VIETNAM - FLAVOR OF NORTH & SOUTH

Day 1: Arrival Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) And Saigon City Tour

• We welcome you to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam, with a population of around 9 million and above. You’ll land at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport and be greeted by your tour guide, an expert in knowing the local secrets and way to navigate through the alleyways.
• You’ll be transferred to your hotel and helped with check-in (standard check-in time is 14.00-15.00 so we will be providing you early check-in). Breakfast at hotel (till 9:30 am) and start your Saigon City Tour.
• We’ll enjoy a lunch break before we hop on our city tour in Saigon, starting with the War Remnants Museum, a famous historical landmark, an icon where people can learn about or be reminded of the Vietnam War that took place before the Vietnamese won their independence through blood and tears. There are exhibits that of the weapons, documents, photographs, and artifacts that survived the war.
• Some of these were evidences of the war crimes that took place in Vietnam and the heroic deeds of those who fought for their independence.
• Then to the Reunification Palace, which stands strong as the witness of the end of the horrid Vietnam War in 1975 and the unification of the south and north. Today, we’re visiting the palace that’s now a museum and hall for official events and read up on more about the end of the Vietnam War and the subsequent decisions made. The Notre Dame Cathedral is located not far from the palace, a perfect distance to walk up for some pictures. It was established by the French in 1880 and today, it’s one of the 19 most majestic cathedrals and the only one to represent Southeast Asia.
• In the evening, we’ll head out to Ben Thanh Market from the palace where locals love to spend their weekend at. It was built in 1912 and has become the symbol of Saigon as it continued to flourish. It is famous for the architecture that strongly reflects the French Colonial Era style, but has also undergone renovations over time, so it also features modern and contemporary building parts.
• We’ll head back to the hotel after you’re satisfied with your shopping for an overnight stay in Saigon.
• (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Day 2: Mekong Delta Tour – Experience The Countryside Life Of Vietnam

• Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and get ready for an exciting day down the longest river in Southeast Asia. Your driver will be waiting at the lobby to take you to My Tho first, a city in the Mekong Delta famous for their local products made from local produce such as coconut candy and rice paper. It was a commercial hub of the region during the 17th century and still the centre of business and education.
• Hop on a cruise, which is a perfect way to explore the city while riding down the mighty Mekong River. You’ll be able to observe the local way of living, one that often revolves around the river. We’ll stop by one of the islands where fresh tropical fruits can be harvested and enjoy the performance of traditional southern Vietnamese folk music. We’ll switch vessel to smaller boats, manpowered by locals to enter small cannels and visit the factories where local delicacies are made, many still through traditional methods. Taste the honey tea and coconut candy milk, then take walk through the gardens where the honeybees feed.
• After lunch break, we’ll continue to Vinh Trang Pagoda, which is a unique pagoda that features the combination of Chinese, Cambodia, and French architecture and culture. This Buddhist temple is the most famous across the province and remains well-preserved to this day since it was built in 1849, a fascinating example of mixed style of Asian interference with a bit of French.
• We’ll head back to Saigon before as the sun begins to set, in time for dinner. We’ll stay overnight in Saigon.
• (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Day 3: Cu Chi Tunnel And Fly From Saigon To Danang

• In the morning, check out the hotel. Then your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and after leaving Ho Chi Minh City, we drive about 1,5 hours through the pleasant countryside before arriving at Ben Dinh tunnels, Cu Chi. We may stop along the way for refreshments and toilet.
• Upon arrival, you’ll watch a brief of propaganda video, which explains how the tunnels were used to successfully defeat American military forces in combat.
• The tour continues and the guide explains some traps that were placed in the jungles of Viet Nam to either maim American soldiers or create panic amongst the ranks.
• From here, you can enter one of the tunnel entrances and crawl through the tunnels is a real experience to imagine how people could live there for an extended period!
• There is a shooting range where you can try to fire an automatic or semi-automatic weapon for a fee (this fee is not included)
• Take some rest at the end for a taste of Cu Chi boiled tapioca and thinking what humans are capable of when having to defend their home. Packed Lunch.
• After a short rest, you will be taken to the airport for a short flight to Danang. Dinner and Overnight at the hotel.
• (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Day 4: Full Day Excursion Ba Na Hill

• Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. Your ride will be waiting in the morning, heading for Ba Na Hill today. It is the pride of Danang City, an incredible place that brags such a gorgeous view with architecture seems surreal. Entrance is included and from here, we’ll ride the cable car to reach the summit, which is almost 1.5km above sea level.
• There are many things to look around when you’re up here. Such as the Funicular which is a train ride around the area, showing you the D’Amour flower garden, old Debay wine cellar and Linh Ung Pagoda. It is a very short ride that’s like an in-person overview of things to see in Ba Na Hills. The Old Debay Wine Cellar is a gorgeous cellar constructed in the 1923 by French colonialists, a quintessential trip for wine lovers. The beautiful Le Jardin D’Amour Gardens is a paradise of flowers that’s not just gorgeous, but surrounded by an incredible view of nature. Feel the fervour of faith at Linh Ung pagoda, one of the famous trio Linh Ung pagodas that receives around 2 million visitors every year, and at Thich Ca Buddhist statue.
• After lunch, we’ll be joining in the activities and games at the Fantasy Park, a favourite family destination inspired from Jules Verne books, Journey to the Centre of the Earth that starred Brendan Fraser in its movie adaptation, and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. Then walk up the summit, the highest point of Ba Na Mountain at 1487m above sea level, and visit Bell Tower, Nghinh Phong Tower, and Golden Bridge. These structures spell incredible architecture surrounded by beautiful nature which means impeccable selfies, groufies, and pictures. We’ll make our back in the late afternoon, taking the same cable car back to the foothill before transferring you back to your hotel.
• You’ll have some free time before dinner and an overnight stay in Danang.
• (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Day 5: Fly From Danang To Hanoi And Transfer To Halong Bay – Overnight On Cruise

