Vietnam People and Traditions 15 Days

Vietnam People and Traditions

(15 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Hanoi, Halong Bay, Night train to Hue, Hoian, Ho Chi Minh, Ben Tre, Can Tho
   
Overview Itinerary
 
Day 01: Arrive Hanoi, transfer to hotel for two nights
Day 02: Morning tour of Hanoi city, afternoon at leisure
Day 03: Excursion to Halong Bay and overnight on cruise
Day 04: Sunrise cruise. Return to Hanoi for a night train to Hue
Day 05: Arive Hue, transfer to hotel for 2 night stay
Day 06: Hue touring
Day 07: Drive to Hoian, visit Cham Museum en route
Day 08: Hoian - At leisure
Day 09: Hoian - At leisure
Day 10: Fly Danang to Ho Chi Minh, afternoon at leisure
Day 11: Excursion to Mekong Delta and stay the night in Can Tho.
Day 12: Morning tour of floating markets, and return to Ho Chi Minh
Day 13: Morning tour of Cu Chi Tunnels, afternoon at leisure
Day 14: Ho Chi Minh free day
Day 15: Transfer to airport. End of service.

Day 1: Arrive Hanoi
Upon arrival at Hanoi airport you will be welcomed to Vietnam by your private English speaking guide, and then transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.
 
Day 2: Hanoi (B)
Morning tour of Hanoi: Today's tour of Hanoi starts with a visit to to Ho Chi Minh's complex, including the mausoleum of the nation's founder and leader. Here, large crowds gather to pay there respects to the man they simply call Uncle Ho as they silently file past his glass sarcophagus. The Presidential Palace and Uncle Ho's wooden stilt house can also be seen here. One of must-see places in the complex is One Pillar pagoda dating back 11th century. From far view its shape looks like a huge lotus flower. The next stop is the Temple of Literature, the site of Vietnam's oldest university and dedicated to one of the world's most famous scholars, Confucious. Inside the temple grounds, huge steles rest on the backs of even larger stone turtles (in Vietnam's culture, the turtle represents longevity). The stele recorded the names of the successful candidates who later became mandarins in the Emperor's court.
 
Afternoon at leisure in Hanoi: You have the afternoon at leisure to explore the Vietnamese capital independently. Stroll around the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake, go shopping in the Old Quarter, or sample some of Hanoi’s many culinary delights.
 
Day 3: Hanoi – Ha Long (B/L/D)
Depart from Hanoi and travel by private car to the spectacular World Heritage site of Halong Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin (approximately four hours). Arrive at jetty in Halong City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities. After your welcome onboard, a lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board. Overnight aboard on Halong Bay
 
Day 4: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Night train to Hue (B/-/-)
Enjoy your fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Halong in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards Ha Long port. Disembark and drive back to Hanoi. This late afternoon, transfer to the Hanoi station to board a sleeper train for Hue, depart at 19:30. Overnight in the train in shared 4-berth compartment.
 
Note: 2 days cruise itinerary is subject to change bases on each cruise company, english speaking guide is available on board.
 
Overnight train: Depart from Hanoi Station on train SE1 to Hue. The train departs at 19:30 and arrives at 08:50 the following day. A 4-berth air-conditioned soft-sleeper cabin can be booked for your exclusive use with surcharge.
 
Day 5: Hue (B)
Morning arrival in Hue, your guide for the centre of Vietnam will meet you at the train station and take you to the local restaurant or hotel for breakfast. Balance of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Hue.
 
Note: Early check-in is NOT included and subject to hotel’s availability (normal check in time for hotels is 14:00)
 
Day 6: Hue (B/L)
Afterbreakfast, you will board a private traditional boat for a cruise on the romantic Perfume River as you head out to the countryside. Being the ancient capital, Hue is surrounded by ancient tombs of emperors past, and a visit to some of these tombs will be on the itinerary for today. The charming Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) will be the first stop of the day. Continue along the river to the Royal Tombs of Minh Mang, the second emperor of the Nguyen Dynesty who reigned until 1841. The tomb blends traditional architecture with a magical natural setting, and consists of 40 constructions (palaces, temples, and pavilions). After lunch, visit Hue Citadel, the Forbidden Purple City, the Imperial Museum and Dong Ba market. Overnight in Hue.
 
