Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi (D)
Vietnam ANZ Travel representative will greet and pick you up at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi. Located on the banks of the Red River, Vietnam's capital is a stylish and gracious city that retains a unique old world charm and has some of Asia‘s most striking colonial architecture. Transfer to the Centre of Hanoi. Afternoon: City tour comprising Lake of Restored Sword, Ngoc Son Temple, the Temple of Literature, the Ethnology Museum (closed on Monday) and a downtown pedicab ride (1 hour) round the old quarters of Hanoi, a collection of narrow streets, each named after the product sold Stay overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi – Halong (B/L/D)
Drive to Halong (180km from Hanoi). Embark a traditional-style wooden boat for a cruise around the wondrous Halong Bay, a World Natural Heritage site listed by UNESCO in 1994. Enjoy the spectacular sight of magical grottoes, marvel at odd-shaped islands and relax in the best scenic beauty of Vietnam and marvelous sunset. The calm sea provides an ideal location for sea kayaking (optional with surcharge). Lunch of fresh seafood is served while cruising. Stay overnight & Dinner on board.
Day 3: Halong - Hanoi (B/L)
Continuing the cruise in the Bay with Lunch on board Afternoon: Back to Hanoi Enjoy an evening water puppet show, a theatrical genre reflecting the agricultural civilization of thousands of years ago. Stay overnight in Hanoi.
Day 4: Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Hanoi (B/L)
Drive to Ninh Binh (100km from Hanoi). Visit the Dinh & Le dynasty temples in Hoa Lu, an ancient capital of Vietnam (968 – 1009). Continue with a sampan ride to Tam Coc, known as Vietnam’s “inland Halong Bay”. Paddle through three enormous caves and view local fisher folk, village life along the river and, of course, the striking limestone karst formations. Move onwards to the Bich Dong cave pagodas dating from the 17th century. Lunch served at local restaurant. Return to and Stay overnight in Hanoi.
Day 5: Hanoi - Danang - Hoi An (B/L)
Transfer to Noi Bai airport for the flight to Danang. Pick up on arrival at Danang Airport and transfer to Hoi An, known as Faifo to early Western traders and recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage in 1999. Along the way stop to visit the stone-carving village of Non Nuoc and the Museum of Cham Sculpture (closed on Monday) with the World’s finest collection of some 300 Cham sculpture exhibits dating from the 7th to the 15th centuries. Afternoon: Have a walking tour of the ancient town centre. Stroll around the Japanese and Chinese Quarters to visit a number of temples, pagodas, communal houses, traditional shops, local markets and other places of interest and watch local daily activities, handicraftsmen at work... Stay overnight in Hoi An.
Day 6: Hoi An - Hue (B/L)
Depart for Hue via the Pass of Ocean Clouds and the scenic fishing village of Lang Co. Enjoy the beautiful landscapes and panoramic views of the clouds, the sea and the mountains during the journey. Afternoon: Explore the Royal Citadel, built in 1804 on a site chosen in accordance with geomancy. The tour of Imperial City features Flag Tower, Noon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace (Palace of Supreme Harmony), and Forbidden Purple City. The next stop is the lively Dong Ba market. Stay overnight in Hue.
Day 7: Hue - Ho Chi Minh City (B/L)
Enjoy a a boat cruise along Perfume River leading to Thien Mu Pagoda one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious worship in Hue. Then, visit to the elaborate mausoleums of King Tu Duc (ruled 1848 – 1883). Afternoon: Transfer to Phu Bai airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Pick up on arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport and transfer to hotel. Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City - My Tho - Ho Chi Minh City (B/L)
Drive 75km to My Tho, a peaceful town on the bank of the Mekong River. On arrival board a private boat for a boat cruise along one of the Mekong River’s main tributaries to an islet. Once at there, visit some local homes and orchards where you can taste seasonal fruits and honey tea and enjoy a performance of traditional southern singing. Continue with a sampan ride through palm-shaded creeks. Lunch of Mekong specialties is served at local restaurant. Back to and Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City - Departure (B)
Visit the History Museum (closed on Monday), the Central Post Office; have a short walk along the shopping Dong Khoi Street (former Rue Catinat) from Notre Dame Cathedral to the Municipal Theatre. Then travel to Binh Tay wholesale market to observe the daily life of stall and street vendors. The next stop is Thien Hau Temple, dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea. Spend last minutes shopping at Ben Thanh market, with over 3, 000 stalls in the market, there is nothing you cannot find in this oldest and busiest market in Vietnam. Transfer to the airport for departure flight.
