eastern architecture, guarded by statues of soldiers and animals. This is only royal tomb that position of the king’s corpse can be found. 

    Meals: Breakfast / Lunch 
   Accommodation: Hue

This morning, depart to Hoian, On route, we make couple of stops  on route. Photo stop at  Hai Van Pass  known as Cloudy pass (weather permitting), make a visit to the Cham Museum in Da Nang city, which has a big collection of Champa sculpture dating back to the seventh century. 

Arrival  Hoian at noon, having lunch at local restaurant with delicious local dishes and then undertake walking tour of Hoi An, a UNESCO world heritage site retaining a diverse mix of architecture influenced by the many nations that traded in this historic port of call.

Begin with a visit to the Fujian Assembly Hall, established as a meeting place by Chinese merchants fleeing the Manchu conquest of China in 17th century. The hall is dedicated to the goddess of the sea, Tian Hau, and the Chinese merchants' ancestors, and is adorned with ornate carvings and statues. Continue to the Old House of Tan Ky, the iconic 400-year old Japanese covered bridge, and then to Trade ceramic museum. The city exploration on foot concludes at the vibrant riverside market nearby. 

    Meals: Breakfast / Lunch 
    Accommodation: Hoian

This morning, you are free exploring shopping in the ancient town. Check out by noon.

Mid afternoon, transfer to Danang for an hour  flight to the most vibrant city  - Ho Chi Minh city. Upon arrival, you are welcome by our tour guide for short transfer to your preferred hotel for check in. The remainder  of the day, free exploring the exciting city. 

    Meals: Breakfast 
    Accommodation: Ho Chi Minh

This morning, we leave the bustling city behind and drive northwest to visit the Cu Chi tunnels, an extraordinary network of tunnels more than 120 miles in length that was used by the Viet Cong as a hideout and secret village during Vietnam war. Here, after a 20 minutes long documentary movie you will learn about how the tunnels were created and have a chance to walk through a section to experience what life would have been like underground. Start our city tour with visit to the historic Reunification Palace formerly the Presidential Palace of the South Vietnamese government, which was attacked by Viet Cong troops on April 30, 1975, marking the end of the Republic of Vietnam. 

We then stroll to European-style landmarks neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral (*), which dates from the late 19th century and is built of red brick with two distinctive spires, the Central Post Office - one of Vietnam’s most beautiful examples of French colonial architecture.
Continue our city tour with visit to War Remnants museum, which displays a number of exhibits relating to the war with the U.S. and battles with occupying French forces. Back to your hotel via the magnificent Saigon Opera House (Municipal Theatre), city Hall, continental hotel. If time permits, we will have brief look at famous Ben Thanh market.

Enjoy your exciting dinner on boat in Sai Gon river. 
 
Note: Notre Dame Cathedral is under renovation until 2020 
    
   Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner
   Accommodation: Ho Chi Minh

This morning, leave the city and drive through vast expanses of rice paddies to visit the Me Kong delta. 

Upon arrival in Ben Tre city, boarding  river boat to brick kiln  to see local workers making bricks in handy traditional method. Visit one of coconut processing workshops located along canal  where you can sample fresh coconut and see how every single part of this versatile nut is turned into food and other side products. Go on natural scissors canals spreading out to  rural village. The boat will then stop at a quiet village where you can have a short walk to experience real delta village life, visit a mat weaving family, where straw mats are woven by using a hand loom. Riding on motor cart (Tuk Tuk) on shady village road, passing by lush rice fields and vegetable plains. Stop at local restaurant for delicious lunch featuring such local specialty as elephant-ear fish and river shrimp. 

Go back to the main boat by sampan rowing boat. Heading back to Ho Chi Minh city. 
    Meals: Breakfast / lunch 
    Accommodation: Ho Chi Minh

Today, you are free discovering the city your self.  Check out of your hotel room by noon. Our tour guide and driver will come to transfer you back to the airport for your departure flight. Your highlights of Vietnam tour ends. 
    
      Meals: Breakfast