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Vietnam Timeless Memory
Code: VHT06 - Duration: 18 DaysStart: Saigon | Finish: Hanoi
Spend 18 days celebrating your love and exploring all that Vietnam has to offer. We begin in charming Saigon where you will be brought closer to the dynamic life of local Vietnamese people. Next, we sail on to the Mekong Delta in order to explore quaint riverside towns, sample fruits amongst colourful floating markets, cycle along quiet countryside paths surrounded by lush green fruit trees, and spend a night in a Mekong Lodge.
Our next destination is Da Lat - a charming mountain city filled with pine trees and lakes. This is fast becoming a popular romantic spot. From here, we drive to Nha Trang to enjoy the pristine beaches, constantly good weather, vibrant nightlife and excellent diving.
Leaving this wonderland, we head to Central Vietnam to visit My Son Holly Land – an important religious site representing the Cham culture and its architecture. Flying to Hanoi, we take a cooking class to learn the secrets of local cuisine and view the spectacular seascape of Halong Bay. We think it’s the perfect end.
Highlights:
- Benefit from the expertise of our local guides
- Discover the bustling and dynamic Saigon with its French colonial buildings and modern skyscrapers
- Explore the intricate network of canals and channels in the Mekong Delta and visit a floating market
- Visit Dalat, up and coming city of love and romance
- Relax on the white sand beach and admire the unspoilt mountainous and sea views of Nha Trang
- Wander the glowing streets of Hoi An and visit the nearby Cham ruins at My Son
- Learn about Vietnamese cuisine with a cooking class in Hanoi
- Take in the breathtaking beauty Halong Bay with a three-day cruise around the limestone islands jetting out of the emerald water
- Charming hotel in great locations
- Comfortable & spacious vehicle for transfers
Itinerary in brief:
Day 1: Saigon arrival (-/-/-)
Day 2: Saigon City (B/L/-)
Day 3: Saigon - Cai Be - Mekong Lodge (B/L/-)
Day 4: Cai Be Floating Market - Flight to Dalat (B/L/-)
Day 5: Dalat Exploration (B/L/-)
Day 6: Dalat - Free (B/-/-)
Day 7: Dalat - Nha Trang (B/-/-)
Day 8: Nha Trang - Free (B/-/-)
Day 9: Nha Trang - Free (B/-/-)
Day 10: NhaTrang - Flight to Danang - Hoian (B/L/-)
Day 11: Hoian - Free (B/-/-)
Day 12: Hoian - My Son Holly Land (B/L/-)
Day 13: Hoian - Danang - Flight to Hanoi (B/-/-)
Day 14: Hanoi - Cooking Class (B/L/-)
Day 15: Hanoi - Halong - Bai Tu Long Bay (B/L/D)
Day 16: Bai Tu Long Bay Exploration (B/L/D)
Day 17: Ha Long Port – Drive back Hanoi (B/L/-)
Day 18: Hanoi - 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: Saigon arrival (-/-/-)
Saigon - Airport: 7km, ~20min drive
Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, meet your guide and driver who will then escort you to the city. After making sure of successful hotel check-in, you are free to explore the largest city in Vietnam. Try some delicious street food, treat yourself to a Bia Saigon and immerse yourself amongst the “Pearl of the East”.
Meals Included: None
Accommodation: Hotel in SaigonDay 2: Saigon City (B/L/-)
After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, our guide will appear at the hotel for your first official tour of Saigon. We begin with some beautiful French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Saigon Post Office. Notre Dame Cathedral was built between 1877 and 1883, and 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. Next, to the cathedral stands the Old Saigon Post Office, finished in 1891. It is another fine example of French architecture and is Vietnam's largest post office.The tour continues along Dong Khoi Street, where the Opera House and the Peoples’ Committee building were built in 1897 by French architect Ferret Eugene. The 800 seat Opera House served as the home of the Lower House Assembly of South Vietnam after 1956. After this, we head to the Reunification Palace which is the former residence of the President of South Vietnam. This is until April 30th, 1975 when North Vietnamese tanks came crashing through the front gates thus marking of the Vietnam War. For a mental break, we’ve booked a popular Saigon restaurant for some lunch.
In the afternoon, you will visit the War Remnants Museum formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes. This is a poignant display of the futility of war. For a more relaxing afternoon, next on the sightseeing list is Thien Hau Pagoda located in Cho Lon, the city’s Chinatown. This pagoda is dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea. The most impressive features of the structure are the intricate friezes and the carved tableaus towards the front of the pagoda. Another site that cannot be missed the bustling Ben Thanh Market. There are a number of vendors and food stalls which provide fresh & delicious dishes. You also can find many goods for daily use as well as a variety of eye-catching local handicrafts and souvenirs.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in SaigonDay 3: Saigon - Cai Be - Mekong Lodge (B/L/D)
Saigon - Cai Be: 120 km, ~3h drive
At 8:00 am our driver will meet and transfer you to Cai Be - approximately a two-hour drive south from Saigon. We take a scenic boat trip upon arrival and enjoy the amazing Mekong Delta. Known to be a floating market full of life, with lush fruit orchards, endless rice paddies and traditional handicraft villages as far as the eye can see. We arrive in Cai Be around noon where you will be welcomed at the harbour and taken to Mekong Lodge. Once you’ve checked into your own private bungalow, lunch will be the daily special served at the wonderful River View restaurant.
