Vietnam with the history flow

• Explore all the historical landmarks a long the country with professional guides.
• Discover the hidden charm of Vietnam along the trip, from mountain to the sea.
• Enjoy a fascinating country with graceful people, stunning landscapes and diverse culture.

⇒ Trip grade: Moderate (customizable)
⇒ Trip code: VT03 ()
⇒ Trip duration: 18 days/17 nites in Vietnam
⇒ Destination: Hanoi - Halong - Dien Bien Phu - Hue - Hoi An - Nha Trang - Saigon - Vinh Long - Vung Tau.
⇒ Meals included: 17 Breakfasts, 15 Lunches, 4 Dinners (Allow extra Meal budget minimum $20US/per day)
⇒ Transport: Private Car, Bus, Flight, Junk Cruise, Overnight train...
⇒ Accommodation: 15nites in hotels, 1 night on Junk Cruise (Halong), 1 night in homestay (Mekong Delta)
⇒ Tour guides: National Escort throughout.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:

• Accommodation based on twin shared room at selected hotels with daily breakfast.
  Check-in time at all hotels is 14:00 and check-out time at all hotels is 12.00
   Early check-in and late check-out is subject to availability with surcharge.
• Meals and other those mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner).
• Profestional English Speaking tour guide or other languages upon request.
• Tours and transfers as mentioned by private air-conditioned vehicle.
• Profestional English Speaking tour guide or other languages upon request.
• Domestic train: Saigon – Nha Trang.
• Domestic flights: Nha Trang – Danang, Hue - Hanoi (economy class).

TOUR EXCLUDES:

• Travel Insurance (Compulsory).
• Other flight tickets.
• Visas and airport departure tax.
• Meals, drinks and other those mentioned in the itinerary.
• Laundry, telephone calls and expenditure of a personal nature.
• Tips and gratuities.
  

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1    :    Hanoi Arrival
Day 2    :     Hanoi city tour
Day 3    :     Hanoi – Halong Bay
Day 4    :     Halong Bay – Hanoi.
Day 5    :     Hanoi – fly to Dien Bien Phu
Day 6    :     Dien Bien – Hanoi – Hue.
Day 7    :     Hue city tour
Day 8    :     Hue DMZ
Day 9    :     Hue – Hoian
Day 10  :     Hoian free day
Day 11  :     Hoian – Myson Sanctuary – My Lai village.
Day 12  :     Hoian – Nha Trang.
Day 13  :     Nha Trang – Boat excursion – Mieu Island
Day 14  :     NHa Trang – Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).
Day 15  :     Saigon – Mekong Delta (home-stay)
Day 16  :     Mekong Delta – Saigon – Vung tau
Day 17  :     Vung tau – Saigon
Day 18  :     Departure day.

(N:B): Please note that all of our trip are privately designed. So that price includes the following hotels, activities, and transport, and visits to attractions are by private car and guide unless otherwise stated. Your guide will pick you up from lobby of your hotel in the morning. The guide will confirm the pick-up time the day before. If you prefer to start next day's trip earlier or a little later, please feel free to tell your guide.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Welcome! (D)
You are welcome at Noi Bai International Airport and transferred to hotel in Hanoi. Time depending we can have a cyclo ride or a brief orientation walk to the old quarter of Hanoi. Our Welcome dinner tonight.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B, L)
Our tour today cover Ho Chi Minh Complex which include Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, The Presidential Palace, Ho’s house on stilt and One-Pillar pagoda. Then we drive to the close by Temple of Literature which was built to dedicate to the Confucius in 1070 then made to be the Royal school in 1076 and be came the first “university” of Vietnamese. The tour is continued with our visit to Huu Tiep lake where posted the wreckage of the B52 Bomber and drive by the Truc Bach Lake where John McCain was captured after his plane A4 was shot down in 1967. After a local specialty lunch we proceed to the Museum of Ethnology. In the afternoon we attend the traditional water puppet show.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay (B, L, D)
After breakfast we will take about 4 hours drive to Ha Long Bay. On the way we have opportunities to see how northern Vietnamese farmers work on their rice and vegetable fields. We also have a coffee break at Hong Ngoc workshop to use WC and enjoy the artworks. We board our junk at around 12.30 for our overnight cruise. Our seafood lunch is served follow by our sight seeing to the floating villages and Sung Sot cave. Enjoy the Sun Set and dinner on board.

Day 4: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi (B, L).
We spend the morning to see Luon water cave and the attached lagoon on a sampan and cruise back to the harbor. After lunch we drive back to Hanoi on another road passing by Hai Phong city where you can see a field where suffered heavy bomb from US Air force and Navy now become a large scale industrial zone. Back to Hanoi and enjoy your free evening.

