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Code: |
GTT09 |
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Routes: |
Ho Chi Minh - Tay Ninh -
Cu Chi Tunnel - Mekong Delta - Can Tho -
Da Lat - Nha Trang - Hoian - Hue -
Halong - Hoa Lu - Tam Coc |
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Duration: |
15 Days |
Itinerary in brief
DAY 1:
ARRIVAL - HO CHI MINH
DAY 2 : HO CHI MINH - TAY NINH - CU CHI - HO CHI
MINH
DAY 3: HO CHI MINH - CAN THO
DAY 4: CAN THO - VINH LONG - HO CHI MINH
DAY 5: HO CHI MINH - DALAT
DAY 6: DALAT - NHA TRANG
DAY 7: NHA TRANG
DAY 8: NHA TRANG - DANANG - HOIAN
DAY 9: HOIAN - HUE
DAY 10: HUE
DAY 11: HUE - HANOI
DAY 12: HANOI - HALONG
DAY 13: HALONG - HANOI
DAY 14: HANOI - HOA LU - TAM COC - HANOI
DAY 15: HANOI - DEPARTURE
Detail Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVAL - HO CHI MINH
Upon arrival at Ho Chi Minh Airport our
guide who will accompany you to your hotel will
welcome you, formerly known as Saigon, is a
center of commerce, finance, culture and tourism
in Vietnam. This bustling metropolis
,contradiction of its northern counterpart, is
crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by
numerous shopping area and sidewalk cafés. ( If
time permits) we stroll around the downtown to
explore the different local ways of life. O/N in
Ho Chi Minh.
DAY 2 : HO CHI MINH - TAY NINH - CU CHI - HO CHI
MINH
Heading out of town we drive north to
visit the head quarter of Cao Dai sect in Tay
Ninh. This religion was founded in 1923 and now
numbers over 2 million members. On arrival
we see the ornate temple and attend the
fantastic mid-day service when the followers
fill the hall wearing colored robes, a symbol of
the curious combination of the Confucianism,
Taoism and Buddhism. Afterwards we continue to
the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, which were an
incredible underground network constructed by
Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for
independence. The tunnels contained hospitals,
plus accommodation and schools, and were used as
a military base for the Vietcong in the American
war. O/N in Ho Chi Minh. (B)
DAY 3: HO CHI MINH - CAN THO
The sightseeing tour acquaints us with
some major sights of Ho Chi Minh City. We pass
the now-demolished wartime American Embassy on
our way to the Reunification Palace. This famous
edifice was the former residence of the
President of Southern Vietnam until end of April
1975. Close to the palace are some striking
French colonial structures including the Notre
Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office.
We also visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the
War Remnant Museum before ending up our morning
agenda at the bustling Ben Thanh Market where
anything and everything is for sale! We travel
by roads through the rolling countryside to Can
Tho, the largest town in the Mekong Delta. O/N
in Can Tho.(B)
DAY 4: CAN THO - VINH LONG - HO CHI MINH
Upon leaving Can Tho we drive to Vinh
Long and board a boat for an exciting excursion
around the tributaries of the mighty Mekong
River. As a highlight of the trip we visit the
various fascinating local cottages industries
including rice paper makers , bonsai nurseries
as well as the vibrant floating market of Cai Be
whose trading way is very interesting. After
feasting on a huge lunch followed with many
seasonal fruits at an orchard, we weave our way
through the intricate network of canals that are
the lifeblood of the Mekong Delta. We return to
Ho Chi Minh, stopping off along the way to see
the Cho Lon, Saigon’s Chinatown, which is
crammed with fascinating temples and mysterious,
narrow lanes. O/N in Ho Chi Minh. (B,L)
DAY 5: HO CHI MINH - DALAT
The northbound journey begins as we
depart Ho Chi Minh and pass through the many
tea and coffee plantations to the hill station
of Da Lat, sometimes known as the " City of
Eternal Spring". The drive is long but views are
fantastic. On arrival we can soak up the
cool climate as much as we want by
spending our time to wander around and catch our
first glimpse of the town. The influence of the
French is prevalent since Da Lat was
founded as a hill retreat for the colonials to
escape the oppressive heat of the coastal plains
and the Mekong Delta. This charming town is set
around a lake and surrounded by forests,
waterfalls and rolling countryside. O/N in Da
Lat. (B)
DAY 6: DALAT - NHA TRANG
After breakfast, we embark on a
short drive past the charming pine hill to visit
the summer residence of Vietnam’s last Emperor
Bao Dai, who was forced to abdicate in 1945,
shortly after the end of the World War II. We
follow this with a trip to the Lam Ty Ni Pagoda
and the Hang Nga Guesthouse , well known as the
Crazy House because of its bizarre architecture.