Day 7: Hue – Hoian (B)
After enjoying breakfast, drive to Hoi An over the scenic Hai Van Pass, probably the most scenic stretch of coastal road in Vietnam! Hoi An ancient town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site. En route, visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture, which contains one of the finest collections of Indo-Hindu carvings and documents the history and culture of the Cham people. Also visit the handicraft villages on the foot of Marble Mountain. Upon arrival in Hoian, settle into your hotel. This afternoon is free at leisure. Accommodation at hotel in Hoian.
 
Day 8 & 9: Hoian - At leisure without guide and driver (B)
You have these days free to relax in Hoi An. Alternatively there are opportunities to visit the beach, cycle in some beautiful countryside, visit the ruins at My Son, discover the artists of Hoi An or see a tailor to get some clothes made. Overnight at hotel in Hoian
 
Day 10: Hoian – Danang – Ho Chi Minh (B)
After morning at leisure in Hoian, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh city. Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh city, your guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel for three-night stay.
 
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh – Ben Tre – Can Tho (B/L)
This morning depart from your hotel and drive approximately two hours to Ben Tre, and a gateway to the delta. Here, you will board a small boat to start your sightseeing around the waterways of Mekong Delta. Known also as the rice bowl of Vietnam because of its large rice production, the area has also diversified into activities related to aquaculture, rearing of animals, cash crops and fruit trees.
 
Stop at traditional brickwork to see how to make bricks by hand. Go on by boat to My Long village, walking to hamlet to see making rice paper and enjoy some rice cake. Turn on Cai Son canal winding through coconut jungle, visit coconut workshop, have a look stages of coconut processing from husk off, prize out to peel out by hand. Go on small waterway and stop at a bee garden, enjoy some fruits, honey tea and listen to local music as well. Visit candy mill and enjoy some sweet by the way. Continue short walking to visit farmer house who making sleepmats.
 
Cycle rural tracks or drive tuktuk through coconut grove, vegetable plains (cucumber, bitter melon...). Keep going by row boat on shady palm tree canal and stop for lunch at Green Garden riverside restaurant. Boating back Hùng vÆ°Æ¡ng pier by motorboat. Continue drive to Can Tho, check-in to your hotel. Overnight in Can Tho.
 
Day 12: Can Tho – Cai Rang floating market - Ho Chi Minh (B)
Rise early and travel by boat to the township of Cai Rang to see the hustle and bustle of a floating market. Watch as vendors hawk their wares from boats teeming with produce and buy a coffee from one of the floating cafes. Then, drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. Balance of the day is at your leisure.
 
Day 13: Cu Chi Tunnels Excursion (B/L)
In the morning you will enjoy a half-day private excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels. The tunnels consist of more than 200kilometers of underground tunnels. This main axis system has many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrancesto other tunnels. The network included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life was like during the U.S.-Vietnam War. You will have free time in the afternoon. Accommodation at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.
 
Day 14: Ho Chi Minh - At leisure without guide & transfer (B)
Today at leisure in Saigon: You have full day at leisure to explore this bustling city independently. You can see such landmarks as the Reunification Palace, Cathedral of Notre Dame, Centre Post Office and War Remnants Museum, featuring collections of weapons and photographs from the two Indochina wars. Stroll down follow Dong Khoi Street, the city’s main shopping boulevard with fashionable boutiques and accessories designed by up-and-coming Vietnamese designers, hill tribe crafts, high quality linens and house-wares…Accommodation at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.
 
Day 15: Ho Chi Minh Departure (B)
Free at leisure until your transfer by private car to Hanoi Airport for your onward flight home.

Prices are quoted in US dollars per person base on minimum two travelers

- Check-in time at hotel: 14:00 -  Check-out time: Before 12:00

- The Hung Kings Anniversary from 6 April 2017 to 7 April 2017
- Victory Day & Labour Day from 29 April 2017 to 02 May 2017
- Independent Day from 02 September to 03 September 2017
- Christmas Eve gala dinner (December 24, 2017)
- New Year’s Eve gala dinner (December 31, 2017)
- New Year & Holiday: 24 December 2017 to 10 January 2018
- Lunar New Year from 15 Feb 2018 to 20 February 2018