In the afternoon, you’re able to walk or cycle for two hours to visit a few handicraft villages where mats and other items closely attached to local life are produced. In the late afternoon, we will participate in the preparation of dinner with the head chef of Mekong Lodge and have dinner at the Mekong Lodge’s restaurant.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Mekong LodgeDay 4: Cai Be Floating Market - Flight to Dalat (B/L/-)
Saigon - Dalat: 307km, 50min flight
A busy but varied day! Enjoy a buffet breakfast at the Mekong Lodge before taking a row boat to the floating Cai Be market. This market, in particular, is one of the biggest floating markets in the Mekong Delta and has been around since the Nguyen Dynasty in the 19th century. We continue our tour with several stops to visit local home factories and discover the traditional method of making rice popcorn, coconut candy and rice sheets. We return to Saigon and have lunch en route. We also visit a richly decorated Cao Dai temple in Tan An city. Then you’re off again to take a flight to Da Lat.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in DalatDay 5: Dalat Exploration (B/L/-)
After breakfast at hotel, we enjoy a full day tour around Dalat, otherwise known as the city of love and romance. We start with a scenic cable ride to get a panoramic view over the stunning city. We then visit Truc Lam Monastery, one of the three biggest Buddhist centers in Vietnam. The pagoda complex was designed by Vietnamese architect, Ngo Viet Thu and it is located near the impressive Tuyen Lam Lake. We continue our day trip at Datanla waterfall which during high season produces a fairylike mist. We drop by the Summer Palace, once the summer retreat of Vietnam’s last emperor Bao Dai and Queen Nam Phuong. The original furniture and interior are still intact and it is an excellent example of Vietnamese & French architecture. We then visit the traditional embroidery workshop XQ Su Quan, where delicate and refined embroidered pictures are produced. Each work of art takes three years to make. We return back in the evening where the night is yours to explore.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in DalatDay 6: Dalat - Free (B/-/-)
Breakfast is served at hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to cycle or walk around Da Lat’s rural surroundings or just relax. A one hour spa treatment will be our gift of well-wishes to newlyweds!Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in DalatDay 7: Dalat - Nha Trang (B/-/-)
Dalat - Nha Trang: 135km, ~3h drive
After an early breakfast we depart for Nha Trang. On the way we will stop for refreshment as well as having great shots of beautiful landscapes.
Arrival at Nha Trang, you will be free at your own leisure.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Nha TrangDay 8: Nha Trang Cultural Tour (B/L/-)
This excursion takes you to visit a selection of the numerous attractions in Nha Trang City. Firstly, we will drive to Cau Da for a visit the Vietnam Oceanographic Institute to see the whole collection of sea creatures in Nha Trang Bay. After that, you will go to Long Son Pagoda, Cathedral or Stone Church built in French colony time.
The next destination is Chong Promontory Rocks and the Po Nagar Temples. The tour ends after the visit to local Dam Market before going back hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Nha TrangDay 9: Nha Trang - Free (B/-/-)
After breakfast at the hotel, the day is completely yours. We’re more than happy to make recommendations for you though!
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Nha TrangDay 10: Nha Trang - Flight to Danang - Hoi An (B/L/-)
Nha Trang - Danang: 520km, 1h flight
After breakfast at the hotel, our driver will meet and transfer you to airport for flight to Danang. Upon arrival, you will be picked up by our guide and driven to Hoi An. Originally a Cham seaport, Hoi An has been influenced with centuries traders from various cultures. Upon arriving in this this delightful and tranquil town we will view some of Vietnam’s most popular attractions; Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tam Ky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda, the vibrant night market.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi AnDay 11: Hoi An - My Son Hollyland (B/L/-)
After breakfast, we drive towards the archaeological site of My Son (45km, ~1h drive). This is a former capital of the ancient Cham civilization that ruled central Vietnam between the second and thirteenth centuries. Hinduism from India heavily influenced their religion. Located 60 km from Danang, My Son is considered one of the best-preserved Cham structures in Vietnam. The complex is comprised of seventy Hindu-like towers and temples dating from the second century. This site is a must-see for people who are interested in architecture and ancient civilizations. It is one of four World Heritage listed sites in Vietnam.
