MAGIC OF VIETNAM

(12 days / 11 nights)

With an abundance of cultural treasures, great natural beauty and some of the kindest people in the world, Vietnam offers the traveller with an unsurpassed richness and diversity. This exciting trip that takes us right from south to northern Vietnam  in a quick pace of 12 days , encapsulates the major highlights of this wonderful country. What a great way to discover the heart of Vietnam!

       HIGHLIGHTS

       . Hanoi

       . Ha Long Bay

       . Hue ancient city

       . Chaming Hoian town

       . Historic Hue City

       . Ho Chi Minh

       . Mekong Delta

Detailed itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival - Ho Chi Minh

On arrival at Tan San Nhat Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel. Ho Chi Minh City is a center of commerce, finance, culture and tourism in Vietnam. This bustling metropolis ,contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping area and sidewalk cafés. ( If time permits) we stroll around the down town to explore the different local ways of life. O/N in Ho Chi Minh.

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh

We starting our trip with a full day sightseeing tour of Ho Chi Minh. We pass  the now-demolished wartime American Embassy on our way to the Reunification Palace. This famous edifice was the former residence of the President of Southern Vietnam until end of April 1975. Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office. The following sights are the History Museum and the Jade Emperor Pagoda. We also visit the War Remnant Museum before continuing to  the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale! The remainder of the day will be free for you to further explore the town or simply to relax. O/N in Ho Chi Minh. (B)

Day 3 : Ho Chi Minh - Cao Dai Temple (Tayninh) - Cu Chi Tunnels - Ho Chi Minh

Today we drive north to visit the head quarter of Cao Dai sect in Tay Ninh. This religion was founded in 1923 and now numbers  over 2 million members. On arrival we see the ornate temple and  attend the fantastic mid-day service when the followers fill the hall wearing colored robes, a symbol of the curious combination of the Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. Afterwards we continue to the famous  Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Vietcong in the American war. O/N in Ho Chi Minh. (B)

Day 4 : Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh

Heading out of the town, we travel by roads to the Mekong Delta, Vietnam's largest rice bowl. On arrival in My Tho we embark on a boat navigating around the intricate small canals in the delta region, which is a great way to observe the local lifestyle close-up. The most interesting excursion will pass the lush green vegetation before arriving at the most beautufull Unicorn Island. Here we have opportunities to visit some fascinating local industries, stroll around an orchard and taste many seasonal fruits. And then we continue our trip to see fascinating local industries in Ben Tre Province. After feasting on a huge lunch we return to Ho Chi Minh with stop over at the beautiful Vinh Trang Pagoda. O/N in Ho Chi Minh. (B,L)

Day 5:Ho Chi Minh - Danang - Hoian

We board an early morning  flight to Da Nang. On arrival we are greeted and driven a short distance to  Hoian Town, which was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced down centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. There are  plenty to see in this tranquil and delightful town, some of which are  the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tamky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda and the bustling market. We visit  these sights on an exciting walking tour past many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls which reflect the town's multi-cultural past. O/N in Hoi An. (B)

Day 6: Hoian - My Son - Hue

Upon leaving Hoian we set off on a short drive to  My Son, the holy land of the Cham people, which has recently been recorgnized as the world heritage site. After exploring this wondrous sight we continue our journey to Hue with stopover at the sensational Marble Mountains and  the China Beach. The winding roads begin as we make our way up the spectacular Hai Van Pass. At the top of the pass we stop to admire a fantastic view north to Lang Co and south to Danang. Arriving in Hue we see the massive citadel, containing the Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City. This royal residence was all but destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive, however it is still fascinating to walk among the ruins. O/N in Hue.(B)

Day 7: Hue - Hanoi

The beautiful riverside pagoda of Thien Mu which now becomes the symbol of Hue, and the elaborate royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc are not to be missed. We include these in a half day cruise on the Perfume River which also gives us a taste of the scenic countryside as well as an enjoyable visit to the mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang, in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. After an impressive boat trip  we enjoy a walk to the bustling Dong Ba Market that sells a wide variety of local goods and handicrafts. Along the way we pass many fantastic eating spots, all ideal for  visitors to sample some local delicacies. O/N in Hue. (B)

Day 8: Hanoi - Ha Long

The train arrives in Hanoi late morning.  You are greeted and driven to Halong Bay, truly one of Vietnam’s most scenic impressive sights. We make stop en route in Hai Phong, the biggest port town of northern Vietnam. There are  plenty to see in this charming town, some of which are the Hang Kenh Communal House, the Du Hang Pagoda,  the Hang Kenh Carpet Factory and the vibrant Sat Market. A drive through tree lined boulevards punctuated with many striking French colonial architecture. We then drive to Halong Bay and spend the remainder of the day for a well - earned rest on Bai Chay Beach. O/N in Ha Long. (B)

Day 9:  Ha Long - Hanoi

The wondrous Halong Bay is truly one of Vietnam’s most impressive scenic sights. This  morning after breakfast we embark on a boat for an exploration of the Bay. This exciting five hour cruise will provide us a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 1,969 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. The limestone karst formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and very beautiful caves. Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. After a seafood lunch on board we return to Ha Noi with stop over at Dong Trieu pottery village to see many craft man at work. O/N in Ha Noi. (B,L)

Day 10:  Hanoi

Today we enjoy a full day city tour of Hanoi with the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow this with  the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam and the impressive Ethnologic Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. The beautiful West Lake and the History Museum with an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the Vietnamese history are also highlight of our trip . We visit these sights before continuing to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem. The performance of Hanoi's famous water puppets show is not to be missed in this evening. O/N in Ha Noi. (B)

Day 11: Hanoi - Hoa Lu - Tam Coc - Hanoi

The capital of Vietnam from 968 AD to 1010 AD during the Dinh and early Le Dynasties is Hoa Lu, which however has left its legacy in  the form of two small temples, each one nearly a thousand years old. After two and half hour drive from Hanoi we visit these remaining structures, dedicated to the Dinh and Le Rulers, then climb 200 steps to the top of Ma Yen mount for a fantastic view over the surrounding areas. The next stop of our trip  is Tam Coc which is surnamed “ Inland Halong Bay”. We take a boat trip on a river through the quiet and peaceful landscape of rice fields surrounded by limestone formations to the grottoes of Tam Coc. O/N in Ha Noi. (B)

Day 12: Hanoi - Departure

There is a free time for you to relax or further explore Ha Noi. The trip ends after your transfer to Noi Bai Airport for departure. (B)