Best of Vietnam

Morning visit St Joseph’s Cathedral, or “The Big Church” familiarly called by the locals, is a late 19^th century Gothic Revival church that serves as the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hanoi to nearly 4 million Catholics in the country. Visit the Temple of Literature. This is the combination of the Confucius Temple worshiping Confucius which was built in 1070 and the first Royal National university in Vietnam built 6 years later in 1076. Considerd as “an escape” from the bustling city, this temple and its beautiful garden provide an opportunity to learn more about education in Vietnam since 1000 years ago until recent history. On the way out visit One Pillar pagoda. The pagoda was constructed in 1049 by King Ly Thai Tong according to his dream of Bodhisattva seating on a lotus flower and led him to the pagoda. The pagoda was destroyed by the French before their withdrawer. In 1954 the city restored the pagoda. Today it remains since this restoration. Visit the Museum of Ethnology, explains the 54 officially recognized ethnic groups in Vietnam.

Continue to visit Hoan Kiem lake (Restored Sword lake) and Ngoc Son temple. Situated in the heart of Hanoi, the lake got its name according to a legend story. In the 15^th century during the Ming Chinese invasion, general Le Loi was presented with a holy sword. With the help of this sword he expelled the Chinese from Thang Long, present-day of Hanoi and proclaimed himself as king Le Thai To. One day, when the king was sailing on the lake, suddenly a golden turtle emerged from the water and claimed back the sword which has been belived given to him by God. Since then, the lake has been known as Ho Hoan Kiem or the lake of the Restored Sword. On as island at the northern part of the lake stands Ngoc Son or Jade Mountain temple, one of the most beautiful and religious site in the capital. The temple was established by a mandarin named Nguyen Van Sieu and is dedicated to the spirits of the soil, medicine, literature, and also to Tran Hung Dao, the general who defeated

the Mongols in the 13^th century. Enjoy shopping at Dong Xuan market

Lunch light meal with special Pho

Dinner buffet at Sen Tay Ho Restaurant

Overnight at your hotel in HANOI

Drive to Halong Bay early morning. Stopover in the countryside for some pictures on the way Halong Bay was recognised as 2^nd World Heritage site in Vietnam by the UNESCO since 1994. Covering an area

of 1.553 square km & approximately 2.000 islands was declared as one of the most beautiful bay of the world.

Hon Gai dock -> Bai Tu Long Bay -> Vung Vieng fishing village -> Cong Do area.

Upon arrival at Vinashin dock, the staffs of Huong Hai cruise welcomes the guests to the waiting room before departing the tour.

Cruise manager takes the guests to the cruise to start the tour. Check in cabin, Start sailing from Vinashin dock, feast on a delicious lunch as you cruise among beautiful of islets The Bai Tu Long Area has the wild beauty with the panoramic natural views, making it unforgettable to guests.

Buffet lunch is served in the restaurant at the first deck. Tourists can enjoy the delicious lunch while admiring the grace of the bay.

Visiting the VungVieng village – the famous pearl-growing village and the fishing tanks of the local people. Tourists can observe the process of feeding pearl as well as the life of local people on the surface of Halong bay.

You can visit the VungVieng fishing village on the typical round-shaped rowing boatof Halong area. Observing the fish-feeding tanks, shopping at the souvenir shops, taking photos and discovering the local life of people here are the main activities.

You will go back to the cruise by tender to relax, do personal hygiene before enjoy the dinner on board. Enjoy Happy hour with special menu from 16.30 pm to 19.00 pm. You will get discount with all of the drinks: cocktail, mocktail & mixed drinks.

The cruise sails from the VungVieng fishing village to Cong Do sleeping area. Tourists can treasure the wonderful beauty of Bai Tu Long Bay at the sunset, admire the striking islands and islets, relax and savor the fresh and peaceful atmosphere which could hardly be found in land.

You could enjoy the kayaking activities here (the kayaking fee is not included in the price) or relax on the cruise.

Onboard the vessel, surrounded by a stunning setting in motion, attend our chef’s cooking demonstration and try your skills in the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking (spring roll).

Gala Elegant set dinner served onboard. You can enjoy the charm of the bay at night.

Evening activities: relax at leisure; enjoy our Movie Night, Board Games or our Massage & Spa services. Squid fishing and chatting with your partner, friends, family. Overnight on Ha Long Bay aboard Huong Hai Sealife Cruise. (massage and spa fee is not included in the price)

Overnight ON THE JOIN-IN HUONG HAI SEALIFE OVERNIGHT CRUISE

Cong Do area- Thien Canh Son- Hon Gai dock

Before enjoying the breakfast with cookies and tea, café at the restaurant of the cruise.

You can try the taichi session on the sundeck at the break of dawn.

Explore the area of Hon Co Island and Co Cave (Grass Cave, also known as Thien Canh Son).  You can revel in the breathtaking view of Bai Tu Long bay from above, as well as the glorious long white sand of Hon Co Island.

Tourists can relax on the white sand beach of Co Island, enjoy swimming on the area of Co Island. With the long white sand beaches and the crystal-like green water, definitely, tourists would have the fantastic moments after exploring the cave.

You come back to the cruise by tender.

Arrange the luggage and check out.

Enjoy A light lunch (brunch) in Sealife Cruise while the cruise departs from Hon Co island back to Vinashin dock.

Arrive back at the pier where your driver waits for drive you back to Hanoi.

