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Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Upon arrival in Hanoi and after going through customs, a representative of VPT will meet you and will bring you to your hotel. After transfer, you have the rest of the day to yourself.
A French inspired building constructed in 1911, the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi prides itself with its rich history and a century-long of hospitality and service which were enjoyed by entrepreneurs, writers, statesmen, and performers. Following extensive renovation and refurbishment, guests today enjoy world-class service and an impeccably renovated and charming old/new world hotel. The hotel is centrally located at the center of the capital and is near the Municipal Theatre. The hotel provides guests with a health club, swimming pool, a choice of three restaurants, and the Le Spa du Metropole.
Meals: Dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi -
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour
Go on a morning tour around Hanoi and be charmed with its small town feel that surrounds Hoan Kiem Lake. Start your tour with a trip to Ho Chi Minh’s House then a visit to the One Pillar Pagoda and then a trip to the Temple of Literature. In 1076 Quoc Tu Giam, Vietnam’s first university which was also called Van Mieu, was established within the temple to educate royals and the elite. The university provided education for 700 years and its well-preserved and maintained architecture and gardens provide visitors with a glimpse into Vietnam’s storied past. Eat a delicious lunch in one of Hanoi’s most famous restaurants, Madame Hien, for authentic Vietnamese dishes in a traditional setting. After lunch, go on a trip to the Museum of Ethnology that has outdoor and indoor exhibits that showcase Vietnam’s ethnic groups.
Meals: B
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi -
Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay
A 3 hour drive that takes you through breathtaking farmlands found on the Red River Delta and the country’s gem, Ha Long Bay, where 3000 islands tower from the emerald hued waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. While on the way, you will get to see the everyday lives of typical Vietnamese as they take their farm animals to the market on their motorbikes, plough the fields, and work in the fields. Once you arrive at the port, you will board the junk ship for your overnight cruise. Cruise and enjoy the serene waters of the bay and be entranced by the towering limestone islets that take on many shapes and forms. Get to see daily Vietnamese life on the bay as you pass through fishing and floating villages.
Meals: B / L / D
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi -
Day 4: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Da Nang - Hoi An
Disembark from the ship and go back to Hanoi for your transfer to the airport before your flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival in Da Nang, our guide will meet you and will accompany you to Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Town. This scenic town prides itself with modern design and an ideal location on the white sand coast of the South China Sea. Just a few minutes from Hoi An, there are 100 luxurious and roomy villas that feature curtained four poster beds, split levels, open-air shower rooms, and private terraces. Tenants of the villas are provided with a personal butler service. The gardens are landscaped with a gym, swimming pools, and also have one of the top spas in the region.
Meals: Brunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An -
Day 5: Hoi An Walking Tour
Your morning tour will take you through the charming town of Hoi An, a former trading port in the 17th and 18th century that was a major part of trade in Asia. Hoi An’s easy going lifestyle and architecture have changed very little throughout the years. Take a leisurely stroll through the ancient town’s center and tour the sites of former merchants’ houses, a Chinese Communal Hall, and a 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge. Have a blast shopping or window shopping in one of the most colorful and splendid markets in the region!
Spend your free time in the afternoon by enjoying your hotel’s amenities. Relax on the beach or maybe rent a motorcycle to ride back into Hoi An to take pictures or just enjoy the restored 18th century houses. Hoi An also prides itself with providing tourists with some of the best tailors, art galleries, handicraft and silk shops in the country as well as highly rated restaurants that offer scrumptious local delicacies.
Meals: B
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An -
Day 6: Hoi An
There is a lot to do in Hoi An even for the most seasoned traveler so customize your day based on your preferences. Pick one of the half-day activities provided to you such as handpick produce to prepare a local dish called tam huu, join the farmers as they cultivate their farmlands, or ride a bike to a farm in Tra Que Village. Or participate in a private local cooking class at Red Bridge with a local market visit. Or cycle to some fishing and farming villages for a slice of life experience.
Meals: B
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An -
Day 7: Hoi An - Hue
A drive north through the villages in Lang Co and the Pass of Ocean Clouds to Hue, the former capital of Vietnam, will provide you with many unforgettable memories. En route, drop by the Cham Museum that contained the finest collection of Cham sculpture.
