18 DAYS DISCOVERING AWESOME VIETNAM

HANOI - NINHBINH - HALONGBAY - DANANG - HOIAN - SIEMREAP - HOCHIMINH

OUTLINE ITINERARY:

Day 1 Hanoi Arrival [No Guide]

Day 2 Hanoi Free And Easy [B]

Day 3 Hanoi City Tour – Water Puppet Show [Guide/B]

Day 4 Hanoi Ninh Binh [Guide/B]

Day 5 Hanoi Ha Long Bay [No Guide/B/L/D]

Day Ha Long Bay - Hanoi [No Guide/B/L]

Day 7 Hanoi - Flight To Da Nang - Hoi An - Cam Thanh Village - Ancient Town [No Guide/B]

Day 8 Hoi An Bana Hill Hoi An [Guide/B]

Day 9 Hoi An - Hue Hoi An [Guide/B]

Day 10 Hoi An - My Son Sanctuary [Guide/B]

Day 11 Hoi An Free And Easy [B]

Day 12 Hoi An/ Da Nang - Flight To Siem Reap [Guide/B]

Day 13 Siem Reap Angkor Wat [Guide/B]

Day 14 Siem Reap - Kulen Mountain [Guide/B]

Day 15 Siem Reap - Flight To Ho Chi Minh [Guide/B]

Day 16 Ho Chi Minh Cu Chi - Half Day Tour [Guide/B]

Day 17 Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Delta [Guide/B/L]

Day 18 Ho Chi Minh - Departure [No Guide/B]

DETAILS ITINERARY:

DAY 1 HANOI ARRIVAL [NO GUIDE]

Arrival in Hanoi, our driver (No guide) will pick you up to hotel for check in and take a rest.

Check in time is at 2PM.

Overnight in Hanoi. 

DAY 2 HANOI FREE AND EASY [B]

Free and easy 

DAY 3 HANOI CITY TOUR – WATER PUPPET SHOW [GUIDE/B]

Explore the charming city of Hanoi, often referred to as the ‘Paris of the East’, with its yellow ochre colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic lakes. Visit the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument of marble and granite built to house the preserved body of beloved revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh, affectionately known to the Vietnamese as “Uncle Ho”. Visit Stilt House, the One Pillar Pagoda, a Buddhist temple built in 1049 of wood in the shape of a lotus blossom and set on a single stone pillar. 

Continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university built in the late 11th century. The picturesque temple is an example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture and is featured on the back of the 100,000 Vietnamese dong banknote.

Lunch by your own account 

In the afternoon, you will discover Hoa Lo Prison - Most exhibits relate to the prison’s use up to the mid-1950s, focusing on the Vietnamese struggle for independence from France. A gruesome relic is the ominous French guillotine, used to behead Vietnamese revolutionaries. There are also displays focusing on the American pilots who were incarcerated at Hoa Lo during the American War

Next, you will drive back to central Hanoi for a walking tour through the famed Old Quarter known for its ‘36 streets of 36 wares’ named after the original 36 artisan guilds that date as far back as the 13th century. You will visit Hoan Kiem Lake with, The Huc Bridge, Ngoc Son Temple – the temple of the Jade Mountain. 

Next you will visit Water Puppet Show – a traditional art of Vietnamese people in Hanoi.

Back to hotel and take a rest. 

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 4 HANOI NINH BINH [GUIDE/B]

Breakfast at hotel, then our guide will pick you up from hotel to Ninh Binh in around 2.5 hours.

Arrival in Ninh Binh, you will visit Hoa Lu, an ancient capital dating back to the 10th century, packed with temple & fortress ruins. 

Then you will visit the Temple of King Dinh and King Le and learn more about Vietnamese history under the Dinh, Le, and Ly Dynasties.

Lunch at local restaurant 

In the afternoon, you will visit Tam Coc, known as “Halong Bay on the land”, where you can spend 1.5 hours on the bamboo boat to explore this area. On this excursion down the Ngo Dong River, you will pass through the beautiful paddy fields, limestone karst formation, and a stunning cave system including Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba for an unforgettable experience. 

