CLASSIC VIETNAM

CLASSIC VIETNAM

BRIEFING AND TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

DETAILED TOUR ITINERARY 

Day 1
HANOI ARRIVAL

You will meet your guide on arrival Hanoi airport, be transferred and check-in to your chosen hotel. During the drive your guide will provide an introduction to Hanoi, answer any questions you have. Enjoy free time for the remainder of the day.

Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital city and home to more than seven million people. Traditional and refined, with French colonial architecture, tree-lined boulevards, scenic lakes and a bustling Old Quarter, Hanoi has a sophisticated charm. Observe elderly people practicing Tai Chi by the lake, with barbers and food vendors plying their sidewalk trade.

Hanoi has many great restaurants with French, Vietnamese and international cuisines available. Ask your guide for personal recommendations.

Included meals: None
Accommodation in HANOI

Day 2
HANOI – HIGHLIGHTS CITY VISIT

Accompanied by your guide, the day starts with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument lavishly built using marble and granite, where the preserved body of “Uncle Ho” resides. (Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed every Monday & Friday, all afternoons and from late September until December). See the lotus shaped One Pillar Pagoda which rests on a single stone pillar emerging from the water, and then explore the Temple of Literature, the first University for the sons of mandarins, to gain an overview of Hanoi culture and ancient Vietnamese architecture.

In the afternoon, visit the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays).offering a fascinating insight into Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority groups.

Continue the visit with Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest of all pagodas in Hanoi – located beside the dazzling West Lake. Continuing to visit Quan Thanh Temple, with its spacious and charming landscape helps highlight the ancient and romantic beauty of this area. Quan Thanh Temple is dedicated to Saint Huyen Thien Tran Vu who guarded and administered the north of the country.

Depart in the early evening to the famous Theatre for a Water Puppet performance. This is a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history. Then enjoy the included dinner at one of the finest Vietnamese restaurants. As your wish, head to one of the popular nightspots (own account of dink); Hanoi Opera House watch a show (optional extra fee) or walk through old quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake.

 Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation in HANOI 

Day 3
HANOI – HALONG BAY OVERNIGHT CRUISE

Your early morning departure from your hotel in Hanoi to Halong Bay takes you on a journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta. Observe everyday life of Vietnamese Villages as you see the villagers work the local rice fields, take live pigs to market on bicycles and plough the fields with their large water buffaloes.

Arrive in Halong and board a traditional sailing junk. As the vessel sets sails, you will be greeted by the Crew Team who will aim throughout your stay at providing you with the highest standards of service for a pure pleasure and utmost comfort onboard. Discover some of the treasures disseminated across the Bay of the Descending Dragon during the afternoon: fascinating caves, pristine beaches, picturesque floating villages, fantastic rock formations rising up out of emerald water. While onboard, you can take advantage at leisure of the cruise services; surrounded by a stunning setting in motion, you could attend our chef’s cooking demonstration and try your skills in the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking.

Defined to be one of the highlights of your stay, a highly refined, innovative and varied cuisine will be presented for Lunch and Dinner in the elegant dining-room, accompanied by a wide selection of wines and beverages (with extra charge applied) for drink).

In the evening enjoy the entertainment activities as movie night, squid fishing or just enjoying a cocktail surrounded by limestone rocks majestically springing out from silent waters in the night.

NOTE: This tour is subject to change depending on weather conditions.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation in HALONG

Day 4
HALONG BAY – HANOI > FLY TO HUE

Early birds can attend a Tai Chi demonstration on the sundeck at the break of dawn. Start the day enjoying some delights with a light breakfast and follow by a colorful brunch.  Continue exploring Halong Bay sailing across its 2000 islets and visiting some of its major highlights. Your cruise will come to an end at the pier in Halong late morning.

You have the option to visit a pottery workshop on the trip back to Hanoi before flying to Hue in the afternoon.

On arrival Hue, meet your guide and be transferred to hotel for check in and overnight.

Hue served as an imperial capital to the Nguyen Lords, a feudal dynasty which reigned from the 17th to the 19th century. With splendid emperors’ tombs, ancient pagodas and the remains of the Citadel, the city retains its royal charm.

Included meals: Brunch
Accommodation in HUE

Day 5
HUE CITY VISIT

Breakfast at hotel.

This morning take a cyclo ride around the city. Visit the UNESCO listed site – Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Enter through the towering main gate and you will appreciate the magnificent architecture and gardens while your guide explains about the events and the intrigue of the former royal court. Despite being bombed heavily, there are some incredibly well preserved sections still intact and others which are being lovingly restored. The visit also includes the Hue Royal Fine Art Museum which is housed within the former Dien Long An Royal Palace.

