9 Days In Vietnam

DAY 01: HANOI ARRIVAL (D)

 

Welcome to Hanoi! You will be met at the airport for transfer to your hotel in Hanoi. Afternoon, a half sightseeing tour of Ha Noi includes Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature well known as Vietnam’s first university and the Fine Art Museum. In the evening, join your Tour Guide and fellow travelers for dinner. Overnight in Hanoi.

 

DAY 02: HANOI – NINH BINH – TRANG AN – HOA LU/VIETNAM’S FIRST CAPITAL (B, L, D)

 

In the morning, depart from Hanoi to Ninh Binh (100km – 2.5 hours), transfer directly to the port; get into a rowing boat (around 2.5 hours) to explore the picturesque waterways in Trang An ecological tourist site. Forested limestone mounts contrasting in emerald water, caves, lowland and rivers create a mysterious fairytale-like scene. We then visit a network of 11 caves with beautiful stalactites of all shapes and colors. Disembark and then have lunch at the local restaurant. After having short breaking, transfer to Hoa Lu, one of the oldest capitals in Vietnam dated to 968 – 1009. The remaining vestiges include two temples dedicated to Dinh and Le Kings. These temples are surrounded by beautiful hibiscus gardens, ponds with lotus blossoms and frangipani spreading a delicate perfume. Take time to relax in its airy and reflective atmosphere. Back to Hanoi in late afternoon for relax and overnight.

 

DAY 03: HANOI – HALONG BAY (B, L, D)

 

After having breakfast at hotel, you will be picked by our guide & driver at hotel then driven to Halong Bay – about 200km from the East of Hanoi. On the way, you will to stop by several green paddies to see and photograph the Vietnamese farmers working on their fields.

At around 12:00, you will reach to Halong Bay recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1994. The islands in Ha Long Bay are mainly limestone and schist islands most lying in the two main areas: the southeastern part of Bai Tu Long Bay and southwestern part of Ha Long Bay. They are the result of many times of rising and lowering processes of the continent to form a karst. The process of nearly full erosion and weathering of the karst created the unique Ha Long Bay in the world. In 2000, UNESCO recognized it as the World Heritage for the second time for its geographical and geomorphologic values.

On arrival at 12h30, you are welcomed on the traditional boat and have a welcome drink. Start the boat trip to visit Halong Bay with outstanding natural beauty of many Islands such as Con Cho Island, Dinh Huong Island, Canh Buom Island, Ga Choi Island and have fresh seafood lunch served on board. Overnight on junk.

 

DAY 04: HALONG BAY – HANOI (B, L, D)

 

See more islands & lagoons on the bay before coming back to the pier. Our car / driver will be waiting for you, pick you up, and drive you back to Hanoi, with a few stops along the way for sightseeing, or shopping at a local market. At around 16:30, we also visit the old quarters where you will enjoy a cyclo ride through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. Then on to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem with its sacred temple. In front of this lake is the famous water puppet theater where we will see a fantastic performance. Overnight in Hanoi.

 

DAY 05: HANOI – WELCOME TO SAIGON (B/D)

 

After breakfast, free until transfer to the airport for flight to Southern Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh city (formal name Saigon). Upon arriving at Tan Son Nhat airport, you will be transferred to your hotel downtown. As the largest of Vietnam’s cities, the hustle and bustle of life co-exists with 300 years of timeless traditions and the beauty of a mixed colonial-orient culture. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax. In the evening, enjoy dinner while cruising on the Saigon River with a show on the boat. Overnight in Saigon.

 

DAY 06: SAIGON CITY TOUR (B, L, D)

 

Full day city tour, Saigon is characterized by a vast variety of sights and sounds, from ancient pagodas, mosques and cathedrals to the former Presidential Palace and the War Museum, from historic Dong Khoi Street to the bustling markets of Ben Thanh and Cholon (Chinatown). Much of the city life takes place on the streets which are lined with stores, shops, stalls and vendors with their wares spread out on the footpath selling everything from soup to sophisticated electronics. The French influence is evident in the excellent baguettes and coffee. Overnight in Saigon.

 

DAY 07: SAIGON – CU CHI TUNNELS – SAIGON (B, L)

 

Heading out of town we drive to explore Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence.

After lunch, enjoy a free afternoon in Saigon.

Overnight in Saigon.

 

DAY 08: SAIGON – MEKONG DELTA – SAIGON (B, L, D)

 

Today you’ll have a full day excursion to Mekong Delta. You will depart for Cai Be (3h) around 8am. Enjoy the green paddy fields stretching towards the horizon. When you arrive in Cai Be, you’ll board a motorized boat that takes you to the floating market, a sight that you’ll see nowhere else in the world. Next, your rowboat will zigzag through a maze of shadow canals to arrive at a great orchard where you can freely taste many of the amous tropical fruits of Vietnam and watch locals’ as they complete their daily chores. Then we’ll see how coconut candy, crispy rice cake and ceramics are made here (served free with premium hot tea.) After this, you will roam through a village by bike to check out several rural shops or you can relax in a hammock for a short rest. Then you will head back to Saigon for a good night’s sleep.

 

DAY 09: SAIGON DEPARTURE (B)

 

There is a free time to relax or further explore Saigon. The tour ends after your transfer to Tan San Nhat Airport for departure.