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Best of Vietnam
Best of Vietnam
EK

Highlights: Hanoi - Halong Bay (overnight on a cruise) - Hue - Danang - Hoian - Ho Chi Minh - Cu Chi Tunnels - Private trip to Mekong Delta River


Other Departures: Manchester - £2275, Newcastle - £2269, Glasgow - £2269, Birmingham - £2255, Edinburgh - £2275.


Hotels: (4-star)
Hanoi City - The Light Hotel Or Similar
Halong Bay Cruise - Huong Hai Sealife Cruise Or Similar
Hue - Moonlight Hotel Hue Or Similar
Hoi An - Lantana Hoi An Boutique Hotel Or Similar
Ho Chi Minh - Alagon Zen Hotel & Spa Or Similar


[Upgrade to 5-star hotels: £299 per person (based on double occupancy)]


Itinerary


Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
All guests are warmly welcomed upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport by our local guide then transfer to check in the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.


Day 2: Hanoi - Full Day City 
Routes can change subject to the client’s interest. Depart the hotel after breakfast in the morning for a visit to the Temple of Literature. Built-in 1076, The Temple of Literature was Vietnam's first university and was established to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years. Its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer fascinating glimpses into Vietnam’s past.
Next, visit Hanoi’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. The Citadel was constructed on a Chinese fortress dating back from the 7th century and re-built in the 11th century by the Ly Viet Dynasty. The historical site and remains represent a unique fusion of traits, with influences from China in the north and the ancient Kingdom of Champa in the south.
Thereafter, visit The One Pillar Pagoda, which was founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049. This structure is one of Vietnam’s smallest but most iconic temples. Close by is the Mausoleum of the historic father figure of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh (view from outside), and the former president's house on stilts where he lived from 1958 to 1969. His former home illustrates the modesty of this Vietnamese revolutionary
Afterward, continue to Hanoi’s picturesque West Lake area and the sixth century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda. From here transfer (or stroll along the lakeside) 700 meters to the nearby Taoist temple of Quan Thanh, dedicated to Tran Vu, one of the principal deities in Taoism.
Next, visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Take a walking tour through the charming Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It's a great place to explore, with plenty of photo opportunities all around. Then transfer back to the hotel. Overnight in Hanoi
OPTIONAL: OOH TICKET (with a charge)
The end of the day with Lang Toi show, also known as My Village, is a delicate merge of tradition and innovation, where poetic beauty of Vietnamese village life is presented under a new cirque approach. Farming, building activities, traditional games, and lifestyle of villagers are recreated by ancestral bamboo props, breathtaking cirque, juggling, and stunning acrobatics. Enchanting folk melody is played from more than 20 exotic traditional musical instruments.
Note: The show is not available every day and we will check the availability of show which depends on your arrival date.
Meals: Breakfast


Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay Overnight On Cruise | Hanoi to Haloing Bay (160 km)
In the morning, you will enjoy the journey drive to Halong Bay. Arrive at the jetty in Halong City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities. Be welcomed on board and have lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day, the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board. Overnight on Halong Bay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 4: Halong Bay Cruise - Hue | Halong Bay to Hanoi (160 km): 
Enjoy the fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Halong in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruise slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. 
Disembark and transfer directly to Noi Bai Airport for a domestic flight to Hue. Upon arrival Phu Bai Airport in Hue - the former Imperial City of the last dynasty of Vietnam. Located in Central Vietnam, Hue is the only place in the country where many historic, cultural, architectural as well as artistic values have been preserved. Tangible cultural heritage - the system of historic monuments - and intangible cultural heritage - the Imperial court music - have their own national and international values that were acknowledged as World Cultural Heritages. Hue is also the site where the northern and southern ecosystems meet, the area of river-hills, greenery and beautiful landscapes. Overnight at the hotel in Hue.
Meals: Breakfast or Brunch


Day 5: Hue City Tour 
Morning you will meet with our guide and start the day to explore the Imperial City of Hue. The Hue Citadel is situated on the Northern bank of the Perfume River and built by Emperor Gia Long it was designed for the exclusive use of the Emperor and his household. The Citadel is a square 2 km wall encompassing 3 walled enclosures; the Citadel, Kinh Thanh Hue, the Yellow Imperial city, Hoang Thanh and in the center the Forbidden Purple city Tu Cam Thanh where the Emperor lived. The Hue royal complex has been officially recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The visit Museum of Royal Antiquities
Tour continues to enjoy a scenic boat trip on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious worship in Hue
Afternoon, you will visit the Minh Mang Royal tomb, set amidst a lush pine hill by the river, each ruler of the Imperial City built his own tomb during his reign. Then we will visit Tu Duc Royal Tomb of Khai Dinh Royal Tomb - one of the most beautiful mausoleums around Hue. Later, visit Dong Ba Market for shopping. Overnight at the hotel in Hue.
Meals: Breakfast


Day 6: Hue – Hoi An Ancient Town
Morning, we start the spectacular drive over Hai Van Pass to Danang with a whole view of the Pacific Ocean and famous Lang Co fishing village. Continuing to the charming historic city of Hoi An which lies on the banks of the Thu Bon River. Hoi An was one of the major trading centers of Southeast Asia in the 16th century and was declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. 
One of the best ways to discover Hoi An and its surroundings is by walking. During your leisurely walk, you will visit some of the historic merchant and community houses, places of worship and famous Japanese Covered Bridge, the daily life of the local people: green paddy fields, vegetable gardens, markets, temples, historic houses, fishermen and stunning countryside scenes will simply mesmerize you. This tour offers great photo opportunities and you may find yourself chatting with the locals and inhaling unforgettable memories.
Meals: Breakfast


