MEMORABLE VIETNAM LANDSCAPE AND BEACH VACATION – 15 DAYS

Day 1: Arrival – Ha Noi City

Day 2: Ha Noi Sightseeing Tour

Day 3: Ha Noi – Halong bay

Day 4: Ha Long Bay back to Ha Noi

Day 5: Ha Noi – flight to Hue – Hue Full Day Sightseeing Tour

Day 6: Hue City Tour to Da Nang – Hoi An sightseeing Tour

Day 7: Hoi An Sightseeing Tour

Day 8: Hoi An – Da Nang to Qui Nhon Beach

Day 9: Qui Nhon Beach Tour to Nha Trang

Day 10: Nha Trang Beach Tour

Day 11: Nha Trang City to Da Lat – Da Lat Sightseeing Tour

Day 12: Da Lat Package Tour to Ho Chi Minh City

Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi Tunnels

Day 14: Ho Chi Minh Sightseeing Tour to Mekong Delta

Day 15: Ho Chi Minh City – Departure.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL – HANOI FAMILY TOURS (-/-/-)

On arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel for check in. If the time permit, you can enjoy a tour by cyclo around the old quarter streets to experience the daily life of the local people. O/N in Ha Noi.

DAY 2: HANOI – FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING TOUR (B/-/-)

Today we commence our exploration of Hanoi with the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city.

We follow it with a visit to the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam and the History Museum with an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the Vietnamese history. Later on, we will take a short visit at Hilton Prison where Vietnamese soldiers did captured & detained American pilots from 1967 till 1973 to learn more about the history of Vietnam war against American Imperialists.

In this afternoon, visiting the outlaying Ethnologic Museum is also a major part of our sightseeing. This gleaming mansion is dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. Afterwards we drive to the Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple. They are some major highlights set by the beautiful West Lake. We also visit the old quarters and the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem with its sacred temple. In front of this lake is the famous water puppet theatre where we will see a fantastic performance.

O/N in Ha Noi.

Day 3 : Hanoi Sightseeing Tour – Halong Bay Cruise Tour (B/L/D)

07:30     Our shuttle bus with tour guide will pick you up at your hotels

(Note: This pick-up is just applied for those who use our shuttle bus service)

10:30    Stopover in Hai Duong City where you can experience our hand-made Vietnamese handicraft products.

12:30    Arrive in Tuan Chau Marina Pier (Tuan Chau Island). Followed by activities such as:  boarding Luxury Flamingo Cruise for departure, Welcome drink will be served and cruise briefing, safety instructions, check-in cabins by Cruise Manager

13:30    Great lunch is served while cruising passing by islets.

15:00    Kayaking around Pearl Farm Village, visit Titop Island. Free choice of activities such as sunbathing, swimming and conquering the peak of the biggest island in Halong and taking panoramic photos of Halong bay in the afternoon.

17:30    Happy Hour. Buy 2 beverage get 1 for free

18.00    Cooking Class. Our Chef will demonstrate the preparation of a particular Vietnamese cuisine in the dining room. Our guide will let you know what item will be prepared and will explain the process during the demonstration. Duration about 20 – 30 minutes

18:30    Enjoy Sunset Party with fruits and tea

19:30    Under the magnificent night sky, our luxury set menu dinner is served with variety of Vietnamese and Asian foods

21:00    Joining the squid fishing on boat with our crews and can enjoy the squid cooked with assistance from our chef or laze yourself with our happy-hour drinks at the bar

Overnight on Luxury Flamingo Cruises

Day 4 : Halong Bay Cruise Tour – Hanoi  (B/-)

06:15     Tai Chi class on the Sun-Deck

07:15    Have light breakfast with Coffee, tea, and bakeries on board

07:45    Arrive at the Surprising cave, the biggest cave in Ha Long Bay with 10,000 square meters, when you visit the cave like our Vietnamese house with three chambers as lobby, dining room and bedroom with most beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. We will tour the cave for about 60 minutes.

