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Hanoi to Saigon Focus on World Heritage
Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Halong Bay - Hoi An - Hue - Ho Chi Minh City
- Travel to Hanoi and experience a fusion of French and Vietnamese
- Explore Ninh Binh - World Heritage Nature and Culture Site
- Enjoy Halong Bay - UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its fresh, calm waters with thousand of islands and islets emerging from the water
- Stroll through atmospheric streets in Hoi An Ancient Town and totally relax
- Explore the ancient capital of Vietnam with it's great Imperial City and Royal Tomb in Hue
- Discover Saigon - the Little Paris of Indochine
Introduction
If you are planning a trip to Vietnam to gain a deeper understanding of this magical country, you should take this tour. This 12 days Vietnam Tour takes travellers to the bustling streets of Hanoi and Saigon, the tranquil villages of Mekong Delta, the ancient towns of Hoi An and Hue and the beautiful natural areas of Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh.
You will first arrive in Hanoi and then head to Ninh Binh Province. Later, you will move to Ha Long Bay, staying overnight there. Go fishing and swimming in the jade waters and bask in the natural beauty of the Bay. Transfer to Hoi An to discover the quaint streets, ancient shrines and hospitable ambiance of this old town, as well as the gorgeous beaches just out of the town. Take a tour of Hue to learn something about the Vietnam Royal Family, and finally, move to Saigon, to witness the busy city life and enjoy a full day, unique, Mekong River Cruise.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B,L)
Day 3: Hanoi - Ninh Binh (B, L)
Day 4: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay - Lan Ha Bay (B,L,D)
Day 5: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi - flight to Danang - Hoi An (B, L)
Day 6: Hoi An Explore (B,L,D)
Day 7: Half Day My Son Heritage (B,L)
Day 8: Hoi An - Danang - Hue (B, L)
Day 9: Hue Highlights and flight to Saigon (B,L)
Day 10: Saigon City Tour (B,L)
Day 11: Saigon - Mekong Delta - Saigon (B,L)
Day 12: Depart for home sweet home (B)
Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi
Welcome to Hanoi, enjoy a Walking Tour in the Old Quarter
On arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you are welcomed by your tour guide and driver at the pickup lobby. Enjoy the 45-minute drive to the city centre (Hanoi Old Quarter) with a briefing sharing information about the city's most visited spots, the culture, traffic and cuisine. Check in to your hotel, and have a rest.
Continue the day with a guided walk around the peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake. to the Opera House, stopping at the statue of King Ly Thai To and Vietnamese Government Guest House and Sofitel Metropole Hanoi. Walk back to the Old Town visiting some of the main streets, before returning to your hotel.
Note : If your flight arrives late or you are jet lagged after a long flight, the walking tour may be moved to the City Tour day.
See the gorgeous Temple of Literature and National University, Museum of Ethnology, Ho Chi Minh Complex, Hanoi Old Quarter and a Water Puppet Show Performance.
8:30 AM: You are met by your guide and taken to the Temple of Literature which was built under the Ly Dynasty in the 11th century for worshipping Confucius and teaching the Royal Children.
Enjoy a walk in the garden to the city’s symbol, Khue Van Cac. You will then visit the World Heritage "Stone Steles” which shows the names of outstanding students. Continue to explore the Quoc Tu Giam which is considered to be the first National University of Vietnam.
Next, stop at the Ethnology Museum (closed every Monday) which offers a deep insight into Vietnamese culture through traditional costumes, tools, musical instruments and the traditional houses of many ethnic groups. To fully explore this interesting museum, it takes you around two hours.
In the afternoon you visit the French Quarter – the “Little Paris” in Hanoi with tree lined boulevards, government head offices and a big square. Visit (outside) Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum before having a leisurely walk in the botanical gardens to visit the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where he used to live and work. Continue on towards the unique One – Pillar Pagoda, one of the city’s symbols. It takes us one to two hours to explore this complex, depending on the number of travellers.
