Itinerary

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1. Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City Arrival

   Welcome to Vietnam’s financial hub: Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon). Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by your tour guide and driver. Enjoy an orientation tour through Saigon’s bustling streets en route to the hotel. The remainder of the day will be spent at your leisure. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner on the Saigon River which offers traditional Vietnamese foods with fresh and tasty ingredients. Meals: Dinner. Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

2. Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Tour.

   Enjoy a full day to tour Saigon’s diverse attractions. Start with a visit to Saigon’s China Town, Binh Tay Market (Great Market) & Thien Hau Pagoda. Stop to visit the Fine Art Museum located in a beautiful colonial house combining French and Chinese styles; it presents a large collection of fine artworks from paintings to historical objects. Browse through the amazing array of goods at Ben Thanh Market. Stop for lunch then continue on the city tour with a visit to the War Remnants Museum. Learn about Vietnam’s recent history at the Reunification Palace followed by the nearby neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral and the City's Centre Post Office before passing by the ornate Opera Theatre and the City Hall. Meals: Breakfast. Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

3. Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Overnight on river cruise.

   This morning head west as you leave the bustle of the big city and drive to the lush Mekong River Delta. Begin cruising from Phu An Jetty at 10:00 A.M. From the deck of sampan, observe life as it plays out on shore – people going about their daily activities against picturesque landscapes – while your attentive crew serves tea and seasonal fruit. Before arriving at Sa Dec, stop at various points along the river for a look into some of the cottage industries of the region including a brick factory where everything is made by hand, pass monkey bridges and tiny villages to visit a Cao Dai temple. Arrive in Sa Dec and stroll to the outdoor market. Visit one of the highlights of this charming town, the ancient house of Huynh Thuy Le, a real-life character in the celebrated novel and film "The Lover" by Marguerite Duras. Lunch is served on board while cruising towards Can Tho along a narrow canal teeming with life. Explore the countryside surroundings by local rowboat. Your last stopover before sunset is at an ancient house (a "Nha Co" in Vietnamese), dating back to the 19th century. The owner welcomes you to his home while you are served a candlelit dinner in this authentic countryside setting. After dinner return to the sampan and continue towards the Hau River. Overnight on board. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Accommodation: on cruise.

4. Day 4: Can Tho – Floating Market – Fly to Danang.

   Wake up early at 6:00 A.M for a visit to the famous Cai Rang Floating Market which operates daily starting from 5:00 A.M. Breakfast is served on board while the Song Xanh navigates towards the market. Local barges loaded down with fruits and vegetables make for some stunning photos. Continue cruising and disembark at Ninh Kieu pier. Transfer to Can Tho Airport for the domestic flight to Danang. Rest of the day is free to spend as you wish! Perhaps relax on the beach or poolside. Meals: Breakfast. Accommodation: Hotel in Danang.

5. Day 5: Danang – Hoian Ancient Town.

   After breakfast, meet your guide and driver in the lobby of the resort then travel to the ancient town of Hoian. From the 16th to 18th centuries, Hoian was a thriving international port frequented by Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab traders who came to trade the high quality silk still produced in the region. Today, Hoian is a relaxing resort popular with tourists for its eclectic architecture, skilled tailors and numerous cafes. Take a half-day walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the ancient town centre, visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Hall, the 200-year old Tan Ky ancestral house and the famous Japanese Bridge. After lunch, take a short boat trip to a nearby island and visit a handicraft village specializing in ceramics. Return to the resort in the late afternoon and enjoy an evening at your leisure. Meals: Breakfast. Accommodation: Hotel in Danang.

6. Day 6: Danang – Spend the day at your leisure.

   Central Vietnam has a vast array of historic and scenic attractions to discover. Danang’s hotels/ resorts are just a short drive along the coast from the ancient sea-trading town of Hoian and Hue City, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. In addition, the stunning Marble Mountains, Linh Ung Pagoda housing Lady Buddha statue plus the ancient ruins of My Son are all within easy reach. Escape from your busy schedule to enjoy time with your loved ones on one of the most beautiful and romantic beaches in the world! Today you are free at leisure. Meals: Breakfast. Accommodation: Hotel in Danang.

7. Day 7: Danang – Fly to Hai Phong.

   Enjoy some free time before your short flight to Hai Phong, the third biggest city in Vietnam just after Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and relax. Hai Phong City is not only famous as a major industrial port city but there is also enormous potential for tourism. It preserved many architectural delights, including traditional architecture such as pagodas, temples and French neoclassical architecture of the old neighborhood. This afternoon, visit the Hai Phong Opera Theatre, also called Municipal Theatre, one of three theatres built by the French in Vietnam, the cultural structure typical of Port City. Next to the City Square is the Theatre, Flower Stall & Le Chan Statue - one of the female generals under the command of the Trung Sisters (Hai Ba Trung) rose against Chinese rule in the year 43 C.E. Walk along the tree lined streets of this beautiful city. Conclude your half day city tour of Hai Phong at Du Hang Pagoda, the ancient architecture originated during the Tien Le dynasty. Admire the many valuable Buddha statues, horizontal lacquered boards and parallel sentences bearing the art style of the Nguyen dynasty. Meals: Breakfast. Accommodation: Hotel in Hai Phong.

