ULTIMATE VIETNAM-9 NIGHTS / 10 DAYS

DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL                                                        

On arrival in Hanoi, meet & greet by Destinaton Service’s tour guide and transfer to your hotel in centre of the town. Check in and free. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

DAY 2: HANOI (B)

Today, you will visit Ba Dinh Square where silent sentries guard the mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh lies in state (closed every Friday & Monday & October/ November). See the simple cottage where Uncle Ho lived and worked and visit the nearby museum, the next stop is the Temple of Literature. Later in the afternoon, explore Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, followed by a cycle tour through the old quarter of Hanoi and if time permits, stroll around the old French quarter, before attending a traditional water puppetry show. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

DAY 3: HANOI – HALONG BAY (B, L, D)

Travel to the World Heritage listed area of Halong Bay where you will board the exquisite sampan. This traditional-style boat is lavishly furnished with private cabins, sun deck and a dining room. You will carry sea kayaks on board so you can take to the sea amid the towering karst peaks and swim in secluded days. Overnight on the cruise.

Notes:

• Return transfers Hanoi – Halong – Hanoi by the cruise’s shuttle bus; pick up and drop off at your hotel in town,
• You can leave your main luggage at the hotel in Hanoi, just bring necessary travel items along on board,
• Kayaking is not included and only serves upon request at additional cost,
• The cruise itinerary is subject to change upon the weather’s condition.

DAY 4: HALONG – HANOI – HUE (B)

Start the day with an early morning exercise on the sundeck or watch sunrise from the sundeck with a warming coffee. After a late breakfast, disembark at approximately 11:00 am for your return transfer to Hanoi arriving approximately 3pm. Transfer directly to the airport for your flight to Hue via VN1549 HAN-HUI 1915/2030 (subject to change). Overnight at hotel in Hue.

DAY 5: HUE – DANANG - HOI AN (B)

Cruise along the Perfume River to visit the Heavenly Lady Pagoda, the Old Imperial City - modelled after the Forbidden City in Peking and the tombs of Nguyen Emperior Minh Mang & Tu Duc. Today, you will continue south by road to Hoi An, the scenery en route is beautiful as you hug the coastline of the South China Sea before winding our way up the spectacular Hai Van  Pass. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

DAY 6: HOI AN (B)

Hoi An is a charming small town that can be easily explored on foot. More than any other place in Vietnam, it retains the feeling of centuries past and is a favourite with all travellers for its beautiful Chinese architecture, lively markets and picturesque seafront. Later in the afternoon, take a cruise on the Thu Bon River with stops at Thanh Ha pottery village and Kim Bong Carpenters’ village.  Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

DAY 7: HOI AN – DANANG - SAIGON (B)

Morning transfer to the airport for flight to Saigon via VN117 DAD-SGN 1000/1125 (subject to change). Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Saigon the largest Vietnamese city with its street markets, sidewalk cafes and sleek new bars, combined with 300 years of timeless traditions and the beauty of an ancient culture, including the visits at Reunification Palace, War Museum and China Towm. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 8: SAIGON (B)

Depart Saigon for a scenic morning drive through the Mekong Delta. At My Tho take a boat along Tien River to an orchard garden before floating on a sampan through the narrow, tree-lined canals of the Mekong Delta. Visit Vinh Trang pogoda before returning to Saigon. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 9: SAIGON (B)

Morning excursion to Cu Chi, 70km away from saigon.  You will visit the Cu Chi tunnels built by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War as a place of refuge from the US forces. Perhaps more than any other site in Vietnam, this brings to life the appalling hardships experienced during the war and we have the chance to work in the tunnels and experience what it must have been like. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 10: SAIGON – DEPARTURE (B)

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for onward / return flights or by road on to Phan Thiet for a beach extension.