Day 1 Hanoi
Arrival in Hanoi
Transfer
Walk the Rail Tracks of Hanoi
Start the tour on the rails a few meters north Hanoi’s main train station. Walk along the very narrow streets hosting the rails sometime not even a metre far from the entrance door of houses. Enjoy this original and photogenic scene walking along the street until 153 Phung Hung where you go back down to the road and follow the street’s sidewalk. Walk past a funeral home where you will see a group of people mourning and wearing the traditional white fabric around the forehead, which is the local equivalent to the western tradition of wearing black clothes. Continue walking toward Long Bien train station. From Long Bien train station start to cross the bridge and stop half way to go down the stairs onto the urban island. Have a rest and visit the orchards. Continue crossing the bridge and meet with the car which will transfer you to Gia Lam train station. Take your train ticket and jump in to cross the bridge on the other way, riding with the locals in the hard seater wagon. On week days you will stop at Long Bien, and on Saturday and Sunday you will stop at Hanoi Station. Meet your driver after disembarking and transfer back to your hotel. – Overnight in Hanoi
Day 2 Hanoi – Halong (Breakfast: Hotel )
Sightseeing in Hanoi
Although it is the modern-day capital of Vietnam, Hanoi still retains the mystery and charm of past centuries. Narrow lanes and traditional shophouses invite exploration by walking, while its many beautiful public spaces
lakes, parks, tree-lined boulevards and monuments
give the city an air of elegance and harmony with nature unique among Asian capitals. Begin your day visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where visitors can pay respects to the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh. The Mausoleum is closed on every Mondays and Fridays and closes annually in September and October for restoration (can only view from the outside). Continue through the park to Ho Chi Minh Stilt House,the simple two-room dwelling where Ho Chi Minh lived from 1958 until his final days (1969). Preserved in the same condition as during his life, it may be viewed through the windows.
Continue to the Temple of Literature, a peaceful series of walled courtyards and graceful gateways, and one of the best serving examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, this was also the site of Vietnam first university.
Finally, discover the Old Quarter of Hanoi by walk. This fascinating network of narrow alleys and shop houses is also known as The 36 Streets, each street being named after the merchandise traditionally sold there, ranging from fabrics to crafts to medicines to tombstones. A handicraft-lover’s paradise and a endlessly interesting place to explore local life.
By vehicle from Hanoi (city) to Halong Bay
Stop en-route for stretch your legs and use the restroom at one of the souvenir shop for charity. – Overnight in Halong
Day 3 Halong – Hanoi – Danang (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Meals incl. in itinerary (Vietnam) )
Transfer to/from Tuan Chau Marina Port
Excursion by boat through Halong Bay including lunch
Board the charming traditional wooden junk for a cruise through the Bay and en-route lunch will be served. Following lunch witness rock formations with names like Stone Dog, Incense Burner (Dinh Huong), and Fighting Cock (Ga Choi). At the core of the islets, there is an enchanting cave to visit thusly named Surprise Cave (Sung Sot), after that stop at Titov Island. Sail past floating villages, fishermen casting their nets and pearl fisheries and observe the rhythms of daily life on the bay.
By vehicle from Halong to Hanoi (Noi Bai Airport)
Flight from Hanoi to Danang
Transfer
– Overnight in Danang
Day 4 Danang – Hoi An (Breakfast: Hotel / Dinner: Cinnamon Cruises / Restaurant )
By vehicle from Danang to Hoi An
Journey south past the Marble Mountains and small villages.
Sightseeing in Hoi An
Hoi An, a picturesque riverside town, was one of South East Asia’s major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. This walking tour includes many of the town’s highlights. Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, constructed in 1593 by the Japanese community to link the town with the Chinese quarters across the stream. Near the bridge is Sa Huynh Museum which houses exhibitions from the earliest period of Hoi An’s history. Wander into the Tran Family Chapel, a 200 year old house built for worshipping ancestors. Visit Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall, a Chinese pagoda built around 1690 and enlarged in 1900. It is typical of the Chinese clans in the Hoi An area and is dedicated to Thien Hau Thanh Mau, the Goddess of the Sea and Protector of Sailors and Fishermen. Also enter into a Lantern Making Workshop to see how the frame is made and the silk cloth put onto the lantern.
Sunset dinner cruise aboard the Cinnamon on Thu Bon River (SIC)
– Overnight in Hoi An
Day 5 Hoi An (Breakfast: Hotel )
All day at leisure
– Overnight in Hoi An
Day 6 Hoi An – Danang – Hue (Breakfast: Hotel )
By vehicle from Hoi An to Hue with sightseeing in My Son
Travel to My Son, the former religious centre of the Champa Kingdom, a sophisticated civilisation which held sway over the region from the 4th to the 13th centuries. The ruins include five archaeological sites from different periods, set among green hills and winding streams. Make a brief visit to the Visitor’s centre for an overview of Cham history and culture, and then walk along the forested paths to see the ruins.
