VIETNAM ELEGANCE
Day1 Arrival in Saigon (D)
Arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, you’ll be welcomed by our tour guide and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy free time at leisure. In the evening, we'll take you out to sample the fine Vietnamese cuisine for the welcome dinner on a boat cruising on the Saigon River. The boat cruise offers stunning view of the city once nicknamed the Pearl of the Orient.
Accommodation in HCMC: Saigon Majestic Hotel (Twin-shared, Superior)
Meals: Dinner on a boat cruising on the Saigon River.
Day2 HCMC – Cu Chi – Tay Ninh - HCMC (B/D)
In the morning, we drive 100km to visit Tay Ninh Cao Dai Holy See, the headquarters of the indigenous Cao Dai religion. At noon when the mass in session you'll adore this beautiful architecture and the eclectic mixture of Cao Dai philosophy. Dressed properly is recommended.
We have time for refreshment and lunch on our own then continue our trip to Cu Chi to learn about the magic tunnel system. Cu Chi Tunnel is a system of magical tunnels connecting one village to another and was built by the locals to accommodate the VC during the War.
From Cu Chi, major attacks on Saigon were launched during the war, especially those in Tet Offensive of 1968 which shocked the whole world. Creeping our way in the narrow tunnel, you can't imagine that there was no map of the tunnels at the time. Those navigating in the tunnel in the past had to know the tunnel themselves or there had to be a guide, otherwise there were all kinds of traps everywhere in the tunnel awaiting.
The tunnel at the height stretched over 250 km had rudimentary hospitals, water wells, toilets, kitchens…which allowed the local fighters to remain underground for weeks. You can’t imagine that the locals had to dig the tunnels with their bare hand and shovel; they had to camouflage the soil dug out so that they wouldn’t be uncovered by their enemy…So much work done that now facing it and thinking back, the only thing we can say about the tunnel is magic: only magic could make it happen. Magical things have happened in Vietnam for thousand of years of history anyway.
Many attempts to destroy the tunnels as well as annihilate the fighters including using tractor, toxic chemicals, bombs…but all came to failure. In Cu Chi, we’ll learn about the war as well as the life of the local people during the hard time. Here you’ll adore the human beings resilience once put to test. We arrive back at Ho Chi Minh late in the afternoon. You have time for refreshment, and then we’ll drive out for a fine dining experience in a secluded local garden restaurant right on the Saigon River bank.
Accommodation in HCMC: Saigon Majestic Hotel (Twin-shared, Superior)
Meals: breakfast at the hotel & dinner at a local restaurant.
Day3 Ho Chi Minh City – Dalat (B/L)
We check out of the hotel and get our luggage into the vehicle. This morning is for more discovery of Ho Chi Minh City. We’ll visit the War Remnants Museum and the Re-Unification Palace where you learn more about the history of Vietnam and the war which millions of people killed, which attracted the attention from the whole World. Then we’ll explore China Town with Binh Tay Market. Having a walk together in the center of Saigon near L’Hotel De Ville offers exotic experience of traffics and photos. We’ll have lunch together at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we’ll make our way through the myriad green rubber plantations, tea and coffee plantations towards Da Lat. The city is a hill station of 1500m elevation and has always been famous with the temperate climate and the natural beauty. The landscape settings of Da Lat are surely matchless. There are pine hill forests dotted with lakes and waterfalls. Nestled in the pine forests are thousands of best preserved Colonial Styled Villas from the 19th century. Da Lat has been nicknamed “Le Petit Paris” or “The City of Eternal Spring”…Da Lat is the destination for Vietnamese artists and honeymooners.
We arrive in Da Lat in late afternoon. We check into our hotel and enjoy free time at leisure. Dinner is on our own today.
Accommodation in Dalat: Sofitel Palace Dalat (Twin-shared, ROH)
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel, lunch at local restaurant.
Day4 Da Lat (B/L/D)
This morning is for the panoramic view of the city. We drive out of Da Lat into the stunning countryside to the foot of the Lang Biang Mountain. We’ll get a rocky jeep drive to the top of 2169m. From the top of Lang Biang Mountain, we can get the whole breathtaking view of Da Lat and the surroundings. Then we’ll descend back to the city and have lunch together in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we’ll have more exploration of Da Lat. We’ll visit the Valley of Love, Bao Dai Summer Palace, Hang Nga “Crazy House”, Central Market, the Old Railway Station, Lam Ti Ni, Linh Phuoc Pagoda.
