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Vietnam Highlight
Code: VCT02 - Duration: 9 DaysStart: Hanoi | Finish: Saigon
With its breathtaking scenery, rich culture and friendly people, Vietnam remains a mystery just waiting for your discovery. Forget about your worries and take a few days off to visit the most highly rated features of this stunning country.
A must-see attraction is the spirited hub of Hanoi where you’ll see first-hand the exotic blend of old and new Vietnam. Drive along the Red River Delta as you make your way towards Halong Bay. You’re sure to be amazed by the tranquil sea dotted with more than 2000 limestone islands. Spend a couple of days in this UNESCO Heritage site on board an overnight junk (boat). Participate in water sports such as swimming, kayaking, or diving. Your choice!
Leaving this paradise, we move to Central Vietnam to visit Hue, well known for its temples and then Hoi An renowned for its ancient houses. From here we reach our final destination; bustling Saigon (Ho Chi Minh). Highlights include the President Palace, the War Remnant Museum, bustling Ben Thanh Market and last but certainly not least, the Cu Chi Tunnels.
Highlights:
- Discover the graceful and exotic Hanoi capital - representing a thousand years of culture.
- Explore the breathtaking beauty of more than 2000 islands rising from emerald water of Halong Bay, recognized World Heritage Site by UNESCO
- Explore Imperial city Hue well-known for its temples, tombs, palaces and pagodas.
- Gain more knowledge on impressive, historic homes of Hoi An, recognized World Heritage Site by UNESCO
- Discover the bustling and dynamic Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
- Visit the famous Cu Chi network of underground tunnels used as a military base for the Vietcong in the American war
- Charming hotels in fantastic locations
- Comfortable & spacious vehicles for transfers
Itinerary in brief:
Day 1: Hanoi arrival (-/-/-)
Day 2: Hanoi City (B/L/-)
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Overnight on Boat (B/L/D)
Day 4: Halong Boat Trip – Hanoi – Flight to Hue (Br/-/-)
Day 5: Hue Imperial City (B/L)
Day 6: Hue – Danang - Hoian (B/L/-)
Day 7: Hoian – Danang – Flight to Saigon (B/L/-)
Day 8: Saigon – Tay Ninh – Cu Chi Tunnels (B/L/-)
Day 9: Saigon – Departure (B/-/-)- Ability to change the direction of the program
- Possibility of an extension in Laos or Cambodia
Notes:
+ We specialize in “tailor-made” tours for groups of two or more. We carefully inspect each step of your journey from the accommodation to the perfect guide to suit your needs
+ The itinerary is open to modification to fit your personal travel needs
+ Modifications to the itinerary may increase the price of the package
+ For the price of this trip, just ask for a quote by clicking on "TOUR PRICE"
+ If you are looking for a trip modified to your requirements, please send us your needs by filling out the form in “Customize your trip”
+ We will contact and send you a quote, excluding holiday period, within 48 hours of receiving your request .-
Day 1: Hanoi arrival (-/-/-)
Hanoi - Airport: 30km, ~40min driveWelcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, meet our guide and driver who then escort you to the city centre. After making sure of your successful hotel check-in, they will be pleased to leave you free time for your own lunch and leisure to recover after the long flight.
