2 Hanoi + 1 Halong Bay Cruise +3 Nights Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)
Vietnam: A land of staggering natural beauty and cultural complexities, of dynamic megacities and hill-tribe villages, Vietnam is both exotic and compelling. Unforgettable experiences are everywhere in Vietnam. There’s the sublime: gazing over a surreal seascape of limestone islands from the deck of a traditional junk in Halong Bay. The inspirational: exploring the world’s most spectacular cave systems in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. And the contemplative: witnessing a solitary grave in a cemetery of thousands of war victims.
Day 01
Arrive Hanoi - Hanoi City Tour
- Welcome to Hanoi – Vietnam! The driver will be welcoming you at Noi Bai airport; it takes us 35 minutes driving to the center of Hanoi then check-in at the hotel. (No Guide) The rest of the day is free at leisure. Overnight stay at your hotel in Hanoi.
Day 02
Hanoi (B)
- Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Let’s start our city tour from Temple of Literature, the 1st university in Vietnam then continue to Ba Dinh Square - the biggest square in Hanoi where all biggest cultural, political events of the cities for taking photos of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Later have an overall view of the capital by a “cyclo” visit, which will start around the Old Quarter of Hanoi, stop at Ngoc Son Temple located on the Hoan Kiem Lake (the “Sword” Lake). We will also visit Tran Quoc Pagoda & West Lake, One Pillar Pagoda. Free time at the night market in Hanoi Old Quarter (Open 7 pm to 10 pm Fridays - Sundays) Overnight stay at your hotel in Hanoi.
Day 03
Hanoi – Overnight Cruise – Halong (B/L/D)
- Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Check – out. Early morning pick up at your hotel and head east for more than 3 hours by shuttle bus to Halong Bay, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO in 1994 and 2006. The road will pass by the Red River delta with green paddy fields and rural villages, where hard-work farmers are busy with their farming jobs, plowing buffaloes or planting seedling. Upon arrival in Halong, we’ll take a big boat to cruise the Bay to discover the magnificent beauty of this “Descending-dragon” bay, created by thousands of odd-shaped limestone rocks and karst grottoes. After a lunch of fresh seafood onboard, we can visit the Surprising Grotto, stop for swimming or kayaking (own expense), passing floating villages and approach islets to enjoy their beauty in close distance. Evening attends activities on the boat or relaxes at your own leisure. Overnight stay on the boat.
Day 04
Halong – Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) (B/BRUNCH)
- You must wake upto see the sunrise over Ha Long Bay – something you will never forget!! After a light breakfast, visit by boat to Luon Cave, a ring-shaped pool inside an island in Halong with absolutely tranquil landscape and emerald water. Back to the Wharf of Halong passing the most densely area with many islands that have been named like the Cock-Fighting Rock, Sail Island, Incense burner rock or Sea Dog Rock. Arrive at Halong Wharf around 11.00. Return back to Hanoi where the shuttle bus will drop you off at Hanoi Old Quarter. A private vehicle will then take you to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Our driver will be welcoming you at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Transfer to hotel (Approx. 30 mins). Check-in and relax. (Standard check-in time is 14.00 hrs.) Overnight stay at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 05
Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels (B)
- Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Let’s depart for Cu Chi Tunnels – Never discovered by American forces, the Cu Chi Tunnels were an important Vietcong base during the American War. Stretching over 200 km, this incredible underground network, dug by hand out of hard laterite, connected command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapons factories. Today, walk through the area and learn about the day to day life of the Vietcong, bear witness to the cleverly disguised entrances and elaborate booby-traps, and even venture inside the tunnels, some of which have been modified to accommodate tourists. Later we will be doing a city tour of Saigon. A vibrant metropolis, Saigon teems with energy, activity and motion. Everywhere you look, you see the meeting of traditional and modern life. The emerging modern skyline stands cheek by jowl with colonial buildings and traditional temples. Outside on the streets, young professionals zip by on motorbikes, chatting on cell phones; inside the quiet temple courtyards, worshippers pray amidst clouds of incense. Begin the tour of this exciting city with a tour of the historic centre. Pass by classic European-style landmarks such as the ornate City Hall (Hotel DE Ville), the old Opera House (both may only be viewed from the outside), and pay a quick visit to the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Afterwards dive into modern history with a tour of the Reunification Palace. Formerly the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president, this 60s style was famously stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975 signifying the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved in its original state, and the original tanks remain on display near the entrance gates. Continue to the harrowing WAR Remnants Museum, which comprehensively documents the travails of the long Vietnam- American War. Inside are detailed photographic exhibitions; outside is a collection of tanks, planes and weapons. A powerful experience, this museum is guaranteed to provoke strong emotions. Afterwards free time for shopping on own at Ben Thanh Market. Overnight stay at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 06
Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Tour (B/L)
- Enjoy early breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to My Tho with a boat trip to Mekong River islands From Saigon, transfer to My Tho (Approx 2 hrs), a bustling town in the rich agricultural region of the Mekong Delta. We will be stopping for a brief visit to a local cottage industry along with way. Hop onto a tuk-tuk for a leisurely ride through the countryside. Lunch will be at a local traditional Mekong Village restaurant (Local meal only) Afterward, board a motorboat to explore the Mekong River Islands. Transfer back to your vehicle to return back to the hotel. Overnight stay at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 07
Depart Ho Chi Minh City (B)
- Breakfast at the hotel. Check – out and transfer to the airport for your flight to onward destination or back home.
- Accommodation on Bed & Breakfast Basis: (Daily breakfast except on the day of arrival)
- Sightseeing and entrance as per itinerary.
- English-speaking guide as per itinerary in Vietnam.
- Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver (or shuttle bus for the days as mentioned)
- Shuttle bus Hanoi – Halong – Hanoi.
- Cruise on Non-private junk in Ha Long bay.
- Entrance fee to indicated sights, boat trips
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary: B= Breakfast; L= Lunch; D= Dinner
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