Epic Vietnam: 9 Days of Culture, Heritage & Adventure

8N9D- LAND SA05

HIGHLIGHTS

ITINERARY

DAY 1      ARRIVAL HO CHI MINH – HALF DAY CITY TOUR

Welcome to Vietnam! Land of Majestic Nature, Outstanding Cuisine, Rich Culture and Outstanding Service. Upon arrival in Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Ho Chi Minh our driver will pick you up and take you into the city about 20-30 minutes’ drive from the airport.  Check-in into your hotel. (Standard Check in Time 14:00)

Our driver will pick you for half day city tour in Ho Chi Minh city.  This half-day city tour will give you Saigon's tumultuous past and provide a glimpse of the fascinating diversity the city has to offer. We will visit the following places of interest.

SAIGON NOTRE-DAME BASILICA (OUTSIDE)

Notre Dame's name is reminiscent of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception i n France - one of the symbols of the city of light. Except for a few small differences in the front door and dome, these two churches have many similarities in architecture, both following the architecture of a main hall and two adjacent compartments with tall towers on both sides. Inside Notre Dame Cathedral Saigon is a specially designed cathedral with the ability to withstand 10 times the entire architecture of the building.

SAIGON CENTRAL POST OFFICE

Saigon Central Post Office with beautiful Renaissance architecture is still preserved until now. The post office is a nostalgic break in the heart of a busy and modern city. One of the things that makes Saigon Central Post Office attract visitors by its meticulous and delicate carvings, the system of large curved arched doorways, etc. The combination of royal European style and liberal Asia makes this place one of the tourist attractions in Saigon that everyone loves.

WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM

Located on “Vo Van Tan Street” District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, the War Remnants Museum is a vivid picture of Vietnam during the years of war against the US. The remaining artifacts and images serve as convincing evidence to denounce the crimes of the invading colonialists, and at the same time, reflect our people's will to fight and win to regain national independence.

Back to Hotel by evening.

Inclusion  -                 Private Tour/Transfer, English Speaking Guide, All Entry Fees, Water

DAY 2  - CUCHI TUNNEL – MEKONG DELTA FULL DAY TOUR

Depart from Ho Chi Minh City to reach Cu Chi Tunnels, just 60 km from the city. Visit the hero district and learn about its role in the anti-American war in Vietnam. Explore the 220 km tunnel system.

Immerse yourself in the rural rice paddies and the ducks and water buffalo swimming in the river along both sides of the road. Imagine the state of this peaceful district when it was a "Free Target Area" and suffered heavy destruction and damage from bombing. Looking at the ruins in Cu Chi is evidence of the fierce battle that once took place here. Get a chance to shoot AK-47s (at your own expense) At the end of the tour, move to a delicious Vietnamese lunch.

After Vietnamese / Vegetarian lunch in a local restaurant, heading to the Mekong Delta. Pass by green rice fields before arriving at the beautiful rural My Tho. Your morning trip continues from here by motorized boat on the Tien River to the Qui (Tortoise Islet). On the way, see the fishing port, boat-building workshops, and the Dragon, Phoenix, and Unicorn Islet.

Walk into the village, where you can visit a local fruit garden and enjoy the tropical fruit while listening to Southern Vietnamese folk music performed by islanders. Here you can also join in the daily activities of the local people and take in the atmosphere of this beautiful natural countryside. Visit the bee house and take pictures of the pythons. The boat cruise will lead you through Bao Dinh canal, entering Ben Tre province — "the land of coconuts." Here you'll see a typical agricultural model called "Garden - Pond – Cage,” before visiting the coconut candy-making shop. Next, enjoy a rowing boat trip on the small canal, fully covered by the shadow of the water coconut trees. After your boat ride, take a bike ride around the island before returning to the car.

