The day by day travel itinerary of 12 day Vietnam Heritage Discovery
Day 1.Hanoi arrival & Hanoi city exploration.Overnight in Hanoi city (L)
Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport, our staff will warmly welcome you with your signed name : Mr/Mrs............, following your flight number & its landing time and privately transferred to your hotel in Hanoi city center.
Lunch will be served with local dished in our finely selected restaurant.
This afternoon, drive through Colonial Hanoi, seeing the Opera House and other local sights. Go inside infamous Hoa Lo Prison museum (“Hanoi Hilton”), where Senator John McCain and Douglas “Pete” Wilson were once imprisoned, and continue to visit the Temple of Literature (Vietnamese name is Quoc Tu Giam) – The Vietnam’s first University, which was built in 1070 in honor of Confucius, his followers and Chu Van An, a moral figure in Vietnamese education.
Temple of Literature - Chu Van An Statute
Next enjoy a cyclo tour through the Hanoi’s Old Quarter, a network of narrow alleys and shop houses also known as “The 36 Streets.” This is a wonderful place to watch the local life, and peruse items from fabrics to crafts to exotic medicines.
Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese water puppet - Water puppetry - " puppets that dance on water"- is a tradition that dates back as far as the 11th century when it originated in the villages of the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam.
Back to hotel and be relaxed at leisure.
Overnight in Hanoi
Day 2.Hanoi - Ninh Binh, visit to Bai Dinh Pagoda & Trang An Cultural & Natural Heritage - Hanoi.Overnight in Hanoi city (B,L)
Leave the city to Ninh Binh province ( 2 hours) where we will visit Bai Dinh pagoda and Trang An heritage site.
Bai Dinh Temple Spiritual and Cultural Complex is a complex of Buddhist temples, is considered the largest complex of Buddhist temples in Vietnam.
After have lunch in a local restaurant, we will have a pleasant & scenic boat ride to admire Trang An Ecotourism Complex - Vietnam's first mixed cultural & natural heritage by UNESCO.You will be amazed by neglected area while having boat trip through cave chains: Sang Cave, Toi Cave, Ba Giot Cave, Sinh Cave…experiencing mysterious views of the so-called “Ha Long Bay in land”.
Back to Hanoi & overnight in Hanoi city.
Day 3. Hanoi - Halong bay natural heritage.Overnight on cruise (B,L,D)
This morning, shuttle bus is arranged by cruise will pick you up and transfer to Halong Bay.
08.00 – 8:30: Our guide will pick you up at your hotel lobby in Ha Noi, being on a modern shuttle bus heading to Bai Tu Long bay, Ha Long city
12.00: Arrive at awaiting louge, you have a short time to relax in the office before embark cruise
12.45: Warmest welcome drinks from our staffs. Listen to a brief of safety on board then check in your cabin
13.30: Enjoying delicious Vietnamese for lunch while leisurely cruising to the core of Bai Tu Long Bay.
15.00: Leave the cruise to discover Cap La Island- the beautiful area in Bai Tu Long bay. Enjoy kayaking or rowing boat ride through the karst and breathtaking nature, swimming and relaxing
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17.30: Get back to the boat and enjoy Sunset Time (enjoy tea and fresh fruits). This time is regarded as “Happy Hour” – “buy one get one free” while our cruise is sailing to the overnight anchorage. In addition, cooking class is also organized by our guide at this time. You have a chance to make Vietnamese cuisine by yourself.
19.00: Sumptuous set-dinner on board.
20.30: Free time for relaxing on the sundeck, listening to music, you may also try your luck with squid fishing.
If you want to join in karaoke activity, please our tour guide to be supported.
Overnight on board on Bai Tu Long bay
Day 4. Halong bay natural heritage - Hanoi city.Overnight in Hanoi city (B,L)
06.30: Freshen up your new day with a Tai Chi Class
07.00: Breakfast will be served in Western style and furthermore with Vietnamese traditional food. Tea and coffee is available
08.00: Explore Thien Canh Son cave. Your guide will explain the history of Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay and this Cave, made by Mother Nature
09.30: Back to your boat by tender then finish packing.