Return to the Old Town for a walking tour. Start with a small pagoda named Ba Da, quietly located in a small alley - only a few steps from the Hanoi Great Cathedral, built by French colonialism around the 19th century. Your guide will take you to typical streets of Hanoi such as Lan Ong Street, selling traditional medicine and Lo Ren Street where metal items are produced. Stop to visit the Dong Xuan Central Market - the largest in Hanoi. Continue walking to see the vibrant Ta Hien Street, famous for night activities and street food - See and taste unforgettable local foods and drinks. An great experience.
Finally, enjoy the unique performance of a Water Puppet Show, which first appeared in the 11th century. In these shows, the daily life, culture and beliefs of Vietnamese people are described by puppets on water. The show usually integrates a traditional music performance as well. Return to your hotel.
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Day 3: Hanoi - Ninh Binh (B,L)
07.15– 07.45: Your guide will collect you from your hotel for your Ninh Binh tour.
10.00: Arrive at Trang An for the bamboo boat trip to visit the amazing landscape which is also known as 'Ha Long Bay on Land'. Two to four people share a traditional sampan boat as it is gently rowed down the scenic river, through numerous caves including Hang Toi (Dack) Cave, 320 metres long, Sang (Light) Cave, 90 metres long and Hang Nau Ruou (Cooking Wine) Cave, 250 metres long, Every passage brings new surprises of hidden mysteries inside isolated, tranquil valleys that feel like another world and time. The fauna and flora is rich and to see a goat jumping from one cliff to the other is a common sight.
11.35: You are transported Mua Cave where you can hike to the top of the mountain to see an overview of Ninh Binh,
12.45: Return to the car and continue to the restaurant for lunch.
14.00: Start your cycling tour, where you discover the beauty of the area and see how the local people live and see their culture. Your guide will lead you as you cycle throughnarrow alleys and special and unique country roads through beautiful rice paddy fields that few tourists know about.
14.35: Visit Binh Dong Temple where you will learn some of the history. The pagoda was built by two monks, Tri Kien and Tri The in the early 18th century. It comprises three pagodas having the traditional architectural characteristics of wood and stone which were the style when Le Dynasty was coming to the end and Nguyen Dynasty began. Th Pagodas were named for their positions on Bich Dong Mountain.
16.00: Leave Ninh Binh for the drive back to Hanoi.
18:00: Arrive at your hotel in Hanoi.
Day 4: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay - Lan Ha Bay (B,L,D)
8:30 – 9:00: You are collected at hotel and start travelling to the north east of Vietnam, along the expressway to the Tuan Chau Ha Long Tourist Wharf.
12.00: Arrive at Tuan Chau Maria Harbour and enjoy a 20 minute speed boat ride from the wharf to the Gia Luan Area where our main vessel is anchored. You are welcomed on your Sena crusie with fresh drinks while listening to a safety briefing, followed by checking in to your cabin. A beautiful lunch is served in the luxury restaurant while cruising passt many rocks formations emerging from the emerald green water.
14.30: We arrive at the Dark and Light Cave Area where enjoy the amazing experience of kayaking into the Tunnel Grotto. With the advantage of engine power, we will arrival here 30 minutes to an hour before it becomes busy.
16.30: We return to our Sena Cruise for a shower and ready to relax on the top deck with a small sunset party and happy hour while the dark night slowly comes over.
19.00: This evening, dinner is one to remember, a fresh seafood barbecue will be serve at the Roof Top Restaurant. What better way to enjoy fine dining than to share romantic stories. Overnight on your Sena Cruise.
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Day 5: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi - Flight to Danang - Hoi An (B,L)
6.00: Wake early to the sounds of the sea for another beautiful day, this time, experiencing a typical Oriental martial art Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck while a cool breeze blows and the sun slowly rises on the horizon. Following is your choice of a a western and/or Asian combination for breakfast also including kosher and vegan options.
7.30: You are transferred by tender to theboat wharf where we start a 20 minutes cycle to Viet Hai Village, slowly paddling along curve village lanes with a short break visiting a local family. Enjoy tea and talk with aVeteran who come back from the Vietnam War and went through difficult, subsidized, economic times in Vietnam.
8.30: We say farewell to our local host and continue cycling back to the harbour where we are transferred back to the cruise by tender.
9.30-10.00: It's time to shower and change then check out.
