Explorient Travel

VIETNAM EXPERIENCE

Vietnam Tours - Vietnam Highlight

Description: This 15 days tour will bring you to most of theattractive destinationsin Vietnam. From the charming Vietnamese capital city with the bustle Old Quarter, monuments and colonial architecture. Go through the rural scene get to the magnificent Ha Long Bay. From the sea to the mountain, exploring the home stay of the ethnic H’mong, Dzao, Zay people in Sapa gives you a deeper understanding of the Vietnamese multiform culture with the magnificent mountainous scenery of terrace fields, houses nestled on the slope of the mountain. You will also have opportunity to visit the famous landscapes such as Hue Citadel, Hoi An ancient town and the pleasant days on Nha Trang beach, exploring Mekong delta.

BRIEF ITINERARY:

ITINERARY

Day 01: Hanoi Arrival - Welcome dinner

Arrival at Hanoi airport, you will be met by your guide on the other side of Immigration Arrival check point. If time permits, enjoy a brief driving orientation tour of Hoa Kiem Lake, the French Quarter and Old Quarter of Hanoi en - route to your hotel.

You can use the next few hours to rest or explore the surroundings on your own or take a Cyclo ride through the Old Town of Hanoi.
Welcome dinner in a fine restaurant hosted by Explorient Travel.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

DAY 02: Hanoi city tour (Breakfast, Lunch)

Full day Ha Noi City Tour today will give you an over view of Hanoi ‘s highlights and its interesting history, culture and life style of Vietnam's capital city. Pick up at your hotel by a car/van, and dropt off to visit Ho Chi Minh Complex including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his House on Stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda. We then visit the Vietnam’s first university – temple of Literature which was built since 11th century. Lunch is at nice restaurant with local cuisines. after lunch, we take a short drive to the outskirt to visit the Ethnology Museum that offers informative and well documental displays of 54 ethnic groups. Much to learn at this best musuem in Indochina.

Then we go back to the city centre to visit Hoan Kiem lake and Ngoc Son temple. Enjoy an hour cyclo tour around the bustling old quarter once known as 36 streets and guilds of its hundreds of specialty shops selling silk clothing, lacquer ware, embroidered linens, furniture, bamboo, cooking utensils, ceremonial objects and more. Finally, enjoying the famous traditional water puppet show in Thang Long Theatre. Here the daily activities of the red river delta are lively reappeared on almost a thousand year traditional art of unique made-in Vietnam water puppetry. Go back to your hotel and dinner is on your own arrangement.

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 03: Hanoi - Ha Long (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast, we will depart for Halong Bay – designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage site since 1994. Travelling through the scenic fertile Red River Delta countryside, we get to Ha Long Bay by noon. The natural world heritage site Halong Bay is truly one of the most impressive scenery that should not be missed if someone ever come to the north. Upon arrival at Ha Long, we embark on a Chinese style junk for an exploration of the legendary Halong Bay. This exciting hours cruise passing by the evocatively shaped islets will provide us a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands and islets rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. Enjoy a Sea food lunch while you cruising through the bay.

Here the limestone karsts formations are littered with beaches. You then explore the Surprising Sung Sot cave which still reserve much of the amazing original stalactites and stalagmites. By summer, there is always some chance to leisurely swim in a secluded cove of the bay. Dinner will be served on board and stay overnight on the Junk Cruise

Accommodation: Junk cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 04: Ha Long - Hanoi - Night train to Sapa (Breakfast, Lunch)

Wake up in the morning to the calming sound of the waves crashing on the nearby islands. Enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning and relax. Sitting on the upper deck, you can enjoy the breath - taking beauty of the rocky Islands rising from the crystal-clear waters of the Bay. The quiet is almost eerie; in summer you can hear birds singing, even that cicadas chirping ashore and the gentle lapping of the waves against our boat, the perfect soundtrack to accompany the fresh air and gentle breeze. Our boat start cruising back and brunch buffet will be served on the way. Check out and arrive at the harbor by 11:30. You get back on our car and go back to Hanoi. Dinner is on your own arrangement. Tonight, you take the train to Sapa.

Accommodation: Night train
Meal: Brunch

Day 05: Sapa - Cat Cat (Breakfast)

Arriving at Lao Cai train station in the early morning. Meet our guide and board an 1.5 hour drive to Sapa town. The small beautiful town nestled at the 1,500 metres above sea level. Sapa is not only best known for its pleasant climate of 4 seasons in a day, but also famous for her wild beauty. Once you are at Sapa, we will check into hotel. After freshening up and having breakfast, we start exploring the Sapa town, then a walking tour to the lovely villages of Cat Cat. As we walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, we will meet some of the local minority people on their way to and from Sapa. Here we have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area.

Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa
Meal: Breakfast

Day 06: Sapa - Lao Cai - Ta Van - Train back to Hanoi (Breakfast)

After breakfast, we continue to visit Black H’mong people at Lao Chai village. Short trek down to river to visit hill tribe house to see their living style and the local woman made their handicraft clothes. Further on along the road, the Tavan village where Dzay people staying can be seen. Visit the village and reach their customs. Trek back to main road and the car take you back to Sapa and transfer to Lao Cai for night train back to Hanoi.

Accommodation: Night train
Meal: Breakfast

Day 07: Hanoi - Flight to Hue (Breakfast)

Free time until transfer to the airport for the flight to Hue at noontime. Hue is an ancient romantic land and famous for its magnificent architecture of citadel, palaces, pagodas and royal tombs built under the 13 emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty in a poetic background of greenery on the bank of the Perfume River. Hue was recognized as the World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1993. Hue has been representing the cultural and spiritual centre of Vietnam for a long period. On arrival in Hue, visit the Imperial Palace - a citadel surrounded by large moats. Then visit the King Tu Duc Mausoleum. It is a great pleasure to sit on the boat enjoying the traditional music on Perfume River.

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
Meal: Breakfast

Day 08: Hue - Hoi An (Breakfast)

This morning, we will take a dragon boat to cruise along the Perfume River heading upstream to visit Thien Mu pagoda - one of the best-loved architectural pagodas in Vietnam which is considered as an unofficial symbol of Hue. Thien Mu pagoda is an active Buddhist monastery with its origins dating back to 1601. Bus will be ready to pick you up to departure for Hoi An. Stop en route at Lang Co beach to have short break before crossing Hai Van Pass. At Lang Co you may want to get some lunch with variety of choice for a seafood lunch or some light lunch or just order some snack. At the hight of 450 metre above sea level Hai Van pass is the highest pass in the central coast of Viet Nam. Here you can enjoy the magnificent view of the central coast. The soft adventure drive over the 23 km long pass will add more highlights for this trip.

Next, you drive pass by Da Nang city - the 4th largest city of Viet Nam. Here we pay a visit to the fascinating Cham Museum – musuem of ancient Champa kingdom’s sculptures and artifacts. You then stop en route to visit famous China Beach, better known as R&R of the US army officials and soldiers during the Vietnam war.

Then you visit the Marble stone carving workshop at Ngu Hanh Son handicraft village en route to charming Hoi An. Arrive at Hoi An in late afternoon, check in to the hotel. Overnight in Hoi An. Known as Faifo to early Western traders, Hoi An was one of South East Asia's major international ports and today it still retains that special old-world feel. Enjoy a walking tour through the Old Quarter. Hoi An is also famous for its large number of tailor shops, so if you want to have a new wardrobe made up, here is the time to do it.

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Meal: Breakfast

Day 09: Hoi an (Breakfast)

Hoi An developed most of its uniquely eclectic townscape between the 16th and 19th centuries. During this time Hoi An was a thriving international commercial port for Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab merchants. Over the years, many elements of this diverse architectural style blended harmoniously with indigenous Vietnam features. Hoi An was relatively untouched by the Vietnam War, so the old world charm is still in. We enjoy a half-day walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the Ancient Quarter visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Halls, the 200- year old Tan Ky or Phung Hung ancestral house and the Japanese Bridge.

Afternoon you are free at leisure.

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Meal: Breakfast

Day 10: Hoi An - Danang - Nha Trang (Breakfast)

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Nha Trang. The panoramic view of Cam Ranh bay from airplane before landing at Camranh airport is really what we should not miss. On arrival, meet our guide and drive to continuing our next leg of the journey to visit Nha Trang city. We visit the Giant Buddha built 1963, Long Son Pagoda and Cham Ponagar sanctuary, decorated with divine animal statues and other Hindu shrines. Discover Hon Chong Promontory, an isolated site where huge rocks are piled up in a strange way, then transfer to hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel in Nha Trang
Meal: Breakfast

Day 11: Nha Trang (Breakfast)

Today, you will spend a full day to experience the coast of Nha Trang. After breakfast, transfer to Cau Da wharf to take a boat trip exploring Nha Trang bay. Our first stop is at Tri Nguyen aquarium. You will then head out to Hon Mun Island where you have the chance for swimming and snorkeling in the crystal clear waters. From here, continue to Hon Tam Island where you have the choice of relaxing on the beach or for the energetic - there is a choice of water sports. We then call at the fishing village of Lang Chai where we will have lunch then explore the village before boarding the boat back to Nha Trang harbor. Returns to your hotel by 4 PM. Rest of the day you are free to discover the city by yourself or visit Dam Market for shopping.

