Vietnam Explorer (14-days)
Vietnam from North to South: the Perfect Introduction
Day 1: Arr.Hanoi (D)
Arriving at Hanoi, our guide and driver will be waiting at the airport to welcome you and transfer you to your hotel.
The afternoon is at leisure for you to rest, then in the evening, you will see the world-famous Vietnamese Water Puppet
show, followed by dinner at local restaurant.
Day 2: Hanoi (B/L)
Today we take a full-day tour of Hanoi, includes Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (closed on Monday, Friday and the whole October-November)
and residence, the One-Pillar Pagoda and the Army Museum. After lunch at a local restaurant,we visit the Temple of Literature, built in the 11th
century as Vietnam’s first university, the Fine Art Museum, Quan Thanh Temple, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
in the Old Quarter of Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B/D)
This morning is at leisure. In the afternoon we drive for 3 to 4 hours to Ha Long Bay. On arrival in Halong Bay town, we check into the hotel
and later take dinner at local restaurant.
Day 4: Halong Bay Cruise - Cat Ba (B/L/D)
A morning cruise in a private junk on the emerald green waters of Halong Bay, among the 3,000 spectacular
limestone islands. The cruise ends with a fresh seafood lunch on board, then sail to Cat Ba Island,
the largest in the bay, and transfer to a hotel. Afternoon tour includes Cat Ba's national park and
the famous Cat Ba Hospital Cave used during the American War. The evening is spent in one of the
many fine local restaurants on the island.
Day 5: Cat Ba - Hanoi (B)
Morning at leisure on Cat Ba Island. Afternoon by hydrofoil to Haiphong and drive back to Hanoi and transfer to hotel.
Day 6: Hanoi - Hue (B/L/D)
Transfer to airport for your flight to Hue. Arriving in Hue, pick up and transfer to your hotel. Today
our city tour includes the mausoleum of former emperor Minh Mang, in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes.
In the afternoon visit the elaborate mausoleums of emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh and the Imperial Citadel
from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945.
Day 7: Hue - Hoi An (B/L)
This morning's tour starts with a boat trip on the romantically named Perfume River to visit Hue's best-known
religious site, Thien Mu Pagoda. Afterwards drive to Hoi An via Danang. The scenic route climbs over the Pass
of Ocean Clouds before dropping down to the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co. After lunch
in Danang and city tour, on the road from Danang to Hoi An visit five sacred hills known as the Marble Mountains
containing dozens of Buddhist shrines. On arrival in Hoi An in late afternoon, transfer to hotel.
Day 8: Hoi An (B/L)
Hoi An was a major Asian trading port in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and its picturesque
architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years. Take a walking tour of the ancient
town centre to visit former merchants' houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colourful
market. Afternoon trip to visit the capital and religious centre of the former Champa Kingdom, My Son. Here,
40km southwest of Hoi An, in a lush green valley, are dozens of red brick towers and sanctuaries dating from
between the seventh and thirteenth centuries.
Day 9: Hoi An (B/L)
This morning we take a 2-3 hours boat cruise along the river with visit to local village. Afternoon at
leisure to wander in this lovely ancient town full of old Chinese houses, temples and markets.
Day 10: Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City (B/D)
Morning at leisure. Drive back to Danang and transfer to airport for your afternoon flght to Ho Chi Minh City, pick
up and transfer to your hotel. Evening dinner at local restaarant.
Day 11: HCMC (B/L)
Full day city tour includes a tour of The Reunification Palace (former Presidential Palace), Post Office,
Notre Dame Cathedral, Lam Son Square, Ben Thanh Market, Thien Hau pagoda, The Museum of HCM Campaign, China Town
(Cholon) and Binh Tay Market etc.
Day 12: HCMC - Tay Ninh - Cu Chi - HCMC. (B/L)
Enjoy a morning drive through typical southern Vietnamese countryside to Tay Ninh Province in the west of Vietnam.
At Tay Ninh visit the incredible Cao Dai Great Temple, with architecture that could have come straight from a Walt
Disney fantasy and where all the major faiths of the world blend together in a unique religious cocktail. In the
afternoon visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance
fighters during the long struggle for independence.
Day 13: HCMC - Mekong Delta - HCMC (B/L)
A full day trip to the watery world of the Mekong Delta, just a couple of hours by road from the hustle and bustle
of Ho Chi Minh City's streets. Depart for Vinh Long, 150km southwest Ho Chi Minh city. A motor-boat takes you along
the Mekong river and follows small canals flowing sluggishly between banks of luxuriant vegetation to Cai Be floating
market, one of the most typical floating markets of the Mekong Delta. Experience the exotic sights, sounds and smells.
Lunch at a bonsai garden with speciality food - "Elephant's Ear" fish. After lunch we visit a tofu and fish sauce
factory etc before return to HCM.
Day 14: HCMC - Departure (B)
At leisure until transfer to airport for your return flight to UK.
Please note that, whilst every effort will be made to carry out the programme shown above, small changes may sometimes be necessary.
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