Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
On arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you are met and transferred to the hotel.
Ha Noi, Vietnam’s capital, is a one thousand year old city with peaceful lakes, French styled buildings, old quarter streets, three lined boulevards, brightly painted temples and pagodas. Discover the Old Quarter of Hanoi by cycle. This fascinating part of town is full of narrow alleys and shop houses and is also called “36 streets”. Overnight in Ha Noi.
Day 2: Hanoi city
After breakfast we explore the city of Hanoi. First on the agenda is Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, where Ho Chi Minh is laid out in state, surrounded by immaculately dressed soldiers.
Next we will visit the Presidential Palace where Ho refused to live, choosing instead a small stilt house beside a lake. Close by, the next stop is the One Pillar Pagoda. A tour around the beautiful West Lake takes us to the venerable Temple of Literature. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant at West Lake with its specialty called shrimp cake. After lunch, The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is a must for all visitors; it’s one of the most interesting museums in Hanoi with many different things relating the 54 Vietnamese ethnic groups. Enjoy Water Puppet Show – the unique Traditional Art in the North of Vietnam. Overnight in Ha Noi.
Day 3: Hanoi – Ha Long
Today we head out on the 4-hour drive to Halong Bay. Halong Bay was designated a World Heritage Site in 1994. Halong Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin, includes some 1,600 islands and islets, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Because of their precipitous nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by a human presence.
The site’s outstanding scenic beauty is complemented by its great biological interest.
Upon arrival in Halong bay we board our Junk for the overnight boat trip. After lunch we begin our fantastic cruise in Halong Bay. The scenery is truly breathtaking and is continuously changing. This includes a visit to Sung Sot Cave, round over Tuan Chau Island, Dinh Huong Island, Ga Choi Island, Dog Island, Sail Island and a swim at Titov beach.
Enjoy dinner on board while watching the sunset. Overnight on board.
Day 4: Ha Long – Hanoi – Hoi An
After an early breakfast we continue our cruise.
Visit Man‘s Head island, Tortoise Island, Bai Tu Long Bay, Toad Island and Bai Tho Mountain.
Upon our return to Halong city we have lunch on board, and then board our transport back to Hanoi in the afternoon to take a flight to Danang.
Transfer by car from Danang to Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 5: Hoi An
Sightseeing of Hoi An which was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced down centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures.
The tranquillity and charm of this town with its low tiled houses of Chinese appearance, Japanese covered bridge, brightly painted temples and pagodas make it one of Vietnam’s most delightful places.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 6: Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City
We board a flight south this morning to Ho Chi Minh City.
An afternoon city tour of dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, includes the Nôtre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office, a lacquer ware factory, the bustling Chinatown and Giac Lam Pagoda.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh
Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City – Tay Ninh – Cu Chi – Ho Chi Minh
Today, we head out of town to Tay Ninh, the head quarter of Cao Dai region. On arrival we attend the fantastic mid-day temple service when the followers fill the hall wearing colored robes, a symbol of the curious combination of the Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism.
On return trip, we also stop to explore Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City – Departure
Free at leisure before taking a flight home.
Please note that the above itinerary only covers a few highlights. Discoveries Worldwide specialises in tailor-made itineraries and can assist with any requirements or interests.