6 Days A Glimpse of Vietnam

DAY 1  : HANOI – ARRIVAL

Meet on arrival at Hanoi / Noi Bai International Airport and transfer to hotel for check in. Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 2 : HANOI CITY TOUR – HALONG BAY ( B/L)

AM: the city tour with visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex in Ba Dinh Square, one of the most visited attractions in Hanoi. First stop is Hochiminh Mausoleum (closed on Monday, Friday, all afternoon and during renovation period June – August yearly) to explore the architectural and historical aspects of Uncle Ho’s final resting-place, Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts and the One Pillar Pagoda, which was founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049 – the structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Continue to the Temple of Literature and Quoc Tu Giam, see Vietnam’s first university, constructed in 1070 –  it’s gardens and well-preserved architecture will offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Then visit the Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda at West Lake (One of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam) before heading to restaurant for lunch

PM: start a journey 165-km east of Hanoi to Halong Bay, one of the must-see attractions in Vietnam listed as World Nature Heritage by UNESCO with thousands of spectacular limestone islands rising from the clear, emerald sea in the Gulf of Tonkin.

Arrival Halong check in hotel and Overnight in Halong.

DAY 3: HALONG BAY – HANOI – HOCHIMINH CITY (B/L)

AM: enjoy 4-hours cruise through Halong Bay, passing bizarre rock formations, such as the Dinh Huong (the Incense Urn), Cho Da (the Stone Dog), islands with sandy beaches, and Ga Choi (the Fighting Roosters) islets. Discover Halong Bay, listed as a World Heritage of outstanding natural beauty, known in Vietnamese as “Dragon descending to the sea”. You will visit Thien Cung (Heaven Palace cave) – the most beautiful primitive cave of Ha Long Bay and the longest dry cave in Asia. Then continue hiking to nearby Dau Go grotto, listen to the legend about the cave and admire its a mysterious waterfall, with hundreds of stalactites instead of water. Fresh seafood is served on the boat before disembark.

Transfer to the airport for flight to Hochiminh city. Meet on arrival and transfer to hotel for check in. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

DAY 4: HOCHIMINH CITY TOUR – CU CHI TUNNELS (B/L)

AM: Start the city tour with the War Remnants Museum has a wealth of images from the wars, the most moving being a gallery entitled ‘Requiem’ which is dedicated to Vietnamese and foreign journalists and photographers who perished during the French and American conflicts. Photo stop at The Reunification Palace was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 30, 1975 when the North Vietnamese tanks came crashing through the front gates, bringing the U.S.-Vietnam War to a dramatic end. Close to the palace some of the best examples of French colonial architecture are represented in the forms of Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Notre Dame Cathedral was built between 1877 and 1883 and the stone used to create it was imported entirety from France. Next to the cathedral stands the Central Post Office, finished in 1891. It is another fine example of French architecture and is Vietnam‘s largest post office. For all its French colonial history though, Ho Chi Minh City is by far and away Vietnam‘s most modern city. It has numerous shopping malls, cinemas, discotheques and a bewildering number of bars. End the trip at shopping malls or biggest wholesales Ben Thanh market.

PM: Have an excursion to the famous Cu Chi tunnels, which stretched for over 200km from Saigon to the Cambodian border, became legendary during the 1960s. The Cu Chi tunnels played a vital part in the U.S.-Vietnam War in that they allowed the Viet Cong to control a large rural area only 30 to 40 km from Saigon. The network, parts of which were several levels deep, included innumerable trap doors, specifically constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centres and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have been widened and become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and feel of what underground life during the war must have been like. For those interested there’s even the opportunity to try an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range. Then, return to city. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

DAY 5: HOCHIMINH CITY – MEKONG DELTA (B/L)

AM: Depart for My Tho, the Gateway to the Mekong Delta and the capital of Tien Giang Province 72 km from Ho Chi Minh City (Former Saigon). The Mekong Delta is known as the Delta of Nine Dragons for the 9 tributaries that splinter from the main Mekong River. Upon arrival, visit Vinh Trang pagoda, the most beautiful pagoda of the province with a mixture structure of many styles. Then take a boat trip round 4 beautiful islets: Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise. These evergreen islands among the Mekong River still remain unknown to many people. You will discover beautiful landscapes along the river and observe the typical Mekong delta rural life. And we also enjoy seasonal fruit and honey tea or Mekong whiskey and listen to the sound of Southern Vietnamese folk music performed by locals.

Continue to take a boat ride to Ben Tre province. Experience a hand-rowed sampan under the shadow of the water coconut trees along natural canals and visit traditional house (all made from coconut). The next place is a family business which epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle. Here, we will have the chance to particular visits or photos making and taste the delicious coconut candy, observe the pastoral life as you wander through the fruit plantation and village.

PM: Enjoy fantastic lunch with special Elephant Ear fish at a local restaurant before coming back to Saigon.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

DAY 6:  HOCHIMINH CITY – DEPARTURE (B)

Leisure time until transfer to Ho Chi Minh City / Tan Son Nhat International Airport for departure.