09 Days - Vietnam Luxe Escape - Cultural Highlights of Vietnam

Day 01: Hanoi - Arrival (No Meals)
We’ll meet you at the airport and transfer to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, via Thang Long Bridge that crosses
the Red River, and check-in to your hotel. Overnight at Intercontinental hotel

Day 02: Hanoi - Full Day City (B, L)
Get to explore Vietnam’s capital city. We’ll start with the Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam dating
back to the 11th century, before dropping by Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (closed on Mondays, Fridays and October
and November), his modest stilt house where he chose to live and work. Next stop is the “One Pillar Pagoda” which
was built in 1049 under King Ly Thai Tong. After lunch, we’ll visit Tran Quoc Pagoda or Ngoc Son temple. Our
final stop is Hoan Kiem Lake. If you go on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, you also have a chance to visit Bat
Trang village, one of the oldest pottery villages in Asia. Overnight at Intercontinental hotel

Day 03: Hanoi - Halong (B, L, D)
After breakfast, we’ll leave the busy streets of Hanoi and make our way through the countryside to stunning
Halong. You’ll take a wooden junk and sail leisurely and enjoy the breathtaking sight of this World Heritage site
with its emerald water, grottoes and caves. Enjoy seafood lunch on board and observe the daily lives of people
on the bay. If the weather permits, you may swim or even venture into some of the smaller caves in a sampan.
 Enjoy the magnificent sunset on the bay and we’ll anchor for the night. Overnight at Bhaya Cruises

Day 04: Halong Bay - Hanoi (B, L)
In the morning, you’ll wake up and be enveloped by the bay’s mystical beauty. We continue to sail past caves
and grottoes, passing floating villages and fishing boats. Upon disembarkation, we’ll head back to Hanoi where
you are free to further explore the streets of this vibrant city. Overnight at Intercontinental hotel

Day 05: Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City (B)
After breakfast, free time at leisure or shopping. Then we’ll transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 06: Ho Chi Minh - Full day city tour  (B, L)
Immerse yourself in recent history at the War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace and marvel at the
French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Saigon Post Office. We’ll also head
to Cholon or Chinatown to experience first-hand Chinese influence on Vietnamese society. Light some incense at
the Thien Hau Pagoda, before fitting in some all importance retail therapy at Binh Tay Market. After that, we will
head for dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at Caravelle Hotel

Day 07: Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi Tunnels – Tay Ninh Temple (B, L)
This morning, we'll transfer to Tay Ninh, a city that is most famous for being the home of the Cao Dai religion, an
indigenous Vietnamese faith that includes the teachings of the major world religions. After lunch, enter the depths
of the earth through the famous Cu Chi Tunnels - the secret underground system that stretched for hundreds of
kilometres during the war. Overnight at Caravelle Hotel

Day 08: Ho Chi Minh (B)
Following breakfast at hotel. Free and easy.  Overnight at Caravelle Hotel

Day 09: Ho Chi Minh - Departure (B)
Another free day before we take to you to the airport for your flight home. Do some last minute shopping. Eat up
a storm. Enjoy spa package before the transfer to airport for your flight home.

Stunning Eight Night Highlights of Vietnam Tour and Cruise
- Experience the magic of Vietnam with an incredible eight night tour to stunning Hanoi, Halong Bay and Ho Chi Minh.
- Fly into historical Hanoi, spend an incredible night cruising on Halong bay, fly from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh (domestic flight included in the price) and depart from Ho Chi Minh
- No need to worry about getting your preferred dates. The Booking Guarantee means that if you try to make a booking before 15 December 2013 and can’t get your preferred dates in the validity period, you can get your money back
- Travel and enjoy a small group style with a maximum of ten travellers per tour, offering a more exclusive and memorable experience
- Spend three magnificent nights taking in the spectacular sites of Hanoi staying at the Santa Barbara Hotel with French-style decor, tucked away on the edge of the famous Old Quarter full of local artisans and merchants
-Tour Hanoi's famous temple on Hoan Kiem Lake, the 11th century Temple of Literature (Vietnam's first university), the One Pillar Pagoda built in 1049, stunning Ngoc Son Temple and much more
- Set sail on a spectacular overnight cruise along the World Heritage listed Halong Bay on a traditional Vietnamese Huong Hai Junk ship, and relax in a well-equipped cabin with air-con, private bathroom and comfy bedding
- Spend four incredible nights in Ho Chi Minh staying at the Moonlight Hotel in the heart of the city's most vibrant entertainment district, close to plenty of shops, restaurants and nightlife
- Crawl through the famous Cu Chi Tunnels that stretch for kilometres underground, immerse yourself in history at the War Remnants Museum, marvel at the old-world charm of Vietnam's Notre Dame Cathedral, shop at the Binh Tay Market and much more

Your package also includes:
- Delicious daily breakfasts including choices of pastries, eggs and bacon, fresh fruit, tea and coffee and more to get you ready for each day's adventures
- Five authentic lunches including real Vietnamese Pho and a seafood feast aboard the Halong Cruise with traditional delicacies like fried Halong squid cakes, steamed tiger prawns, fresh shrimp spring rolls and more
- Two traditional dinners including mouthwatering eight dish set feasts at local Vietnamese restaurants in both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi
- A one-way domestic flight with Jetstar Asia from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh including 20kg baggage allowance
- An experienced local Vietnamese English speaking guide with all the insider knowledge on the regions along the way
- Return private airport transfers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

What We Like:
- Hanoi is the heart and soul of Vietnam, full of vibrant culture, friendly locals and breathtaking sights
- Few locations can rival the incredible natural beauty and serenity of Halong Bay. The World Heritage site is a mystical labyrinth of limestone karsts and isles, caves, lakes, secluded beaches and abundant sea life
- Formerly Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling metropolis full of old world charm and traditional culture offering ancient pagodas and vibrant markets alongside skyscrapers and designer malls
- So get a friend or your partner on board for this adventure you'll never forget!

Special note:
List of hotels is recommended by Ethnic Voyage Vietnam. Please feel free to advise hotels you prefer in each category or combine hotels category at your wish ( tour price will be changed accordingly)