DAY 1: ARRIVE SAI GON (D)

Upon arrival into Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), we are welcomed by our National Escort, and transferred to our hotel.  Saigon is one of the world’s true cosmopolitan cities with a history, culture and style obtained from colonial France, ancient China and the art deco era. Once the main port of Cambodia's Mekong territory, Saigon became the capital of France's Cochinchina and later the capital of the Republic of Vietnam. It remained the capital until the end of the American War in Vietnam in 1975 when it was moved to Hanoi.

Although the city was renamed Ho Chi Minh City in 1975, the government soon realised that the proud 'Saigonese' would never stop calling it Saigon. Now it’s accepted that Ho Chi Minh City refers to the greater metropolitan area, while the older and central suburbs are called Saigon.

Welcome dinner with delicious local cuisine at goode restaurant

Overnight in Saigon

Meal included: Dinner at local restaurant       

DAY 2: SAI GON (B/L/D)

Today we begin our sightseeing around Vietnam's largest and busiest city with a visit to the imposing Notre Dame Cathedral, built between 1886 and 1890, and the French-style Central Post Office.

We continue to the Reunification Palace. This was the scene for the final stages of the American War in Vietnam when a North Vietnamese tank bulldozed through the gates and a soldier ran to the fourth floor of the palace to raise a North Vietnamese flag from its balcony.

Next we visit the emotional War Remnants Museum where sensitive photographs and infantry weapons are on display. As it is a self-explanatory museum, we will have time to walk around on our own. Please be aware that some of the remnants and photographs on display at this museum may be confronting and upsetting for some group members.

After lunch we will drive to Cholon, the Chinatown of Saigon; here we will visit the beautiful Thien Hau Pagoda, dedicated to the Goddess of the sea. We end our tour at Ben Thanh Market where we can enjoy some bargain hunting! The remainder of the day is free at your leisure.

Overnight in Saigon

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel

                      Lunch at local restaurant

                      Dinner at local restaurant

DAY 3: SAI GON - MEKONG DELTA (B/L/D)

This morning we will drive to Ben Tre, a southern province located in the Mekong Delta. We will pass lush rice paddies and fruit farms emerging alongside the highway as we leave the city behind.

Upon arrival in Ben Tre, take a short stroll through a shaded area of coconut gardens before stopping to enjoy freshly picked fruit, a cup of honey tea and a traditional folk song performance.

Walk further to the river bank where we continue our journey by sampan, in which we are paddled by a personalised rower. Discover the maze of small palm-lined canals as you are paddled. We will have the chance to see a family-run business where coconut candy is made directly in front of the pier.

Embark on a motorised boat ride toward Turtle Island. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the village observing fruit orchards along the way. Our lunch will consist of typical Mekong dishes at a local restaurant. After lunch we will cruise to Chuong Duong waterfront pier where we can take in the Delta scenery of stilt houses and local fish farms.

Drive back to Saigon and stop en route at either Vinh Trang Pagoda, which was built in 1849 and is one of the first pagodas to incorporate a mixture of Asian and European architectural features, or a small, colourful Cao Dai temple, which represents a synthesis of world religions.

Overnight in Saigon

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel

                      Lunch at local restaurant

                      Dinner at local restaurant

DAY 4: SAI GON - CU CHI TUNNELS - TAY NINH (B/L/D)

This morning we visit the amazing communist guerrilla tunnel system at Cu Chi. The network, which is several storeys deep in some parts, includes trapdoors, living areas, storage facilities, weapon factories, field hospitals, command centres and kitchens.

The tunnels are located in an area known during the American War in Vietnam as the ‘Iron Triangle’, on account of the strength of its Communist insurgency. Cu Chi was also the conclusion to many caravan paths that traced down from the Chinese border, across mountain borders with Laos and into the Mekong Delta, which later became known as the Ho Chi Minh Trail. We have the unique opportunity to hear a first-hand account of what it was like to live in the tunnels during the American War as we are led around the tunnels site by a Cu Chi Veteran.

After lunch we head west to the Cao Dai Great Temple (or 'Holy See') at Tay Ninh. The Cao Dai religion has over two million followers today and was created in 1926 by a Vietnamese man who promptly elected himself the first Pope. It combines the philosophies of Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. The ‘Holy See’ is one of the most striking and unusual structures in all of Asia, blending the styles of a Western cathedral, a Chinese pagoda and the lurid colours of a Disney cartoon. 

