DAY 1: HO CHI MINH – ARRIVAL (D)

Arrival Ho Chi Minh City, you are greeted by our guide and driver at the airport for our transfer to the hotel. Enjoy Welcome Dinner at a nice local restaurant.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

DAY 2: HO CHI MINH – CU CHI TUNNELS – HO CHI MINH CITY TOUR (B/L/D)

After breakfast, visit the famous Cu Chi, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels, over 250km in length and up to three levels deep in places, played a huge part in the Viet Cong’s victory over the Americans, allowing them to control a large rural area surrounding Ho Chi Minh City

Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch. In the afternoon, we visit the Reunification Palace, the former palace of President Thieu and his predecessors.  Today this building is a museum and venue for official receptions.  Inside you can visit the private rooms of the president, the “War Room” from where the South Vietnamese forces were controlled, and, most poignantly, the room where the North Vietnamese army finally took control in 1975. Nearby are the Post Office and the Notre Dame Cathedral, built between 1877 and 1883 and one of the city’s major landmarks. Neo-Romanesque in form, Notre Dame is the major seat of the Catholic religion in modern Vietnam.

Before ending the tour, we will visit to Jade Emperor Temple, one of the oldest Chinese temples in Saigon.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

DAY 3: HO CHI MINH – MEKONG – HO CHI MINH – HANOI (B/L/D)

This morning, leave bustling Ho Chi Minh City for the 2 hour drive to the delta town of Ben Tre. Board your local boat through small canals with beautiful tropical scenery. En-route visit the brick making factory, where the locals still use centuries-old traditional methods to make the bricks by hand then visit a small factory producing handicrafts made of coconut. Afterwards, take a ride on a motocycle   along country roads, through the fruit plantation before enjoying lunch at riverside restaurant.

In the afternoon, enjoy a ride in a rowing boat along the palm creek before transfer directly to airport for domestic flight to Hanoi. Upon your arrival, transfer to hotel for checking in. Free at leisure at hotel

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 4: A FULL DAY HANOI CITY TOUR (B/L/D)

Have breakfast at hotel, transfer to visit to Ho Chi Minh complex; home to his mausoleum (close on Mon & Fri & Oct – Dec), garden, house and a museum which traces his life and work. We continue with a short visit to the famous One-pillar-pagoda nearby. Then we heading to the historical Temple of Literature, one of the first universities in Vietnam and school of Confucianism founded in the 11th century. After here we will visit to Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Vietnam. Enjoy lunch at local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we will see Ethnology Museum, which gives an excellent overview of the country’s ethnic groups, their customs and ways of life. The beautiful grounds display original old houses from many different ethnic groups. At the end of the afternoon visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter also known as the ‘36 streets’. Take a walking tour through charming Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It’s a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities all around.

Finish the day with a Water Puppet show. This is a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history.

Lunch at local restaurant.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 5:  HANOI – HALONG BAY (B/L/D)

This morning we depart for Halong Bay, one of the most stunning natural wonders of Vietnam. We have breakfast at our hotel in Hanoi before heading out to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Around 12:00, arrive at your jetty in Halong City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities. After your welcome onboard, a lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board.

Overnight on boat on Halong Bay.

Distances and journey time:

From your chosen hotel in Hanoi to Halong Bay (160km): approx. 4hrs

Note: This tour may be subject to change depending on weather conditions

DAY 6:  HALONG BAY – HANOI (BRUNCH/-/D)

Enjoy your fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Halong in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and transfer back Hanoi, free at leisure until dinner.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 7:  HANOI – DEPARTURE (B)

Breakfast at hotel, free at leisure until transfer to airport for departure flight back home with pleasant memories of Vietnam Tour.

***********End of Vietnam Tour services***********