Meals Included: None
Accommodation: Hotel in HanoiDay 2: Hanoi City (B/L/-)
After a wholesome breakfast at the hotel, we start the day with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Complex, named for the beloved father of modern Vietnam. This famous complex is home to Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (closed on Mondays & Fridays), Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House, the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh Museum. Following this, we head to the Temple of Literature constructed in 1070 to worship Confucius. Otherwise known as the first university of Vietnam, the site also honours the eighty-two Vietnamese doctorates that each passed a number of rigid exams in the medieval ages. Their names, birthdays and birthplaces are each engraved in headstones perched on stone tortoises. It is widely believed that touching the heads of these tortoises will bring luck. Its peaceful green compound with its neatly maintained lawns, gardens and lotus ponds make it a tranquil hideaway from the city’s bustle and heat. Next stop, lunch!-which will be served at a popular local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we visit the Museum of Ethnology dedicated to Vietnam's fifty-four officially recognised ethnic groups with both indoor and outdoor sections. While the in-house exhibition is particularly informative, the outdoor display continues in the museum’s garden with fascinating examples of traditional houses of numerous minority groups, from the Kinhs to the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands. We then enjoy a 45 minute-cyclo tour (similar to a rickshaw) to the Old Quarter where you can see streets with century-aged trees and French Colonial buildings. We then head to Ngoc Son Temple set on a tiny islet in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. Ngoc Son Temple dates back to the 13th century and the lake itself is the picturesque heart of Hanoi, frequented by tourists and locals alike.In the evening, we will enjoy a water puppet show, illustrating the unique Vietnamese traditional art. This art is originated from rural festivals in Vietnam. The artists, men and women, stand waist-deep in the water to manipulate the puppets, making them move, talk and laugh and even dance on the surface of the water.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in HanoiDay 3: Hanoi – Halong Overnight on Boat (B/L/D)
Hanoi - Halong: 180km, ~3h30min drive
After breakfast at the hotel, we commence a three and a half hour drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. We stop en route for photos and coffee before arriving at our destination. We then transfer to a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay. Revel in the fantastic views of this UNESCO Heritage listed site. While on board, we will be served a fresh seafood lunch followed by swimming and explore some of the limestone caves in the area. Witness the sunset onboard followed by dinner. The captain then will anchor for the night nearby a remote island. In the evening, there is the option for some night fishing or just sit out on the deck and relax under the stars. We promise that this is a truly unforgettable experience.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight on JunkDay 4: Halong Boat Trip - Hanoi - Flight to Hue (Br/-/-)
After waking up surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the bay, we have time for an early morning dip. Then it’s time for breakfast whilst you watch the sun rise over Ha Long bay. The cruise continues to move around the bay in order for us to discover more secluded areas; we then go kayaking and continue swimming around the bay. The boat will be near us at all times for those who prefer to relax on board. Around midday, we will return to the main harbour before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for the three-hour journey to Noi Bai airport for the flight to Hue. Upon arrival at Hue, our driver will meet and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.Meals Included: Brunch
Accommodation: Hotel in HueDay 5: Hue Imperial City (B/L/-)
Breakfast at hotel, we then set out for the exploration of Hue's famous highlights, starting with a Dragon Boat trip along Perfume River to the picturesque Thien Mu, or Heavenly Lady Pagoda. The fresh and peaceful atmosphere here at the pagoda will help you ease your mind from stresses of daily life. Disembark the board, we continue our day with a visit to the elaborate mausoleum of former emperor Tu Duc, which was built between 1864 and 1867 by 3000 soldiers and workers. It includes 50 monuments surrounded by a 1500m long wall covering an area of 12ha. From here, you are driven back to Hue center Hue for lunch at local restaurant on your own cost.The afternoon is spent at Hue Imperial City, the last royal city of Vietnam with various beautiful structures including the Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace and the Forbidden City or Tu Cam Thanh. Built in the 19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the City was home to the former Emperors of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. We then do the walking and shopping in Dong Ba Market to enjoy the specialty of Hue city.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in HueDay 6: Hue – Danang - Hoian (B/L/-)