Overnight in Saigon

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel

                      Lunch at local restaurant

                      Dinner at local restaurant

DAY 5: SAI GON - FLIGHT TO DA NANG - HOI AN (B/L/D)

This morning we will be transferred to Saigon airport to catch our flight to Danang. Danang is on the western bank of the Han River and is Vietnam's fourth largest and main University City.

Upon arrival in Danang, we transfer to the charming town of Hoi An, located 30km south of Danang. En route we will stop at Marble Mountains, five mountainous outcrops of marble. Here we will have a view of Da Nang Beach, where the American Marines had a huge R&R base during the 1960s and 1970s. 

Perhaps more than any other place in Vietnam, Hoi An retains the feel of centuries past. Once known as Faifo, Hoi An was an influential port along the Silk Road. For over 500 years merchants from China, Japan, France and Portugal settled in the prosperous town resulting in a distinctive blend of culture, cuisine, religion and architecture. In 1999, the town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage listed site for having the most unique architecture in Southeast Asia. It has been restored and protected by both the UNESCO fund and proud locals ever since. 

Overnight in Hoi An

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel

                      Lunch at local restaurant

                      Dinner at local restaurant

DAY 6: HOI AN (B/L/D)

Today we enjoy a walking tour of the narrow and ancient streets of this charming town. We will visit one of Hoi An’s oldest homes, built over 200 years ago and still occupied by the descendants of the merchant family that originally built it. We will also visit the traditional Hoi An market, the Quan Cong Chinese Temple and the Japanese Covered Bridge.

It is local belief that the ancient houses in Hoi An have a soul, which is displayed on the house as an eye, formed from the Chinese yin-yang symbol. Newly built houses are blind since they do not have eyes.

After lunch, the rest of the day is at your leisure to further explore this ancient town. Dinner to be at local restaurant.

Overnight in Hoi An

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel

                      Lunch at local restaurant

                      Dinner at local restaurant

DAY 7: HOI AN - HUE (B/L/D)

We leave Hoi An this morning and head north to Hue.  This drive will take us over the scenic Hai Van Pass, passing the fishing village of Lang Co, as we enjoy panoramic views of the central coastline.

Hue was the imperial capital of Vietnam from 1802-1945, when the last emperor abdicated the throne, yet even today it is still regarded as the seat of Vietnam's culture and religion. The Imperial Citadel, which dominates the city, was modelled on China’s Forbidden City. The city boasts many significant pagodas and temples, as well as the grand tombs of the Nguyen Emperors.

This afternoon we enjoy a cyclo ride to visit the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City, which was built only for the Imperial family, concubines and eunuchs. The Forbidden Purple City is still being restored many years after the destruction caused by street fighting and bombing during the American War in Vietnam.

Overnight in Hue

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel

                      Lunch at local restaurant

                      Dinner at local restaurant

DAY 8: HUE (B/L/D)

This morning, enjoy a cruise along the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue's oldest and most beautiful pagoda, built on a hillock overlooking the river. It is outside this pagoda that the car, driven by a monk called Thich Quang Duc, sits as a reminder of a change in the regime, which was made after the Vietnamese Buddhist crisis. Thich Quang Duc committed self-immolation in 1963 to protest against the government and in turn unwittingly produced one of the most enduring press photographs of the 20th Century.

Drive to the outskirts of Hue to visit An Hien garden house, which is originally the residence of Emperor Tu Duc’s 18th daughter. The house is an excellent example of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Massive pillars support a large tiled roof, with the family altar in the middle. A large rectangular lily-pond separates a screen and the house.  This screen has been designed to keep out evil spirits.

After lunch, we will visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Royal Tomb of Minh Mang. Emperor Minh Mang reigned in the Nguyen Dynasty, the last of the Vietnamese dynasties, from 1820-1840. The construction of his tomb was completed after his death and is said to have taken approximately 10,000 workers to complete. The complex comprises of almost 40 monuments and is surrounded by gardens and pools, making it one of the more beautiful tombs.

Overnight in Hue

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel

                      Lunch at local restaurant

                      Dinner at local restaurant

DAY 9: HUE - FLIGHT TO HANOI (B/L/D)

We rise early this morning and are transferred to the airport for our onward flight to Hanoi.

