VN 02 : Essential Vietnam

Stop Off: Ha Noi -- Ha Long -- Hue -- Da Nang -- Hoi An -- Ho Chi Minh -- Cu Chi -- Tien Giang -- Ben Tre -- Can Tho

DAY 1: HANOI - ARRIVAL (D)

Welcome to Vietnam , transfer of 45 minutes to your hotel in town, (if it is still early then we can venture out for some culture shocks on a short walking tour in the Old Quarter of Hanoi - this is the way to get familiar with the people and the culture). Welcome dinner and water puppet show at night. Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 2: HANOI – HALONG - HANOI (B/L)
Breakfast at hotel. Pick up at your hotel in Hanoi. Drive to Halong Bay (165 km east of Hanoi), listed as a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. “Dragon descending to the sea“ as it is known in Vietnamese, picturesque Halong Bay has more than 1,000 limestone islets rising from the sea, many of them contain beautiful grottoes. Enjoy a relaxing 5-hour boat trip through Halong Bay, fresh Seafood lunch is prepared and served on board . Back Hanoi in the late afternoon. Overnight in Hanoi

DAY 3: HANOI - NOON FLIGHT TO HUE ( B/L)
Breakfast at hotel. Early check out your hotel. Visit Temple of Literature, 01 hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter of Hanoi. We will depart Hanoi driving straight to the airport for boarding on noon flight to Hue, royal city of the 13 ruling Nguyen dynasties. Meet at Hue airport and transfer to visit the Imperial Citadel. Hotel checks in and overnight in Hue.

DAY 4: HUE – DANANG - HOIAN (B/L)
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, Boat trip to visit Thien Mu Pagoda then take a drive to visit the royal tomb Tu Duc & Khai Dinh Tombs, one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious worship in Hue, then have lunch at local restaurant. After lunch, depart Hue for Hoi An (it takes approx 3,5 hours driving) passing by the Marble Mountain and take a photo stop here. Proceed to Hoi An and transfer to hotel for check in. Free night in Hoian.

DAY 5: HOIAN (B/L)
Breakfast at hotel. Take a walk to discover Hoi An Ancient town, known by early Western merchants, Hoi An was one of the major trading centers of Southeast Asia in the 16th century. Hoi An has a distinctive Chinese atmosphere with low, tiled-roof houses and narrow streets; the original structure of some of these streets is still virtually intact. Many of the houses were constructed of rare timbers and decorated with lacquer panels engraved with Chinese characters and pillars carved with ornamental designs. We will visit Tan Ky and Phuc Kien houses, Japanese Covered Bridge in side the Hoi An town and also visit Hoi An market. Take a boat trip along Thu Bon River to see the local life along the both sides of the river before enjoying lunch at hotel in Hoi An .At leisure for the rest time. Overnight in Hoian.

DAY 6: HOIAN – DANANG – SAIGON (B/L)
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Danang Airport and flight by morning flight to Ho Chi Minh. Upon arrival transfer to downtown Ho Chi Minh for walking tour along the famous Dong Khoi street (formerly Rue Catinat), passing by the Opera House, Town Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral & central Post Office. After lunch at local restaurant, transfer to hotel for check in. In the afternoon, visit Cholon (China town) and Ben Thanh Market. Free at leisure.

DAY 7: SAIGON – CU CHI (B/L)
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning drive to Cu Chi district (150 km), en route you will have the opportunity to visit local homes producing rice paper and rice wine. Visit the amazing complex of underground tunnels at Cu Chi. There are more than 200 km of underground tunnels, comprising a main axis system with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters and other tunnels. Drive back to Ho Chi Minh and have lunch in Ho Chi Minh. Afternoon visit President Place and War Museum and have shopping during the time. Night in Saigon.

DAY 8: SAIGON – TIEN GIANG – BEN TRE – CAN THO ( B/L/D)
At 08:00AM meet you at the hotel and drive to My Tho - the heart of 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 life music and song performance. 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. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant before driving to Cantho. Overnight in CanTho.

DAY 9: CAN THO – SAIGON (B/L)
Boat trip to visit Cai Rang Floating market, you also have the opportunity to watch local villagers producing instant rice noodles , making boats and rice-husking. Drive back to Ho Chi Minh with lunch en route. Drop off at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh.

DAY 10: SAIGON – DEPARTURE (B)
Time at leisure until transferring to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for departure.