ESSENCE OF VIETNAM TOUR

Day 1: Arrival – Ha Noi Sightseeing Tour
Day 2: Ha Noi – Ha Long Bay
Day 3: Ha Long Bay  – Ha Noi
Day 4: Ha Noi flight to Da Nang – Hoi An Sightseeing Tour
Day 5: Hoi An to Hue – Full Day City Tour in Hue
Day 6: Hue flight to Ho Chi Minh City – Ho Chi Minh Sightseeing Tour
Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho – Mekong Delta Sightseeing Tour
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City – Departure

DAY 1 – ESSENCE OF VIETNAM TOUR TO HANOI, HALONG, HUE, HOIAN, SAIGON : ARRIVAL – HANOI SIGHTSEEING TOURS (-/-/-)

On arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you are met by our guide and transferred to hotel. The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is a stylish and gracious city that retains an unique old world charm and some Asia’s most striking colonial architecture. The many lakes and parks make for relaxing atmosphere. If time permits we enjoy a short cyclo ride through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places.

O/N in Ha Noi.

DAY 2 – ESSENCE OF VIETNAM TOUR TO HANOI, HALONG, HUE, HOIAN, SAIGON : HANOI TO HALONG BAY – HALONG TOUR (B/-/-) 

7:30 – 08:30: 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)

10h30: Stopover in Hai Duong city  where you can experience our hand-made Vietnamese handicraft products.

12h30: Arrive in Tuan Chau Marina Pier (Tuan Chau Island). Followed by activities:

+ Boarding FLAMINGO CRUISEs for departure.

+ Welcome drink will be served and cruise briefing, safety instructions, check-in cabins by Cruise Manager.

+ Great lunch is served while cruising passing by islets, through Hoa Cuong floating village.

+ Exploration of Halong Bay passing by Soi Sim Beach, Coconut Three Island. Then arrive in the area of Surprising Cave.

+ Kayaking & swimming or climbing up to the mountain and getting a complete view of Halong Bay at Titov Beach

+ Joining our COOKING CLASS on the sun-deck. Let’s see how to make the fresh/fried spring rolls and mix fish-sauce.

+ Enjoy sunset party with fruits and wine.

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

Evening activities include:

+ Join the SQUID FISHING on boat with our crews. You can enjoy the squid cooked with assistance from our chef.

+ Or Laze yourself with our happy-hour drinks at the bar.

Overnight on Flamingo Cruise.

DAY 3 – ESSENCE OF VIETNAM TOUR TO HANOI, HALONG, HUE, HOIAN, SAIGON : HALONG BAY CRUISE TOUR – HALONG TO HANOI (B/L/-)

06:15: Tai Chi class on the Sun-deck.

07:15: Have breakfast with Coffee, tea and Bakeries on board.

08:00: Visit the SURPRISING CAVE (Hang Sung Sot) discovered by the French in 1901. Opened for tourists since 1936, now it is a must-to-see and a symbol for geology value of Halong.

09:30: Check out time. Then relax on the sun-deck or inside the restaurant to enjoy the bay’s scenery.

10h15: Enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch while cruising back to the pier.

12:00: Disembarkation at Tuan Chau Pier. Our car will be at your disposal to pick you up then drive back to Hanoi.

16:00: Arrive in Hanoi. End of the trip!

O/N in Ha Noi.

DAY 4 – ESSENCE OF VIETNAM TOUR TO HANOI, HALONG, HUE, HOIAN, SAIGON : HANOI – FLIGHT TO DA NANG – HOI AN SIGHTSEEING TOURS (B/-/-)

The following destination is Danang via an early morning flight from Hanoi on VN7185 (9:15 – 10:35)

On arrival, you are greeted by our guide and driven to Danang center to visit the famous Cham Museum. This gleaming mansion contains the largest collection of Cham treasures in Vietnam. Today we catch a chance to see the Marble Mountain, whose peaks represent the five elements, and the China Beach on our way to Hoi An.