Hue - Hoi An: 140km, ~2h30min drive
After breakfast at hotel, we bid Hue farewell and continue our south bound journey to the old trading town of Hoi An via Danang. Along the way, we will stop at Lang Co beach for coffee and refreshment. From here we head up to the Hai Van pass, stopping at the top to take in the stunning views north over Lang Co beach and south over Danang city. Upon arrival Hoi An, we take a walking tour to Hoi An Ancient Town – an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. We start our day with the Japanese Covered Bridge – one of Vietnam’s most iconic attractions. Created by the Japanese living in Hoi An in the 1590s as a way to reach the Chinese quarter across the water, the bridge is a beautiful historical piece of Japanese architecture. It would be a shortcoming without a visit to Tan Ky House – one of the many ancient houses that making up Hoian Ancient Town. Built two centuries ago with both Japanese and Chinese influences on architecture, this house has been preserved through seven generations. While walking, we will encounter pretty houses of Chinese merchants. Another must-see destination is Phuc Kien Assembly Hall – an excellent work of architecture considered as a heritage of historical significance. Built in 1690, this Assembly Hall is in fact a temple dedicated to the sea goddess Thien Hau.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in HoianDay 7: Hoian – Danang – Flight to Saigon (B/L/-)
Danang - Saigon: ~850km, 2h flight
After breakfast at hotel, our driver will meet and transfer you to Airport for flight to Saigon. Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, meet your new guide and driver who then escort you to the hotel for check-in. You will then have time for your own lunch and some well-deserved relaxation.In the afternoon, we take a half day to visit all famous sites of this bustling city. The first destination is the now-demolished wartime American Embassy. After that, we head to the Reunification Palace, the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 30, 1975 when the North Vietnamese tanks came crashing through the front gates, bringing the U.S.-Vietnam War to a dramatic end. This will be followed by some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral. Notre Dame Cathedral was built between 1877 and 1883 where the stones used to create it were exported entirely from France. Apart from the religious meaning, the most captivating point of this Cathedral is its special neo-Romanesque style of architecture. Adjacent to the cathedral stands the Central Post Office, finished in 1891. It is another fine example of French architecture and is Vietnam's largest post office. After visiting the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum, we continue our trip to the bustling Ben Thanh Market, which is a fantastic place for bargains of all kinds. There are a number of vendors and food stalls in the market food section that offers fresh local dishes. You also can find many goods for daily use as well as a variety of eye-catching souvenirs.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in SaigonDay 8: Saigon – Tay Ninh – Cu Chi Tunnels (B/L/-)
Saigon - Tay Ninh: 90km, ~2h10m drive ; Tay Ninh - Cu Chi: 70km, ~1h40m drive
After breakfast, you will be picked up at 8:00 am to drive through archetypal southern Vietnamese countryside heading towards the Tay Ninh Province. Upon arrival, we visit the Cao Dai Holy See temple where the followers of this religion practice a unique religious blend of all the major faiths of the world. The temple is dominated by the all-seeing eye and is an architectural wonder due to its influence from contributing religions. The daily service is impressive where worshippers wear robes of different colours denoting their function and status and kneel in blocks whilst they pray and perform complex rituals. Moving on, we have scheduled a special lunch of the local cuisines in a popular local eatery for your taste of Tay Ninh.
After lunch, we drive to the incredible Cu Chi tunnel, a 250 km underground tunnel system which was created manually by Vietnamese resistance fighters often known as Viet Cong during their long struggle for independence. Also on display are various mantraps and the remains of an American tank, as well as numerous bomb craters made by 500-pound bombs, dropped by B52 bombers. After this fascinating visit, we drive back to Saigon for your last night.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in SaigonDay 9: Saigon - Departure (B/-/-)
After breakfast at the hotel, time is free until our driver meets and transfers you to Tan Son Nhat airport for your flight to your next destination or back home. That's all folks!
Meals Included: Breakfast
Prices
This trip is private and therefore can be altered to suit your needs, date of commencement and budget requirements.
Prices vary due to a number of specifics:
- The period: during high season (from October till April), the price of services is generally higher compared to the low season (from May till September).
- The number of participants: the more of you travel together, the less you will pay.
- The choice of hotels: a 5-star hotel for example can cost ten times as much as a 2-star hotel; two hotels all classified among the three stars may have different prices if they are more or less charming.
