Summary:
Explore the rich culture of Vietnam, discover its charm and feel the magic by planning for a classic Vietnam Tour. From the appeal of Hanoi and stunning Ha Long Bay in the North, historic Hue and ancient Hoi An in Central Vietnam to Ho Chi Minh City and Mekong river life in the South, Vietnam classic tour is amazingly diverse. You will find people very friendly and open. The bonus is wonderful food, the superb variety of scenery and fascinating lifestyles and distinct climate zones with seasons to suit everyone. Vietnam is captivating and a cultural delight. Classic Vietnam tour tugs at the emotions too, as the sights, sounds and aromas testify wherever you go. Experience a memorable Vietnam classic tour!
Details:
Itinerary:
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Welcome to our elegant capital. Our driver will pick you up at Noi Bai airport and take you to the hotel so you can relax. Fee the pulse of Hanoi and perhaps stroll around revered and magical Hoan Kiem Lake. Enjoy dinner at a restaurant of your choice and a traditional Water Puppetry show (included).
Meals: N/A
Day 2: Hanoi Orientation
Discover Hanoi first from the list of your Vietnam Tours. We'll visit many famous sites not to be missed such as the Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh's house, peaceful garden and mausoleum, Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest Buddhist temple, in Hanoi, and exciting Old Quarter. Stroll through a maze of streets selling everything under the sun, with stores spilling out onto pavements, see old houses and workshops in various architecture styles and do sample the aromatic street food. Try a few dishes as the choice is huge and portions not too large.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3: Hanoi/Ha Long Bay
This morning you leave for spectacular Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site. See the stunning Karst seascape formed by limestone pillars standing like sentinels in this wonderful and evocative Bay. You board the best quality wooden junk for sightseeing and after lunch can indulge activities such as swimming and fishing. Have the option of being rowed around the amazing fishing villages dotting the shoreline inlets or kayak yourself. Dinner on the junk is an occasion to remember as the standard of food and service is very good with the addition of beautiful scenery. Enjoy a restful night in an air-conditioning ensuite room while on your classic Vietnam trip.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Ha Long Bay/Hanoi
Maybe get up early for a Tai Chi session on deck. Have a drink and snack before visiting an amazing cave complex. Back on the junk enjoy a leisurely brunch and relax on deck to take in a last glimpse of Ha Long bay before your return to Hanoi, arriving late afternoon. The evening is at leisure with many restaurants to choose from. Soak up the ambience of Hanoi and its nightlife and maybe take a last stroll to Hoan Kiem Lake, a magnet for locals at night and early morning too.
Meals: Brunch
Day 5: Hanoi/Hue
Fly to Hue and discover another magnificent UNESCO World Heritage site as Hue was the Imperial capital of the Nguyen dynasty from 1802 to 1945. Despite the devastation of war Hue still retains many featured buildings and its traditional culture and charm. Visit impressive monuments and the old Imperial Citadel, a magnificent building for the use of the king, royalties and officers. A visit to the lively Dong Ba market nearby is next. Strolling around is pleasant and so is a cyclo tour. Relax and take the weight of your feet!
Meals: Breakfast & dinner
Day 6: Hue Orientation
Hue is such an elegant city to visit while on your Vietnam Tours. Our morning starts with a boat ride on the romantic Perfume River with a visit to the charming ancient Thien Mu Pagoda. You will also see the majestic and dignified Emperor Tombs of the Kings from Nguyen Dynasty: Minh Mang, Khai Dinh and Tu Duc. A visit to the unique and distinctive Garden Houses is a must. Exuding calmness and tranquility they are a peaceful oasis. Most have links to the Imperial Court and some have royalty or mandarin connections.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Hue/Da Nang/Hoi An
Another busy but extremely interesting day. The views of Lang Co Beach and Tam Giang Lagoon from the Hai Van mountain pass are spectacular and the drive through Da Nang shows how much this has changed with tourism and leisure replacing a military base. Our destination Hoi An is also World Heritage status with well preserved ancient wooden houses, built hundreds of years ago, and a rich variety of cultures, traditional villages, delicious food, hectic river life, beaches and warm hospitality.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8: Hoi An/My Son/Hoi An
This morning we visit another World Heritage site, My Son Sanctuary, resembling a mini Angkor Wat. This holy setting is both unique and distinctive. Explore the remains and origins of the remarkable temples and towers of the Cham civilization and listen to many interesting stories in this stunning and tranquil valley setting. Your afternoon in Hoi An is at leisure. Explore the fine houses, pagodas and temples with their Chinese, Japanese and French influence to complement Vietnamese artistry. Hoi Ann is for relaxation and a delight at night with a few shopping streets now pedestrian only. Be quick and you may get a silk garment made overnight.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Hoi An Free
You’ll have a free day to do anything you wish to at your Classic Vietnam trip, especially for the time in the tranquil Ancient Town.
Day 10: Hoi An/Danang/Ho Chi Minh City
The flight from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, takes only 75 minutes. It is the most dynamic city in Vietnam and the business heartbeat. After hotel check-in and lunch you will have an orientation tour visiting places agreed with your guide. With free time in the evening stroll around the central area but as with Hanoi mind the human tidal wave of motorbikes! Maybe do a bit of shopping or people watch or watch a game of shuttle badminton using feet instead of a racket!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City Discovery/Cu Chi Tunnels
We explore this vibrant and bustling city with visits to the Colonial French quarter with an imposing replica Notre Dame Cathedral and extraordinary post office more like a railway terminal. The compelling Museum of War is a reminder of what took place more than 40 years ago. Visit the unique and religious Jade Emperor temple, crowded Ben Thanh market and fascinating mini Chinatown. You will also explore a very exciting historical location, the Cu Chi Tunnels. This contains long zigzagging tunnels built very efficiently and quickly by Vietnamese soldiers to hide from American soldiers and spring surprise attacks during the Vietnam War. Later on take a cultural walking tour to suit your interests. You stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City/Vinh Long/Can Tho
The Mekong Delta and river lifestyle is extraordinary. Watch the floating markets and buy clothes or fruit whilst cruising on the river. Back on land walk though fruit orchards, taste different fruits from mangoes to sapodilla and enjoy the rural ambience. Experience traditional village life and the variety of occupations with locals keen to show you what they make. The warmth and smiles of local people are enticing so don’t be surprised if you are invited to have a go. You spend the night in Can Tho.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 13: Can Tho/Ho Chi Minh City
Morning means a boat cruise to the Cai Rang floating market and charming Pagodas with the rural scenery as a great backdrop. On your journey back to Ho Chi Minh City visit the beautiful ancient Vinh Trang pagoda, renowned for its architecture as a mixture of Chinese, Vietnamese and Angkor styles. You arrive in Ho Chi Minh City late afternoon and have the evening free to relax.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City Departure
The time until your flight is yours for final shopping and saying goodbye to Vietnam after 14 traveling days from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam has so much to offer and this tour has offered a glimpse only. Next time you may want to spend more time in specific locations and visit other areas such as delightful and mountainous Sapa in the north and Dalat, the premier hill station in the French Colonial era with many fine buildings.
Meals: Breakfast
The itinerary is for reference and you can make as many changes to the itinerary as you wish. For example, the arrival destination could be reversed (Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City) to suit your flight schedule.