This charming town was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced down the centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. There are plenty to see in Hoi An, some of which are the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tam Ky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda and the vibrant market. We include these sites in a walking tour past many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls which reflect the town’s multi-cultural past.

O/N in Hoi An.

Hoi An: The Old Town

DAY 5 – ESSENCE OF VIETNAM TOUR TO HANOI, HALONG, HUE, HOIAN, SAIGON : HOI AN PACKAGE TOUR – HUE SIGHTSEEING TOURS in PRIVATE Tour (B/-/-) 

Upon leaving Hoi An we make our way northwards to Hue. The winding roads begin as we make our way up the spectacular Hai Van Pass. Here we make stop to admire the stunning view north to Lang Co village and south to Danang City. Once arriving at Lang Co, we have a pleasant break by the beach before we head towards Hue. This small and quiet town was once Vietnam’s feudal capital from 1802 to 1945. We visit the massive citadel, containing the Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City.

This royal residence was all but destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive, however it is still fascinating to walk among the ruins. The next stop is an elaborate mausoleum dedicated to Emperor Tu Duc. We see this masterpeice and enjoy a boat trip on the Perfume River giving us a chance to visit the beautiful riverside Thien Mu Pagoda and catch the spectacular sunset.

The sightseeing also includes Dong Ba Market that sells a wide variety of local goods and handicrafts. Along the way we pass by many fantastic eating spots, ideal places for visitors to sample some local delicacies.

O/N in Hue.

DAY 6 – ESSENCE OF VIETNAM TOUR TO HANOI, HALONG, HUE, HOIAN, SAIGON : HUE – FLIGHT TO HO CHI MINH CITY – HO CHI MINH SIGHTSEEING Half day TOUR (B/-/-)

The south bound journey continues with a short flight to Ho Chi Minh on VN7373 (10:50 – 12:20)

On arrival you are met by our guide and transferred to hotel. After that, you will spend a half day exploring the captivating Ho Chi Minh City. The most places of interest are located near the town center. We pass by the now-demolished wartime American Embassy on our way to the Reunification Palace. This famous edifice was a former residence of the President of Southern Vietnam until end of April 1975. Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office. We follow these with a visit to the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum with a wealth of images from the notorious conflicts. The sightseeing ends up with a walk around the retail Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale!

O/n in Ho Chi Minh.

DAY 7 – ESSENCE OF VIETNAM TOUR TO HANOI, HALONG, HUE, HOIAN, SAIGON : HO CHI MINH – MEKONG DELTA PACKAGE TOUR (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 thelocal 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 Ving 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 8 – ESSENCE OF VIETNAM TOUR TO HANOI, HALONG, HUE, HOIAN, SAIGON : HO CHI MINH CITY – DEPARTURE (B/-/-) 

There is a free time to relax or further explore Ho Chi Minh. The tour ends after your transfer to Tan San Nhat Airport for departure.

*3 Star Hotels in use:

• Saigon: Park View Sai Gon Hotel (Deluxe Room) http://www.parkviewsaigonhotel.com/ or similar ones
• Hoi An: Hoi An Lotus hotel (Deluxe room) http://www.hoianlotushotel.com/ or similar one
• Hue: Cherish hotel (Deluxe Room) http://cherishhotel.com/ or similar ones
• Hanoi: Silkqueen hotel (Deluxe room) http://silkqueenhotel.com/ or similar ones
• Halong Bay: Halong Flamingo Cruise (Deluxe Cabin) http://flamingocruises.vn/ or similar ones

*4 Star Hotels in use:

• Saigon: Millennium Boutique Hotel (Deluxe Room) http://millenniumboutiquehotel.com/or similar ones
• Hoi An: The Beach Little Hoi An (Little Deluxe Room) https://www.littlehoiangroup.com/little-beach-hoi-an or similar ones
• Hue: Eldora Hue https://www.eldorahotel.com/ or similar ones
• Hanoi: May De Ville Old Quarter (Superior room) http://www.maydeville.com/ similar ones
• Halong Bay: Maya Cruise (Deluxe Cabin) http://mayacruises.vn/ or similar ones