Vietnam Tour 13 days: High-end Trip

Warmly welcome you on arrival at Noi Bai international airport. We transfer you with a comfortable vehicle to the city center of Hanoi to check-in your hotel. This day is scheduled to take some rest after your long flight. You have the opportunity to get some first impressions of the city by yourself and of course our tour guide is always available at your request. 
Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi
 
Meals: N/A
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Today, we enjoy a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh.
 
Our first stop is to visit the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh. Located in the center of Ba Dinh Square, this is the most important monument of Vietnam in which Ho Chi Minh’s body is preserved. This site only opens on Tuesday to Thursday and weekends from 08:00 – 11:00.
 
The next destination is the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. The Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house was completed on May 19th, 1958 as a birthday present for uncle Ho and becomes a symbol of his simple life.
 
Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda. The pagoda looks like a lotus blossoming from the square pond. It was constructed in 1049 by King Ly Thai Tong based on his dream of Goddess of Mercy seating on a lotus flower and giving him a boy. In 1954, it was destroyed by the French and then restored in 1955.
 
We follow this with the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam. This temple provides an opportunity to learn more about education in Vietnam since 1000 years ago until recent history.
 
In the afternoon, visit the impressive Ethnologic Museum that is dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. This museum has both indoor and outdoor exhibition area with the most popular architectural styles of house’s ethnic people. The museum closes on every Monday
 
In the late afternoon, you will be drive to visit the house of a dedicated local artisan born from a family with traditions for a private solo water puppet show (Mr. Liem is a seventh generation puppeteer, he could not speak English but our guide would be a good translator). You will talk and see all things related to this kind of art and the kids could have hands-on experience controlling the cute puppets as the water puppet performer do. The house owner is also willing to show you his technique of how to make and paint the wooden water puppets right at his workshop on the 3rd floor.  

Breakfast served at hotel and then starts a 3-hour drive through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta to Ha Long City.

Declared as a World Heritage site by the UNESCO in 1994, Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most spectacular natural attractions. Nearly 200 km far from Hanoi, the bay is dotted with 1600 limestone islands, capturing visitors’ attention.

Arrive in Halong ad board a luxury wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. While on board we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. When the sun comes down we drop anchor for the night nearby a remote island. Dinner served on board. Overnight on Junk
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Halong Bay cruise
 

Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a back-up vessel for those that require it.

At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey to Ha noi
Overnight in Hanoi
 
Accommodation: At the hotel in Hanoi
Meal: Breakfast, Brunch

Breakfast is served in the hotel. Free time until we pick you up to the airport for your flight to your next destination.
End of our service.
 
Accommodation : Hotel in Hue
Meals : Breakfast
 

We then set out for the exploration of Hue's famous highlights, including a boat trip to visit the picturesque Thien Mu, or Heavenly Lady Pagoda
 
Built in 1601, it is one of the best know religious and must-see sites in Hue. Both landscape and monuments here are always in harmony and bring a feeling of peace for travelers 
 
Disembark the board for a visit the elaborate mausoleum of former emperor Tu Duc.
 
Stretching along the Perfume River, Tu Duc mausoleum is considered to be the most picturesque site of Hue. The tomb was designed by the Emperor Tu Duc himself and this is the largest architectural work of Nguyen Dynasty’s royal palaces and tombs.
 
Transfer back to Hue center Hue for lunch at local restaurant. You can try some traditional Hue specialties at Huynh Anh Kim Long. Frequented only by the locals, this restaurant specializes in banh uot, a steamed rice pancake stuffed with delicate, finely chopped pork, and bun thi nuong, a rice noodle dish served with grilled meat
 
In the afternoon we continue to visit the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City
 
Built in the 19th century by Nguyen dynasty, the Citadel becomes the most important historical and cultural monument in Vietnam. It is a square 2 km wall encompassing 3 walled enclosures: the Citadel, the Yellow Imperial city, and the Forbidden Purple city.
 
If time permits, we continue to do the walking and shopping in Dong Ba Market to enjoy the specialty of Hue city. Overnight at the hotel in Hue

After having breakfast, we continue our south journey by road to Hoian

The ancient town of Hoian is a small town in Central Vietnam. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Hoian was a busy international commercial port for foreign merchants. Today, Hoian is popular for its peaceful beauty, eclectic architecture, tailors and cafes.
 
The scenery en route is very beautiful. We make a stop at Lang Co beach for coffee and refreshments before winding our way up the spectacular Hai Van Pass to admire the stunning views north to Lang Co beach and south to Danang City. Continue on our way down to the other side and head to Da Nang where we will stop at the Cham Museum, the famed China Beach, and the Marble Mountains. Arrival in Hoi An, we will have our first glimpse of this beautiful boutique town recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The tranquil and charm of Hoi An with its low tiled houses of Chinese appearance, Japanese covered bridge, and the colorful riverside market make it one of Vietnam’s most delightful places. Overnight at hotel in Hoian 

Today you will have full day at leisure. Overnight in Hoian

You have your free day to relax on the beach or enjoy the resort facilities until you are transferred to the airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival you have free time to explore this hustle & bustle city. Overnight at the hotel in HCM city

Today we depart our hotel for the Reunification Palace
 
Reunification Palace is a unique construction designed for the President of South Vietnam during Vietnam War. When entering, visitors can not only admire its architectural beauty but also enjoy fresh atmosphere created by trees and grasses around.
 
After that we continue to visit War Remnant Museum
 
War Remnants Museum primarily contains exhibits relating to the American phase of the Vietnam War. War Remnants Museum comprises a series of themed rooms in several buildings, with period military equipment placed within a walled yard.
 
Before our lunch we stop at Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post office to get our good shots for our memory of the biggest city in Vietnam. Our lunch served at a traditional restaurant in the central city. In the afternoon we will visit: Chinese town and Binh Tay market- one of the biggest markets in Saigon. Here you can experience our Vietnamese Southern daily life. Overnight in Saigon

08.00 - 08:30: Pick-up at the hotel in Saigon
11.30: Boarding of the cruise vessel and check-in (Mekong Eyes cruise)
12.00: Panorama cruise and lunch on board around 13.00
16.00: Guided land excursion – walk in orchards and small villages.
17.30: Return to the boat for refreshment and to enjoy the sunset on the top deck.
19.00: Dinner on board, night on board.
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: On Mekong cruise

07.00 Morning cruise and morning tea break served on board.
08.00 Check-out of cabin. Excursion on a long sampan to Cai Rang floating market and noodle producing family.
11.00 Departure to Saigon
~ 16.30 Arrival in Saigon.
 
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon
 

After breakfast spend the rest of your time in Saigon until transfer to airport for flight to Saigon for your international flight back home. 
End of service.
 
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A