Detailed itinerary for Vietnam Holiday Package 16 Days, Vietnam Vacation Package, Vietnam Tour Package. Reasonable price, No hide cost, Best services, Pro, Unique organized tour. Book Today! To get Special Price, Save cost.
Day 1: Hanoi - Arrival
Upon arrival to Hanoi International Airport (for Vietnamese people it called Noi Bai International Airport because it located in Noi Bai commune far from Hanoi centre around 35KM ), you will be warmly welcomed by tour experts of Rosanta Travel Company: an English speaking guide of us who holds a signboard with your name on it when you reach to gate-out at the airport lobby, you will meet him, and a driver of us. Then head to the old quarter in Hanoi city centre. The rest of the day is the time for a rest or you can walk around on streets nearby your hotel if you want.
The old quarter of Hanoi which is also known as the 36 streets and guilds, this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. Originally each of the street’s names was related to the products being sold there. There are countless attraction sights; small shops; big markets; bars & pubs; restaurants; as well as Vietnam government and diplomatic institutions around charming Old Quarter of Hanoi, so Hanoi Old Quarter is the best attractive place for all foreign/overseas tourists to visiting Hanoi Capital City of Vietnam. We have many nice hotels in the old quarter of Hanoi, which will be dedicated to you if you book the tour with us! Surely that it will be a convenience extremely for you to go to the big markets or small shops for shopping at your leisure time if you want.
Accommodation: Hotel in the Old Quarter of Hanoi
Day 2: Full Day Hanoi City Tour
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and it is center of tradition, history and culture. The city is well-know with Hanoi Old Quarters - ancient-narrow streets where is lovely to walk around this area & an ideal place for travelers go shopping anything… You will have a chance to visit all highlights of Hanoi City such as: The Ho Chi Minh Complex; War Remnants Museum; the Temple of Literature; the Fine Arts Museum or Vietnam Ethnology Museum; Hoan Kiem Lake.
The Ho Chi Minh Complex, which includes Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, President Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where he lived from 1958 to 1969, Ho Chi Minh museum, the Presidential Palace, Vietnam National Assembly' Building, and the One Pillar Pagoda which was built in square water lake middle that is Hanoi’s oldest and finest pagoda, dating back to 1049.
Continuing your trip visiting War Remnants Museum in Hanoi City that is formerly known as the museum of war crimes, this is a poignant display the futility of war and you will also visit the underground hideout cellar relics of Vietnam Army headquarters "Hanoi tunnel of Vietnam Defense Department" during the war in Vietnam from 1945 to 1975.
Visiting the Imperial Citadel of Thanglong Hanoi which is one of the World Culture Heritage. (in Vietnamese: Hoàng thành Thăng Long) is the cultural complex comprising the royal enclosure first built during the Ly Dynasty (1010) and subsequently expanded by the Tran Dynasty, Le Dynasty and finally the Nguyen Dynasty (1802 - 1945).
After having lunch at a nice restaurant, you will visit the Temple of Literature - a temple to Confucius, this is also known as Vietnam’s first University dating back to 1070. Continue the trip to visit Museum of Ethnology that is widely acknowledged as the best museum in the country and has an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic minority peoples. As well as the comprehensive array of exhibits inside, there are also traditional tribal houses reconstructed within the ground.
15:00PM the tour guide will take you to the Dong Xuan Market that is one of largest market in North Vietnam as well as in Hanoi City. 16:00PM you will have a dinner by a Hanoi Street Food Tour with detail itinerary: walking on the old quarter of Hanoi your tour guide will give you an insight into the intricacies and traditions of Vietnamese food culture including details on ingredients and historical backgrounds of popular northern dishes.
Walking through narrow streets, small alleys that make up Hanoi’s Old Quarter, continuing into the centre of the Old Quarter, where you can see local life that has changed little since Hanoi was founded over 1000 years ago. And you will try the famous Hanoi's dishes on a popular street such as Banh Cuon, Bun Cha, Phở (noodles with beef well done), Bia Hoi (fresh beer), Vietnam fresh fruit or fresh fruit mix with milk, then your guide will take you to one of Hanoi’s best-known coffee shop where you will have choices of egg coffee or milk coffee. These specialties are one not to be missed whenever visiting Hanoi.