In the evening we’ll have group dinner in a cozy local restaurant.
Accommodation in Dalat: Sofitel Palace Dalat (Twin-shared, ROH)
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel, Luch & dinner at local restaurants
Day5 Da Lat - Nha Trang (B/L)
Today, our journey brings us down through the plateau and the southern coastal area to Nha Trang beach city. The change in terrains gives us plenty of stunning sceneries. We’ll find ourselves small on top of Ngoan Muc Pass surrounded by heaven, earth, mountains, cloud and forests. The scene is just breathtaking which can be captured with our cameras.
The southern coastal area offers white sand beaches with turquoise sea water. Arriving in Nha Trang, we’ll visit the Po Nagar Cham Tower before having lunch together at a local restaurant. Our lunch is served with fresh local seafood and local fine cuisine. After lunch, we’ll visit the Long Son Pagoda, and then check into the resort. The rest of the day is free at leisure on the beach. Dinner is on our own tonight.
Accommodation in Nha Trang: the Sunrise Resort & SPA (Single, ROH)
Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch at local restaurant.
Day6 Nha Trang (B)
We have full day at leisure today. Nha Trang Bay with many offshore islands, white sand beaches, turquoise sea water and colorful coral reefs has been claimed one of the 29 most beautiful bays in the world. We have full day at leisure today. Alternatively you can join us on one of our optional tours of Nha Trang Bay.
Optional excursion 1: Full day cruise with snorkeling gears to visit a fishing village, Tam Island and Mun Island with included lunch. Please contact us for more details on additional costs.
Optional excursion 2: Cruise out to explore the colorful coral reefs with included lunch. Please contact us for more details on additional costs.
Accommodation in Nha Trang: the Sunrise Resort & SPA (Single, ROH)
Meals: breakfast at the hotel.
Day7 Nha Trang - Hoi An (VN 336: 1205 – 1320) (B/D)
You have free time at leisure until we transfer you to Nha Trang – Cam Ranh Airprort for your flight to Da Nang. Arriving at Da Nang Airport, you’ll be welcomed and transferred to Hoi An Town.
Hoi An was a famous trading port back to the 16 – 19th centuries. Hoi An was visited by merchants from China, Japan, Persia, Europe….at the times. Hoi An resents are composed of Vietnamese, Chinese. Hoi An’s architecture is the perfect combination of Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese styles. Hoi An nowadays still retains the atmosphere of the old town dated back to the heyday which never fails to charm the visitors.
Apart from the cozy ancient town, Hoi An also offers the pristine white sand Cua Dai Beach which claimed one of the most charming beaches in the world. Hoi An has always been unforgettable memory for our dear travelers.
In Hoi An, we’ll visit the Old Town of Hoi An including the Japanese Bridge, an Old Merchant House, Phuc Kien Chinese Congregational Assembly, Hoi An Museum and Hoi An Market. Lunch is on our own today. Dinner is at a local restaurant.
Accommodation in Hoi An: Victoria Hoi An Resort & Spa (Single, ROH)
Meals: breakfast at the hotel, dinner at a local restaurant.
Day8 Hoi An – My Son Cham Ruins – Hoi An (B/L)
Today, our trip brings us back to the 4-7th centuries A.D to the heyday of the Cham Pa Kingdom. Cham Pa was a kingdom in the central and south central region of Vietnam thriving from around the 2nd century A.D to the 15th century. My Son at the time was the Holy Land of the Cham Pa Kingdom.
Each king who succeeded the thrown built a temple dedicated to the gods of his Kingdom. With time gone by, My Son had become the main religious center of the Cham Pa Kingdom where the Cham prayed, where all important religious ceremonies took place. Dedicated by the royal court and the people of Cham Pa Kingdom, My Son boasted its grandeur and magnificence like no others. Unfortunately wars ravaged the area and left only the ruins of once great structures.
Our tour goes through the scenic countryside with different villages of which the hosts live a normal life like many others day by day contributing diligently to what we call the culture of Vietnam. We travel back in time to appreciate what human beings have achieved. Let’s spend a moment to cherish the people of Champa Kingdom.
