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Highlights
Hanoi - Hoa Binh - Ninh Binh - Thai Binh - Halong City - Hue - Danang - Hoi An - Nha Trang – Dalat - Ho Chi Minh City – Siem Reap - Cu Chi Tunnels - Ben Tre
Itinerary
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Day 1: Hanoi - Arrival
You are welcomed by our guide at Noi Bai International Airport and transfer to your hotel in the center of Hanoi city for check in. The rest day for free at leisure.
Overnight at Zephyr Hotel 4 star in Hanoi "Guaranteed Hotel" (Dinner inclusive)
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour
We have a full day to explore the most attractions of Hanoi City: Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s Residence, One-Pillar Pagoda, and Temple of Literature-built in the 11th century as Vietnam’s first university. Afternoon visit Museum of Ethnologys, Hoan Kiem Lake with Ngoc Son Temple and Old Quarters.
Evening: Water puppet show, the unique Vietnamese traditional art.
Overnight at Zephyr Hotel 4 star in Hanoi "Guaranteed Hotel"
(Breakfast inclusive)
Day 3: Hanoi - Hoa Binh - Mai Chau - Hoa Binh
Drive to Mai Chau via Hoa Binh town through picturesque countryside with beautiful views of the mountains along the way. Visit Mai Chau, a pretty valley with a patchwork quilt of rice paddies, farms and houses-on-stilts. This area is home to many hill tribes including Muong and Thai ethnic minorities.
Overnight at Guaranteed Hotel in Hoa Binh
(Breakfast inclusive)
Day 4: Hoa Binh - Ninh Binh
Drive to Ninh Binh and visit Tam Coc, often referred to as “Dry Halong Bay”. Enjoy the spectacular scenery during a leisurely boat ride in traditional local sampans to Tam Coc caves, passing the limestone rocks rising from the rice fields and a winding stream. Continue to visit Bich Dong Pagoda. Transfer to Ninh Binh for overnight at a guaranteed hotel.
Overnight at Guaranteed Hotel in Ninh Binh
(Breakfast inclusive)
Day 5: Ninh Binh - Thai Binh - Halong City
Drive to Thai Binh and visit the Keo Pagoda with its beautiful bell tower in a quiet village on the Red River delta. Proceed to Halong Bay and transfer to hotel. Bay with more than 3000 islands, which time, wind and waves have sculptured into fantastic shapes.
Afternoon: Free time on the beach for sunbathing, swimming and play some water sport or explore Halong City.
Overnight at Seaside Hotel 4 star in Halong City
(Breakfast inclusive)
Day 6: Halong Bay – Hanoi City
Discover Halong Bay, listed as a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. “Dragon descending to the sea“ as it is known in Vietnamese, the picturesque Halong Bay has more than 1,000 limestone islets rising from the sea, many of them containing beautiful grottoes. Enjoy a relaxing 5-hour boat trip with fresh seafood lunch prepared and served on board. Afternoon drive back to Hanoi.
Overnight at Zephyr Hotel 4 star in Hanoi City "Guaranteed Hotel"
(Breakfast inclusive)
Day 7: Hanoi - Hue
Hue is one of the most popular destinations for visitors to Vietnam. Straddling the Perfume River, this mysterious, somber city is a historian's dream come true, with numerous 19th century ruins, royal tombs and an excellent museum. The Imperial City of Hue was the capital of Vietnam during the reign of the Nguyen dynasty, the last dynasty in Vietnam.
At leisure until transfer to Hanoi domestic airport for flight to Hue, the former Royal City of the 13 ruling Nguyen dynasties. Drive to visit the Imperial Citadel and Tu Duc Tomb.
Overnight at Imperial Hotel 5 star in Hue "Guaranteed Hotel"
(Breakfast inclusive)
Day 8: Hue - Danang - Hoi An
Boat trip on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious worship in Hue. Continue by car to Minh Mang Tomb, then depart to Danang. The scenic 4-hour drive via Hai Van pass offers spectacular views of mountains, the sea, idyllic beaches and villages. Visit Cham Museum, continue to Marble Mountains with its beautiful grottoes and temples, which can be reached by climbing steep steps (please wear appropriate shoes). We continue further south to the charming historic city of Hoi An, transfer to hotel.