18:30PM enjoy a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show at the Thang Long Opera Theatre – a unique Vietnamese Art form hailing from Southeast Asia’s wet-rice culture. You will have a chance to experience an overview of daily life in Vietnam's rural areas in dramatic form.
Accommodation: Hotel in the Old Quarter of Hanoi
Day 3: Hanoi - Ha Giang City (300KM)
7.00AM the tour guide and driver will pick you up to takes you to Ha Giang City. On the way you will go through lots of towns, villages and countryside and you will have a chance to see beautiful sceneries and you will get great views and insight to the country and day to day life of North Vietnam people on both sides of the road.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ha Giang City
Day 4: Ha Giang City - Dong Van Karst Plateau in Dong Van Town - Meo Vac Town
After breakfast, 8.00AM our tour guide and driver will take you to Dong Van Karst Plateau in Dong Van Town and Meo Vac Town in Ha Giang Province. On the way, you will have a chance to see a beauty of Pac Sum pass, Heaven Gate, Fairy Mountain in Quan Ba, looking down at Tam Son Town from above.
Arrival in Dong Van Town, you will visit Dong Van Old Quarter, here you can enjoy the peaceful and ancient atmosphere of Dong Van and learn more about the minorities of H’mong, Giao... who are the local ethnic minorities, exhibit their friendliness through their colourful clothing and warm hospitality then head to the Meo Vac Town.
En-route visiting some of the most picturesque villages in the northern of Vietnam and the royal palace of King H’Mong minority - Vuong Chi Sinh which is a symbol of the past glory of the H’mong people which was built in 1914.
Then via Ma Phi Leng pass, stopping to admire and photography landscape of Ma Pi Leng pass which is a gigantic maze of limestone peaks, "stone forests", and canyons, a unique landscape of Vietnam and the world at there you can enjoy a panoramic view of Nho Que river and Ma Pi Leng valley which will bring you a pleasant sensation of a naturally romantic masterpiece.
Accommodation: Hotel in Meo Vac Town
Day 5: Meo Vac Town - Ba Be Lake in Ba Be National Park
Ba Be Lake (for Vietnamese: Hồ Ba Bể, Ba Be meaning "Three Lakes" in the local Tay language) is one of the largest natural fresh water lake in Vietnam, stretching about 8 kilometers in the north-south direction. The surface area of the lake fluctuates between 3 and 5 km2 between dry and wet season. Unlike many lakes in Karst limestone areas, Ba Be Lake never falls dry. Its average depth varies between 17 and 23 meters, the maximum depth is 35 meters.
8.00AM our tour guide and driver will take you to Ba Be Lake in Ba Be National Park in Vietnam. On the way you will go through lots of towns, villages and countryside and you will have a chance to see beautiful sceneries on both sides of the road. Arrival at Ba Be National Park, Visiting Pac Ngoi Village.
Tonight you will have dinner and stay at Pac Ngoi village, where Tay people living. (The Tay people is one of the 54 Vietnamese group who still keep living very traditional style). You will have a chance to enjoy the delicious dinner by Tay woman.
Accommodation: Homestay (house on stilts) in Pac Ngoi Village in Ba Be National Park
Day 6: Motorized-Boat Trip on Ba Be Lake in Ba Be National Park - Hanoi City
After breakfast at homestay, 8.00AM our tour guide will take you get on a motorized-boat to discover Ba Be Lake. You will enjoy 3.5 hour boat trip on Ba Be Lake. The motorized-boat will take you along through-along of Ba Be Lake and along the Nang River until you reach to a natural wonder Cave - Puong Cave and exploring this cave. Puong Cave is a large cave with 30m high, 300m long, is an interesting place in Ba Be National Park.
After having lunch at a restaurant, you will get on the Car or MiniVan to get back Hanoi. Arrival in Hanoi Old Quarter at approx 16:30PM, Check in the hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel in the Old Quarter of Hanoi
Day 7: Hanoi City - Halong Bay (overnight on the cruise)
8:00AM the guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and then depart for Halong Bay. It will take about 3.5 hours to drive to there. The trip to Halong Bay from Hanoi is rather long but extremely interesting. You will go through lots of towns, villages and countryside and you get a great views and insight to the country and day to day life of Vietnamese people on both sides of the road (165km).
12:30AM reach Halong harbor, you will get on the cruise welcome drink is served while enjoy the amazing scenery of Halong Bay and the cruise’s manager who will give you a short briefing and instruction about safety and notes before you start to check into your cabin,… you will then explore center area of the world natural heritage of Ha Long Bay - one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. We prepare a special delicious lunch (international cuisine) which will be served in the restaurant while you can enjoy the amazing scenery of Halong Bay. Cruising amongst the hundreds of islands, you will pass through floating villages and a lot of islands and islets highlighted with fanciful names: Fighting Cock islet (symbol of Halong Bay), Duck islet, Swan islet, Incense Burner islet, and Stone Dogs islet, Stone Cat islet, Finger Islet, and Frog Islet...
Stop at the center area of the World natural heritage of Halong Bay for kayaking around the breathtakingly beautiful limestone island formations or for a rowing boat trip to visiting a beautiful tunnel cave on the water “The Luon cave”. If you are lucky, you can see monkey herds/flocks on the limestone mountain in Halong Bay.
Then the boat will take you to a beautiful limestone island which named the Titop island. There you can swim on the Titop beach, and walk to the top of island to see the bay from the top of this mountain with a height of over 100 meters above sea level, you will have a panorama on Halong Bay. Get back the cruise and the cruise will take you to where the night’s anchorage of the cruise. While the cruise moving you will enjoy a sunset party with juices, cocktails, red vine and fruits on the sundeck of cruise and admire the best moments of the day when the sun starts to set. or you can also enjoy everyday promotion HAPPY HOUR - BUY 2 GET 1 FREE for all other beverages at the bar of the cruise.
18:00PM to18:30PM you will take part in cooking class at the restaurant of the cruise, you will be guided directly by Chef of the Cruise, you will be tried to making a authentic spring-roll dish of Vietnamese people with some suggested recipes. You will also learn about the recipes and techniques that create this popular dish of Vietnamese people. Then enjoy a happy hour (buy one drink gets more one Free) and It’s also the time for have a chat and relaxes…
19:30PM Dinner will be served with special foods (you can see more photos) at the restaurant of the cruise in middle romantic quite bay. The dining room is open so that guests could admire the views during meals.
21:00PM After dinner, it's time for entertainments, the activities included such as: Leisure time to enjoy a chat around the bar, watching movies and many sorts of Vietnam cultural films, relaxing, playing cards, chess are available,... or you can play your own favorite live music by yourself with a drum kit on the cruise, or you may also try your luck at squid fishing & fishing from the cruise.
Accommodation: Overnight on the cruise in Halong Bay
Day 8: Halong Bay - Hanoi City- Fly to Hue City VJ565 @ 20:00pm Or to Hue City by Night Sleeper Bus.
6:30AM early morning, enjoy landscape of Halong Bay and join on the Tai-Chi session on the sundeck of the cruise. The Tai-chi exercises combines deep breathing and relaxation with slow and smooth movements. These exercises are so good for human health. 7:00AM the breakfast will be served at the restaurant with delicious foods and pastries, Coffee, tea...
After having breakfast, sailing to an impressive cave of Halong Bay, a long cave and large which named Sung Sot cave (Surprising cave) with amazing stalactites and stalagmites, everything are created by naturally. The Sung Sot cave is one of the most beautiful caves in Halong Bay. This cave requires some moderate climbing. On exiting from the cave at the top, you'll not regret climbing as you are treated to a picture postcard view of Halong Bay.
Come back the cruise for relaxing and admire the stunning Halong Bay views once again when the sailing itinerary gets back to the harbor. The lunch will be served at restaurant on the cruise during cruising towards the harbor and you will then get back to Hanoi. At 16:00PM, around further 30km as reach Hanoi. Our driver and guide will meet you on the way so that pick you up and takes you to Hanoi Airport (at 16:30PM) for your flight to Hue @20.00PM – 21.10PM VJ565. Upon your arrival at Phu Bai Airport in Hue City, you will be warmly welcomed by tour experts of Rosanta Travel Company: an English speaking guide of us who holds a signboard with your name on it when you reach to gate-out at the airport lobby, you will meet him, and a driver of us. Then head to the hotel for check in and relax. Your hotel is located in the center of Hue City.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue city
Or to Hue City by Night Sleeper Bus from Hanoi at approx 18:30PM you will get on the night-sleeper-travel-bus to go to Hue City, arrival in Hue at approx 8:30AM next day. (The night sleeper travel bus is 45 seaters, 2015 - 2016 model, and you will join with other people on the bus). There are lots of overseas tourists travelling Vietnam by this bus type.
Accommodation: sleep on Sleeper Bus.
Upon arrival in Hue at approx 8:30AM of nex day, the tour guide and driver will pick you up at Hue Bus Station.
Day 9: Full Day Hue Royal Palace Tour
Hue City constitutes the cultural, political and economic centre of Thua Thien Hue province, and was the old imperial city of Viet Nam under the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945.
The old capital of Vietnam has plenty of wonderful places to visit. The first place is Imperial City with many gates of the fortress, including the famous forbidden Gate of the Noon (Ngo Mon) and many temples and worship places (Trieu Mieu, Hung Mieu, Thai Mieu) inside the City. Moreover, the Purple Forbidden City is the home to many emperors, queens and royal families of Nguyen Dynasty in 19th century. Another notable place is the complex of mausoleum of Nguyen emperors, including Gia Long Mausoleum, Tu Duc Mausoleum, Minh Mang Mausoleum, Dong Khanh Mausoleum, Khai Dinh Mausoleum... and beautiful pagodas and temples. Visiting Hue City is synonymous with learnning more about life style from old times.
Complex of Hue's monuments lies along the Perfume River belonging in Hue City and some adjacent areas of Thua Thien Hue Province. December 11, 1993, UNESCO has come to the decision of recognizing the architectural ensemble of Hue as a world cultural heritage.
After breakfast, 08.00AM our guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel for visiting Dong Ba Market and Hue Royal Palace and Hue citadel; some highlight mausoleums of Kings of Nguyen Dynasty in Vietnam.
Dong Ba Market is the biggest commercial center of Hue City as well as Thua Thien Hue Province and the adjacent regions (Dong Ba Market is usually very crowded/bustling in the morning daily). It is located on the north bank of Huong River, on Tran Hung Dao Street of Hue City.
This market was built in 1899. All of the most special cultural gifts and souvenirs of Thua Thien Hue that remain until today can be found in Dong Ba Market. They include “non la bai tho” (palm-leaf conical hats having poems woven into their design) from Phu Cam Village, which is made of latanier leaves; me xung (candies), Truoi berries, Tuan tea, tom chua (Hue Sour Shrimp), lotus seed of Tinh Tam Lake, etc. Traditional food such as mussel rice, beef vermicelli, leaves cakes, etc. can be purchased in the market, too.
It’s said that Dong Ba Market is where people can get most of Hue’s delicious dishes within a place – its food courts, and at a high quality standard. Don’t miss these street vendors on the ground of the market (under the stair). They’re really worth a try.
Nowadays, Dong Ba Market still holds an important position in the economy and trade of the city, though many supermarkets have been established. Apart from providing food and other goods for the cities, it’s also a must-stop of visitors to discover typical trading methods as well as buying some specialities of the local people.
Continuing you will visit Hue Royal Palace and Hue citadel. Hue citadel which’s within 21 metres-thick and 10 kilometres-long walls that you’ll find several of the city’s best sites, from the many ornate pagodas to the Forbidden Purple City. Most of the buildings were destroyed by bombs during the French War and American War, and nowadays they are under restoration.
Hue Royal Palace and Hue citadel which is one of the World Culture Heritages. This construction stared in 1805 under the reign of Emperor Gia Long and completed in 1832 under the reign of Emperor Ming Mang. Under Nguyen' reign, Kings have ordered to build ramparts, palaces and constructional works of royal. Over 200 years to now, it is still original with nearly 140 small and large constructions. The Citadel, square in shape and almost 10 km in circumference, 6 m high, 21 m thick and 10 entrances. On the top of the walls that surround it, 24 bastions are established for defensive purposes.
