Day 1 : Arrival Ho Chi Minh city (D)
On
arrival at Tan San Nhat Airport, you will be met and
transferred to hotel. Ho Chi Minh City, a bustling
metropolis ,contradiction of its northern counterpart,
is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by
numerous shopping area and sidewalk cafés. The afternoon
we stroll around Sai gon down town. Overnight in Ho Chi
Minh.
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi tunnel (B,L)
Drive to
visit the Cuchi Tunnels. At the height of the Vietnam
war, the tunnel system stretched from the outskirts of
Saigon all the way to the Cambodian border of over 250
kilometers of tunnels. The tunnel system, built over 25
years starting in the 1940s, let the Viet Minh and,
later, the Viet Cong, control a huge rural area. It was
an underground city with living areas,
kitchens, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals,
command centers. In places, it was several stories
deep and housed up to 10,000 people who virtually lived
underground for years.... getting married, giving
birth,going to school. The ground here is hard clay,
which made this whole thing possible. But even so, the
planning and construction was incredible. People dug
all this with hand tools, filling reed baskets and
dumping the dirt into bomb craters. They installed
large vents so they could hear approaching helicopters,
smaller vents for air and baffled vents to dissipate
cooking smoke. There were also hidden trap doors and
gruesomely effective bamboo-stake booby traps. Today,
the trees and bushes have grown back. And since 1988,
two sections of tunnels have been open for
visitors. After Cuchi Tunnels tour, drive to Long Hoa
and visit Cao Dai Cathedral. Overnight at hotel in Ho
Chi Minh City
Day
3:Ho Chi Minh city – Vinh long (B,D)
A half
day tour of dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Sai
gon by many locals takes in the Notre Dame Cathedral,
Old Sai gon Post Office, a lacquer ware factory, the
bustling market of Binh Tay Market in Chinatown and Giac
Lam Pagoda. In the afternoon we travel by road to Mekong
Delta, the largest rice bowl of Vietnam. Boat trip to
visit lush orchard gardens where we are treated to a
delicious tropical fruits. Overnight at family house
built out over water.
Day
4: Vinlong – Ho Chi Minh City (B,L)
After
breakfast we embark on a wonderful boat excursion to
explore endless waterway. Visit the Caibe floating
market before continuing our way to Mytho where we visit
Vinh Trang pagoda. Lunch at local restaurant before we
drive back to Ho Chi Minh city. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh
city.
Day 5 : Ho Chi Minh city - Dalat (B)
Today,
we start our north bound journey with the first stop
being Da Lat, one of Vietnam’s most charming towns. At
an elevation of 15,000 meters, Da Lat, called the" city
of eternal spring" , have been established as a hill
station at the beginning of the last century. The city
is set around a lake and surrounded forests, waterfalls
and rolling countryside. Overnight at hotel in Da Lat.
Day 6:Dalat – Nhatrang (B,L,D)
Our
sightseeing tour of Da Lat takes in the former residence
of Emperor Bao Dai, Hang Nga House, Xuan Huong Lake, the
Central Market, the Love Valley and Lam Ty Ni Pagoda.
The afternoon, our will take us out of Da Lat and back
down the Prenn Pass for a stop at the ''Chicken
village,'. From here we will head east and down the
Ngoan Muc pass to the coastal lowlands. Our destination
for today is Nha Trang, the country's premier Resort
town. This part of the country was once inhabited by an
ancient civilization known as the Cham, and our next
stop will be at the Po Klong Garai Cham tower. This
amazing structure, which has endured the test of time,
the elements and indeed war, was built in the 13th
century. We will stop for a late lunch at Cam Ranh Bay
and arrive in Nha Trang by mid to late afternoon. At
leisure. Dinner at local restaurants. Overnight at hotel
in Nhatrang
Day 7: Nha trang (B,L)
The
picturesque coastal town of Nha Trang is an ideal place
for anyone seeking an enjoyable escape. Taking a boat
trip out we explore some nearby islands of the South
China Sea and spend a half day on the turquoise water
enjoying swimming, snorkeling, or simply lazing on a
beach and feasting on seafood lunch. Overnight in
NhaTrang.
