Day 01: Arrival Hanoi
Arrive Hanoi, the bustling capital of Vietnam, a fusion of Asian and French influences, and the seat of the Vietnamese Government. Hanoi a city is famous for it's lush parks and peaceful lakes. The city is divided into districts, many of which are named for a lake within the district. Hanoi is a pedestrian-friendly city where most vehicles are two-wheeled. Upon arrival into Hanoi you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Welcome dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi. Meals: Dinner
Day 02: Hanoi – Hai Phong
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning city tour, visit: One-Pillared Pagoda (Mot Cot Pagoda) - built in 1049 in the shape of a lotus flower. According to a legend, King Ly Thai To, who had no male offspring, once saw in a dream the goddess of compassion (Acalokitesvara) sitting on a lotus who handed a boy to him. The King later married a young peasant woman he had met by chance and a son was born to them. As a token of gratitude, he had the pagoda built and dedicated it to the goddess.
Ho Chi Minh's House-on-Stilts. Lunch at "Cha Ca Restaurant" for specialty of fish cake.
PM: Proceed to Hai Phong, which is known as the city of flower-lined streets and is also the third largest city of Vietnam, after Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, and the second most important seaport in Vietnam. Visit Du Hang Pagoda, Hang Kenh Communal House. Overnight at the hotel in Hai Phong. Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch
Day 03: Hai Phong – Halong bay
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Halong pier. Board a Junk Cruise to enjoy Halong Bay, one of the most magnificent natural splendors of the far east, a UNESCO heritage site, which is made up of 1,969 islands of various sizes with limestone and schist caves. "Ha Long" means "where the dragon descends into the sea". From the emerald-green waters of Ha Long Bay some 3,000 limestone and dolomite islands rise jaggedly from the Gulf of Tonkin (the scales on a dragon's back). Local lore has it that an enormous dragon created the bay and outcroppings as it thrashed it's way toward the open sea to prevent the intrusion of enemy navies. Seafood Lunch onboard Cruise. Back to Halong Wharf. Shopping at night market. Dinner by your self and Overight in Halong. Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch
Day 04: Halong Bay - Hanoi
ABF, back to Hanoi. Lunch at local restaurant.
PM: Visit a complex of the Hoan Kiem Lake, which is considered the most beautiful lake in the city, with Ngoc Son Temple, which was built in the 19th century, dedicated to the god of literature, which is linked to the bank by a beautiful curved bridge called The Huc (morning sunshine). Have a cyclo (pedicab). Enjoy a Water Puppet Show - a traditional and unique Vietnamese Art. This highly entertaining form of theatre uses the water surface as a stage. Standing waist-deep in the water, the master puppeteers are hidden behind a bamboo screen. The technical virtuosity of the puppeteers is startling and the music enticing. The entire atmosphere is truly enchanting. Many of the brief episodes relate to scenes of daily life. Overnight in Hanoi. Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch
Day 05: Hanoi – Hue
Breakfast at the hotel. Free time for shopping till departure time to Hue on VN 245 (10:10 – 11:20) by Vietnam Airline. Upon arrival into Hue you will be met and transferred to your hotel. After Lunch, visit Royal Citadel which was constructed by Emperor Gia Long in the style of French military architect during the first decades of the 19th century. Free for shopping at Dong Ba Market. In the evening take a boat trip a long Huong river (Perfume River), enjoy traditional folk songs. Overnight in Hue. Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch
Day 06: Hue – Hoi An
AM: Continue your trip on Huong River, visiting two majestic and serene Tombs of Emperors: Tu Duc and Khai Dinh.
PM: Transfer to Hoi An, on the way visit Hai Van pass, a site that is covered in clouds all year round, enjoy breathtaking views of mountain landscapes, long stretches of beach, turquoise water of Lang Co's lagoon and the South China Sea Beyond.
Upon arrival to Da Nang, visit: Cham Museum. Located in the center of Danang, this museum houses appealing stone sculptures (from the 4th-14th centuries) of Vishnu, Shiva, and other Gods of the Cham Empire.
Proceed to Hoi An Old Town, which lies on the banks of the Thu Bon River. Occupied by early Western traders, Hoi An was one of the major trading centers of Southeast Asia in the 16th century. More than five centuries ago the Vietnamese nation of Dai Viet expanded it's kingdom of Champa, which covered much of what is now central Vietnam. Hoi An emerged when Japanese and Chinese traders built a commercial district there in the 16th century. Hoi An still has a distinct Chinese atmosphere with low, tile-roofed houses and narrow streets; the original structure of some of these streets still remains almost intact. The houses were made of rare wood, decorated with lacquered boards and panels engraved with Chinese characters. Pillars were also carved with ornamental designs. Overnight in Hoi An. Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch
Day 07: Hoi An - Saigon
Morning walking tour of through old Hoi An: The ancient architecture of Hoi An is a fascinating combination of Vietnamese traditional characters with Chinese and Japanese influence. Visit Japanese Covered Bridges, Phuoc Kien Merchant Temple, the 200 years old Tam Ky House, Chua Ong Pagoda, the vibrant market, a walking tour past many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls which reflect the town's multi-cultural past.
PM: Transfer to Da Nang airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival into Saigon you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure. Overnight in Saigon. Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch
Day 08: Saigon City Tour and Cu Chi Tunnels
AM: Pick up at hotel, transfer to visit Cu Chi. Sight-seeing on road: rice field, potter's kilns. Visit the underground village, which used to be a bitter battle ground for a long period during the Vietnam war. The amazing network of over 200 km of undergound tunnels will offer you impression of the former fierce war in South Vietnam.
PM: Have a Sai Gon city tours: Visit to Reunification Palace, War Crime Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office, former US Embassy, and shopping at Ben Thanh Market. Overnight in Saigon. Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch
Day 09: Saigon – Mekong Delta (Ben Tre)
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart Saigon for a scenic morning drive to Ben Tre Province in Mekong Delta.
Embarking on board and Cruising on Mekong River to visit a local family producing coconut candies, tasting some tropical fruits grown in the region.
Take a Horse Cart to Quoi Son to visit a bee farm, have a cup of hot tea mixed with bee honey and lemons at a local farmers house. Travel by boat to Con Qui island for lunch and enjoy a local music performance. You will be picked up by boat to return to the main town of My Tho, visit Vinh Trang Pagoda if time permits. Return to Saigon in the late afternoon
Visit China Town with the 150-year-old Thien Hau Chinese Temple, dedicated to a sea goddess. Overnight in Saigon. Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch
Day 10: Saigon Departure / Goodbye Vietnam
Free at your leisure till transfer to Tan Son Nhat International airport for departure (Flight TBA). End of the tour. Meals: Breakfast
