ESSENSE OF VIETNAM IN 8 DAYS

Day 1: Hanoi Ho Chi Minh

You will be warmly welcomed upon arrival at airport in Ho Chi Minh and transferred to your hotel. You will have free time. In the afternoon, under the guidance of your local guide in Saigon, we set out on a city tour of the former capital of French Indochina, once known as Saigon. Historic landmarks include the Old Saigon post office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Opera House, Dong Khoi Street and famous Ben Thanh market. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 2 – Mekong Delta Excursion (B/L)

Departure for My Tho for a visit to the Mekong Delta. Take a boat cruise on the fabled Mekong River (Ben Tre). Enjoy the quiet byways, and then stop for a visit at a local orchard to taste exotic seasonal fruit and view a coconut candy workshop. Continue with a riding on a horse-cart and continue with a sampan cruise along My Tho canals to a stilt restaurant on Turtle Island. Enjoy lunch and back to Saigon late in the afternoon. Free time. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh – Da Nang – Hoi an (B/D)

Transfer to the airport for the flight from Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang. Welcome and transfer to the Cham Museum, where many sculptures form the ancient Champa Kingdom are displayed. Continue to Hoi a town, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site because of its unusually well-preserved ancient streets and homes. Transfer and check in to your hotel in late afternoon. Dinner a local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Hoi an (B)

In morning, you visit the Hoi A town, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site because of its unusually well-preserved ancient streets and homes. Sites include the Japanese Bridge, the Chinese Temple, and the Tan Ky Chinese-style trading house. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, cruise on the Thu Bon River Free dinner. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 5: Hoi an – Da Nang – Hanoi (B/D)

You will next head to the colonial capital city Hanoi, a unique Asian city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental pagodas and temples. You will have free time before an optional cyclo ride around the old quarter before dinner at a super restaurant in the French Quarter. Later, you will enjoy a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show before an overnight stay in Hanoi.

Day 6 – Hanoi City Tour (B/L)

In the morning, you will visit Ho chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, President Palance. Continue your day at Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam. Then visiting the Tran Quoc pagoda dated back to early 10th century and is considered as the most ancient pagodas in Hanoi. After lunch at a local or Indian restaurant we keep driving to Hoa Lo prison museum – also known as the “the Hanoi Hilton”.  Finish your day with a water puppet show - and unique Vietnam traditional art. Transfer back to you for relaxation. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7 – Halong Bay Day Trip B/L)

In the morning you will drive to Halong Bay City, approximately 3 hours away from Hanoi. Once at Halong Bay City, you will be welcomed on board for a four-hour cruise on the stunning bay, stopping along the way to visit one of the limestone caves in the area. As you are cruising, the boat crew will serve you a sumptuous local seafood lunch. After 4 hours, you will sail back to the harbor, rejoin car, and head back to your hotel for another night's stay in Hanoi.

Day 8 – Departure (B)

You will have free time in the morning. Then our guide will pick you up at the hotel and transfer to airport for your onward flight. Tour ends.