Next you will visit Mua Cave, which is considered as “The Great Wall of China” in Vietnam with 500-step to reach the peak of Lying dragon mountain – Ngoa Long Mountain. 

Then back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi

DAY 5 HANOI HA LONG BAY [NO GUIDE/B/L/D] – PRIVATE TRANSFER WITHOUT GUIDE

Breakfast at hotel, then our driver will transfer to Ha Long. On the way, you will stop for refreshments, and upon arriving in Halong City, you will take a tender transfer to your junk and set sail through the bay while lunch is served. As you cruise the magical bay, you will notice thousands of sculpted limestone islands rising from the waves like dragons' teeth. Back on board, you'll enjoy cocktails or a cooking class while watching the sunset, and later you can unwind at a restaurant with a lavish dinner. To end the day, you can enjoy some evening activities such as movie night, board games, or a beauty treatment, before an overnight stay on the junk.

***Special Note: Cruise Itineraries may be subject to change due to weather condition without prior notice.

DAY 6 HA LONG BAY - HANOI [NO GUIDE/B/BR] PRIVATE TRANSFER WITHOUT GUIDE

Wake up on the bay to the sounds of waves and bird welcoming the new day. You will have an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay. After breakfast, visit a beautiful limestone grotto then walk back to the boat for a final glimpse of Halong Bay while cruising back to the dock.

Disembark on cruise, then back to Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi 

DAY 7 HANOI - FLIGHT TO DA NANG - HOI AN - CAM THANH VILLAGE - ANCIENT TOWN [NO GUIDE/B]

Breakfast at hotel, then our driver (no guide) will pick you up to airport for flight to Da Nang.

Arrival in Da Nang, transfer to Hoi An. 

Check in at hotel at 2PM, take a short rest. 

Then you will visit Coconut Forest at Cam Thanh Village with amazing basket boat dancing. 

In the late afternoon, you will visit Hoi An ancient Town, Take a walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the ancient town centre, visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Hall, the 200-year old Tam Ky ancestral house and the famous Japanese Bridge. 

Back to hotel and take a rest

Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 8 HOI AN BANA HILL HOI AN [GUIDE/B]

In the morning, transfer to Bana Hills Station. You have a chance to ride on a modern system of cable cars helps you get a bird’s-eye view, very miraculous and attractive while enjoying a feeling of flying in the blue sky amidst the clouds and wind. You will visit some old French villas en route, as well as the suspension bridge, Nui Chua & the Mountain Peak (at the height of 1,487m). Visit Linh Ung Pagoda, Golden Bridge, Sakyamuni Buddha’s monument and Ba Na.

Leave Bana behind, you will visit Marble Mountain - a cluster of five marble and limestone hills located in Ngũ Hành Sơn District, south of Da Nang city in Vietnam. The five mountains are named after the five elements: Kim, Thuy, Moc, Hoa and Tho.

DAY 9 HOI AN - HUE HOI AN [GUIDE/B]

Breakfast at hotel, then you will discover Hue ancient capital. 

Once the imperial capital of the Nguyen Lords from the 17th to the 19th centuries, Hue’s splendid emperors’ tombs, ancient pagodas and the remains of the Citadel contribute to its undeniable royal charm. Discover the Imperial Citadel at the centre of the Complex of Hue Monuments inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Enter through the towering main gate and appreciate the magnificent architecture and gardens while your guide explains the events and the intrigue surrounding the former royal court. Despite being heavily bombed during the Vietnam War, there are some incredibly well-preserved sections intact and others which are being carefully restored. Take the boat on Huong River, then you wil visit Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s best-preserved religious monument. Built in 1601, the seven-storied tower pagoda, perched on top of on a hill overlooking the Perfume River, is one of Vietnam’s most recognisable icons. 

In the afternoon, visit the elaborate Khai Dinh Royal Tomb. Its architecture showcases elements of Eastern art and Western design. Notice the tomb’s blackened concrete exterior and colourful mosaic interior. Continue to visit Minh Mang Tomb – considered as the most majestic of all of the Royal Tombs. Renowned for its architecture, which harmoniously blends into the nature surroundings.

