vietnam cultural highlights (11 days)
TRANSCRIPT
VIETNAM CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS
Durations: 11 days, 10 nights Trip theme: Sightseeing, History and Culture, Comfort Destinations: Hanoi – Tam Coc – Halong Bay – Hoi An – Hue – Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta SPIRIT
Vietnam is one of Asia’s most diverse and fascinating countries. This journey takes you to the country’s three main regions encompassing cultural highlights in Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City. Discover Vietnam with the natural splendor and majesty of the north; continue to the historic charm of the central regions before concluding with the beauty and the vibrancy of the south.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Exclusive walking tour in Hanoi Old quarter with its small alleys • Authentic sampan ride in Linh Coc, new site of Ninh Binh. • One night cruise inside the dramatic karst scenery of Halong Bay • Hoi An ancient town and private cooking class • Boat trip in Ben Tre and experience on Mekong Delta’s arroyos
ITINERARY 11 DAYS
Day 1: Hanoi -‐ Arrival
Welcomed on arrival at Noi Bai airport by IntimateAsia tour guide, and then you will be transferred by private vehicle to your hotel in town. Begin your discovery journey from Hanoi, our capital. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi
Today, city tour of Hanoi includes Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the 11th Century Quan Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda. In the afternoon, visit Temple of Literature -‐ Vietnam's first university and then explore local life in Ancient Quarter by an exclusive walking tour. Water puppets show in this evening-‐ a unique art of the Tonkin. Second night in Hanoi (B).
Day 3: Hanoi – Tam Coc
After breakfast, travel by road to Tam Coc. Upon arrival, visit Hoa Lu, a former Vietnamese Royal city. Then short drive to Thung Nham valley for a 2-‐hour boat trip from Linh Coc pier and visit But Cave. Overnight in Tam Coc (B)
Day 4: Tam Coc -‐ Halong Bay
Morning depart Tam Coc for Halong, through the Red River Delta. Embark a traditional junk for your two-‐day cruise to explore Halong Bay with its incredible limestone rock formations. Lunch served on board while sailing inside the picturesque bay. Visiting a floating village and free time for relaxing on the beach and kayaking. Overnight on board (B, L, D).
Day 5: Halong Bay -‐ Hoi An
Today you continue the cruise through Halong Bay passing many beautiful spots.Disembark at noon and you are transferred to Hai Phong airport for your flight to Danang. Met upon arrival in Danang and transfer to your hotel in Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An (B, L).
Day 6: Hoi An
Morning, take a cyclo trip to explore Hoi An ancient town with its restored 18th century merchants' houses. Afternoon you are free at leisure. Relax on the private beach or by the resort pool or perhaps rent a bicycle to ride into Hoi An rural area to discover local people life. Overnight in Hoi An(B).
Day 7: Hoi An-‐ Hue
Begin with interesting half day learning about Vietnamese food and the Hoi An way of life. A guided tour of Hoi An’s colorful central market, followed by an interesting and informative tour of The Market Restaurant watching live cooking demonstrations with many food tastings. 2 hour hands on in-‐depth cooking class, lunch, recipes and Vietnamese cooking utensil to take home. Afternoon transfer to Hue via Hai Van Pass. At leisure. Overnight in Hue (B, L).
Day 8: Hue
Morning visit Imperial Citadel with many well-‐preserved royal monuments in Hue and the most famous Tu Duc’s tomb. Afternoon embark on a boat trip up the river to Thien Mu Pagoda, built on a hill in 1601 by Prince Nguyen Hoang. Visit the pagoda and continue the boat trip to Thuy Bieu village which is known for its fresh grapefruit, bike ride or walk in the village to experience local life. Late afternoon, enjoy herbal foot bath and home hosted dinner at a local family. Then transfer back to hotel in town. Overnight in Hue (B, D).
Day 9: Hue -‐ Ho Chi Minh City
At leisure until transfer to Ho Chi Minh City (former Saigon). Upon arrival, you’re met and transfered to your hotel in down town. This afternoon visit the War Remnants or History Museum and walk to visit former Presidential Palace to the major sights of colonial Saigon includes the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street, Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Day 10: Ben Tre (Mekong Delta)
Morning we head to Mekong Delta. Explore waterways and local people life by embarking on a boat trip. Stop to visit local cottage factories where bricks, popcorns coconut candies are made. Return to the boat and begin a sampan ride along small canals, admire the scenery and the daily life of the local villagers. Lunch will be at a local family serving specialties of the area. Return to Ho Chi Minh City late afternoon. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City – Departure
Breakfast at your hotel. At leisure until transfer to the airport for departure flight home or to other destination. End of tour.
TOUR PRICE:
Tour price in USD, per person, valid until 31 Oct 2015:
TOUR CLASS
2 pax 3-‐5 pax 6-‐9 pax 10-‐14 pax 15-‐19 pax 20 pax up Single Supp.
Superior $1,210 $1,059 $891 $859 $821 $802 $268
Deluxe $1,487 $1,336 $1,168 $1,136 $1,098 $1,079 $556
Luxury $2,025 $1,874 $1,706 $1,674 $ 1,636 $1,618 1,079
ACCOMMODATION LIST:
CITY HOTEL CATEGORY
Superior (3*) Deluxe (4*) Luxury (5*) Hanoi LA DOLCE VITA SILK PATH SOFITEL METROPOLE Halong Bay DRAGON PEARL DRAGON LEGEND INDOCHINA SAILS Tam Coc YEN NHI TAM COC GARDEN TAM COC GARDEN Hoi An ANCIENT HOUSE BOUTIQUE HOI AN ANANTARA HOIAN Hue ROMANCE MORIN HUE LA RESIDENCE Saigon SANOUVA GRAND SAIGON CARAVELLE SAIGON
Our services include:
• Tours and transfers as mentioned by private air conditioned vehicle • Accommodation in a shared twin or shared double room • Domestic flights: Haiphong-‐ Danang; Hue -‐ Saigon • Meals as mentioned (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner) • English or French speaking guide (for other languages supplements apply) • Entrance fees for mentioned visits • Joined cruise on Halong Bay • Private boat trip in Hue and Ben Tre • Cyclo or bicycle ride • Vietnam visa approval letter • Water and wipes on car or bus.
Our services exclude:
• International flight to and from Vietnam • Travel insurance. • Drinks & other meals not mentioned in the program. • Personal expenses.
Please contact us if you need any further information:
Nancy Nguyen – Email: [email protected]