Classic Images of Today's Vietnam Tour 10D9N - Private journey

BRIEF ITINERARY
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Day 2: Full day Hanoi city tour (B)
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B/L/D)
Day 4:  Halong Bay – Hanoi (Brunch)
Day 5: Hanoi – Hue (B)
Day 6: Hue – Hoi An (B)
Day 7: Hoi An (B)
Day 8: Hoi An – Danang - Ho Chi Minh city - Cu Chi Tunnels (B)
Day 9: Mekong Delta (B/L)
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh Departure (B)

FULL ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
You will be met at the airport and transferred to your centrally located hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure.
Overnight in hotel, Hanoi

Day 2: Full day Hanoi city tour (B)
Breakfast at hotel.
Today, we commence our exploration of Hanoi by visiting the Ho Chi Minh complex, starting at the President’s Mausoleum. We continue to his humble “house on stilts”, see the French colonial Presidential Palace and the 11th century One-Pillar Pagoda.
Afterwards we visit the Temple of Literature - one of the most interesting shrines in Hanoi, called “Le Pagoda des Corbeaux” by the French, because of the huge flocks of crows gathering in the mango trees near the entrance. Built in 1070, the complex consists of five courtyards dedicated to Confucius and the pursuit of Confucian thought and behavior. It is here that Vietnam’s first university was founded.
After lunch (by guest’s account), we go to the Museum of Ethnology, which is an excellent museum containing the ethnic costumes of the various minorities of VN, as well as relics, tools and even full size replicas of their homes and buildings.
We head to the downtown and enjoy a Cyclo ride through the Old Quarter. Here many tiny streets join to sell a huge diversity of products. In the old days, each street bore the name of the product sold – “Shoe street”, “Noodle street” and the like. Today, the streets sometimes sell a variety of items, but often the names are accurate. The Old Quarter also houses some of the most interesting art galleries and fashion houses.
Leaving the cyclo, you will walk around the Hoan Kiem Lake before attending a famous Water Puppet show.
Free evening at leisure and dinner on your own.
Overnight in hote, Hanoi
Note: Ho Chi Minh complex closes on Monday, Friday and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum closes in every afternoon. All Museums in Hanoi closes on Monday.

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B/ L/ D)
After breakfast, we leave Hanoi for 3-hour drive to the Halong Bay, a natural wonder with thousands of islands rising out of the water, creating an unique and beautiful landscape. On arrival, we board our traditional junk for a journey through the 3,000 limestone islands dotted with caves and grottoes.
You will savor a delicious Vietnamese buffet lunch while have a cool drink. The cruise heads to Bai Tu Long Bay passing the town of Hon Gai, Cam Pha, Oan Lagoon, Mat Quy (Monster Head) and Am Tich (Teapot) islets and Vung Vieng fishing village. Continue enjoy a fantastic cruise on Halong Bay to see amazing karsts with different formations.
There is time for exploring the Bay at a leisure pace: swimming, sunbathing, relaxing and experiencing the magic of falling asleep on board in this beautiful part of the world. Sumptious Seafoo Set-Dinner on board and relax under the starlit sky before retiring to the comfort of your cabin.
Overnight onboard Bhaya Classic, Ha Long Bay.

Day 4:  Halong Bay – Hanoi (Brunch)
Early risers can enjoy a morning swim in a quite firth. Start your day with Tai Chi Class on the sundeck while complimentary tea and coffee are served. You will continue enjoy cruising through the Bay passing beautiful spots like Trong (Drum), Trinh Nu (Virgin), Mekong Caves, Coc Ngoi (Toad) islets… explore the Sung Sot cave (Surprise cave), one of the highlights of the bay. Buffet brunch is served on board before the vessel cruises leisurely back to harbor.
We drive back Hanoi with a stop at Dong Trieu ceramic and pottery village. Lunch enroute.
Overnight in hotel, Hanoi

Day 5: Hanoi – Hue (B)
A short domestic flight takes you from Hanoi to Hue, the ancient Imperial city. In the afternoon we begin to see the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden City, created in the 19th century for the Emperors under Nguyen Dynasty. We then drive outskirts of Hue to the impressive tomb of King Khai Dinh.
Overnight in hotel, Hue

Day 6: Hue – Hoi An (B)
This morning we take a boat ride along the romantic Perfume River. We stop at Thien Mu Pagoda to see the 7-storey octagonal tower and an old Austin car which transported the bonze Thich Quang to Saigon in 1963 for his self-immolation. Continue tour by boat to Minh Mang Tomb built between 1841 and 1843. The Emperor’s tomb complex consists of 40 constructions (palaces, temples, pavilions etc) designed on a symmetric axis.
This afternoon we travel by road over spectacular Hai Van pass to Hoi An ancient town.
Overnight in hotel, Hoi An

Day 7: Hoi An (B)
In the morning, we will enjoy a half-day walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the Ancient Quarter visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Halls, the 200-year old Tam Ky ancestral house, the Japanese Covered Bridge and the colorful local markets.
The afternoon is free to relax or hire a bicycle to ride to the nearby beach.
Overnight in hotel, Hoi An