Day
8: Nha Trang – Danang - Hoian (B,L)
We board
a flight to Da Nang. The tour of central Vietnam begins
with Cham museum, the famed China Beach, and the Marble
Mountains. Arriving in Hoi An we spend the rest of the
afternoon exploring and elaxing. The tranquil and charm
of Hoi An with its low tiled houses of Chinese
appearance, Japanese covered bridge, brightly painted
temples and pagodas make it one of Vietnam’s most
delightful places. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 9:My Son (B,L)
We drive
to visit holly land My Son. This is a former capital of
the ancient Cham civilization that ruled central Vietnam
between the second and thirteenth centuries. Hinduism
from India heavily influenced their religion. Located 60
km. from Danang, My Son is considered to be one of the
best-preserved Cham structures in Vietnam. The complex
is comprised of seventy Hindu-like towers and temples
dating from the second century. This site is a must-see
for those who are interested in architecture and ancient
civilizations. It is one of four World Heritage listed
sites in Vietnam. Balance of the day will be at your
leisure to do your endless shopping in Hoian. Overnight
in Hoian
Day
10: Hoian – Hue (B,L)
We
embark on northernbound journey to Hue, the former
imperial capital of Vietnam. The scenic route passes
through Da Nang as we are climbing over the Pass of
Ocean Clouds and dropping down to the picturesque
fishing villages of Lang Co. Afternoon we visit the
Citadel, containing the Imperial City and the Forbidden
Purple city, the Emperor's private residence. Both were
almost totally destroyed during the Tet offensive of
1968. We visit vibrant Dong Ba riverside market .
Overnight in Hue
Day 11:Hue – Hanoi (B,L)
This
morning we board our dragon board for a cruise along
lovely Perfume river with a stop to visit Thien Mu
pagoda, considered by many as the unofficial symbol of
Hue. It is active Buddhist monastery with its origins
dating back to 1601. One of its most poignant displays
is a car belonging to a former monk, who in 1963, drove
to Saigon and set himself alight to protest against the
South Vietnamese regime and its cruel treating of
Buddhist. We continue our ride upstream to visit Minh
Mang tomb, in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes as
well as from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between
1802 and 1945. This evening we take overnight soft
sleeper train to Ha Noi.
Day 12: Hanoi (B,D)
Arrival
Hanoi in Morning you will be transferred to our hotel
for a freshen up and breakfast. Spending a full day in
Vietnam's capital, we take time to visit Ba Dinh square,
where we have the opportunity to see Ho Chi Minh's
Mausoleum and former residence. With its history of
nearly 1000 years, Hanoi offers us many interesting
sights such as the beautiful One Pillar Pagoda, the
impressive Temple of Literature (Vietnam first
University was founded in 1076) and the intriguing old
quarter with its age-old traditional crafts and wares,
visit Museum of Ethnology, take a cyclo tour to discover
the simple lif of Hanoian. Tonight we enjoy water puppet
showed followed by Vietnamese diner. Overnight in Hanoi
Day 13 : Ha Noi – Ha Long (B,L,D)
Breakfast at hotel and then start a 3-hour drive through
the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. Comfort stop en
route for photos and coffee before arriving to Ha Long
City. We then transfer to a refurbished wooden sailing
junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and
emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, giving us the chance to
take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage
Site. While on board we will be served a sumptuous
fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and
exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. When
the sun comes down we drop anchor for the night nearby a
remote island. Overnight on Junk.
Day 14: Ha Long – Hanoi (B,L)
The
wondrous Ha Long Bay is truly one of Vietnam’s most
impressive scenic sights.We relaxe and enjoy on boat
for an exploration of the legendary Halong Bay. This
exciting cruise will provide us a fantastic view of the
picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000
limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and
emerald water. The limestone karst formations are
littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves.
Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a
secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many
hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. After lunch,
wedrive from the unforgettable Halong Bay back to Hanoi.
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Day 15: Departure (B)
There is
a free time to relax or further exploration of Ha Noi
until the departure transfer to airport for your flight
home.
Cost
in USD per person based on private tour ( valid
until 30 Apri 09)