Unique Vietnam

It is a day of full interesting experiences. Start with your visit to the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex including the mausoleum, presidential palace and his old house on stilts. Next and nearby is the special charm of little One Pillar Pagoda that stands as the witness for the vicissitudes of Hanoi thousand years. From here you will walk to the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, an archeological site dating back to the 11th century.

After lunch, continue with your visit to the Temple of Literature, the first University of the country that built from 1076, where huge stone steles on turtle backs bear names of the country’s men who received Doctor Laureate through royal examinations. Following is the Hoa Lo Prison, known widely by the nickname ‘Hanoi Hilton’; given to it by the Americans during the Second Indochina War.

This afternoon you will get transfer through Red River delta land to Ha Long city. Check in hotel and in the evening you will have time to wander around the town as well as to enjoy the sea breeze from the beach. Overnight in hotel in Halong city.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

Sightseeing Hanoi

Breakfast & lunch

Hotel in Halong City

Explore the incredible scenery of Halong Bay on a day boat cruise.

Twice recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage for its exceptional natural and cultural values and recently voted as one of 7 new wonders of the World, Halong Bay is considered one of the most beautiful places on earth. It is a huge body of emerald water that covers a space of more than 1500 square kilometers dotted with stunning limestone islands of different shapes that carved by waves and winds through millions of year. The name of the bay means “descending dragon” and according to legend, the thousands of its isle were created by dragons with their pearls.

During the cruise, you will visit floating villages, enjoy swimming in the crystal water, discover huge lime stone cave and sharpen your shooting skill with thousands of chance for photos.
A sumptuous seafood lunch will be served as you wind your way through the dramatic limestone islands.

Return to Hanoi in the afternoon with a stop to visit a traditional ceramic village where you will learn how beautiful stuffs are made by hand. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Halong Bay cruise

Breakfast & lunch

Private vehicle

Hotel in Hanoi

Leave Hanoi and drive through spectacular country and mountain sceneries to Mai Chau, a beautiful green valley surrounded by high mountains in Hoa Binh Province, approx 150km from Hanoi. This place is home to beautiful White Thai minority villages. Here, the Thai people have inhabited for centuries and much of their lifestyle and traditions have remained unchanged over the years.

Take a light trek around villages and green paddies for sightseeing, visit local house, enjoy local interaction and perhaps join with locals at their farm work.

Excellent dinner prepared by your host will be served along with some local rice whiskey. End the day with a traditional dance performance. Overnight home stay in a local house on stilts

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicles

Mai Chau village trek

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Homestay local house

Get up to the sounds of the peaceful village and enjoy morning scenery of locals at their daily work. After a home breakfast, take a scenic drive through the lush paddy fields and jagged limestone escarpments of the region to the remarkable cave system of the Hoa Lu and Tam Coc, sometimes known as the ‘Halong of the rice fields’.
Take a visit to the Hoa Lu ancient capital and temples dedicated to great kings of the Dinh and Early Le Dynasty from 10th and 11th century.

After lunch, rowing boats will take you through the labyrinth of caves, tunnels and emerald streams for a fascinating visit before returning to Hanoi to board the night sleeper train to Dong Ha. Overnight on train.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

Tam Coc boat rowing

Breakfast & lunch

O/N on train

Morning arrival at Dong Ha and a chance to discover the country’s more recent history with a day trip to the infamous DMZ (demilitarized zone). Visit to the Viet Cong tunnels at Vinh Moc, the Hien Luong Bridge on the 17th parallel which marked the border between South and North Vietnam, Quang Tri Citadel where in 1972 a fierce battle raged for 81 days that took away life of more than 20 thousands young men from both sides. Lots of photographs, war remnants can be seen at the museum nearby. Go further to the  Khe Sanh Combat Base – scene of some of the most intense fighting of the war.

In the afternoon, you will take a drive further south to Hue city, the old imperial capital, the treasure of the country’s royal past and known for its both historical values and beautiful natural landscapes.

Overnight in Hue

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

Vinh Moc tunnels

Breakfast & lunch

Hotel in Hue

Board a ‘dragon boat’ and float along the silk-strap-like Perfume River. You will have a visit to the Thien Mu Pagoda, the oldest and iconic symbol of Hue with its 7 storeys Phuoc Duyen Tower mirrors into water surface. Some of the displays there include a huge bronze bell dating back to early 18th century whose sound can be heard miles away and an Austin car that belonged to Thich Quang Duc who burn himself to death in 1963 to protest the Ngo Dinh Diem government’s policy against Buddhism. Continue to Tu Duc Emperor Tomb, a special architecture that was built in perfect harmony with the natural setting and reflected dream of emperors for their life after death.

In the afternoon you will take a visit to the Imperial Citadel, a fortress-like city encompasses three courts covering 6 km that surrounded by massive brick walls and deep moat system. Wander through the remains of the site including Nine Holy Cannons, the Flag Tower, Noon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, Nine Dynastic Urns and Forbidden Purple City.

Later, spend some time to wander around the Dong Ba market and perhaps try some local specialty ‘banh khoai’ that Hue is famous for.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

Boat on Perfume River

Hue Imperial City explore

Breakfast

Hotel in Hue

After breakfast, take scenic drive through green land, verdant mountains and spectacular beaches to Hoi An Town with some stops for swim at Lang Co, breathtaking view from Hai Van pass, optional visit to Cham Museum and Marble Mountains.

Hoi An, a little ancient town nestled on the banks of the Thu Bon River is one of the World Heritages in the country. Before the river silted up, Hoi An was one of the most important trading ports in Southeast Asia. Over the years, merchant ships from both the East and the West docked in Hoi An, making it hustle commercial centre. For now, Hoi An’s architecture, lifestyle and atmosphere is well preserved and combines to produce this unique heritage site. It's also a shopping paradise - with much to browse and buy.

Afternoon, enjoy a walking tour through the Hoi An ancient quarter. Visit Hoi An Centre market, temples, assembly halls, museum, ancient houses and take a stroll along the waterfront area where local activities take place.

Rest of the day free in Hoi An.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

Hoi An walking tour

Breakfast

Hotel in Hoi An

Enjoy your day free for wandering around Hoi An. It is a good chance to explore the ancient charms, indulge yourself with some fantastic shopping or just simply take a sit in one of elegant cafés for a cold drink and contemplate the time passing on mossy roofs and shuttered windows.
Hoi An beach, 4 km away from town and very easy to access by bicycle or taxi is good place for sun, sand and sea

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast

Hotel in Hoi An

Make a visit to the My Son Holy land, one of the World heritages sites in Vietnam.

Built between the 4th and 13th centuries, My Son is a unique cultural site which owes its spiritual origins to Indian Hinduism. This is graphically illustrated by the remains of a series of impressive tower-temples located in a dramatic site that was the religious capital of the Champa Kingdom before it became part of Vietnam.
Here, bricks were used to build the temples — without the aid of mortar — and sculptures of gods, priests, animals, and scenes of mythical battles and devotion adorned the walls.
Enjoy the Champa dance performance, wander through the temple ruins and learn something about the glorious history of the land.

Back to Hoi An and be at your leisure this afternoon for exploring and shopping in Hoi An town.

Summary of inclusions

Private vehicle

My Son Holyland visit

Breakfast

Hotel in Hoi An