INTRODUCTION TO VIETNAM (6 Nights / 7 Days)
Day 01
Arrive Hanoi - Halong Arrival in Hanoi By vehicle from Hanoi (Noi Bai Airport) to Halong Overnight in Halong.
Day 02
Halong - Hanoi (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Seafood Lunch on Boat Trip) Excursion by boat through Halong Bay including lunch (4 hours, SIC) Board your charming traditional wooden junk for cruising through the Bay. En-route lunch will be served. Following cruise by rock formations with such names as Stone Dog, Incense Burner (Dinh Huong), Fighting Cock (Ga Choi). At the core of the islets, there is a wonderful cave visit as Thien Cung (Heavenly Residence Grotto). Disembark at Halong pier. By vehicle from Halong to Hanoi (city) Overnight in Hanoi
Day 03
Hanoi - Hue (Breakfast: Hotel) Sightseeing in Hanoi Although it is the modern-day capital of Vietnam, HANOI still retains the mystery and charm of past centuries. Narrow lanes and traditional shop houses invite an exciting exploration by walking, while its many beautiful public spaces; lakes, parks, tree-lined boulevards and monuments; give the city an air of elegance and harmony with nature unique among Asian capitals. Visit the Temple of Literature TEMPLE OF LITERATURE: a peaceful series of walled courtyards and graceful gateways, this monument is one of the best-preserved examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, this was also the site of Vietnam's first university. In one courtyard, giant stone tortoises bear stele on their backs, listing the accomplishments of graduating scholars. Visit Ho Chi Minh Stilt House and One Pillar Pagoda Stroll through the park to HO CHI MINH STILT HOUSE, the simple two-room dwelling where Ho Chi Minh lived from 1958 until his final days. Preserved in the same condition as during his life, it may be viewed through the windows. Visit the miniature ONE PILLAR PAGODA. Also dating from the 11th century, this monument was rebuilt after being destroyed by the French in 1958. Today it stands near the vast HO CHI MINH MEMORIAL COMPLEX, a lovely park setting which is home to Ho Chi Minh's final resting place, as well as a museum and other memorials. Sightseeing in Hanoi with electric car and a walk in the Old Quarter Capital of Vietnam, HANOI is a blend of long established traditions and modern imprints of Western colonization. Tree-lined boulevards and colonial buildings give the city a touch of Western elegance, while crowded blocks of tiny old houses and narrow lanes full of daily life bear the charms of the past centuries. Take a 35 minute ride on an electric car to visit the Old Quarter famous for 36 streets of the craftsmen with well-known landmarks including HOAN KIEM LAKE, QUAN SU PAGODA, SILK ROAD, HANOI RAILWAY STATION, HOA LO PRISON, HANOI OPERA HOUSE. Get off the electric car and take a 25 mins walk to get a close-up feel of daily life in the Old Quarter. Transfer to the airport to board your flight from Hanoi to Hue. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Hue
Day 04
Hue (Breakfast: Hotel) Excursion to Thuy Bieu village with cooking class Around 09 am, embark on boat and start a cruise on Perfume River. Stop at Dong Ba market where you can buy necessary foods for cooking class with our chef. Visit a THIEN MU PAGODA, back to the boat for a scenic cruise to Thuy Bieu Village. Arrive in Thuy Bieu, an authentically village representing the countryside of Hue with the clear notion "garden-home". Start the cooking class and you will prepare the lunch by yourself with the coaching given by our chef. Have lunch with dishes clients have just cooked. A nice biking or walking around the quiet Thuy Bieu village, one of villages are still kept culture of Hue. Visit the garden-home and contact with local people, past many ancestral temples as cultural features of Hue. Visit homemade incense production household and discover the life of the farmers while they are working strenuously with joys and enthusiasm. Back to our local house at Perfume River border and relaxing by steeping your foot in with medicinal herbs water -a traditional therapeutically practices. Enjoy excellent massage by blind people. End of this tour at Thuy Bieu village. Sightseeing in Hue Hue served as the capital of Vietnam for more than 140 years. It houses ancient temples, imperial buildings and French-style edifices. It was established in the 17th century. Visit the Old Imperial City Located in the heart of Hue is the IMPERIAL CITADEL, a vast complex built in the early 19th century and modeled after the Forbidden City of Peking. The original walls stretched for 10 km and were surrounded by a wide moat. Today, most of the buildings have been destroyed due to bombing during the Vietnam- American War, but the monuments that remain provide a fascinating glimpse into the court life of the Nguyen Dynasty. Approach the city past the striking FLAG TOWER, where a giant Vietnamese flag waves proudly overhead, to the imposing NGO MON GATE, the main entrance to the Imperial Enclosure. Enter into an area of spacious courtyards and serene lotus ponds, and visit DIEN THO Residence (Dien Tho palace) is where the Queen mother lived, visit THAI HOA PALACE, the magnificently decorated reception hall, the HALLS OF THE MANDARINS, and the original NINE DYNASTIC URNS, among other sites, including visit HUE ROYAL ANTIQUITIES MUSEUM. Overnight in Hue