Then transfer back to Hoi An.

Take a rest. Overnight in Hoi An 

DAY 10 HOI AN - MY SON SANCTUARY [GUIDE/B]

Breakfast at hotel, then our guide will pick  you up to depart to My Son Sanctuary – take around 1 hour for transfer. My Son – “the spirit and art valley” is a symbol for a brilliant period of Champa kingdom. Since 1999, My Son has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage

Arrive in My Son Temple, a special electric car will pick you up at the main gate and take you to the place where was chosen to build the temple tower of the Champa Royal for nearly 1000 years with many ancient towers hidden in a discreet valley. The place where the most exquisite focus of ancient Champa culture – is considered to be the Holy Land.

There, you will hear the stone bricks tell about the dancing gods, tell about the gods of worship in the Champa culture, and so many secrets that until now still have no explanation and maybe you will be the first decode them.

After visiting and listening to the tour guide talk about the mysteries here, you will be back to the main gate of My Son Ruins by special electric car. Leave My Son Holy land behind.

Lunch on your own

Free and easy 

Overnight in Hoi An. 

DAY 11 HOI AN FREE AND EASY [B]

Free and easy

Overnight in Hoi An 

DAY 12 HOI AN/ DA NANG - FLIGHT TO SIEM REAP [GUIDE/B]

Free and easy until our guide will pick you up to airport for flight to Siem Reap – no guide in Vietnam side.

Arrival in Siem Reap, check in at hotel and take a rest. 

Overnight in Siem Reap. 

DAY 13 SIEM REAP ANGKOR WAT [GUIDE/B]

After breakfast, enjoy a full day excursion to discover Angkor Thom and Temples. Firstly, you will visit the wonderful Angkor Thom (the Great City) including the Southern Gate, famous Bayon temple (12th century in the centre of city remains one the most enigmatic temples of the Angkor group composed of 54 gothic towers decorated with 216 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara. Baphuon temple is lying just to the north of Bayon a pyramidal representation of mythical Mont Meru. Terrace of Elephants used   as a giant reviewing stand for public ceremonies and served as a base for the king’s grand audience hall ; Terrace of the Leper King  a platform 7m high, with statue and temple walls covered in emerald-green moss intertwined with roots which many deem the most charming of all, Ta Prohm.

Lunch on your own 

Afternoon, it is time to visit the wonderful Angkor Wat Temples – one of the seven greatest architectural wonders of the world, as a temple and mausoleum forKing Suryavarman II at the peak of the Khmer empire in the first half of 12th. Angkor Wat is probably the best-preserved of the Angkorean temples, with a central tower surrounded by four smaller towers. The central monument represents the mythical Mount Meru, the holy mountain at the centre of the universe, which was home to the Hindu God Vishnu. The whole complex covers 81 hectares, a rectangular wall measuring 1025 meters by 800 meters borders the inner edge of the moat, and temple's greatest sculptural treasure is its 2 km-long bas-reliefs around the walls. In the late afternoon, visit to the Phnom Bakheng temple, is the first temple in Angkor region build by the Yacovarman I King in the first of 9th century, located on a slope gently hill where thousands tourist are grouping on the hilltop to catch a memorable time of life when viewing the marvellous sunset, the distant Angkor Wat in the jungle.  

Dinner on your own 

DAY 14 SIEM REAP - KULEN MOUNTAIN [GUIDE/B]

Breakfast in the hotel. Excursion to Mount Phnom Kulen. • We will see the river “thousands of lingams” - the bottom of which is decorated with stone carvings from the image of deities for hundreds of meters. Climbing the holy mountain Phnom Kulen and visiting the 16th-century temple with a carved 8-meter silhouette of the “recumbent” Buddha. A visit to the waterfall (optional, you can swim - we recommend taking towels and bathing accessories) • Next visit to the Banteay Srei temple, built at the end of the X century. A pink sandstone Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva. The temple site is surrounded by a wall, behind which there is a moat. The temple consists of three prasat towers. The walls of the towers are decorated with reliefs. The Banteay Srey Temple is also called the "Citadel of a Woman." On the way back stop at Pradark Village, where you will see the villagers making palm sugar, handicraft for selling to tourist. It’s a nice chance for you to see the local people living at the country side with their struggling for daily life.