Transfer to the airport for flight Hanoi to Dong Hoi

Overnight in QUANG BINH

Drive to the 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 has some beautiful limestone formations, grottoes, caves, forest, river and stream. The limestone mountain range contains the longest underground river on the planet , rich flora and fauna. Continue to visit Thien Duong cave, was discovered by a local man in 2005. This cave is 31 km long, longer than Phong Nha Cave which had been considered the longest cave in this national park. The limestone formation is also more spectacular than that of Phong Nha Cave. The British cave explorers was impressed by the beautiful and spectacular stalactites and stalagmites inside this cave.

Depart to Hue city. On the way, stop by to visit the 17^th parallel, Hien Luong Bridge, Ben Hai River and Kinh Hoang (consternated) Boulevard. Stop to visit La Vang church.

Overnight in HUE

Morning take cyclo drive from Trang Tien bridge to visit Emperor Citadel of the Nguyen Dynasty. Step by step explore the history of Vietnam under the reign of Nguyen Kings, how can they build the citadel, why they must be in that shape and many interesting stories. Visit the South Gate, palaces and many historical sites.

Visit Khai Dinh Tomb was built between 1920 and 1931. It is located in a vast expanse of wilderness, looks like a magnificent palace perched on the slope of a limestone mountain. It is a accessible by climbing 109 stone steps. Unlike the construction materials used for the other tomb, Khai Dinh mausoleum was built with modern materials such as steel and reinforced concrete. The peculiar feature of the tomb is the magnificent porcelain decorations on the walls, columns and ceilings. Shopping at Dong Ba market.

Drive to Danang. City tour start from  the Han Market, an ideal place for those looking for Da Nang’s specials. Then you go to the dazzling Son Tra peninsula. Visit the Linh Ung pagoda, considered one of the biggest one in the city on both scale & architecture. This pagoda has a spectacular combination of modern and traditional style which will surely charm its visitors. From here, take in the panoramic view of the whole city, the Marble Mountains, and the striking white sand bank of the Son Tra Peninsula. Travel along coastline beaches’ streets to enjoy beautiful beaches up close.

Overnight in DANANG

Enjoy your free morning.

200pm Departure to Hoian.

Visit Cam Thanh Water Coconut Village: Learn about the daily life of Vietnamese fishermen, their families and their community. Take a wooden boat transferring to Cam Thanh water coconut village. Learn about the daily life of Vietnamese fishermen, their families and their community. Board on boat and commence cruising on the Cua Dai River. Join in local fisherman on the river and experience on round net or cast net. Learn how to paddle the Vietnamese unique bamboo basket boat. Explore the now tranquil coconut-palm flanked waterways of a past war and hear of the extreme conditions endured by soldiers of both sides.

continue to the Son Tra Peninsula (Monkey Mountain), visit the third Linh Ung Pagoda of Danang, with the highest Buddha statue. admire the huge Buddha Statue which is the highest statue in Vietnam. You will be amazed at its cool climate there. Then leave Son Tra and travel along coastline street to enjoy beautiful beaches up close.Continue to continue to the Son Tra Peninsula (Monkey Mountain), visit the third Linh Ung Pagoda of Danang, with the highest Buddha statue. admire the huge Buddha Statue which is the highest statue in Vietnam. You will be amazed at its cool climate there. Then leave Son Tra and travel along coastline street to enjoy beautiful beaches up close.continue to the Son Tra Peninsula (Monkey Mountain), visit the third Linh Ung Pagoda of Danang, with the highest Buddha statue. admire the huge Buddha Statue which is the highest statue in Vietnam. You will be amazed at its cool climate there. Then leave Son Tra and travel along coastline street to enjoy beautiful beaches up close.Hoian: Visit Phuoc Kien Temple, Tan Ky old house, where keep many ceramic antiques. Explore the special architectural style of Bridge pagoda. Explore to take pictures at Hoai river, and the normal life of people in the center Vietnam. Make a short city-tour with visiting the Japanese Covered bridge , a visit to one of the Chinese Community halls, a visit of one of the former Merchandise houses & visit to the historical museum.

Enjoy your free time at the night market

Overnight in DANANG

Transfer to the airport for flight Danang to Saigon

City tour with a stop at Ben Thanh market. Continue to visit all of  the major Saigon city sights like Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office, and the Opera House.

Overnight in SAIGON

Depart for My Tho for tour Mekong Delta. Take a boat ride through the Bao Dinh natural canal, which is lined with stilt houses and fruit plantations. Visit the My Tho wholesale fruit market. Proceed to Tortoise island and enjoy lunch served in the heart of the orchard. Enjoy a leisurely boat ride through the Tan Thach natural canal in Ben Tre, cruising under the shadows of the water coconut trees. Visit a family business which epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle. Trek through the fruit plantations on Thoi Son island and enjoy a rowing boat ride along the creeks before returning to My Tho by motor boat.

Overnight in SAIGON

Learn about Vietnam’s guerilla war by climbing into the underground tunnels that used to be rigged with booby traps, which played a crucial part in the fight. Built by local fighters during the Indochina conflict, the Cu Chi tunnels served as a base for the Viet Cong, the National Liberation Front. It included almost everything needed for the life of the Viet Cong, where the local soldiers and residents used to eat, sleep, work, cook and even go to school. Started in 1948 as a hiding place from French air attacks, by 1965, the tunnel was estimated to consist of an astounding 200km of tunnels within a larger tunnel system.

Enjoy your free afternoon

Lunch buffet at Bong Sen hotel

Overnight in SAIGON

Transfer to the airport.