VIETNAM
Vietnam Package Tours
ESSENTIAL VIETNAM - 9 days/ 8 nights
| Day 1 |
: |
Arrive Ho Chi
Minh City (Saigon)
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City and
transfer to hotel. The rest of the
day is at leisure. Overnight in Ho
Chi Minh City.
|
| Day 2 |
: |
Ho Chi Minh City
A Full-day city tour of dynamic Ho
Chi Minh City, still called Saigon
by many locals, 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 parlor with a French
atmosphere, before exploring the
trendy boutiques on Ton That Thiep
Street. (B) |
| Day 3 |
: |
Ho Chi Minh City
- Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City
Head south to the Mekong Delta and
reach Ben Tre, crossing the Mekong
River with a local ferry. From there
take an 18 kilometre ride by xe loi,
a local motorbike trailer, through
the second biggest Vietnamese
coconut tree orchard. There are
stops along the way to discover the
local life and for an explanation of
the Vietnamese rice field process.
After lunch in a local restaurant
continue your Mekong discovery
cruising small canals and arroyos
lined with water coconut, walking
through fruit orchards, enjoying
honey tea, and taking a horse cart
ride. (B,L) |
| Day 4 |
: |
Ho Chi Minh City
- Danang - Hoi An
After breakfast transfer to Tan Son
Nhat Airport for the short flight to
the central port city of Danang. On
arrival in Danang transfer to Hoi
An, a major Asian trading port in
the 17thand 18thcenturies whose
architecture and relaxed lifestyle
has 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 and the
colorful market. In the afternoon
take a three - hour cruise on the
Thu Bon River with stops at Thanh Ha
pottery village, Kim Bong
carpenters' village and the
shipbuilding yard. Overnight in Hoi
An. (B) |
| Day 5 |
: |
Hoi An - Hue
Leave Hoi An 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. 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. (B) |
| Day 6 |
: |
Hue Hanoi -
Halong Bay
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. After lunch transfer to Hue
Airport for the short flight to
Hanoi. Leave Noi Bai Airport to
Halong Bay through the rich
farmlands of the Red River Delta and
the scenery of rice fields, water
buffalo and everyday Vietnamese
village life. Overnight in Halong.
(B) |
| Day 7 |
: |
Halong Bay -
Hanoi
Board the Huong Hai or Bai Tho
traditional sailing junk. Whilst
cruising the exquisite waters sample
the regions fresh seafood. Visit the
famous stalagmites and stalactites
of Thien Cung Cave. Enjoy a swim in
the emerald waters of Halong Bay at
any spot that you wish to visit.
Disembark at the dock at Halong
City. Drive back to Hanoi with a
stop en route at But Thap Pagoda in
Thuan Thanh Province, known for its
four - storey stone stupa and
referred to as Vietnam's first
Buddhist centre. The pagoda, built
in the 13th century and rebuilt in
1647 by a the Buddhist monk Chuyet
Chuyet, is a complex of ten
buildings over an area of 100 metres
that houses ancient statues and
artefacts. Arrival in late
afternoon. Overnight in Hanoi. (B,L) |
| Day 8 |
: |
Hanoi
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. (B) |
| Day 9 |
: |
Depart Hanoi
Departure day. At leisure for
shopping until transfer to Noi Bai
Airport for onward flight. (B) |
GRAND VIETNAM - 14 days/13 nights
| Day 1 |
: |
Arrive Hanoi
Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to
hotel. The rest of the day is at
leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.
|
| Day 2 |
: |
Hanoi-Hoa Lu -
Hanoi
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. (B) |
| Day 3 |
: |
Hanoi - Lao Cai
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. In the
evening take the night train to Lao
Cai. Overnight on the train. (B) |
| Day 4 |
: |
Lao Cai - Sapa
Transfer to Sapa. In the terraced
hills and mountains of Sapa, the
monotony of the expansive green
landscape is enlivened by the
colours of its hill tribe population
. the rainbow colours of the Flower
H'mong, flashes of the shining
silver jewellery from the necks and
wrists of indigo - clad H'mong and
the scarlet hues of the turbans worn
by the Red Dao. It is where you will
find hands stained with colour from
fabric dyes and shades of blue, red
and green intricately embroidered
and stitched into jackets,
waistcoats, pants, skirts, caps
purses and leggings. Take a morning
walking tour of Sapa for a visit to
the busy market where Red Dao, Black
H'mong and other ethnic minority
people converge from the surrounding
countryside to sell their
embroidery, silverware and
handicrafts, and to buy provisions.
