VIETNAM PRIME – Culture & Dining
(10 DAYS, 09 NIGHTS)
Hanoi - Halong - Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta
Description
This trip is intended for those who are keen to see Vietnam's major places of interest. The most important sites and destinations will be covered; enough to provide a lively memory of Vietnam’s intriguing history and friendly people. The journey will take you to the two major cities in Vietnam: Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City where different ways of life and customs can be seen.
This tour includes also the imaginary world of Halong Bay and the green riverine world of the Mekong Delta. Furthermore, visitors will have chance to taste delicious Vietnamese food every day at atmospheric restaurants and refresh themselves with special spa treatments offered on site to leave the tension behind.
Highlights
- Explore limestone islands and emerald green waters of Halong Bay World Heritage site
- Take a cyclo ride though the classic streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter
- Enjoy a water puppet theatrical show depicting agricultural traditions from first millennium
- Explore vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, the dynamic heart of Vietnam
- Discover the colonial monuments and sights of Ho Chi Minh City
- Cruise to evergreen islands in the Mekong River through large networks of meandering rivers
- Meet the locals and taste delicious Vietnamese food every day at atmospheric restaurants.
Program
Day 1: Welcome to Hanoi (dinner)
Arrive at the airport in Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital city of tree-lined streets, colonial houses and centuries-old temples. Pick up and transfer to a hotel. Enjoy a dinner with a traditional folk show. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Around Hanoi (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
The full day city tour features both cultural and historical highlights, comprising Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum and his house on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, Ethnology Museum, the Quan Thanh Temple, the Tran Quoc Pagoda and the old quarters.
The sightseeing day ends with a pedicab ride and a water puppet show. Created during the Ly Dynasty (1009-1224), the water puppet show, in which the artistes controlling the puppets stand in water behind the stage door, has become a unique form of artistic performance to Vietnamese. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Traditional handicraft villages in Hanoi (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Today you will visit Vietnamese traditional handicraft villages. Villages in the vicinity of Hanoi are the cradle of skilled crafts, folk arts and traditional festivals. Sightseeing includes the pottery village of Bat Trang, the traditional painting village of Dong Ho and the 13th-century pagoda of But Thap. Having lunch of country dishes will be a memorable experience. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 4: Free time in Hanoi (breakfast)
Free at leisure for shopping or spend your time enjoying a spa. Overnight in Hanoi.
Note: Only accommodation and breakfast are included in the trip cost on this day.
Day 5: Hanoi - Halong (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
The journey to Halong lasts around 3 hours and begins at 8:30 AM. On arrival, a welcome cocktail is offered and check-in on board the junk. At 12:00, the cruise starts sailing on Halong Bay passing by scenic locations including Yen Ngua, Con Coc Mountains and a floating village. A Vietnamese buffet lunch is served on board. En-route, visitors will enjoy the view from the sun deck, or relax with a professional massage before the cruise anchors near Trinh Nu & Hang Trong caves for the night stay.
During the afternoon, swimming or kayaking activities are proposed. A Vietnamese buffet dinner is served in the elegant dining room. Overnight on board.
Note: kayaking and massaging are optional and not included in the trip cost
Day 6: Halong – Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh City (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Attend a Tai Chi course in the early morning or watch a fabulous sunrise. The cruise then sails again through the breathtaking scenery of Halong Bay heading for the shore. Check out of your cabin after breakfast and transfer back to Hanoi. Lunch in Hanoi.
Take a short flight from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly called Saigon, the largest and busiest city in Vietnam. Meeting at Tan Son Nhat airport and transfer to hotel.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 7: Around Ho Chi Minh City (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
The full day tour will take you around the city, from downtown Saigon to Chinatown, in order to get a general view of a developing city.
You will get to know its history and culture with stops at History Museum and Thien Hau Temple. You will not only learn about the past but also get a glimpse of the daily life of stall and street vendors at the Binh Tay Market and Chinatown, and see other places of interests such as Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, Reunification Hall, the History Museum, etc. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 8: Excursion to Mekong Delta (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Enjoy a full-day excursion to My Tho, 75km south of Ho Chi Minh City, a peaceful town on the bank of the Mekong River. The tour comprises a cruise on the Mekong River, a visit to local homes and orchards, a sampan ride on palm-shaded creeks, a taste of seasonal fruit-and-honey tea and a performance of traditional southern singing. Lunch of Mekong specialties is arranged. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 9: Free time in Ho Chi Minh City (breakfast)
Free at leisure for shopping or spend your time enjoying a spa. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Note: Only accommodation and breakfast are included in the trip cost on this day.
Day 10: Departure from Ho Chi Minh City (breakfast)
Spend your last minutes downtown shopping (ceramics, silver-carvings, silk, ...) or at leisure before check-out. Transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for departure.