Visit Cham Museum
The Cham Museum houses probably the best collection of Cham art to be found anywhere in the world. There are more than 300 artefacts in the museum, many dating to the 4th century. There are beautiful sculptures reflecting the 1000 year Cham period – Overnight in Hue
Day 7 Hue (Breakfast: Hotel )
Visit the Imperial Citadel
Located in the heart of Hue is the Imperial Citadel, a vast complex built in the early 19th century and modelled after the Forbidden City of Peking. The original walls stretched for 10 km and were surrounded by a wide moat. Today, most of the buildings have been destroyed due to bombing during the Vietnam-American War, but the monuments that remain provide a fascinating glimpse into the court life of the Nguyen Dynasty. Approach the city past the striking Flag Tower, where a giant Vietnamese flag waves proudly overhead, to the imposing Ngo Mon Gate, the main entrance to the Imperial Enclosure. Enter into an area of spacious courtyards and serene lotus ponds, and visit Dien Tho Residence (Dien Tho palace) where the Queen mother lived, visit Thai Hoa Palace, the magnificently decorated reception hall, the Halls of the Mandarins, and the original Nine Dynastic Urns, among other sites, including a visit to the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum..
Visit the Imperial Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh
Khai Dinh was the last monument of the Nguyen dynasty and was constructed between 1920 and 1931. It sits magnificently on the slopes of Chau E Mountain in Chau Chau Village. It has a long staircase flanked by dragons. There are ceiling murals and ceramic frescoes.
Visit the Imperial Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
The Imperial Tomb of Tu Duc was designed and built by the longest reigning Vietnamese emperor,Tu Duc, during his lifetime, and was used as a retreat for meditation, reading and theatre performances. Take some time to soak in the tranquil atmosphere, and wander among the gracefully proportioned pavilions, courtyards and lotus pond – Overnight in Hue
Day 8 Hue – Saigon (Breakfast: Hotel )
Transfer
Flight from Hue to Saigon
Transfer
Excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels
Never discovered by American forces, the Cu Chi Tunnels were an important Vietcong base during the American War. Stretching over 200 km, this incredible underground network, dug by hand out of hard laterite, connected command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapons factories. Today, walk through the area and learn about the day to day life of the Vietcong, bear witness to the cleverly disguised entrances and elaborate booby-traps, and even venture inside the tunnels, some of which have been modified to accommodate tourists.
Saigon Street Food by Night
Depart from the hotel in the early evening and get ready to immerse yourself in the bustling Saigon streets. Along with your guide set off on foot, the best way to discover the narrow back alleyways and observe how the local people spend their evenings.
You will be taken to a district of the city where the authentic local lifestyle has been preserved. Walk through lively alleyways past famous food shops. Breathe in the aromas of the herbs and spices as you watch the dishes being cooked right in front of you.
Pull up a plastic stool at some sidewalk stalls and sample traditional specialties along with the locals. Try the crispy giant pancake (banh xeo) and the fried version (banh khot). See how delicious stuffed sticky rolls (banh cuon) are made in a steaming pot, and tuck into a hot platter of stir fried glass noodles with crab (mien xao cua). The culinary exploration continues with che, a traditional Vietnamese sweet beverage made from beans.
End the evening in a lively caf� to get a taste of the Saigon nightlife. Mingle with the locals and listen to young Vietnamese chatting and playing live music. Drive back to your hotel.
– Overnight in Saigon
Day 9 Saigon (Breakfast: Hotel )
A Day in the Mekong Delta (Full day)
From Saigon, drive into the heart of the Mekong Delta the small town of Cai Be with an elegant Neo-Romanesque Cathedral at the town centre recalling the presence of the French colonialists back in the 19th century. Embark on one of the local boats to explore the riverside village in which local families are running age-old cottage industries. Pay them a visit and see how the delta residents make traditional treats including dried longans, rice pancakes and puffed rice candies, a chance to sample these local delicacies. Continue the trip across a main flow of the mighty Mekong then follow narrow waterways through peaceful lush green orchards and also lively scenes of well inhabited canals. Return to Saigon. – Overnight in Saigon
Day 10 Saigon (Breakfast: Hotel )
Sightseeing in Saigon
A vibrant metropolis, Saigon teems with energy, activity and motion. Everywhere you look, you see the convergence of traditional and modern life. Begin the trip into modern history with a tour of the Reunification Palace. Formerly the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president, this 60s style building was famously stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975 signifying the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved in its original state, and the original tanks remain on display near the entrance gates.
Afterwards, drive to the historic centre to visit the Emperor of Jade Pagoda, one of Saigon’s most interesting pagodas. Proceed to pay a quick visit to the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Pass by the classic European-style landmarks such as the ornate City Hall (Hotel De Ville), the old Opera House (both may only be viewed from the outside). Finally, end up at the central Ben Thanh Market, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts, appealing to every taste.
Transfer
On the second day you will view the outside of the Ho Chi Minh President’s Mausoleum. You will also see the graceful gateways and walled courtyards of the Temple of Literature. Your walk through the Old Quarter enables you to see traditional merchandise. The local coffee shop sells delightful Vietnamese coffee and the souvenir shops sell lovely merchandise for charity.
