Day 1: Hanoi
Hanoi
Arrival in Hanoi. Transfer to the hotel.
Day 2: Hanoi
Hanoi (Breakfast, Dinner)
One enters the nearby residential area Tho Lao with small streets and alleys to see everyday life, strolls along Hai Ba Trung Lake and visits the Hai Ba Trung temple (dedicated to the famous heroines "the Sisters Trung"), visits end with a visit to the local market called Nguyen Cong Tru. Half day excursion to experience the classic places of the cultural capital of Vietnam. Passing in front of the imposing mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh we enter the Governor General of Indochina's residence, where the President's house is located. Not far away is the famous One Pillar Pagoda, built in 1049, opposite the Dien Huu Pagoda. We visit Van Mieu, the Confucian Temple of Literature, which is the oldest Asian university dating back to 1070. In the heart of the city lies the Lake of the Returned Sword, with the tiny island of the Jade Mountain Temple at its center. The day ends with an hour of fun at the Water Puppet Show: a show unique in the world, where the actors are puppets that revive ancient folk legends and scenes of everyday life on a stage made of water. Dinner in a typical restaurant. Return to the hotel.
Day 3: Ha Long
Hanoi - Halong Bay (Breakfast, Brunch)
Transfer from Hanoi to Halong Bay. Full-day visit to Halong Bay. After a stop at a local show center famous for its production of silk, ceramics and stone sculptures. You can continue to visit Halong Bay, considered by many as the "eighth wonder of the world' on a traditional handmade wooden boat that has been carefully restored. The boat will cruise between the myriad of Islands, Islets, rocks and reefs. The cruise on the boat is marvelous. Imagine sailing in a turquoise sea sprinkled with thousands of jagged limestone islands. Visit natural caves with stalagmites and stalactites that create extraordinary and beautiful scenery. Lunch aboard the boat (Cruise). Dinner aboard the boat (Cruise).
Day 4: Ho Chi Minh
Halong Bay - Hanoi - Saigon (Breakfast, Lunch)
The morning is dedicated to visiting the endless attractions of Halong Bay. Brunch aboard the boat. Return to the port where we will disembark. In the afternoon transfer to the airport in Hanoi. Flight to Saigon. Arrive and transfer to the hotel.
Day 5: Ho Chi Minh
Saigon (Breakfast, Lunch)
Half-day visit to Cu Chi tunnels. We leave Saigon and head to visit the Cu Chi tunnels, the famous underground city of the Vietcong. Who managed to create an incredible underground network of warehouses, dorms, armories, kitchens, infirmaries and command posts linked together by 250 kilometers of tunnels and galleries of those who resisted. The tunnels stayed untouched for the next years from bombs and attacks by the American troops. The tunnels were first built during the French occupation but during the war with the USA, they were developed. Some facilities were made available to the public and mannequins are mounted with weapons at strategic guard points. While visiting this site, we will watch a documentary movie shot by the Vietcong. Lunch in a typical Vietnamese restaurant. In the afternoon, we return back to the city center for the second half of the day. During the visit to the heart of Saigon, we will visit the War Remnants Museum and the square where the colonial era is revived. Especially in the post office building as we as the neo-Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame. Designed by Gustave Eiffel. You will also visit the highest sacred Taoist place of worship the Chua Ngoc Hoang and the Jade Emperor Pagoda whose interior furnishings, decorations, and statuary are symbols of authority of divinity. It's veiled by clouds of smoke rising due to the burning incense, which creates a special atmosphere. Afterward, continue enjoying shopping in the bustling commercial area of Dong Khoi, "The Rue Catinat" of French settlers, at the Big Ben Thanh Market.
Day 6:
Saigon - Cai Be - Saigon (Breakfast)
Full-day visit to the Mekong Delta. “Cai Be”. We leave Saigon and after an hour's drive, we will have a short stop to load the carry-on at the pier. Where we board small boats and sail through this intriguing place. The local boats enter from different branches of the river and pass between banks that are crowded with life. This leads to the Cai Be Floating Market. Which carries all types of fruits, vegetables and handicrafts from around the Delta. Then tour a lovely family business that uses ancient techniques to manually produce puffed rice, palm sugar sweets, candies and rice cakes. Lunch at a typical Vietnamese restaurant. Transfer to the airport.
