Dec 29, 2011 02:21:39 AM by
David 
Not yet rated
Price: from $843/pax
Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
Tour route: Danang, Halong, Hanoi, Hue, Saigon
Transportation type: Airplane, Boat, Car, Cruise
Tour code: IET - VN 1.2
Company: Indochina Explorer Tour - www.indochinaexplorertour.com
Email: info@indochinaexplorertour.com
Day 1: Arrival Hanoi Vietnam
Today you’ll land in Hanoi. Warmly welcome by Tour Guide & Car Driver at airport then transfer to Hanoi Downtown, a city of lakes, shaded boulevards, public parks, and the capital of Vietnam. Check into your hotel. Stay overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi Sightseeing full day (B, L)
Hanoi, a city of lakes, shaded boulevards and public parks, is the capital of Vietnam. It is a very attractive city with French-style architecture. You have a full day of sightseeing ahead, including a visit to One Pillar Pagoda, which was built by Ly Thai Tong and the Temple of Literature, founded by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong. Stop in the heart of Hanoi at Hoan Kiem Lake, which contains an islet with a tiny Tortoise Pagoda. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Opera House and St. Joseph Cathedral. Conclude with a visit to Bao Tang Lich, once the museum of l'Ecole Francaise d'Extreme Orient, which includes artifacts from Vietnam's turbulent history. Water Puppet Show, Cyclo visiting Old Quarter. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Excursion to Halong Bay and Stay overnight on Board. (B, L, D)
Early this morning, we’ll drive from Hanoi to one of the most magnificent scenic environments in the world, Halong Bay. Covering 577 square miles, this vast bay is filled with more than 3,000 limestone “peaks” or karsts that jut from the deep blue water as far as the eye can see. We’ll spend a day and a half, including an overnight with dinner and breakfast onboard, exploring this overwhelming seascape from the decks of a traditional Vietnamese boat. Comfortable and intimate, your boat features hand-crafted wooden interiors including a dining room and pleasant air-conditioned cabins with private baths. Since we’re overnight on the water, we’ll be able to explore Ha Long Bay’s most beautiful spots with time to swim and even visit some of the largest rock formations and caves. This promises to be one of your most memorable travel experiences in Asia. Stay overnight on Boat.
Day 4: Halong Bay Cruise - Depart for Hue Imperial City. (B, L)
Rising to the sound of lapping bay waters, we have time for an early morning dip followed by breakfast. Sitting on the upper deck, you can relax while taking in the breath-taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the emerald water of the bay.
After breakfast, explore Sung Sot cave, swim and relax. Cruises back to the jetty while brunch is served while you are cruising through the bay, along the way seeing more of the fascinating formations. Cruise check-out. Rejoin car drive to airport directly. Arrive Noi Bai Airport (Hanoi) at 3:00pm. Catching flight to Hue City. Arrive Hue City, transfer to hotel for check in. Overnight in Hue.
Day 5: Full day sightseeing in Hue City - Old Imperial City. (B, L)
Spend full day to visit Hue City, Vietnam's political capital from 1802 to 1945 under the 13 emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Traditionally, the city has been one of Vietnam's cultural, religious and educational centers. Visit the Imperial City, which is located in the Citadel. Modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Imperial City was built in the early 19th century. Explore the Thai Hoa Palace, with its spacious hall and ornate roof of huge timbers supported by 80 carved and lacquered columns. See the Halls of the Mandarins, the Nine Dynastic Urns and the site where the Forbidden Purple City once stood. Overnight in Hue City.
Day 6: Leave Hue to Danang/City Sightseeing. (B, L)
Today, journey south past the Hai Van Pass and Land Co, over a spur of the Truong Son Mountain Range that juts into the South China Sea, with spectacular views along the way. Upon arrival in Danang, visit the Cham Museum, which features a fine collection of openair sandstone carvings. Stop at China Beach, made famous in the American TV series of the same name. It stretches for many miles north and south of the Marble Mountains. The Marble Mountains surrounding the area are five stone hillocks - once islands made of marble - and each is said to represent one of the five elements of the universe. There are many natural caves in which Buddhist sanctuaries have been built over the centuries. Transfer to Hoi An Ancient Town. Check in hotel & overnight in Hoi An.
