Highlights
Discover dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, Admire the beauty of the Mekong River, Experience life underground in the Cu Chi Tunnels, Chill out in charming Hoi An, Explore the tombs and temples of Hue, Witness the wonder of Halong Bay with an overnight cruise, Enjoy a traditional water-puppet performance in Hanoi.
DAY 1: Ho Chi Minh Arrival & City Tour (L )
Arrive at Tan San Nhat airport. Be welcomed by Luxury Outing’s guide and driver. Transfer to your hotel.
Begin your sightseeing tour by visiting the Reunification Palace, which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until the end of the war in April 1975, and explore some French colonial structures including Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Central Post Office. Take a tour of town including Thien Hau and Quan Am pagoda. After seeing the Emperor Jade Pagoda and the War Remnants Museum we end the city tour with a visit to Ben Thanh market where anything and everything is for sale . Stay overnight at your hotel of choice in Ho Chi Minh city.
DAY 2: Ho Chi Minh city – Tay Ninh – Cu Chi tunnels (B)
After breakfast at your hotel, drive west to Tay Ninh, the headquarters of Caodaism, a symbol of the curious combination of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. On arrival attend the fantastic mid-day temple service when the followers fill the temple wearing colorful robes.
Lunch at the local restaurant (by your own fee)
Proceed to the Cu Chi to explore the amazing site where Viet Cong hid during the War. It is now a popular spot for both Vietnamese & foreign tourists - the network of over 200km of tunnels became legendary when they played a vital role in the War. In their heyday, the tunnels were functioning underground cities including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers & kitchens. There is plenty of evidence of the fierce battle that took place here during the 1960s when Cu Chi was a "Free Target Zone". Visitors can watch a short introductory video showing how the tunnels were constructed before entering the tunnels. Spend the next hour exploring the tunnels. Afterwards, enjoy tea, cassava (guerrilla-warriors’ food in war time). End of services. Return Sai Gon and finish your Cao Dai Temple Cu Chi Tunnels tour
DAY 3: Ho Chi Minh city – Cai Be floating market (B, L)
Breakfast at your hotel. Depart for Cai Be, stopping to take photos in Tan An town overlooking picturesque flat rice fields. On arrival in Cai Be, set off by motor boat to visit Cai Be floating market and watch the locals trading fruit and many other commodities on board their vessels. Then wander into a small village to visit an orchard and fruit plantation. Continue cruising to Vinh Long along a series of small canals to experience the charms of the Upper Mekong Delta. Visit a small family business to see how coconut candy and crispy rice popcorn are made. Arrive in Binh Hoa Phuoc village, the green pearl of Vinh Long, where you can immerse yourself in nature.
Enjoy a lunch of fresh river food served in the heart of a garden accompanied by traditional southern Vietnamese folk music.
Take a delightful walk through a bonsai garden. Meet the driver in Vinh Long. Return to Ho Chi Minh City. Stay overnight at your hotel of choice in Ho Chi Minh city.
DAY 4: Ho Chi Minh city – Da Nang – Hoi An (B,L) Flight
After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to Tan San Nhat airport from where you will take the flight to Da Nang
You will be picked up and transfer to your hotel in Hoi An.
In the afternoon, visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, a Pottery Museum, Tan Ky old house, the Cantonese congregation, silk street of Hoi An, Danang style temples and pagodas. Dinner on guest’s account. Stay overnight at your hotel of choice in Hoi An
DAY 5: Hoi An – Hue (B,L)
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Hue via Danang. Visit Marble mountain and a Cham museum. Stop for photos at Hai Van pass and Lang Co beach.
Have lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, visit Dong Ba market, the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945 and the ruins of the Purple Forbidden City. Enjoy a night boat trip and be entertained by a performance of Hue folks songs. Stay overnight at your hotel of choice in Hue city.
DAY 6: Hue city tour – Ha Noi (B,L) Flight
Breakfast at your hotel. Take a morning boat trip to visit the royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc followed by Thien Mu pagoda and mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang which is set in nice gardens and lakes.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Transfer to the airport for boarding flight to Hanoi. Pick up from Noi Bai airport and be transfer to your hotel in the Old Quarter. Enjoy a welcome dinner including some of Hanoi’s specialties. Stay overnight at your hotel of choice in Ha Noi city
DAY 7: Ha Noi city tour & Food Street ( B,L,D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Ho Chi Minh Complex, containing Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house and one Pillar pagoda. Continue into the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university which is almost 1000 years old, Hoan Kiem lake, Ngoc Son temple, Tran Quoc pagoda and Quan Thanh temple.
Lunch at the local restaurant.
Enjoy a cyclo ride around the old quarter from Hang Dau to Hang Gai streets, Food Street dinner. Stay overnight at your hotel of choice in Ha Noi city.
DAY 8: Ha Noi – Ha Long (B,L,D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Halong through the Red River Delta.
Transfer to Stellar Cruise and enjoy a welcome drink and have lunch of local seafood.
Then begin a 4-hour cruise of the bay to see amazing limestone karsts with different formations such as Lion, Tea Pot, Toad, Dau Nguoi (Human Head) islets. Take a walk through Sung Sot, the “Amazing Cave”. There is ample time for swimming and sunbathing (weather permitting), as the Dragon Pearl anchors for a night on the Bay. Enjoy a wonderful sunset dinner in the beautiful restaurant before retiring to the comfort of your cabin.
DAY 9: Ha Long – Ha Noi (B,L)
Early risers can enjoy an energizing swim in the cool, calm and quiet waters of the overnight anchorage. 07:30 breakfast . The cruise then continues, passing more interesting formations such as Ti Tov and Soi Sim Beaches, Ngon Tay (Finger) islet, Thien Nga (Swan) islet and Ga Choi (Fighting Cock) islet. Return to Halong City.
Have lunch on boat.
Disembark at Halong Tourist Wharf for the return trip to Hanoi.
DAY 10: Ha Noi and departure (B)
Breakfast at your hotel. Free leisure time to explore the city until your transfer to Noi Bai airport for departure.
End of services.