We get back to town in the afternoon and enjoy lunch together at a local restaurant. The afternoon is free on our own. Dinner is on our own tonight.
Accommodation in Hoi An: Victoria Hoi An Resort & Spa (Twin, ROH)
Meals: breakfast at the hotel & lunch at a local restaurant.
Day9 Hoi An – Da Nang – Hue (B/L/D)
We continue our journey through the scenic Central Region. We’ll pass through Hai Van (Sea Cloud) Pass. This high pass divides Vietnam into relatively different climatic zones. From the top of the pass, we can gaze 360 degrees at the cloud, the sea and the mountains. We descend the mountain and head towards the pristine Lang Co Beach. Lang Co is still a sleepy fishing village with quirky white sand beaches. Further in the backdrop are green mountains encircling the area.
Our destination today is Hue which was the capital city of Vietnam from 1802 - 1945. Hue is a charming imperial city with combination of the new and the old. The Perfume River bisects the city into the northern and southern parts. To the north is the ancient citadel surrounded by moats which were home to the royal court of Vietnam in the 19th century. Visiting the ancient citadel you can visit the Palace where the king lived, the quarter for the royal family and concubines, the royal library….Lots of damages during the war are still found here though.
To the south is where hotels and fine dining restaurants are located. In Hue, we’ll visit the Imperial Citadel – A World Heritage Site and the Dong Ba exotic market on the Perfume River bank. We’ll have lunch and dinner at local restaurants which serve fine Hue cuisine for which the city is well-known. Overnight in Hue.
Accommodation in Hue: Morin Hotel (Twin, ROH)
Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch & dinner at local restaurants.
Day10 Hue (B/L/D)
Hue is for sure the city of harmony with the encircling green mountains, the meandering rivers, the architecture nestled in trees….Everything of Hue seems to be just in the right place and in perfect harmony. Our tour brings us to the western se of the city where the royal tombs are found. The Vietnamese kings thought that the west is the direction of sunset and permanent rest. That was why they built different royal tombs in the western part of Hue city. Here the kings would rest permanently in complete peace and tranquility.
Each of the royal tombs was designed by the king himself and the architecture of each tomb shows a lot about the king and the context of Vietnam at the time. Many tombs were constructed, completed and used by the king when they were still in reign. The royal tombs of Hue are for sure the fine pieces of arts.
We start with a cruise on the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda, then we’ll explore by bus the royal tombs of king Tu Duc, King Khai Dinh and King Minh Mang. We’ll also visit the tranquil Tu Hieu Pagoda and the Royal Arena. Our lunch and dinner are served with finest Hue cuisine at local restaurants.
Accommodation in Hue: Morin Hotel (Twin, ROH)
Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch & dinner at local restaurants.
Day11 Hue - Hanoi (VN 240: 0830 - 0940) (B/L/D)
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll transfer you to Phu Bai Airport for the flight to Ha Noi, the charming capital city of Vietnam. Arriving at Noi Bai Airport, we’ll be welcomed by our tour guide and transferred to the city. The rest of the day is for the city tour of Hanoi.
Hanoi was chosen to be the capital city of Vietnam from the 1010 A.D. The ruling king Ly Cong Uan that time knew that choosing the capital site would be vital to the kingdom’s prosperity. After coming into power he patrolled the kingdom looking for a suitable site for building the capital city. It’s sa that he arrived at the bank of the Red River a five-colored dragon appeared soaring into the sky. He researched the whole area and found out that it was perfect in terms of Feng Shui. The construction of the capital city was started right after that. That time it was called Thang Long which in Vietnamese means the “City of Ascending Dragons”. With the arrival of the French in the 19th century, new colonial styled architecture was added to the charming traditional architecture of Hanoi.
Nowadays the travelers to Hanoi know the city as 3 main areas: The Former Citadel Area, the Old Quarter and the French Quarter. Of course the city has more areas to the north, to the south and to the west of central Hanoi now where high-rise buildings are found to accommodate the growing economy. With much development going on in the fast growing economy of Vietnam, the old areas of Hanoi are specially protected by the authority and still Hanoi retains the charm like no others.
