16 Days - Elegent Viet Nam Trip

DAY 01: HANOI ARRIVAL
Activities: Watching Water Puppet performance, welcome dinner
Upon arrival in Hanoi, private car and tour guide will pick you up at Noi Bai International Airport and then transfer you to hotel for check in (the rooms are at your disposal from 14:00). The rest of the day is at your leisure. You might visit Hanoi Old Quarter - an important part of history and development of the city. Next spend 45 minutes at Thang Long Puppet Theater for a Water Puppet performance before enjoying dinner at local restaurant and retiring for the evening. Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 02: HANOI FULL DAY CITY TOUR
Activities: Walk around Hanoi City, visit famous sites: Ho Chi Minh Complex, Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake, Museum of EthnologyToday we will explore the most valuable parts in Hanoi which stores history, culture and architecture of Vietnam. The first destination is the Ho Chi Minh Complex with the President's Mausoleum (closed on Monday and Friday), the Presidential Palace and the One Pillar Pagoda. Then, we will head to the Temple of Literature which is known as the first university of Vietnam, built in 1070 under the Ly dynasty to dedicate to Confucius and later is teacher Chu Van An and thousands of doctoral laureates in the Mac and Le dynasties. Having lunch at local restaurant. Next we will stop at one of the most famous city museums named Ethnology Museum where exhibits thousands objects relate to culture of 54 ethnic minorities living in Vietnam. Back to your hotel in the afternoon and overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 03: HANOI - DUONG LAM - TAY PHUONG - HANOI
Activities: Visit Duong Lam village and Tay Phuong Pagoda
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Next, you will have a tour around the countryside of Hanoi. Visit the ancient Duong Lam village which is about 70km far from city center and enjoy the lunch with local style in a century-old house. In the afternoon, take a walk to explore surrounding areas with small alleys and laterite walls. Stop to visit famous Mia Pagoda which was built in 17th century and boasts as the unique pagoda in Vietnam stores 287 enriched art buddha statues. Next you will continue to visit Ngo Quyen and Phung Hung temples, ending with Tay Phuong Pagoda on the way back to Hanoi.

DAY 04: HANOI - HALONG BAY
Activities: Go sight-seeing on board in Halong Bay, kayaking, swim and relax at Soi Sim beach
Between 8:00-8:30AM shuttle bus and guide will pick you up at your hotel for journey to Halong Bay, one of seven World's Natural Wonders. It takes 3.5 hours from Hanoi to Halong and taking in the lush scenery as you drive through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta. Upon arrival in Halong City, you will take a tender transfer to your junk and set sail through the bay while lunch is served. We will have time to explore Halong Bay on the most wonderful route then do kayaking among the hidden areas of the bay, around the Luon cave area. Next cruising to Soi Sim island for a swim or relaxing on beach. You might climb up to the top of island for a panorama view of the bay. Back on board, you'll enjoy the sunset and later unwind at restaurant for a lavish dinner. Enjoy some evening activities such as board games, or squid fishing before an overnight stay on the junk.

DAY 05: HALONG BAY - HANOI
Activities: Morning Tai Chi Exercise, explore Sung Sot cave, visit fishing village and take part in cooking demonstration
We will continue our journey on Halong Bay in early morning. Sitting on the upper deck; you can relax, sight-seeing while taking in the magnificent beauty of the rocky islands rising from the emerald water of the bay. After breakfast, we will explore Sung Sot cave - one of the finest and widest grottoes of Halong Bay. Next keep cruising and passing the Ba Hang fishing village with its unique way of life. At 9:30AM, our boat cruises back to the jetty, watching a cooking demonstration before enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch. You leave the boat around 12:00 and be transferred back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 06: HANOI - HUE WORLD HERITAGE
Activities: Fly to Hue, visit Royal citadel, Imperial Museum, a typical garden house of Hue
After breakfast, you will say goodbye Hanoi for onward flight to Hue. Upon arrival, met up and transferred with guide to the city center. You will board cyclo for a tour of Hue which boasts as one of Vietnam UNESCO World Heritage Sites. First of all, you will visit the Old Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty rules between 1802 and 1945, containing the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City and the Imperial Museum. After the lunch at local restaurant, you will visit a typical garden house of Hue city, which was built according to precise rules of geomancy and experience the serene and pleasant feelings it might bring you. Rest of the time is your own free discovery the city. Overnight in Hue.

DAY 07: HUE WORLD HERITAGE
Activities: Visit Thien Mu pagoda, tombs of Minh Mang and Tu Duc
Rising up in the ancient land, enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. We will have a boat trip along romantic Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda - one of the most famous religious tourist sites in Hue. Next keep cruising downstream to visit Ming Mang tomb. We will enjoy lunch before continue to visit Tu Duc tomb by the Dragon boat. Back to your hotel in the afternoon for free and overnight in Hue.

