9 DAYS VIETNAM PANORAMA

All guests are warmly welcomed upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport by our local guide then transfer to check in the hotel.

Afterward, you will enjoy 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 before 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 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 hours.

Arrival Halong, check in the hotel and free at your own leisure until dinner at local restaurant. After dinner, bus will drop you at night market for shopping, you will get back to your hotel by yourself. Overnight at hotel in Halong.

After breakfast in the hotel (6 - 7AM), you will be transferred to the port. Embark and start a relaxing in a wonderful cruise through Halong Bay, passing bizarre rock formations. You will discover Halong Bay, listed as a World Heritage of outstanding natural beauty, known in Vietnamese as “Dragon descending to the sea“. The picturesque Halong Bay has more than 3,000 limestone islets rising from the clear emerald water, many of them containing beautiful grottoes.

You will visit Thien Cung situated on the south-west side of the bay, 4 km from the wharf outside of Halong City. The way to Thien Cung grotto is covered on both sides by thick forest. After entering narrow gate, the grotto’s 130-meter-long girth opens up. Getting in you will be more astonished in front of the very animated and splendid beauty which is made from the stalactites. On the east wall of the grotto, there is a grandiose and imposing picture with characters of tales. Going out of the Thien Cung grotto, you will have a sensation of just watching a unique, meticulous, interesting fine-art museum which is made by nature. This grotto is one of the most beautiful ones in Halong Bay. Legend has it, that beautiful young lady named May (cloud), caught the eye of the Dragon Prince and he fell in love with her. They were betrothed, and their wedding lasted seven days and seven nights in the very centre of the grotto.  During the boat trip fresh seafood lunch will be served for your delights.

Disembark and return to Hanoi, short rest at Dai Viet or Hong Ngoc or ABC shopping en route back then transfer directly will be proceeding to Noi Bai Airport for a domestic flight to Hue.

Upon arrival Phu Bai Airport in Hue - the former Imperial City of the last dynasty of Vietnam. Located in Central Vietnam, Hue is the only place in the country where many historic, cultural, architectural as well as artistic values have been preserved. Tangible cultural heritage - the system of historic monuments - and intangible cultural heritage - the Imperial court music - have their own national and international values that were acknowledged as World Cultural Heritages. Hue is also the site where the northern and southern ecosystems meet, the area of river-hills, greenery and beautiful landscapes.

You are warmly welcomed by our local guide and transfer to enjoy Dinner at local restaurant before check in the hotel. Overnight at hotel in Hue.

Morning you will enjoy the journey of 177km to Quang Binh Province (home to the World Heritage Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park), en route you will visit the ancient village of Phuoc Tich Ancient Village is surrounded by O Lau River, bordering with Quang Tri Province and around 40 km north of Hue city. It is considered an untouched and valuable ancient village, not only in Central Vietnam but the whole country as well. It remains 27 “Nha Ruong” (Hue’s old styled houses) and gardens, 12 of which own architecturally and aesthetically special values.

Take a boat ride on O Lau River and admire the village’s landscape. Then wander around the village (on foot or by bike), see some daily activities of locals such as noodle, jam and confectionary making etc. Lunch at a villager’s house.

After lunch, you will continues the journey to Quang Binh, en route you will view Famous Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River. Dinner will be served at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Dong Hoi city.

Morning you will drive up north to Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park and take a boat trip on the Son River from a critical point of the legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail to the Phong Nha Cave. About 300 caves have been counted in this area so far. This proves the significance of this karsts cave system of which Phong Nha Cave, known as being among the longest and most beautiful karsts caves in the world, has been listed by UNESCO as a world natural heritage site. The boat will take you as far inside as Bi Ky chamber where you will find traces of ancient inhabitants. Return to the pier, you will have lunch at local restaurant.

After lunch you will be transferred head south back to Hue. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Hue.

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!