Upon arrival into Hanoi, we will be transferred to town. Hanoi is a charming and richly historic city of lakes, shaded boulevards and verdant public parks, with a population of about four million. The city centre is like an architectural museum, with blocks of ochre buildings retaining the air of a provincial French town from the 1930s.

We will start the trip by visiting the Fine Arts Museum for an overview of contemporary art and its development. It is housed in a building that once served as the French Ministry of Information. The structure and form is very classical, yet with oriental touches to the roof and other details.

After lunch, we will check into our hotel and freshen up. Then we will enjoy a walking tour of Hanoi's Old Quarter. This area of crowded, market alleys is still laid out as it was 300 years ago and is also known as the ‘36 Streets’. Traditionally in Vietnam, all the shops on a single street were devoted to selling one product. We can see rope, button, copper and herbal medicine streets. 

Overnight in Hanoi

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel 

                      Lunch at local restaurant

                      Dinner at local restaurant

DAY 10: HANOI - HALONG BAY (B/L/D)

Early this morning we drive to the area that is regarded as the ‘Jewel in the Crown of Vietnam’, Halong Bay. This area has been compared with the landscape of limestone islets of Guilin in China and Krabi in southern Thailand.

Upon arrival in Halong Bay, we board our boat for a cruise around the 3,000 islets that rise from the clear emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. This province shares a common border with China in the north and harbours some of the most stunning scenery in Vietnam. Bizarre rock sculptures jutting dramatically from the sea and numerous grottoes have created an enchanted, timeless world; the sails of the junk boats and sampans add further to the scenic beauty.

Enjoy a seafood lunch onboard our junk boat before returning to the wharf. We travel back to Hanoi, arriving later this evening.

Overnight in Hanoi

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel

                      Lunch on boat 

                      Dinner at local restaurant

DAY 11: HANOI CITY TOUR (B/L/D)

Without question, Ho Chi Minh is one of the great figures of 20th Century history. This morning we will visit Ho Chi Minh Quarter for a look at the life of the father of modern Vietnam. First we will visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum. The Mausoleum sits in Ba Dinh Square and is where Ho Chi Minh first declared independence from French rule in 1945. Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed from September to December year round. During this time we are unable to enter the Mausoleum, however we can view it from the exterior.

In the same complex, we will see the Humble House on Stilts from which ‘Uncle Ho’ ruled Vietnam until his death in 1969, Ho Chi Minh Museum and the One Pillar Pagoda.

We will then drive to the serene Temple of Literature, Hanoi's first university dating back to 1070 and a historical centre of learning, now dedicated to Confucian worship.

This evening we enjoy a performance of the famous Water Puppets. Vietnamese Water Puppets were invented thousands of years ago by farmers in the Red River Delta region near Hanoi, as a means to entertain themselves when the rains flooded their rice paddy fields.

Meal included: Breakfast at hotel

                      Lunch at local restaurant

                      Dinner at local restaurant

HOTEL LIST (subjetc to availability): below hotels or similar ones:

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• 11  Nights’ shared Accommodation in twin/double room with daily breakfast at the below indicated room types (see hotel category list below) (check in and check out around noontime)
• All transfers and transportation with air-con vehicles (types of vehicles depending on the number of pax):
  • 1-2pax: car of 4 seats
  • 3-7pax: van of 16 seats
  • 8-12pax: coach of 25 seats
  • 13-15pax: coach of 30 seats
  • 16-24pax: coach of 45 seats
• Local ENGLISH speaking guides
  • North (Hanoi – Halong Bay): 1 guide
  • Centre (Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An): 1 guide
  • South (Ho Chi Minh – Tay Ninh - Mekong Delta): 1 guide
  • NATIONAL Escort based on a minimum of 10 pax travelling
• All entrance fees as program
• Private boat trip in Ben Tre, Hue, Ha Long
• Meals (B/L/D) (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) as indicated in the program:
  • Daily breakfasts at hotels
  • 10 Lunches + 11 Dinners at local restaurants
• 02 bottles of mineral water per person per day on bus on days of transfer and sightseeing only

TOUR PRICE EXCLUDES:

• Airfares (international and domestic)
• Meals (other than mentioned in the program)
• Drinks
• Visa to Vietnam
• Mineral water beyond that supplied
• Tips
• Early check in or late check out
• Insurances
• Optional excursions and activities
• Additional transfer required due to any emergency situation
• Items of a personal nature (Phone calls, laundry, beverages…)
• Peak season surcharges if any
• All not mentioned above