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Day
1: Arrive Hanoi
"Xin chào"
or a radiant Vietnamese welcome as you arrive at Noi Bai airport. Transfer to
hotel. Take cyclo tour around the famous Old Quarter's 36 ancient streets and
experience the hustle and bustle of the local lifestyles. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day
2: Hanoi City
A full day city tour presenting the historical, cultural, and
ethnological facets of Vietnam. The visit include: Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum and
residence, One-Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature (1st established university
in Vietnam), Museum of Ethnology, and Hoan Kiem Lake. This tour will not be
complete without watching the traditional Vietnamese water puppet show in the
evening. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day
3: Hoa Lu, Tam Coc
Start the day with a scenic drive to Ninh Binh province, where the former
capital city of Hoa Lu (968 A.D. to 1009 A.D.) was located. Along the way, be
mesmerised by sceneries of farmers working in the rich green paddy fields or
young boys relaxing on the backs of grazing water buffaloes. Visit the ancient
sanctuaries of Dinh and Le dynasties at Hoa Lu. At Tam Coc, take a 2-hour
delightful river journey on row-boats across limestone mountains rising from
rice fields to explore three limestone grottoes (or literally Tam Coc in
Vietnamese). Try your hand at paddling the row-boat and don't miss the unique
sight of the locals paddling with their feet! Return to Hanoi. Overnight in
Hanoi.
Day
4:
Halong Bay
Leave behind the
hustle and bustle of Hanoi and make the 3 hour journey to Halong Bay. Colourful
paddy fields line the journey to Halong Bay, reflecting now lush green, now
golden yellow as the planting season changes. Before long, numerous limestone
grottoes are seen emerging across the horison indicating our arrival at Halong
City.
Arriving in Halong
City, the real fun begins after a sumptuous seafood lunch on board the boat. As
the junk weaves through the maze of grottoes in different shapes and sizes, we
will visit some caves to see the stunning stalactites and stalagmites, stop over
at a floating fishing village, climb up Titov mountain for a panoramic view of
the beautiful bay and swim in the clear emerald waters and kayak to explore
caves, grottoes and beaches.
As the setting sun descends gradually over the horizon, casting its remaining
rays across the glittering water surface, dinner of local fresh seafood is
served. Overnight on boat.
Day
5: Halong Bay
The early rising sun,
peeking through the grottoes, signals the beginning of a brand new day. After
breakfast, there is another opportunity to swim, and kayak to explore more caves
and grottoes. On the passage back to shore, the junk will sail by the famous
jetty where the film "Indochine" was shot. After lunch on shore,
transfer to Noi Bai airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh city.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day
6: Ho Chi Minh City
The city tour starts with the first stop of the day at the
historically significant Reunification Palace where the final surrender of then
Saigon to the North Vietnamese troops took place. Thereafter, walk through poignant realities as the War
Remnant Museum recaptures and reminds of the many atrocities that resulted from
war.
After lunch, adjourn to Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post
Office, both heritages of lingering French influence, where they reveal
beautiful architecture and design of former colonial days.
Stopover at the famous Ben Thanh market where every kind of goods from A
to Z is on display and for sale to locals and tourists keen to perfect their
bargaining skills. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
 Day
7: Cu Chi Tunnels
Journey to the
outskirts to visit the innovative network of underground tunnels which baffled
many American and South Vietnamese soldiers during the war.
Climb into these dark and intriguing tunnels to re-live wartime
experiences of living and fighting below the ground. There is some free &
easy time late afternoon for more shopping in this vibrant city.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day
8: Mekong Delta
The fertile Mekong
Delta awaits as the long tail boat meanders across the many criss-crossing water
tributaries and channels interspersed throughout the delta. Travel through acres
and acres of paddy fields and fruit orchards, peep into the lifestyle of the
local people living by the river, visit a bee farm where honey is cultivated and
discover the simple techniques passed down over many generations of making
coconut candies and rice paper. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day
9: Depart Ho Chi Minh City
Transfer
to Tan Son Nhat airport for departure.
*Specially
customized tours with changes to the above itinerary can be tailor-made and
organized according to the your interests and requirements.
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