Accommodation: Hotel in Nha Trang
Meal: Breakfast

Day 12: Nha Trang - Saigon (Breakfast)

Transfer to the Cam Ranh airport for your flight to Saigon. On arrival, meet our guide and transfer to the central city hotel. Saigon half day city tour includes the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office, and the War Remnant Museum. Then visit the Reunification Palace for a glimpse into the lifestyle of the democratic regime of former South Vietnam.

Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon
Meal: Breakfast

Day 13: Saigon - Cu Chi - Tay Ninh - Saigon (Breakfast)

In the morning we will leave Saigon for the Cu Chi tunnels, otherwise known as the "Iron Triangle zone” or "Iron Land". The network of three level underground tunnels which stretching over 200 km was once the former stronghold of Viet Cong .

We will drive through pleasant countryside; rubber plantations and rice paddies. Before exploring the incredible underground tunnels, we will watch a short introductory video showing how the tunnel system were constructed, followed by an exploration of the maze of tunnels, some of which have been widened to allow tourist access. Also on display are various mantraps and the remains of an American tank as well as numerous bomb craters made by B52 bombers.

Next we drive to Tay Ninh near the Cambodian border to visit Cao Dai Temple and Join Cao Dai worshippers for their daily noontide ceremony where hundreds of worshipers attired in lively red, yellow blue and white, chant religious hymns. Tay Ninh is home to the unique Cao Dai sect whose patron saints include Joan of Arc, Victor Hugo and Winston Churchill to name but a few. This religion is an odd mix of Buddhist, Taoist, Confucianism and Christianity. The vast complex of the temple draws nearly three million worshipers. The main attraction here is the Great Devine Temple- a missive structure that reflects an unusual mix of Asian and European architectural elements. Amid the vibrant pinks, greens, and yellows of the decor are carvings of writhing serpents and dragons and a multitude of Devine Eyes gazing from all directions.

After lunch we go back to Sai Gon in the late afternoon.

Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon
Meal: Breakfast

Day 14: Saigon - Vinh Long - Saigon (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Breakfast is at hotel. Morning departure from Saigon and drive overland to Cai Be which is located in the heart of the Mekong Delta. On arrival, you boarding a private boat for a comfort cruise on the Mekong River and its multiple canals to Vinh Long. Visit Cai Be floating market, an Old Colonial House, a Rice Corn Factory and Enjoy some local specialties for lunch. Return to Saigon in late afternoon. Farewell dinner is served at the nice restaurant.

Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15: Saigon (Breakfast)

Today we do not plan any schedule but let you be free at leisure and meet our guide to transfer to the airport for your flight back to home.

End of trip.

Meal: Breakfast

PRICE & INCLUSION

This is a sample itinerary so the cost really depends on your hotel choice, number of people in your group and time of travel.

This rate is quoted in USD per person, based on Double/Twin occupancy with 3-star standard.

Apply from 1.January - 2012 to 31.December - 2012

Price Inclusions:

• All land transportation by private air conditioned vehicles
• Tour arrival and departure airport transfers
• Transfer to and from the train station in Hanoi.
• Hotel accommodation on a twin-share basic
• Soft sleeper in cabin 4 berths with A/C
• Double or twin-share bedroom on Halong bay
• Meals as mention in the program
• Local English speaking guides
• All entrance and sightseeing fees
• Mineral water
• Visa approval fee
• Travel Insurance

Price Exclusions:

• All domestic flights
• International airfare and airport tax in & out Vietnam
• Drinks and other meals do not indicate in the program
• Early check-in and late check-out at all hotels
• Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, shopping...)
• Tipping/ Gratuities
• Additional expenses in case of force majeure

Notes:

• All the points of interest are open for visit based on current updating. In case of closing for construction or any reason, we will replace with similar point of interest.
• This Private Journey will depart on your desired date. It can also be taken in reserve starting in Saigon and finishing in Hanoi.