11.00: Our last cruise lunch will be served while our Sena cruises back towards the pier. We take another 20 minute speed boat ride back to the shore where we disembark.
12.00: We board back into our luxury van and enjoy the two and a half hour ride via the Expressway, back to Hanoi.
15.00: Arrive back at Hanoi for the flight to Danang Airport, followed by our transfer to Hoi An.
Day 6: Hoi An Highlights (B,L)
9:00 AM: You are collected at your hotel for your Hoi An Old Town Highlights Tour. First visit, Cam Pho - one of the oldest communal houses in Hoi An. It was built in the shape of a Chinese character and means the place for worshipping and trading, business and cultural exchange between local, Chinese and Japanese traders. We then go to a non-tourist destination, enhancing your visit making it more enjoyable and enriched by learning about the Japanese Tea Ceremony or making toys from coconut leaves with a local expert.
We take a leisurely walk to the Hoi An city’s symbol - the Chua Cau or the Japanese Covered Bridge which was built in the 17th century to allow the Japanese quarter access from the Chinese neighborhoods. The bridge’s original style has been carefully preserved for the last 400 years.
Immersing into the life of the town, we walk through the town to Quan Thang Ancient House - one of the most authentic old houses in Hoi An, with it's lively and fine architecture and sculptures which were made by craftsmen of the famous Kim Bong carpentry village, in the oriental style. The house offers a good insight into Hoi An daily family life.
Next stop is the Phuc Kien or Fujian Assembly Hall which was built around 1690 and functioned as a traditional assembly hall for the Chinese ethnic group from Fujian, China - to socialise. But later, it was transformed into a temple dedicated to their deity, named Thien Hau – the Goddess of the Sea who protects sailors from danger. We spend some time shopping and have lunch in the town.
In the afternoon, we start the day with a welcome drink at Hai Café (98 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoi An town).
Visit the colourful Hoi An Market and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy marketplace. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and learn about all the ingredients to be used in a cooking lesson, later.
We board the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely 25 minute cruise along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. This is a chance to view local river life so make sure your camera is handy.
On arrival, we explore the cooking school’s herb garden, before learning about some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s well known dishes. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours – the Red Bridge chefs first demonstrate each dish before we prepare the same dishes ourselves. Included in the class is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decorations). After the lesson, we sit down and eat what we have cooked.
Transfer back to hotel at the end of the day.
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Day 7: Half Day My Son Heritage (B,L)
08:00: The My Son Holy Land Tour will start when your guide meets you at the lobby of your hotel. In the past, the Valley at My Son was a religious ceremony site for the kings of the reigning Champa dynasties, as well as a burial place of Cham royalty and national heroes.
09:00: Arrive at My Son Sanctuary – the sacred land surrounded by the wonderful mountains, 40 km west of Hoi An. Upon arriving here. to kick off our half-day tour, we will try to remain calm in the presence of its impressive beauty and listen to the many interesting stories about the historical and cultural values of My Son Holy Land. My Son Sanctuary was chosen as a religious centre, built at the end of the 4th century – the era of King Cham Bhadrachalam. It is a huge religious complex with more than 70 towers and temples of different architectures. Admire the elaborate carvings and sculptures of the Cham people. Spend 2 hours to enjoy and discover the beauty of the ancient buildings of the Kingdom of Champa. We also visit the Tra Kieu capital which was the former administrative centre of Champa Kingdom.
11:30: Departure from My Son Holy Land for the boat dock and we take a boat trip on the Thu Bon River to continue our half day tour. You can visit the lounge of the locals and feel the fresh air before you have lunch and enjoy the beautiful views along the river.
13:00: The My Son Holy Land tour will end at Bach Dang’s Wharf. When your camera is full of beautiful photos, don’t forget to leave room and take a “goodbye photo” of your visit to My Son. Return to your hotel in Hoi An at around 1 pm. This is the end of the wonderful My Son Holy Land Tour!
Transfer back to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.
My Son Holy Land Dresscode: Wear long clothes to visit the sacred site.
Day 8: Hoi An - Da Nang - Hue (B,L)
Travelling to Hue, visiting Cham Sculpture Museum, Hai Van Pass, Thien Mu Pagoda and Hue Citadel.
