VN 04: Vietnam cultural highlights (10 days/ 9 nights)
Transport: Car, flight
Hotel: hotel
Region:
City & around
Itinerary:
Arrive Hanoi - Halong Bay - Tam coc - Hue - Danang - Hoi an - HCMC - mekong delta region
Price:
800
Update: 5/23/2013 Hits: 519
Detailed Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi ()
Arrive in Hanoi, welcome by your guide and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner and Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi – Hoa Lu – Hanoi (B, )
A 70km drive through rural northern Vietnam to the site of Vietnam's
first capital, Hoa Lu. After visiting the two remaining sanctuaries of
the ancient citadel, take a sampan on a river through the rice paddies
to the grottoes of the sacred Tam Coc Caves. Enormous limestone karsts
jut out from the green rice fields giving rise to this place's other
name, 'Halong on Land'. Climb up to the Bich Dong Pagoda, which offers a
scenic view of the surrounding countryside. Return to Hanoi. Overnight
in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi city tour (B, )
A full day city tour of Vietnam's capital. Hanoi is a unique city with
tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and
oriental temples. The city tour includes such sights as Ho Chi Minh's
Mausoleum and his house on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of
Literature, the Quanh Thanh Temple and the Tran Quoc Pagoda on the edge
of West Lake. After lunch in town continue to the Museum of Ethnology
and end the afternoon with a visit to the Lake of the Restored Sword and
a cyclo tour of the Old Quarter. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 4: Hanoi – Halong Bay Cruise (B, L, D) Leave
Hanoi by road for Halong Bay about 3 hours and one stop on the way.
Arrive in Halong and board the Bai Tho Junk then have lunch on board
with welcome wine . The cruise will take you by exotic islands with
shape of Dog, incense urn, sail island, fighting Cocks which are
naturally f formed by process of erosion between the see water an lime
stone mountain. Arrive Surprise cave and explore the by KAYAking, paddle
to Luon cave, this cave is a natural tunnel thrusts through a
mountain’s foot and lead to an exotic lagoon.Surrounded by mountains
covered by dense Jungle. Seafood drmer and optional night paddle.
Overnight on board inside a wonderfully tranguil atmosphere in Luon cave
area. Overnight on board.
Day 5: Halong Bay Cruise – Hanoi / Danang – Hoi An (B, L)
A new day , wake you up with soys and emotions in early morning for
watching sea. And then have breakfast , continue KAYAKing exploration
Paddle from Luon cave toward islets in shape’s Tortoiseman’s head and
around insude Hon Gai before returing to the wharf.
12h00 : Return to Ha Long wharf. Drive back to Hanoi Airport. Flight to Danang and transfer to Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 6: Hoi An – Hue (B, )
Hoi An was a major Asian trading port in the seventeenth and eighteenth
centuries and its architecture and relaxed lifestyle have changed
little over the years. Take a walking tour of the ancient town centre to
visit the former merchants' homes, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered
Bridge, a Chinese communal hall and the colourful market. Leave Hoi An
after lunch for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. The scenic
route passes through Danang before climbing over the Pass of Ocean
Clouds and dropping down to the wonderfully photogenic fishing village
of Lang Co. Arrive in Hue late in the afternoon and transfer to hotel.
Overnight in Hue.
Day 7: Hue city tour (B, )
Visit the former imperial capital of Vietnam. A boat trip on the
romantically named Perfume River visits Hue's best-known religious site,
Thien Mu Pagoda, and the mausoleum of former emperor Minh Mang, in a
tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. In the afternoon visit the
elaborate mausoleums of emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh and the Imperial
Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945.
Overnight in Hue.
Day 8: Hue - Ho Chi Minh City (B,) Transfer
to Hue Airport after breakfast for the short flight to dynamic Ho Chi
Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals. A full day city tour
takes in the city's bustling Chinatown and begins with a visit to the
Thien Hau Temple, from where you will take a cyclo ride; the most
appropriate and unusual way to explore Cholon, literally meaning 'big
market'. The ride will take you to the lively Binh Tay Market. Then
visit a lacquerware factory to witness workers continuing a Vietnamese
ancestral tradition. After lunch visit the War Museum and the former
Presidential Palace, from there on you will go on foot (the car will be
available at all times) to visit the major sights of colonial Ho Chi
Minh City: the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi
Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, Opera House and City
Hall. After this historical visit, enjoy some wonderful ice cream at
Fanny's, a quaint little parlour with a French atmosphere, before
exploring the trendy boutiques on Ton That Thiep Street. Overnight in
HCMC.
Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City (B,)
Depart to Cai Be, deep in the Mekong Delta. Board the Cai Be Princess
junk boat and start the tour with the visit of the colourful Cai Be
floating market. Follow with a visit of some local home factories that
produce rice paste, rice pop corn and coconut candies. Cruise then to
evergreen islands among the Mekong River through large networks of
meandering rivers, crisscrossed with countless arroyos. Lunch at a fruit
orchard then cruise to Vinh Long and discover beautiful landscapes
along the river and observe the typical Mekong Delta rural life.
Overnight in HCMC.
Day 10: Depart Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Departure day. At leisure for shopping until transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for your onward flight.