Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City arrival
Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City and transfer from the airport to your hotel to check in.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Tour B/L/D
During today’s sightseeing tour a visit to TAY NINH will take place which is the birthplace of the unique Cao Dai religion, a fusion of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity, Islam and native Vietnamese spiritual beliefs. Continue to the CU CHI TUNNELS, stretching over 200 km and which were an important Vietcong base during the American war. This underground network, dug by hand, connected command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapon factories.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City – Da Nang B/L/D
Begin the tour and stroll around the DONG KHOI STREET, formerly known as the Rue Catinat which is the heart of old colonial Ho Chi Minh City. Pass by classic European-style landmarks such as the CITY Hall (HOTEL DE VILLE), the OPERA HOUSE and pay a quick visit to the neo-romanesque NOTRE DAME CATHEDREAL and the CENTRAL POST OFFICE. Continue the tour with a visit to the REUINIFICATION PALACE which formerly was the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president. Continue to the WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM which contains a comprehensive documentation of the long Vietnam-American War. The tour continues with a visit to the historic centre where the EMPEROR OF JADE PAGODA will be visited which is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most interesting pagodas.In the afternoon, head out to CHOLON (Chinatown) market where every kind of good can be found, build by the Cantonese congregation. At the end of the day enjoy a visit to the central BEN THANH MARKET. Then transfer to the train station and ride the train from Ho Chi Minh City to Danang.
Overnight on train
Day 4: Da Nang - Hoi An B/L/D
Arrival in Da Nang and travel by vehicle from Da Nang to Hoi An. This journey to the south passes the Marble Mountains and small villages.
Overnight in Hoi An
Day 5: Hoi An B/L/D
Hoi An is a picturesque riverside town south of Da Nang. This beautifully preserved historic city can be best visited on foot. Wander through the cobbled streets, pass low tile-roofed buildings and explore the bustling central MARKET and the small HARBOUR where colourful painted boats are moored. Continue the walking tour and visit a PRIVATE HOUSE where members of the same family have lived continuously for centuries in the traditional way. Then head off to a FAMILY CHAPEL build by prominent merchant or official families as centre for ancestor worship. A CHINESE-STYLE PAGODA or ASSEMBLY HALL will also be visited. Continue the walk to the SA HUYNH MUSEUM which contains exhibitions from the earliest period of Hoi An’s history. Take the time to visit a handicraft workshop where local products are being made. Finally walk to the famous JAPANESE COVERED BRIDGE PAGODA. In the afternoon board a local boat and cruise down the THU BON RIVER. Enjoy the unspoiled countryside and visit a POTTERY VILLAGE and a WOODCARVING VILLAGE before returning to the Hoi An harbour.
Overnight in Hoi An
Day 6: Hoi An - Hue B/L/D
From Hoi An, the journey northwards begins with a stop just outside Da Nang to visit the MARBLE MOUNTAINS. Continue to Da Nang and briefly pass MY KHE BEACH - a famous spot for American soldiers during the Vietnam- American War and visit the CHAM MUSEUM. From Da Nang continue north and pass LANG CO, a lovely stretch of beaches and drive along the HAI VAN PASS on mountainous roads with spectacular views of the coastline. Venture into the countryside around Hue and visit the IMPERIAL TOMB OF TU DUC. Afterwards visit the IMPERIAL TOMB OF KHAI DINH located on a hillside.
Overnight in Hue
Day 7: Hue - Hanoi B/L/D
Hue served as the capital of Vietnam for more than 140 years and was established in the 17th century. Enjoy a boat ride down the PERFUME RIVER with a first stop at the iconic THIEN MU PAGODA which is an elegant seven-tiered octagonal tower. Continue the boat ride and stop to visit the IMPERIAL TOMB OF MINH MANG which is a majestic complex of courtyards, pavilions and temples. Continue the sightseeing tour with a visit to the Old Imperial City located in the heart of Hue. Continue the trip by visiting the DIEN THO RESIDENCE (Dien Tho palace). Look at the THAI HOA PALACE and its magnificently decorated reception hall, the HALLS OF THE MANDARINS as well as the original NINE DYNASTIC URNS among other sites. Then transfer by train from Hue to Hanoi which is a journey northwards parallel to Highway 1.
Overnight on the train
Day 8: Hanoi Tour B/L/D
Although it is the modern-day capital of Vietnam, HANOI still retains the mystery and charm of the past centuries. Start the sightseeing tour with a visit to the TEMPLE OF LITERATURE which is a peaceful series of walled courtyards and graceful gateways. Continue the tour with a visit to the ONE PILLAR PAGODA. The pagoda is close to the HO CHI MINH MEMORIAL COMPLEX where the tour begins at the HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM. Continue through the park to the HO CHI MINH STILT HOUSE, a simple two-room dwelling where Ho Chi Minh lived from 1948 until his final days. Then, head off to the HOAN KIEM LAKE located in the heart of Hanoi. The lake contains an islet with a tiny TORTOISE PAGODA. On the way, other colonial landmarks like the magnificent OPERA HOUSE and ST. JOSEPH’s CATHEDRAL can be visited. Continue the tour by cyclo and visit the OLD QUARTER which is a fascinating area of narrow alleys and shop houses and also known as The 36th Street. In the afternoon spend some time in one of Hanoi’s famous museums. The History Museum is located in an elegant building from the 1930s and used to be the museum of the Ecole Francaise d’Extreme Orient. Alternatively THE MUSEUM OF ETHNOLOGY can be visited. The exhibition gives an insight into the astonishing ethnic diversity in Vietnam. The tour ends with a visit to the WATER PUPPET SHOW which is a fantastic art form originating in the northern Vietnam. Transfer to a restaurant and afterwards to the hotel.
Overnight in Hanoi
Day 9: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay – Hanoi B/L/D
Depart from Hanoi for the scenic Ha Long bay and start the cruise on a traditional wooden boat among the emerald waters and craggy limestone cliffs of Ha Long Bay. Stop and explore one of the many caves in this area. Sail past floating villages, watch fishermen casting their nets, see the pearl fisheries and observe the rhythm of the daily life on the bay. Return to the Ha Long pier in the afternoon and return to Hanoi by vehicle.
Overnight in Hanoi
Day 10: Hanoi Departure B
Transfer to the airport. End of the tour.