Vietnam – World Heritage Sites

When you arrive at Noi Bai International airport in Hanoi, you’ll be welcome by one of our representative and transferred to your hotel in the downtown. The remainder of the day will be your own.

Meals:
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

In the morning, you’ll visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex including the Mausoleum, his former stilt-house residence, the the One Pillar Pagoda. Next visit the Thang Long Imperial Citadel which has been declared a World Heritage in 2010, is a very strong citadel, standing in Hanoi from 11 century after Ly Thai To moved the capital here. The Citadel was once the living place of many royal families and nowadays become one of the most famous Citadels of the country.

Afternoon continue visiting the Museum of Ethnology, widely acknowledged as the best in the country, containing an extensive display of life-size structures dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority groups (OR visit the Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first university dating back to 1070). The tour today also takes in a cyclo ride for 1 hour touring through the narrow, chaotic streets of the Old Quarter – a must for any visitor to Hanoi! The day finishes with a traditional performance of the famous Vietnamese water puppets.

Note: the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed all day on Monday and Fridays, as well as from 15th June to 15th August (approx.) for annual conservation.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

After breakfast, a two hour road trip through picturesque countryside and agricultural land will take you to Hoa Lu. On arrival, your uide will lead you through this ancient complex which formed the capital city of Vietnam under both the Dinh and Le Dynasties between 968 and 1009 AD. King Dinh Tien Hoang chose this mountain location as the water systems fed from the mountains were perfect for both agriculture and defense. Enjoy the sight of palaces, pagodas, tombs and pavilions built by different dynasties and visit the Dinh and Le Temples, the two remaining architectures of Hoa Lu.

Afternoon transfer to the pier for a three hour sampan ride to explore the picturesque waterways in Trang An ecological site. The area features more than 30 valleys and 50 cross-water caves, and is home to 600 species of plants and over 200 types of animals. You will venture through a network of 11 caves in the quiet, fresh air, with only the sound of birds and the oars stirring the clear water and surrounded by magnificent forested mountains.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle, Boat

After breakfast, you’ll leave for Halong Bay with a refreshment break en route. Meet the crew upon boarding the traditional wooden junk, then relax and enjoy lunch while the boat heads towards the secluded islands. Visit ancient limestone caves and go sea kayaking and swimming if the weather permits. Return to the junk refreshed and invigorated and relax on deck with a drink to watch the sunset. Enjoy a freshly prepared seafood dinner under the stars.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight Cruises
Transportation: Private vehicle, Boat

Enjoy an early morning swim (if weather permits) followed by breakfast. The tour then visit one of the famous caves in the middle of the bay before cruising back to the main harbor for the 3,5 hour drive back to Hanoi for dinner and then overnight train leaving at 19.00 to Dong Hoi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Overnight Train
Transportation: Private vehicle, Boat, Overnight Train

This morning, your guide will take you to Phong Nha where you will board motorboat along Son River, passing through villages and green forests. You will visit Phong Nha caves (wet cave) including Cung Dinh, Tien and Bi Ky caves. Enjoy seeing the fascinating limestone formations of the Karst Mountains and vestige of Cham people. After lunch at a local community, continue to Nuoc Mooc eco-trail to learn more about the nature of Phong Nha National Park before heading back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle, Boat

After breakfast, drive to Quang Tri to visit Vinh Moc Tunnels – the intriguing network of underground tunnels built by villagers seeking shelter from bombings during the Vietnam War. The tunnels are also served a support function for North Vietnamese troops heading south and nearby islands used in providing air defense to North Vietnam. After a short break at a local café at Cua Tung beach, a short drive will take you to Dong Ha town for lunch.

Afternoon continue driving to Hue with stop en-route to visit Bo De School where you can see lots of holes of fires as remaining vestiges from the war. Visit Quang Tri Citadel to learn more about DMZ. You will arrive at your hotel at around 17.00.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

After breakfast, you’ll spend the full day for a city tour of Imperial City of Hue, firstly with the ancient walled Citadel including the former Imperial Palace. You’ll then visit the Dong Ba market to learn about local produce and specialties of Hue. You might get some great deals done at the local Dong Ba Market. Have lunch in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will cruise the Perfume River by a dragon boat to serene Thien Mu Pagoda and drive to visit the majestic Royal Tomb of King Ming Mang or King Khai Dinh. Return to your hotel by road just before sunset.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle, Boat

After breakfast, you’ll drive to the picturesque riverside town of Hoi An. The view of the coast line and Danang from the top of the Hai Van Pass (Pass of the Clouds) makes your journey interesting and have your camera ready for some great photo opportunities. Upon arrival in Danang, you’ll visit either the Cham Museum in the city centre OR the famous Marble Mountain, which stands for the five essential elements that establish nature.

Afternoon your guide will show you around the old town. You’ll start a walking tour with numerous places of interest: the 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Phuc Kien Assembly Halls, Tan Ky Ancient House, a museum and the colorful local market. Following the narrow lanes, you walk along tiny streets with houses influenced by Chinese, Japanese, French and European architectures. After your walking tour, your time will be at leisure to wander around or go shopping.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

In the morning, an hour drive will take you to the ancient Cham ruins of My Son. The route takes you through some incredible scenery and tiny villages that specialize in brass works, with little shops flanking the roadside selling big brass gongs. Upon arrival, guided visit the Tra Kieu capital which was the former administration center of Champa Kingdom. Discover the majestic ancient ruins at My Son including ancient towers which were built from the fourth century to fourteenth century. Walk around to see up to three groups of ancient temple and tower ruins set amongst hills and streams. The trip ends with enjoying a 45 min. traditional dance before returning to Hoi An for lunch. The remainder of the day will be your own.

Note: There is a daily traditional dancing show at 9:45 a.m. (except Mondays and included in entrance ticket price).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

A free day at leisure in Hoi An.

Note: There are various optional activities for your free time in Hoi An such as joining a cooking class, visiting rural villages around Hoi An by bicycle, hal-day street food adveture…Those options can be added at additional cost.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation:

After breakfast, drive to Danang airport for a morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

An 1,5 hour drive will take you to the Cu Chi Tunnels where you will visit the amazing network of underground tunnels was used during the Vietnam War by the Viet Cong. This huge construction was a habitation for villagers in the war time. With 3 levels of depth, it was never discovered by the US during the Vietnam War despite its proximity to Saigon. Visit the fighting tunnel system with your local guide. Rerturn to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle, Plane

Embark on a guided city tour starting with the War Remnants Museum – a real eye-opener to a part of  Vietnam’s proud history, followed by the Reunification Palace, the former Presidential Palace for the president of the South of Vietnam, the Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post office to get good shots for our memory of the big, modern city of Vietnam.

After lunch, you will continue by heading to Chinatown with walking tour through back streets of China town near Cho Lon to view the local daily life. Stop off for a visit of Thien Hau temple, which was built in the early 19th Century dedicated to Thien Hau, the goddess of seafarers. We delve deeper into Chinatown visiting the amazing Cholon and Binh Tay Market (or Ben Thanh market) for an insight into where locals shop. Then you’ll will be back to hotel at around 17:00.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle

Your time will be your own until being picked up to Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City for your international departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Transportation: Private vehicle