14 Days - Highlights of Vietnam

Day 01: Arrival Saigon
Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City as it is called by the younger generation. You will be met by our VIP staff and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may have free time to explore Saigon. Our Staff are able to assist you with a number of options.

Day 02: Saigon (B/L/D)
Depart this morning for a full day tour and discover more about this hectic city. Visit a local market, The War Remnants Museum, The Reunification Palace (Presidential Palace) Notre Dame Cathedral, Thien Hau Pagoda and Ben Thanh Market for shopping. Afternoon at Leisure.

Day 3: Saigon - Mekong Delta (B/L/D)
This morning transfer by boat from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho in the Mekong Delta. Along the way observe local life and the beautiful landscapes with coconut palms, sugar palms and fruit orchards.

Day 04: Mekong Delta – Saigon (B/L/D)
This morning is a boat trip on the Can Tho River to Cai Rang. Stop en route to visit traditional floating houses which families raise fish underneath as a source of income. In Cai Rang, visit the local market which sells a variety of goods including farming and fishing tools, Chinese medicinal herbs and fruits and vegetables. Later this afternoon return to Saigon

Day 05: Saigon - Hoi An  (B/L/D)
Later this morning, transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in Hoi An. This afternoon enjoy a private tour of the old quarter of Hoi An. Explore the fascinating Japanese covered bridge, Chinese Assembly Halls, the Chinese Pagoda and typical 18th century Vietnamese houses. Known as Faifo to early Western traders, it was one of South East Asia’s major international ports and today it still retains that special old-world feel.

Day 06: Hoi An (B/L/D)
This morning you may like to enjoy a half-day local market tour and a cooking course in Vietnamese cuisine. (optional)
Hoi An has now achieved UN World Heritage status and its profusion of old houses, quiet streets and covered bridge are being preserved and restored. These days Hoi An is renowned for its diverse architectural heritage, masterful tailors, abundant silks and superb cuisine. Hoi An is also the ultimate place to have affordable clothes made to order. While in Hoi An you will have free time to relax at the beach, shop for or dine at your choice of the town’s riverside cafés.

Day0 7: Hoi An (B/L/-)
Today is at your leisure. You may wish to participate in an optional cooking course in Vietnamese cuisine or a Lantern Making class. This afternoon an optional tour to My Son is available.

Day 08: Hoi An – Hue (B/L/D)
Morning departure from Hoi An for Hue. On the way, pass China Beach, and perhpas stop for a short walk up the ’Marble Mountain’ to see caves and temples embedded in the rock.
Hue was the capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty of emperors from 1802 till 1945. The scenic route passes through Danang before climbing over the Mountain Clouds Hai Van Pass where a spectacular panorama of the central coastline can be viewed at the summit, dropping down to the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co located on a sand dune line. Tonight enjoy the fine cuisine of Hue in the Tinh Gia Vien Restaurant

Day 09: Hue – Hanoi  (B/L)
This morning, take a private city tour and visit the Imperial Citadel (Forbidden City). After lunch, travel by Dragon Boat on the romantically named Perfume River to Thien Mu pagoda standing on the riverbank with its seven-storey tower. Later this afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. This evening is at your leisure.

Day 10: Hanoi (B/L)
The city tour starts with a visit to Van Mieu (first national university), the Temple of Literature, the Post Office and Hoan Kiem Lake (the Lake of the Restored Sword) Continue onto the History Museum, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and the One Pillar Pagoda. Later this evening attend a one-hour water puppetry show.

Day 11: Hanoi (B/L)
This morning perhaps participate in the Sofitel Metropole Hotel market tour & cooking class. This is a most memorable experience. This afternoon is at leisure.

Day 12: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay (B/L/D)
Following an early breakfast, transfer by private car to the picturesque city of Ha Long. Arrive at Pier and board the shuttle boat for short transfer to our deluxe Vietnamese ’junk’. From here explore spectacular Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO designated World Heritage site of outstanding natural beauty. Welcome drinks are served. Enjoy lunch on board while cruising to Bai Tu Long Bay. Halong Bay has more than 3,000 limestone islets rising from the clear emerald water, many of them containing beautiful grottoes. Sail around rocks, islets, caves and grottoes, visit the Thien Cung and Dau Go Caves - the most beautiful among thousands of caves. After lunch, take a short trek to a nearby summit for a panoramic view of the bay dotted with sails boats, go swimming on a quite beach at Soi Sim Island or sunbathing on the sundeck. Later in the afternoon, visit an interesting fishing village. This evening enjoy cocktails while watching sunset and later unwind at the restaurant.

Day 13: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi (B/L)
Greet the day with a morning Tai Chi exercise and an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay. Coffee or tea is served. Visit beautiful limestone Sung Sot grotto. Buffet brunch is served. Then its time to say good bye to Ha Long Bay and return to Hanoi.  Spend this afternoon at leisure, perhaps enjoy a cyclo ride or wander its tree-lined avenues, with local galleries and Vietnamese handicrafts and home-wares.

Day 14: Hanoi (B)
Your private tour concludes after breakfast. At your leisure before transferring to the airport for your onward or homebound journey.

Depending on your departure itinerary, you may have time for some last-minute sightseeing and shopping. We are able to organise our private guide to accompany you. Our Tour Director can assist as required.

Some guests may wish to stay longer in this amazing country; please don’t hesitate to contact Boutique Tours & Travel for further travel arrangements. This Tour is also available in reverse.

Note: If the above tour does not meet your exact requirements Ethnic Voyage Vietnam will happily tailor-make a specific itinerary for you

INCLUSIONS:
• Domestic economy class airfares (Optional Business Class flights Available)
• Accommodations as indicated in the itinerary or similar
• Meals as indicated
• All transfers
• Deluxe private A/C vehicles
• All sightseeing & entrance Fees
• Services of professional guides
• Bottled water per day.

NOT INCLUDED:
• International airfares
• All gratuities/tips to guide and driver
• Personal expenses
• Excess baggage charges
• Personal travel insurance
• Meals not included
• Beverages as non mentioned