Day 05
Hue - Hoi An (Breakfast: Hotel) Visit the Imperial Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh KHAI DINH: this was the last monument of the Nguyen dynasty and was constructed between 1920 and 1931. It sits magnificently on the slopes of Chau E Mountain in Chau Chau Village. It has a long staircase flanked by dragons. There are ceiling murals and ceramic frescoes. By vehicle from Hue to Hoi An with sightseeing in Danang Journey from Hue over scenic mountainous roads with spectacular views over the coastline. Halfway between Danang and Hue lies the dramatic HAI VAN PASS, the high dividing line between the climate zones of north and south Vietnam. Continue southwards passing LANG CO, a lovely stretch of beach curving outwards between a clear blue lagoon and the East Vietnam Sea. After arriving in DANANG, tour the CHAM MUSEUM, an elegant colonial building which now houses the finest collection of Cham sculpture in the world and briefly pass NON NUOC BEACH, a famous spot for American soldiers during the Vietnam-American War. Continue south to Hoi An, stopping enroute to visit the MARBLE MOUNTAINS, five stone hillocks, once islands, that now rise sharply from the surrounding ricefields. Riddled with caves and shrines, they are said to each represent one of the five elements of the universe. Overnight in Hoi An
Day 06
Hoi An - Danang - Saigon (Breakfast: Hotel) Sightseeing in Hoi An Hoi An is a picturesque riverside town south of Danang. Known as Faifo to early western traders, it was one of South East Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Now, this beautifully preserved historic city is best seen on foot. The walking tour includes: JAPANESE COVERED BRIDGE PAGODA: the first bridge on this site was constructed in 1593 by the Japanese community of Hoi An to link the town with the Chinese quarters across the stream. The bridge was provided with a roof so it could be used as a shelter from rain and sun. SA HUYNH MUSEUM: located near the Japanese Covered Bridge, it contains exhibitions from the earliest period of Hoi An's history. TRAN FAMILY CHAPEL: this house for worshipping ancestors was built about 200 years ago with donations from family members. The Tran family traces its origins to China and moved to Vietnam around 1700. The architecture of the building reflects the influence of Chinese and Japanese styles. PHUOC KIEN ASSEMBLY HALL: Chinese pagoda built around 1690 and then restored and enlarged in 1900. It is typical of the Chinese clans that were established in the Hoi An area. The temple is dedicated to Thien Hau Thanh Mau (Goddess of the Sea and Protector of Sailors and Fishermen). LANTERN MAKING WORKSHOP: Visit one of the lantern workshop in Hoi An. The framework of lantern will be made by the industry itself and clients can observe locals making silk cloth on the lantern. By vehicle from Hoi An to Danang Flight from Danang to Saigon. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Saigon
Day 07
Depart Saigon (Breakfast: Hotel) Sightseeing in Saigon A vibrant metropolis, SAIGON teems with energy, activity and motion. Everywhere you look, you see the meeting of traditional and modern life. The emerging modern skyline stands cheek by jowl with colonial buildings and traditional temples. Outside on the streets, young professionals zip by on motorbikes, chatting on cellphones; inside the quiet temple courtyards, worshippers pray amidst clouds of incense. Begin your tour into modern history with a tour of the REUNIFICATION PALACE. Formerly the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president, this 60s style building was famously stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975 signifying the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved in its original state, and the original tanks remain on display near the entrance gates. Afterwards driving to the historic center to visit EMPEROR OF JADE PAGODA, one of Saigon's most interesting pagoda. Proceed to pay a quick visit to the neo-Romanesque NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL and the CENTRAL POST OFFICE. Pass by the classic European-style landmarks such as the ornate CITY HALL (HOTEL DE VILLE), the old OPERA HOUSE (both may only be viewed from the outside). Finally, end up at the central BEN THANH MARKET, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts, appealing to every taste. Transfer to the airport for your flight back home
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Inclusions / Exclusions
Package Price Includes
- Accommodation with breakfast as per itinerary.
- Arrival and departure transfer on private basis.
- Sightseeing tours on private basis with local English speaking driver/guide.
- Entrance fees to visit attractions as per itinerary.
- Hotel taxes