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Vietnam Adventure – Custom Tour

$2,495.00

During this amazing Vietnam Tour you’ll have the opportunity to experience this extraordinary country from tip to tale. From the jagged limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay to the vast Cu Chi tunnels built by the Viet Cong and underlying Saigon, Vietnam’s landscape is as compelling as its history. Fuelled by one of the most robust economies in the developing world, the country exemplifies tenacity, ambition, and recovery.

Located in the southeastern extremity of the Indochinese peninsula, spread over an area of about 331,210 km2, Vietnam shares a border with the Gulf of Tonkin, Gulf of Thailand, South China Sea alongside China, Laos and Cambodia. What makes Vietnam’s geography really remarkable is its S-shaped coastline that runs for as long as 3,260 kilometres.

Vietnam is one of the most compelling destinations in Southeast Asia. The dragon-shaped country guarantees charm, exoticism and adventure. In the north, you will discover the wonderful Halong Bay, the timeless charm of Hanoi and the very colourful ethnic minority groups. In the centre you will find the surprising Hoi An and the beautiful architecture of Hue. Sandy beaches with year round crystal sunshine stretch all the way southward in Phu Quoc. Your heart will be captured by the immense water, endless rice fields and buzzing floating markets of the Mekong Delta.

DATES: CUSTOM DEPARTURES AVAILABLE YEAR ROUND

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Highlights Include:

  • Wandering the bustling streets & markets of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh & Hoi An
  • Exploring amazing Halong Bay
  • Ogling at the spectacular scenery of the Mekong Delta
  • Snorkelling at the South Phu Quoc Island
  • Learning about Vietnamese culture
  • Riding bicycles around the rare cultural relics in Hue

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HANOI. HALONG BAY. HUE. HOI AN. HO CHI MINH. PHU QUOC.

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival to Hanoi Noi Bai Airport your driver and guide will meet you and they will transfer you to your hotel. Check-in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.*Our guide will be waiting you on gate B of the international terminal*
*Official check-in time is at 12.00pm and check-out is 14.00pm

Overnight: La Siesta Hotel, Deluxe room
Meals: None

Day 2: Hanoi – Explore Hanoi Like a Local

This morning, you will meet your guide and driver around 07:00am and head towards Hoan Kiem Lake. It is a cultural thing in Vietnam to wake up very early and start the morning with some exercise. It is very interesting to see how the local people, mostly women from varying age, start their busy routine. Several groups of people can be found practicing tai chi and aerobics. Be part of Vietnam and join the locals in their morning routine!

After visiting the Ngoc Son Temple, located in the middle of the Hoan Kiem Lake, we will visit a traditional, local and charming coffee place, where you will be able to try Vietnam’s local coffee: Cà phê sữa đá (Iced coffee) and if you feel more adventurous, you can also try the ‘Egg coffee’! After our coffee, we will continue walking and we will stop in a street food place, where you will try the delicious ‘bánh mì’ –typical baguette sandwich filled in with a variety of things!.

Later, we will get deep into Hanoi’s Old Quarter and you will start a walking tour where you will be able to witness the French architecture in different Vietnamese buildings. Our first stop will be the St. Joseph Cathedral, a French gothic building constructed in 1886. Next, we will walk just 10 minutes until we arrive to the Hoa Lo Prison, where Vietnamese as well as American and French prisoners of war used to be imprisoned.

To finish our morning, we will pay a visit to the Huu Tiep Lake, better known as ‘B-52 lake’, where US B-5 bomber wreckage can be seen.
At noon, we will return to the Old Quarter. Vietnam is very well known for its food, so we will stop at a ‘Bún Chả’ restaurant, where you will try Hanoi’s specialty. After our super local lunch, we will visit the Temple of Literature, built in 1076. Vietnam’s first university was established within this temple to educate Vietnam’s royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for 700 years and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past.

Our last stop of the day will be in Hanoi railway tracks. This is something very particular from this city as the railway tracks are sometimes located meters away from entrance door of houses! Together with our guide, you will walk along the railway tracks and take some of the most beautiful pictures of the city.