09:00  Upon return to the boat you will have time to freshen up and finish packing. When checking out please remove all of your belongings from the cabins, you may leave heavy luggage outside of the cabins.

10:00    Relaxing on the sundeck or in the dining room enjoying the bay scenery as we approach the pier

10.45    Brunch is served.

After brunch, Relax on the sundeck or in the dining room enjoying the bay scenery as we approach the pier.

11:45   Disembark at Marina coffee – Gate 26 in Tuan Chau New Marina.

At around 15:30: You will get to Hanoi & the rest of time you will be free on your own O/N in Ha Noi.

Day 5 : Hanoi – Flight to Hue – Full Day Of Sightseeing Tour (B/-/-)

After breakfast at hotel, you will be transferred to Noi Bai airport for a morning flight to Hue on VN1543 (8.30-9.45).

 Upon arrival, you will be escorted by our guide & driver then driven to your hotel for a drop of your luggage. Later on, we have a boat trip on the romantically named Perfume River visits Hue’s best-known religious site, Thien Mu Pagoda.

The beautiful riverside Thien Mu Pagoda is one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious work ship in Hue. We include this in a half day cruise on the Perfume River which also gives us a taste of the scenic countryside and an enjoyable visit to the mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. This impressive landmark reflects the beautiful architecture, intricate decor and mysterious statues

Afterwards, we start our sightseeing tour with the massive citadel named the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945 including Flag Tower, Noon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace, and Forbidden Purple City. This royal residence was all but destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive, however it is still fascinating to walk among the ruins. Close to this masterpiece is Hue Imperial Museum which displays an interesting collections of bronzes, Chinaware, court robes and various emperors’ personal belongings

By the end of the day, we will have one more chance to take a glancing tour of Hue with a walk to the bustling Dong Ba Market that sells a wide variety of local goods and handicrafts. Along the way we pass many fantastic eating spots, all ideal for visitors to sample some local delicacies. O/N in Hue

Day 6 : Hue Sightseeing Tour – Danang – Hoi An Exploration Tour (B/-/-)

In this morning, before leaving to Danang we will take a short drive though the rolling hill to see the elaborate royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc and the famous Tu Hieu Pagoda. The scenic 4-hour drive via Hai Van Pass offers spectacular views of mountains, the sea, idyllic beaches and villages (we can choose the shorter way by driving through the tunnel).

Upon arrival Da Nang, we will take a visit to Cham Museum formerly known as the Ecole Francaise d’Extreme Orient. This museum contains many exquisite limestone carvings from the vanquished Kingdom of Champa which has been the central coastal littoral prior to the march of the Vietnamese nation southward

Then a visit to Marble Mountains with its beautiful grottoes and temples whose peaks represent the five elements of the universe. Later on, we keep on rolling further southward to Hoi An, which was originally one of major trading centers of Southeast Asia in the 16th century. O/N in Hoi An.

Day 7 : Hoi An Sightseeing Tour – Cu Lao Cham Island (B/-/-)

Hoi An, which was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced down centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. There are plenty to see in this tranquil and delightful town, some of which are the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tamky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda and the vibrant market.

We include these sites in an enchanting walking tour past many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls which reflect the town’s multi-cultural past Afternoon: free time at leisure on the beach or shopping O/N in Hoi An.

Day 8 : Hoi An – Qui Nhon Beach Holiday (B/-/-)

Depart at 8:00 am from your hotel at Hoi An to Quy Nhon – a small secluded beach city developing. Overland to Qui Nhon with sightseeing enroute, visit Garden of Statues to memorize the Geniuses in medical field. Continue driving through the peaceful countryside, rice fields, salt fields at Sa Huynh and beautiful hills and along beautiful coast to Quy Nhon city.

O/N in Qui Nhon.

