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Code: |
GTT08 |
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Routes: |
Ho Chi Minh
- Cu Chi Tunnel - Mekong Delta
-charming Hoian - Hue - Hanoi - splendid
Halong Bay |
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Duration: |
10 Days |
Itinerary in brief
DAY
1:ARRIVAL - HO CHI MINH
DAY 2:HO CHI CMINH - TAY NINH - CU CHI - HO CHI
MINH
DAY 3:HO CHI MINH - MEKONG DELTA - HO CHI MINH
DAY 4:HO CHI MINH - DANANG - HOIAN
DAY 5:HOIAN - HUE
DAY 6:HUE
DAY 7:HUE - HANOI - HALONG
DAY 8:HALONG - HANOI
DAY 9:HANOI
DAY10:HANOI - DEPARTURE
Detail Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVAL - HO CHI MINH
On arrival at Tan San Nhat Airport, you
are met and transferred to hotel. Ho Chi Minh
City is a center of commerce, finance, culture
and tourism in Vietnam. This bustling metropolis
,contradiction of its northern counterpart, is
crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by
numerous shopping area and sidewalk cafés. ( If
time permits) we stroll around the down town to
explore the different local ways of life. O/N in
Ho Chi Minh.
DAY 2 : HO CHI CMINH - TAY NINH - CU CHI - HO
CHI MINH
The head quarter of Cao Dai sect is
located in Tay Ninh. This religion was founded
in 1923 and now numbers over 2 million members.
After breakfast we travel by roads to Tay Ninh
to see the ornate temple of Cao Dai and attend
the fantastic mid-day service when the followers
fill the hall wearing colored robes, a symbol of
the curious combination of the Confucianism,
Taoism and Buddhism. Afterwards we continue to
the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, which were an
incredible underground network constructed by
Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for
independence. The tunnels contained hospitals,
plus accommodation and schools, and were used as
a military base for the Vietcong in the American
war. O/N in Ho Chi Minh. (B)
DAY 3 : HO CHI MINH - MEKONG DELTA - HO CHI MINH
Heading out of the town, we travel by
roads to the Mekong Delta, Vietnam's largest
rice bowl. On arrival in My Tho we embark on a
boat navigating around the intricate small
canals in the delta region, which is a great way
to observe the local lifestyle close-up. The
exciting excursion will pass the lush green
vegetation before arriving on an island. Here we
have opportunities to visit some fascinating
local industries, stroll around an orchard and
taste many seasonal fruits. After feasting on a
huge lunch we return to Ho Chi Minh, stopping
off along the way to see the beautiful Ving
Trang Pagoda and the Cho Lon, Saigon’s
Chinatown, which is crammed with fascinating
temples and mysterious, narrow lanes. O/N in Ho
Chi Minh. (B,L)
DAY 4:HO CHI MINH - DANANG - HOIAN
Today we spend a half day seeing some
major sights of the city. We pass the
now-demolished wartime American Embassy before
we visit the Reunification Palace which was the
former residence of the President of South
Vietnam until end of April 1975, and some French
colonial structures including the Notre Dame
Cathedral, the Old Sai Gon Post Office. After
seeing the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War
Remnant Museum, we continue our trip on to the
bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and
everything is for sale!. The next stop of our
trip is Danang via a short flight from Ho Chi
Minh. On arrival you are greeted and driven to
Hoian, which was originally a Cham seaport but
has been influenced down centuries by a myriad
of traders from various cultures. O/N in Hoian
(B)
DAY 5: HOIAN - HUE
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 and tranquil town, some of which are
the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery
Museum, the 200 years old Tam Ky House, the Chua
Ong Pagoda, the vibrant market. We visit these
on our morning walking tour past many low tiled
houses scattered along the small streets and
assembly halls which reflect the town's
multi-cultural past. Upon leaving Hoian, we
drive north to Hue. Along the way, we make
stopover at the sensational Marble Mountains,
the China Beach and Danang City for a visit to
the Cham Museum. We then follow the road
crossing over the scenic Hai Van Pass before
arriving in Hue , Vietnam's last imperial
capital of Vietnam. O/N in Hue. (B)
DAY 6: HUE
After breakfast we embark on a boat for
cruise upstream on the Perfume River which also
gives us a taste of the scenic countryside as
well as an enjoyable visit to The beautiful
pagoda of Thien Mu. Upon leaving this symbol of
Hue we continue navigating to the mausoleum of
Emperor Minh Mang, in a tranquil setting of
gardens and lakes. The next stop of our trip is
the elaborate royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc and
the famous pagoda of Tu Hieu. On return to the
city, we then take a walk to the bustling Dong
Ba Market and pass many fantastic eating spots
where visitors have a chance to sample some
local delicacies. O/N in Hue. (B)
DAY 7: HUE - HANOI - HALONG
The massive citadel of Hue is not to be
missed. We visit this masterpiece, containing
the Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City.
This royal residence was all but destroyed
during the 1968 Tet Offensive, however it is
still fascinating to walk among the ruins. The
rest of your time will be free for your own
exploration of the town before boarding a short
flight to north. Arriving at Noi Bai Airport, we
embark on a three and half hour drive to Halong,
truly one of Vietnam’s most scenic impressive
sights. Along the way we will have chance to
make stop as you please, to stretch your legs
and take pictures. O/N in Halong. (B)
DAY 8: HALONG - HANOI
Upon leaving the town we take a five
hour cruise around Halong Bay, which provides a
great opportunity to explore the picturesque
scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000
limestone islands rising amazingly from the
clear and emerald water. The limestone karst
formations are littered with beaches, grottoes
and beautiful caves. Along the way we will
anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove
and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden
grottoes beneath towering cliffs. After a
seafood lunch on board we return to Ha Noi,
stopping en route at Dong Trieu pottery village.
O/N in Ha Noi. (B,L)
DAY 9: HANOI
Today we enjoy a full day city tour
starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This
famous site contains the mausoleum of the
nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential
Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts.
Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda,
whose origins date back to the foundation of
city. We follow this with the Temple of
Literature, which is well known as the first
university of Vietnam and the impressive
Ethnologic Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54
ethnic groups. The beautiful West Lake and the
History Museum with an excellent collection of
artifacts illustrating the Vietnamese history
are also highlight of our trip . We visit these
sights before continuing to the peaceful lake of
Hoan Kiem. In front of this lake is the famous
water puppet theatre where we will see a
fantastic performance. O/N in Ha Noi. (B)
DAY 10: HANOI - DEPARTURE
There is a free time for you to relax or
further explore Ha Noi. The trip ends after your
transfer to Noi Bai Airport for departure. (B) |