Itinerary

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1. DAY 1: ARRIVE IN HO CHI MINH CITY

   Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, still often called Saigon by many locals, the local guide and driver will meet up and transfer you to your hotel. Experience Vietnam’s chaotic biggest cities, Ho Chi Minh City with its vibrating energy and fascinating culture. This dazzling city still proudly boasts French colonial charm from its architecture to its food.
   The rest of the day is yours to relax after a long journey, and do a little exploring city at your own leisure.
   In the evening, you will have welcome dinner in a local restaurant.
   Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh.
   Meals included: No meals.

2. DAY 2: HO CHI MINH – HISTORICAL CITY TOUR & CU CHI TUNNEL

   After breakfast at hotel, A one and half hour drive takes you to Cu Chi Tunnels where human knowledge has been enriched by experiencing an web-like tunnels system of more than 200km in length which used to be the shelters of guerrillas during the war against American troops.
   After the lunch in the local restaurant, in the afternoon, you will have a city tour including the Reunification Hall, formerly known as the Presidential Palace. It was towards this modern building that Communist tanks rolled on the morning of April 30, 1975, as Saigon fell. This fascinating building is filled with history still fresh in the minds of many. The tour also includes the War Remnants Museum, the Old Post Office, and Ben Thanh Market – the central market for the city and one of the liveliest areas.
   Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh.
   Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

3. DAY 3: HO CHI MINH – DAY TRIP TO MEKONG DELTA (MY THO & AP BAC)

   This morning, we drive to the little changed battlefield of Ap Bac, a pivotal battle of the Vietnam War and a potent for the eventual failure in South Vietnam. Thence to My Tho, a centre of operations for US and Australian troops, to explore the Mekong Delta by boat to learn more about the US Brown Water Navy.
   After finishing your sightseeing tour your guide will take you to a restaurant for lunch with local specialties then return to the pier and drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.
   This evening you will be free to visit the night market to discover the authentic local cuisine.
   Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh.
   Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

4. DAY 4: HO CHI MINH – BINH DUONG – HO CHI MINH

   Today continue your city tour with a prosthetic clinic in Thu Duc and the ward of Long Binh. Afterward, we will proceed to Binh Duong Province and visit the Iron Triangle which had been known as the War Zone D during Vietnam War. Back to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.
   Spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
   This evening you will be free to visit the night market to discover the authentic local cuisine. Or simply enjoy a glass of cocktail on the rooftop bar of the historic Rex Hotel (on own account).
   Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh.
   Meals included: Breakfast.

5. DAY 5: HO CHI MINH – FLY TO DANANG – HOIAN

   After breakfast, pick you up at your hotel, transfer to Ho Chi Minh airport for the flight to Danang city.
   Upon arrival, the local guide will welcome you at the airport, transfer to your hotel in Hoi An to check in. Free at your leisure.
   Overnight at hotel in Hoian.
   Meals included: Breakfast.

6. DAY 6: HOIAN – VISIT LOCAL VILLAGE & ANCIENT TOWN

   After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel to visit a local fishing village by cycling on level ground to the Thu Bon River. For safety purposes, you will be given a short bicycle competency test. For those uncomfortable with riding a bicycle, a private car can be arranged.
   Ride along country lanes at a peaceful pace viewing local life and pause to see farmers toiling in their rice fields using centuries of farming practices. Peddle your way through palm forests, across bridges, fields of water buffalo…
   Take a short break in a local family at Cam Thanh Village before enjoying a 1.5 hours ride on Traditional Basket Boat (round boat) in the Water Coconut Palm Forest. Learn how to sail the basket boat and spend your time to catch fishes and “purple crabs” in the Canal.
   Continue to ride your bike to Tra Que Organic Vegetable Village where a large variety of vegetables is produced for the local community. At the village, you will be shown the environmentally sustainable practices which the local villagers have used for centuries and is still being used extensively today.
   After some farming practices, head a local family to enjoy a foot massage and the traditional herbal foot dip. After lunch, you will then ride back to the hotel to rest during the day. Get ready for the afternoon walking tour.
   Afternoon, continue your trip to the Ancient Quarter of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you will embark on a walking tour visiting the major attractions such as Chua Ong Pagoda, Tan Ky Ancient House, Fujian Assembly Hall, and the Japanese Covered Bridge.
   Continue to visit the Precious Heritage Museum, home to the permanent exhibition of Réhahn’s Precious Heritage Collection. While transporting you to the furthest reaches of Vietnam, the collection will unveil the rich cultural tapestry of the ethnic tribes
   The highlight of the day is the visit to the Reaching Out Tea House, a welcome little oasis of calm in the busy, vibrant Old quarter, owned and operated by the mute and deaf people. Here you will be treated with delicious cakes and incredible tea in the Eastern style.
   Overnight at hotel in Hoian.
   Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