8:00 AM: You are collected from your hotel then travel to Hue by passing Da Nang along the Sea Road. On arrival in Da Nang, stop to visit the Cham Museum which preserves the most important Cham culture collections in the world. Walk to My Khe Beach where you enjoy the view of the giant Goodness of Mercy statue in the Linh Ung Pagoda. Take photos of fishermen by the beach before continuing the drive along the coastline to Hue ancient capital. Make a stop at the top of the Hai Van Pass to enjoy the breathtaking view of the ocean.
On arrival in Hue, enjoy lunch then visit Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas in Hue, dating back to 1601. This is the spiritual highlight of the city and well known for its majestic octagon tower and beautiful view of the Perfume River.
Keep your tour visit to the most important sites in the city - Hue Citadel, the only vestige symbol for what was once the Imperial City of Vietnam. It is inspired by the fortification of Vauban.
The city is composed of three parts: Kinh Thanh (the Capital City), Hoang Thanh (the Imperial City) and Cam Thanh (the Forbidden City). The most beautiful sites in Hue are concentrated in this area including the Flag Tower, the South Gate, the Palace of Supreme Harmony, the Dynasty Temple Area and the Settlement Area.
End of the day, check into your hotel and enjoy your stay in the ancient capital.
Day 9: Hue Highlights and Flight to Saigon (B,L)
This morning start with a visit to the Perfume River, renowned for its natural scenery and numerous flowers which edge it's shores. Along the river, you'll view Vietnamese daily life up close. Take a boat ride along the river to the Tomb of Minh Mang, featuring gardens, many steps, and beautiful decorations. We may visit the Khai Dinh Tomb, a more modern, ornately decorated tomb which was built in the early 20th Century.
Enjoy lunch at a family owned garden restaurant at the Royal Residence. The imperial styled houses near the Royal Citadel feature beautiful gardens, intricate furnishings, and detailed ornaments at every turn. Each dish highlights different aspects of Hue’s traditional food which was enjoyed by the royalty. The brilliant food presentation will be sure to leave you with lasting memories.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 10: Saigon City Tour (B,L)
After breakfast at your hotel, take a full day tour of this historic city visiting the former Presidential Palace, the War Remnants Museum, and see the famous architecture of the city centre including Notre Dame Cathedral, the City Hall, the Municipal Theater and Xa Loi Pagoda, as well as Ben Thanh Market and China Town (Cholon).
Evening free.
Day 11: Saigon - Mekong Delta - Saigon (B,L)
Exploring Cai Be local life, Phu Chau Pagoda, a garden tour, handicraft and biking experience
After breakfast at the hotel, meet your tour guide and driver for your transfer to Cai Be. Visit Cao Dai Temple en-route. On arrival, embark on a small private boat for a cruise in a branch of the Mekong River. Experience the rhythm of life on the legendary Mekong River by visiting Cai Be Floating Market and the canals lined with orchards.
Visit craft workshops for rice popcorn, coconut caramel and rice cake. Go biking or walking on the village paths to discover the ancient and beautiful Phu Chau Pagoda where the serenity reigns and meet the local people.
Enjoy lunch in an open air restaurant where you can taste a famous local specialty, the Elephant Ear fish. Finally, enjoy tasty seasonal fruits while rowing a small rowboat in the canals, shaded by the fruit trees.
Return back to Saigon in the late afternoon.
Day 12: Departure for Home Sweet Home (B)
Enjoy free time this morning and last minute shopping before your transfer to the airport.
Remarks:
1. All of our itineraries can be tailor-made to suit your requirements, allowing us to create the perfect holiday just for you. Please click on the “Tailor this trip" button and complete the requested information for us. Upon receipt, our travel consultant will customize the best value vacation for your kind consideration. Please note: Changes CAN be made to the itinerary after our initial quote, but may result in a price change also!