Overnight at Golden Sand Resort 5 star in Hoi An "Guaranteed Hotel"
(Breakfast inclusive)
Day 9: Hoi An - My Son - Hoi An
This day, you take a drive to My Son; the Imperial city of the Champa Empire of the 4th to 12th centuries, My Son Sanctuary is a large complex of religious ruins comprising more than 70 architectural remains. Return to Hoi An, known to early Western merchants, Hoi An was one of the major trading centers of Southeast Asia in the 16th century. Hoi An has a distinctive Chinese atmosphere with low, tiled-roof houses and narrow streets; the original structure of some of these streets is still virtually intact. Many of the houses were constructed of rare timbers and decorated with lacquer panels engraved with Chinese characters and pillars carved with ornamental designs. Oh my God, have something like a damp during a leisurely discovery tour on foot you will visit some of the historic merchant and community houses, places of worship and famous bridges.
Overnight at Golden Sand Resort 5 star in Hoi An "Guaranteed Hotel"
(Breakfast inclusive)
Day 10: Hoi An - Danang - Nha Trang
After breakfast, drive to Danang and transfer to airport for flight to Nha Trang. Upon arrival, visit the Institute of Oceanography and Po Nagar Cham Tower, a sacred Hindu site dating back to the 2nd century AD. The town was built between the 7th and 12th centuries and is still used today as a place of pilgrimage for the Cham and Vietnamese Buddhists. Transfer to hotel for check in.
The Cham towers of Po Nagar (Thap Ba, the Lady of the City) werebuilt between the 7th and 12th centuries, although the site was used for worship as early as the 2nd century AD. To this day Cham, ethnic Chinese and Vietnamese Buddhists come to Po Nagar to pray and make offerings, according to their respective traditions. This site has a continuing religious significance, so be sure to remove your shoes before entering. The towers serve as the Holy See, honouring Yang Ino Po Nagar, the goddess of the Dua (Liu) clan, which ruled over the southern part of the Chain kingdom covering Kauthara and Pan Duranga (present day Khanh Hoa and Thuan Hai provinces).
Overnight at VinPeart in Nha Trang "Guaranteed Hotel"
(Breakfast inclusive)
Day 11: Nha Trang - Dalat
Depart Nha Trang for Dalat, a cool mountain resort. Its lakes, waterfall, evergreen forest and gardens make Dalat one of the most enjoyable places in Vietnam. On the way, visit Long Son Pagoda and Po Klong Garai Cham Tower. Arrive in Dalat and transfer to hotel. Drive around Xuan Huong Lake, visit Linh Son Pagoda and Bao Dai Villa.
Overnight at Golf 3 in Da Lat "Guaranteed Hotel"
(Breakfast inclusive)
Day 12: Dalat - Ho Chi Minh City – Siem Reap
In the morning, visit the 110-year old Dalat market, then drive to Trai Mat station. Take a 40-minute train ride (the train was used during the French domination and is now only used in Dalat). Enjoy the nice scenery of vegetable, flower, and fruit gardens along the route. Depart Dalat for Ho Chi Minh City then take a flight to Siem Reap. Arrive in Siem reap with our guide then transfer to Hotel for check in
Overnight at Angkor Century Hotel 4 star in Siem Reap "Guaranteed Hotel"
(Breakfast inclusive)
Day 13: Siem Reap – Sightseeing
Start morning tour by visiting the Roluos Group. The monuments of Roluos, which served as the capital of Indravarman I (reigned 877-89), are among the earliest large, permanent temples built by the Khmers and mark the beginning of Khmer classical art. Preah Ko erected by Indravarman I in the late 9th century dedicated by the King to his ancestors in 880. Bakong the largest and most interesting of the Roluos group temples, with his active Buddhist monastery just to the north of the east entrance. Lolei built on an islet in the center of a large reservoir (now rice fields) by Yasovarman I, the founder to the first city at Angkor.
In the afternoon, continue your Temple tour. See the unique interior brick sculptures Prasat Kravan, the Srah Srang reservoir (known as "The Royal Baths" was once used for ritual bathing), Banteay Kdei (surrounded by 4 concentric walls), Eastern Mebon (guarded at its corner by stone figures of harnessed elephants, some of which are still in a reasonable state of preservation) and the mountain-temple of Pre Rup until sunset.
