Through Vietnam

Vietnam's Highlights (10 days/ 9 nights) Transport: Options Hotel: Options Region: Trans-Vietnam Itinerary: Hanoi ? Hoa Lu ? Hanoi ? Halong Bay Emeraude Cruise ? Emeraude Cruise ? Halong Bay ? Hanoi / Danang ? Hoi An ? Hue ? Ho Chi Minh City ? Mekong Delta ? Ho Chi Minh City Price: Options

Our excellent guide to Vietnam will take you on a culture packed tour of Vietnam, which takes you through the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City and into the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. This is a small group tour ? there will never be more than 15 persons per group ? and we don?t just show you the sights in famous cities in Vietnam but you will get to know the Vietnamese people and take away a feeling for the warmth of welcome from Vietnamese local people, for whom a smile is never far away.

Tour Highlights

• Visit villages, markets and places that are off the tourist trail.
• Meet the local people and taste delicious Vietnamese food every day at atmospheric restaurants.
• Enjoy the Emeraude cruise in Vietnam's infamous Halong Bay
• Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and his house on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, the Quanh Thanh Temple and the Tran Quoc Pagoda on the edge of West Lake.
• 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese communal hall and colourful markets.
• A boat trip on the romantically named Perfume River.
• Visit the War Museum and the former Presidential Palace.
• Visit the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City: the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall.
• Cruise then to evergreen islands among the Mekong River through large networks of meandering rivers

Detailed Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi (D)

Arrive in Hanoi, welcome by your guide and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2 : Hanoi - Hoa Lu - Hanoi (B,L,D)

A 70km drive through rural northern Vietnam to the site of Vietnam's first capital, Hoa Lu. After visiting the two remaining sanctuaries of the ancient citadel, take a sampan on a river through the rice paddies to the grottoes of the sacred Tam Coc Caves. Enormous limestone karsts jut out from the green rice fields giving rise to this place's other name, 'Halong on Land'. Climb up to the Bich Dong Pagoda, which offers a scenic view of the surrounding countryside.

Day 3: Hanoi (B,L,D)

A full day city tour of Vietnam's capital. Hanoi is a unique city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental temples. The city tour includes such sights as Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and his house on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, the Quanh Thanh Temple and the Tran Quoc Pagoda on the edge of West Lake. After lunch in town continue to the Museum of Ethnology and end the afternoon with a visit to the Lake of the Restored Sword and a cyclo tour of the Old Quarter.

Day 4: Hanoi - Halong Bay Cruise (B,L,D)

Leave Hanoi by road for Halong Bay. Enjoy the journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life. Arrive in Halong and board the Emeraude, a wonderful replica of one of the classic steamships of the colonial era of French Indochina. A welcome drink will be served on the sundeck. With 37 luxurious air-conditioned cabins, a restaurant, two bars and a sundeck this is the ultimate Halong Bay experience. Lunch is served on board. Whilst cruising on the emerald green waters of the bay try a traditional Vietnamese or foot massage as an optional extra. Another optional extra is high tea served on the sundeck in the late afternoon. A sunset cocktail is served on the sundeck followed by a buffet dinner. Overnight on board the Emeraude.

Day 5: Phoenix Cruise -Halong Bay - Hanoi / Danang - Hoi An (B,L,D)

Wake up to fresh coffee and a wholesome breakfast before cruising back to Halong City. Early morning Tai Chi is an optional extra on the sundeck from 06:00 to 07:00 before breakfast. Arrive back at Emeraude's private pier at 09:30 for disembarkation. Drive back to Hanoi. Lunch in Hanoi then free time till transfer to Airport. Flight to Danang and transfer to Hoi An. Dinner in town and overnight in Hoi An.

Day 6: Hoi An - Hue (B,L,D)

Hoi An was a major Asian trading port in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and its architecture and relaxed lifestyle have changed little over the years. Take a walking tour of the ancient town centre to visit the former merchants' homes, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese communal hall and the colourful market. Leave Hoi An after lunch for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. The scenic route passes through Danang before climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds and dropping down to the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co. Arrive in Hue late in the afternoon and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Hue.

Day 7: Hue (B,L,D)

Visit the former imperial capital of Vietnam. A boat trip on the romantically named Perfume River visits Hue's best-known religious site, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the mausoleum of former emperor Minh Mang, in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. In the afternoon visit the elaborate mausoleums of emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh and the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945.

Day 8: Hue / Ho Chi Minh City (B,L,D)

Transfer to Hue Airport after breakfast for the short flight to dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals. A full day city tour takes in the city's bustling Chinatown and begins with a visit to the Thien Hau Temple, from where you will take a cyclo ride; the most appropriate and unusual way to explore Cholon, literally meaning 'big market'. The ride will take you to the lively Binh Tay Market. Then visit a lacquerware factory to witness workers continuing a Vietnamese ancestral tradition. After lunch visit the War Museum and the former Presidential Palace, from there on you will go on foot (the car will be available at all times) to visit the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City: the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall. After this historical visit, enjoy some wonderful ice cream at Fanny's, a quaint little parlour with a French atmosphere, before exploring the trendy boutiques on Ton That Thiep Street.

Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City (B,L,D)

Depart to Cai Be, deep in the Mekong Delta. Board the Cai Be Princess junk boat and start the tour with the visit of the colourful Cai Be floating market. Follow with a visit of some local home factories that produce rice paste, rice pop corn and coconut candies. Cruise then to evergreen islands among the Mekong River through large networks of meandering rivers, crisscrossed with countless arroyos. Lunch at a fruit orchard then cruise to Vinh Long and discover beautiful landscapes along the river and observe the typical Mekong Delta rural life.

Day 10: Depart Ho Chi Minh City (B)

Departure day. At leisure for shopping until transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for onward flight.

Inclusive:

• Vietnam visa processing
• Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast
• All meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B: Breakfast, L: lunch, D: Dinner)
• Land transportation by private air-conditioned vehicles
• English speaking local guide
• Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the program
• Boat trips as mentioned in the itinerary
• Welcome gift (map of Vietnam and main cities)
• International flight tickets reconfirmation

Exclusive:

• Vietnam visa stamping fee
• Any kind of drinks
• International airport departure taxes
• International flights to Hanoi/from Saigon
• Camera/video entrance fees
• Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, drinks, tip...)
• Travel insurance. We strongly recommend purchase a travel insurance covering medical evacuation before your trip
• Domestic flight Hanoi-Danang; Hue-Saigon (*)
• (*) USD60/pax/segment incl. Domestic tax.

Our Hotels:

Hanoi: Guoman (or similar)

Halong: Emeraude Cruise

Hoi An: Ancient House Resort (or similar)

Hue: The Pilgrimage Village (or similar)

Ho Chi Minh City: Duxton (or similar)

Note: Flights are not included in above rates: Hanoi/Danang 60 USD and Hue/Ho Chi Minh City 60 USD. We guarantee this program with a minimum of 2 passengers and the cut-off date should be 45 days prior to departure. Seats on this tour may be subject to availability.