We enjoy a classic Hue light lunch with local special dishes like “Bánh Bèo” – steamed rice cakes; “Bánh Khoái” – a smaller, thicker version of the banh xeo – pan cake; “Bún bò Huế” – a popular Vietnamese soup containing rice vermicelli (bún) and beef (bò)….before embarking on our tour of the city’s imperial monuments.

Continue to visit one of the famous, traditional garden houses of Hue. These houses are traditional, privately owned, and set in large and attractive formal gardens. Some have connections with the old Royal Imperial Court and the house’s traditional architecture has long been associated with the natural environment and the ancient belief of ‘feng-shui’.

The next stop is Thien Mu pagoda, Hue’s best-preserved religious monument, which stands on the riverbank with its impressive seven storey tower. Followed by a boat trip along the romantically named Perfume River carries you through a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes.

Visit Ming Mang Royal Tomb near Hue. Minh Mang was the second Nguyen Emperor whose interest in architecture brought major new construction to the Imperial City of Hue. His tomb is set in a large garden on the west bank of the Perfume River, with lakes and pavilions built in the old Chinese traditional style.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation in HUE

Day 6
HUE – DRIVE TO HOI AN & WALKING TOUR

After breakfast, you will leave the hotel and drive to visit Khai Dinh or Tu Duc Royal Tombs (Choose 01 tomb to visit), and there is also the opportunity to visit an incense stick making house.

Continue to Hoi An. The guide and driver will take you over the beautiful Hai Van Pass – Vietnam’s geographical and psychological boundary between north and south. The peak of the pass lies perpetually shrouded in clouds.

Enjoy the walking tour of ancient town Hoi An. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, Hoi An was a major and prosperous Asian trading port. Hoi An’s architecture and relaxed lifestyle have changed little over the years.  Today, this World Heritage-listed ancient town boasts well-preserved buildings, pedestrianized streets and unique cuisine, allowing visitors a glimpse of its illustrious past.

The narrow lanes are ideal for a guided leisurely walking tour. There is plenty to visit including the old merchant’s houses with influences from Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture; the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge; the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation with outstanding wood carvings; and the colourful market with stalls brimming with local specialties including silk, which can be turned into fashionable garments within a day or two.

Return to hotel and relax or ask your guide to take you to visit some interesting places processing traditional crafts like lantern marking, social enterprise and/or silk & clothes making.

Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation in HOI AN

Day 7
HOI AN – VISIT MY SON & MARBLE MOUNTAINS

Breakfast at hotel.

This morning transfer to visit My Son, one of the foremost Hindu temple sites in South East Asia. For the Cham civilization that ruled Central Vietnam from the 2nd to the 13th century, My Son was an important religious centre and place of worship. There are about 20 monuments still standing today. The temples are set in a verdant valley surrounded by hills and overlooked by the impressive Cat Tooth Mountain. Stroll around this UNESCO listed temple complex to learn about the Cham culture, architecture and civilization.

Return to Danang to visit the Marble Mountains, a cluster of five limestone and marble peaks that rise dramatically from the surrounding flat land. The local Vietnamese believe that the five peaks represent the five elements of fire, water, earth, wood and metal. Previously celebrated in the religion of the Cham people, the mountains were later used by the Viet Cong in the Vietnam-American war to monitor the US air base at Danang.

The mountains contain many caves and tunnels. Climb the cut stone steps or take the elevator up to the top of one of the peaks, and explore the caves, temples and pagodas. There are panoramic views of Danang and the coast from the many lookout points.

Return to hotel in Hoi An and rest of the day is free at leisure.

Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation in HOI AN

Day 8
HOI AN VISIT

Breakfast at hotel.

We invite you to come and experience this unforgettable culinary event! This tour offers you a unique experience of cooking local specialties. Leaded by a Vietnamese chef Ms. Van/ Ms Thoa who is perfect hostess with a deep knowledge about Vietnam and what is most interesting to foreigners, the class gives a fabulous insight into Vietnamese culinary skills in a friendly and relaxed setting. This wonderful course is suitable for both experienced chefs wanting to learn new techniques or amateur cooks who simply want a fun day out. The tour includes a market visit giving chance to interact with the local sellers, showing you how to select good fresh ingredients and purchasing some of the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson. Getting back at the school (home) where, there is about one and half hours spent on explaining the art of Vietnamese gastronomy and the use of special ingredients. You will make a preferred dish that will first be demonstrated and then you make them. Enjoy lunch of the dishes you cooked.

Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation in HOI AN

Day 9
HOI AN – FREE DAY

Breakfast at hotel.

Today is free at leisure for shopping and exploring this charming town, a protected UNESCO site.  Hoi An is noted for its hand sewn tailored clothing and beautiful white sand beaches; an ideal day at leisure to simply enjoy the environment, relax by the pool, or people watch to your heart’s content.

Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation in HOI AN

Day 10
HOI AN – DANANG > FLY TO SAIGON

Enjoy free time in Hoi An until your guide & driver pick you up from hotel and transfer to airport for short flight to Saigon.

You will meet your guide on arrival Saigon airport, be transferred and check-in to your hotel. During the drive your guide will provide an introduction to Saigon, answer any questions you have. Enjoy free time for the remainder of the first day.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in southern Vietnam is a sprawling metropolis of more than ten million people. Formally renamed Ho Chi Minh City in 1975 at the end of the Vietnam-American war, locals still refer to Saigon. With thousands of motorbikes zipping past luxury cars, French colonial buildings dwarfed by modern skyscrapers and traditionally dressed school girls riding bicycles past trendy city workers, Saigon is an exciting city of contrasts.

Saigon is a city that never sleeps and offers a plethora of great restaurants and bars catering to all tastes, from street food vendors to the rooftop bar at the Rex Hotel, where international correspondents covered the Vietnam War and where the U.S. military attaché’s press briefing was held daily and dubbed the “Five O’clock Follies”. Whatever your interests, be sure to ask your guide for personal recommendations.

Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation in SAIGON

Day 11
SAIGON – HIGHLIGHTS CITY VISIT

Breakfast at hotel.

Start the tour Saigon’s historic landmarks with your guide. Walking tour to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick building with twin spires based on the original construction from Paris, then head across the square to the Central Post Office designed by the French architect Gustav Eiffel.

Visit the landmark Reunification Hall, formerly known as the Presidential Palace – the headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American war. It was towards this modern building that North Vietnamese resistance fighters tanks (Viet Cong) rolled on the morning of April 30, 1975 as Saigon fell. This fascinating building is filled with history still fresh in the minds of many.

Head out of the city centre on a short 15 minutes drive to District 5 to visit Thien Hau temple, built by the Cantonese congregation in the early 19th century to honour the Goddess of the Sea. The temple’s ornate interior courtyard is always full of life as worshippers from the local Chinese community come to offer their prayers. Take time to make a wish, write it on a small card and attach it to one of the incense coils in the local custom.

Visit the Binh Tay Market — the central market for the city and one of its liveliest and most colorful areas.

You may also like to visit the War Remnants Museum for a vivid insight into the Vietnam-American war from a Vietnamese perspective.

Return to hotel and enjoy the rest afternoon free at leisure or continuing your own exploration of Saigon city.

Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation in SAIGON

Day 12
SAIGON – MEKONG DELTA FULL DAY EXCURSION

The Mekong Delta, south west of Saigon, is known as the rice bowl of Vietnam. Cai Be is located in Tien Giang province, a two hour drive from Saigon, deep in the heart of the Mekong Delta and you will notice lush rice paddies and fruit farms emerging alongside the highway as you leave the city behind for the peaceful Mekong Delta.

On arrival Cai Be, embark on your private charming wooden boat, a wooden motorboat, which will help you get closer to daily life and agricultural activities along the Mekong River.

Enjoying a short stroll through palm fringed trails to observe traditional Delta life and to visit a family-run business. Visiting 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 will be served at a local house where generations of family members live together. The owner of the house will serve you an appetising Vietnamese lunch.

After feasting on Mekong Delta specialties, you may wish to take a stroll around the orchard to see how fruit is cultivated. Chose to either walk or be rowed in a sampan along the small canals back to the boat before returning to the pier. Return to Saigon late this afternoon.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation in SAIGON

Day 13
SAIGON – CU CHI TUNNELS EXCURSION

The Cu Chi Tunnels are an immense network of interconnected tunnels near Saigon that are part of a much larger network lying below much of the country. A guided visit to these tunnels provides a better understanding of their history, the hardship of life underground and the resilience of the Vietnamese during combat.

The tunnels were built and used initially by the Viet Cong guerrillas as hiding spots to protect them from the French air and ground sweeps. They later served as communication routes, storage facilities, hospitals and living quarters for the guerrilla fighters throughout the Vietnam-American war.

You’re invited to enter a section of the tunnels to witness the secrets of the tunnels firsthand. Your guide will also show you various mantraps employed from this period, the remains of an American tank and numerous B52 bomb craters. There is also the opportunity to fire an M60, M16 or AK47 rifle at the range next to the tunnel complex.

In the afternoon, return to Saigon and enjoy free time to continue your exploration of the city.

Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation in SAIGON

Day 14
SAIGON DEPARTURE 

Breakfast at hotel. Free at leisure.
Your guide and private car will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.

Included meals: Breakfast

TOUR PRICE(S):

Standard 3*:    from US $ 1,500
Superior 4*:     from US $ 1,750
Deluxe 5*:        from US $ 2,310

* Prices are based on twin/ double share for group of at least 02 passengers travelling together and depend on availability and season.

All our itineraries can be customised. For questions or further information, Enquire Now!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION