Designed to capture the true essence of Vietnam with a touch of class, this awe-inspiring itinerary is meticulously crafted to warmly invite you to Vietnam in style.  Your journey begins with Ho Chi Minh City, affectionately known as Saigon and the "Paris of the East". In recent years, Ho Chi Minh City has rapidly blossomed into one of Asia's hottest spots, featuring Vietnam's best cuisines, nightlife and accommodations.  In addition to visiting the remarkable sights in and around the city, you will embark on an unforgettable private boat journey along the Mekong Delta where you will catch a glimpse of life in the "Bread Basket", exactly as it was half a century ago. Next stop: Nha Trang, known for Vietnam's best beaches. Pamper yourself at the beautiful Ana Mandara Resort & Spa, one of Vietnam's most luxurious resorts reminiscent of an old Vietnamese village, where life of the typical fisherman can be witnessed just steps from your beachfront terrace.  A short flight then takes you to Danang, infamous for its Cham Museum and China Beach, followed by an enchanting visit to  UNESCO Hoi An, an artists colony long admired for its unsurpassed charm,  well-preserved ancient buildings and fantastic shopping! Last but not least, Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, a city of lakes, shaded boulevards and public parks. With narrow alleyways lined with shop-houses selling silk products, traditional handicrafts and arts, the old quarter is an enchanting place to wander. Your incredible journey is topped off with a memorable trip to Halong Bay that hypnotically transcends your body and soul to a new dimension, as you marvel its stunning sceneries while on board your privately chartered Junk.

Luxurious Accommodations. Timeless Culture.  Incomparable Service. It's all here -- Get ready for the trip of a lifetime!

ITINERARY IN BRIEF
DAY 1:   SAIGON ARRIVAL
DAY 2:   SAIGON – CUCHI TUNNELS
DAY 3:   SAIGON – MEKONG DELTA
DAY 4:   SAIGON – NHATRANG
DAY 5:    NHATRANG
DAY 6:    NHATRANG – DANANG
DAY 7:    DANANG - HOIAN
DAY 8:    HOIAN – HANOI
DAY 9:    HANOI
DAY 10:   HANOI – HALONG     
DAY 11:   HALONG – HANOI
DAY 12:   HANOI – DEPARTURE

 

DAY 1: HOCHIMINH CITY

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to hotel for check in.

Meals: Dinner
Overnight Stay at Park Hyat hotel in Hanoi

DAY 2: HOCHIMINH – CUCHI TUNNELS

Morning, drive to visit Cu Chi Tunnels, Cu Chi was an important base during the American War, because of its strategic location. The Vietcong built a 200km long network of tunnels connecting command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapon factories. Dug out of hard laterite by hand tools without the use of cement, this amazing network was never discovered.
Drive back Hochiminh, we continue to visit Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Sai Gon Post Office , former US Embassy, City Hall, Reunification palace. End of the day we concludes with a stroll through the famous Ben Thanh Market, whose clock tower over the main entrance to what was formerly known as Les Halles Centrale is the symbol of Saigon. Opened first in 1914, it features one-way aisles loaded with people clamoring to sell you cheap goods (T-shirts, aluminum wares, silk, bamboo, and lacquer) and postcards.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight Stay at Park Hyat hotel in Hanoi

DAY 3: HOCHIMINH CITY – MEKONG DELTA

Today we take an excursion to My Tho.  We will be traveling past miles of flat rice fields, along a bustling High Way. On arrival at My Tho, we embark on a boat to Thoi Son Island where we will be entertained with traditional music.  We will then change to a paddle boat to cruise through the narrow canals and visit home grown industries like coconut candy and rice-wine making. We next travel by motorized boat to another Mekong island to visit a bee farm and try tea with fresh honey from the beehives and enjoy fresh seasonal fruits, which is a great way to observe the local lifestyle close-up and catch a view dotted by many islands. As we return to My Tho there will be a visit to the Vinh Trang Pagoda.   
Drive back Hochiminh city, check in & free at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight Stay at Park Hyat hotel in Saigon

DAY 4: HOCHIMINH – NHATRANG

Morning, transfer to airport for flight to Nha Trang by .....
Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to hotel for check in.
Afternoon, take a half day city tour to visit Cham Por Nagar Towel - were built between the 8th and 13th centuries. The largest of the four remaining towers was built in honour of the Goddess Po Nagar, also known as Lady Thien Y Ana or Lady Mother of the Kingdom. Oceanique Institute - which was established in 1923, was one of the first centres for scientific research in Vietnam and Long Son Pagoda - was first built on Mount Trai Thuy in 1886 and named Dang Long Pagoda.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight Stay at Ana Mandara Resort in Nhatrang

DAY 5: NHATRANG

Full day free at leisure for sightseeing, sunbathing and swimming.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight Stay at Ana Mandara Resort in Nhatrang

DAY 6: NHATRANG – DANANG

Morning, free at leisure until transfer to the airport for the flight to Danang.
Upon arrival Danang, visit Cham museum - was built in 1915 with the financial support of the French Far-East Research Institute in Vietnam. This museum houses the most extensive collection of Cham art worldwide, the Marble Mountain and China Beach.  