After a long day, we will finish with evening beers at the typical and well known Bia Hoi, where you will taste local draft beer; finishing the day as a local!
Along the tour, you will be trying different street specialties therefore we recommend avoiding breakfast at the hotel this day!

Overnight: La Siesta Hotel, Deluxe room
Meals: B L

Day 3: Hanoi – Bai Tu Long Bay – Thien Canh Son Cave

After an early breakfast, you will depart for Ha Long Bay, one of the most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Areas and the world’s largest marine limestone ‘karts’ landscape.
After a 3.5 hour drive towards North East of Hanoi, you will embark at Hon Gai International harbour, on board Indochina Dragon’s Pearl Junk. A refreshing welcome drink will be served and you can check into your cabin.

As you settle into your cabin, the boat will set sail to the magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay. Lunch will be served in the restaurant while you enjoy the amazing scenery.
Around 3:00pm, you will explore the well-hidden Thien Canh Son Cave. Located in the centre of the World Heritage area, Bai Tu Long Bay covers an area of 2000 square meters, Thien Canh Son Cave offers a wild and mysterious beauty. The pathway to Thien Canh Son Cave is set below the forest canopy and a stone cliff, so you will have the feeling of climbing towards heaven.
Next, you will enjoy on a white sandy beach at Hon Co Island, swimming or kayaking.

As the sun sets over the bay, we head back to the cruise and relax.

Dinner will be served with local seafood and then you can choose to enjoy a drink from the bar or experience squid fishing, before going to bed.

Overnight: Prince Junk, Deluxe room
Meals: B L D

Day 4: Vung Vieng Fishing Village – Hon Gai Harbour – Hanoi – Hue
Enjoy the morning view of Bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee, and have breakfast in the fresh air. Next, you will visit Vung Vieng fishing village by a rustic row-boat, meet the local people and pass through the floating school and fish farms.

Check out of the cabin and start cruising towards the harbor while an A la carte lunch is served.

Meet your guide and driver at the pier and drive to Noi Bai airport to take the flight to Hue. Upon arrival to Hue Airport your driver and guide will meet you and they will transfer you to your hotel. Check-in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Pilgrimage Village, Deluxe room
Meals: B L

Day 5: Hue – Royal Legacy, Rustic Harmony by Bike (or Cyclo)
Bridging the strictness of the artistically structured Citadel and the grandeur of the richly endowed countryside, Thuy Bieu is an ancient village long known as a symbol of transition and harmony. Beside the multiple well-preserved communal houses, the nostalgic beauty of the garden-houses, their aesthetic wooden architectures and Fengshui-based gardens, suggest a mingling of royal legacy and rustic lifestyle. In a close proximity, you will explore some original monuments closely attached to the rise and fall of the Nguyen dynasties: the Roman Colosseum styled Tiger Arena hosting duels between tigers and elephants, the unique temple-cemetery dedicated to the Kings’ loyal elephants, and the long-established bronze casting village.

Cruising on the poetic Perfume River, cycling through green orchards and shady lanes, engaging on some hands-one experience with locals are thoughtfully designed for a relaxing but enriching discovery.

HIGHLIGHTS
Exploring some rare cultural relics such as unique Tiger Arena, village’s institutions, and the typical architecture of the garden houses
Connecting with locals on some hands-on experience, tasting exotic fruit and local delicacies. Helping local family to prepare and cook a home meal from garden sourced ingredients, and enjoying in a nostalgic atmosphere. Cycling on rural path, cruising on poetic Perfume River

Overnight: Pilgrimage Village, Deluxe room
Meals: B L

Day 6: Hue – Hoi An
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and meet your guide and driver to depart to Hoi An. The trip passes through many spectacular scenarios along the National Highway 1 such as the breathtaking Hai Van Pass. The pass, which once formed the boundary between the kingdoms of Đại Việt and Champa, also forms a boundary between the climates of northern and southern Vietnam.