Day 9 : Qui Nhon Beach Tour – Nha Trang Beach Holiday (B/-/-)

Depart a morning drive of 250 km across picturesque coastal plains to Nha Trang. Lunch stop on the way. Upon arrival, a new destination for relaxation where romantic seaside resorts with impeccable service can be found. Check in seaside hotel.  Rest of the day at leisure. O/N in Nha Trang.

Day 10 : Nha Trang Beach Vacation  (B/-/-)

Breakfast at the hotel. Take the morning boat trip to visit the Tri Nguyen Aquarium and the off-shore islands around Nha Trang, including Mun Mot island. Enjoy swimming and beach activities. Lunch at Tam island with fresh seafood. Afternoon visit the Po Nagar Cham Tower, it is dedicated to Yan Po Nagar, the goddess of the country.

Then continue to visit Chong Promontory – looks like the work of a giant, who carelessly put several massive rocks together. On one side of the rock, facing the sea, there is a deep handprint with the five fingers close together. And finally, discover Oceanographic Institute – established on 14 September 1922, is the National Oceanographic Institution, responsible for research and investigation in the ocean. O/N in Nha Trang.

Day 11 : Nha Trang – Da Lat Sightseeing Tour (B/-/-)

Drive to Dalat city, 1500 m above the sea level.  Refresh with a little bit cool of the highland city,  which was known as “A little Paris” or “a flower city”. Visit the Tuyen Lam Lake – a natural lake situated on top of a hill covered with pine trees, 6km east of Dalat City.

The lake has been surrounded by many stories and legends with sorrowful endings in which the heroine drowns in the lake to keep her true love forever. Discover King Bao Dai’s summer palace – filled with artefacts from decades and governments past and is extremely interesting, then take time to visit city flower garden and Dalat Market, one of the most beautiful markets in the highland with a wide array of flowers, fruits and vegetables. O/N in Da Lat.

Day 12 : Da Lat Sightseeing Tour – Ho Chi Minh City (B/-/-)

Morning drive to Ho Chi Minh City, visit Pongua Waterfall – one of the most beautiful and impressive waterfall in the western Highlands with a height of over 20m, its side is a hundred meters and its base is over 10m so thousands of people can have a good time here.

And visit Chicken Village (K’hor ethnic minority) on the way.  Arrive Ho Chi Minh, check in hotel.  Afternoon free at leisure.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 13 : Ho Chi Minh City + Cu Chi Tunnels (B/-/-)

Morning: A half-day city tour of dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, includes the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Sai Gon Post Office, the Chinatown, the former Presidential Palace .

Afternoon: Transfer about 30km north-west of Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi town. Cu Chi tunnels were used as the base from which the Vietnamese mounted their operations of the Tet Offensive in 1968. The Cu Chi tunnels consist of more than 200km of underground tunnels.

This main axis system has many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels, the tunnels are between 0.5 to 1m wide, just enough for a person to crawl along. Transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City. O/N in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 14 : Ho Chi Minh city– Mekong Delta  – Ho Chi Minh (B/L/-)

Heading out of town, we travel by roads to the Mekong Delta. This plain region boasts the largest rice bowl of Vietnam. On arrival in My Tho we board a boat navigating around the intricate small canals, which is a great way to observe the local lifestyle close-up and catch a view dotted by many islands.

The exciting river trip will pass by the lush green vegetation towards the famous Unicorn Island where we have a chance to stroll around an orchard, taste many seasonal fruits and see farmers at work. We navigate some narrower canals using small rowing boats to Ben Tre Province for an interesting visit to some local industries. The extra enjoyment is a lunch at one of the famous local eating spots.

We drive back to Ho Chi Minh, stopping off en route to see the beautiful Vinh Trang Pagoda and the Saigon’s Chinatown, locally named Cho Lon. This bustling area is crammed with sacred temples and mysterious, narrow lanes. O/N in Ho Chi Minh.

Day 15 : Ho Chi Minh city – Departure (B/-/-)

At leisure until transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for departure flight (check out hotel before 12h00)