- The activities during the trip: two trips on the same itinerary and of the same length can have two different prices depending on the number and nature of activities included.
- The booking date: in some cases, too close booking departure date can raise the price due to the low availability of services.
Inclusion:
- Accommodation as recommended or similar category according to availability.
- Transfers according to program by private air-conditioned vehicle with driver except free day
- English-speaking guide’s assistance at every stage
- Meals as indicated in program (B: Breakfast /L: Lunch / D: Dinner)
- Entrance fees for attractions included in the program
- All activities and cruises clearly mentioned in the program
- Flights: Hanoi – Hue; Danang - Saigon (E-Class on Vietnam Airlines)
- Halong Bay overnight on boat (sharing boat)
- Private boat excursion in Hue
- Water and cool tissues
- Government taxes & service charge
Exclusion:
- Other drinks and meals not clearly mentioned
- Personal expenditures, tips
- Personal insurance (compulsory)
- Any service not clearly mentioned in the program
- International air transfers associated with airport taxes
- Visa and visa arrangement (available upon request)
Booking
Here are 2 steps to book your trip with Tonkin-Travel:
Step 1. Focus on your travel program:
You can choose this trip as is or customize it to your specific desires. Just click on the “Customize this trip” tab and fill in the form. One of our travel consultants will contact you within 48 hours to develop the travel program based on your specifications.
Step 2. Booking:
- Following the first step, tour program is selected and we access the rates.
- Upon confirmation of the trip, the registration must be accompanied by a deposit up to 25% of the total estimate.
- For programs with private junk (cruise) and/or 5 star hotels, the deposit is represented by 30% of the total estimate.
- Tonkin-Travel carries out the booking process upon receipt of the deposit. Confirmation of these reservations is sent to customer within 10 days via email
Nature of travel
This trip is private. That implies:
- You will be escorted by a private guide and driver. This approach guarantees a smooth trip with fewer organizational constraints.
- You will be the master of your trip. We guarantee flexibility in organizing visits at your request.
- Our services will be personalized according to your desires. Thus the proposals in this package are not fixed and you can bring suggest all the desired changes.
- You receive individualized care: ample food, organizing small events (anniversary, honeymoon, etc.), targeted information, followed necessary modifications, etc.
Accommodation
- Accommodation is an important expenditure of your trip. When you choose a luxury trip for example, the accommodation can represent three quarters of the price. Thus, your choice of hotels is closely related to your budget.
- Tonkin-Travel has negotiated rates with a wide range of hotels from 2 to 5 stars.
- In some places you will have the option to choose ‘home-stay’. Although this provides less comfort that a hotel it is a truly authentic experience and highly recommended for at least one night of your journey.
Transport
All transfers during your trip are covered by private vehicle with driver, unless otherwise indicated in our offer. We ensure that our vehicles are new and comfortable. Fuel, tolls, accommodation, compensation and the driver are included in our offer. Only gratuities are not included and are at your discretion.
The size of the selected vehicle is based on the number of tour participants according to the following quality standards:
No. of participants
2 pax
3 pax
From 4 to 7 pax
From 8 to 14 pax
From 15 to 20 pax
Vehicle size
Car 4-7 seats
Car 7 or minivan
16 seatsMinivan 16 seats
Bus 24 seats
Bus 35 or 45 seats
Domestic flights
If your trip includes domestic flights if any, they will be operated by Vietnam Airlines, the largest airline in Vietnam. The fleet consists mainly of Airbus and Boeing. On some short trips, the company operates 72 ATR and some Fokker.
Rail transport
Train travel can be offered (particularly between Hanoi-Lao Cai and Hanoi-Hue). Travelling at a speed of 60km/h on average it is not necessarily the fastest but an interesting experience nonetheless.
This form allows us to establish a tour proposal suitable for your needs. It is free and without obligation-
This form allows us to establish a tour proposal suitable for your needs. It is free and without obligation