Inclusion  -                 Private Tour/Transfer, English Speaking Guide, All Entry Fees, Water

DAY 3      FLY TO DA NANG – FREE DAY

-FREE AT LEISURE-

Inclusion  -                 Private Transfer, Water,

DAY 4      SUNWORLD BANA HILLS

After breakfast, transfer to Bana Hills and take Cable Car to Ba Na hills station. Stop at By Night station to visit Vong Nguyet hills, Linh Ung pagoda, The Old Villas of French. Continue moving up by cable car to the Nui Chua Mountain – the top of Ba Na range, visiting Ninh Phong top, Le Nim Villas, Orchid Garden, and Golden Bridge. Then free to relax and play games at Fantasy Theme Amusement (games and activities inside the fantasy park you will pay the fee by yourself). After that you will take the cable car back the foot and the driver pick up and transfers you to the restaurant for dinner and thereafter to hotel.

Inclusion  -                 Private Tour/Transfer, English Speaking Guide, All Entry Fees, Water

DAY 5      CAM THANH COCONUT VILLAGE – HOI AN       

Today morning you will visit Bay Mau coconut forest is also known as Cam Thanh coconut forest by locals, about 3km from Hoi An city. This is a famous eco-tourism area that gives visitors many experiences about the nature of rivers, immense coconut forests and rustic basket boats.

According to the local people here,Cam Thanh coconut forest has existed for about 200 years. At that time, migrants from the Southwest region brought nipa varieties and planted them in this area. Thanks to the combination of water and soil, the tree gradually proliferated, growing into a large forest of about 7.

Sightseeing in a basket boat: Sitting in a basket boat weaving through the green coconut groves and enjoying the fresh air is a unique experience, loved by many people. Bay Mau coconut forest tourist area has two types of basket boats, a small one that can carry 2 guests and a large one for 4 guests. In the journey of walking and sightseeing, you will hear interesting stories about the coconut forest and far away, the dear melody of a Quang folk song. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to the ancient city Hoi An.

Arrive Hoi An, our guide will bring you to explore the charming beauty of Hoi An at night. After 6 o’clock in the evening, as the old town lightened, it’s the time for paper lanterns with small candles inside twinkle so you could buy (by yourselves) the candle lit paper flowers from little lovely girls who wear the Vietnamese traditional dress “Ao Dai” with conical hat and holding flat basket full of paper lanterns. Buy some and put them down on the Hoai River then make a wish. This is considered to bring you good luck and happiness.

Next, you will have chance to see traditional game in Hoi An named: “Bai choi” which is crowded with people at night to play at the wide yard near the bridge to get more interesting experience. Besides, you could walk around the night market to buy some handmade souvenirs for your friends and relatives

Inclusion  -                 English Speaking Guide, Water, All Entry Fees, 2 Lifts at Marble Mountain

DAY 6      FLY TO HANOI – CITY TOUR

Upon arrival at Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport. At the lobby, you will be greeted by our Driver / Guide and take you to the center of Hanoi to check in to the Hotel. (Standard check-in time is 14:00. Early check-in is possible upon request, subject to availability).

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and has been the political, economic, and cultural center since the beginning of the country's history. It is a popular destination for domestic and foreign tourists. This half-day city tour will take you to explore the Vietnamese history, culture, and education, as well as the romantic lakeside and well-preserved monuments.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

The most important monument to see in Vietnam is the “Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum”, which is the eternal resting place of "Uncle Ho” the founder of the Indochina Communist Party and president from 1945 to 1969 of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam). It is also a place where the sentiments and beliefs of the country's compatriots and soldiers converge.

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, located in the center of Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, Vietnam, serves as the final resting place of Vietnamese revolutionary leader and President Ho Chi Minh. The construction of the mausoleum began on September 2, 1973, and was inspired by Lenin's Mausoleum in Moscow but incorporates distinct Vietnamese architectural elements, such as the sloping roof. The mausoleum was officially inaugurated on August 29, 1975. The exterior of the building is made of grey granite, while the interior is constructed from red, black, and grey polished stone. The embalmed body of President Ho Chi Minh is preserved in the cooler, central hall of the mausoleum, which is protected by a military honor guard. The Mausoleum complex also includes Ba Dinh Square, Presidential Palace, and Uncle Ho's Stilt house.