8. Day 8: Hai Phong – Lan Ha Bay – Cruise Halong Bay – Overnight on cruise.

   After breakfast, visit “Iron Market” (Cho Sat), a busy city market covering a large area. When being built, the market was made of iron and steel so people call "Cho Sat" (Iron Market) to easily remember the name. Even if you don’t plan to buy anything here, it’s still an interesting experience to observe local life in this busy downtown area of Hai Phong. Stroll around Tam Bac Lake to soak up daily life of the local people. During summertime, Hai Phong City will be decorated ina flamboyant red color that visitors should not miss! Get a glimpse of an ancient post office then stop at Hai Phong Museum which is housed in a superb colonial mansion. The museum holds a small but impressive collection of local historic artifacts which together trace the heritage of the region, as well as a selection of precious gems, everyday traditional items and old photographs. 11h15: Transfer to Got Pier on Cat Hai Island. 12h15: Transfer by tender to your cruise. 12h30: Welcome aboard! Enjoy welcome drinks while you receive the cruise briefing, safety instructions and check in. Start cruising and explore Halong Bay – one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. 12h40: Your cruise proceeds to Da Chong islet where you will see a lighthouse built by the French over 100 years ago. Enjoy lunch on cruise before continuing your journey via the islets of Duck (Con Vit) and Gia Luan. These amazing limestone karst formations rise up out of the sea in an impressive manner. This area is untouched due to being a fair way from Halong City, not so many tourist boats venture here, meaning it has a more isolated appeal. 14h15: Progress to Trung Trang cave by bus on Cat Ba island which is located in the middle of Cat Ba National Park with Kim Giao forest around the cave. Trung Trang Valley is the largest valley on Cat Ba Island. The valley covers an area of approximately 300 hectares, has a depth of 10m to 30m and is around 15km in the middle of Cat Ba National Park. Trung Trang Cave measures 300m lengthwise through the mountains. The cave was carved by nature for more than 2000 years. The cave has many stalactites that take on various shapes that will awe and inspire visitors to use their imagination. 17h00: Cruise gets in the less populated area at Tra Bau where is located in Lan Ha Bay. You will enjoy the green emerald and cool water by swimming. 17h45: Return to your boat. You may watch the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin (if weather permits) or join a traditional cooking class. The cruise’s chef will instruct you in the making of some Vietnamese dishes. Option: Massage service available. Please book with Cruise Manager directly (please see massage menu). 19h30: Dinner is served. Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served by professional on-board catering staffs. 21h30: Enjoy drinks at bar and the landscape of the bay at night on the top deck. Squid fishing is one of the most interesting evening activities that you may like to experience. Overnight on board. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Accommodation: Overnight on cruise.

9. Day 9: Halong Bay Cruise – Hai Phong – Hanoi.

   06h00: Why not rise early to witness the bay at its very best whilst enjoying an invigorating Tai Chi session on the sundeck; after which breakfast will be served. Upon completing breakfast continue your journey and head out to explore the bay in the area where Ao Ech is situated. 7h45: You enjoy on your own for kayaking at Ao Ech area to discover the hidden charm of Lan Ha Bay with its quieter. 9h35: Back on board and it is time for checking out. 10h00: Whilst cruising back you can enjoy a delightful brunch. 10h30: Tea Ceremony is served at the restaurant. You will learn how to enjoy Vietnamese tea and Vietnamese cultural at this ceremony. Joining Tea Ceremony with your crews team and have great fun with us! 11h35: Disembark. 12h00: Meet your tour guide then drive to Hanoi on one of Vietnam’s the most modern freeways. 14h30: Check in to you hotel in Hanoi. Rest of the day is spent at your leisure to go shopping or meander the streets in the Old Quarter. Meals: Brunch. Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

10. Day 10: Hanoi City Tour – Departure.

    Today you have a morning to explore Vietnam’s charming capital. With its wide tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and ancient oriental pagodas, Hanoi is an eclectic mix that offers something for everyone. Your city tour will take you to Hanoi’s key sites: Hanoi Opera House, Hoan Kiem Lake with Ngoc Son Temple, St. Joseph's Cathedral, the Temple of Literature; the sedate Tran Quoc Pagoda & West Lake. You are free until departure to Noi Bai International Airport for your flight home. Goodbye & thanks for traveling with Vietnam Travel! Meals: Breakfast. Accommodation: N/A.