The Hai Van Pass is the highest and longest pass in Vietnam, with the North-South National Highway zigzagging through it for almost 20 km. Photo-stop somewhere in the Pass, and get your perfect pictures of Lang Co beach, a spectacular landscape or the peaceful fishing vicinity.

Upon arrival to Da Nang, we will visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture, opened in 1915. Then, we will explore the villages around the Marble Mountains, where very skillful artisans work on their products made of marble / granite and visitors can choose a collection of excellent stone products to buy as souvenirs. We will later continue driving towards Hoi An.

Overnight: Almanity Hoi An Resort & Spa, My Mind- Pool View room
Meals: B

Day 7: Hoi An

At 8:30am, we will start a walking tour through this charming small town made of hundreds of historic houses, congregation halls, pagodas and other structures. Its buildings and its streets reflect the indigenous and foreign influences this town had, defining it as a unique heritage and multi-cultural site. There’s plenty to see in this delightful town, such as the Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tan Ky House, Chua Ong Pagoda and the vibrant local market. We will visit all of them in this walking tour. In the evening you will have free time at leisure to relax and discover this beautiful town on your own

Overnight: Almanity Hoi An Resort & Spa, My Mind – Pool View room
Meals: B

Day 8: Hoi An – Danang – Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast, your driver and guide pick you up 2.5 hours before your departure time and transfer you to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh city
Upon arrival to Tan Son Nhat Airport your driver and guide will meet you and they will transfer you to your hotel. Check-in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Taste of the Night – Evening Motorbike Food Tour (evening)
The tour will start when your tour guide meets you at a place specified by you at 17:30pm. The first part of the tour features three diverse street vendors where you will get to sample some of the many foods that they offer and learn about the history and cultural significance of each dish. Your guide will explain the many different sights that you will pass along the way as we travel to the different street vendors spread throughout Saigon. We will then take you to a night market where you will have a chance to sample more foods and snacks as well as the many exotic fruits found in Vietnam. Our tour ends with one the most popular Vietnamese food traditions; “The Street Barbeque.”  Here you will get a chance to gorge yourself on as many different kinds of foods as you can eat.  As long as you keep eating, we will keep ordering.  In addition, you will have the option of sampling some of Vietnam’s famous rice wine including snake wine, ginseng wine and goat wine.  At the end of the night (around 22pm) when you have eaten your fill we will drop you back at your hotel.  Our tour is designed to give you a taste of as many different kinds of food as possible and is suitable for all travelers to Vietnam.

Overnight: Majestic Hotel, Colonial Pool Deluxe
Meals: B

Day 9: Ho Chi Minh city – Sightseeing

A trip to Sai Gon offers you a good experience of the country‘s most dynamic city – a vital economic hub with bustling life. Sai Gon is the reconciliation between American and Chinese influence, with many dots of modernity yet without losing Vietnamese traits. Modern office skyscrapers, amidst Chinese style pagodas and food stalls, street vendors along the street, they all create a dynamic urban area in a very traditionally modern sense. You will depart from your hotel after breakfast, around 8:30 and our first stop will be the Reunification Palace, former residence of the presidents of South Vietnam before 1975. Next, you will visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Post Office. Before lunch, we will head towards the War Museum, one of Vietnam’s most popular museums which primarily exhibit the American phase of the Vietnam War
At noon we will stop for lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, head to China Town and visiting the Binh Tay Market. Stop over at Thien Hau, a 150 year old Chinese Temple, followed by the FITO Museum, Vietnam’s first traditional medicine museum displaying an amazing collection of 3,000 items relevant to the development of traditional Vietnamese medicine, implements used to prepare indigenous herbs, objects commonly found in traditional pharmacies as well as ancient books and documents on traditional Vietnamese medicine.

When the tour finishes, your driver and guide will drive you back to your hotel. The rest of the night will be free at your leisure.

