Vietnam North to South (8D7N)

We begin a full-day city tour by visiting the Ho Chi Minh complex, including the One Pillar Pagoda, the former leader’s house on stilts and his Mausoleum. Continue, transfer to West Lake to visit Tran Quoc Pagoda as known the oldest pagoda in the city, originally constructed in the sixth century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De, and then keep walking to Quan Thanh Temple, as one of the Four Sacred Temples of the capital. Keep forward to the peaceful Temple of Literature - the first university of Vietnam.

Lunch will be served at a local Vietnamese restaurant.

In the afternoon, proceed to the Ethnologic Museum, which focuses on the 54 officially recognized ethnic groups in Vietnam, it is widely considered to be the finest modern museum in Vietnam and a tourist attraction in Hanoi. Back to the city central, visit Ngoc Son temple then take an hour cycle tour around the old quarter and attend the performance of the unique water puppetry before finishing the day-off.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Our guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel lobby then we depart Hanoi for Ha Long Bay, listed as a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. “Dragon descending to the sea “as it is known in Vietnamese, picturesque Ha Long bay has more than 1.000 limestone islets rising from the sea, many of them containing beautiful grottoes

Upon arrival in Ha Long Bay we embark on a boat trip to cruise discovering this magnificent UNESCO World Wonder. This is a great journey among surreal islands rising from a tranquil emerald sea. You will visit several key locations.

Visits:

– One of the most stunning caves of Halong Bay

– Stop at a beautiful beach and take a refreshing swim or sunbathe on the sundeck; take a short trek to the nearby summit for a panoramic view of the bay.

Back onboard the junk, you will watch the sunset and be served a sumptuous dinner, with cocktails available for purchase from the bar. You will spend the night onboard the junk, in a cabin with an ensuite bathroom.

Notes: The program may differ slightly based on the junk cruise’s itinerary. An extra night can be added to the program. If your time is flexible, we highly recommend it.

Overnight on the cruise.

Early morning coffee and tea will be served on the sundeck followed by a Tai Chi class. After breakfast we take a Sampan boat to explore Luon Cave. We may have a chance to see the wild monkeys that gather around waiting for food from the tourists. After that we continue to cruise around the bay. Lunch is served on the boat on our way back to the docks then we return to Hanoi and transfer to Noi Bai Airport for your flight to Hoi An.

Flight: TBA - own arrangement

Upon arrival in Hoi An, meet our guide then transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in Hoi An.

This morning we take a walking tour of the old town Hoi An. Hoi An nestled on the banks of the Thu Bon River. Before the river silted up, Hoi An was one of the most important trading ports in Southeast Asia, and a center for East-West exchange and trade. From the 2nd until the 10th century, Hoi An was one of the principal Cham cities. Over the years, Indian, Dutch, Portuguese, French, Thai, Indonesian, Spanish, American, Japanese, Filipino and Chinese ships docked in Hoi An. In the 19th century, as the result of warfare and environmental changes, Hoi An was replaced by Da Nang as a major port. Reflecting the diversity of the traders and missionaries that settled in the port (including Alexander of Rhodes), the ancient architecture is a fascinating mix of Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese. The rooftops of Hoi An retain a magical old-world Oriental feel and are a favorite subject for Vietnamese artists. In the early 1980s Hoi An’s ancient quarters and historical monuments came under the protection and restoration efforts of UNESCO and the Polish government.

Visit the Japanese covered bridge, Phuc Kien assemble hall, Phung Hung old house, Hoi An museum and Quan Cong temple.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

Continuing, visit of a local family making lanterns brings you a chance to make some lanterns for friends and beloved before ending this trip. 

The rest of time is free to walk in the old town, feel the atmosphere of its original culture, enjoy shopping for tailor clothing, lanterns, shoes, and food, or simply relaxing on the beach

Optional: Hoi An Memories Show (Eco-class ticket)

At 7PM: You will attend the Memories Show - “Hoi An Memories” show is an outdoor art performance with the participation of over 500 dancers and actors, various props, captivating stage effects, eye-catching choreography, modern sound and lighting, all in one on a 25,000 square metres stage.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Free time at your leisure until we transfer to Da Nang Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh.

Flight: TBA

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh, meet our guide then transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

In the morning we take a half day tour of this dynamic city. First, we visit the Reunification Palace, the former palace of President Thieu and his predecessors. Today this building is a museum and venue for official receptions. Inside you can visit the private rooms of the president, the “War Room” from where the South Vietnamese forces were controlled, and, most poignantly, the room where the North Vietnamese army finally took control in 1975. 

Next, we visit the War Remnants Museum, Historically, the war museum as part of the Vietnam and World Peace museums system was born on Sep 4, 1975, at 28 Vo Van Tan Street, district 3, HCMC. Since its 30-year inception, the museum has attracted over 10 million arrivals of domestic and foreign tourists, especially student delegations from provinces and cities nationwide. It helps reappear the then-wars, helping students well realize on the values of patriotism, struggle for peace and national liberation from forefathers. This museum includes 8 specific exhibitions and various collections of the truth of history (conspiracy and process from hostile forces for the war in Vietnam); crime evidences and war consequences; kinds of weapon and tools serving for the wars; prison (prison house system, concentration camp, torture, maltreatment, corporal mutilation, and spiritual oppression against political prisoners).

We also stop at the Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office. The post office, built between 1877 and 1883, is an excellent example of classic French colonial architecture.

In the afternoon we drive 70 kilometers Northwest to explore the underground tunnels in Cu Chi which system had been created long time back, from 1948 to assist Viet Minh in the combat with French. It was continuing built over 25 years later. It was an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers. In places, it was housed up to 10,000 people who virtually lived underground for years… getting married, giving birth. Here we will learn everything about the great war with the Americans and the way the Viet Cong survived & defended themselves with traps, guerrilla warfare and survival tunnels.  You may even have a chance to crawl through the tunnels yourself, try the Viet Cong's survival food from tree roots and anyone who wants to, optionally, can aim at the shooting points with the authentic weapons of the time. We return to Saigon in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Free time at your leisure until we transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Departure flight: TBA - own arrangement

It’s time to say goodbye, we thank you for traveling with us and warmly welcome you to come again.