VIETNAM historical heritages

Hanoi – Ha Long Bay – Hue – Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels
9 days/8 nights

                         
Nothing defines Vietnam quite like the call of its historical vestiges and cultural heritages! Our historical holiday is a popular itinerary, including old temples, pagodas, folk painting village, the former capital of Hue, Hoi An ancient town, My Son Cham Sanctuary, the Vietnam-American war site of Cu Chi Tunnels etc. The only thing you need is the spirit of history buffs! The UNESCO Natural Heritage of Ha Long and a boat trip on Perfume River in Hue are relaxing breaks in the most beautiful areas for you!
 
 
Day 1: Hanoi – Arrival (D)
You arrive in our one thousand year old Capital – Hanoi city. Our guide will welcome you at Noi Bai International Airport and escort you to your hotel in the city center. Your evening is free for leisure after a long flight.
 
In the evening, a Welcome Dinner will be catered at a local restaurant with Vietnamese cuisine. Overnight in Hanoi.
 
Day 2: Hanoi – Orientation (B/L)
In the morning, you will visit Ho Chi Minh memorial complex. The complex is combination of Ba Dinh spacious square with 240 four-season green grass carpets, the mausoleum where embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh is preserved, his wooden house-on-stilt surrounded by lush garden and fish pond. Within this complex, also located One-pillar Pagoda, an old temple built by the Emperor Ly Thai Tong in 11th century. Keep walking from the Square to Presidential Palace, a yellow big house in French colonial style, a fountain in the front yard and army protected at the gate, and to the twin lakes of West Lake and Truc Bach Lake. Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest temple in Hanoi, dated back to 1500 years ago. Pass by the Army Museum and Hanoi Flag Tower to see a collection of aircrafts  and helicopters in Vietnam War. Lunch will be served with local food.
 
In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature. Then stroll around the Old Quarter (trade area) of Hanoi for sightseeing and shopping. The last stop is the famous Water Puppet Show theater for a 45-minute show. Overnight in Hanoi.
 
Day 3: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay by car – Overnight onboard (B/L/D)
After an early breakfast, take a 3.5 hour drive to Halong bay, a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. Upon arrival around noon, transfer to a “junk” for a cruise around Ha Long Bay with a delicious local seafood lunch served on board. The cruise passes through the limestone rocks and islets in many unique and funny shapes.  Again your dinner is served on board. In the evening, enjoy night fishing (optional), drinks, and overnight on board anchored in a peaceful bay.
 
Day 4: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Bac Ninh – Hue by flight (Brunch)
In the morning, your breakfast or brunch will be served while doing further cruising to explore the beauties of the Bay before returning to the Wharf. After breakfast or brunch, disembark the boat and return to Hanoi.
 
On the way back to Hanoi, stop for 1 hour to visit Dong Ho Village and see the production of woodblock prints and visit the impressive 17th century But Thap Pagoda.  Drive directly to Noi Bai airport for a late flight to Hue city.  Overnight in Hue.
 
Day 5: Hue – Former Capital of Vietnam (B/L)
Hue is the last imperial capital of Vietnam. It’s well-known for magnificent architecture, pagodas and royal tombs laid in small villages and surrounding hills.
 
In the morning, you will visit the Imperial Citadel of Hue, Minh Mang King’s Tomb (typical formal oriental style), and Thien Mu Pagoda that is Hue’s best-preserved religious monument. It is a historic pagoda with its seven-story tower on the banks of the Perfume River, apart from their scenic riverside and hilltop location. Lunch will be at a local restaurant with Hue cuisine. In the afternoon we will visit the elaborate mausoleums of Emperors Tu Duc, and later take a boat cruise on the Huong River where you can admire the sunset. Overnight in Hue.
 
Day 6: Hue – Hoi An by car (B/L/D)
Today we will heading to Hoi An through Hai Van pass, and to Lang Co beach – one of the most beautiful beach of Vietnam. Visit Cham museum on the way, the open air collection of Cham sculpture. Many of the sandstone carvings are breathtaking. After check-in at your hotel, you have a walking tour to visit the Ancient Hoi An: The Japanese covered bridge, Chinese Assembly Halls, and some typical Vietnamese houses of 18th century. Overnight in Hoi An.
 
Day 7: Hoi An – My Son – Ho Chi Minh City by flight (B/L)
In the morning we travel about 50km from Hoi An to My Son sanctuary. It comprises many Champa temples, in a valley roughly two kilometers wide, surrounded by two mountain ranges. It was the site of the religious ceremony of kings of the Champa dynasty, and was also a burial place of Champa royals and national heroes. The My Son temple complex is one of the foremost temple complexes of Hinduism in South East Asia and is the foremost heritage site of this nature in Vietnam. Though the complex has been destroyed over time, we still see many majestic ancient ruins of temples in the area.
 
Take the afternoon flight to Ho Chi Minh city. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
 
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels (B/L)
In the morning, you will depart for Cu Chi, visit the incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tour is guided by a former soldier named Chu Nam (Uncle Nam) who is the witness of the country’s history (subject to availability). Return to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch with Southern Vietnam cuisine.
 
In the afternoon, we enjoy modern-day Ho Chi Minh City. Stop for a short visit to War Remnants Museum which presents a partial, but riveting, view of the American War, as it is known in Vietnam, and Reunification Palace, former residence of the Indochina Governor General and later President of the Republic of Southern Vietnam until the fall of Saigon in April 30, 1975. Continue with the Old Post Office, and the Notre Dame Cathedral. Walk along Nguyen Hue street and the day ends with the A O Show at Saigon Opera House. This is recommended a must-see show when you visit Ho Chi Minh city. It’s a rare mix of bamboo cirque, contemporary dance, acrobatics and live music by folk instruments. This show is our farewell present to you! Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
 
Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City – Departure (B)
Breakfast at your hotel and you will have free time for shopping or relaxing before transferring to the airport for your departure flight. 

 
:>> Our prices include: 
> Breakfast and accommodation sharing a twin or double room
> Travel in an appropriate private air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced safe driver
> The services of an experienced English-speaking guide throughout the tour (please note: guides will be on hand from pick-up until guests’ return to their hotel or reaching their destination)
> Domestic flights Hanoi – Hue & Danang – Ho Chi Minh City including airport taxes (Vietnam Airlines, economic class)
> Where necessary, entry fees and permission to enter border areas for all visits mentioned in the program
> Lunches and dinners (as specified in the itinerary) in the best local restaurants, or picnics where no suitable restaurant is available
> Private boat trip in Ha Long Bay, Hue, and in Mekong Delta
> VAT and other taxes

:>> Our prices do not include:
> International flight tickets and airport tax
> Vietnamese Visa handling and stamp fee
> Dinners, except as specified above
> Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses
> Camera fees (if any)
> Insurance