Please remove all of your belongings from your cabin, you may leave heavy luggage outside of the cabin (staff will transfer directly to the pier).
10.30: Join in and show your creativity in fruit carving activity
11.00: Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch.
12.00: Disembark in Hon Gai pier
12.30: Say goodbye Halong Bay then returns to Hanoi
Return from Halong to your hotel in Hanoi by shuttle bus. Settle in and enjoy the evening at your leisure.
Overnight in Hanoi
Day 5. Hanoi flight to Dong Hoi city, explore Phong Nha cave & Paradise grotto in Phong Nha - Ke Bang natural heritage.Overnight in Dong Hoi city (B,L)
Morning, you'll be transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Dong Hoi airport - Quang Binh province
Fly Hanoi to Quang Binh on Vietnam Airlines VN 1591, departing 08:25, arriving 9:45
Economy Class (Luggage allowance: 20kgs +7kg hand bag)
Upon arrival at Dong Hoi Airport, the tourguide & driver pick you up and transfer to Son River where we take a boat trip to the park and famed caves at Phong Nha – Ke Bang, one of the newest UNESCO-designated World Heritage Sites in Vietnam. The park derives its name from Phong Nha cave, containing many fascinating rock formations, and Ke Bang forest.
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Mountain range along Son river - Phong Nha Grotto
Enjoy your time to explore Phong Nha cave: famous for its rock formations which have been given names such as the "Lion", the "Fairy Caves", the "Royal Court", and the "Buddha".
Afternoon, transfer to visit Thien Duong (Heaven) cave, the Vietnam’s longest cave which is filled with magical and mysterious formations. The cave is in the heart of a limestone mountain range and runs through the Phong Nha-Ke Bang conservation area.
Overnight in Dong Hoi city
Day 6. Dong Hoi city - DMZ Quang Tri area - Hue cultural heritage.Overnight in Hue city (B,L)
After breakfast, we depart to Hue city with an interesting visit to DMZ area in Quang Tri province en route.
The ride over DMZ area is suitable for those who want to learn about the severe Vietnam War and those who want to “make love not make war”.
Touring Hien Luong bridge & Ben Hai river – the 17th Parallel. From 1945 to 1975, the Ben Hai River served as the demarcation line between North and South of Vietnam. The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) consisted of a 5 km to north and south of the demarcation line. The Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone was established as a dividing line between North and South Vietnam as a result of the First Indochina War.
The bridge of Hien Luong divided the North & the South Vietnam
The next stop is Vinh Moc Tunnels - the famous “Underground city”. The Vinh Moc village story is a feat of humanity and resistance. In order to escape heavy bombardment during the war, the villagers constructed approximately 2.8 km of underground tunnels which they used as a refuge to survive the bombings.
Explore the tunnels and enjoy the beautiful sea view upon exit.
Arrive Hue in the late afternoon.
Stay overnight in Hue city
Day 7.Hue Cultural Heritage exploration to its Royal Palace & Monuments - Hoi An ancient town.Overnight in Hoi An town (B,L).
This morning, visit the Royal Palace which has three perimeters of rampart, namely from outside to inside: Kinh Thanh (Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel)
- Capital Citadel: This construction started in 1805 under the reign of Emperor Gia Long and completed in 1832 under the reign of Emperor Ming Mang.
- Royal Citadel: The Imperial City is located in the centre of the Citadel where established highest offices of Viet Nam's feudalism and sanctums honoring the cult of decreased Emperors.
- Forbidden Citadel: Located inside the Imperial City, behind the Throne Palace, the Forbidden Purple City is reserved for Emperor and his family.
- The tomb of King Khai Dinh is located in Chau Chu mountain near Hue in Vietnam. It was built from 1920 to 1931 taking 11 years to complete. In comparison with those of the preceding emperors, Khai Dinh’s tomb is much smaller in surface but it is very elaborate.
Keep driving to Thien Mu pagoda, an ancient pagoda in Hue city, can’t be missed. Its pagoda has seven storeys and is the tallest one in Vietnam. The pagoda sits on the Ha Khe hill, in the ward of Huong Long in Hue. It is around 3 km from the Citadel of Hue constructed by the Nguyen Dynasty and sits on the northern bank of the Perfume River.