7. DAY 7: HOIAN – FOOD TOUR

   Hoi An is a food lover’s paradise, famous for its wonderful cuisine and delicious street food. Now, it’s time for your Hoi An street food discovery tour. With your guide, you will weave in and out the tiny alleyways, get to chow down with the locals at stalls you’d never discover on your own. Every day at 4 pm, Hoi An’s streets filled with a myriad of street food carts, stalls, and vendors. The street food tour will give you an unforgettable and delicious culinary experience as we sample many local specialties. The town is a melting pot of cultures, which has influenced its cuisine. Originating in the 15th century as an important South East Asian commercial port, it became home to many Chinese traders and merchants; hence, the strong influence of Chinese cuisine, which is guided by the forces of Yin and Yang to create a regulating balance of flavors and textures. The French, Japanese and Indians also contributed to the town’s unique cuisine.
   Overnight at hotel in Hoian.
   Meals included: Breakfast, Streetfood.

8. DAY 8: HOIAN – DANANG – BA NA HILLS (GOLDEN BRIDGE) – HUE

   This morning, we will head out of Hoi An to Ba Na Hills. Take Cable Car which gains 5 world scores to Ba Na hills station. Stop at By Night station to visit Vong Nguyet hills, Linh Ung pagoda, The Old Villas of French. Continue moving up by cable car to the Nui Chua Mountain – the top of Ba Na range, visiting Nghinh Phong top, Le Nim Villas, Orchid Garden… Experience hill climbing train (first and unique funicular in Vietnam) and visit an old French cellar (Debay Ancient Wine Cellar), flower garden Le Jardin D’amour.
   You should not miss walking on the famous Golden Bridge amid the foggy hills of the mountain, witness the amazing and gorgeous view of Da Nang City.
   Transfer to Hue city in about 3 hours. Arrival Hue and do the check-in your hotel. Free time at your leisure.
   Overnight at hotel in Hue.
   Meals included: Breakfast.

9. DAY 9: HUE – QUANG TRI

   Heading to the north via the Highway 1 toward Dong Ha, stop at sites along the way, such as Highway of Horror, Quang Tri Citadel, the Ai Tu Airfield. Continue to Dong Ha, the former headquarters of the elements of the U.S Marines, head west on Route 9. The first stop is the Rockpile, a look-out of the U.S Marine Corps, visit Van Kieu ethnic minority’s people in the Central of Vietnam. Continue to Khe Sanh village, where Khe Sanh Combat Base took place.
   After lunch, head north to visit the Hien Luong Bridge over the Ben Hai River at the middle of the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), the river that was the only true physical demarcation between North and South Vietnam. Continue to Vinh Moc tunnels, the refuge of some 400 north Vietnamese inhabitants during the bombing operation "Rolling Thunder".
   Then, drive to your hotel, do check-in and free at your leisure.
   Overnight at hotel in Quang Tri.
   Meals included: Breakfast.

10. DAY 10: QUANG TRI – HUE

    After breakfast, depart of Quang Tri back to Hue city.
    Being the ancient capital, Hue is surrounded with ancient royal tombs of emperors past, and visit to some of these tombs will be on the itinerary for today. You will take a drive to visit King Minh Mang tomb & King Khai Dinh tomb. 
    This afternoon you will join a tour of Hue City including the Old Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City - an amazing historic landmark in Hue - a definitely must-see sight to learn more about the history and architecture that visitor should not miss when travelling to that peaceful area. After the tour you will be transfer back to your hotel.
    Overnight at hotel in Hue.
    Meals included: Breakfast.