In the afternoon, we enjoy a comfortable ride to Thu Bon river to board a river cruise. Sailing down the river one is able to experience the local daily life along the river, such as fishing, farming, catching clam. We then visit Thanh Ha ceramic village to admire its intricate pottery and see old men design vases. Back on-board, we cruise down to the Cua Dai estuary for a spectacular view of the sun setting over Thu Bon River and the sea before returning back to harbour where our driver is awaiting to take you back to hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi AnDay 12: Hoian - Free (B/-/-)
After breakfast at hotel, the rest of the day is free for your own exploration of this ancient town.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi AnDay 13: Hoian - Danang - Flight to Hanoi (B/-/-)
Danang - Hanoi: 770km, 1h5min flight
After breakfast, your will be taken to airport for a short flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, our guide and driver will meet and escort you to hotel in city center for check-in and some well-needed down time.
In the afternoon, we visit Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays, the alternative is the History Museum) dedicated to Vietnam's fifty-four officially recognized ethnic groups. While the in-housed exhibition is particularly informative, the outdoor display continues in the museum’s garden with fascinating examples of traditional houses, from the Kinhs to the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands. We then enjoy a 45-minutes-cyclo tour 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. We will perfectly wrap up the day with a traditional “water puppet show”.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in HanoiDay 14: Hanoi - Cooking Class (B/L/-)
After breakfast at the hotel, we invite you to a cooking class! Cooking in Hanoi is considered an intricate form of art whether you serve your dish in a five star restaurant or on the corner of a street. Discover the colourful world of Vietnamese herbs, vegetables and spices. You will meet your guide in a bustling market where the Chef will explain to you the names and how the Vietnamese use essential ingredients. Don’t be surprised if you’re encouraged to taste some of Vietnam's more exotic ingredients. The cooking session will last about 1.5 hours in which you will prepare three signature Vietnamese dishes under the guidance of the experienced chefs on hand. The class will end with a taste of your own creations. The rest of the day is yours to indulge in some shopping. For recommendations on where to shop please contact us!Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in HanoiDay 15: Hanoi - Halong overnight on boat (B/L/D)
Hanoi - Halong: 180km, ~3h30min drive
8.00: Our driver will pick up at your hotel and we depart to Ha Long City.
Arrival at Ha Long port around noon, we will check in board and have few minutes to relax. You then have lunch while cruising to magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay; admire the fascinating formations.
During lunch, we cruise to Cap La, Tra San where you enjoy paddling around Cap La and Tra San by kayak.
After kayaking, we move back to junk for swimming or relaxing.
Having dinner and overnight on board in Cong Do area.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Private L’Amour JunkDay 16: Cap La - Cong Dam - Thien Canh Son Cave (B/L/D)
07.30 – 08.00: Morning view of Bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee. Have breakfast in the fresh air.
08.00 – 10:00: Cruise to Cong Dam while discovering geological values of Bai Tu Long Bay.
10:00: Enjoy kayaking through the hidden lagoons and geological park in Cong Dam
12:00: Have BBQ lunch on a wild beach
13:30: Back to junk for relaxing while cruising to Cong Do area.
16:30: Arrive at Hon Co Island to explore the well- hidden Thien Canh Son cave
17:30: Return to the boat and cruise back to Cap La
19:00: Have dinner and overnight onboardMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Private L’Amour JunkDay 17: Cap La - Vung Vieng Fishing Village - Ha Long Cruise Port - Hanoi (B/L/-)
06:45: Have breakfast on board while cruising to Vung Ha area
08:00: Visit Vung Vieng fishing village by a rustic row-boat.
10.00: Check out of the cabin. Start cruising towards the port while an A la carte lunch is served.
11:30 – 12.00: Disembark. Our driver will pick you up again and we head back Hanoi for overnight.Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in HanoiDay 18: Hanoi - Departure (B/-/-)
After breakfast at the hotel, time is free until your driver meets and transfer you to Noi Bai airport for your flight to your next destination or back home. We hope you have had a great time with us, good luck if you’re travelling onwards and Bon Voyage!
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:
- Seasonal: during high season (October-April), the prices of services are generally higher when compared to the low season (May-September).
- The number of participants: the more of you that travel together the less you will pay!
- The choice of hotels: Fairly obvious one here; a 5-star hotel can cost ten times as much as a 2 star hotel.
- 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, booking your trip late can drastically affect prices due to their low availability.
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: Saigon – Dalat; Nha Trang – Danang; Danang – Hanoi (E-Class on Vietnam Airlines)
- Private boat excursion in Mekong Delta, Nha Trang
- Halong Bay overnight on boat (sharing boat)
- Hanoi cooking class
- Water and cool tissues
- Government taxes & service charge
Exclusion:
- Other drinks and meals not clearly mentioned
- Early check-in, late check-out
- 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
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