DAY 08: HUE - DANANG - HOI AN
Activities: Visit ancient architecture in Cham museum, handicraft villages by the foot of Marble Mountain
Leave the UNESCO-designated World Heritage Hue for Danang, we will spend time to take photos from Hai Van Pass and then visit Cham Museum that exhibits collection of Hindu-Cham sculptures in the world. In the afternoon, we will visit handicraft villages by the foot of Marble Mountain before arriving in Hoi An. Once in Hoi An, we will check into the hotel and have some free time to explore the town. Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 09: HOI AN SIGHTSEEING
Activities: Walking tour around this enchanting port town, visit its numerous places of interest: the 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Phuc Kien Assembly Halls, Chua Ong Pagoda, and a traditional craft village
We spend the morning for a walking tour around this enchanting port town a thriving international commercial port for Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese and Arab traders. Follow the narrow lanes lined with centuries-old houses influenced by Chinese, Japanese, French and European architectures and visit its numerous places of interest: the 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Phuc Kien Assembly Halls, the local fish market... Around the town we can see a numerous art galleries and tailor shops, get some made-to-order clothes if you like. After lunch in local restaurant, enjoy a short boat ride to a nearby village specializing in ceramics and crafts-including boat building. Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 10: MY SON RELICS HALF DAY
Activities: Visit temple and tower in My Son Relics, free to relax, shop, sightseeing, photography
Today we take a trip to My Son Relics, a World Heritage Site. My Son was an imperial city during the Cham dynasty, between the 4th and 12th centuries. My Son Sanctuary is a large complex of religious relics that comprises more than 70 architectural works. They include temples and towers that connect to each other with complicated red brick designs. The main component of the Cham architectural design is the tower, built to reflect the divinity of the king. The complex is comprised of seventy Hindu-like towers and temples dating from the second century. This site is a must-see for those people who are interested in architecture and ancient civilizations and is now one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Vietnam. Back to Hoi An and overnight here.

DAY 11: HOI AN - NHA TRANG
Activities: Fly to Nha Trang and relax with white sand beach, quiet and warm waters, and stunning archipelagos
Free time for your leisure, sightseeing, shopping, buy souvenirs, and take photos until transfer to the Danang Airport for your short flight to Nha Trang - one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Upon arrival, met up and transferred by driver to resort. Meals on your own. Overnight in Nha Trang.

DAY 12: NHA TRANG FREE
Activities: Free to relax and discover Nha Trang by yourself
Today you will be free to relax. You may choose to snorkel or dive among the coral reefs in crystal blue waters, hike nature trails, cool off in your private plunge pool, indulge in spa treatments or just relax on the white sand beach and admire the unspoiled mountain and sea views before retiring for the evening. Overnight in Nha Trang.

DAY 13: NHA TRANG - HO CHI MINH CITY
Activities: Visit Thien Hau Pagoda, the Reunification Palace, and the War Remnants Museum
Early morning, we will continue our journey by taking flight to Ho Chi Minh City, the country's commercial centre and home to a growing number of upscale restaurants and shops. We will visit Thien Hau Pagoda, the Reunification Palace, and the War Remnants Museum then you might have a walk around colorful outdoor markets and bustling Dong Khoi Street, the city's main upscale shopping boulevard with boutiques selling clothes and accessories designed by new Vietnamese designers, hill tribe crafts, high quality linens and house wares. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 14: HO CHI MINH - CU CHI TUNNELS
Activities: Visit Cu Chi Tunnels - one of the most famous battlegrounds of the Vietnam War
In the morning, you will take a half-day private excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels - one of the most famous battlegrounds of the Vietnam War. The network of Tunnels included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today, the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction, giving you a unique experience and a feel of what underground life during the U.S.-Vietnam War must have been like. Then relax in your hotel and fall restfully asleep.

DAY 15: HO CHI MINH - MEKONG DELTA
Activities: Visit typical villages of Mekong Delta, discover beautiful landscapes along the river and observe local rural life
Leaving the town, we start the journey to Mekong Delta – a prosperous and rich culture land of Vietnam. As arriving at the first destination in My Tho, you will embark a boat and go down stream to Dragon Island. Being there, you will have chance to witness the daily activities of locals like catching and raising fish on farm. Your trip will continue to some typical villages of Mekong Delta for exploring interesting local industries, tasting some fresh fruits in orchard and honey bee and listening to traditional music. Especially, you will have chance to take a horse cart before changing to a small rowing boat to the river where you will have lunch in a restaurant nearby. After a delicious meal, you will keep on exploring a coconut candies factory and taste some soft and sweet candies here before going to My Tho on the large river. At last, you will return to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon for staying overnight in the hotel.

DAY 16: DEPART HO CHI MINH CITY
Activities: Free time at your leisure, say goodbye Vietnam
Free time at your leisure, sightseeing, shopping, buy souvenirs, and take photos until depart to the airport for your onward flight. End of tour services with Ethnic Voyage.