11. DAY 11: THE BATTTLE SITE OF HUE

    Early morning you head out to Aluoi for the Ashau Valley, one of the strategic focal points of the war in Vietnam. Located in western Hue city, the narrow 40-kilometer long valley was an arm of the Ho Chi Minh Trail funneling troops and supplies toward Hue and Danang. At the north end of the valley was the major North Vietnamese Army (NVA) staging area known as Base Area 611. Because of its importance to the North Vietnamese plan for victory, the Ashau valley became a major battleground from the earliest Ashau valley area map days of the U.S involvement in South Vietnam.
    The first stop is the old site of Ashau Special Forces Camp, overrun by the NVA in 1966 and the next site is the infamous Hamburger Hill, the last bloodiest battle between the U.S Army's 101st Airborne and the NVA troops in the Vietnam War. The battle took place on Ap Bia mountain or Hill 937 in the rugged, jungle-shrouded mountains along the Laotian border with South Vietnam. After 10 day battle (from May 10 to May 20, 1969), the U.S 101st Airborne Division took the hill, US troops fought a brutal battle up the hill before finally capturing it on May 20. Due to the severity of the fighting, Hill 937 was dubbed "Hamburger Hill".
    We have 3-hour hiking on the hill and wander the hilltop viewing the traces left of the 10-day battle. Explore a tunnel of the NVA at the hill foot before getting back to the town for lunch.
    Then drive back to your hotel in Hue city.
    Overnight at hotel in Hue.
    Meals included: Breakfast.

12. DAY 12: HUE – FLY TO HANO

    Transfer to Phu Bai airport. Take a short flight from Hue to Hanoi.
    Upon arrival in Noi Bai airport, you will be grateful welcomed by our guide and then be transferred to your hotel in Central Hanoi. Do check-in and free at your leisure to get acquaintance with the life style of Hanoian.
    Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
    Meals included: Breakfast.

13. DAY 13: HANOI – CITY TOUR

    This morning, start off your Hanoi city tour visit to the Ba Dinh Square where stands the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh who led Vietnam to independence from French colonial rule. This site has become an important city landmark and a perfect place to learn more about Vietnam’s rich history. Here, you will take the group photo and hear the stories of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh.
    Next stop by visiting Ho Chi Minh Museum where tells the story of the different stages of Ho Chi Minh’s life with artefacts, photos, dioramas, and pop-art style illustrations and painting. Then, visit the iconic One Pillar Pagoda – a unique Vietnamese architecture reminiscent of a lotus blossom rising from a pond and hear the legend of its construction.
    Today, you will try Cha Ca La Vong – as known as Vietnamese Turmeric Fish with Dill. Not just a dish, a unique culture of Hanoians.
    Afternoon, continue to visit the Vietnam Military History Museum, housing an interesting collection documenting the period between 1954 and 1975, including aircraft along with French, American, Chinese and Soviet military equipment. The next tour not only tells you moving stories about the struggles of political prisoners but also provides immersive experiences, you’ll visit Hoa Lo prison (better known as the Hanoi Hilton), where was used by the French colonists in French Indochina for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. Prisoners of the Vietnam – American War. End of tour today is to explore the bunker of the General Command Headquarters.
    Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
    Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

14. DAY 14: HANOI – HALONG BAY – ON BOARD

    After breakfast, check out of hotel, then you will be transferred about 3 hours through rustic Vietnamese countryside to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage sites. With hundreds of giant limestone peaks jutting out of the water at the Bay of Tonkins – it is indeed an impressive sight.
    Board our cruise and after a delicious seafood lunch was served, we take a short trek to a nearby summit to enjoy the panorama view of the bay. As the day wanes, slip into a swim in the cool water before enjoying a sumptuous dinner under the moonlit sky.
    (Note: Program may differ slightly base on cruise ships)
    Overnight on cruise.
    Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

15. DAY 15: HALONG BAY – HANOI

    Rising to the sound of the bay, enjoy an elegant breakfast before visiting a beautiful limestone grotto to admire its many unique rock formations. Then you’ll get back to the boat to form your final lasting impression of Halong Bay’s awe-inspiring beauty while cruising back to the dock, at the same time enjoy your lunch/ brunch.
    Getting back onshore, you will be transferred directly to Hanoi city. Check in hotel & Free at leisure.
    Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
    Meals included: Breakfast.

16. DAY 16: HANOI – DEPARTURE

    Your guide and driver greets you at the hotel after breakfast and escorts you to Noi Bai International Aiport, to catch your departure flight home!
    Meals included: Breakfast.