In the afternoon visit the Cat Cat
hill tribe village. Overnight in
Sapa. (B) |
| Day 5 |
: |
Sapa - Lao Cai -
Hanoi
In the morning enjoy a trek to the
Red Dao village of Tha Phin, and in
the afternoon trek through the green
Sapa Valley to visit the Black Hmong
minority of Lao Chai Village and
Giay minority of Ta Van then back to
Lao Cai to catch the night train to
Hanoi. Overnight on the train. (B) |
| Day 6 |
: |
Hanoi - Halong
Bay
Early arrival in Hanoi. After
breakfast leave Hanoi by road for
Halong Bay with a stop en route at
But Thap Pagoda in Thuan Thanh
Province, known for its four -
storey stone stupa and referred to
as Vietnam's first Buddhist centre.
The pagoda, built in the 13th
century and rebuilt in 1647 by a the
Buddhist monk Chuyet Chuyet, is a
complex of ten buildings over an
area of 100 metres that houses
ancient statues and artefacts. Enjoy
the journey through the rich
farmlands of the Red River Delta and
the scenery of rice fields, water
buffalo and everyday Vietnamese
village life. Arrive in Halong and
board the Huong Hai or Bai Tho
traditional sailing junk. Whilst
cruising the exquisite waters sample
the regions fresh seafood. Visit the
recently discovered Surprise Grotto
with its great views, and on the
next island see the yawning mouth of
Bo Nau Cave. Alternatively journey
to Dau Go Cave and nearby see the
famous stalagmites and stalactites
of Thien Cung Cave. Enjoy a swim in
the emerald waters of Halong Bay at
any spot that you wish to visit.
Watch the sun set over the bay
whilst enjoying a delicious dinner.
Overnight on board junk. (B,L,D) |
| Day 7 |
: |
Halong Bay -
Hanoi - Hue
Wake up to fresh coffee and a
wholesome breakfast before cruising
back to Halong City. En route the
junk weaves through strange - shaped
rock formations that invite
comparisons from fighting cocks to
dragons and even General de Gaulle's
nose! After another wonderful fresh
seafood lunch on board disembark at
the dock at Halong City. Transfer
back to Hanoi and the Airport to
catch your flight to Hue. Overnight
in Hue. (B,L) |
| Day 8 |
: |
Hue
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. (B) |
| Day 9 |
: |
Hue - Hoi An
Leave Hue for Hoi An, a major Asian
trading port in the 17thand
18thcenturies whose architecture and
relaxed lifestyle has changed little
over the years The scenic route
passes through the wonderfully
photogenic fishing village of Lang
Co before climbing over the Pass of
Ocean Clouds. In the afternoon take
a walking tour of the ancient town
centre to visit the former
merchants' homes, the 400 year - old
Japanese Covered Bridge and the
colorful market. Overnight in Hoi
An. (B) |
| Day
10 |
: |
Hoi An - My Son
- Hoi An
A Half-day trip to visit the capital
and religious centre of the former
Champa Kingdom, My Son. Here, 40km
southwest of Hoi An, in a lush green
valley, are doZens of red brick
towers and sanctuaries dating from
between the seventh and thirteenth
centuries. Visit the museum and the
holy site then head back to Hoi An.
Afternoon is free at leisure.
Overnight in Hoi An. (B) |
| Day
11 |
: |
Hoi An - Danang
- Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Transfer to Danang 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 parlor with a French
atmosphere, before exploring the
trendy boutiques on Ton That Thiep
Street. (B) |
| Day
12 |
: |
Ho Chi Minh
City-Cai Be-Vinh Long-Can Tho
(Mekong Delta)
Depart for Cai Be, deep in the
Mekong Delta, and embark on a cruise
on the Cai Be Princess junk boat.
The tour begins with a visit of the
colourful Cai Be floating market,
followed by a visit to some locale
home factories that produce rice
paste, rice popcorn and coconut
candy. Proceed to evergreen islands
among the Mekong River through a
large network of meandering
tributaries, crisscrossed with
countless arroyos. Lunch is eaten at
a fruit orchard before the cruise to
Vinh Long to discover beautiful
landscapes along the river and
observe the typical Mekong Delta
rural life. Drive to Can Tho and
transfer to hotel on arrival.
Overnight in Can Tho. (B,L) |
| Day
13 |
: |
Can Tho-Ho Chi
Minh City
Cruise to the colorful Cai Rang
floating market while having a
buffet breakfast on board the
traditional Mekong - style Mystic
Sampan. Then it is back to dry land
in Can Tho for a two - hour bike
tour of the countryside. Leave Can
Tho for Ho Chi Minh City. (B) |
| Day
14 |
: |
Depart Ho Chi
Minh City
Departure day. At leisure for
shopping until transfer to Tan Son
Nhat Airport for onward flight. (B) |
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