Day 8: Hoi An – Danang - Ho Chi Minh city - Cu Chi Tunnels (B)
In the early morning we transfer to Danang airport to fly to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Upon arrival, we take a half-day city tour. We explore city’s grand boulevards, passing famous sites such as the Re-Unification Palace, the Old Saigon Post Office, and the Notre Dame Cathedral.
We leave Saigon after lunch (by guest’s account) to Cu Chi tunnels, an incredible underground system covering nearly 250km, was shelter to over 16,000 communist guerillas during the war. Come back Ho Chi Minh city in late afternoon.
Overnight in hotel, Ho Chi Minh city

Day 9: Mekong Delta (B/ L)
After breakfast we travel out of Ho Chi Minh city and spend full day floating through waterways on an exploration of the lush Mekong Delta region. Upon arrival Cai Be province, we take a boat ride visit a local orchard and the Cai Be floating market, an interesting style of market in the Mekong Delta. Everyday, the boats filled with fruits, vegetables and other local products anchor along the banks of the River, waiting for traders and customers. Here we can see local people being selling, buying, and exchanging goods from their boats.
Leave Cai Be, we will see the coconut candy, rise crispy cake, rice paper making workshop… continue to visit the local house and strolling on the village paths. For lunch, the local people will serve you the local delicacy - an Elephant’s-Ear fish. After that you walk around the village to sea local's daily activities if you wish. We will visit Vinh Long local market before return to Saigon in late afternoon.
Free evening at leisure and dinner on your own.
Overnight in hotel, Ho Chi Minh City

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh Departure (B)
Free at your leisure until transfer to airport for your return flight.

Trip concludes./.

PRICE INCLUSIONS
• All land transportation by private air conditioned vehicles
• Tour arrival and departure airport transfers
• 8 night accommodation in comfortable hotels on a twin-share basic
• 1 night accommodation in a traditional junk in Halong Bay
• 8 Breakfasts (B), 2 Lunches (L), 1 Dinner (D), 1 Brunch as shown in the itinerary
• Domestic flights (economy class): Hanoi- Hue, Danang – Saigon
• Local English speaking guides
• Private boat trips on Perfume River and Mekong Delta
• Sightseeing fees

PRICE EXCLUSIONS
• International airfare and airport tax in & out Vietnam
• Drinks and other meals do not indicate in the program
• Visa to Vietnam, if any
• Early check-in and late check-out at all hotels
• Kayak, Massage, Tai Chi Class
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, shopping...)
• Tipping/ Gratuities
• Any additional expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such as natural calamities (typhoon, floods), flight delays, rescheduling or cancellations, any accidents, medical evacuations, riots, strikes etc.

HOTELS TO BE USED

In Hanoi:
Deluxe: Melia Hanoi Hotel/ Sheraton Hanoi Hotel/ InterContinental Hanoi Westlake/ Sofitel Plaza Hanoi Hotel or similar
Superior: Zephyr Hotel/ Sunway Hanoi Hotel / Fortuna Hotel/ Serenade Hotel or similar
Standard: Maison D’Hanoi/ Jasper Hotel/Majestic Salute Hotel/ Galaxy Hotel/ Hoa Binh Palace Hotel/ Rosaliza Hotel or similar
Economy: Hong Ngoc Hotel / Gia Bao Hotel / Flower Hotel or similar

In Halong:
Deluxe: Bhaya cruises (Deluxe cabin)
Superior: Bhaya cruises (Deluxe cabin)
Standard: Hai Long Suite (Deluxe cabin)
Economy: Hai Long Suite (Deluxe cabin)

In Hue:
Deluxe: La Residence Hotel & Spa/ Imperial Hotel/ Pilgrimage Village Resort or similar
Superior: Saigon Morin Hotel/ Huong Giang Hotel or similar
Standard: Green Hotel/ Park view Hotel/ Festival Hotel/ Asia Hotel or similar
Economy: Duy Tan hotel/ Hoa Hong Hotel or similar

In Hoian:
Deluxe: Victoria Hoi An Resort/ Palm Garden Resort/ Golden Sand Resort/ Life Heritage Resort or similar
Superior: Hoian Beach Resort/ Hoian Riverside resort/ Hoian Trails Resort or similar
Standard: Ancient House Resort/ Hoi an Hotel or similar
Economy: Thuy Duong 3 Hotel/ Vinh Hung 2 Hotel/ Hoai Thanh Hotel or similar

In Ho Chi Minh City:
Deluxe: New World Hotel/ Caravelle Hotel/ Renaissance Riverside Hotel/ Legend Hotel/ Equatorial Hotel or similar
Superior: Rex Hotel/ Kim Do Hotel/ Continental Hotel/ Park Royal Saigon Hotel/ Windsor Plaza Hotel or similar
Standard: Bongsen 1 Hotel/ Palace Hotel/Vien Dong Hotel/ Metropole Hotel/ May Hotel/ Thang Long-Oscar/ Tan My Dinh II Hotel/ Le Duy Hotel or similar
Economy: Empress Hotel/ Chancery Hotel/ Saigon Hotel/ Elios Hotel or similar

NOTES:
* This Private Journey will depart on your desired date. It can also be taken in reverve starting in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) and finishing in Hanoi
* All flights & hotels are subject to availability

For further information, please visit our website: www.discovermekong.com or email us at bookings@discovermekong.com

DISCOVER MEKONG
Address: 99 Ba Trieu str., Hai Ba Trung dist., Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel: +84-4 3943 9211
Fax: +84-4 3943 9209
Email: bookings@discovermekong.com or customercare@discovermekong.com
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