The central market and the old rail station are
also visited this morning before we travel by
roads through the undulating terrains to the
picturesque coastal town of Nha Trang. Along the
way we make stopover at the scenic Ngoan Muc
Pass and the Po Klong Jarai Cham Towers. These
amazing structures represent an interesting
culture and a colorful history of the Cham
people. O/N in Nha Trang. (B)
DAY 7: NHA TRANG
The fabulous sunny weather, turquoise
water surrounding a string of islands and white
sandy beach stretching the whole length of
the city make Nha Trang one of Vietnam's premier
beach resorts. After breakfast we board a boat
for a day trip around the coastal islands,
stopping on the way at a local fishing village
to observe the island life. Today we also have
lots of time on the blue clear water enjoying
swimming and snorkeling or lazing on a beach. A
seafood lunch is some enjoyment of the trip. We
arrive back in town late afternoon and visit the
Long Son Pagoda and the impressive Ponagar Cham
Towers, which are overlooking the colourful
fishing port. O/N in NhaTrang. (B,L)
DAY 8: NHA TRANG - DANANG - HOIAN
An early morning transfer to airport for
a flight to Da Nang. On arrival we are greeted
and driven a short distance to Hoi An which was
originally a Cham seaport but has been
influenced down centuries by a myriad of traders
from various cultures. There are plenty to
see in this tranquil and delightful town, some
of which are the famous Japanese Covered
Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old
Tamky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda and the vibrant
market. We visit these sights on an
enchanting walking tour past many low tiled
houses scattered along the small streets, and
assembly halls which reflect the town's
multi-cultural past. O/N in Hoi An. (B)
DAY 9: HOIAN - HUE
The following destination of our trip is
Hue, the last imperial capital of Vietnam. We
drive north this morning, stopping en route to
visit the sensational Marble Mountains,
the China Beach and the Cham Museum in Danang.
This interesting structure is home to
Vietnam's largest collection of Cham treasures.
The winding roads begin as we make our way up
the spectacular Hai Van Pass. At the top of the
pass we stop to admire a fantastic view north to
Lang Co and south to Danang. Arriving in Hue we
see the Imperial Citadel and the Purple
Forbidden City. This royal residence was all but
destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive, however
it is still fascinating to walk among the ruins.
O/N in Hue. (B)
DAY 10: HUE
The beautiful riverside pagoda of Thien
Mu which now becomes the symbol of Hue, and the
elaborate royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc are not
to be missed. We include these in a half day
cruise on the Perfume River which also gives us
a taste of the scenic countryside as well as an
enjoyable visit to the mausoleum of Emperor Minh
Mang, in a tranquil setting of gardens and
lakes. After an impressive boat trip we
take a walk to the bustling Dong Ba Market that
sells a wide variety of local goods and
handicrafts. Along the way we pass many
fantastic eating spots, all ideal for
visitors to sample some local delicacies. O/N in
Hue. (B)
DAY 11: HUE - HANOI
After breakfast we explore Hue on our own
until transferring to the airport for a short
flight north. The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is a
stylish and gracious city that retains an unique
old world charm and some Asia ‘s most striking
colonial architecture. The many lakes and parks
also make for relaxing atmosphere. After
checking into hotel we visit the beautiful lake
of Hoan Kiem with its sacred temple and the
vibrant Dong Xuan Market, which boasts Hanoi's
oldest and largest market. A perfect way to
finish the day is to enjoy a short cyclo
excursion through the bustling old quarter
streets named after the specific goods once
offered for sale at these places. O/N in Ha
Noi.(B)
DAY 12: HANOI - HALONG
Today we enjoy a half day city tour
beginning with the Ho Chi Minh Complex,
containing the mausoleum of the nation’s founder
Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho
Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this famous
site is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins
date back to the foundation of Hanoi. We follow
this with a trip to the Temple of Literature,
well known as Vietnam’s first university, and
the History Museum which displays an excellent
collection of artifacts illustrating the
Vietnamese history. Upon leaving the town we
travel by roads through the charming countryside
to Halong Bay , truly one of Vietnam’s most
impressive scenic sights. O/N in Ha Long. (B)
DAY 13: HALONG - HANOI
Upon leaving the town we embark on a boat
for an exploration of Halong Bay. This exciting
five hour cruise will provide us a spectacular
view of the bay, which is dotted with some 3,000
limestone islands rising amazingly from the
clear and emerald water. The limestone karst
formations are littered with beaches, grottoes
and beautiful caves. Along the way we will
anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove
and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden
grottoes beneath towering cliffs. After a
seafood lunch on board we return to Ha Noi,
stopping en route at Dong Trieu pottery village.
We arrive in time to see an evening performance
of Hanoi's famous water puppets. O/N in Ha Noi.
(B,L)
DAY 14: HANOI - HOA LU - TAM COC - HANOI
The capital of Vietnam from 968 AD to
1010 AD during the Dinh and early Le Dynasties
is Hoa Lu, which however has left its legacy in
the form of two small temples, each one nearly a
thousand years old. After two and half hour
drive from Hanoi we visit these remaining
structures, dedicated to the Dinh and Le Rulers,
then climb 200 steps to the top of Ma Yen mount
for a fantastic view over the surrounding areas.
The next stop of our trip is Tam Coc which
is surnamed “ Inland Halong Bay”. We take a boat
trip on a river through the quiet and peaceful
landscape of rice fields surrounded by limestone
formations to the grottoes of Tam Coc. O/N in Ha
Noi. (B)
DAY 15: HANOI - DEPARTURE
There is a free time for you to relax or
further explore Ha Noi. The trip ends after your
transfer to Noi Bai Airport for departure. (B) |