Royal Palace consists of more 100 beautiful constructional works divided many sectors: From the Ngo Mon to the Thai Hoa Palace: This is the place for setting up various grand ceremonies; Sector for worship shrines of the Kings of the Nguyen dynasty: Trieu Mieu, Thai Mieu, Hung Mieu, The Mieu and Phung Tien place; Sector for internal affairs office: Storehouse for precious objects, workshop for manufacturing various useful articles; Sectors for the Kham Van palace and the Co Ha garden: place where the princes are studying or enjoying…
Then you will have short walk to Hue traditional crafts village (Luc Bo Cultural Center) to learn more about how to make Hue’s palm-leaf conical hats; kites; paper flowers, paintings...
Continuing the trip, you will have short Dragon-Boat cruise trip around 5km along poetic Perfume River to enjoy beautiful views of Hue City and visiting Thien Mu Pagoda and beautiful temples complex that is located on a hill overlooking out the poetic Perfume River. The driver will then pick you up to back for visiting some highlight mausoleums of Kings of Nguyen Dynasty in Vietnam (since 1802 to 1945) such as:
+ The most majestic mausoleum of King Minh Mang – This majestic tomb is well-known for its architecture and sublime forest setting in beautiful quite area. This mausoleum was planned during his reign (since 1820–1840) but built by his successor, King Thieu Tri (since 1841-1843).
+ The most picturesque mausoleum of King Tu Duc which is considered as one of the most beautiful and picturesque mausoleums. its architectures looks like his dynasty royal palace.
+ The most elaborate mausoleum of King Khai Dinh, the mausoleum’s area is much smaller than other mausoleums. However, this mausoleum is far more elaborately designed than others of its era, being a mix of a number of architectural styles: Vietnamese, Indian and European Architectures.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue Royal City
Day 10: Hue - My Son Sanctuary - Hoi An Old Quarter walking tour
After breakfast, our tour guide and driver will pick you up and departs for Hoi An. On the way to Hoi An you will visit My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam province, which is one of the World Culture Heritage in Quang Nam province, Vietnam approx 120km from Hue city, and 50km from Hoi An Old Quarter.
My Son Sanctuary which is complex of temples of Cham minority with over 70 old towers monuments and 32 epitaphs. My Son was considered as the sanctuary of the Cham Kingdom. The constructions were built from the 4th to the 13th centuries under the reign of Bhadravarman for the worship of God Shiva-Bhadresvara. Each new monarch came to My Son after his accession to the throne, for the ceremony of purification and to present offerings and erect new monuments.
After lunch, continuing to Hoian Old Quarter one of the World Culture Heritage. Check in the hotel in Hoian city.
In the afternoon, you will have a walking tour in Hoi An town, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site because of its unusually well-preserved ancient streets and homes. You’ll walk through the narrow winding streets of the ancient town centre, visiting highlights of Hoian Old Quarter. Coming there, you can see a series of old-architecture lanes and houses with nearly 100% left from their initial buildings with moss-grown walls, deeply plain roofs, old furniture in their original past arrangement etc. Most premium oriental and western style of architecture meet together here, making a unique ancient Hoi An, absorbing all tourists who are eager for classic beauty! Even you are not classic styled, you still want to see by yourself how a lively ancient world can survive in this new modern and high-tech era! Sites include Chua Ong Pagoda, Assembly Halls, the 200- year old Tan Ky ancestral house and the Japanese Bridge...
Having dinner and free and relax at your leisure time.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian City
Day 11: Biking Cam Thanh, Tra Que villages & Traditional Basket Boat trip
“Hoi An is an old downtown located on riverside of the Thu Bon River in Quang Nam Province Vietnam approx 130km from Hue. Hoi An is surrounded by peaceful villages that has crafts such as carpentry, ceramic, bronze making,... Hoi An used to be known on the international market with many different names such as Faifo, Hoai Pho, Lam Ap, and Hoi An.
From the 16th to 18th centuries Hoian was a thriving international port frequented by Dutch, Portuguese, French, Japanese and Arab... traders, who came to trade in the high quality silk.\; ceramic, bronze... Nowadays, Hoian is a famous relaxing resort for tourists for its architecture. Hoi An Ancient Town and My Son Cham Towers have been recognized as the World Cultural Heritages by UNESCO since 12/1999”.
After the tour guide meets you at your hotel, a short bicycle competence test will be given. For those who uncomfortable with a push-bike, then other methods of transport can be arranged. The tour starts by cycling along level ground to the Thu Bon River to visit a local fishing village.
Biking along country lanes at a peaceful pace viewing local life and pause to see farmers toiling in their rice fields using centuries of farming practices. Peddle your way through palm forests, across bridges, fields of water buffalo....
9:00AM We stop at the beautiful water palm area and visit a local fisherman and his family to chat to them about their lives, at Cam Thanh Village before enjoying 1.5 hours ride on Traditional Basket Boat (round boat) in the famous Water Coconut Palm forest where the Viet Cong used to hide during the Vietnam war. Learn how to sail the basket boat and spend your time to catch fishes and “purple crabs” in the Canal.
10:30 Continue to drive to Tra Que organic-vegetable village where a large variety of vegetable are produced for the local community. At the village, you will be shown the environmentally sustainable practices which the local villagers have used for centuries and is still being used extensively today. Visit a local family and after a short, informative and fun cooking lesson, you will enjoy a delicious lunch.
In the afternoon it will be a half day FREE of you to do your own things.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian City
Day 12: Hoian – Da Nang airport – fly to Ho Chi Minh City @10:15AM – 11:45AM VN117 - Ho Chi Minh (former Sai Gon) City Tour - Sai Gon Jeep car tour in the evening @19:45.
Have breakfast at the hotel then drive to Da Nang airport to catch your flight to Southern Vietnam’s modern metropolis: Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Arrive in the late morning, the tour guide and driver will pick you up for a visiting some of the best highlight places of Ho Chi Minh City such as: the Saigon Notre-Dame basilica, the same as a famous cathedral located in Paris square that was built between 1877 and 1883. This is one of the best examples of classical French colonial architecture.
Nearby is the Old Post Office that is another example of French colonial architecture and is also the country’s largest post office and it is one of the oldest buildings in Ho Chi Minh City. Admire the neoclassical-style of the post office interior as your guide points out the painted maps of former Saigon, once the capital of South Vietnam.
Continuing visiting the century-old Reunification Palace, this is one of the most important buildings in this city. Here on 30th April 1975 the ‘American - Vietnam War’ officially ended when tank number 843 of the North Vietnamese Army crashed through the gates of this building, at the time the residence of the President of the Republic of South Vietnam. There you will be witnessed the growth of Ho Chi Minh City during peacetime and throughout the Vietnam War until its end on 30th April 1975 at 11:30AM.
Continuing to visiting the War Remnants Museum which relates to war phase of American & Vietnam, see displays of old military equipment and other related objects as well as larger exhibits including an F5A fighter and a UH1-Huey helicopter. Formerly known as the Museum of War Crimes, this is a poignant display of the futility of the war; then visiting the Museum of History in Ho Chi Minh City to learn more about the history of the Vietnamese people.
After that, you will enjoy a visit to Ben Thanh Market which is one of largest market in Saigon, there is a wide selection of goods at Ben Thanh Market - a trading centre of the city where sellers display a vast array of goods and handicrafts, your guide can help you barter for goods.
In the evening, after dinner, at 19:45 our guide and driver will pick up you at your hotel lobby for an exciting Jeep tour to visiting Ho Chi Minh City by night to discover the “pearl of Indochina by your own senses.
20:00 We’ll start Saigon by night tour where we will admire the most magnificent French colonial monuments of the city such as Opera House, City Hall, Notre Dame, Post Office and Walking street…
20:30 We’ll take you to explore the local night market where we can stop for shopping if you would like. After that you will visit the streets known for their vibrant night life, a very busy and exciting area of the city.
21:00 We’ll head for the suburbs of the city to chill out with some fresh air and see the city from a different perspective.
21:15 End up at a Rooftop bar to enjoy panorama view of Saigon with a free drink
22:00 : Guide will take you back to hotel by Jeep car.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 13: Cu Chi Tunnels – Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh.
After breakfast at hotel, the tour guide and driver will pick you up to travel outside of Saigon to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. The Cu Chi Tunnels are an underground labyrinth of passageways, used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War (or “American War” as it’s referred to here) as protection against American air raids. Visiting Cu Chi tunnels you will better understand what life was like for the Vietnamese soldiers during wartime....
