Day 1: Hanoi arrival Welcome at the airport and transfer to hotel for check –in. Rest of the day free to explore the city. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi Day 2: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B, L, D) Breakfast at hotel, then embark on city tour with Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and “House on stilt” at the same area with the Presidential Palace and the famous One Pillar Pagoda. We also make a visit to the Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, which is now dedicated to Confucian worship and the Ethnology Museum before lunch. In the afternoon, continue our journey to Halong for the stunning Halong bay Overnight at hotel in Halong Day 3: Halong Bay -Hanoi – train to Dong Hoi (B, L) Breakfast at hotel, take a leisure boat trip to visit Halong Bay, the World natural Heritage site. Enjoy a beautiful cruise on the emerald green water of Ha Long bay among the 3,000 spectacular limestone islands. A fresh seafood lunch will be served on board. We have a view at famous Thien Cung Cave and have relaxable time for swimming in the bay. In the late afternoon, we head back to Ha Long harbour. Transfer back to Hanoi. A quick shopping at the supermarket to prepare some snacks for dinner on train and then straight to the railways station. Overnight on board Day 4: Dong Hoi –Phong Nha –Dong Hoi (L) Arrive in Dong Hoi Railway station approximately at 8am, you will be transferred to hotel for checking in and some refreshment. After that, we will get on car for a drive to the Son River where we take a boat trip to the park and famed caves at Phong Nha. The park has some beautiful limestone formations, grottoes and caves, as well as the largest primeval forest in Vietnam and the biggest limestone mountain range on the planet. Phong Nha also boasts underground rivers, large caverns and passageways and broad pristine sandbanks. The most impressive cave - Phong Nha cave is probably also the most beautiful with many fascinating rock formations with imaginative names such as The Lion, Fairy Caves, Royal Court and Buddha. The farther one gets inside the Phong Nha Caves, the more illusory the stalactites and stalagmites look as they glitter when bright light is shone on them. Back to the harbor, we have lunch before driving back to hotel in Dong Hoi for overnight. Overnight at hotel in Dong Hoi Day 5: Dong Hoi –Hue (B, L) After breakfast, we depart to Hue. On the way, we will pay a visit at Vinh Moc Tunnels, an underground village designed to avoid bombardments during the American War and Quang Tri Citadel, a military bastion and an administrative head office of Nguyen Dynasty in Quang Tri Province from 1809 to 1945. Have lunch at a local restaurant in Dong Ha Town. Overnight at hotel in Hue Day 6: Hue (B, D) Hue with splendid tombs of the Nguyen emperors, notable pagodas and the remains of the Citadel becomes one of Vietnam’s attractions to tourists from all over the world, who like to explore the traditional cultural values of Vietnam. We start our day with guided touring around the Imperial Citadel, visiting the Noon Gate and Forbidden City; then followed with the Antiquity Museum for some view. After that, we will drive out Hue outskirt to visit Khai Dinh Royal Tomb. Afternoon at leisure. In the evening, enjoy dinner, then take boat trip along Huong River and enjoy Hue Traditional Music Show. Overnight at hotel in Hue Day 7: Hue – Danang –Hoi An (B) Breakfast at hotel, road transfer to Danang, watch over Lang Co fishing village and white sand beach. Continued to Danang. Take the panoramic view of Danang city from afar. Proceed to Hoian. On the way, visit China Beach, stone sculpturing village on the foot of Marble Mountain. Visit the Hoian Ancient Town. Visit Phuoc Kien Temple, Tan Ky old house, where keep many ceramic antiques. Explore the special architectural style of Bridge pagoda. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An Day 8: Hoi An - Quy Nhon (B) Breakfast at hotel, transfer to Qui Nhon. Visit Thap Cham (Cham Towers) on the way. Check in Hotel, free for relaxing and swimming. Overnight at hotel in Quy Nhon Day 9: Quy Nhon (B) Free at leisure. Overnight at hotel in Quy Nhon Day 10: Quy Nhon –Pleiku (B) Continue the trip to Pleiku with a short stop en route to visit coffee plantations. Upon arrival, visit Dektu and Dekcop villages of the Bana minority. Enjoy Bahnar gong music and Can wine. Overnight at hotel in Pleiku Day 11: Pleiku –Buon Me Thuot (B) Transfer to Buon Me Thuot, a highland city famous for its ethnic minorities with the characteristics of a primitive life. Visit to Museum of Ethnic Minorities, Draysap Waterfalls and villages. Overnight at hotel in Buon Me Thuot Day 12: Buon Me Thuot –Nha Trang (B) Drive to Lak Lake, visit Ede ethnic village. Take a boat trip and an elephant ride around the lake. Afternoon drive to Nha Trang, a romantic seaside resort with fine beaches, clear water and a colorful marine life. Overnight at hotel in Nha Trang Day 13: Nha Trang (B) Free at leisure. You can relax on beach after long journey or join boat trip to nearby island or cycle around the city. Overnight at hotel in Nha Trang Day 14: Nha Trang –Dalat (B, D) Drive to Da Lat, known as the city of love at the altitude of 1,500m above sea-level. Visit to impressive Dambri waterfall on the way. Overnight at hotel in Dalat Day 15: Dalat (B, L) Breakfast at hotel. Full day tour to the most wanted places of Dalat including Dalat railway station, Linh Phuoc Pagoda, Lat Village, Robin Hill, Truc Lam Zen Monastery and Bao Dai Summer Palace. Overnight at hotel in Dalat Day 16: Dalat - Saigon (B, D) Drive to Ho Chi Minh City. Transfer to hotel. The rest of day is free at hotel. Dinner on boat along Saigon River Overnight at hotel in Saigon Day 17: Saigon highlights and Cu Chi Tunnels (B, L) Departure for the Cu Chi Tunnels, an impressive network of tunnels with a length of over 250 km. This strategic place was used by 15,000 Viet Cong fighters during the war. After Cu Chi visit, return to Saigon for lunch, then continue the day with a visit to the highlights of Saigon including The Central Post Office, The Notre Dame Cathedral, The Reunification Palace, The War Crimes Museum. Spend some time for Ben Thanh Market. Overnight at hotel in Saigon Day 18: Mekong Delta (B, L) At 8 hours, you will be picked up at the hotel and transferred to My Tho. Around 9h30, arriving in My Tho, you will enjoy different type of boat trip (motorized boat trip and rowing boat trip) to islands where you can visit local houses, see how they make delicious coconut caramels and enjoy lunch. After that, you will also stop over the Unicorn Island for a traditional music performance, “cai luong” by local people. Enjoy some tropical fruit here. Especially, you will have a chance to be on horse-drawn carriage or local transport “Xe loi” (nowadays, it is often seen on movies). In the afternoon, around 2 hours, you will take a drive back to Saigon. Overnight at hotel in Saigon. Day 19: Saigon departure (B) A transfer to the airport for flight home. End of services by Indochina Travel Service. INCLUSIVE: All A/C transportation as per the itinerary English speaking guide Accommodation on twin share basis with daily breakfast Meals as clearly mentioned in the itinerary (B: breakfast, L: lunch; D: dinner) Boat cruise as per the itinerary Train tickets: Hanoi –Dong Hoi (A/C cabin of 4 soft –sleepers) Gong show in Pleiku, Elephant ride in Buon Me Thuot Sightseeing fees and permits during guided time EXCLUSIVE: International tickets and airport taxes Vietnam Visa & visa fee Travel insurance (compulsory) Food & drinks not mentioned within the itinerary Tips and gratuities Expenses of a personal nature such as bar bills, laundry and telephone charges Other services not clearly described in the program |