Day 5: Hanoi – Dien Bien Phu (B, L)
We take our 1 hour flight today from Hanoi to Dien Bien Phu where the French lost their Indochina War in 1954 and that partially led to the Geneva Accord which divided Vietnam into North and South. After seeing the battle field, the commander-in-chief bunker, A1 hill, Dien Bien Phu Museum, we retire in our Hotel in Dien Bien.

Day 6: Dien Bien – Ha Noi – Hue (B, L)
In the morning we drive for 1 hour to see Muong Phang, back to Dien Bien town for lunch then drive to Muong Thanh Airport. We fly back to Hanoi in the afternoon then take our following evening flight to Hue. Arrive to our hotel at around 9.00 pm.

Day 7: Hue (B, L)
We spend the morning cruising on the Perfume River to visit the remarkable Thien Mu Pagoda with the Austin car that took Monk Thich Quang Duc to Saigon for his self-emulations in 1963. The dragon boat then takes us up stream to see Emperor Minh Mang Mausoleum. After lunch we keep on seeing the Imperial City to learn about the feudal time of the Nguyen Dynasty and to see some of the remain of the Tet Offensive in 1968. Overnight in our hotel in Hue.

Day 8: Hue – DMZ (B, L)
This trip brings you to the 17th Parallel where the North and the South were bordered. On the way we stop to see Doc Mieu firebase, Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River which was the line that divided North and South Vietnam. We spend our afternoon seeing Vinh Moc Tunnel and (or) Khe Sanh base. Drive back to Hue for our night.

Day 9: Hue – Hoi An (B, L)
Our drive today allows us to have several stops at formally war sites: Hai Van Pass with bunkers on top and a fantastic view to Lang Co beach, Da Nang Bay, Da Nang city and Son Tra Peninsular (Called Monkey Island by GIs), China beach where American GIs had their 48 hour R&R, Salt Water Airstrips. We also see the Marble Mountain and its stone carving village before we drive to Hoi An town. Late afternoon we have a walking tour of Hoi An when we see the Japanese bridge, Phuc Kien Chinese Assembly Hall, Tan Ky ancient house, and a couple of other sites in town. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 10: Hoi An free day (B)
Our day is at leisure for your shopping and relax. The other options can be a soft cycling tour to the surrounding villages and Cua Dai beach and/ or a cooking class in the afternoon for some reputable Hoi An recipes.

Day 11: Hoi An – My Son sanctuary - My Lai Village (B, L)
We drive to My Son Sanctuary in the early morning for a visit to the holly-land of the lost Champa Kingdom. This world heritage site offers a great look of a culture that strongly influenced by Indian cultures and beliefs. The sculptures remained on the towers showcases the talents of Champa artists. We then drive to Quang Ngai town for a basic lunch then head to My Lai, where the massacre happened in 1963. We do a tour to the museum, and the formal land of the village then drive back to Hoi An for the night.

Day 12: Hoi An – Nha Trang (B, L)
This morning we fly to Cam Ranh airport in Nha Trang city. Cam Ranh airport was built next to Cam Ranh Bay where American Navy and Marine used to camp. Drive to Nha Trang town for lunch, check in our hotel and relax in this beach city or try the Mud-bath (paying) massage or hit some sight-seeing spots in town.

Day 13: Nha Trang – Mieu Island (B, L)
This morning we cruise a little boat to Mieu Island where we walk into an exciting fishing village to explore the true local life there. After the village loop we try the round basket boat to get back to our big boat then cruise to a tinny beach on the other site of the island to relax. Lunch on the beach if weather permits. Back in town and have free time to relax.

Day 14: Nha Trang - Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) (B, L)
This morning we fly to Ho Chi Minh City, followed by our visits to the War Remnants Museum, The Reunification Palace, Notre Damn Cathedral, the Post Office, Caravel Hotel, Hotel Continental, the Municipal Theatre, Hotel De Ville and Rex Hotel, Ben Thanh Market. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 15: Saigon – Mekong Delta (homestay). (B, L, D)
Cai Be and Vinh Long are our destinations today. After 3 hours drive from Ho Chi Minh City, Me Kong River and Cai Be town welcome us with fascinating water life of floating market, cottage industries, orchards, waterpalm-covered canals. We share our night with a local family.

Day 16: Vinh Long – Saigon – Vung Tau (B, L)
After breakfast we bit goodbye to the family and head back to Saigon, after lunch we drive for 2 hours more to Vung Tau and visits the Long Thanh and Long Tan formal Australian sites. Dinner and over night at beach town of Vung Tau.

Day 17: Vung Tau – Saigon (B, L, D)
After lunch we drive back to Saigon, free time until our farewell dinner tonight.

Day 18: Departure day (B)
Your free time until airport transfer. Farewell. Thanks for traveling with us!

Price per person based On 2-5 People - Just You! Private Car, Driver and Guide