You will then spend the next hours exploring the maze of tunnels where the Vietnamese could escape bombings, hide from enemy, and mount surprise attacks in the Vietnam war. Also on display are various mantraps and the remains of an American tank as well as numerous bomb craters made by 500 pound bombs dropped by B52 bombers…
“Cu Chi Tunnels is a defense system in the ground in Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City approx 70 km to the Northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. Cu Chi tunnels has been used by the Vietnamese during the war between Vietnam and American in Southern Vietnam. The tunnels were the key part of guerilla warfare during the Vietnam war. Stretching hundreds of miles under the bushes, the tunnels were dug by local people using shovels. Cu Chi Tunnels were built on the land known as the "land of steel", located at the end of the Ho Chi Minh trail. During Tet 1968 Campaign (in 1968), National Liberation Front of South Vietnam have used these tunnels system to attack into Saigon.
The network included innumerable traps, traps-doors... Specially constructed living areas: the medical stations; field hospitals; storage, weapons factories, working rooms, command centers, kitchens, and many rooms for stay... inside the tunnels system underground.
Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life in the American war must have been like. This secret underground life will give you an unique experience as exploring one of the greatest invention that had ever been created by human strength”.
Upon arrival in Cu Chi, start your tour of the tunnels by watching a movie about the Vietnam War. Then, explore the Cu Chi Tunnels site, including the tiny entrance gates, traps, underground hospitals, worships, kitchens and bunkers. Crawl through a section of the tunnels to experience first hand what life was like under the ground for the Viet Cong… and you will also be given the chance to fire with an M-16, AK-47 or a carbine (own expense)…
Next you will visit the beautiful Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh and partake in the noontime prayer service. This large and colorful temple is home to the hybrid religion founded in 1920: Caodaism, which combines elements of Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam in order to promote peace...
After that, transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City (former Sai Gon) in the late afternoon and free time relaxation.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 14: Saigon – Mekong River Delta (Cai Be) – Can Tho.
In Southern Vietnam, Mekong River unravels into nine sprawling rivers, forming the fertile Mekong Delta. It’s here the river rules. Daily life flows with the ever-changing waters, fisheries thrive during the annual flood and rice fields are quickly dug as the waters recede.
Depart Ho Chi Minh City after breakfast, driving two-hours to reach Cai Be in the heart of the Mekong Delta for one of the highlights of the tour – a cruise on the mighty Mekong River and the chance to witness life on and around the water of the "Nine Dragon River". Board a traditional wooden sampan boat around the Cai Be Floating Market, a commercial spectacle established in the 19th century. Marvel at boats replete with exotic produce and interact with locals in order to discover more about their stock. Next, disembark and stroll to the coconut candy factory to discover the manufacturing process of the sweet treats, as well as puffed rice – the local equivalent of popcorn.
A delicious home-cooked Vietnamese meal will be served for lunch in a local family. Then take a walk through their fruit orchard to see the fresh seasonal fruits on the trees and listen to melodious Vietnamese folk music known as "Don Ca Tai Tu".
Reboard the boat through the narrow canals around the island, appreciating the tranquility and lush landscapes of this part of the Delta, to Vinh Long. Drive to the largest city in the Mekong Delta: Can Tho, a buzzing town with a lively waterfront and a colorful mix of narrow back streets that make for some rewarding exploration. Rest of the day, you may like to walking along Ninh Kieu Park and on a pedestrian bridge of Can Tho City.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho.
Day 15: Can Tho – Floating Market – Saigon.
Wake early and leave the hotel to visit the famous Cai Rang floating market by motorized boat. This is a great opportunity to get fantastic photos of colourful boats laden with fruit and vegetables. Boats are filled with teetering piles of fruit and vegetables, from carefully balanced watermelons, to bright flowers. Then venture deeper into the country-side, passing traditional houses made of wood and palm leaves as you observe the activities of the local people, and sample the fresh, exotic fruit. Return to Ninh Kieu quay in Can Tho around 10 A.M. Check out the hotel then drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 16: Saigon Departure.
Have breakfast at hotel, enjoy a free morning… our driver meet and pick up to the airport for your flight departure home. Ends your services!