DAY 1: HO CHI MINH CITY – ARRIVAL (-/-/D)

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, you will be picked up from the airport and transferred to a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City for relaxing and your welcome dinner.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

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

Drive 70kms from Ho Chi Minh City, stopping en route to visit a rice paper making village, and you will reach Cu Chi Tunnels. After an introductory video, viewing various mantraps, the remains of an American tank and numerous bomb craters, you will spend the next hour exploring the maze of tunnels to see how the Viet Cong survived in this underground network.

Back to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon and 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 is 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. Continue to the Jade Emperor Pagoda located on the fringes of district 1. Dating from 1909 and built by Cantonese Buddhists this quiet oasis was designed using feng shui principals showcasing ornate statues and effigies. Finish by a visit & shopping at Ben Thanh market.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

DAY 3: HO CHI MINH CITY – BEN TRE – HO CHI MINH CITY/FLY TO HUE (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 heading back Ho Chi Minh City. Take a flight to Hue. Check in to the hotel on arrival.

Overnight in Hue.

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

After breakfast, we visit the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. From here take a cyclo through Dai Noi ‘Old City’ to Tinh Tam Lake where the Emperors used to come to relax. Continue to visit Thien Mu (Celestial Lady) Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River.

In the afternoon see the tomb of the former emperor Minh Mang which is located in a tranquil setting of gardens and ponds. Journey on to Khai Dinh’s Tomb which is traditional Vietnamese in design with a European touch making it unique from the other tombs in Hue.

Before heading back to your hotel take time to stroll around Dong Ba Market, a great place to catch a glimpse of everyday life.

Overnight in Hue.

DAY 5: HUE – HOI AN (B/L/D)

Transfer to Hue via the Hai Van Pass and through the picturesque fishing village of Lang Co. Drive through Danang and visit the Cham museum which contains the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world. Arrive Hoi An, check in hotel.

In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour around Hoi An ancient town and explore its treasures: the Japanese Bridge, Phuc Kien Pagoda, Phung Hung Old Merchant House, and Quang Dong Assembly Hall.

Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 6: HOI AN – DANANG – HANOI (B/-/-)

Your day is at leisure until transfer to airport for flight to Hanoi, upon your arrival, free at leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 7: HANOI – HALONG BAY (B/L/D)

After breakfast, transferred to Halong Bay. Arrive at Halong City at noon and proceed with check-in formalities. After your welcome onboard, a lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. A truly memorable experience awaits you as you cruise the delightful Bay. 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 board.

DAY 8: HALONG BAY – HANOI (BRUNCH/D)

Start your day with calming Tai Chi, enjoy the sunrise over the Bay and continue cruising. Enjoy the brunch on the way back to port, transfer to Hanoi. Free at leisure until dinner at local restaurant

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 9: FULL DAY HANOI CITY TOUR (B/L/D)

Depart your hotel to visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum and One pillar pagoda) and the Tran Quoc Pagoda. Continue to the Temple of Literature, the first University in Vietnam dating back to the 16th century.

In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour through the Old Quarter will provide another fascinating insight into the character and history of the city, before moving on to Dong Xuan Market with its bustling stalls and brisk trading of day-to-day local goods. Finish the day with a traditional water puppet show.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 10: HANOI – DEPARTURE (B/-/-)

Free day at leisure until transfer to Hanoi airport for your departure flight. Go back home with pleasant memories of Vietnam Trip.

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