VIETNAM IMPRESSIVE

On arrival at Noibai Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel. Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital is a stylish and gracious city that retains an unique old world charm and some Asia ‘s most striking colonial architecture. The are many lakes and parks for a relaxing atmosphere. If time permit we enjoy a short cyclo excursion through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sale! O/N in Hanoi.

This morning we enjoy a half day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex, containing the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. The complex also comprises with One Pillar Pagoda whose origins date back to the foundation of Hanoi. We follow this with a trip to the Temple of Literature well known as Vietnam’s first university and the History Museum displaying an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the Vietnamese history. The peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem and the bustling Dong Xuan Market are also visited before we depart for Halong bay truly one of Vietnam’s most impressive scenic sights. O/N in Halong.

This morning we embark on a boat for an exploration of the legendary Halong bay. This exciting five hour cruise will provide us a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. The limestone karts formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. After a seafood lunch on board we return to Hanoi, stopping en route at Dong Trieu pottery village. We arrive Hanoi in time to see an evening performance of Hanoi’s famous water puppets. O/N in Hanoi.

Hoa Lu was an ancient capital of Vietnam from 968 AD to 1010 AD during the Dinh and early Le Dynasties. In Hoa Lu ancient capital left behind two small temples of the Kings each one nearly a thousand years old. The next stop of our trip is Tam Coc, which 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 Hanoi.

After breakfast we have free time to explore Hanoi until transferring to Noibai Airport for a flight to Hue Vietnam’s last feudal capital. This small and quiet city is widely known for magnificent architectures, pagodas and royal tombs laid in many small villages and surrounding hills. We spend this afternoon to visit Hue with the massive citadel, containing the Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City. This Royal Residence was destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive, however it is still fascinating to walk among the ruins. After an impressive boat trip we return to the town and enjoy a walk to the Dong Ba Market that sells a wide variety of local goods and handicrafts. O/N in Hue.

This morning we will embark for a Dragon boat to visit beautiful Thien Mu Pagoda riverside which now becomes the symbol of Hue and the elaborate royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. Upon leaving Hue we drive south to Hoian, which was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced down the centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. The scenic road is hugging the coastline before crossing over the winding Hai Van pass. A view from the top of the pass is one of Vietnam’s most impressive panoramic scenes. We stop en route to visit the Cham Museum in Danang City, the China Beach and the Marble Mountain, whose peaks represent the five elements of the universe. O/N in Hoian.

The ancient architecture of Hoian is a fascinating combination of Vietnamese traditional characters with Chinese and Japanese influence. There are plenty to see in this delightful town, some of which are the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, Pottery Museum, 200 years old Tan Ky House, Chua Ong Pagoda and vibrant market. Today we include these on a walking tour past many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls, which reflect the town’s multi-cultural past. A perfect way to relax and viewing sun setting on Thu Bon river taking us to admire the spectacular countryside and explore a handicraft ceramic village and boat building yards. O/N in Hoian.

An early morning transfer to Da Nang Airport for a short flight to Nha Trang. The fabulous sunny weather, turquoise water surrounding a string offshore islands and white sandy beach stretching the whole length of the city make Nha Trang an ideal place for anyone seeking an enjoyable escape. O/N in Nha Trang.

The fabulous sunny weather, turquoise water surrounding a string of islands and white sandy beach stretching the whole length of the city make Nha Trang one of Vietnam’s premier beach resorts. We board a boat for a day trip around the coastal islands, stopping on at a local fishing village to observe the island life, Mun Island for corals viewing by snorkeling. Today we also have lots of time on the blue clear water enjoying swimming and snorkeling or lazing on a beach. A seafood lunch is some enjoyment of the trip. We arrive back in town late afternoon and visit the Long Son Pagoda and the impressive Ponagar Cham Towers, which are overlooking the colorful fishing port. O/N in Nha Trang.

Upon leaving Nha Trang we are heading south towards Dalat, sometimes known as a “City of Eternal Spring”. The journey via famous Cam Ranh bay, visiting Po Klong Jarai Towers represented the history culture and traditional of Cham people. At an elevation of over 1,000 meters, hill station of Da Lat was founded in the early year of the last century for the colonials to escape the heat and chaos of Saigon. Arrive Da Lat with a great atmosphere year around, our tour leading us through plenty of the French colonial architectures to the summer residence of Vietnam’s last Emperor Bao Dai who was forced to abdicate in 1945 shortly after the end of the World War II. The following sights are the Lam Ty Ni Pagoda and Hang Nga Guesthouse known as the Crazy House with a bizarre architecture. O/N in Da Lat.

The following destination of our trip is Ho Chi Minh City still called Saigon by many locals. This bustling metropolis, contradiction of its northern counterpart crowded of bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping area and sidewalk cafés. After an enjoyable visit to the busy Hoa Binh Market, we make our way down hill to Ho Chi Minh city traveling through the many tea and coffee plantations. The drive is long, but views are fantastic. Along the way we can make stops as we please, to stretch our legs and take some wonderful photographs. O/N in Saigon

The sightseeing tour of Ho Chi Minh City begins with Reunification Palace, which was the former residence of the Southern Vietnam President 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. We also visit War Remnant Museum before continuing to the bustling Ben Thanh Market where handy craft, laquer ware and more on sales! This afternoon we drive Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground network of approximately 200 km constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, accommodation and schools, which were used as a military base for the Vietcong in the Vietnam War. O/N in Saigon

The sightseeing tour acquaints us with some major sights of Ho Chi Minh City passing 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. We also visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum before ending up our morning agenda at the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale! We travel by roads through the rolling countryside to Can Tho, the largest town in the Mekong Delta. O/N in Can Tho.

Can Tho famous with Cai Rang floating market where hundreds of local boats drifting on the Mekong river and sell local agriculture products. Upon leaving Can Tho we drive to Vinh Long and board a boat for an exciting excursion around the tributaries of the mighty Mekong River. As a highlight of the trip we visit the various fascinating local cottages industries including rice paper makers, bonsai nurseries as well as the vibrant floating market of Cai Be whose trading way is very interesting. After feasting on a huge lunch followed with many seasonal fruits at an orchard, we weave our way through the intricate network of canals that are the lifeblood of the Mekong Delta. Farewell dinner in Saigon

Today, you are free to do some last-minute shopping, packing and getting ready for your departure. Or if you’re extending your adventure, you’ll fly to Siem Reap to begin your optional post-trip extension in Angkor Wat, Cambodia / or Luang Prabang Laos