In the afternoon, discover the secrets of the Mausoleum of Khai Dinh which follows traditional Vietnamese design with a hint of European making it one of the unique tombs in Hue.
Dinner will be served in one of Hue’s beautiful garden homes also known as nha vuon locally. These are homes are privately owned, designed traditionally, and are set in gardens. Some of the homes are associated with the old Royal Imperial Court and their traditional design that follows feng shui.
La Residence Hue is a boutique hotel that has 122 rooms and has all of the luxuries of a larger hotel. Beautiful views greet guests each morning as the windows open to a panoramic view of the Imperial Citadel and the Perfume River. The hotel provides splendid dining experiences at the Le Parfum, and creates a relaxing ambiance with its bar, Le Gouverneur, both of which provide world-class service.
Meals: B
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue -
Day 8: Hue City Tour
In the morning, you will be taken on a cyclo tour of the city. Your first stop is the Imperial Citadel, the center of the Nguyen Dynasty that ruled from 1802 to 1945. The ancient citadel is a reflection of the opulence and ceremonies conducted by the dynastic rulers as well as the scars left behind by decades of turmoil during modern and ancient times. The Citadel was severely damaged during the latter stages of the war, but despite the damage and subsequent rehabilitation, the Royal Citadel still has vestiges of its former majesty and grace.
Go on a trip to Dong Ba Market accompanied by your private tour guide. The market is one of the noteworthy destinations in Hue. The stalls in the market come alive with vibrant colors and are a good way to experience local life.
End the morning with lunch in a home of a local and expert on the culture of Hue. Born in Hue in 1940 to a noble family, your host is a famous historian who has dedicated his life to research about Hue. Your host has also conserved and compiled valuable photos as archives on Hue’s history, architecture, and culture throughout its history.
Your afternoon itinerary consists of a cruise along the Perfume River and a trip to Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest ancient structures in Hue. Before returning to your hotel, you will go to the tomb of Minh Mang, which is situated in serene ponds and gardens.
Meals: B
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue -
Day 9: Hue fly to Ho Chi Minh City
You will be picked up at your hotel for your morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival you are picked up and transferred to your hotel.
In the afternoon, explore the streets of Cholon, Chinatown in the city, visit the myriad of shops and markets in the area, and the Cantonese Thien Hau Pagoda, which is dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea. The FITO Museum, the country’s first traditional medicine museum, is next on the itinerary. The museum showcases an astonishing collection of 3,000 items that are relevant to Vietnamese traditional medicine. You will also be taken to Binh Tay Market.
Situated in Lam Son Square at the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, the 9-storey Park Hyatt Saigon Hotel is near many restaurants, parks, and the major tourist destinations. Park Hyatt Saigon is a luxury hotel in every sense of the word and provides guests with world-class restaurants and an exclusive spa, Xuan Spa.
Meals: B
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh -
Day 10: Design your day Ho Chi Minh City
One day will be allotted to whatever you want to add to your itinerary. You can choose one of the options namely: a day tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, which is a network of tunnels dug by the North Vietnamese forces and the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Experience the tunnels through the eyes of an experienced guide.
After exploring the tunnels, go downtown for lunch at Dong Pho restaurant. After eating lunch, head to the Reunification Hall, formerly the Presidential Palace, with a photo stop at the Notre Dame Cathedral. You also have an option to go to the tunnels via speed boat through the Saigon River or a day tour of the Mekong Delta. Your first stop will be the floating market of Cai Be, boating among locals coming from different provinces in the Mekong Delta selling all sorts of vegetables and fruits.
Your sampan will head to Dong Hoa Hiep Island situated between Cai Be and Vinh Long. During the brief cruise, you will be awed by many breathtaking landscapes along the river and get to see rural life along the Mekong Delta. These islands found in the Mekong River are still widely unknown to tourists. Go on a trip to an old Mandarin house that dates back to the 19th century, where the family will greet you with tea. Other stops on the trip include a traditional tile and brick factory, a rice market, and an opportunity to see the locals’ way of life such as the way they use palm leaves for homes and how cookies, coco sweets, and rice paste are created. After lunch, you will return to the city.
Meals: B
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon -
Day 11: Saigon departure
Free at leisure until you are transferred to the airport for the departure flight.
Meals: B
Accommodation: N/A