DAY 1 HANOI

Upon your arrival at the airport in Hanoi you will be met by the tour guide of our local partner agency. Transfer to the hotel in the city center. Start your tour to discover Hanoi, a peaceful city with many trees and lakes (the city has thousand years of history. You will have an overview of the city on the cyclo ride, which starts at the Old Quarter. Continue and visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, which is the symbol of the country. After a visit to the Temple of Literature (the centre of Hanoi's culture) return back to the Old Quarter by the local market, always busy in different businesses. The tour will be concluded with a great experience of the Water Puppet show, the unique art of Vietnamese people from the Red River Delta.

DAY 2 HANOI - HALONG BAY

In the morning depart and drive for approx. 3,5 hours through the Red River Delta until you reach Halong. Embark the junk and set sail through the bay, while lunch is served. Passage into the picturesque "Dragon descending to the sea" Bay, which has 1969 limestone islets rising from the sea, some of the containing beautiful grottos. Stop at a beautiful cave and later at a fishing village. At Titop island take a short trek to the summit for a panoramic view over the bay. There is also some time left for swimming at a quiet beach or sunbathing on the deck. Back on board enjoy cocktails while watching the sunset. Then enjoy your dinner and overnight on the junk. You also got the opportunity to join the crew at squid fishing.

DAY 3 HALONG BAY - HANOI - HUE

Greet the day with an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay. After breakfast take a stop at Luon cave and paddle through it on a bamboo raft. Go on sailing past spectacular rock formations and enjoy the tranquil scenery. Then return to the mainland. From here transfer (approx. 3,5 hours) to Hanoi Airport. Take a short flight to Hue. On arrival transfer to the hotel.

DAY 4 HUE

After breakfast take a cyclo trip over the famous Trang Tien Bridge and Dong Ba Market. Then the cyclo will take you around the ancient citadel of Hue for an overview of daily life and architecture of this famous citadel. From the Noon Gate at the Imperial Citadel take a walking tour in to the inner area of it. You will see sights such as the Flag Tower, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine holy Canons, Thai Hoa Palace and the Forbidden Purple City. After lunch drive to Thien Mu Pagoda, the symbol of Hue city and walk around Kim Long village. It is a great chance to learn about the lifestyle of the locals. Finally visit the impressive architecture of Tu Doc Tomb. Later you got some time at leisure in the former capital on the banks of the Perfume River.

DAY 5 HUE - DANANG - HOI AN

In the morning depart for Danang via the well known Hai Van Pass. Visit the Cham Museum with great collections of sand stone artifact from the 4th to 13th century. Go on to the ancient town Hoi An on the coast of the South China Sea. A little attractive town very famous as living museum. In the afternoon take a walking tour to the ancient town and also visit Thang Loi Handicraft workshop, famous for wood carving, mat weaving, lantern making, silk worm raising, spinning and weaving etc. Go on to see the Japanese Cover Bridge (the symbol of Hoi An) and walk at Nguyen Thai Hoc, the ancient street of Hoi An, which brings you to the main market. Finally visit the Chinese Phuoc Kien Pagoda, a worshiping temple to Thien Hau, the Goddesss protecting people from the sea. Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 6 HOI AN - HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)

In the morning transfer to Danang Airport. Take a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). In the afternoon enjoy a sightseeing tour in the southern metropole and see sights such as the Reunification Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral, but also the Ngoc Hoang Pagoda, where hundreds of local people come and burn the incense for their luck, prosperity and happiness. Finally visit the History Museum, where you can see a great outline from the 4000 years history of the country. Overnight in Saigon.

DAY 7 SAIGON - MEKONG DELTA - SAIGON

In the morning drive to Cai Be and visit first Cai Be temple. Embark a boat to observe the colorful floating market. Then visit some local home factories to discover the making of rice paste, rice pop corn, coco candles etc. After lunch your Sampan will cruise to Dong Hoa Lep. On route you will be able to see the typical Mekong Delta rural life. Visit an ancient mandarin house, where the family will welcome you with a cup of tea. Continue your cruise to Vinh Long, passing beautiful landscapes along the Dong Phu canal and An Binh islands, famous for their fruit orchards. Later you got the chance to taste some of them. Finally leave the boat and transfer back to Saigon, where you will arrive by late afternoon. Overnight in Saigon.

DAY 8 HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)

At leisure until transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

REMARKS/FLEXIBILITY:

Flights out of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) after the tour to Laos, Cambodia or Thailand can be booked with us, as well as overland tours and transfers to Phnom Penh (Cambodia).
This tour can be done also v. v. with start in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and end in Hanoi.
You must get your visa for Vietnam in advance! Please contact your nearest Vietnam embassy for it. Visa for Vietnam can also be issued here in Thailand, but it takes a couple of days to get it. So it works only if you have a stopover in Bangkok or Chiang Mai before your trip to Vietnam.

PRICE INCLUDES:

Air-conditioned transportation during the tour, English speaking tour guide, all transfers and excursions as mentioned in the above itinerary, accommodation at middle class hotels/resorts, breakfast, lunch during tours, entrance fees, air tickets Hanoi - Hue and Danang - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

NOT INCLUDED:

Visa for Vietnam, drinks, tips and personal expenses

HOW TO GET TO HANOI:

From/to Bangkok daily flights by Thai Airways, Vietnam Airlines and Air Asia. From/to Vientiane and Luang Prabang (Laos) flights by Lao Airlines and Vietnam Airlines. From/to Phnom Penh and Siem Raep (Cambodia) daily flights by Vietnam Airways. Various overland trips from/to Laos are available as well. All these flights and transfers can be booked with us.