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US$1,019
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BOOK TOUR
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OVERVIEW
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If you visit Vietnam for the first time and want to see the whole country and all the main attractions, this tour will be your right choice as it combines all the highlights of Vietnam. From the dramatic karst-studded seascape of Ha Long bay to heart stopping nature at Ninh Binh. As the journey heads south, stop at ancient ruins at Hue’s citadel and drive through Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and finish your trip in the south Vietnam.
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HIGHLIGHT
- Have a great opportunity to cruise the bay and enjoy excursions to grottoes where amazing and unsuspected shapes are pointed out to you in Ha Long bay.
- Cruise on the UNESCO Natural heritage Ha Long bay and explore the beautiful karsts and islets.
- Cruise by sampan through 12 caves and 3 temples and enjoy the scenery of the nature of Trang An landscape, which is also known as “Ha Long Bay on land”.
- Explore the ancient capital Hue and be a King & Queen in Royal Dinner with Royal long Dresses to enjoy a special Royal with live traditional music performances.
- Pass through quaint villages, get inside Vinh Moc tunnel and skirt along Cua Tung beach.
- Drive along national highway one A to reach Bach Ma forest and swim on pure water of romantic five lakes.
- Spend time with a local farming family to learn about their daily lifestyle and to discover the flavors of fresh Vietnamese cuisine.
- Bike along shady lanes to the village of Tra Que and join the farmers as they work on their vegetable garden.
- Visit an amazing collection of 3,000 items relevant to the development of traditional. Vietnamese medicine in FITO museum - Vietnam's first traditional medicine museum.
- Experience and learn about the vast underground network Cu Chi tunnels.
- See the latex and listen to the explanations of the origin and economic benefits of rubber trees in Vietnam.
- Cruise among local barges full of fruits and vegetables of Cai Be colorful floating market.
- Visit the local village where the local people make pop rice and coconut candy.
- Cruise among local barges full of fruits and vegetables of Cai Rang colorful floating market.
- Get on a bike in pretty Ba Lang island, the best way to see the surrounding countryside.
ITINERARY
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Day 1: HA NOI – ARRIVAL (Nil)
You will be welcomed upon your arrival at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi by our experienced English speaking tour guide and driver, then transfer to your hotel for check-in (after 14:00pm). Overnight in Hanoi.
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Day 2: HA NOI – HALONG – OVERNIGHT CRUISE (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Halong bay must be a Vietnam’s most famous and most popular UNESCO World Heritage site. We start at 8.00 A.M for the 3 hour drive (170 km) through the Red River delta, which offers plenty of chances for taking photos of Vietnamese farmers tilling the vast green paddy fields. At half way, we'll have a visit to a handicraft workshop with fine clothes, embroidered paintings, stone statuettes and all kinds of gems mined in Vietnam such as star rubies or sapphires... Our destination is the World Heritage site of Ha Long bay. The name “Halong” means the descending dragon in to the sea. Legend states that gods sent dragons, who dropped jewels and jade from their mouths into the bay, creating the islands. The towering limestone karsts represent the dragon’s back, surrounded by jade green water creating an unforgettable site. There are more than 1600 limestone islands and islets with different shapes jutting out from the sea. Most of them are still intact from human activities thanks to their uninhabited and uncultivated characters.
12:30 Upon arrival, receptionists welcome guests at the International Tuan Chau harbour.
12: 45 Captain welcomes guests to Syrena Cruises by tender. Check in cruise whilst enjoying a welcome drink, safety briefing and check in cabin.
13:00 Leaving International Tuan Chau harbor to discover the Halong Bay - natural wonders of the world. Have buffet lunch with special dishes while cruising through famous sights Ba Hang fishing village, Đỉnh Hương island, Chó Đá islet, Gà Chọi islet...14:30 Cruise stops at 587, the core area of the world natural heritage. Transfer by tender to Luồn cave - one of the caves with haft-open formhas special endemic plants of Halong Bay. Visit Luồn cave by a traditionally woven (bamboo) boat rowed by a local boatman.
15:30 Leaving Luồn cave, transfer by tender to the Titov islandwhich was named by Uncle Ho, after Gherman Stepanovich Titov - the Soviet astronaut who visited in 1962. Enjoy swimming, relaxing on the beach or climb the steps of the Rock mountain. On the top of the mountain, you can see a corner of magical Halong Bay...
16:30 Back to the cruise. Relax and enjoy sunset on the sun deck. You can book 45 minute chargeable kayaking program to discover more about Halong Bay (contact with cruise manager for service price). While cruising to overnight anchorage at Trong Cave, you wil approach Đầu Người islet, Yên Ngựa islet, Động Tiên cave.
18:00 HAPPY HOUR- Buy 1drink get 1 free (wine excluded) and joinVietnamese cooking demonstration.
19:00 Dinner is served (set menu).
20:30 Evening activities include: film entertainment (in the dining room); squid fishing; massage (contact with cruise manager for service price) or karaoke (applied to charter group). Overnight on Syrena cruise.
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Day 3: HALONG BAY – HA NOI (Breakfast, Lunch)
06:00 Morning call (if you request).
06:30 Enjoy Tai Chi instructions on the sundeck in 30 minutes.
07:00 Coffee, tea, fresh milk, water, pastries, fresh fruit, cereals… will be served in the dining room.
08:00 Arrive at Bồ Nâu cave. Transfer by tender to the Sửng Sốt cave - one of the most beautiful caves in Halong Bay.
09:00 Come back to Syrena Cruises relax and check out of cabin. Approaching International Tuan Chau harbour.
09:15 Enjoy brunch buffet menu served in the dining room and settle the bills (if you have).
10:45 Transfer by tender back to Tuan Chau harbour and disembarkation. Guide and driver will pick up and transfer you back to Hanoi. Arrival Hanoi around 16:00pm and check-in hotel.
Have a free evening at your leisure to walk through Hanoi old quarter and do shopping. Overnight in Hanoi.
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Day 4: HA NOI – NINH BINH – TRANG AN – HANOI (Breakfast)
Today morning, we will proceed to Ninh Binh province by heading south for the two hour drive along Highway One. We spends 2 hours driving and enjoy the daily life of Vietnamese people in the countryside on the way.
Upon Ninh Binh arrival, we will visit two remaining temples of the ancient citadel of Hoa Lu. The first is dedicated to Dinh dynasty and the second commemorates the rulers of the Le dynasty. After visiting the two remaining sanctuaries of the ancient citadel, take a 3 hour rowing boat (2 pax/boat) sampan on a river through the rice paddies to explore Trang An grottoes. June 2014, UNESCO has inscribed Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex in Ninh Binh Province to its World Heritage List. During the journey through Trang An, you will travel through 12 caves and 3 temples and the scenery of the nature of Trang An is just unreal. At the end of the tour, you can take a bicycle ride through the rice paddy fields that surround beautiful limestone mountains of the country side.
Transfer back to Ha Noi and have a free eveining at your leisure to explore everyday life of Hanoian by yourselves. Overnight in Hanoi.
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Day 5: HA NOI – HUE (Breakfast, Dinner)
Enjoy a morning city tour to visit some of the city’s attractions including the fascinating Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum except for Monday & Friday & the whole Oct & Nov, Quan Thanh pagoda will be replaced) and his house on stilt, the botanical garden and the Presidential palace while learning about his life and revolutionary activities. This used to be the residence of the Governor of Indochina. On the way out visit One Pillar pagoda. The pagoda was constructed in 1049 by King Ly Thai Tong according to his dream of Bodhisattva seating on a lotus flower and led him to the pagoda. Arriving at the Temple of Literature, this is the first Royal National university in Vietnam.
After lunch, transfer to Noi Bai airport for flight to Hue - the ancient capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to your hotel to check in and relax.
In the evening, enjoy a special Royal Dinner which is prepared with live traditional music performances. Be a King & Queen in Royal Dinner with Royal long Dresses. Overnight in Hue.
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Day 6: HUE – BACH MA NATIONAL PARK – HUE (Breakfast, Lunch)
After breakfast, pick up at hotel and transfer to Bach Ma National Park about 60km to the South of Hue City. Travel along National Highway One A and pass through beautiful landscapes of rice fields, mountains scenery and bamboo ranges, stop at Cau Hai lagoon for sight seeing and taking picture. On arrival Bach Ma National Park centre, you have the overview of the park at the centre before transferred to the summit of the mountain on the distance of 20km more. Upon arrival the summit you will visit Hai Vong Dai by trekking there and catch the panorama of Lang Co Beach, Cau Hai Lagoon with spectacular sights. On cool day the summit is covered by cloud as paradise. In Bach Ma you have chance to see flower garden here with different kinds.
Have lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, keep trekking and walking through the forest on path to reach Five Lakes where you have swim on pure water of these romantic pools. Very different from city, reach Bach Ma National Park and Five Lake the climate is cool that make visitor interest and enjoy. You will have free time to enjoy the amazing sight seeing. After that, walk along the path to reach the road, there you will be picked up by your driver and leave the forest for returning to Hue city after the trip.
The rest of the day is free time at your own leisure. Overnight in Hue.
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Day 7: HUE – DONG HOI – QUANG BINH PROVINCE (Breakfast)
Take a boat trip on the romantic Huong (Perfume) river to visit Hue's best-known religious site, Thien Mu 7-storey pagoda. Then continue to visit the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Stop at Dong Ba market, where you can buy local products for souvenir before transfer to your hotel for checking in.
Transferring from Hue to Dong Hoi. You will stop at a couple of historic sites and monuments to understand the past history and story of Vietnam War. Continue up Highway 1A across the Hien Luong Bridge, and over the Ben Hai River which demarcated North and South Vietnam, this area saw some of the heaviest fighting during the war. The journey to Vinh Moc Tunnels is scenic after you leave the main highway, pass through quaint villages and skirt along Cua Tung Beach. The village of Vinh Moc found itself tragically positioned in one of the most heavily bombed areas of Vietnam. In order to escape this bombardment, the villagers constructed approximately 2.8 km of underground tunnels which they used as a refuge to survive the bombings. Three hundred people lived intermittently in the tunnels from 1966 to 1971.
From Vinh Moc drive to Truong Son National Cemetery where the remains of some 15,000 Vietnamese soldiers and civilians have been laid to rest, sadly many tombstones bear no name. At the afternoon, you arrive in Dong Hoi town and check in at your hotel.
This evening is free at your leisure. Overnight in Dong Hoi town - Quang Binh province.
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Day 8: DONG HOI – PHONG NHA – PARADISE CAVE – HUE (Breakfast)
After breakfast, we will visit Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park. Located to the north of the majestic Truong Son range in central Quang Binh province, is one of the world's two largest limestone regions, Viet Nam's Phong Nha-Ke Bang national park has been recognized as a world natural heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Phong Nha - Ke Bang has 7 most attractive features in the World: The longest underground water cave, The widest and highest cavern entrance, The widest and prettiest sand bank and rock formation, The prettiest underground lake, The most miraculous and magnificent stalactite, The longest underground river in Vietnam, The widest and prettiest cavern and passageway.
Upon arrival in Phong Nha area, you will visit Paradise cave an "Underground royal palace", a largest and most beautiful cave in the Phong Nha - Ke Bang area. You take the electrical car from the parking to the foothills of the cave (2km) and admire countless stalactites with different shapes in the cave. Descend into the cave on a wooden walkway, made to protect and preserve the fragile cave formations. This walkway continues for 1 km through the enormous, well lighted cave.
Boarding your private boat for the 2.5 km leisurely boat trip down the Son River to the mouth of the Phong Nha cave. Pass by the entrance to the mystical tunnels, filled with giant stalactites and stalagmites and crystal clear waters and take a couple hours to see the cave. This cave is called as water cave, is famous for its rock formation.
