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Classic Vietnam
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City
Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure.
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)
Today you will drive to the countryside where you can visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. One the way, you will visit a family making Rice Paper who live next to the rubber plantation near Cu Chi Tunnel. Afterwards, proceed to Cu Chi, where you will see the historic tunnels, improvised traps, and many of the tactics that the Vietcong used during the Vietnam War.
This afternoon you will have a tour of the city sights including the Reunification Palace, Post Office, Notre Dam Cathedral and more!
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta (Can Tho) (B, L, D)
In the morning you will be taken to the Mekong Delta. Here you will go down to the Vinh Long area and explore the area’s many sites. You will visit the paper factory, the puffed rice and candy factories, and pass through the beautiful scenery provided by the various canals of the Mekong River.
NOTE: Alternative option to explore the Delta is via overnight or multi-day cruise. Boat options range from private one cabin to larger ships.
Day 4: Mekong Delta (Can Tho) HCMC - Fly to Da Nang - Hoi An (B)
You will get up early in the morning to go to the fascinating Floating Market. Then you will be driven back to Saigon and transferred to the airport for your flight to Da Nang, where you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel in nearby Hoi An.
Day 5: Hoi An (B, D)
Today you may explore the ancient town of Hoi An. This is a concentrated area, making it easy to discover by foot. You can walk around the old neighborhood and picture what life here must have been like centuries ago; visit the old harbor city with houses, bridge temple, pagoda, handicraft workshops, and lantern shops. Perhaps shop at one of the numerous clothing shops in the area and get something custom designed by one of Hoi An’s famous tailors. Tonight you can enjoy a dinner of Hoi An’s specialty dishes.
Day 6: Hoi An - Free day (B)
Free day to enjoy the beach and the heritage town.
Option: Take a bike ride through the countryside and farms. Or take a cooking class!
Day 7: Hoi An (My Son) (B, L)
Today you will embark on a day trip to the incredible World Heritage archaeological site of My Son Holy Land (pronounced ‘Mee Sown’). Constructed between the 4th and 14th century A.D., this cluster of Hindu temples were dedicated to the worship of the god Shiva and are considered one of the foremost Hindu temple complexes in Southeast Asia. Spend time exploring these impressive temple ruins at your leisure, observing their unique construction, entering the buildings where permitted. Afterwards, we will return you to your hotel in Hoi An for another leisurely evening of exploring this charming town at your own pace.
Day 8: Hoi An – Da Nang – Hue (B, L)
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and depart for Hue. Along the way, you may stop in Da Nang for a view of China Beach (a site made famous by the Vietnam War) and a visit to the Cham Sculptures Museum. Continue north through the countryside, stopping at Marble Mountains, where you may climb the various staircases leading up these dramatic rock faces to view the beautifully sculpted marble figurines decorating Buddhist temples across the mountains. Afterwards, continue onto Hue. Upon arrival in Hue, check into your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the night at your leisure.
Day 9: Hue (B, L)
Your day begins with a tour of the vast and impressive Imperial Citadel - first built by King Gia Long in 1805. Here you will visit Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, the Mieu Temple, and the Nine Dynastic Urns. There is a cultural show here, which is itself a World Heritage Cultural experience! We will then visit the Thien Mu Pagoda; a monk from this monastery drew international attention in 1963 by burning himself alive in the streets of Saigon to protest the lack of religious freedom in South Vietnam at the time.
Evening Option: You can board a traditional Chinese boat and hear traditional Vietnamese music (including musical cups) while cruising along Perfume River. This includes a ceremony where you release Chinese lanterns with candles on the water.
Day 10: Hue – Hanoi (B, L)
Today you will take a morning flight to Hanoi. After you have checked into your hotel and have had a chance to settle in, you will be given a tour of the Ho Chi Minh Museum, Mausoleum, and surrounding grounds (including Ho Chi Minh residences). The rest of the afternoon is free.
Day 11: Hanoi (B)
Today you will embark on a bicycle rickshaw tour of the Old Quarter. Your guide will then take you to the Confucius Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first University. In the back of the complex, there is an excellent traditional Vietnamese music performance with bamboo marimbas and other unique instruments. Then, in the afternoon we will take you to the Museum of Ethnology. This is a fascinating museum which features the myriad of ethnic groups found in Vietnam. The museum contains authentic costumes, artifacts, tools, and even miniature replicas of burial sites, homes, and meetings buildings. Some of the most unique features of this museum, however, are the full-size authentic minorities’ homes (long houses, stilted houses, etc.) located in the grounds behind the museum, which you can enter and explore. There are often museum staff members in the buildings available to answer your questions.
Evening option:water Puppets Show
Day 12: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B, L, D)
This morning you will be transferred to the Halong Bay area. Upon arrival, you will join up with a small group and depart for your Ha Long Bay cruise through these spectacular islands. Lunch will be served in the midst of the beautiful scenery, and you will have a leisurely afternoon of swimming in the bay, exploring caves, and relaxing on the deck taking in the breathtaking scenery. Overnight on the Ha Long Bay Cruise
Day 13: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Home (B)
Today, wake up to views of the gorgeous Ha Long Bay. You will have further opportunities to explore more of the islands, caves, and scenic spots; then you will be driven back to the Hanoi airport. Then you will take your onward flight with many wonderful lifetime memories.
SHORT ON TIME:
Focus on just a couple of areas such as Hanoi and Hoi An.
WITH MORE TIME:
Get off the beaten path by traveling by train to Sapa where you can see gorgeous terraced rice fields, visit with hill tribe people and visit their fabulous markets. Explore more beach areas such as Phu Quoc or Nha Trang.
[End of Tour]
Note: Tour and Tour Information are subject to change.
Meals Provided: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner