11 DAYS HIGHLIGHTS OF VIETNAM TOUR

DAY 1. VIETNAM TOUR OF HIGHLIGHTS TO HALONG, HANOI, HOAN, HUE, SAIGON & MEKONG: ARRIVAL – HANOI PACKAGE TOUR (-/-/-)

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.

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. VIETNAM TOUR OF HIGHLIGHTS TO HALONG, HANOI, HOAN, HUE, SAIGON & MEKONG: HALONG CRUISE TOUR – 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!

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 4 – VIETNAM TOUR OF HIGHLIGHTS TO HALONG, HANOI, HOAN, HUE, SAIGON & MEKONG: FULL DAY TOUR TO HOA LU & TAM COC IN GROUP (B/-/-)

The country capital during the Dinh and early Le Dynasties is Hoa Lu, which however has left its legacy in the form of two small temples, each one nearly a thousand years old. Today we will depart our hotel at 8h00 for Ninh Binh to visit these two remaining structures.

The first one is dedicated to the Dinh Dynasty. The second one commemorates the Le Rulers. In front of these temples is the rugged Ma Yen mount; it involves a walk over 200 steps for a fantastic view over the surrounding areas. The following sight is Tam Coc which is surnamed “Halong Bay on land”. We board a sampan for a leisurely trip through the quiet and peaceful landscape of rice fields surrounded by towering limestone cliffs to the grottoes of Tam Coc. The trip ends after arrival in Ha Noi.

O/N in Ha Noi.

DAY 5. VIETNAM TOUR OF HIGHLIGHTS TO HALONG, HANOI, HOAN, HUE, SAIGON & MEKONG: HANOI – FLIGHT TO HUE – HUE HALF- DAY SIGHTSEEING TOUR (B/-/-) 

After breakfast at hotel, you will be transferred to Noi Bai airport for a morning flight to Hue on VN 1543 (8:30 – 09:45)

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. VIETNAM TOUR OF HIGHLIGHTS TO HALONG, HANOI, HOAN, HUE, SAIGON & MEKONG: HUE PACKAGE TOURS – DANANG SIGHTSEEING TOURS (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. VIETNAM TOUR OF HIGHLIGHTS TO HALONG, HANOI, HOAN, HUE, SAIGON & MEKONG: HOIAN SIGHTSEEING TOURS (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 The rest of time, you will be free on your own.

 O/N in Hoi An.

DAY 8. VIETNAM TOUR OF HIGHLIGHTS TO HALONG, HANOI, HOAN, HUE, SAIGON & MEKONG: HOIAN PACKAGE TOURS – DANANG – FLIGHT TO HO CHI MINH CITY (B/-/-)

After having breakfast at hotel, you will be transferred to Da Nang airport for a short morning flight to Ho Chi Minh on VN7131 (07:50 – 09:20)

On arrival you are met by our guide and transferred to hotel. This metropolis, contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping areas and sidewalk cafes. An afternoon will acquaints us with some major sights of Ho Chi Minh.

We drive past many lively streets on our way to the Reunification Palace. This mansion was the former residence of the President of South 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 exhibit. The final stop is Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale!.

O/N in Ho Chi Minh.

DAY 9 – VIETNAM TOUR OF HIGHLIGHTS TO HALONG, HANOI, HOAN, HUE, SAIGON & MEKONG: SAIGON SIGHTSEEING TOUR TO TAY NINH – CU CHI TUNNELS TOUR (B/-/-)

The incredible underground network in Cu Chi stretched over 200 kilometres and became legendary during the American war. The extensive tunnels have been specially constructed with living areas, weapon factories, filed hospitals, command centres, plus accommodation. Today we have an excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels to visit an exposition hall and a widened section of the tunnels to get a feel of the underground life.

There are also possibilities to fire off rounds from an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range. Upon leaving Cu Chi we drive a short distance to Tay Ninh, the headquarters of Cao Dai Sect . This religion was founded in 1923 and now numbers over 2 million members. We arrive in time to see the ornate temple of Cao Dai and attend the fantastic mid-day service when the followers fill the hall wearing colored robes. These costumes are a symbol of the curious combination of the Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism.

O/N in Ho Chi Minh.