In the mid-afternoon, travel to Hoi An. Check in hotel and overnight in Hoi An.
Day 8. Explore cultural heritages of Hoi An Ancient Town & My Son Holly Land.Overnight in Hoi An (B,L)
Morning tour of Hoi An: We discover how the traditions of the past are treasured in the present in Hoi An. An take part in a walking tour around this enchanting port town, follow the narrow lanes lined with centuries-old houses influenced by Chinese, Japanese, French and European architectures and visit its numerous places of interest: the 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Phuc Kien Assembly Halls, the Tan Ky old house, the local market.
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Hoi An ancient town
Afternoon we drive to visit My Son holly land, a cluster of abandoned and partially ruined Hindu Temples constructed between the 4th and the 14th century AD by the kings of Champa The My Son temple complex is regarded one of the foremost Hindu temple complexes in Southeast Asia and is the foremost heritage site of this nature in Vietnam. As of 1999, My Son has been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site.
Overnight in Hoi An
Day 9. Hoi An flight to Ho Chi Minh city, Ho Chi Minh city visit.Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city (B,L)
Morning, you'll be transferred to Da Nang airport in time for your flight to Ho Chi Minh city.
Fly Danang to HCMC on Vietnam Airlines VN 7129, departing 09:35, arriving 10:55
Economy Class (Luggage allowance: 20kgs +7kg hand bag)
Welcome to HCMC. Upon arrival at HCMC Airport. After collecting your baggage, exit the airport to meet outside our guide. He/she will be holding a sign with your names on it. From the airport, you will be privately transferred to your lovely hotel .
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Presidential Palace of Southern Government
Afternoon tour of Saigon: Today we continue to discover Saigon's historic landmarks including the former Presidential Palace which was once headquarters for the Saigon Government during the "American War", and the War Remnants Museum, established in September 1975 in Ho Chi Minh City. It contains countless artifacts, photographs and pictures documenting some of the less heroic activities carried out by the US army in Vietnam. Planes, tanks, bombs and helicopters are also on display. Next visit the 1880's General Post Office and the late 19th century Notre Dame cathedral, located in a peaceful part of the city.
Overnight in Saigon
Day 10. Ho Chi Minh city visit to Cai Be floating market - Mekong delta- HCMC.Overnight in HCMC (B,L)
The Mekong Delta is Vietnam's 'rice bowl' - a fertile region of flat farmland interlaced with thousands of waterways and tributaries of the Mekong. Upon arrival, take a boat trip to explore the colorful Cai Be floating market, where you can observe all of busy trading activities of local traders with several kinds of agricultural product from one boat to another. You then continue the cruise to a local factory to visit and learn how pop rice, pop corn, rice paper and coconut candies are made. You also have an opportunity to taste these products served with hot green tea.
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Enjoy a relaxed lunch in a riverside restaurant, then cross the river by the motorized boat to visit Tan Phong island, where you have a pleasant bamboo boat ride along small green canals of coconut trees & plants, getting to know locals' daily life & their villages.Then the boat stop us on a local fruit garden, you will have a chance to walk around the fruitful garden, taste some fruit types and enjoy a typical folk song performance presented by local people.
After the boat ride, our driver will meet you at Vinh Long pier and take you back to Ho Chi Minh city.
Stay overnight in HCM city.
Day 11. Ho Chi Minh city visit to legendary Cu Chi tunnels.Overnight in HCM city (B,L)
Morning tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels: Transfer to visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long struggle for independence. In places, it was housed up to 10,000 people who virtually lived underground for years.... getting married, giving birth. During the American War the entire area of Cu Chi was designated a free fire zone and was heavily bombarded. From 1988, two sections of tunnels have been open for visitors.
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Afternoon at leisure: You are free to relax at your hotel or explore HCMC on your own. A good chance to catch up with your tailor or search the numerous galleries for a masterpiece.
Day 12. Ho Chi Minh departure (B)
Today, have a free time shopping or relaxing at leisure till getting picked & transfered to Tan Son Nhat airport for your flight onward.The end of 12 day Vietnam Heritage Tour.See you in another trip to Vietnam again.
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