Highlights of Vietnam

Today you will visit the historic Reunification Palace and War Remnants Museum, followed by the architectural treats of French colonial Notre Dame Cathedral and the Post Office. After lunch in a Vietnamese restaurant you will go on a road trip to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. At its height the tunnel system stretched over 200km, from Saigon to the Cambodian border and is three levels deep. The network included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels are a major tourist attraction, giving to the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life in the American war must have been. The tunnels have been widened for our benefit (otherwise you would not be able to enter them!). Return to HCMC late in the afternoon for your overnight stay.

In the morning you will have a road trip from your hotel in Saigon to Cai Be town where you will start your boat sail through the natural canal. First, visit Cai Be floating market and view the stilt houses and the fruit plantations along the riversides. The boat takes you to the river island where you enjoy a delicious lunch in the heart of the orchard. After lunch, continue on cruising through the natural canal in the island and under the shadow of the water coconut trees. You will also visit the local families where you can experience the agricultural lifestyle. Walking through the fruit plantations in An Binh Island, take a rowing boat sealing along the creeks before coming to Vinh Long by motorized boat. Then you will meet your vehicle to drive to Can Tho city for your overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel, spend this morning for a boat trip to visit the Cai Rang Floating market, one of the busiest floating markets in the South East Asia.  After watching how locals live and  market their products on boats and purchase among them, the boat takes you back to North bank of Hau river where you will be driven back to HCMC for your overnight stay. Stop en route for lunch.

After breakfast, free at leisure until you get transferred to the airport for an hour flight to Danang. On arrival, you will be driven to hotel in Hoian for check in. After lunch time, discover the narrow lanes lined with centuries-old houses influenced by Chinese, Japanese, French and European architectures, visit Japanese Covered Bridge, Phuc Kien Assembly Halls and Phung Hung Ancient House. Rest of the day is free at your own pace. Overnight in Hoian.

You will have a full day free at leisure to explore town or do one of the following optional activities:

Option A: Cooking class: After a tour of the morning market and some shopping for the ingredients required, you will take a boat to the beautiful set Red Bridge cooking school and restaurant.

Suitable for all levels and ability, it will be a fun morning and we get to ‘enjoy’ our efforts in the restaurant for lunch. Tour will finish at 14:00 at our hotel.

Option B: Or My Son Sanctuary: After breakfast, you will be taken on a half day tour of ‘My Son Holly Land” to see the historic and cultural ruins of the 4-13th century Champa civilization. Leave for Hoian boat station to take a boat to visit Thanh Ha Ceramics and Cam Kim Carpentry. Back to Hoian Town for lunch.

Both options (Option A or B) will be available. In the afternoon, you will enjoy your free time for shopping or taking in the beautiful scenery along the Thu Bon River and Cua Dai Beach. Overnight in Hoi An.

After breakfast, a breathtaking journey over the Hai Van Pass brings you to Hue, where you will take a boat cruise on Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda and Khai Dinh tomb. On the way to Hue there will be a photo opportunity at the famous China Beach. Overnight in Hue.

After breakfast at our hotel, you will visit Ancient Citadel, Imperial City, Typical Garden House and Dong Ba Market. Rest of the day is free at your own pace. Overnight in Hue.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. On arrival, visit the Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison known as “Hanoi Hilton” by the American Pilots in the 1960’s and 70’s. Continue to visit the Hoan Kiem Lake before enjoying the Water Puppet show. Overnight in Hanoi.

Morning depart to Halong Bay, which is recognized by UNESCO as World Natural Heritage Site. On arrival, board your boat and enjoy a welcome drink on the vessel. The cruise will begin with a visit to Cave of Surprise. Take an hour walking tour of the cave. Depending on the weather, enjoy a swim at Titop Beach before heading to Trong Cave, where dinner will be served on board. Free at leisure or fishing. Overnight on board.

Having breakfast on board then you will visit Luon Cave by small sampan. You will continuously pass the area where the scenes of the famous film “Indochina” were filmed to see the famous islets along the way such as Teapot islet, Marker Islet, Fire islet, and Dove Islet. After lunch on board, arrive at the wharf at noon and transfer to Hanoi for an overnight stay.

Check out of your hotel. You will visit Ho Chi Minh complex and Vietnam Ethnology Museum before transferring to the airport for your flight home. End of services.