Drive back to Hue city. Upon arrival in the evening, check-in hotel and have refreshment at the hotel. Overnight in Hue.
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Day 9: HUE – DA NANG – HOI AN (Breakfast)
In the morning, you will be picked up by car and visit two typical tombs of Hue dynasty. Start with Tu Duc tomb: contribute in 1864-1867s included 50 architectural works. Difference with Tu Duc tomb, Khai Dinh tomb is smaller and contribution style is affected by European and Oriental Architectural. Special, the biggest stone dragon is design along the stair-step lead to central chamber.
Leaving Hue for Hoi An (ca. 130km with 2,5 hours driving), a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries whose architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years. The scenic route passes through the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co before climbing over the Pass of Hai Van.
Drive through Danang and make a stop at the Cham museum (closed on Monday), which contains the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world.
Upon reaching Hoi An, transfer to your hotel for checking in. This evening is at your leisure. Overnight in Hoi An.
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Day 10: HOI AN CITY TOUR – TRA QUE VILLAGE (Breakfast, Lunch)
Breakfast at hotel.
08:00: Join the tour to a local farm Tra Que Village with bicycle. A short stroll will take you around the vegetable garden and then you can join the farmers in preparing the land and fertilizing it with seaweed from the local lake. Following steps are raking the ground, sowing, watering, picking vegetables and many other gardening activities. After all these activities, you will take a short rest and enjoy foot bath before getting to preparing lunch with a local family. Your lunch will consist of many local delicacies including ‘tam huu’ spring roll, Banh xeo or local pancake of people in Viet Nam middle region. You can join the cooking with the chef on these meals. After your morning excursion and your lunch, you will take a Vietnamese traditional post-prandial nap before learning how to harvest and wrap the vegetables.
Afternoon, return back and visit Hoi An ancient town, 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 town, some of which are the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, Trieu Chau Assembly house, 200 years old Tan Ky House & Historical museum. Today we include these on a walking tour past many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls, which reflect the town's multi-cultural past.
17:00: Transfer back to your hotel.
Free at leisure for your own shopping/walking in the ancient town. Overnight in Hoi An.
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Day 11: HOI AN TOWN – FREE DAY (Breakfast)
Break fast at hotel.
Day free at your leisure to cycle through rice paddies in the countryside of Hoi An ancient town, shop for souvenirs among the antique shops and art galleries, or just sit at sidewalk cafes and soak up the atmosphere of this quaint town. Or you can take shuttles transfer from your hotel to the white sandy beach of the famous Cua Dai beach. Overnight in Hoi An.
Note: No meal, tour guide and transportation today.
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Day 12: HOI AN – DA NANG – HO CHI MINH (Breakfast, Dinner)
Free at leisure until we pick you up and transfer to Danang airport for the morning flight to Ho Chi Minh city.
Upon your arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport, pick up and transfer to your hotel for check-in.
In the afternoon, start your sightseeing with a walking tour in Dong Khoi street and visit Notre Dame cathedral, the spiritual and cultural crucible of the French presence in the Orient & the General Post Office, City Hall and Opera House, the ancient & with French colonial architecture style. Then visit Reunification palace which was the workplace of the President of South Vietnam & was then known as Independence palace. Continue visiting War museum which primarily contains exhibits relating to the American phase of the Vietnam War and is a major tourist attraction.
Today evening, have dinner at Ngon restaurant and enjoy the Vietnamese traditional cuisines. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.
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Day 13: HO CHI MINH CITY – CU CHI TUNNEL (Breakfast)
Today morning, leave Ho Chi Minh for Cu Chi tunnels. In Cu Chi, starts with an introductory video detailing its long 25-year construction. Then it is time to go underground in the infamous 120-mile Cu Chi tunnel system which offered a safe haven for soldiers and thousands of Vietnamese people during the Vietnam War. It is virtually an underground city with dwelling houses, schools, hospitals and factories. On display are booby traps, the remains of a US army tank and huge craters left by American B52 bombs. Here you will have the opportunity to witness how rice paper is made and to explore the amazing labyrinth of tunnels used by the guerrillas during the war.