Day 7: Hoi An - Cycling - Fishing Life 
08:00 you will enjoy the bicycle ride to Tra Que Village. Visit the vegetable village and see the daily activities of the local farmers there.
Continue riding a bicycle along De Vong River to Hoi An Beach dock. Take a boat to Cua Dai sand dune, enjoy casting net show and learn how to cast net by local fishermen.
Continue to Cam Thanh Water coconut village, have a brief introduction to the history there. Take on the basket boat along the water coconut river. Fishermen will teach you how to catch the crabs (02 pax/ boat). Divide the group into small teams for basket boat racing and catching crabs. The winner will get a lovely gift.
Embark on the boat, enjoy the folk songs show by local people there. Transfer back to the hotel. Free on your own leisure for the rest of the day. Overnight in Hoi An
Note: Car is at disposal if clients don’t want to ride a bicycle
Meals: Breakfast


Day 8: Hoi An – Danang – Ho Chi Minh Arrival
Morning free at your own leisure until proceeding to Danang Airport for your domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh 
Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, all guests are warmly welcomed by our driver's assistant then transfer to check in the hotel. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh
OPTIONAL: SAIGON AFTER DARK TOUR ON VESPA, SHARING TOUR – NOT PRIVATE (with a charge)
The tour includes Vespas, experienced drivers, English speaking tour guide, helmets, rain ponchos, all entry fees, cold water, all food and drinks at designated stops. Pick up and drop off from your hotel in Saigon. The tour includes Vespas, experienced drivers, English speaking tour guide, helmets, rain ponchos, all entry fees, cold water, all food and drinks at designated stops. Pick up and drop off from your hotel in Saigon. This tour is perfect if you like: culture, people, local life, cuisine, live music Stops include there local cafés and bars and two local restaurants. 
‘A foodie night out on the town’ Experience the local nightlife and enjoy tasty food and live music as we ride pillion on vintage Vespas along the busy streets of this vibrant city. See Saigon come alive at night on this after-dark adventure! 
Description: Immerse yourself into the cosmopolitan nightlife of this busy city by night. Soak up the energy of this urban metropolis at our central city location while watching the world go by we sip on our first drinks and try out some tasty snacks. Your expert driver will then zoom through the busy streets of Saigon as you check out some of the famous highlights in this bustling city. Feel like a local as we feast on authentic, fresh seafood dishes, eating streetside and then enjoy the local favorite that is the delicious Banh Xeo, a traditional Vietnamese savory pancake. We then ride off into the night again to experience live music at two very different venues. Firstly, the laid back atmosphere of quieter softly lit coffee shop before heading to a lively rock bar where a new generation of Vietnamese flaunts their style. Bring a healthy appetite and a sense of adventure as our guides show you their city by night. 
Meals: Breakfast


Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City Tour – Cu Chi Tunnels | Saigon – Cu Chu Tunnels (67km – 2 hours)
Morning you will enjoy the journey of 75 km from Saigon to Cu Chi Tunnels - a complex of an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters (Viet Cong) during both the French and American wars. There is more than 200 km of tunnels, comprising a main axis system with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and other tunnels. You have the chance to crawl through this amazing system of tunnels. For a more “thrilling” experience, you can even test your shooting skills on original AK47s and other guns from past war times (subject to a surcharge). 
Transferring back to Ho Chi Minh. Tour continues to visit Independence Palace (Reunification Palace), War Remnants Museum (closed Mondays). Afterward, stroll through the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City: the Old Saigon Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral inaugurated in 1880 became the spiritual and cultural crucible of the French presence in the Orient as was the Post office designed by Gustav Eiffel and resembling a grand railway station, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, Opera House and Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee (formerly Hôtel de Ville) which is one of the most photographed buildings in Vietnam - notable for its gardens, ornate facade, and elegant interior lit with crystal chandeliers. Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh.
Meals: Breakfast


Day 10: Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta River (My Tho)
Morning meets our local guide in the lobby of your hotel and drives to My Tho the heart of the Mekong delta, famous for its vast rice fields and most beautiful landscapes. Visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda en route and stop by the bank of Tien Giang river. Take a boat trip on Mekong River to Phoenix Island where local handicrafts and sweets from coconut are being produced. Enjoy fresh seasonal fruits and traditional live music and song performance. Take a short ride on a horse carriage to a typical local house to taste some homemade honey-tea. Proceed by small sampan boats through the small canals and side arms of the river to observe the daily life along the river banks with a stop and short leisurely walk at the Turtle Island. 
Driving back to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Free on your own leisure for the rest of the day. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh
Meals: Breakfast


Day 11: Ho Chi Minh – Departure Without Guide
Fee at your own leisure time until transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your international flight home. We hope you had an exciting holiday with us. Making it an affair to remember!


Exclusions:
Optional tours
Personal travel insurance, personal expenditure, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, camera fees, communications, postage, gratuities, etc.
Meals and services other than mentioned in the program, drinks with meals
Compulsory gala dinners during festive seasons and peak season surcharges which will be advised at the time of booking
Early check-in and late check-out at hotels, if not mentioned in the program



Offer Includes

  • Flights from London Heathrow with Emirates
  • Airport taxes
  • 10 nights accommodation as per itinerary
  • Meals as per itinerary
  • Private air-conditioned vehicles
  • Local English speaking guide
  • All entrance fees as mentioned in the program.
  • Vietnamese traditional gift
  • Tour by private car with guide

Meal Plans

  • As per Itinerary