Temple Of Literature

As the first university relic complex in our country, the Temple of Literature is not only a cultural and historical relic but also a place where many scholars and students come here to pray for luck in exams and study. Temple of Literature is in Dong Da district, Hanoi, right in the middle of 4 main streets including Nguyen Thai Hoc, Ton Duc Thang, Temple of Literature and Quoc Tu Giam.

Tran Quoc Pagoda

Tran Quoc Pagoda is more than 1500 years old, which means the place holds such an important role in the development of Vietnam in general and Hanoi in particular. That is the main reason why the temple attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world every year. On the grounds of Tran Quoc is a Bodhi tree taken as cutting of the original tree in Bodh Gaya, India under which the Buddha sat and achieved enlightenment. The gift was made in 1959, marking the visit of the Indian president Rajendra Prasad.

Ngoc Son Temple & The Hu Bridge

Ngoc Son Temple relic was built in the Ly Dynasty (1009–1225) in the Northeast of Hoan Kiem Lake. At the gate of the temple is the Pen tower engraved with three Han-Nom character of "Ta Thanh Thien" means "Writing on the clear blue sky”. To get to Jade Island and Ngoc Son Temple visitors have to go through a bridge named The Huc which means “Light of Dawn” because it faces East where the sun rises. The bridge stands out with a vermilion color, crossing the emerald Hoan Kiem Lake.

Inclusion  -                 English Speaking Guide ON Cruise, Cruise Breakfast, Cruise Brunch, Water

DAY 7      TRANSFER TO HA LONG BAY - LAN HA BAY – TRA BAU

Early morning transfer to Ha Long Bay for Overnight Cruise

12:00-12:30              Guests will be picked up from Tuan Chau International port and deliver to Era Cruises on tenders. After boarding, the Cruise Manager will give a brief about safety regulations and tours.  Travellers then will be given room key and time for freshening before lunch.

13:00 – 14:30           Lunch will be served at Signature restaurant while the boat is sailing through Ha Long Bay and getting into Lan Ha Bay. After lunch time, guests will have a short break before joining the first activity of the tour.

15:30 – 16:30           Cruise anchors at Tra Bau area. Guests are free to choose to do Kayak and Swimming around the boat. This will be a very particular experience when your feet are around 20m above land.

17:30 – 18:30           Talent Chef will present you how a famous Vietnamese spring roll is made. You can try to make one or more for your own or partners. In the meantime, Happy hour will offer you drinks at attractive prices. Happy together, watching the Sun falling into the sea will be unforgettable memories to every single traveler on board.

19:15 – 20:30           Delicious dinner is ready to be served. It can be flexible between set menu and buffet to vary the diner taste.

20:30                          Free time, Guests can try spa, squid fishing or reading, lying under thousand stars sky or gossip with friends.

DAY 8      DARK AND BRIGHT CAVE – BACK TO HA NOI - DEPARTURE

05:30 – 06:30           Greets first light of the Day on Sundeck, warming up your body with Tai Chi lesson or enjoy leisure time in room.

06:30 – 07:00           Light breakfast will be served in our restaurant (pastries, tea, coffee).

7:15 - 8:30                Enjoy the last stage of your trip to Dark & Bright grotto and islets by local rowing boats which is a wild and mysterious beauty in middle of the World Heritage.

09:00 – 10:30           Check out of your cabin as we draw closer to the mainland. Enjoy brunch before saying goodbye to the crew at 10:30. you will board our tender and head back to the wharf where you will be met by your return trip vehicle to transfer you to Hanoi.

12:10-12:30              Get on the van and get back to Ha Noi

Inclusion  -                 English Speaking Guide ON Cruise, Cruise Meals, Water

DAY 9      HANOI DEPARTURE

According to your flight schedule, our driver will drop you off at the Airport.

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