Day 7: Hoi An Excursion/Thu Bon River Boat Trip. (B, L)
Enjoy a full-day excursion to Hoi An, a major trading center, once known as "Faifo" to the earliest Western traders. It was also an important port for the Dutch, Portuguese, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and other merchant vessels from the Far East. Visit a temple with partially gilded statues in the center, a pagoda dedicated to sailors and fishermen and a chapel with origins in the 1700s that reflects the influences of Chinese and Japanese styles. Stop at the Sa Huynh Museum, located near the Japanese Covered Bridge, which contains exhibitions from the earliest period of Hoi An's history. Late this afternoon, take a boat trip on the Thu Bon River to Kim Bing Village on Cam Kim Island to see the wood workers and shipbuilding families. Return to your haven on world-famous "China Beach," with the evening at your leisure. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 8: Leave Hoi An to Saigon/City Sightseeing. (B, L)
Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon, the largest Vietnamese city. There are street markets, sidewalk cafes and sleek new bars. This teeming metropolis offers 300 years of timeless traditions and the beauty of an ancient culture. To the west of the city is the huge Chinese neighborhood called Colon, which means "Big Market." Notre Dame Cathedral, in the heart of Saigon's government quarter, is of neo- Romanesque architecture with two high square tower and iron spires. The Central Post Office is French-style and City Hall, known as "Hotel de Ville," is typical of the French architecture that would be seen in any village in France. Visit the War Remnants Museum, featuring collections of weapons and photographs from the two Indochina wars. Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 9: Full day to Mekong Delta/River Boat Trip. (B, L)
Today takes you to My Tho, the capital of Tien Giang Province. Situated on the Mekong River, 75 kilometers southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, the city is surrounded by orchards and rice fields, which produce grain for the entire country. Visit one or two of the islands that produce traditional handcrafts, coconut candy and bee farms. Visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda, the oldest one in the delta on your boat trip on the Mekong River. Return to Ho Chi Minh City. Check in hotel & stay overnight in Saigon.
Day 10: Conclude Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City. (B)
You have the morning free to relax before your return flight home. Finish your trip or you can extend some day to Siem Reap (Cambodia), Mui Ne (Phan Thiet) or Phu Quoc Island.
Tour Cost included:
+ 8 nights hotel accommodation on a twin-share basic with daily breakfast
+ 1 night stay overnight on Board in Halong Bay in twin-share cabin.
+ Internal flight tickets: Hanoi - Hue, Danang - Ho Chi Minh City (economy class) Vietnam Airlines including fuel charge & Airport taxes.
+ Meals as mentioned in the itineraries: Vietnamese food, Asian Food basic.All landed transfers within the tour by air-conditioned vehicle, including pick-up and drop-off at airports on arrival and departure daysEnglish Speaking Tour guide. Other languages on request
+ Boat trips in the Mekong Delta, Hue & Hoi An
+ All entrance and sightseeing fees
+ Water Puppet Show & Cyclo Tour in Hanoi Old Quarter.
+ Approval letter for landing visa to Vietnam: single entry, one month valid
+ All taxes & services charge.
Tour Cost Non Included:
+ International airfare and airport taxes in Vietnam
+ Beverages and other meals do not indicate in the program
+ Visa fees to Vietnam
+ Early check-in and late check-out at all hotels
+ Kayak, Massage onboard
+ Travel insurance
+ Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, shopping...)
+ Tipping/ Gratuities
+ Single supplement
Any additional expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such as natural calamities (typhoon, floods), flight delays, rescheduling or cancellations, any accidents, medical evacuations, riots, strikes etc.