8 DAYS VIETNAM OVERVIEW WITH HALONG BAY ON JUNK

All guests are warmly welcomed upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport by our local guide then transfer to check in the hotel. Impressive Welcome Dinner at SEN RESTAURANT. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

This morning you will explore Hanoi city to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Monday, Friday and during the entire months of September & October) and his former residence with Humble House on Stilts, One-Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam and built more than 1,000 years ago before lunch at local restaurant.

Note: During the closure of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on Every Monday & Friday and whole month of September, October, Tran Quoc Pagoda shall be replaced.

After lunch you will visit the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. Hoan Kiem Lake was already considered the most beautiful lake in Hanoi when Ngoc Son Temple was built on an island in the 19th century. Initially, the temple was called Ngoc Son Pagoda and was later renamed Ngoc Son Temple, since temples are dedicated to saints. Saint Van Suong, considered to be one of the brightest stars in Vietnam's literary and intellectual circles, was worshipped there along with other National heroes.

Tour continues to enjoy a leisurely one-hour buggy tour through the streets of this fascinating city.  You will come face to face with the daily lives and activities of Hanoi’s streets as you pass through the congested, but delightful, Old Quarter. Ride pass the fascinating streets, which still bear the names of the shops that could be found in them in the 15th to 18th centuries.

Afterward, you will explore the famous Dong Xuan Market and Hanoi old quarter on 36 streets where you can purchase souvenirs for your beloved ones.

End the day with a performance of the famous water puppet show. The Vietnamese traditional art of water puppetry has roots that date back to the 10th century when it originated in the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam. The farmers in the region celebrated festivals and harvests by performing this unique art form. Learning to manipulate the puppets is usually a tradition that is passed on as a family secret. It takes a great deal of skill and because the puppeteer’s hands are underwater, it is easy for them to hide their methods. The fascinating part is that the central stage is below the water line, and the puppeteers stand in the waist-deep water. A rattan curtain hides them, but they can see the stage and the audience through the bamboo slats. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Morning drive through the countryside from Hanoi to Halong Bay (165 km east of Hanoi) - a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty, you will experience a rural area dotted with villages, rice fields and farms providing the many parts of the nation with rice, fruits and vegetables. Short rest stop en route, you will reach Halong city after 3.5.

Morning you will meet with our guide and start the day to explore the Imperial City of Hue. The Hue Citadel is situated on the Northern bank of the Perfume River and built by Emperor Gia Long it was designed for the exclusive use of the Emperor and his household. The Citadel is a square 2 km wall  encompassing 3 walled enclosures; the Citadel, Kinh Thanh Hue, the Yellow  Imperial city, Hoang Thanh and in the centre the Forbidden Purple city Tu Cam Thanh where the Emperor lived. The Hue royal complex has been officially recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Then enjoy a scenic boat trip on the Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda (Heavenly Lady pagoda), one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious worship in Hue. Situated 4 km upstream on the banks of the Perfume River, it is an active Buddhist monastery with its origins dating back to 1601. Lunch at local restaurant.

Afternoon, we start the spectacular drive over Hai Van Pass to Danang with a whole view of Pacific Ocean and famous Lang Co fishing village. En route, you will visit the Cham Museum - The world's foremost collection of the sculpture of the ancient King-dom of Champa, and the Marble Mountain, whose peaks represent the five elements of the universe. Continuing to the charming historic city of Hoi An which lies on the banks of the Thu Bon River. Hoian was one of the major trading centers of Southeast Asia in the 16th century and was declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Hoian.

Morning you will discover Hoi An - known to early Western merchants, Hoi An was one of the major trading centres of Southeast Asia in the 16th century. Hoi An has a mixed Chinese-Vietnamese atmosphere with low, tile-roof houses and narrow streets. Having been through many ups and downs in the past, the original structures, however, are still virtually intact. That was the reason to persuade the UNESCO to recognize Hoi An as a World Heritage in 1999. Besides, the surroundings of Hoi An, especially the countryside, are one of the most outstanding highlights that visitors should experience during their stay in Hoi An.  

One of the best ways to discover Hoi An and its surroundings is by walking. During our 4-hour leisurely walk you will visit some of the historic merchant and community houses, places of worship and famous Japanese Covered Bridge, the daily life of the local people: green paddy fields, vegetable gardens, markets, temples, historic houses, fishermen and stunning countryside scenes will simply mesmerize you. This tour offers great photo opportunities and you may find yourself chatting with the locals and inhaling unforgettable memories. Lunch at local restaurant.

Afternoon proceed to Danang city - the fourth largest city in Vietnam, the gateway to the central provinces and a sea port with nice beaches and resort and transfer to Danang Airport for your domestic flight Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, you are warmly welcomed by our local guide and transfer to check in the hotel before dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Hochiminh.

Morning drive to Cu Chi Tunnels (70 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City), an amazing complex of underground tunnels used during the Vietnam War. There are more than 200 km of tunnels, comprising a main axis system with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters and other tunnels. You have the chance to crawl through this amazing system of tunnels. For a more “thrilling” experience, you can even test your shooting skills on original AK47s and other guns from past war times (subject to a surcharge). Lunch at local restaurant.

Afternoon visit the people’s Committee Hall, Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral inaugurated in 1880 became the spiritual and cultural crucible of the French presence in the Orient as was the Post office designed by Gustav Eiffel and resembling a grand railway station. Tour continues to visit the War Remnants Museum. End the day at the famous Ben Thanh Market, where you can purchase souvenirs for your beloved ones. Dinner at Impressive Farewell Dinner will be served on a floating restaurant on board while cruising along Saigon River. Overnight at hotel in Hochiminh.

Free at your own leisure until transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for your international flight home. We hope you had an exciting holiday with us. Making it an affair to remember!