Overnight: Majestic Hotel, Colonial Pool Deluxe
Meals: B L

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh city – Ben Tre – Cho Lach

After breakfast, you will head towards Ben Tre. Enjoy a boat cruise along the river which is a branch of the Mekong. We will start the day taking a short walk through various local workplaces where you will be able to picture how local people work. We will also visit the brick kiln, the fruit orchards, a coconut candy workshop and other local cottage industries. The boat will then stop at a quiet village where you may have a short walk and experience the village life, visit a mat weaving house, where straw mats are woven by hand – you can even try weaving yourself. At noon, you will take a xe loi (a kind of motorized rickshaw) to a riverside local restaurant for lunch. After lunch, it’s time to board a sampan for a relaxing trip along narrow canals. Later, you will pick up your bike and start cycling through the orchards to Mr. Khanh’s house. Khanh is a passionate antiques collector and his house is full of fascinating artifacts from Vietnam and many other places in Asia. He also has some fascinating family albums dating back to French colonial time. You will then get on your bike and cycle back to the river to board your boat and return to the dock. When the tour finishes, you will head back to Cho Lach and you will have free time at leisure.

Overnight: Nam Hien Gite House
Meals: B L D

Day 11: Cho Lach – Ho Chi Minh city – Phu Quoc

After breakfast, enjoy bicycle ride in the countryside and visit the local market of Cho Lach, where you will discover fruit garden and you will meet a local arborist. He will explain to you his work and his daily life. Lunch will take place at a local house with homemade meals.
In the afternoon, we will head back to Ho Chi Minh city and take the flight to Phu Quoc.

Upon arrival to Phu Quoc Airport, the driver of resort will meet you and they will transfer you to your hotel. Check-in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Cassia Cottage Resort, Modern Premium Room
Note: there is no TV in all room types
Meals: B L

Day 12: Phu Quoc

All year round: Snorkelling at the South Phu Quoc Island
After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up, and head towards the southern island to visit Pearl Farming. Here you will find some remarkable pearls and some information about the history of pearl farming on the island. You might find the prices are also quite remarkable too, judge for yourself.

Next, drive Southward on dirty road to visit Phu Quoc Prison historical site, which was built in 1949-1950 by the French colonists to jail those considered specially dangerous to the colonist government. You will continue to get on board at An Thoi Pier to take the boat trip at the South archipelagoes, snorkeling at the marine reservation area at Thom Islet, Dam Ngang islet, lunch on board with grilled seafood. Back to pier, drive to Sao Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches of the island with white sand and crystal water, swimming and relaxing
When the tour finishes, you will be transferred back to hotel and enjoy the rest of day free at leisure.

From November to April: Snorkeling at the North Phu Quoc Island
After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel for driving to Duong Dong pier to embark the cruise. You will cruise along the coastline until you arrive at “Turtle Island”. There are not a lot of larger fish species here but the hard corals that are present are spectacular. The underwater terrain is “canyon like” with some sections deeper than others. You will see a lot of tree branch coral (acropora), whip coral, brain coral and other types of hard coral. You will also see a lot of sponger which are really cool to observe while snorkelling.

After rejuvenating in the ocean, enjoy a delicious lunch on board before lifting anchor and cruising to “Finger Island” for an incredible fishing trip. Relax and take in the serene atmosphere as you cast a line out into the ocean. Once you’ve had your fill, hop aboard your boat once again and cruise slowly back to town just in time to catch the spectacular sunset.
When the tour finishes, you will be transferred back to hotel and enjoy the rest of day free at leisure.

Overnight: Cassia Cottage Resort, Modern Premium room
Meals: B L

Day 13: Phu Quoc

Free day at leisure

Overnight: Cassia Cottage resort, Modern Premium room
Meals: B

Day 14: Phu Quoc – Ho Chi Minh city – Depart

Today you will have the day free at your leisure until your driver of the resort transfer you to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh city and connect the flight back home.
Meals: B
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Hanoi: La Siesta Hotel
Halong Bay: Prince Junk
Hue: Pilgrimage Village
Hoi An: Almanity Hoi An Resort & Spa
Ho Chi Minh City: Majestic Hotel, Colonial Pool Deluxe
Phu Quoc: Cassia Cottage Resort

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Date: AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

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