DAY 15 SIEM REAP - FLIGHT TO HO CHI MINH [GUIDE/B]

Free and easy, then our guide will pick you up to airport for flight to Saigon.

Arrival in Saigon, check in at hotel and take a rest.

Overnight in Saigon.

DAY 16 HO CHI MINH CU CHI - HALF DAY TOUR [GUIDE/B]

After breakfast at hotel, you will transfer directly to Cu Chi Tunnels. The ingenious tunnel complex was initially started in 1948 to protect the Viet Cong guerrillas from the French air and ground sweeps. The tunnels also served as communication routes, storage facilities for food and weapon caches and contained hospitals and living quarters for guerrilla fighters throughout the American War.

Back to Ho Chi Minh. 

In the afternoon, you will discover History Museum, which shows you the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam as you explore various exhibits and artifacts on display.

Then you will visit Reunification palace. It was designed by architect Ngô Viết Thụ and was the home and workplace of the president of the Republic of Vietnam. It was the site of the Fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975 that ended the Vietnam War, when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through its gates. Finally, you will visit Old Post Office, constructed from 1886-1891 and depicts classic elements of Gothic, Renaissance and French colonial design.

Back to hotel and take a rest.

DAY 17 HO CHI MINH - MEKONG DELTA [GUIDE/B/L]

Receiving at Mỹ Tho tourist boat station: No 6-8, 30/4 Street, Ward 1, Mỹ Tho City, Tiền Giang province.

Cruising on the Mekong river for a sight-seeing of the four islands: Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle, Phoenix and Rạch Miễu bridge.

Heading toThới Sơn (Uniorn island, the biggest island in this area which is about 1.200 square hectare and about 11 km long).

Visiting an orchid garden to to see orchid flowers, some bee hives and enjoy honey tea as well as to have a look at a local chocolate processing workshop.

Continuing to Bến Tre province visit a coconut candy workshop and riding tuktuk along the village road.

Resting at a farm-house to enjoy some fresh tropical fruits and listen to some traditional music performed by local people then rowing small boat (sampan) along a beautiful natural canal and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere in the countryside.

Getting to a local restaurant for lunch with some typical Mekong Delta food... 

Returning to Mỹ Tho city and enjoy fresh coconut on the boat.

Visiting Vinh Trang Pagoda with beautiful architecture. 

Then back to Saigon and take a rest. 

Overnight in Saigon

DAY 18 HO CHI MINH - DEPARTURE [NO GUIDE/B]

Free & Easy at hotel, then transfer to airport for flight home. 

We look forward to seeing you again on your next adventure with Vinasoul Travel!

SERVICE INCLUDES

+ Private door-to-door pick-up & drop-off services; 

+ All private transfer and transportation

+ Accommodation shared in Twin/Double room with daily breakfast 

+ Tissues and water on coach; Services charges and government tax; Exclusive and personalized single agent/single customer service; No extra charge after services confirmation; 24/7 hotline support guaranteed;

+ All Meals as stated in the itinerary (B: Breakfast ; L: Lunch ; D: Dinner)

+ Halong Bay cruise program as specific

+ Experienced English-speaking guide during all tours and transfers

+ Private boat trip for sightseeing as mentioned in the program, Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the itinerary

SERVICES EXCLUDES

+ International flight tickets

+ Meals, if not specified in the itinerary

+ Tipping for guides, drivers, hotel staff, restaurant staff, boat rider, etc. Personal expenses, such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc. All other services not specified in the itinerary Surcharge for Peak season, Tet Lunar New year holidays, and compulsory dinner at some hotel & resort on Xmas and New year’s Eve

+ Travel insurance (we highly recommend that you purchase adequate insurance).

Suggestions for tipping and gratuities: 

+ Group under 6 pax: 20 USD per Group per day.

+ Group from 6 pax up: 3 - 5 USD per pax per day 

+ Group under 6 pax: 10 USD per Group per day. 

+ Group from 6 pax up: 2 USD per pax per day