Day No. | Day Brief |
Day 1 | Saigon arrival |
Day 2 | Saigon – City visit & Cu Chi Tunnels |
Day 3 | Saigon – Full day Mekong delta excursion |
Day 4 | Saigon > Fly to Danang – Hoi An |
Day 5 | Hoi An visit |
Day 6 | Hoi An – Drive to Hue |
Day 7 | Hue visit – Fly to Hanoi |
Day 8 | Hanoi – Highlights city visit & water puppet show |
Day 9 | Hanoi – Halong bay overnight cruise |
Day 10 | Halong bay – Hanoi & Departure |
Day 1
SAIGON ARRIVAL
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: None
Accommodation in SAIGON
Day 2
SAIGON – CITY VISIT & CU CHI TUNNELS
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.
After returning to Saigon, learn about the city’s historic landmarks as you tour the city with your guide. Visit the former Presidential Palace, headquarters to the Saigon Government during the Vietnam-American war. You may also like to visit the War Remnants Museum for a vivid insight into the Vietnam-American war from a Vietnamese perspective. Next stop is 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.
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation in SAIGON
Day 3
SAIGON – MEKONG DELTA FULL DAY EXCURSION
Depart your hotel this morning for about 02 hours drive heading south Ben Tre where referred locally as one of the biggest coconut tree orchards in Vietnam. Take in the lush surroundings of rice paddies and fruit farms alongside the highway as you leave behind the busy city.
Arrive at the waterfront pier and embark on an enjoyable motor boat excursion, take a glimpse at the Delta scenery, houses built on stilts and local fish farms along the way.
Take short Xe Lam (Moto cart) along country roads through the villages, tropical gardens along the way; discovering how Vietnamese farmers work their rice fields and observe daily life of the villagers in the Mekong Delta. Engage in a casual chat with your host and stroll through the garden to get an insight into daily farming life. Have a chance visit some local home factories, get to know lively activities of coconut processing and trading as well as enjoy tropical fruit & coconut juice.
Lunch will be served at local house, taste some local delicacies before returning to Saigon and arrive back to Saigon late in the afternoon.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation in SAIGON
Day 4
SAIGON > FLY TO DANANG – HOI AN
Breakfast at hotel. You will be picked up from hotel and transferred to airport for flight to Danang.
On arrival Danang where you will meet your new guide at the airport, transfer to visit city. First stop is the Cham Museum, which contains the finest collection of Cham sculpture in the world. Next is 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.
Continue on to the beautiful old merchant town of Hoi An. Built on the site of an ancient Cham village, Hoi An was a prosperous port from the 16th to 19th centuries trading with merchants from China, Japan, India, Indonesia and Europe who came to buy silk, spices and porcelain. Hoi An’s UNESCO World Heritage Old Quarter is beautifully preserved with ornate pagodas, antique trading houses and old tile-roofed shops. It is a rich architectural fusion of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and European styles. Many of the historic buildings lining the canals and pedestrian streets have been converted into art galleries, boutique restaurants, bars and cafes. Hoi An is surrounded by attractive countryside with traditional farming and fishing, and by sandy beaches with modern seaside resorts.
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation in HOI AN
Day 5
HOI AN VISIT
Start your morning with a leisurely drive through the countryside, heading to Tra Que vegetable village which is named after a sweet scented herb they grow and use to flavour Hoi An specialties like Cao Lau noodles. Upon arrival, learn about the history and custom of this charming village. Experience an organic discovery tour with the local farmers. Have an opportunity to chat with the friendly farmers to learn the traditional gardening methods and how they cultivate vegetables, etc… Bid farewell to your host family and transfer back to town.
Return to town, continue the day activity with the walking tour of Ancient Town & enjoy the local street-food.
The narrow lanes are ideal for a guided leisurely walking tour. There is also 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.
Stroll through zigzagging alleys to explore real neighborhoods; enjoy the tantalizing sights, smells and flavors of local produce and indulge in Hoi An’s best dishes. “Cao Lau” noodles, “Com Ga” chicken rice; “Banh mi” Hoi An bread; White rose dumplings; “Banh It” are among must try dishes…
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, Lunch
Accommodation in HOI AN
Day 6
HOI AN – DRIVE TO HUE
This morning you will be driven to Hue which served as an imperial capital to the Nguyen Lords, a feudal dynasty which reigned from the 17th to the 19th century. Despite heavy bombing during the Vietnam-American war, many historic monuments from this period remain, and even though Imperial rule ended more than six decades ago, Hue still bears the marks of its royal past. The city retains its royal charm with its emperors’ tombs, ancient pagodas and the remains of the Citadel.
Arrive Hue, 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.
The afternoon activity includes visiting to 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.
Then you will embark on a half-hour boat trip on the picturesque Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda, Hue’s best-preserved religious monument. Standing on the riverbank with its seven-storey tower, the pagoda is a sight to behold.
Check in the hotel and enjoy the rest of day free at leisure.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation in HUE
Day 7
HUE VISIT > FLY TO HANOI
After breakfast at hotel, a short cyclo ride takes you to the towering main gate of the UNESCO World Heritage Imperial Citadel. As you explore the grounds your guide will talk through the history of Hue, and you will be able to wander amongst the beautiful and ornate red lacquered pavilions of the Citadel, gaining an insight into the luxurious and secretive world of the court.
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
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi.
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: Breakfast
Accommodation in HANOI
Day 8
HANOI – CITY HIGHLIGHTS VISIT & WATER PUPPET SHOW
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.
Enjoy a walking tour through the bustling Old Quarter before ending the day with a show at the water puppet theatre – a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes of rural life and episodes of national history.
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation in HANOI
Day 9
HANOI – HALONG OVERNIGHT CRUISE
Your 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 10
HALONG BAY – HANOI DEPARTURE
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 and you will be met and transferred back to Hanoi. The drive will take around 2.5-3 hours with technical stop en-route. You will arrive in Hanoi around mid afternoon.
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Included meals: Brunch
Standard 3*: from US $ 1,200
Superior 4*: from US $ 1,390
Deluxe 5*: from US $ 1,650
* 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!
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SENSES JOURNEYS
Direct hand phone Mr. HUE: +84 (0) 933 023 363
Email: info@sensesjourneys.com
Add: 287/2/7A Chu Van An Str., Binh Thanh Dist., HCM City, VIETNAM
Tel: +84 (0) 28 6274 2312
Website: www.sensesjourneys.com