We’ll start city tour with the Temple of Literature (Knowledge) – The First University of Vietnam. The king ordered the construction of the Temple since we wanted the people to appreciate knowledge and encouraged the study of Confucianism. After that the First University was built just to the back of the Temple of Literature to educate the talented students of the kingdom. The kings of Vietnam that time would choose the bests that passed the royal exams to serve the kingdom. Those passed the royal exams would be called PhD. This noble title for sure was not awarded easily: conscientious study combined with talent were required. Visiting the Temple of Literature you’ll adore the learning tradition of Vietnam started by their visionary kings thousands of years ago.
The Old Quarter of Hanoi shaped up from around the 11th – 13th century. This was the business quarter of ancient Hanoi. Nowadays the Old Quarter of Hanoi still offers traffic, hustling and bustling atmosphere like no others. We’ll weave the Old Quarter of the city by push-rickshaw.
Our lunch is served at a local restaurant. After lunch we’ll visit Ngoc Son Temple and the West Lake area. In late afternoon, we’ll sample the unique water puppetry which dated back to the 11th century in Vietnam. Our dinner is served at a local restaurant.
Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch and dinner local restaurants.
Accommodation in Hanoi: Horison Hotel (Twin-shared, Deluxe)
Day12 Ha Noi – Ha Long Bay (B/L/D)
We start at 9.00 A.M for the 3 hour drive (170 km) through the Red River Delta, which offers plenty of chances for taking photos of Vietnamese farmers tilling the vast green paddy fields. At half way, we'll have a visit to a handicraft workshop with fine clothes, embroered paintings, stone statuettes and all kinds of gems mined in Vietnam such as star rubies or sapphires... Our destination is the World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay. The bay offers some 3000 mountain islands and islets towering in the Gulf of Tonkin in the East Vietnam Sea.
Upon arrival, you'll be welcomed on board our luxury junk and treated with wine and fresh local seafood. As our junk gliding further into the tranquility of Ha Long Bay amid the towering mountain cliffs and on the emerald green water, you'll have relaxing time combining the fine tastes of the wine and the freshness of Ha Long Bay. During the cruise, we'll stop some times for visiting the amazing Sung Sot cave and the Ti Top white sand beach before anchoring for the night. Overnight on board the junk in the wild of Halong Bay.
Meals: breakfast at the hotel, lunch and dinner on board the junk cruising on Ha Long Bay.
Accommodation in Hanoi: Traditional-styled Junk ( Twin-shared cabin on a shared junk)
Day13 Ha Long Bay – Hanoi (B/L)
After breakfast, we'll take a little sampan to visit a secret lagoon of Ha Long Bay while the surrounding mountains are just waking up. After that our cruise takes us further into the Bay of Bai Tu Long traveling past the Human Head Island, the Turtle Island, and the Duck Islet... to the studio site where the famous Indochine film was shot.
After the last feast on board for lunch, our junk travels back to the harbor for disembarkation at 12.00 A.M. We rejoin our bus and make our way through the rice paddies to Bac Ninh, a region famous for Quan Ho Folk Music. In Bac Ninh, we’ll take water buffalo drawn carts to an ancient community house located right in the center of a typically traditional village of the Red River Delta. We’ll have an opportunity to share the tunes of Vietnamese traditional folk songs with the local singers and learn more about the traditions of the Vietnamese. Then we’ll drive back to our hotel in Hanoi for the night. Dinner is on our own tonight.
Meals: breakfast and lunch on board the junk cruising on Ha Long Bay.
Accommodation in Hanoi: Horison Hotel (Twin-shared, Deluxe)
Day14 Ha Noi (B/D)
Our tour today is relaxing. We start the morning with Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace; this whole area reminds you some parts of the Vietnamese history and the most revered man of the nation. We then have free time at leisure for the rest of the day. Lunch is on our own today. In the evening, we’ll come out for our last group dinner. Overnight in Hanoi.
Meals: breakfast and lunch on board the junk cruising on Ha Long Bay.
Accommodation in Hanoi: Horison Hotel (Twin-shared, Deluxe)
Day15 Departure
You have free time until we transfer to Noi Bai Airport for departure. It’s time to b farewell to the beaming Vietnamese smile.
Meals: breakfast at the hotel
Note: Late check-out is not included.
