GLIMPSE OF VIETNAM
8 DAYS

Destinations: Hanoi, Halong Bay, Da Nang, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City

Our glimpse of Vietnam is designed for those with limited time to see all the major highlights of the country. Start by discovering the multi-dimensional charm of a thousand-year-old Hanoi and delight at a traditional water puppetry. Cruise through the breathtaking maze of limestone karst in Halong Bay on a junk boat, then step on to the historical treasure-trove of Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary. Finish the trip at the energetic Ho Chi Minh City where you will visit the complex underground tunnel of Cu Chi to learn more about the courage and creativity of Vietnamese people in wartimes

Full Itinerary of vietnam-discovery

DAY 1    Hanoi Arrival - Cyclo Tour    Meals:

Arrival Hanoi airport, warm welcomed by our guide & driver then transfer to the city. Hanoi or “River-bound City” as its name literally means is Vietnam’s capital with a thousand-year-old history dating back to 1010. The city’s fascinating beauty which is characterized by unique cultural relics, ancient streets of antique houses, elegant French colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and romantic lakes has made it one of the most charming cities of Asia.

Check in hotel then take an hour for  cycle tour of the Old Quarter of Hanoi with its ancient streets representing traditional trades from the past.

DAY 2    Hanoi Full Day City Tour    Meals: B    

The city tour begins with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Complex which features the life of Ho Chi Minh, the nation’s founder. At the complex, visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the nation’s founder’s body is preserved (closed on Monday, Friday and through October - November), the colonial Presidential Palace, originally the French Governor Office and a fine example of French architecture in Hanoi, and the rural style Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked. Stop by one of Hanoi’s icons, the One Pillar Pagoda, built in the 11th Century in dedication to Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara or Buddha of Compassion and reminiscent of a lotus blossom rising from a pond. Continue to the Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam built in 1070 by the Ly Dynasty to honor Confucius, sages and outstanding Vietnamese scholars.

Afternoon, continue the tour to one of the following museums of choice namely the Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of Vietnamese History, the Museum of Revolution, the Museum of Military History or the Museum of Ethnology. Next, head for Hoan Kiem Lake, the center point of Hanoi whose name “The Return Sword Lake” originated from a legend of a sacred sword and home to a rare endangered giant turtle species and visit Ngoc Son Temple on the lake. Finish the tour at the Thang Long Opera Theatre with a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show.

DAY 3    Hanoi - Halong Overnight On Boat    Meals: B,L,D    

Morning pickup at 8:00 AM from your hotel for transfer to Halong Bay, which is about 160 km or 3.5-hour drive away. The transfer is approximately 3 hours. You will see some rural areas of the Red River Delta with plenty of chances to take photos of Vietnamese farmers working in paddy fields and you may stop on the way to admire the local scenery. 

Arrive in Halong City at 11:30 AM and check in aboard the booked junk right after the welcome drink is served. Start cruising while having lunch on board and enjoy the mighty bay view.

Arrive in Halong City at 11:30 AM and check in aboard the booked junk when your journey across Halong Bay starts. Halong Bay meaning Descending Dragon Bay in Vietnamese as legend has it that it was where a holly dragon landed down from sky. The bay, famous as one of the world’s wonders and heritage sites whose formation dates back 500 million years, consists of around 2,000 karst islands and islets scattered over an area of 1,553 km2.

After lunch, take a short trek to a nearby summit for a panoramic view of the bay dotted with golden sails, go swimming on a quiet beach or sunbath on the sundeck. Later in the afternoon, you will visit an interesting fishing village with an opportunity to interact with local people who have been living in the bay for almost three generations. An optional kayaking trip is available weather permitting. Back onboard enjoy a lavish dinner and enjoy the bay view at sunset. Spend a night on board.

DAY 4    Halong – But Thap Pagoda – Take Flight To Da Nang    Meals: B    

In the morning, refresh your body and mind with a Tai Chi exercise on the sundeck at the break of dawn. Have tea and coffee onboard and continue exploring Halong Bay sailing across its 2000 islets and visiting some of its major highlights. Normally, check out at 09:30, have a buffet brunch while cruising back to shore. Disembark at 11:00 AM to transfer to Hanoi capital. 

One the way from Halong to Hanoi, you will stop to visit But Thap pagoda - the country’s cultural historic relic. The pagoda was built under the dynasty of King Tran Thanh Tong (1258-1278) and rebuilt in 1647 in the Le Dynasty. Admire magnificent architecture of the most typical pagoda in Vietnam with 4 hundreds year statues.

When you arrive Hanoi International airport, check in broad and take fight to Da Nang

Arrival Da Nang International airport, meet our guide & driver then transfer to hotel in Hoi An for check in.

DAY 5    Full Day Ancient Town & My Son    Meals: B  

 Morning, meet our guide at your hotel in Hoi An Town (or Da Nang) and transfer about 40 km West of Hoi An to visit My Son Sanctuary, another UNESCO-recognized world heritage which was once a religious center of Cham people where royal ceremonies and burials were performed.  One sites that you cannot fail to visit while in Hoi An. My Son is a great sample of the ancient Champa civilization which was an independent state from around the 2nd to the 17th century, at which time it was occupied by the South part of Vietnam. The impressive Hindu-themed ruins feature many beautiful stone sculptures, temples and towers in tropical jungle surroundings. My Son was also a political central and a royal burial ground and the complex consists of more than 70 structures devoted to Hindu gods and goddesses and the most noticeable one, Shiva, was considered the protector of the Champa’s kings. Their skillful use of red bricks and sandstone is remarkable. In general, this Hindu sanctuary reminds you of other similar sites in Southeast Asia including the great Angkor Wat in Cambodia. This is a must-visit for those who love history.

Afternoon, transfer for a city tour in Hoi An - the city recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site is now popular as a city of peaceful with well-preserved architecture, lifestyles and traditions. Your visiting will be impressed by an enchanting fusion of culture from Vietnam and also outside world including China, Japan, Thailand and the Philippines. Today, to explore almost the main attracting spot in Hoi An, our guide will take you to the iconic 400 year old Covered Bridge which a Japanese-styled temple is based on. Then continue to the Museum of Trade Ceramics – a Vietnamese Style wooden house which has showcased antique ceramic artifacts since 1858, the Tan Ky House which has had a long lasting of 200-year-old – an ancient Chinese merchant residence, the Ong temple for worshiping an ancient Chinese general who had been admired as his loyalty, bravery and justice - Guan Yu, which is built in 1653 by the Chinese settlers. Finish tour, our guide takes you to see the colors activities in local market.

DAY 6    Da Nang Departure - Take Flight To Ho Chi Minh - Half Day City Tour    Meals: B    

Free at leisure until transfer to Danang airport for flight...

Arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, welcome by our guide and transfer to your hotel. Ho Chi Minh City formerly named Saigon is the largest city and economic center of Vietnam always bustled with activities of modern life. It is where businesses converge and shoppers indulge themselves into unlimited choices. However the city also carries with it a rich historical legacy in contrast with its dazzling glamor.

Afternoon, we start the tour with a visit to the War Remnants Museum which features a comprehensive collection of the machinery, weapons, photos, and documentation of Vietnam War with the both the French and Americans and the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975. Last, stop for shopping at the French-built Ben Thanh Market which dates back to 1870 and whose main entrance clock tower has become a city’s symbol. 

DAY 7    Ho Chi Minh – Cuchi Tunnels – Half Day Free In Ho Chi Minh    Meals: B    

Morning, meet your guide and transfer about 75 km North-west of downtown Ho Chi Minh City. Discover the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, which were once a major underground hideout and resistance base of Viet Cong forces during the two wars against the French and the Americans. The tunnels, entirely hand-dug, formed a highly intricate network of interlinked multilevel passageways at times stretched as far as the Cambodian border and totaling over 120 km in length. Its complexity was beyond imagination containing meeting rooms, kitchens, wells, clinics, schools, depots, trenches and emergency exits all aimed for guerrilla warfare. The tunnels were deep and strong enough to withstand destructive bombings and self-contained enough to outlast prolonged sieges. Return to the city at noon time for a restHave breakfast in your hotel then enjoy a free day in Ho Chi Minh.

DAY 8    Ho Chi Minh Departure    Meals: B    

Meet our guide & driver at the hotel lobby then transfer to Saigon airport for flight

What's included
Accommodation in a double or twin room with daily breakfast
One night cruise on a wooden junk in Ha Long Bay
Lunch or dinner as specified in the itinerary (B=Breakfast/ L=Lunch/ D=Dinner)
Services of a driver and private air-conditioned vehicle during all tours and transfers.
Experienced English speaking guide during all tours and transfers
Private board for sightseeing as mentioned in the program, 
Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the itinerary
Mineral water is available as complementary
1 FOC  based on single used from 16 paxs up
What's excluded
International & Domestic flight tickets
Personal expenses, such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc. All other services not specified in the itinerary
Meals, if not specified in the itinerary
Tipping for guides, drivers, hotel staff, restaurant staff, boat rider, etc.
Surcharge for Peak season, Tet Lunar New year holidays, and compulsory dinner at some hotel & resort on Xmas and New year’s Eve
Travel insurance (we highly recommend that you purchase adequate insurance).
VAT