On the way back to Saigon, take a break in the rubber forests, where you can touch the rubber tree, see the latex and listen to the explanations of the origin and economic benefits of rubber trees in Vietnam.
Return to Ho Chi Minh city and then visit the FITO museum, Vietnam's first traditional medicine museum displaying an amazing collection of 3,000 items relevant to the development of traditional Vietnamese medicine, implements used to prepare indigenous herbs, objects commonly found in traditional pharmacies as well as ancient books and documents on traditional Vietnamese medicine. The final stop is at Ben Thanh market which is always loaded with varieties of goods, such as consumer goods, cakes and candies, food and foodstuff, and particularly high-quality fruit and vegetables. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.
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Day 14: HO CHI MINH CITY – VINH LONG – CAN THO (Breakfast, Lunch)
Breakfast at hotel
Transferring from the centre of Ho Chi Minh City at 7.00, you will reach Cai Be at 9.30 AM. We will pick up you at the first stop-over - Cao Dai Temple Cai Be which is symbolizing for the local unique religion and then the Cai Be Cathedral.
After that, you will embark on the boat to visit the inland and floating markets of Cai Be to observe the daily life of local people as well as to know how the two markets different from each other.
You will buy fresh tropical fruits right at locals own boats and have chance to talk to them for exploring more their own culture value along with their daily life.
Leaving the market, you will continue with a hand-rowing boat tour to discover the exciting Mekong river life. The small boat will travel through the tiny canals and lead you to the meeting spots.
Back to the main tourist boat and transfer to Tan Phong Island. Take a short rest, have a drink and taste the local fresh fruits.
Next, we will cycle around Tan Phong Island to visit the traditional handicraft workshops of handbags, rice papers along with wooden tables and chairs. If it is on schooldays, you will also have a chance to make friends with local cute and gentle pupils in a village school. Stop at a local farmer's house to savour a cup of tea and local specialties of banana candies. You can try plucking the fruits at the host's garden and talk to him to understand how local farmers take care for their gardens.
Saying goodbye to the hospitable host, we keep on biking to the bang conical hat workshop. Lunch with local food and break before embarking on boat to leave Tan Phong Island for the pier at 17:30. Then, transfer to Can Tho.
Have a free evening in Can Tho. Overnight in Can Tho.
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Day 15: CAN THO – HO CHI MINH CITY – DEPARTURE (Breakfast)
After breakfast, you will board a sampan boat to Cai Rang floating market, the region’s busiest and most lively markets. Marvel at the sheer abundance of exotic fruits, vegetables and skilfully handcrafted regional products. We will pull up to the boats for talking and bargaining with the merchants. We will also visit some of the local candy and cake making factories or boat through the green water landscape to see local houses, verdant orchards and ship-building yards.
Then, take a short cycling tour through the green water landscape to see monkey bridges, local houses, verdant orchards and ship-building yards of Ba Lang island.
At the end of tour, transfer back from Can Tho to Ho Chi Minh City.
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh city around 16:00pm and transfer to the airport for flight departure. End of services.
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INCLUSION
Meals
22 meals: 14 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinner
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Transport
Private transportation, boat, night cruise
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Accommodation
Hotels (13 nights), Night cruise (1 night)
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Activities
Ha Noi – Ha Long overnight on cruise
Ha Noi – Ninh Binh – Trang An
Hue – Back Ma national park
Dong Hoi – Phong Nha Ke Bang national park
Da Nang – Hoi An – Tra Que village
Ho Chi Minh city tour – Cu Chu tunnels – Mekong delta
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Guide
English speaking guide
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Price
* Any group size greater than 8 pax, please contact us at inbound.sgn@transviet.com for better quotation
* Date and time correspond to Vietnam time zone (GMT+7)
* All prices are quoted in US$
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