• After breakfast we will check-out and will be transferred to airport for Hanoi. Upon arrival your vehicle will be waiting at 9AM and get ready for a 3-hour drive to what has to be one of the most famous beaches in Southeast Asia, Halong Bay.
• Overlooking the Gulf of Tonkin, the bay became a designated Natural World Heritage by UNESCO in 1994 and 2006. Enjoy an authentic sight of Vietnam on your scenic ride as we pass by the Red River delta and green paddy fields on which farmers are working. Rural villages are signs of barely touched wilderness with the occasional buffaloes employed to plough the fields.
• We’ll board the cruise for check-in before enjoy our lunch after a long ride here. Take a break, drop your luggage and refresh before we take you to look around this gorgeous place.
• Halong Bay name means The Descending Dragon Bay, which comes from the legend that the Mother Dragon was sent by the Jade Emperor to defend Vietnamese against invaders from the sea. As you walk along the shore, you’ll spot limestone rocks that appear to be oddly sculpted by mother nature and several caves with magnificent karsts. These are grottos, or artificial caves, which can be entered by visitors. With the beach so beautiful, you probably can’t help yourself but go for a quick dip into the water. Kayaking is also available for those interested, allowing you to take the river route where floating houses can be seen and reach the islets near Halong Bay.
• We’ll return to the cruise by evening for dinner onboard and you’ll have leisure time to look around the boat, attend evening activities, or just relax.
• (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Day 6: Transfer From Halong Bay To Hanoi With Water Puppet Show

• Our day starts early today at Halong Bay because you don’t want to see the view of the sunrise from the horizon. Dawn breaks and bring out colours of the East Sea that’ll certainly put you in awe at the beauty of this country, as sunlight slowly falls onto the islets around you. After the sun is up, we head to the dining room for your breakfast before the cruise begins its journey.
• Many of islets were named after their shape, like the Fisherman’s head rock, Turtle Islet, Sail Island, etc. As the cruise continues, you’ll be able to understand the meaning behind those names. Check-out process is available before we reach the pier and brunch will be prepared on board afterward.
• We drive back to the Old Quarter because we don’t want to miss the Water Puppet Show, a beautiful
• show which roots stem from centuries-old art form in Hanoi. Water puppet show was the entertainment of farmers in the 11 th century when their fields are flooded, leaving them with little entertainment, but puppets to play with. Today, the show is synonymous to an art that preserves time and often sings about harvest times and myths related to water.
• We head back to the hotel after the show for overnight stay in Hanoi.
• (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Day 7: Full Day Excursion To Ninh Binh, Hoa Lu & Tam Coc

• Have breakfast at hotel. A 90km driving south of Hanoi will lead you to Ninh Binh, the site of the one capital city of ancient Vietnam before Hanoi took its leading role in 11th century. The area is featured by lots of well-known sceneries, which include Tam Coc Caves and Hoa Lu ancient capital with the old temples dedicated to King Dinh & King Le reigned in 10th century. The visit in Ninh Binh starts by a boat trip in Tam Coc where spectacular limestone karsts jut out from the green paddy fields reminding about Guilin (China) and Halong Bay of Vietnam, which gives this scenery the name Halong-bay-on-land. Lunch at local restaurant.
• Further discovery in Ninh Binh will be continued by visiting Bich Dong Pagoda. Afternoon drive back Hanoi, on the way, stop to visit Hoa Lu, the site that used to be the kings’ palace in 10th century and now famous for the wooden relieves of the shady Dinh and Le temples. Late afternoon back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.
• (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Day 8: Hanoi City Tour And Departure From Hanoi- Bid Adieu With A Bag Of Memories

• After breakfast at the hotel , we will pick you up from Old Quarter and head out for a city tour in Hanoi, starting from the Temple of Literature (Quoc Tu Giam). It is the location of Vietnam’s first national university’s Imperial Academy and was built in 1070. This thousand-year-old heritage marks the beginning of advanced education in Hanoi and was dedicate to major figures in education, particularly Confucius. It’s a tranquil place that just soothes the soul and calms the mind.
• Only 15 minutes by foot from the temple is the One Pillar Pagoda, a landmark with deep meaning for
• the people of Hanoi. It is a Buddhist temple with significant historical value. The One Pillar Pagoda is
• actually a complex that was constructed in the shape of a lotus flower by Emperor Ly Thai Thong who
• dreamed of a Buddhist goddess. The current pagoda is a rebuilt on top of the original pillar after the
• pagoda was destroyed in 1954 during the French colonization.
• Within the vicinity of the pagoda is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place for the
• revolutionary leader and President Ho Chi Minh, who earned the country its independence. Visitors can also view his modest residence on stilts from the outside.
• NOTE: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museums is closed on Monday and Friday so there will be other alternative options if you depart on Monday and Friday.
• Later we’ll transfer you to the airport for your departure flight back home in the evening.
• (Breakfast and Lunch)