2. We are aware that a good tour must have good hotels. In Indochina in particular (Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos) hotel prices make up the major expense of your holiday. Therefore, we would like to clarify how we define these charges:
· Boutique & character hotels: from $50-$80 USD per room/ per night
· Comfort = 3 star hotels from US$ 40 - US$ 60 per room/ per night
· Superior = 4 star hotels from US$ 80 - US$ 110 per room/ per night
· Deluxe = 5 star hotels from US$120 - US$ 190++ per room/ per night
· High-end = Best of the best hotels fr om US$ 250++ per room/ per night
Included
- Hotels at places as indicated (double/ twin room)
- Private tours with English speaking guides for the entire trip except leisure time
- Entrance fee to any applicable tourist sites – Hotel as indicated
- All transfers with our A/C transport
- Meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- Flight tickets: Hanoi – Danang, Hue – Saigon (Vietnam Airlines, Economy class)
- Government Tax – Service Charge – Accommodations
Excluded:
- International flight ticket
- Visa arrangement
- Other meals not mentioned
- Tips and personal expenses
- Laundry
- Other not stated above
- Travel Insurance
Cancellation by Customer
- Cancellation received before 60 days: No charge
- Cancellation received from 30 days to 59 days prior arrival date: 10% of total rate
- Cancellation received from 15 days to 29 days prior arrival date: 30% of total rate
- Cancellation received from 7 days to 14 days prior arrival date: 50% of total rate
- Cancellation received less than 7 days prior arrival date or No show: 100% of total rate
Children Policy
- The rate for children applicable for one child sharing a twin or double cabin with two adults
- For infant (<04 years old): FOC except domestic ticket cost
- 04 - 11 years old without bed: 50% adult rate
- 04 - 11 years old with extra bed: 75% adult rate
- 04 - 11 years old in twin share: 90% adult rate
Service Details During The Trip
We’ll immerse you in the diverse cultures of Vietnam and Cambodia by showcasing the unique local flavors. By balancing included sightseeing and free time, we can customize your dream vacation with the things you have always wanted to do.
- Private Local Tour Guide: You will have a fully licensed local tour guide from 'welcome' until you are farewelled at the airport. Your guide will guide, help, assist and take care of you in order to make your tour worry-free. Vietnam Exploration Booking tours offer the best tour guides based on the features of your itinerary and the make up of the group, to maximize your tour while travelling. Having the right guide means you have the best experience.
- Private Drivers and Vehicle: Safety is the first priority for transportation. All vehicles are in good condition and are well maintained with fully licensed and experienced drivers ensuring you are in safe hands. To maximize your comfort and enjoyable experience, cold drinking water and refreshing towels are provided in the car.
- Local Flavor Meals: You don’t worry about meals; we select both restaurants and menus for you. Vietnam Exploration Booking tours only chooses clean restaurants with pleasant environments for our guests. The menu is also carefully selected to ensure you can try different food at every meal. We will recommend and arrange local cuisine since it is part of the cultural experience while travelling. We can also recommend where to eat so you can enjoy your favourite food when not eating with the group.
- Well-Selected Hotels: Comfort and good value are our priorities when choosing hotels for our guests. We do our best to ensure good rest by the comfort of the mattress and bedding and offering rooms with a pleasant decorative style, user friendly facilities, good service and a great breakfast!
Things to bring:
Wear comfortable shoes and clothes suitable for activities such as riding in the sampan, walking, cycling and for long drives. Prepare for hot weather. Bring a hat/cap, sun screen, sun glasses, a swimsuit and insect repellent. The weather is normally hot from May to October.
You should bring cash with you, preferably in Vietnamese Dong because the banking system doesn’t always function well. US Dollars and Euro are accepted in many places too. You should bring your medications with you although there are pharmacies throughout Vietnam if you do get sick.
Did we hit all the items on your travel bucket list for your holiday?
If not, don’t worry. We specialize in tailor-made tours and can customize this program to create your dream trip. Get in touch with your personal Travel Consultant to create your personalized program.
Don't want the fun to end?
Why not combine this tour with Cambodia tours, Laos tours, Myanmar tours or spend a few days in the tropical paradise that is the Viet Nam coast? We take care of everything from flights to transfers and accommodation so that you can relax and enjoy your holiday. Explore our other destinations or speak with your personal Travel Consultant for some expert advice on suitable combinations.