Overnight at Angkor Century Hotel 4 star in Siem Reap "Guaranteed Hotel"
(Breakfast inclusive)
Day 14: Discover Angkor Temples
In the morning, visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat’s five towers symbolize Meru’s five peaks - the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond.
Visit the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk), the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Sunset at Angkor Wat.
Overnight at Angkor Century Hotel 4 star in Siem Reap "Guaranteed Hotel"
(Breakfast inclusive)
Day 15: Siem Reap- Sightseeing
Transfer to the archaeological site for sunrise from Phnom Bakheng, one of two hills dominating the plain of Angkor, from where you will have a spectacular view of the Western Baray and Angkor Wat.
Return to the hotel for breakfast.
Morning, transfer to Banteay Srei temple (10th century), regarded as the jewel in the crown of Classical Khmer Art. Continue to Ta Prohm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery.
In the afternoon, you continue your temple visits to Preah Khan. Built by the King Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder hugging corridors. Unlike Ta Prohm, however, the temple of Preah Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even improve this situation. Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool (representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake), Ta Som and Banteay Samre, built in the third quarter of the 12th century. It consists of a central temple with four wings preceded by a hall and accompanied by two libraries, the southern example remarkably well preserved. Two concentric walls enclose the ensemble.
Overnight at Angkor Century Hotel 4 star in Siem Reap "Guaranteed Hotel"
(Breakfast inclusive)
Day 16: Siem Reap – Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast enjoy a unique Horse Cart Ride along the picturesque Siem Reap River. (Available from 2 persons minimum! Vehicle drive applies for 1 person from hotel to Tonle Sap Lake.) Discover the daily life of the local people during this comfortable ride until Wat Athvea and be transferred by vehicle to Tonle Sap Lake. Visit the floating village of Chong Khneas, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. Visit the village and take an excursion in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap Lake, the “Great Lake” of Cambodia, one of the largest in Asia. Transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for departure flight back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Overnight at Windsor Plaza Hotel 5 star in Ho Chi Minh City "Guaranteed Hotel"
(Breakfast inclusive)
Day 17: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels – Ho Chi Minh City
Drive to Cu Chi. Visit the amazing complex of underground tunnels at Cu Chi. There are more than 200 km of underground tunnels, comprising a main axis system with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters and other tunnels. Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office and then take a photo stop at former Presidential Palace, Continue with visits to the War Museum, to Cholon (China town), Thien Hau Pagoda and Ben Thanh market.
Overnight at Windsor Plaza Hotel 5 star in Ho Chi Minh City "Guaranteed Hotel"
(Breakfast inclusive)
Day 18: Ho Chi Minh City - Ben Tre - Ho Chi Minh City
Our private vehicle picks you up to drive to My Tho. Visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda en route and stop by the bank of Tien Giang river. Take a boat trip on Mekong River to Phoenix Island, where local handicrafts and sweets from coconut are being produced. Enjoy fresh seasonal fruits and traditional live music and songs performance. Take a short ride on a horse carriage to a typical local house to taste some homemade honey-tea. Proceed by small sampan boats through the small canals and side arms of the river to observe the daily life along the river banks with a stop and short leisurely walk at the Turtle Island.
Overnight at Windsor Plaza Hotel 5 star in Ho Chi Minh City "Guaranteed Hotel"
(Breakfast inclusive)
Day 19: Ho Chi Minh City Departure
A day at leisure until transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for departure.
(Breakfast inclusive)
Trip inclusive:
+ Accommodation at 4 or 5 star hotel
+ Boat cruise in Mekong Delta
+ English Speaking guide
+ Meals as indicated in the itinerary
+ All tours & transfers in private Air-Con car
+ Admission fees and permits where applicable
+ Vietnam visa processing fees
+ Flight tickets: Hanoi – Hue; Danang – Nha Trang; Da Lat – Ho Chi Minh & Ho Chi Minh – Siem Reap;
Siem Reap – Ho Chi Minh.
Trip exclusive:
. Pre/post trip arrangement
. Travel insurance
. Meals not indicated
. Other personal expenses
. Tips and gratuities
. Other flights
. Visa stamping fee (required at airport upon arrival)
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