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight Stay at Fusion Maia Resort in Danang

DAY 7: DANANG - HOIAN

Morning, meet you at hotel in Hoian then transfer out for city tour to visit  the ancient architecture of Hoian is a fascinating combination of Vietnamese traditional characters with Chinese and Japanese influence.  There are  plenty to see in this delightful town, some of which are  the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tamky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda, the vibrant market. Lunch then a perfect way to round off the day is a boat trip on the Thu Bon River, which also gives us a chance to admire the spectacular countryside and explore a handicraft ceramic village and boat building yards.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight Stay at Fusion Maia Resort in Danang

DAY 8: HOIAN – HANOI

This morning, drive to airport for your flight to Hanoi.  
Upon arrival, meet our local guide and transfer to hotel for check in. Free at leisure
Late afternoon, take 1-hour cyclo ride to visit Hanoi Old Quarter and enjoy the performance of the famous Vietnamese traditional art of water puppetry at Thang Long theatre.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight Stay at Sofitel Metropole Hanoi in Hanoi

DAY 9: HANOI

Morning, city tour to visit Hochiminh Complex, this complex  comprises the Mausoleum of the nation’s founder Hochiminh (closed on Monday, Friday and the whole months of October-November), the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow this with a trip to the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam built in 1070.
Afternoon, visit Vietnam museum of ethnology - contains more than 10,000 objects, 15,000 black and white photos and hundreds of video tapes and cassettes which depict all aspects of life, activities, customs, and habits of the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. You will explore West Lake, which is steeped in legend and is bordered by several significant pagodas. We will view Tran Quoc Pagoda, Vietnam's oldest pagoda, built in the 6th century and located on Cayang Island in the middle of the lake.  We visit these sights before continuing to the peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake with Ngoc Son Temple.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight Stay at Sofitel Metropole Hanoi in Hanoi

DAY 10: HANOI – HA LONG

Early morning arrival Hanoi at around 4:00am, transfer to a hotel for a rest and breakfast.
08:00     Transfer to Ha long via vehicle (160km driving one way - 3.5hrs drive). This will be your first opportunity to see some of the rural areas of Vietnam. The drive goes through the Red River delta, so we'll have plenty of chance for taking photo of Vietnamese farmers tilling the vast green paddy field.
With a quick rest stop en route, you will reach Halong City. Arrival in Halong at 11:3012h15:     Check-in registration, Boarding on Junk. Welcome drink is served
12h45:     Start cruising
13h00:     Have lunch board
13h30:     A fantastic cruise in Ha Long bay, visit Dinh Huong island, Ga Choi island, Dog island, Sail island, visit Sung Sot cave and a swim at Titov beach.
17h30:     Relax and enjoy sunset
19h30:     Enjoy dinner on board.
21h00:     Fishing or relax and spending a night on board.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight Stay on Violet Cruise or similar in Halong.

DAY 11: HA LONG – HANOI

Early risers can enjoy a morning view of Bay's landscapes. Sitting on the upper desk we can enjoy the breath - taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the crystal-clear water of the Bay. We can hear the birds singing, cicadas chirping ashore and the gentle lapping of the waves against our boat, the perfect soundtrack to accompany the fresh air and  gentle breeze.
7:00     Have breakfast
7:30     A morning cruise to visit Man's head island. Tortoise island. Visit to Bai Tu Long bay.
10:00     Arrange luggage and check out then have lunch on boat.
11:45     Arrive at the pier and drive back Hanoi.
Arrival Hanoi, check in and free at leisure.

Meals: Brunch
Overnight Stay at Sofitel Metropole Hanoi in Hanoi

DAY 12: HANOI – DEPARTURE

Leisure time until transfer to airport for flight departure.
Meals: Breakfast. 



Price Include:

• 10 nights accommodations at top 5 stars Luxury hotel with daily breakfast based on twin sharing
• One night accommodation on board in Halong based on twin sharing
• Domestic airfare for flight from Saigon - Nhatrang // Nhatrang - Danang // Danang - Hanoi
• Private transportation with English speaking guide.
• Private boat for sightseeing as stated in the program.
• Entrances fees + sightseeing as indicated.
• Vietnamese food as mentioned in the program
• Gov’t tax and service charge.
• Mineral water is available.
• Vietnam Traditional Gift (free)

Price Exclude:

• Visa, Insurance, drinks, personal expenses, others not mentioned in details, tips are welcome!
• Surcharge for booking during Chinese New Years from 20 – 30 Jan 2012: US$ 15/ pax/ day
• Surcharge for Compulsory dinner for Xmas and New Year Eve